Waiting is the Hardest Part

We had our 4-month doctor appointment on Friday. Everything is progressing along as well as can be expected. I'm measuring 17 inches which is just an inch more than it should be, but the doctor isn't too worried. The baby's heart rate is in the 150's, which everyone tells me sounds like it could be a girl. Last month it was acting more like a boy's, so I'm not sure how much science there is in that! We're scheduling our ultrasound for June 2nd, so hopefully we'll find out that day what we're having. We CAN'T WAIT to find that out!!! And don't worry- we'll let everyone know what the baby's sex is once we find out! We could never keep that a secret. Now the name on the other hand....

I'm still feeling good. My ligament pains have disappeared- thank goodness! I'm now entering my17th week, so I'm almost back to normal as far as my energy level pre-pregnancy. I still tend to tire out if I try to do too much during the day, but I'm not falling asleep on the couch at 8:00 anymore. I'm going to start walking weekly with a friend from here in Duluth who's pregnant too and a few weeks behind me, so we should be good motivation for each other.

So June 2nd is the day- waiting these few weeks will be hard- cross your fingers we'll be able to see something and I can start shopping for Baby Boy or Baby Girl Hoffmann!!!

An Update

My mom is doing much better. She was transfered from Altru Hospital now to the hospital in Park River last week to continue IV antibiotic treatments to bring the infection under control. We aren't sure yet how long she will need to stay in Park River, but she is doing better and getting stronger and stronger every day. For those of you who know my mom and would like to send a card, the best thing to do is to send a card to the house and her husband will bring the cards to the hospital when he visits. Thank you for your prayers and well wishes!

Please pray!

This has been a crazy week. My mom was admitted to the hospital in Grand Forks on Monday with a serious staph infection. She had been getting blood treatments to help restore her failing eyesight, and when her port was removed it became an infection and moved into her bloodstream really quickly, making her seriously ill. She is now out of the woods and making a recovery now, thanks to some antibiotics and the good doctors at Altru Hospital. We went over to visit her this weekend in Grand Forks. She is looking and sounding better, even cracking some jokes which is good. The first half of the week was rough, but now she is able to eat and she hasn't had any more fever spikes or changes in her blood pressure. The infection did make it's way to her heart, but they are monitering that closely and don't see it as serious as we first thought. The next step is that she will be released on Tuesday and moved to the hospital in Park River for 2-3 weeks of IV antibiotics in a swing bed. I'm hoping once she gets settled in the hospital she will be comfortable and regain her strength. I'll try to post the address of the hospital on here too so if any of you feel like sending cards, I'm sure it would lift her spirits.
If you believe in the power of prayer, please pray for her in the coming weeks as she makes her recovery. The doctors are optimistic and everything should be OK, but as you know those staph infections are nothing to take lightly, especially when they affect your heart. Thanks everyone- have a good week!!

Frequently Asked Questions

Hi everyone! Well, I am at 15 weeks right now and am doing great! My belly is growing more and more every day! It's becoming pretty obvious to the world that I am expecting a baby, and the more and more I run into people the more questions that they have. I thought I would answer some of those questions here for all of you:

How are you feeling?

I am feeling really great except for the pain I'm feeling in my belly this week. All of the muscles and ligaments are growing and stretching out, so that is pretty painful at this point. I did read that it should subside in a few weeks once my body adjusts. Otherwise I'm getting some energy back and I'm feeling good!

Are you going to find out if it's a boy or girl?

Of course! Andy and I both are in agreement that we can't wait any longer than our 20 week ultrasound to find out. With that 3D technology it should be no problem determining that (unless the baby is shy that day!). People want to know if we prefer a boy or a girl. Truthfully either would be a blessing. Andy does want a son at some point to hunt and fish with, but he looks at his niece Mia and says "She's pretty cool too", so we would be thrilled with either!

Have you thought of names? What are they?

Yes, we have 2 boy names picked out. Girl names are a little more tough for us right now. We have decided though we will share the sex of the baby when we find out in June, but the name is going to remain a secret until October! We are open to suggestions though!

Any cravings? Anything driving you crazy right now?

Cravings include grilled cheese, chocolate chip muffins, tacos and pineapple. One of the grocery stores here makes the best chocolate chip muffins that I feel that I can't live without at this point. A week ago I went in to buy my supply for the week, and they had switched to only offering blueberry! Imagine the anger that bubbled in my brain in the middle of the Cub Foods bakery section, but I managed to hold it together and take the blueberry. I also could also eat tacos every night of the week if Andy were able to stand it! As far as aversions to food or smell, Chinese food defiantly tops the list, as well as peanut butter's smell and cigarette smoking. That has always and will never stop bothering me though.

That's all for now. If anyone thinks of anything else, feel free to post a comment or question and I will answer it! This next few weeks will be busy for us- we will be going to the cities next weekend for our nephew Micaiah's church dedication and our brother-in-law Matt's graduation party. Andy also has a bike race he could compete in on Sunday morning down there, but as of now he's unsure. With our late season snow and cold weather he hasn't been able to train as much as usual. We will also be in Fargo in 2 weeks for my aunt Angie's wedding, so we will be able to see both sides of the family this month! Our next doctor appointment is May 16th, so if there is any news we'll be sure to post it!