Just wanted to give y'all a quick update on Peanut and myself!
I keep feeling off and on mild pressure with some quick, sharp pains every now and then, which I like to assume is the little guy stretching out and getting nice and cozy.
The brown spotting continues, but it only shows up two or three times during the day. No more red bleeding though--whew!
I keep having waves of nausea throughout the day, but mainly at night. I can't keep up with it, though! It's never at the same time of the day, and some times it's when I'm hungry, and some times it's when I've just eaten (or taken my medicine). But I've stocked up on saltines, ginger ale, and peppermints, so I'm all set for when it decides to join me! (Side Note: Is it weird that my husband and I LIKE it when I'm queasy?? We take it as a good sign that things are happening in there, so we're actually praying for nausea now! lol)
My back ache has definitely improved (I think I did waaaay too much trying to decorate last weekend, because it was pretty darn painful on Monday/Tuesday!), but I still notice a dull ache at night and in the morning. I've read that the hormones produced during pregnancy (Progesterone and Relaxin) causes a woman's ligaments to loosen in order to make room in her pelvis. Well, after all that back pain earlier in the week, I think it's safe to say my ligaments are nice and loose now and ready for Peanut to grow!
My husband bumped into Dr T again at work today, and he asked how I was doing and when we were coming in for an u/s. My hubby filled him in about the bleeding/spotting and the u/s from Wednesday, and Dr T was very surprised that there was only ONE baby in there! He said with my numbers, he was sure it was twins! He also said he wasn't concerned at all about the spotting and that he actually expects it, but he would still like me to rest as much as possible.
Even though he wasn't concerned about the spotting, he was a little worried about me starting my new job on December 10th, and suggested to my husband that I push back my start date, if possible, to allow me a few more weeks of relaxation to let Peanut get situated in his new environment. He said he'll feel better about me working once we clear the next two hurdles, which are a) seeing the heartbeat next week (please, Lord, please!), and b) hitting the eight week mark, since the risk of a miscarriage goes down at that point. So....once I heard this, I called the HR department at the hospital and got my start date changed to January 7th! Woohoo! That would make me eleven weeks by the time I start--almost the whole first trimester! Sounds like a good plan to me! ;)
So, now we just do more of what we've been doing for the last few weeks: wait and pray! I am trying my hardest not to fret about every little spot of blood I see, cramp I feel, or fluctuation in symptoms, but instead remember that God already knows the outcome, and it is in His mighty hands! I am just going to cherish every moment of this pregnancy and praise God for the amazing opportunity to carry this miracle! :)
Friday, November 30, 2012
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
First Ultrasound
Whew.
These last forty-eight hours have been a roller coaster of emotions, but I think I've finally calmed down enough to be able to post, so here it goes!
Monday night I started having some sharp gas-like pains, so I took it easy and laid down to see if it would help. Then, upon one of my five-hundred daily pee-trips, I saw what every pregnant woman dreads...blood. One small gush of red blood with a few small clots (sorry if that grosses some of you guys out!), and then nothing except for when I wiped. I never had any cramps or anything, and once I passed the clots, the sharp pains went away. Of course, I started crying and having a mini-freak out session (who wouldn't?!). After a few minutes, I calmed down (with the help of my wonderful husband) and laid down for the rest of the night. The whole time, my heart was aching but determined to trust in God's plan.
The next morning, I called Dr T's office as soon as the clock turned seven. They put me through to the nurse, Kim, who didn't seem concerned at all. She said they see lots of first trimester bleeding/spotting in their office, and to stay on bedrest for the day and come in Wednesday morning for our scheduled u/s. She also told me to try and relax and not worry....yeah, right! That's funny! lol
All day long (which seemed like an eternity since I was confined to the couch, alone with my thoughts and Google), I had dark brown spotting. Never a ton, but definitely there, and definitely enough to worry me. Around noon, I started to have some mild cramping, but nothing as bad as when I get my period. The cramping and spotting both continued throughout the day, but finally stopped once I was in bed for the night. All we could do is pray and wait...which is the hardest thing ever!
Finally, today arrived. I woke up a bundle of nerves, and I could barely get myself ready for our appointment. My sweet husband got to go with me, which made me feel so much better, but I was still shaking like a leaf while we waited for my name to be called.
After about thirty minutes, it was our turn. The u/s tech and nurse (Denese) came in and I briefed them on the activities of the last few days. Just like before, neither seemed concerned, and said that between the hormones and the growing uterus, some bleeding and cramping is totally normal (and almost expected). Then came the u/s. I held my breath and waited while they both examined the screen. The u/s tech finally turned the monitor towards us, and this is what we saw...
See that black oval in the middle of the picture? That's our little peanut's gestational sac!!!!! And the white splotch inside of it is the "yolk sac", which is what provides the baby with nutrients until the placenta can form. The nurse seemed very happy that the yolk sac had already formed, which, in turn, made us very happy! I couldn't stop smiling, and the hubs was definitely relieved (and silently beaming) to see that everything was okay!
They didn't give us a gestational age yet, but I think it's safe to assume I'm still 5W4D. We are supposed to go back next Tuesday (6W3D) at 7am for another u/s, and hopefully we can see the heartbeat by then! Eeeeek!!!!
I'm sure you noticed that there's only one little guy in there now. That doesn't necessarily rule out the chance of multiples, because the u/s tech said sometimes they "hide" behind the other sac, and can't be seen until later. So for all of you guys out there who are thinking it was going to be twins (or more!), there's still hope! ;)
Of course, there are a million and one thoughts running through my head right now, but mainly I am thinking, "Thank You, Lord. Thank You, Lord. Thank You, LORD!" Once again, I am completely amazed by God's faithfulness, love, and blessings! I can't imagine ever feeling as good as I did when I first laid eyes on our precious tater tot, but I have an inkling that the blessings are just beginning and there will be many, many more life-changing moments to come! :)
Thank you all again for all of your thoughts and prayers! We're far from the "safe zone", so please keep praying for God's protection and His will to be done. I read this verse yesterday, and I found it so fitting, so I wanted to share it with y'all: "Jesus said, 'Have faith in God. I tell you the truth, if you say to the mountain, "May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea", it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart." That's the key to truly trusting in God, is believing that ANYTHING is possible with Him! If you still doubt that this is true, just look at that beautiful picture again! What a miracle! ;)
Monday, November 26, 2012
Beta #3
This is it, y'all...the third and final beta! And the results are in!
I figured that if my HCG level continued to double every forty-eight hours since last Wednesday, it should have been somewhere around 5,300 yesterday. Well, as always, my little peanuts are overachievers, because my level this morning was...
7198!
That's a doubling time of 49.1 hours, which is perfect, because the doubling time starts to increase as the levels get higher. The nurse said Dr T is very happy with how things look and wants us to come in Wednesday morning at 7am for our first ultrasound! MAJOR EEK! We will get to see how many tator tots are cooking in there, and possibly see their little hearts beating (but sometimes you can't see this until closer to six weeks)! Don't worry, I'll be getting lots of pictures! ;)
I've said it before and I'll say it again: How good is my God????! He never ceases to amaze me! I just can't stop praising His name for getting us this far and for these amazing little miracles! What a MIGHTY God we serve!
Ahhhh! I'm so excited I can't sit still! Time to do something productive to get out some of this nervous energy! lol Please keep those prayers coming, and I'll update ASAP on Wednesday!
I figured that if my HCG level continued to double every forty-eight hours since last Wednesday, it should have been somewhere around 5,300 yesterday. Well, as always, my little peanuts are overachievers, because my level this morning was...
7198!
That's a doubling time of 49.1 hours, which is perfect, because the doubling time starts to increase as the levels get higher. The nurse said Dr T is very happy with how things look and wants us to come in Wednesday morning at 7am for our first ultrasound! MAJOR EEK! We will get to see how many tator tots are cooking in there, and possibly see their little hearts beating (but sometimes you can't see this until closer to six weeks)! Don't worry, I'll be getting lots of pictures! ;)
I've said it before and I'll say it again: How good is my God????! He never ceases to amaze me! I just can't stop praising His name for getting us this far and for these amazing little miracles! What a MIGHTY God we serve!
Ahhhh! I'm so excited I can't sit still! Time to do something productive to get out some of this nervous energy! lol Please keep those prayers coming, and I'll update ASAP on Wednesday!
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Five Weeks
That's right, folks---I'm (unofficially) five weeks preggo today! Gaaaaaah!
I figure I'm this far along based on this 5-Day FET calculator I found online. I plugged in my transfer date and it tells me how far along I am, when my due date is, and then all sorts of other milestone dates (trimester stages, heartbeat, etc). Pretty cool, huh?
We will have a more definitive gestational age and due date (which, as of right now, is July 27th for one baby and July 5th for twins) once we do our first u/s, which hopefully will be sometime this week! I just can't wait to see our little peanut (or maybe the both of them--eek!) on the screen and know that everything is okay! Monday can't here quick enough! :)
So, I wanted to do something I've seen on other blogs to help you guys keep up with the progress of the pregnancy. Every week, I'll post with the title of how far along I am, and then list my current symptoms, any milestones and happenings for the week, the size of the little one(s), and a belly pic (once I actually start to show). Of course, I'll still post my usual random thoughts and ramblings in between pregnancy posts. How's that sound? Okay, so let's get started!
Symptoms:
-on and off nausea (mainly when I'm hungry)
-restlessness
-fatigue (with crazy bursts of energy every now and then)
-extreme bloating (I feel like I'm four months already!)
-gassiness (major apologies to the hubs for this one!)
-sore/swollen tah-tahs (I'll take the swollen, but could live without the sore part!)
-lower back pain
-frequent urination (I get up at least twice a night)
-crazy sense of smell/things smell "weird"
-achy muscles/joints
-heaviness/fullness/pressure in lower abdomen
Size of the Baby(ies):
Apple seed
Milestones/Happenings:
The snow babies are quickly multiplying their cells, which will soon form their central nervous, circulatory, digestive, and reproductive systems (as well as their bones, muscles, etc). They look more like tadpoles right now, but in the next few weeks, they'll start to look more and more like babies!
I figure I'm this far along based on this 5-Day FET calculator I found online. I plugged in my transfer date and it tells me how far along I am, when my due date is, and then all sorts of other milestone dates (trimester stages, heartbeat, etc). Pretty cool, huh?
We will have a more definitive gestational age and due date (which, as of right now, is July 27th for one baby and July 5th for twins) once we do our first u/s, which hopefully will be sometime this week! I just can't wait to see our little peanut (or maybe the both of them--eek!) on the screen and know that everything is okay! Monday can't here quick enough! :)
So, I wanted to do something I've seen on other blogs to help you guys keep up with the progress of the pregnancy. Every week, I'll post with the title of how far along I am, and then list my current symptoms, any milestones and happenings for the week, the size of the little one(s), and a belly pic (once I actually start to show). Of course, I'll still post my usual random thoughts and ramblings in between pregnancy posts. How's that sound? Okay, so let's get started!
Symptoms:
-on and off nausea (mainly when I'm hungry)
-restlessness
-fatigue (with crazy bursts of energy every now and then)
-extreme bloating (I feel like I'm four months already!)
-gassiness (major apologies to the hubs for this one!)
-sore/swollen tah-tahs (I'll take the swollen, but could live without the sore part!)
-lower back pain
-frequent urination (I get up at least twice a night)
-crazy sense of smell/things smell "weird"
-achy muscles/joints
-heaviness/fullness/pressure in lower abdomen
Size of the Baby(ies):
Apple seed
Milestones/Happenings:
The snow babies are quickly multiplying their cells, which will soon form their central nervous, circulatory, digestive, and reproductive systems (as well as their bones, muscles, etc). They look more like tadpoles right now, but in the next few weeks, they'll start to look more and more like babies!
Alrighty, that's all for now! Only two more days until Beta #3! Praying for another good number and for God to continue to protect these little tator tots that are miraculously baking inside me! :)
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Beta #2
O. M. G.
I thought I was gonna have a heart attack waiting! The nurse FINALLY called me at about 3:55pm (which was after I called the office and got transferred to the answering service, telling me they were already closed for the holiday...which of course freaked me out). But I quickly forgot about having to wait all day when she told me the results...
1325!!!!!!
That's a "doubling time" of 32.3 hours, which is GREAT! The usual doubling time for HCG levels is 24-72 hours this early on, and as the numbers increase, so does the doubling time. So we're looking good! Oot oot!
After I got off the phone, I breathed a huge sigh of relief, told my husband (who could tell it was good news by the look on my face)...and then started crying like a baby! lol Words cannot express how grateful I am and how utterly blessed I feel! God amazes me every day with His mercy and love! I'm thankful for every day I am given and every blessing I've received, but I have even MORE to give thanks for this Thanksgiving Day! Eeeek! :)
Well, now that's we've cleared this hurdle, we have one more beta to get through, which will be done next Monday at 9am (due to the holidays, I can't have it drawn Friday...bummer!). When the HCG level reaches 3000 (which could very well be Monday), we can do out first u/s (yaaaaay!) and hopefully see our little sticky peanut(s)!
I'll post more in the next few days, but for now, I'm going to go bask in the good news with my Baby Daddy (no longer "Future" Baby Daddy---woohoo)! I hope everyone has a safe, happy Thanksgiving weekend!
PS: Thank you all for faithfully praying; please don't stop! God isn't finished with me (us) yet!
I thought I was gonna have a heart attack waiting! The nurse FINALLY called me at about 3:55pm (which was after I called the office and got transferred to the answering service, telling me they were already closed for the holiday...which of course freaked me out). But I quickly forgot about having to wait all day when she told me the results...
1325!!!!!!
That's a "doubling time" of 32.3 hours, which is GREAT! The usual doubling time for HCG levels is 24-72 hours this early on, and as the numbers increase, so does the doubling time. So we're looking good! Oot oot!
After I got off the phone, I breathed a huge sigh of relief, told my husband (who could tell it was good news by the look on my face)...and then started crying like a baby! lol Words cannot express how grateful I am and how utterly blessed I feel! God amazes me every day with His mercy and love! I'm thankful for every day I am given and every blessing I've received, but I have even MORE to give thanks for this Thanksgiving Day! Eeeek! :)
Well, now that's we've cleared this hurdle, we have one more beta to get through, which will be done next Monday at 9am (due to the holidays, I can't have it drawn Friday...bummer!). When the HCG level reaches 3000 (which could very well be Monday), we can do out first u/s (yaaaaay!) and hopefully see our little sticky peanut(s)!
I'll post more in the next few days, but for now, I'm going to go bask in the good news with my Baby Daddy (no longer "Future" Baby Daddy---woohoo)! I hope everyone has a safe, happy Thanksgiving weekend!
PS: Thank you all for faithfully praying; please don't stop! God isn't finished with me (us) yet!
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Good News, Guys...
...I'm still preggo!!! Woohoo! PTL! :)
I still don't think it's quite hit me yet. Don't get me wrong---I'm definitely excited! I'm over-the-moon!! I think because of our last cycle, I'm definitely more focused on getting over one hurdle at a time before getting all cray-cray and rushing out to open a baby registry. (I'm only joking about this part...maybe, lol. ;) ) Tomorrow's hurdle is Beta #2, and hopefully we'll clear it and be able to breathe a little easier!
Even though I'm remaining cautious, I do have to admit...I frequently look at my beautiful BFP and my sweet little snow babies' pics. And by "frequently", I mean at least once every few hours, lol. Both pictures make me smile ear to ear every single time, too! It's amazing to think that God's miracle(s) is/are growing inside me even as we speak! Eeek!!
Alrighty, folks...it's nap time! All this baby-making sure is exhausting! lol I'll post the results as soon as I get them tomorrow, so be sure to check for updates sometime after 1pm!
Monday, November 19, 2012
Beta #1
Well, guys...it's that time again. And I have to say, I'm in a state of shock right this minute, so forgive me if I ramble.
(Before we go any further, let me remind you of what my last first beta was: 23. At this point, Dr T likes to see levels of at least 50. My "personal goal" was 46, just because I figured that was close enough without being too low...I like to set realistic goals for myself, lol.)
Ok, so my first beta came back at...
473.
Yes, you read that correctly. Four-hundred and seventy-three. I'M PREGNANT!!!!! And by the look of this number, I'm VERY pregnant!
All I can keep saying is, "Thank you, Lord! God is so good! Thank you, Father!" I still can't believe it! Eeeeeek! I'm so excited I can't stand it!
Now, I had a tiny hunch the first beta would be positive (although not THAT high) becaaaaaause...I saw this little beauty at 4am this morning!
I know, I know, you think I'm weak, don't you? Well, I was actually planning on testing on Beta Day since the beginning! I only had one test left in the pack, so I saved it for the perfect moment...and don't you think 4am is the perfect moment???! lol
After I snuck into the bathroom and took the HPT (and after my initial shock wore off), I quietly placed it on top of my husband's work clothes that were laid out for the day and then crawled back into bed (where I tossed and turned for the next two and a half hours while I waited for his alarm to go off). Of course, he found it as soon as he went to get dressed, and sleepily shuffled into the bedroom where he muttered, "You're ridiculous", with a huge smile on his face. I think he underestimates my sneakiness...;)
Needless to say, we're both OVERJOYED with this news! My heart is literally overflowing with love and peace right now! However, we're trying to remain realistically cautious, knowing that the next beta could yield not such fabulous news. All we can do is thank God for this blessing and pray that He continues us down this path if He sees fit!
So, what's next, you ask? Well, Beta #2 is scheduled for Wednesday at 9am, and Dr T is looking for it to have at least doubled in that time period. That means that 946 is my new "personal goal"! lol
Please keep praying for our precious miracles to stay strong and keep growing, and for my levels to continue to rise appropriately. And, as always, give the glory to God, for Revelation 4:11 says, "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they were created and have their being." Amen!
(Before we go any further, let me remind you of what my last first beta was: 23. At this point, Dr T likes to see levels of at least 50. My "personal goal" was 46, just because I figured that was close enough without being too low...I like to set realistic goals for myself, lol.)
Ok, so my first beta came back at...
473.
Yes, you read that correctly. Four-hundred and seventy-three. I'M PREGNANT!!!!! And by the look of this number, I'm VERY pregnant!
All I can keep saying is, "Thank you, Lord! God is so good! Thank you, Father!" I still can't believe it! Eeeeeek! I'm so excited I can't stand it!
Now, I had a tiny hunch the first beta would be positive (although not THAT high) becaaaaaause...I saw this little beauty at 4am this morning!
I know, I know, you think I'm weak, don't you? Well, I was actually planning on testing on Beta Day since the beginning! I only had one test left in the pack, so I saved it for the perfect moment...and don't you think 4am is the perfect moment???! lol
After I snuck into the bathroom and took the HPT (and after my initial shock wore off), I quietly placed it on top of my husband's work clothes that were laid out for the day and then crawled back into bed (where I tossed and turned for the next two and a half hours while I waited for his alarm to go off). Of course, he found it as soon as he went to get dressed, and sleepily shuffled into the bedroom where he muttered, "You're ridiculous", with a huge smile on his face. I think he underestimates my sneakiness...;)
Needless to say, we're both OVERJOYED with this news! My heart is literally overflowing with love and peace right now! However, we're trying to remain realistically cautious, knowing that the next beta could yield not such fabulous news. All we can do is thank God for this blessing and pray that He continues us down this path if He sees fit!
So, what's next, you ask? Well, Beta #2 is scheduled for Wednesday at 9am, and Dr T is looking for it to have at least doubled in that time period. That means that 946 is my new "personal goal"! lol
Please keep praying for our precious miracles to stay strong and keep growing, and for my levels to continue to rise appropriately. And, as always, give the glory to God, for Revelation 4:11 says, "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they were created and have their being." Amen!
Sunday, November 18, 2012
In Just Twenty-Four Hours...
...we should know whether these snow babies decided to hang around a little longer or not! Who's excited??? I AM!!
Even though I am having my blood drawn at 9am, my results won't be back until some time after lunch (so around 1pm). I will definitely be a ball of nerves until I get that call! I'm a mess right now just thinking about it! Ahhhh!
I'll update you all as soon as I know something. Please keep praying for calmed-nerves, God's will, and peace no matter what the results! To God be the glory! :)
Even though I am having my blood drawn at 9am, my results won't be back until some time after lunch (so around 1pm). I will definitely be a ball of nerves until I get that call! I'm a mess right now just thinking about it! Ahhhh!
I'll update you all as soon as I know something. Please keep praying for calmed-nerves, God's will, and peace no matter what the results! To God be the glory! :)
Saturday, November 17, 2012
9dp5dt---Almost There!
Technically, I'm 14 dpo today. That means I could POAS and very likely get an accurate result IF I were to totally break down and give into the HPT Craziness. But I'm not! I'm staying strong, people...or at least attempting to! Only two more days left! Eeeeek!
For all you Symptom Seekers out there (like myself, lol), here's what I've been noticing/feeling the last few days...
-stuffy nose/sore throat
-muscle spasms/cramps in legs (I know that sounds crazy, but I've heard that is a "symptom", and I DID notice this last cycle, too!)
-mild pressure/pulling/pinching in uterus and ovary area (comes and goes)
-mild nausea (mostly at night, but yesterday I was queasy almost all day)
-lower backache (but this could be from being a couch potato, too...lol)
-bloating
-headache (last night and today)
-feeling dehydrated (tired, dizzy at times, really yellow urine---TMI) even though I'm drinking a lot
-achy joints (hips, knees, ankles), more so at night
-restlessness
So that's it. No cramping or spotting (which I had on this same day last cycle)---PTL! How do those symptoms sound to y'all?? I know I say I'm going to try not to dwell on how I'm feeling so much, but man, is it hard not to! Every little pinch or queasy feeling I'm like "Oh! What was that? Was that from the babies??" Ok, seriously, I know. I have a problem. I need to seek professional help for my Symptom Seeking, lol.
As obsessed as I am, I really am trying to remember that this is all in God's hands, and that He already knows the outcome. No matter what the symptoms, no matter how many tests I pee on, HE knows what's really going on inside my body and whether or not these babies are meant to be ours. Hopefully He'll bless us with encouraging news on Monday! :)
For all you Symptom Seekers out there (like myself, lol), here's what I've been noticing/feeling the last few days...
-stuffy nose/sore throat
-muscle spasms/cramps in legs (I know that sounds crazy, but I've heard that is a "symptom", and I DID notice this last cycle, too!)
-mild pressure/pulling/pinching in uterus and ovary area (comes and goes)
-mild nausea (mostly at night, but yesterday I was queasy almost all day)
-lower backache (but this could be from being a couch potato, too...lol)
-bloating
-headache (last night and today)
-feeling dehydrated (tired, dizzy at times, really yellow urine---TMI) even though I'm drinking a lot
-achy joints (hips, knees, ankles), more so at night
-restlessness
So that's it. No cramping or spotting (which I had on this same day last cycle)---PTL! How do those symptoms sound to y'all?? I know I say I'm going to try not to dwell on how I'm feeling so much, but man, is it hard not to! Every little pinch or queasy feeling I'm like "Oh! What was that? Was that from the babies??" Ok, seriously, I know. I have a problem. I need to seek professional help for my Symptom Seeking, lol.
As obsessed as I am, I really am trying to remember that this is all in God's hands, and that He already knows the outcome. No matter what the symptoms, no matter how many tests I pee on, HE knows what's really going on inside my body and whether or not these babies are meant to be ours. Hopefully He'll bless us with encouraging news on Monday! :)
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
6dp5dt---Having an Off Day
The mood swings are back, people. Ugh. I'm happy, I'm sad, I'm annoyed, I'm excited...I'm just one big, jacked-up emotional mess over here! lol But we're allowed to have an off day every now and then, right?? Right?? That's what I thought. ;)
So, what's been triggering my moodiness? To be honest, there's no tellin' anymore! lol Usually it comes and goes quickly, but there has been one thing that's been on my mind all day...so I figured I'd share it with you guys in hopes that it'll clear out the sadness and make that horrible pre-cry prickly feeling in my nose that's been there all day go away! Thanks in advance for "listening", y'all!
Today, I've been thinking about (what else) babies. I know, that's a little vague, and babies ALWAYS make me cry, so what's new, right?? To be more specific, I've been thinking about this (possible) pregnancy, how much it truly means to us, and how our views on parenthood has really evolved over the last few years. Let me explain.
Growing up (and actually right before getting married), I used to think I wanted to wait to have babies. I wanted to travel with my husband, establish our home, enjoy time with our friends, maybe occasionally entertain their kids, and then eventually have some of our own. I also had a skewed view on motherhood...I wanted the joys of pregnancy (the cute little belly, the chic maternity clothes, the showers), but not the more "unattractive" parts (the stretch marks, the vomiting, the overall body changes, and the actual delivery). I wanted to experience the fun of having an infant (dressing them up, rocking them to sleep, holding their little hands), but not the other experiences that comes later in motherhood (the "Terrible Twos", the never-ending messes, the school projects, and the teenage years). To be honest, I just wasn't ready at the time.
My husband and I started TTC way sooner than initially discussed, mainly because we weren't getting any younger (he was twenty-nine and I was almost twenty-six) and we wanted to be able to enjoy our kids before it was time for walkers and wheelchairs (that's him talking, not me, lol). We had only been married eleven months, whereas our "plan" had been to wait for three to five years. Although we were bumping up the plan a bit, we were in no way ready for actual parenthood. My husband was, of course, scared to death to think about becoming a father, and I was still anticipating all of the "good stuff" mentioned above, without actually be prepared for the other stuff that comes along with being a parent. I figured we had nine months to prepare right?? Ha. Little did we know that this would be a looooong journey in which we would learn a lot about each other, ourselves, our faith, our marriage, and what it actually means to be a parent.
Through these last two (plus) years, my husband has definitely warmed up to the idea of someone calling him "Daddy", of someone being truly dependent on him for a good portion of their lives, and of someone he can nurture and mold into a respectable individual. He no longer thinks solely about the responsibilities of being a dad, but also about the joy it will bring into his life. He's eager to learn how to do the routine "baby stuff" (like feeding and burping an infant), teach them things, play soccer with them, watch them get excited over their first Christmas, and (as he told me today) "embarrass them when they're teenagers". He's changed a lot, and I can honestly say he's "ready". Maybe I'm a little biased, but I think he'll make an AMAZING father.
I, too, have changed a lot. I have learned that I want so much more than just the good stuff. I want the sleep deprivation, the messy diapers, the task of searching for the perfect daycare, going school-clothes shopping, packing lunches every day, tucking them into bed, wiping their snotty little noses, grounding them "for life", picking out prom dresses, and eventually picking out a wedding dress. I want the good along with the bad; I want the joys and the sorrows. I want the proud moments along with the disappointing ones; the smiles and the tears. I want the whole package. I want to be a mommy more than anything in this world, and I pray with all my heart that God blesses me with the opportunity one day.
Ok, that's all. Sadness over. I don't know about you, but I've had enough crying for one day! Thanks for letting me get that off my chest; you guys are the best listeners EV-ER! Now, tomorrow, I promise to be more upbeat and chipper! I'd better be, because tomorrow is my twenty-eighth birthday! Bet you can't guess what I'll be wishing for when I blow out those candles! ;)
So, what's been triggering my moodiness? To be honest, there's no tellin' anymore! lol Usually it comes and goes quickly, but there has been one thing that's been on my mind all day...so I figured I'd share it with you guys in hopes that it'll clear out the sadness and make that horrible pre-cry prickly feeling in my nose that's been there all day go away! Thanks in advance for "listening", y'all!
Today, I've been thinking about (what else) babies. I know, that's a little vague, and babies ALWAYS make me cry, so what's new, right?? To be more specific, I've been thinking about this (possible) pregnancy, how much it truly means to us, and how our views on parenthood has really evolved over the last few years. Let me explain.
Growing up (and actually right before getting married), I used to think I wanted to wait to have babies. I wanted to travel with my husband, establish our home, enjoy time with our friends, maybe occasionally entertain their kids, and then eventually have some of our own. I also had a skewed view on motherhood...I wanted the joys of pregnancy (the cute little belly, the chic maternity clothes, the showers), but not the more "unattractive" parts (the stretch marks, the vomiting, the overall body changes, and the actual delivery). I wanted to experience the fun of having an infant (dressing them up, rocking them to sleep, holding their little hands), but not the other experiences that comes later in motherhood (the "Terrible Twos", the never-ending messes, the school projects, and the teenage years). To be honest, I just wasn't ready at the time.
My husband and I started TTC way sooner than initially discussed, mainly because we weren't getting any younger (he was twenty-nine and I was almost twenty-six) and we wanted to be able to enjoy our kids before it was time for walkers and wheelchairs (that's him talking, not me, lol). We had only been married eleven months, whereas our "plan" had been to wait for three to five years. Although we were bumping up the plan a bit, we were in no way ready for actual parenthood. My husband was, of course, scared to death to think about becoming a father, and I was still anticipating all of the "good stuff" mentioned above, without actually be prepared for the other stuff that comes along with being a parent. I figured we had nine months to prepare right?? Ha. Little did we know that this would be a looooong journey in which we would learn a lot about each other, ourselves, our faith, our marriage, and what it actually means to be a parent.
Through these last two (plus) years, my husband has definitely warmed up to the idea of someone calling him "Daddy", of someone being truly dependent on him for a good portion of their lives, and of someone he can nurture and mold into a respectable individual. He no longer thinks solely about the responsibilities of being a dad, but also about the joy it will bring into his life. He's eager to learn how to do the routine "baby stuff" (like feeding and burping an infant), teach them things, play soccer with them, watch them get excited over their first Christmas, and (as he told me today) "embarrass them when they're teenagers". He's changed a lot, and I can honestly say he's "ready". Maybe I'm a little biased, but I think he'll make an AMAZING father.
I, too, have changed a lot. I have learned that I want so much more than just the good stuff. I want the sleep deprivation, the messy diapers, the task of searching for the perfect daycare, going school-clothes shopping, packing lunches every day, tucking them into bed, wiping their snotty little noses, grounding them "for life", picking out prom dresses, and eventually picking out a wedding dress. I want the good along with the bad; I want the joys and the sorrows. I want the proud moments along with the disappointing ones; the smiles and the tears. I want the whole package. I want to be a mommy more than anything in this world, and I pray with all my heart that God blesses me with the opportunity one day.
Ok, that's all. Sadness over. I don't know about you, but I've had enough crying for one day! Thanks for letting me get that off my chest; you guys are the best listeners EV-ER! Now, tomorrow, I promise to be more upbeat and chipper! I'd better be, because tomorrow is my twenty-eighth birthday! Bet you can't guess what I'll be wishing for when I blow out those candles! ;)
Monday, November 12, 2012
Today's E2 and P4 Results
I have the results from this morning's appointment, and things are looking fab-u-lous! PTL!
My E2 (estrogen) level today was 332, and my P4 (progesterone) was 27.6 This is better than my last cycle, when my E2 was 323 and P4 was only 21. (Remember, they like the P4 to be roughly 10% of the E2, so we're not far off this time!) I am to stay on all of the same doses of my medications, and we'll see what's cookin' in this oven-o'-mine next Monday at the first beta check!
Now, I was concerned about the fact that my E2 has dropped since the last pre-transfer appointment (on November 2nd), so (you know me) I had to ask the nurse! ;) She said it is actually supposed to go down during this time, because technically I am in the "luteal phase" of my cycle, which is the time between when a woman ovulates and when her next cycle starts. The E2 builds up before a woman ovulates, then once she does, it drops and continues to drop until either a) an embryo implants and begins to cause the levels to increase again, or b) it drops so low it signals a new cycle to start. Aren't our bodies amazing??!
So, a drop in my estrogen right now is exactly what Dr T wants, and then he hopes for it to start to rise later this week and early next week IF my little peanuts do, in fact, implant! I'm so glad she explained that to me---now I can breathe easy! Looks like I'm still on the right track to Baby Town, folks!
Symptom-wise, I'm not feeling too shabby...just a few pinches and pulls here and there (yay!!), pretty tired, and really bloated (ugh). The bloating could quite possibly be from the progesterone shots (especially since my P4 levels are nice and high right now), but man, does it make a girl feel "blah"! But I'll definitely take feeling "blah" if it means I'll get to hear those three WONDERFUL words next week: "Congratulations! You're pregnant!" In fact, I'd probably shave my head, get my entire body waxed, and let Dr T catheterize me twelve times just to hear those words (and for everything to be okay)! LOL Okay, maybe the catheter is a little much...but at least now you know I'm serious! I want this!! ;)
Alrighty, that's all for now! I'll check in again soon!
Sunday, November 11, 2012
3dp5dt---Is There Anybody In There??
So, here we are: day three. I have to say, things are pretty quiet down in the ole' uterus department!
I know that sometimes frozen embies take longer to "wake up" than those fresh out of the lab, but I've got to be honest---I wish my little peanuts would stop napping and start implanting! lol This Lil Mama is ready to feel some action in there! :)
While we wait for the babies to get cozy, I'm going to keep resting, relaxing, and praying for God's will to be done! I go back to Dr T tomorrow morning at 9am for my estrogen and progesterone to be checked, so I will let you all know when I get the results!
Friday, November 9, 2012
1dp5dt
Well guys, it's the first day after the transfer, and I'm feeling pretty good! It's too early for true "symptoms", but I can say that I'm very tired (probably from all of the excitement from the last few weeks!) and having some mild ovarian pain (which I also had last time). No pinching, pulling, or cramping yet, but hopefully that will come in the next few days to let me know our Peanuts are trying to get cozy!
I read this verse in this morning's devotional and had to share it: "...Blessed are those who wait on the Lord." (Isaiah 30:18) The last twenty-six months have definitely been long and tiring, but I know the blessings my God has in store for us will be well worth the wait! :)
I'll post more in the next few days, but in the meantime, please keep those prayers coming! Your love, support, and prayers mean so much to my husband and I, and we can't thank you all enough!
Only ten days left till the first pregnancy test! Yaaaaay!
I read this verse in this morning's devotional and had to share it: "...Blessed are those who wait on the Lord." (Isaiah 30:18) The last twenty-six months have definitely been long and tiring, but I know the blessings my God has in store for us will be well worth the wait! :)
I'll post more in the next few days, but in the meantime, please keep those prayers coming! Your love, support, and prayers mean so much to my husband and I, and we can't thank you all enough!
Only ten days left till the first pregnancy test! Yaaaaay!
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Details From Today's Transfer
Well, after what felt like a long day, I am proud to say that FET #2 is complete! The snow babies and I are at home safe and sound and I am trying to rest up and let these puppies hibernate! Here are the details from today:
My MIL (my ride and support for today since my husband couldn't be there again) and I got there on time at 10am. There were several ladies in the waiting room, so I had a feeling we may have to wait a few minutes before being brought back. Well, almost two hours later, I was finally called back to have my consult with Dr T! (Apparently, they were really busy today and had seven FET's to do, and I happened to be the last one of the day.) I really didn't mind the wait, except that my full bladder (needed for the ultrasound) was becoming quite painful! lol
So, we met with Dr T and he told us that both embies survived the thaw (PTL!) and both looked great! Of course, being the proud mommy I am, I had to bring the picture of them home for y'all to see! Here they are: Peanut 1 & 2!
Their "grades" are 5AC (on the left) and 3BB, and both were assisted in the "hatching" process, which means the embryologist poked a little hole in their shell so they can fully hatch and implant. They look very similar to FET #1, don't they?? Dr T said both grades are considered "good" quality, and he was very happy with the way they look. That's enough for me---a happy doctor makes for a happy patient! ;)
I was finally wheeled back into the OR, and as I was getting "in position", I literally thought my bladder was going to rupture. When the u/s tech put the wand to my stomach, she and Dr T both said, "Whoa! That's quite the impressive bladder you have there! How do you stand it being that full??" (To which I answered, "I'm a nurse! We don't have time to pee! I get used to it!" lol) Then he said, "Sorry, but we're going to have to drain it a little now or we won't be able to see your uterus at all. Your bladder is pushing it off the screen!" So then came the dreaded foley catheter...ouch. But this time, I was in so much pain from the full bladder that I actually welcomed the catheter if it meant some relief!
A few minutes later, my bladder and I were good to go. My lining looked nice and purdy (measuring 11mm---perfecto!) and Dr T was able to guide the kiddos right in there and drop them off in the perfect spot. I tell ya, that is an awesome sight to see your babies placed in your uterus for what could possibly be the next nine months of their lives! What a miracle!
After the drop-off came yet another catheter (double ouch) to fully drain my bladder. Then I had a wedge placed under my tush and was taken back to recovery, where I (once again) stood on my head for thirty minutes. The nurse then came in and gave me my discharge instructions (start baby aspirin tomorrow, stay on my doses of estrogen and progesterone, and no sex/hot tubs/tub baths), and then I was on my way home!
Right now, I'm feeling great (although pretty tired) and totally stress-free! I know in my heart that God has this all under control, and that makes all the difference! I'll go back Monday at 9am for an estrogen and progesterone check, and then have to wait another full week until the first beta, which is scheduled for November 19th at 9am (eeeeeeeeek!). All I can do now is relax, rest up, and let God work His miracle thru/in me! Don't worry, I'll keep you guys posted on what's happening! ;)
Their "grades" are 5AC (on the left) and 3BB, and both were assisted in the "hatching" process, which means the embryologist poked a little hole in their shell so they can fully hatch and implant. They look very similar to FET #1, don't they?? Dr T said both grades are considered "good" quality, and he was very happy with the way they look. That's enough for me---a happy doctor makes for a happy patient! ;)
I was finally wheeled back into the OR, and as I was getting "in position", I literally thought my bladder was going to rupture. When the u/s tech put the wand to my stomach, she and Dr T both said, "Whoa! That's quite the impressive bladder you have there! How do you stand it being that full??" (To which I answered, "I'm a nurse! We don't have time to pee! I get used to it!" lol) Then he said, "Sorry, but we're going to have to drain it a little now or we won't be able to see your uterus at all. Your bladder is pushing it off the screen!" So then came the dreaded foley catheter...ouch. But this time, I was in so much pain from the full bladder that I actually welcomed the catheter if it meant some relief!
A few minutes later, my bladder and I were good to go. My lining looked nice and purdy (measuring 11mm---perfecto!) and Dr T was able to guide the kiddos right in there and drop them off in the perfect spot. I tell ya, that is an awesome sight to see your babies placed in your uterus for what could possibly be the next nine months of their lives! What a miracle!
After the drop-off came yet another catheter (double ouch) to fully drain my bladder. Then I had a wedge placed under my tush and was taken back to recovery, where I (once again) stood on my head for thirty minutes. The nurse then came in and gave me my discharge instructions (start baby aspirin tomorrow, stay on my doses of estrogen and progesterone, and no sex/hot tubs/tub baths), and then I was on my way home!
Right now, I'm feeling great (although pretty tired) and totally stress-free! I know in my heart that God has this all under control, and that makes all the difference! I'll go back Monday at 9am for an estrogen and progesterone check, and then have to wait another full week until the first beta, which is scheduled for November 19th at 9am (eeeeeeeeek!). All I can do now is relax, rest up, and let God work His miracle thru/in me! Don't worry, I'll keep you guys posted on what's happening! ;)
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Tooooomorrow! Tooooomorow! You're Only a Day Away!
It's almost time, folks! The Big Day is right around the corner! Eeeek!
The transfer is set for 10am tomorrow morning. I will have another brief consult with Dr T to discuss our snow babies quality and how they survived the thaw. Then I will go through the same procedure as last time (ouch), followed by sitting on my head for thirty minutes (lol). After that, it's to the big fluffy chair I go for the next few days! Bring it on!
Just like last time, I'm not nervous in the least, but I am soooo excited I almost can't stand it! I am totally ready for this next adventure and to walk down this path God is leading us on! The embies, the procedure, and the outcome are all in the Father's hands, and I know He will continue to execute His perfect plan through me!
As I wait in anticipation for tomorrow morning, I am keeping this verse close to my heart: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your path straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6) That's just what I intend to do! :)
Alrighty, it's time for dinner and some relaxation time with the hubs! I'll post tomorrow with details of the kiddos and how things went, so stay tuned! And, as always, thank you all for praying for my husband, myself, and our precious miracles!
The transfer is set for 10am tomorrow morning. I will have another brief consult with Dr T to discuss our snow babies quality and how they survived the thaw. Then I will go through the same procedure as last time (ouch), followed by sitting on my head for thirty minutes (lol). After that, it's to the big fluffy chair I go for the next few days! Bring it on!
Just like last time, I'm not nervous in the least, but I am soooo excited I almost can't stand it! I am totally ready for this next adventure and to walk down this path God is leading us on! The embies, the procedure, and the outcome are all in the Father's hands, and I know He will continue to execute His perfect plan through me!
As I wait in anticipation for tomorrow morning, I am keeping this verse close to my heart: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your path straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6) That's just what I intend to do! :)
Alrighty, it's time for dinner and some relaxation time with the hubs! I'll post tomorrow with details of the kiddos and how things went, so stay tuned! And, as always, thank you all for praying for my husband, myself, and our precious miracles!
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Friday's Appointment
I know, I know...I'm two days late filling you all in. Sorry! Friday just flew by, and then I spent literally all day yesterday out of town. But I'm been eager to share my good news from Friday with you guys, so here it is!
My lining was a whopping 8.8mm! PTL, PTL, PTL! My measurement at this appointment during my last cycle was only 6.1mm (which was down more than a millimeter from the appointment before), so I am beyond ecstatic that it didn't just go up this time around, but it's almost at the goal of 10-13mm! God is so good!!
I missed getting to talk to the nurse when she called to let you me know about my estrogen level and what medications to take until the transfer date, so I don't know the actual number (bummer). But she left a message saying things were looking good and that I am to stay on the same dose of 8mg of estrogen a day (divided up into two pills in the morning and two in the evening so I won't get queasy), finish up my last dose of Lupron (which I did Friday night), and then start the progesterone shots (1mL in the hiney every night), with the first being last night.
So that's it! That's all my news for now! I'm feeling GREAT and trusting that God is going to do big, BIG things this week!
Only FOUR more days!!!! Ahhhhh!
P.S: I'm expecting a call Tuesday with the time of the transfer, so I'll keep you all posted!
My lining was a whopping 8.8mm! PTL, PTL, PTL! My measurement at this appointment during my last cycle was only 6.1mm (which was down more than a millimeter from the appointment before), so I am beyond ecstatic that it didn't just go up this time around, but it's almost at the goal of 10-13mm! God is so good!!
I missed getting to talk to the nurse when she called to let you me know about my estrogen level and what medications to take until the transfer date, so I don't know the actual number (bummer). But she left a message saying things were looking good and that I am to stay on the same dose of 8mg of estrogen a day (divided up into two pills in the morning and two in the evening so I won't get queasy), finish up my last dose of Lupron (which I did Friday night), and then start the progesterone shots (1mL in the hiney every night), with the first being last night.
So that's it! That's all my news for now! I'm feeling GREAT and trusting that God is going to do big, BIG things this week!
Only FOUR more days!!!! Ahhhhh!
P.S: I'm expecting a call Tuesday with the time of the transfer, so I'll keep you all posted!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)