First "Official" Doctor's Appointment

Well Peanut...you're real! Not that you weren't before, but yesterday we heard your sweet little heartbeat and got to see you for the first time! I'm probably a little biased, but you're a pretty cute little peanut :) You measured at 8 weeks and 4 days. So we're not going to change your due date which is 11/24, but if we're technical and count from 8 weeks and 4 days, your due date would be 11/29, which is Grandpa Carter's (and mommy's cousin John's) birthday!!!! So you take your time and come when you're ready.

For the time being, we are seeing Jo Jean Hamilton, a nurse practioner at St. John's River District Health in Marysville. She'll be taking care of us until about 36 weeks along, then we'll transfer to one of the OB doctors at the practice. She's amazing and I really like her. I feel very comfortable with our decision and she's been seeing me for almost 3 years now.

The Jo Jean said everything looked great...all of my blood work came back great. We're going to monitor a few things closely because of family history...so I will be tested for gestational diabetes about 6 weeks earlier than normal because Grammy Carter had that with all 5 of her kids. We're also going to monitor your size closely...we talked about the fact that Grammy Carter had BIG babies and Grandma Mayhew had small babies. So we're hoping for a nice mix, but JUST IN CASE, this mommy isn't going to be having a 10 pound baby, two weeks over due ;-)

First Appointment

Today was my first doctor's appointment...actually it was a nurse appointment. I met with a wonderful nurse at St. John's River District Women's Health practice in Marysville, her name is Jennifer. We confirmed the pregnancy with a urine test then she took blood to run other tests too. And we chatted all about my health history, things I need to know, my prenatal visit schedule, and she loaded me up with a huge folder of information to read.

Everything looks good and the estimated due date she gave me was November 24...so looks like you'll be a turkey baby :) Next Wednesday is the really exciting day...we're going to have our first ultrasound, daddy and I will be able to hear your little heartbeat. It's a viability ultrasound to make sure you're in there and growing and developing and to see if the estimated due date is correct (of course very few babies come when due...it's just a hopefuly light at the end of the tunnel).

Next week, after we hear that sweet fast little heartbeat of yours, we'll make your presence known to the world and debut your blog :)

Internet predictions

Peanut,

Mommy was playing on the internet this afternoon and found this site with predictions...I answered a few questions and here's what it said. I'm asking you to keep a few things in mind...please, please, please don't make me wait 35 hours for you!!!!! I like the second prediction much better. Isn't 40 weeks enough ;-) Love you!

Madame Zaritska, using her mystical powers, has the following prediction:

This one I said my favorite color was deep pink...
The day you deliver, outside will be stormy. Your baby will arrive in the early evening. After a labor lasting approximately 35 hours, your child, a girl, will be born. Your baby will weigh about 6 pounds, 14 ounces, and will be 17 inches long. This child will have dark brown eyes and a lot of red hair.

This one I said my favorite color was light blue...
The day you deliver, outside will be light. Your baby will arrive in the early morning. After a labor lasting approximately 12 hours, your child, a girl, will be born. Your baby will weigh about 6 pounds, 1 ounces, and will be 21 -1/2 inches long. This child will have light hazel eyes and a lot of blonde hair.

A note from your daddy

Hi Peanut,

It's your daddy, sorry it took me so long to write you. I am not very good at writing.

So...I want to tell you about the day I found out you were a part of our family. It was March 19, 2009, my birthday. I was not excited about turning 30. It was a pretty normal day at work. There wasn't a lot to do so the day seemed to drag on, but finally it was time to go home. On my way home I was thinking about seeing your mommy. Everyday I get excited about seeing your mommy. I was surprised she was home already. When I walked in the door she stopped me half way up the stairs. I didn't even hear what she said at first. Then she said, with her eyes filling with tears, "Happy Birthday Daddy!" I knew then she was serious. I was so happy words can't describe how happy I was. She took two more tests to make sure. Then we went to tell your Grandma Carter and cousin Dakota. We also called Grandpa Carter on the phone. They were all very excited. I called Grandma and Grandpa Mayhew, but I couldn't get a hold of them. When I told your Aunt Tracy and Aunt Kim they were also so excited. Finally I got a hold of Grandma and Grandpa Mayhew and they were also so happy. We went to dinner and came home to watch some t.v. and then went to bed. That's what happened the day I found out I was going to be your dad!

Now, I would like to tell you about your mommy. When I first saw her I thought "man, she sure is pretty." I thought for sure she would not want anything to do with me. Then later on after we started to get to know each other she programmed her phone numbers (home and work) into my cell phone. That's when I knew I would get to see her again. After that we started our life together. Your mom is one of the most wonderful people I have ever met. She is kind and caring. She loves to help people out no matter what they ask.

One of the first things I noticed about your mom is that she loved her family a lot. She would do anything for them. That's how I knew she would be a great wife and mom. You better watch it though, she will call you out on things. Believe me she keeps a close eye on me and I'm sure she will keep one on you too. It is probably a good thing I am a lot like Grandpa Mayhew because your mommy is a very strong, smart and independent woman. She has accomplished a lot in her life. She went to college and now works for a non-profit company. She has a good head on her shoulders. She also loves the Lord, which I also do. God is going to be a part of our family's life. "As for me and my house we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15.

Your mommy is going to love you with all of her heart. I know because she loves me with all of her heart. You are going to be the luckiest kid in the world. I can't wait until you come into our lives.

I love you, see you in 9 months!
Love,
Daddy

P.S. I still like the nickname Bubba!

This is how crazy your mommy is

I just wanted to share with you baby (as I am sure you heard last night when I was so excited) that I found out that Rob Thomas, my all time favorite musician, will be releasing an ablum on June 30. And like most of his music, the album is titled appropriately for your impending arrival...it will be called "cradlesong." I will be sure to play it for you when I get the CD and hopefully you will love his music as much as I do.

Ok...now back to working on developing that little heart of yours! Love you, mommy

All About Your Daddy

Dear Peanut,

Yes, your daddy has already given you a nick name...Peanut. Which is much better than his original nick name of Bubba!

Your daddy is a pretty amazing guy and you're the luckiest kid in the world to have him in your corner. I remember when I met him for the first time, I was a little skeptical, but he was so cute and funny and just being with him was easy. I am positive you'll find this out about him too, he's just very calming to be around. And I had to marry him because he had blue eyes...I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you, there's a 50-50 chance according to our genetics :)

Your daddy works hard for Mortimer Lumber, a big family owned lumber company in the Port Huron area. He's been there on and off for the last 10 years. He would tell you he doesn't like it, but I think he really does. He has some wonderful friends there and he's really good at what he does. He's going to be the perfect example of how to be a hard worker and the importance of work ethic.

Daddy is also exited to teach you all of the fun stuff like how to ride a bike and play baseball. He's also glad that he'll be getting some help in the yard and garden. However, I keep having to remind him that it's going to take some time before we can get you out in the garden.

But the three things you really need to know about your daddy are:
1. He has more love in his heart for you and me than I ever thought was possible. He will always love us no matter what is going on, do not ever doubt that!
2. He is silly. Just roll with this one, he's goofy, he'll try to embarass you, probably before you even understand what embarassment is! He will make you laugh and teach you funny things. I hope this bonds the two of you and that you'll be able to laugh with him through your whole life.
3. You're already wrapped around his finger. Use this knowledge wisely! I know I have to :) He will do anything for you, just don't take advantage of it!

Dear Baby Mayhew

My sweet baby,

It has been 5 and a half days since daddy and I found out you were going to join our family. It was Thursday, March 19 that we discovered we are pregnant. I had a funny feeling that you might be surprising us soon, but I wasn't quite sure. I thought since it was daddy's birthday what a great present it would be to tell him you were really on your way. (Daddy had a hard time turning 30, he was afraid of all of the dreams he had that weren't realized yet, finding out about you made it all disappear) So I took a test, you know those lines are quite faint, but according to the directions it didn't matter how faint the lines were as long as there was a cross AND THERE WAS!

I paced for the next 25 minutes until daddy came home, when he walked in the door I told him "happy birthday daddy!" He looked at me funny for a minute then it all hit him!!!! He was SO excited, probably as excited as I was. We decided to take another test, just to make sure and this time the lines weren't so faint :) So we decided we were going to tell your grandparents! First was our trip to see Grammy Carter and your cousin Dakota...grammy is very excited to have a baby again, and Dakota is very happy that he will not be the only grandchild on that side anymore (plus he says he's getting too old to sit on grammy's lap). We called Grampy Carter too so he could hear the good news. Later that night we finally found Grandma and Grandpa Mayhew and shared our exciting news with them (in true grandpa Mayhew form, daddy says he let out a praise the Lord! upon hearing out news).

Since it was daddy's birthday the day we found out about you, we headed to dinner at PF Chang's...not sure if it was you or my changing taste buds, but spicy things are a little too spicy lately. Your daddy already had a plan to get the house in order for your arrival before we made it to dinner. We both agree we need a bathtub for you to take a swim in when you're old enough! Plus, your room needs to be painted!

I made my first doctor's appointment on Friday. We'll be finding out more details about you and this whole pregnancy situation on April 14. Daddy says he can't wait that long, but he doesn't understand you need some time to grow :)

After poking around on my new favorite website and finding their due date calculator, I am going to estimate that you'll be joining our world sometime around November 24. So you'll be a Thanksgiving baby, which exites daddy and I because we're pretty sure all of your extended family will be in the area for the holiday. I am only a little sad because I bought a Christmas onesie in a size 9 months thinking you'd be a spring or summer baby. So as much as I want you to wear the "You're All I Want for Christmas" onesie to Mass, I'd appreciate it if you could keep the birth weight to a "reasonable" number. BIG babies on mommy's side and pretty average on daddy's...so I am keeping my fingers crossed.

I haven't noticed too many changes...just a lot on the outside, like not drinking so much pop (which your mommy loves!) and making sure it's caffiene free. I notice myself making sure I have my seatbelt on before I turn the car on and protecting my tummy when in a crowded place. I don't crave anything yet! Just hungry most of the time, and no sickness (keep your fingers crossed for me) but I am sure tired!

In a few weeks we'll make your presence known to the world (a few people already know...your daddy has a big mouth when he's excited)...in the mean time, work on developing that heart and lungs and growing a little bigger than the sesame seed you are now.

I love you already peanut!
Mommy