Weeks Seven and Eight: Hyperemesis Gravidarum

...and what weeks they have been! I have never felt so sick in my life. I'd rather undergo the emergency appendectomy I had in Nicaragua while serving there as a missionary twenty times over than deal with any more morning sickness.

However, after a visit to the hospital last week, and another one yesterday for severe dehydration and non-stop vomiting, I found out that just plain old run-of-the-mill morning sickness wasn't the culprit causing my misery. It's actually a very severe condition called hyperemesis gravidarum, "a condition characterized by severe nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and electrolyte disturbance". http://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancycomplications/hyperemesisgravidarum.html) It's like morning sickness on steriods, and it is terrifying. There's nothing worse than throwing up even the smallest sip of water and losing multiple pounds each day when there's a little baby trying to grow big and strong inside of you!

Yesterday, I was in the labor and delivery unit of the hospital for over twelve hours for treatment. I was given what seemed like a million different kinds of drugs, and two liters of IV fluids. Nothing worked. I asked to be sent home before they could admit me, with a combination of two drugs that take the edge off, promethazine and vistaril (a drug I used to take for anxiety). These drugs help make the nausea a little more bearable and I haven't thrown up since coming home last night, but I still don't feel close to even 100% better. 10% would be pushing it.

I do get a little frustrated some times, because hyperemesis gravidarum (we'll call it HG from here on out) is not widely known about or understood. It has gotten some spotlight since Kate Middleton was diagnosed with it and spent some time in the hospital getting treatment, but overall, it's fairly unheard of. Most people see me running to the bathroom or gagging and say "Eat some crackers, drink some ginger ale." I promise you, if that helped, I'd be doing it constantly. Unfortunately, it doesn't help, and some people just don't understand that HG doesn't go away magically with a few saltines and a nap. The eight pounds I've lost will vouch for that.

If you have HG, or would like to learn more about HG, it's symptoms, how common it is, and how you can help, please visit http://www.helpher.org/, the website for the Hyperemesis Education and Research Foundation. It's great learning resource, and has helped me tremendously as I battle the "morning sickness from hell".

Love Always,
Ellie (and Baby P)

Coming November 2013...

Baby Popeney!

• - Mom is between 6 weeks and 4 days and 6 weeks and 6 days, with great vital signs, and horrible morning sickness. She has lost almost 2 and a half pounds since she became pregnant. Her awesome OBGYN, Dr. Tran prescribed her some Zofran for the nausea, so hopefully she will be able to go back to her morning and late night classes (when her sickness is the worst!).
• - Baby has a healthy, strong heartbeat, is growing fingers and toes, and is measuring about 0.25 inches (0.65 centimeters).
• - Super Dad is exhausted from running to the store to buy mom strange food at all hours of the night, and working hard to get everything ready for the baby.
• - Miss Sadie Lou is already aware of what is happening, and likes to rest her head on mom's tummy.

We were surprised by the positive pregnancy test on Monday, February 18th (Ellie's birthday), at just 3 weeks and 4 days. I had been suspicious for a few days and had tried a few tests from the dollar store. I eventually broke down and got a First Response test that can show early positive pregnancy results, and I am so glad I did! What a great birthday present! I took three more tests over the next two weeks just to be sure. :)

See the faint lines? We couldn't believe it!

And now for some belly pictures at five and six weeks! There isn't much of a bump just yet. I am just very bloated right now, but maybe the seven week picture (coming tomorrow) might show some progress!

We will be blogging with this pregnancy at least once a week until Baby Popeney is born, so please click "Follow" to stay updated on all of the exciting news!

Love,
Justin, Ellie, Sadie, and Baby Popeney

Beyond Hallmark: Why You Shouldn't Hate Valentine's Day

I'll admit I'm guilty of it too! I used to sulk more than a six-year-old at bedtime on Valentine's Day. When I was single: Flowers, cards, and candy for everyone but me!

"It's just a Hallmark holiday!" <--- Who hasn't said that at least once?

But Valentine's Day, or Saint Valentine's Day, when referring to it in full, is so much more than that, regardless of the fact that Hallmark milks it for all it's worth!

Saint Valentine was an actual person (or persons, historical documentation is wide, varied, and of different disputed accuracies), a martyr, who died on February 14th in Rome. You can read more about the different stories, martyrologies, and other information surrounding the saint here: http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=159 , or if you prefer, on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Valentine . Many church bodies still commemorate Saint Valentine, including my own denomination, the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.

As Christians, and yes, even Christians without a significant other on February 14th, we can always celebrate  Valentine's Day, regardless of marital status. The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod's website says this:

"Lutherans have always understood that there is great benefit in remembering the saints whom God has given to the Church. The Apology of the Augsburg Confession (Article 21) lists three reasons for such honor. First, we thank God for giving faithful servants to His Church. Second, through such remembrance our faith is strengthened as we see the mercy that God extended to His saints of old. Third, these saints are examples both of faith and of holy living to imitate according to our calling in life." (http://www.lcms.org/page.aspx?pid=506 )

It's not easy to put on a happy face when you're feeling lonely on a day that our culture uses to celebrate romantic love, but always remember the extraordinary love your Father in Heaven has for you. We see this every day through the love of our family and friends, and the blessings and love He so freely gives us.

Love,
Ellie

P.S. What's up with Jellie and their Valentine's Day?

If you're okay with mushiness, here's a little recap of our day:

I had no class today, so I got to sleep in until 10:30 this morning. Then I went to go see a urogynecologist to work through some of my never ending medical problems, most of them dealing with my pelvic region and lady parts. I will be starting pelvic physical therapy later this month.

While at the doctor's office, I discovered a box of Reese's Pieces, and a heart-shaped box of Mini Reese's Peanut Butter Cups (some of my favorite candy!) in my purse. I was very surprised. I told Justin he was off the hook this year since we're relatively poor newlyweds and my birthday is on the 18th.

Then when we got home, he surprised me with a beautiful amethyst necklace, my birthstone. The emotional loser that I am, I almost cried. But he definitely did a fantastic job!

You done good, hubby. You done good. <3

Tonight, Justin has to work, so I will be basking in the loving fluffiness of Miss Sadie while waiting for his return, hopefully with a Subway sandwich in hand.

In the meantime, I have to study for a test tomorrow. Fun times.

Happy Valentine's Day!

And once again...

Love,
Ellie

We're Still Here!

We just wanted to leave a quick note to let you all know we are still here, and doing well! Justin has been busy on the lookout for a new job as his current workplace will be going out of business later this month, Ellie just finished up playing Vi Moore in Concordia's spring musical, Footloose (and has another show she's preparing for that opens in March), and Sadie has had to keep up with her daily chomping of doggie bones. 

School also took a toll on us the end of last semester, as we had classes, finals, Christmas concerts, and lots of rehearsals for various ensembles and productions we were a part of. This semester has been extremely busy already as well, with Footloose, an opera workshop class both of us are taking (some of the scenes will be from Carmen, and Ellie will be playing the title role!), Homecoming next Friday, choir tour at the end of the month, and preparations for Ellie's junior recital in mid-April featuring Justin on guitar. In addition to all of that, we also moved to a new home closer to school with a wonderful family (more on that in a later post!).

We hope to get back to writing in a week or two, and we hope you'll still be here to read!

Love, Hugs, and Puppy Kisses,

The Popeney's, and Sadie Lou, too. <3

How to Survive Your First Holiday With the In-Laws

It's the middle of November, and the holiday season is just around the corner. Department stores have had their Christmas inventory out since August, Thanksgiving plans are already set in stone, and those of us who are in college are beginning to experience pre-mature graying due to the stress of our upcoming final exams.

And for you newlyweds (or those of you with a new fiance/significant other/etc), you also may be preparing to celebrate a holiday with your darling spouse's family for the first time.

Last year, Justin and I spent Thanksgiving with his family, and Christmas with mine, so thankfully, we've already got that milestone under our belt! So I thought, with some help from a few wise friends (thank you, ladies!), I'd put together a few tips and tricks to surviving that first slightly awkward holiday with the "other side" of the family.

If you'll be a guest...

This may be the first time you'll be with his family while they're all together, and it's probably safe to say that there's going to be at least a few relatives you haven't met yet in attendance. And on top of all that, you don't have the comfort of experiencing it on your own turf. It's okay to be a little bit terrified. Just take a deep breath, and some of this advice, to heart:

"I think a big thing is just forcing yourself to keep calm. After all, it takes two people for an un-enjoyable moment or conversation to be a big fight." -Nikki, Pennsylvania

Keep calm. Easier said than done, but good advice, none-the-less. Thanksgiving last year was terrifying for me. I suffer from pretty severe social anxiety (due to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder...but that's for another post), and my husband has a big family. Mine may be twice as loud, but they're mine, and there's half as many. Being in a completely new environment with completely new people was very trying for me.

Look to your spouse if you start to feel overwhelmed. You may feel all alone in the crowd, but your spouse is your link to everyone else in the room. Just make sure that if you're feeling shy, that your spouse is going to take initiative by making introductions, etc.

And when it comes to those touchy topics that always seem to pop up during family dinners: STAY OUT OF THEM. You may have a great, insightful opinion about politics, or the Westboro Baptist Church, or global warming, but this is not the time to shine the spotlight on your platform. If you end up being incredibly insulted, let it go for the time being, address it with your spouse later, and move forward from there. Even if you end up dealing with some ridiculous irrationality, at least you know that you came out as the bigger person in the end.

"Never show up empty-handed." -Your Grandma

Bring a small dish of a holiday favorite of yours, or a bouquet of seasonal flowers. This small gesture not only makes you look super sweet, but shows the host (and your spouse's family) that this is important to you. Showing genuine interest and enthusiasm towards the festivities is a great way to keep yourself under a flattering light. I can't tell you how many times a simple floral arrangement or a batch of cookies have helped cool down the ice for me or a friend in awkward family holiday situations.

"Don't ignore the kids!" -Ellie, California (yes this is me :p)

It may seem silly and frivolous, but this one is perhaps one of the easiest ways to ensure the celebration goes smoothly!

You can bet that at Thanksgiving, I was on the floor playing Tic-Tac-Toe with Justin's five-year-old cousin, Derek. Because of how uncomfortable I was meeting so many new people at once, I had something to do with myself between random bursts of small talk while waiting for dinner to start.

At Christmas, my nephew Zach, and my niece Allison, instantly took to their (at the time) future Uncle Justin.

Justin was incredible with those two little barnacles. Even though they hung all over him the entire day, he was extremely good natured about it. He entertained them, kept them out of the kitchen, and even helped them sing Christmas carols to all of the parents, aunts, uncles, and grandparents at dinner. You can bet he earned major points with my sister and the rest of my family for that!

If you'll be hosting... 

You've got the home field, so use it to your advantage!

"Don't over-dramatize the little stuff...make it a fun, loving holiday." -Lillian, Iowa

Another one that's easier said than done, but if you want to keep your sanity, don't write this one off as a "Yeah, I know".

The centerpieces, the place settings, the presentation are all extremely important (and if I didn't acknowledge that, my mother, the Queen of Hostesses, would be on a plane to California to set me straight faster than you can say "napkin rings"), but as a hostess, what's most important is making sure that everyone is enjoying themselves. If you've got snacks (or a grazing table, as my family calls it) and a good conversation area, you're already off to a good start. So give the roots of your hair have a break from all the pulling!

"Remember to incorporate your own traditions!" -Lauren, Massachusetts

Whether or not family from "your side" will be present, don't feel like you can't celebrate your own traditions that make the holiday just a little more special to you. And if you decide to use any family traditions your in-laws aren't familiar with, you'll end up with your own personal unique and original factor without even trying!

That being said...

"I will have family from both sides coming. I decided to get recipes from both sides. I will make some from each side, and also make one or two that are unique to our house." -Laura, New Mexico

Try to come up with a way to let everyone who wants to be involved, be involved. Be it by sharing recipes, incorporating multiple traditions from both you and your spouse's sides, or being willing to delegate tasks to those willing and able when you're starting to feel a bit worn out.

And if all else fails...

Plenty of ladies suggested staying home together as a couple. For us personally, this isn't the first choice, but in some situations, it may be the right move for you!

If you've got too many family members from one too many corners of the world wanting you for more holidays then there are to go around, sometimes staying home for a year and starting your own traditions together is the way to go!

--

So whether you travel halfway across the world, or across the house to your own kitchen, I hope these tips can help make that first holiday go just a little more smoothly!

Have a great start to your holiday season!

What suggestions do you have for surviving the holidays with family, new and old?

Much love,

Ellie

A Little Treat

...for all our mommy and soon-to-be-mommy friends. :)

This is our arrangement of the Irish lullaby, The Gartan Mother's Lullaby. It will be one among many songs performed at our junior recital in mid-April (Ellie on voice and flute, Justin on guitar, Sadie on howls...just kidding) at Concordia University Irvine, so if you're in the area, come join us as we make some music!

Sleep, O babe, for the red-bee hums

The silent twilight's fall:

Aibheall from the Grey Rock comes

To wrap the world in thrall.

A leanbhan O, my child, my joy,

My love and heart's-desire,

The crickets sing you lullaby

Beside the dying fire.

Dusk is drawn, and the Green Man's Thorn

Is wreathed in rings of fog:

Siabhra sails his boat till morn

Upon the Starry Bog.

A leanbhan O, the pale half moon

Hath brimmed her cusp in dew,

And weeps to hear the sad sleep-tune

I sing, O love, to you.

Faintly sweet doth the chapel bell

Ring o'er the valley dim:

Tearmann's peasant-voices swell

In fragrant evening hymn.

A leanbhan O, the low bell rings

My little lamb to rest

And angel-dreams, till morning sings

Its music in your breast.

Sleep, O babe, for the red-bee hums

The silent twilight's fall,

Aoibheall from the Grey Rock comes

To wrap the world in thrall.

A leanbhan O, my child, my joy,

My love and heart's-desire,

The crickets sing you lullaby

Beside the dying fire.

We look forward to singing this to our own children in the future, and we hope you (and your little ones!) enjoy it now!

Blessings and Sweet Dreams,

Justin and Ellie

Happy Election Day: How We Should Handle the Results

Congratulations! We made it to Election Day!

Too soon for congratulations, you say? Can't celebrate until your candidate wins, you say?

Sure you can!

You live in a country where you have a voice in choosing your leadership, instead of having it chosen by blood or by force (or by both), and today, you got to use that voice to take a stand on what you believe is right. That in and of itself is a reason to celebrate.

I'm not going to lie and tell everyone reading this that I'm being completely objective, or that my political views don't influence what I'm about to write in some way, because honestly, they do!

So, in case you are wondering, I am a registered Republican, with a lot Libertarian views, but I believe in certain causes from BOTH the Democratic and Republican parties, so long as they are implemented conservatively. If that makes sense. So there. That's where I stand. And no, I don't want to debate with you, but thanks. :)

Anyway, though, here's the deal: Someone is going to win, and someone is going to lose. People are going to cheer, and people are going to be devastated. However, at the end of this election, we will be preparing for the next presidential term, and whether President Obama remains in the White House, or Mitt Romney moves in, a Commander in Chief will be chosen.

When the results come in, whether you're thrilled or nauseated, the most important thing is that the man with the most votes will be our president. Just that fact alone, no matter what you agree or disagree with, means that as an American, you should respect and support his position as our president. No, you don't have to hold his hand and tell him that he's doing a great job if you don't agree with his choices, but if you want to, in good conscience, call yourself a true American, respect the fact that he is your president, whether you like it or not.

When the results come in, bickering, rioting, screaming, cursing, and ripping your hair out accomplishes nothing. Nothing good, anyway. Just more animosity and arguing, and let's face it: aren't we all a little sick of the constant debates flooding our social media newsfeeds, the television, and our daily conversations?

When the results come in, and you're this close to ripping somebody's throat out because of their ridiculous right-wing/left-wing/whatever-wing views, think about this: For all that passion you have for your cause, for all the love and devotion you have for your party and its platform, that person probably feels the same way about theirs. And even if they don't agree with you, don't you think its pretty epic that we live in a country that not only has so many dedicated and passionate people, but also that we live in a country where we can EXPRESS that dedication and passion?

Earlier tonight, Mike Huckabee said "Put your country before your party." That really resonated with me, and I hope it does with you, too. I challenge all of us, including myself, to take that statement to heart, and put our love for our freedom, our love for our blessings as United States citizens, our love for the U.S.A., above all of that.

Even if our political views clash, even if we can't always agree with each other, even if we're dying to gouge out someone's eyeballs with a spoon, it's our belief in, and love of our freedom that brought this country together in the first place

Because, after all, we are the United States of America.

Blessings to all of you, and God bless America.

Love,

Ellie