2 years of Pregnancy-- Part One (Bryn)

In March of 2013, I became pregnant with my daughter, Bryn Marie. She was born November 27, 2013. In April of 2014, I found out I was pregnant again. And now I'm within a week of delivering my second daughter, Vivian Leigh. I feel like I've been pregnant for two entire years. I can't wait to have two beautiful girls within 13 months of each other.. but boy is my body tired!

Let me just tell you, if you THINK about taking a pregnancy test.. even if you think it's going to be negative.. make sure your husband is HOME first. I made the mistake of taking it while Jake was playing darts. Then, nonchalantly asking him a million times when he would be home. I was FREAKING OUT.. in a good way! We had planned to start trying.. but never thought it would happen so fast. WOW! I remember laying in bed saying "Hey, I want to show you something!" and showing him the positive test. Then following it up with "and juuuuust in case you're unsure if it's true.. here are two more showing the same!". We were pumped. There were tears, lots of hugs.. we were a hot mess.

We tracked down my parents and his parents the next day. We bought cute little onesies and wrapped them up for both sets of grandparents. My nieces opened up the one for my in-laws. Chaos ensued. I have pictures.. and a video.. but I can't find them. Hmmm. Here are my parents, brother and grandparents finding out..

 

I found out I was pregnant the week I was going to Florida with my husband and his buddy Bo. We planned the trip last minute because I was starting a new job and Jake had time off to burn.. so, we went to Destin in April of 2013. It was a blast, but I'll never forget the attempt at the drive back. Boyyyy, was I sick!!! We had to pull over on the back roads.. a LOT! Poor guys! That week, I was really craving girly drinks. Here I was sipping on a virgin Miami Vice. Mmmm!

This was my first mother's day. Not exactly what it means to me now, actually seeing Bryn. But I was so excited at church because they blessed the mothers and gave me a rose. But, we were secretive about it because people didn't know yet! ;-)

I was really sick with Bryn until about 12 weeks, then I felt great!!! I had actually lost weight initially but don't worry, I totally gained it back!!! Jake told everyone he was going to keep me pregnant all the time because I was just sooooo sweet! I'm pretty sure he is regretting saying that now, because I am a WHOLE different person with Vivi.. but I'll get to that later! ;-)

Last week of my old job! They knew I was prego! :-) 

 Jake's dad turned 50 and here we are at his surprise party! I was the lucky DD that night. Lots of funny memories!!!!

 12 week appointment! It got real!!!

 Mid June, my mom's extended family always goes to Florida. We were so lucky to have two vacations within a couple of months. I was obviously feeling really good going Deep Sea Fishing..

 16-20 weeks! :-)

 Bryn made it to a John Mayer concert that summer with my aunt! I remember feeling so fat.. but how stinking perfect was I?!

 At the end of July, I was 21 weeks along. And there was a hiccup in the pregnancy. I had just found out that we were having a girl. No one knew at this point except for Jake and I. We were planning a gender reveal with my main people that Friday night. I had worked Thursday night, went home Friday morning.. and took about a 4 hour sleep. I woke up feeling great and excited to tell everyone that Baby Miller was now named Baby Bryn. However, after showering, I went to text my husband to ask him where to get a large box (for our balloon reveal). As I was texting him, I realized what I was trying to text and what was actually on the screen didn't align. I was by myself, but I started saying outloud "Where can I get a box".. but to me, it sounded like everything was slurred. I called my mom (she's a speech pathologist.. which I didn't think about at the time.. but proved to be helpful.. I just wanted my mom because I felt weird).. when she answered I said "Mom? I feel really weird." Calm as anything, my mom said "Okay Ashley, hang up and call 911.. I'm on my way okay?". Such a strange response, right? I said (kinda) "Are you sure? Do you think I'm okay?" And she responded "You're fine, but I think you're having a stroke." (my speech was definitely slurred, and the words I trying to say.. weren't the words that were coming out of my mouth)
Scary. So scary. Taking myself back through that moment and the following moments were some of the scariest I've ever had. I called 911.. tried to explain what was going on. When the dispatcher asked for my birthday, I couldn't think of the actual numbers. I said "Umm.. it's on a.. holiday. Ya know, when things go boom??.." 4th of July.. I couldn't think of the words 4th of July. When the EMT arrived, they asked if I had taken any drugs. No.. I kept trying to tell them "the only thing I do that I shouldn't while pregnant is drink coffee". But I couldn't make my mouth say any of those words. I just kept pointing to my coffee machine. It's crazy to think about. I was so conscious of everything I was doing, my brain just wouldn't communicate with my mouth. My blood pressure was sky high. I was terrified. By the time I arrived in the ER, I was starting to be able to communicate better. I told the EMT, "I promise I'm not dumb.. I'm actually a nurse here". Because, I sounded.. DUMB!
All in all, my blood pressure came down. By the time I was admitted for observation, I felt fine. I was able to communicate. Jake stayed with me all night. No episodes. I had a minor headache, but probably due to my blood pressure being up. Overall, I was diagnosed with two possible things. A migraine induced by pregnancy or a TIA. To this day, I don't really know what happened or what brought it on. Nothing like it has happened since, and Bryn was perfectly fine throughout everything. But, it was definitely terrifying. Wow.


I was released the next day. I told Jake I still wanted to do a gender reveal.. and we did. And it was GREAT!

Growing baby! I think I took this while I was packing my apartment up to move into our first house. Because.. getting pregnant and starting a new job wasn't enough for one year.. why not move, too?! ;-) 

I'll be honest though.. I was a champ. I was so chill about the whole process. Looking back, I should've freaked out a little more.. that's what humans do!

 Moving day.. I really did nothing except sit on a chair and direct people where to go. Rough move! ;-) Hey Jake, next time we decide to move.. give me about 6 months notice.. I think I'll plan to be pregnant again then.. hehehe! :-)

 Nieces loved my baby Bryn belly

 The last trimester. Ohhh.. I just loved that pregnancy!!! I felt so good.

 On November 26, 2013, I had a doctor's appointment in the morning after working the night shift. My blood pressure was up.. I was swollen.. and the doctor said it was time to give Bryn an eviction notice.. like, that night. I went into the hospital that night and was induced. Just Jake and I were in the delivery room, and I LOVED THAT! We had a few bumps in the road.. but at 3:29pm November 27th, my baby girl came into the world at a respectable 8lbs 14oz.

 Sweet, sweet perfection.

As chill as I was throughout the pregnancy, that's how nuts I was after. Looking back, I definitely experience some postpartum blues. I cried, a lot. I hurt, a lot. I relied on my husband, a lot. The hospital stay was awful. The staff was great, food was great, Bryn was easy. It was all in my head. I was a nut ball. I needed my mom.. ALL. THE. TIME. And, have since. Haha! I chilled out after about a month. I was super in love with my baby.. just felt like I had no idea what I was doing, and was extremely hard on myself. I'm hoping after Vivian, I am not as crazy.. I'm sure Jake hopes the same.

Okay, way long. Looks like there will have to be a part two! ;-)