The holiday season of 2006 proved to be an amorous one for my boyfriend and I. Somewhere between Thanksgiving and Christmas we made a baby. I found out just after the new year. We were not planning on having kids and weren't planning on getting married any time soon. This was quite a surprise, but a welcomed one.

Here is a recap of important pregnancy events. I can't give exact dates for everything, but I will do my best.

1st trimester:

LMP: Nov 27
Jan 4: took pregnancy test on a whim and got a faint positive. didn't believe it for a second.
Jan 6: Took a second test and low and behold, still positive. I'm about 3 or 4 weeks at this point and so far the only symptoms felt are sore breasts and light cramping.
Jan 15 (week of): Morning sickness kicks in! Nauseas all day, no vomiting. Only tolerating saltine crackers.
Jan 23: First Dr's appointment! I am believed to be 8 weeks. A vaginal ultrasound (yuck) is performed and I am actually 6 wks 4 days. I've always had irregular cycles, so no one is alarmed. There is a heartbeat and I get to take a picture home. I tell my brother, Vance tells his family.
Week 9: morning sickness goes away, for the most part. I am only nauseas on an empty stomach. I can finally eat pizza and mexican food, 2 major cravings for me. I finally tell my dad and he is excited. Phew.
1st trimester symptoms:
sore boobies, nausea, headaches, insomnia, exhaustion, cramping

2nd Trimester:

Week 14: Heard baby's heart beat 3-20-07. Rate is in the 150's.
Week 15: Feel the baby move for the first time.
Week 20: begins on Friday, we have our big ultrasound on Apr 23. It's a boy! He's perfectly healthy. I also begin spotting the next day, but I am told it is "normal." Okaaaay...
2nd trimester symptoms: headaches, exhaustion, increased appetite, weight gain, swelling in feet, back aches, sinusitis

3rd trimester:

28 weeks: begin seeing the Dr every 2 weeks. I have gained around 30 lbs at this point. We get registered with the hospital and decide against any childbirth classes. I believe in my body's instincts to push a baby out. Also have 1 hr glucose test. Despite fainting during the hour wait, the sugar is filtered without any issue. I am also discovered to be slightly anemic. Boo.
35 weeks: Group B Strep culture, first internal exam. I "lucked out" and am at 1 cm, baby's head is engaged. Any day now? 
36 weeks: Still 1 cm, no change. No Group B Strep either! Have gained 39 lbs at this point.
3rd trimester symptoms: back aches, vertigo, swelling, exhaustion, insomnia, occasional nausea, voracious appetite, braxton-hicks contractions