Week 11- 3rd Doctor's Appt-- Did we get to hear the heartbeat?

Nancy and Sami -- Crowe received the award for being the top fundraiser for the Light the Night walk.

September 30-October 6th-

Well I can tell that I am getting alittle more energy back and I actually was able to cook dinner for myself last night and eat it!! Over the weekend I had Jeremy take me to the farmers market because I wanted this raspberry salsa from Parcel's. It is so yummy. However, I decided to get the mild and not the medium/hot one. I pretty much went through almost the entire bag of tortilla chips in 2 days and the jar of salsa in 2 days!!!

The not so good news is that my Dzie Dzie is still in the hospital and not doing good this week. I went to see him and he smiled as soon as he saw me. We scratched off a lottery ticket and won $2! He said that the baby made him so happy. He looked at my mom and just smiled that he was going to have a great-grandchild.

I had lunch with Mary this week and she is letting me borrow her maternity clothes! She has so many of them!! I can't wait to start wearing them!!! I am thinking that I will start to show a little in the next few weeks so they will definitely get there use.

So I am making it through my class, even though I would almost rather be working. However, I know that this will provide a better future for the baby once I get my masters degree. I am hoping to be done by Christmas of 2009. I will have 3 classes to take in 2009 and I am hoping to take 2 in the summer after the baby is born and Jeremy can have daddy time with the little one and then I will take one in the fall to complete my degree. Everyone knows that I am a planner and so future oriented. It is not out of the ordinary for me to have my spreadsheets put together for upcoming events, just ask all my friends who got married after me.... they hopefully received the benefit of my spreadsheets! I have already put together my vacation schedule through Christmas of 2009, which included my salary break-out. I am hoping to decrease my hours at work when the little one comes. I just don't want to miss anything in my little ones life.... first smile, first words, first roll-over,first steps.... so many firsts that I just want to be there for every single moment. However, I do realize that once the little one is here that my mind might change, but I highly doubt it. I always wanted to have a little one when I was 30 because I am almost 30 years apart from my dad and almost 60 years from my grandpa... it just seemed right to carry on the tradition!

So this week I have found out that the baby loves pineapple... I can't get enough of it! I even have to have one of the guys at work open up the can for me because it is like air tight...it takes some muscles to open those cans. Also the baby does like apples too... just like mama!

October 2nd- Today I actually took the afternoon off from work to be with my mom. We are in the process of moving Dzie Dzie to a nursing home and getting his clothes marked and picking out pictures so it looks like a home for him. We just want the best for him.

We had the Light the Night walk for the








leukemia and lymphoma society at Saint Mary's College. This was a fundraising event for the fight against cancer and I walked in memory of Grandma Swartz and Mike Revers (my college friend Beth's hubby). I walked for Cindy Bechinski, my best friends mom who is a 1 year survivor!!!! I had the opportunity to tell Lisa's mom Cindy, her dad, Rich, and sister Stacie, that we were expecting. They were so happy for us!!! I can't wait for this little one to meet everyone that has been so amazing through this experience for us. It has been truly appreciated.

Pam and Aunt Julie did the walk around campus as well and it was alot of fun. Baby and momma got some exercise for a good 35 minutes!!! It was great to be back on campus as it reminded me of how truly special it was to attend Saint Mary's. The bonds and friendships that you make are for a lifetime and I can't say enough about the SMC chick community!!!

Before the walk we received another gift from Grandma (Jeremy's mom) and it was a journal book for me to document all the precious memories that we will experience!!! Thanks!!!!

October 3rd- So today is the big day.... what we have been waiting for. Jeremy and I have been waiting for this day so we could officially announce the pregnancy! Our appointment was at 8:55 this morning and we were hoping to hear the heartbeat at this appointment. Our doctor said when we are 12 weeks is when he listens to the heartbeat... he doesn't really like to do it before because it can be a little challenge to hear it. So we were sitting there and talking to the nurse and we had a few questions for her and once those were answered it was time for the doctor. Actually I should share one of my questions. So for every doctors appointment they want to have a urine sample to test the protein, sugar, etc and making sure the levels are where they need to be. Well it was 3:15 in the morning and I had to go to the bathroom. I didn't know if I should do my sample then or wait until 7:00 when I was going to get up. Such a dilemma. I wanted to make sure my sample was the best one possible.... I woke Jeremy up at 3:15 in the morning... which he was really sweet about (thanks honey) and he said do it now and put it in the fridge. So that is what I did. Thank goodness he can think straight in the middle of the night, unlike me. So I asked the nurse which one was ok and she said that either one would have been fine, but she said that we are very dedicated parents and are really thinking of the well being of our little one! I almost cried hearing that. To think that some parents don't put the effort or time into their child's best interest just frustrates me. Some people don't even take the urine sample in... how lazy and irresponsible.

So anyway, so now that we were waiting for the Dr. to come in..... he arrives... he has this little handheld thing (like my medical terminology) and puts the jelly and adapter on my belly and within 2 seconds we were hearing the heartbeat. It was so fast!!! I asked him if the heartbeat sounded normal and he said yes so I was relieved!!!! Then he said "there are 2" I was like yes!!! Our doctor is a jokester..... there is no way to tell 100% if there are 2 in there, but it was funny because Jeremy perked up right away.

So I said my little prayer to God and thanking him for our little one and that everything is going perfect so far.

October 4th- Notre Dame wins again!!! The baby is 4-0 in attending Notre Dame games!!! Too bad we couldn't make it to the Michigan State game. So last night as soon as we got home, Jeremy crashed on the couch. He was so tired and sick. He slept on the couch last night and Bob was with him all night. I had the twins in bed with me and we have this huge king size bed and where do they want to sleep.... in between my legs! So needless to say when I wanted to reposition myself, I did it around the dogs. They are so spoiled. The whole family was in bed last night at 8:45.... early for the Miller household.

I can tell that I my need for food isn't as powerful lately. Maybe its because I am getting in the second trimester and the baby received alot of nurishment already or I am just really used to eating alot! I am still eating lots of pineapple and apples!

Riley, Russeau and Bob Barker

So I have to say that our other kids, aka the dogs, completely know that mama's prego. They have been around me at all times. If I am in the computer room, odds are they are with me. If I am doing laundry, they are in the laundry room with me. If I am on the couch watching TV, they are all surrounding me. I love the fact that they are in tune with me and are somewhat aware that something is changing. I keep telling them mama is going to have a baby and pointing at my stomach, but not sure if they know what that means.

The advice we have been given is to put a blanket down on the floor and tell the dogs they cannot walk on it, knowing that we will be putting the baby on the floor. So I think we will start this when I am 7 or 8 months prego so they can get used to not going on the blanket on the floor.

Week 10- a quarter of the way done

Well I have to say a huge thanks to my old roommate and good friend Mary. She just had her baby boy, Bobby, back in June and has offered for me to borrow her maternity clothes which will be a huge help! She is so awesome!!! I can't thank her enough for her words of advice and also just her support!

I have to say thanks to Sarah as she purchased the baby bargain book for me and its the greatest book so far. It has helped me answer questions, think of things that I wouldn't have thought of when purchasing the nursery furniture or even what to look for in the nursery furniture. This is gonna be a great source for us on what to get and what not to get!!! Thank you so much Sarah!!!


I have been eating alot this week. I have found that in order for me to drink my milk that I need to have something sweet so in the morning I have like 2 bites of homemade brownies and then I can down a huge glass of milk! I figured whatever helps me to get my nutrition is what works!


I found at the grocery store I like going down the snack aisle now. I purchased fruit snacks, granola bars, and also Dora animal crackers this week. They have been a huge help in the morning at work to tie me over until lunch time. Usually in the afternoon I am OK, but as soon as I get home I can't wait to eat. Needless to say Jeremy has been on his own for dinner lately since he has been working late and my eating schedule is all over the place.


This week has been a challenge. My grandpa (Dzie Dzie) is in the hospital with pneumonia and my mom doesn't want me to go visit him. He is my favorite and I know that he knows I love him and want to be there, but I just have to think of the illnesses that are at the hospital right now. My mom is able to get me a mask to wear when I know Dzie Dzie is feeling better.


All in all, I am still feeling great, no morning sickness yet (cross my fingers). I am still tired though. After a long day at work, sitting on the couch is right where I want to be! I have determined that if I want to cook, which I enjoy cooking (or at least used too before pregnancy), that I just can't do it. If I cook it, I can't eat it. I don't know what my problem has been lately. Certain smells get to me right now. I still haven't gotten sick, but I am starting to have a little bit of that feeling.


Oh I did receive flowers this week from my Grandpa Totten. It was so adorable! They were from his garden and they even had my grandpa's touch to them.... either him or my dad put electrical tape around them to keep them together.

Last night I was outside with our neighbors, Jen and Myrna, Jen just had a baby boy 7 weeks ago and she was so sweet to offer her maternity clothes and books that she has. Everyone has been so nice during this whole process for me. I can't say thanks enough!!!

In the mail, I also received a book, Your Pregnancy week by week, by my awesome friend from high school, Derek's girlfriend. He is like my big brother. I thought it was so sweet because I have yet to meet her!!!

So I have a college friend, Mel and her husband coming to visit for the Notre Dame vs Purdue game. We are all going out to dinner tonight to Hani Yori's, the 26th of September and then they are going out, but I am going home! Gotta get some rest, especially if I am going to the game tomorrow. It will all depend on how Dzie Dzie is doing and what my mom needs me to do.

So this morning as we were getting ready for work, Jeremy is starting to pay more and more attention to the baby. As he was leaving he said by Willis (his nickname for me) and then he said by baby Willis. So our baby has its first official nickname thanks to daddy. It was so cute!

1 more week until our next doctors appointment!!!

Week 9- visit to Pam and Mike's- seeing Lauren- Todd's wedding

Well its the start of a new week and I still feel wonderful. I woke up again around 3 in the morning on my first day of week 9 and tried to go back to bed. When the alarm sounded off at 6:00 in the morning for work, it was a struggle to get up. Somehow I managed to hit the snooze buttom until 7:00 in the morning. It's odd that I have some energy in the middle of the night, but then so tired in the morning.

September 17th- I woke up back at my original time for work before I was prego, which felt great. I feel like I am starting to get some energy back. I actually made it in to work prior to 8:00. The past two weeks I've been getting into work around 8:10ish which is so late for me. It throws me off for the whole day. I am an early bird, but not lately! So yesterday at work I ran into a few more friends that I just had to share the news with... Tammy and Allison. They are so excited for us. They can't wait to be aunts!!!

OK so I can totally say that I love all the attention. It is especially nice that when I go out to lunch with my friends at work that they are so considerate of what I am in the mood for and what works for the baby. They know that I love Chinese, but we can't go to the buffet because of the MSG that is used. So they all accommodate and we pick a different place to go. I have some awesome friends that are so thoughtful!

September 18th-- well today was a rough morning. Last night I went out to dinner with my mom at Heston Bar. I decided to have my usual, garlic cheese bread, escargot, salad, and filet Mignon with a baked potato and milk to drink. Let's just say that escargot and milk were not a good combination. When I got up in the morning to go to work, I didn't feel so good. I didn't get sick, but just felt sick. Needless to say I learned my lesson on this one!

Today I went to see Hannah play volleyball at my old high school. This brought back lots of memories for me. I saw Nancy, Debbie, Stacie (my old volleyball coach), Hayden and Hannah. I told them our exciting news and they were so happy for us... in fact I think I got the response "it's about time". Debbie and Nancy would always ask when we are going to get prego and finally I could tell them yes!!!! I am so honored to have a great relationship with them and they will always be family to me. Debbie said that Hannah can be the babysitter for us!!! She is trained in CPR! We are so lucky to have friends and family that are so happy for us and we can really feel the love and support from everyone! We can't say thank you enough!!

September 20th and 21st- We went to visit Pam and Mike's in Michigan to stay with them for one of Jeremy's fraternity brothers (Todd) wedding that was at the Henry Ford Estate . Elizabeth and Adam went with us on the trip and I have to admit the mama's traveled very well. We stopped once on the way up to get food and bathroom break and then on the way back we just stopped to get gas so it was perfect. We had alot of fun visiting with Jeremy's friends and my friends. We got to see the campus that Mike works at and walk around. It was good exercise for Sunday morning before breakfast! After breakfast, we went to Lauren and Larry's house. They have been there for a few years and it was about time that we got up there to see it. It was decorated so cute.... totally has Lauren fashion in the house!!! I got to see the California closet that Larry got Lauren for Christmas last year and it was awesome.... I also noticed the Manolo Blahnik shoes in her closet. I had to try them on and Lauren was so sweet about it. This will be the closest that I will ever come to a pair of these shoes. I totally felt like Carrie in Sex in the City! Thanks Laur you made my day!!!! Way to keep the prego one happy!!!

Pam got us a rubber ducky-- our first baby gift, besides clothes from my mom!

So since we were gone, Riley, Russeau and Bob all stayed with my parents. My parents love to have the dogs at their house and the granddogs love it too since they are super spoiled and they get tons of lovin. They were exhausted when they got home because they love that country air at my parents house and are constantly on the go at my parents house. They each have their own room that they love and their favorite spots. They have beds on each of the levels at my parents house...so spoiled. Any indication of what a grand child will have????

I have to give tons of credit to Jeremy because he has been pretty much getting me whatever I need. If I am hungry when I wake up in the morning, like I was the other day, he cut up watermelon and brought it to me in the morning. He is such a sweetie!!! So I have to give the dad to be props on his attention to me and putting up with me and my hungriness!!!

Another thing this week was the amount of cards that we received... I just love the fact that everyone is so caring and it means the world to us. THANK YOU!!!

Week 8- Mom's birthday

So we celebrated my mom's 57th birthday by tailgating at the Notre Dame vs Michigan game. ND was victorious!!!! Too bad it rained a majority of the weekend. So far the baby is a good luck charm for the IRISH... we are 2-0. It is so cute because our ushers know that we are expecting. I told them just in case some crazy fans are around us that I would be protected. They always take good care of me anyways. For instance, last year I forgot a poncho and our Usher Eugene gave me one of his. So I feel the love in the ND community! Our baby is already receiving lots of attention as I get daily phone calls and emails from my friends and family asking me how I am feeling and it feels so great. I wish I would have thought to do that when I knew someone was pregnant. It just means the world to me that people care and take the time to ask.



So I have to say that this baby loves food, just like mama!!! I woke up at 3:45 Sunday morning (after going to bed around 10 the night before) and was super hungry. Jeremy fell asleep on the couch and I woke up noticed that he wasn't there and freaked out because he always sleeps in bed. Well I went downstairs and he was snoring like usual. I had to turn on the light and it did wake him up and I said I am hungry so I had some cereal. I went back to bed and then woke up at 8:30ish in the morning and was hungry again.... all I do is eat and sleep!

I talked this week with my cousin Pauline, she was my confirmation sponsor and I am the godmother to her daughter... needless to say her and I are very close! She is also expecting as well and its so awesome to be sharing this with one of my favorite cousins!!! We have called each other checking in on each other and its just so nice to know that someone can relate to what you are going through and the changes that you are going through. She is just so awesome to talk to....

I am very thankful that I haven't had morning sickness so far. So far its been pretty easy. I think I've only gained about a pound if that. I am still in my normal clothes. Jeremy and my best friend Andrea told me that my chest is getting bigger and so did my friend Tony. I've always had a big chest so to me its nothing out of the normal.....Jeremy is happy about that one though!

Week 7 - Tailgating

Well baby and mama had the first tailgate on September 6th, Notre Dame vs San Diego.

A win for the IRISH! I had lots of my college friends in town so they officially found out that they are going to be aunts. It was kinda hard to keep it a secret when we were shopping at the bookstore and there was a little 2T shirt of the "ND shirt" they they all thought would be awesome for one of us to have a baby. I couldn't wipe the smile off my face so Beth and Lauren were the first of my college friends to know. They are super excited to be aunts and I can't leave out Uncle Larry (Lauren's hubby). So they officially found out on September 5th, Friday night before the tailgate.

Now it was tailgating Saturday and the first people to arrive at the tailgate were Aunt Lisa, Aunt Julie and Uncle Tony. They had bloody mary's. Aunt Lisa offered for me to try hers and I said "NO" really quickly. It was just my instant reaction. She said are you sure and I said "positive" she repeated back to me "positive" I said yes... so she knew! We still wanted to keep this a secret as we are still in the first trimester and still in the risky stages of pregnancy. So we kindly asked them to keep it a secret and not say anything for a few more weeks until we were 12 weeks. Again our plan was just to tell the parents, Adam and Elizabeth for now and then wait til 12 weeks for the official announcement.

Well as more and more people came to the tailgate, my friends from work all noticed that I wasn't drinking. They were very good detectives (Sam and Josh....) So now Lisa, Kelli, Leslie, Sam, Josh, and David all know. They are all going to be aunts and uncles. Our baby will have a ton of aunts and uncles!!! I grew up calling my parents close friends aunt and uncle so I want to carry that tradition on with my kids. They only way I want my kids calling someone by their first name is if its with Aunt or Uncle in front of it. I totally think its inappropriate to call an adult that they are officially related to by their first name. So either Mr. or Mrs. or Aunt and Uncle. They will have manners right off the bat... at least that is the goal!

So far, the symptoms are just being tired, eating alot and sleeping alot. The baby has been very good to both Jeremy and me as I feel I haven't been too hormonal yet (I am sure that will come in time).

So this week the baby received its first set of clothes, thanks to my mom. She went shopping and just couldn't resist picking up some outfits!!!

Week 7- Telling Adam and Elizabeth

Since we knew we were prego when they told us they were prego, but wanted to keep a secret for after the doctor's appointments how were we going to tell them??


I looked in the store for aunt and uncle stuff but couldn't find anything. So Jeremy and I had to be creative. On September 2nd after we told his parents, we went to dinner. After dinner we had to return Adam's hard drive to his house, again this was perfect because they would not be expecting anything. We went over to their house with Jeremy's parents. We had Jeremy's parents wait in the car because it would have been a give away if they walked in with us. So we just had normal conversation with them for about 10-15 minutes. They had just gotten a new bed so we were trying that out. It is very nice and will be good for Elizabeth during her pregnancy! So after just talking, Elizabeth told me that she is gonna try and sell Lia Sophia and wanted me to have a party. Adam was more into the tax deductions with having a business, which I explained to him about a home-office deduction. Needless to say this was a great intro into telling them we were expecting too. So Jeremy said "you get a tax deduction still for the baby in 2009...... and guess what....so will we!" So that is how we officially told his brother and sister in law. Of course they were happy for us, but I knew that Elizabeth wasn't exactly thrilled because she immediately said "You are ahead of me aren't you?".



Our due date is April 22nd and Adam and Elizabeth's is April 23rd. So our babies will grow up together and will have a play mate. This will be great for the kids as Jeremy and Adam are super close and we see the benefits of that. So hopefully that will transfer over to them being cousins!



So now Pam and Dan will have 2 grandchildren in April so they are super excited about that they even have moved their annual Florida vacation to March so they will not miss the births of their grandchildren. Now they just have to plan around the showers! This is greatly appreciated because that would hurt if they did miss the birth of their grandchildren. We are very fortunate to be thought of in this way that both of our kids are very important to all.

Week 7- 2nd Doctor's appointment and telling Jeremy's parents

We had our second doctor's appointment on September 2nd. We found out the results from my blood test from my August 26th appointment and everything is going perfect. My blood work came back great! So both mama and baby are healthy. I am so thankful for that. I've been so nervous as to be expected that I just wanted everything to be good. The doctor told Jeremy that I do not have any diseases and if I did that would mean he is screwed. So the doctor oddly added some humor. It was pretty funny.

Since we knew that our doctor's appointment was good and we are just concerned about being in the first trimester that we were ready to tell his parents. Again, I wanted to be creative with them too! We took the chocolate that my dad brought back from Belgium and put the bibs in there to hide them. We knew that if we showed up with a present that it might be a giveaway. So we showed up to his parents house and only his dad was home. I was a little bummed because we were excited to tell them. So we were just talking to his dad for about an hour and I was getting hungry and so we decided to leave without saying anything. Well when we were pulling out of the subdivision, his mom was turning in. So it was perfect. We turned around and went back to the house. Jeremy took the chocolate out of the car and then gave it to his parents and said, "Sam (my dad) brought his back for you guys.... I guess there is some kind of prize that you can win so you might want to open it up now". His mom opened it up right away and his dad went to put the chocolate in the house... it was pretty funny as Jeremy was like dad-- open it now! Jeremy's mom opened it up and she said "what does this mean.... are you telling me that you are pregnant, Sami? " There was a little confusion because they had found out on August 19th that they were going to be grandparents from Adam (Jeremy's brother) and Elizabeth.

Needless to say, everyone was very excited. They called my parents right away and have determined that this little one will be loved so much (which is everything that Jeremy and I could ever wish and want for our little one). They have decided that my parents will be known as grammie and gramps (this is what our dogs know my parents as and they are used to being called it). Jeremy's parents will be called grandma and grandpa.

We are very blessed that both sets of parents are ecstatic!!!

Week 6- First Doctor's Appointment

Well we went to the doctor's office today on August 26th and met with the nurse. I had about 40 typed up questions that I had thought of in the past 2 weeks since we found out we were going to be parents.



We walked into the office and I was just beaming. Jeremy was his typical self, being quiet. The nurse went though about 500 questions on medical history and both Jeremy and I had to answer them about ourselves and our parents history. She went through and gave us their book and pamphlets of information. She basically told us not to use the Internet because we will just freak ourselves out so I've been trying to be good about that. Our visit lasted about an hour and a half. They did blood work and urine sample at this appointment.



I told her I was nervous and was this normal to experience. She said yes! So now I felt normal! The biggest thing was that I wasn't feeling nausea or anything!!!! I am just tired and hungry!!



The only question Jeremy asked the nurse was if I am allowed to have peanut butter because he was concerned if this would give the baby an allergy. The nurse said that I should have peanut butter and crackers as this is a god source of protein for me. He was elated because he didn't want to have to get rid of the peanut butter in the house!



So now we wait for the results.......

Week 5- telling Sami's parents

Jeremy and I wanted to keep it a secret until after all the doctors appointments, but we had to make some announcements. We first made the decision that we would tell our parents on the same day after the appointments and once we knew everything was ok and we were officially expecting. Well my dad had a business trip to Belgium and he was scheduled to leave on August 26th (the day of our first doctor's appointment). We made the decision that we wanted to tell my parents since my dad was leaving out of the country and in case something happened, I wanted my dad to know he was going to be a grandpa. Now it was deciding on how to tell them!


I wanted to be creative, especially since this was the first grand-baby!


We had just gotten back from Vegas celebrating my parents 33rd wedding anniversary with them. So I had picked up 2 baby bibs. One that said I love Grandma and the other that said I love Grandpa. I had them wrapped in a present. It was perfect because we were actually celebrating Jeremy's birthday with my parents so they didn't think anything of it that I had a present bag in the house with me.


After Jeremy opened up his presents, we told my parents that we had a late anniversary present for them. Sure enough, my mom already knew and so did my dad. They immediately started to cry. Which was the perfect reaction to the first grandchild! They opened up and saw the bibs and were ecstatic. So we officially told my parents on August 23rd... now they had to keep the secret!!

The next day we went back up to my parents because Jeremy helped my dad finish the drive way so this was a great opportunity for my mom and me to go shopping. We went to the Coach store and she bought me a planner so I can keep track of all the doctors appointments!!! So the baby's first gift!

Week 4- finding out we were expecting

Well I took the test on August 14th and it came back with a very faint line. I didn't know if that was a yes or just a faint line to be there. So the morning of August 15th I took a digital test.... sure enough it says pregnant!!! Jeremy was still in bed so I waited for him to get up and get ready for work. I really didn't plan a way on telling him to make it a surprise since we had just started trying when we got back from Vegas. Jeremy was getting ready and I was like you might want to look at the shelf in the bathroom. Sure enough he looked and said does this mean what I think it means.... I said yes. He immediately smiled and then hugged and kissed me. This is the way we wanted it to be.... a surprise to both of us. We didn't want to officially plan and monitor. It takes the fun out of it in our opinion. So we did the old fashion way, if it happens it happens... there is no rushing it. We waited 4 years and 3 months of being married. We tried to plan financially and also took time to be married, travel and build our relationship so we will have a strong foundation for the beginning of our family.



So now it was time to call the doctor and schedule our appointments. Our first appointment would be on August 26th with the nurse and then second would be with the doctor on September 2nd.