8 Weeks

I am 8 weeks today! Last Monday we got a call from the clinic with our ultrasound results. Everything with the baby looks perfect!! But it appears that I have a cyst on my left ovary. I am thankful to say that I haven' t had any pain due to this new discovery. I did a little bit of research at work, and many symptoms of ovarian cysts mesh with pregnancy symptoms...like nausea/vomiting, pressure/fullness in the abdomen, and breast tenderness. All of which I have had the joy of experiencing first hand...haha!! So in the meantime this is just another condition to be monitored during our journey to parenthood!!

Wednesday (February 21st) I had my first appointment with Dr. Ladella at MPP (Minnesota Perinatal Physicians). I was referred to these high risk doctors because I have a blood coagulation disorder called Factor V Leiden, which causes excessive clotting. I now take daily injections of lovenox, an anti-coagulant ("blood thinner").




Wednesday was also our departure date for our 5day ski trip up to Lutsen, MN!! We had perfect traveling weather heading up there until the last ten miles of the trip. Upon arrival we were challenged with trying to get my little sporty car up the cabin's big snow covered driveway. After several attempts we surrendered and walked up the mile long driveway for help getting our stuff up to the cabin. (No cell phone reception at the cabin to call them for help!) It was a weekend full of drinking and skiing, neither of which Anne could participate in. Instead, during the day time she went off to explore surrounding towns/cities. Ryan made big improvements in his skiing technique this year....no bunny hills for him!!! Our trip home was quite the adventure, we had the pleasure of driving through the biggest snow storm we've gotten this year! Anne lost control of the car just outside of Duluth and we slid into the ditch, but thankfully we ended up sliding right back out too!! What a miracle that turned out to be. It made for a very long and tense drive home, doing speeds of no more than 45mph. We finally made it home around 10:15pm...we had left the cabin around 2:30pm. What-a-day!!

1st Ultrasound

Here is one of the pictures we received at our first ultrasound. As you can see there is only one baby, and its heat rate was in the 118's!! I wasn't expecting to be able to hear it's heartbeat yet, but the ultrasound tech worked her magic...it was beautiful!! I am 6 5/7wks pregnant now, and by the measurements of the baby our dates are right on! I had to go to the ultrasound appointment alone because Ryan had to work. As soon as I was done at the clinic I brought the pictures to his job site for him to see...pretty exciting!!

The Announcement!!

Here is a picture of the cookies we sent to Anne's parents in Freeport, IL. They were so much more excited than we could've ever anticipated! Gary and Tina, Anne's parents, are practicing calling each other Grandma and Grandpa...haha, first time grandparents!! We also told Anne's dad, Frank, the big news. He thought we were just kidding at first but soon realized that we were serious and wished us the best of luck on our new adventure! Below is a picture Anne's Parents, the new Grandpa & Grandma Michalski. Also a picture of Anne's sister, and brother....Auntie Mimi and Uncle Logan.

We told Ryan's parents (Joe & Cindy) on the way to dinner in Woodbury, MN. They had just been on a Hawaiian cruise, and we are going on a Caribbean cruise in December...so they were giving us pointers. As Cindy was driving, Ryan said "Yeah, but I'm not sure if we can still go...we need a babysitter." So his mom automatically volunteers to watch the cat. Ryan said no, we need a babysitter. It took them a few seconds to believe what was being said...they wanted to make sure this wasn't one of Ryan's pranks!! Once the car was stopped we were congratulated...hugs for everyone!! Ryan's youngest brother Dave and his girlfriend Andrea were also with us when we shared the big news.


After dinner all of us headed over to Nick and Nicole's house, Ryan's middle brother and his wife. They have two little girls, Taylor (1) and Katie (5). Ryan tried to convince Katie that there was a baby in my belly. But there was no way she was going to believe "Uncle Ryan", after all he was always playing jokes on her! Even after everyone else was trying to tell her that yes Anne and Ryan are having a baby...she was still skeptical.

Everyone has been extremely supportive, we are truly blessed to have such wonderful family and friends in our lives. Thanks everyone!!!

We're Expecting!!

Super Bowl Sunday(February 4th, 2007) was not only a big day for the Indianapolis Colts, but for us as well. We found out that we were 5wks pregnant!! I was quite emotional, thankfully Ryan was here to calm me down and remind me we both love babies/kids, and even more importantly we love each other!!

Here is Ryan with his one year old neice, Taylor!!

He is going to be such a wonderful daddy!!!

This is Anne with her six month old god-daughter, Dionna!!

We've been thinking of the different ways to tell our families. Not quite sure yet what we will end up doing, but we will keep you updated!!