A Navel Orange (a day late)

First things first. Yesterday was the start of navel orange week!

Continuing the march towards normal proportions, baby's legs now outmeasure the arms. And, finally, all four limbs have functional joints. Your fetus is squirming and wiggling like crazy down in the womb, though you probably still can't feel the movements.

Yesterday was also our 15 week OB appt. Nothing too exciting. Although I would have loved an u/s, hearing the h/b with Doppler was almost as good. It was rockin' at 155 bpm. According to OB records, I have gained TEN pounds in the first 15 weeks. She then goes on to tell me the she prefers to see a gain of 2-7 at this point, but understands that I had a hard time eating healthier b/c of the naseau. Whatever. Yes, I will try to be better. With my newest symptom of reflux, it shouldn't be hard to not gain as much, or at least maintain. It's no fun (i.e. almost impossible) to eat when it feels like there is a golf ball in my throat. And she didn't re-run my iron, but looked at the results from my first appt and all was fine. The fatigue is starting to subside, A BIT.

I think I'm starting to see the beginning of a little bump! I noticed it a few days ago. Of course to everyone else it probably looks like fat, but I know better (well, let's pretend I do).

The most exciting moment of the week (aside from hearing a HEALTHY h/b of course) is that Dan and I were at a different dr appt earlier this week and I parked in the Expectant Mother parking spot, giggling like an idiot of course:-) Dan said it was for women in labor (since we were at a hospital). I said "the sign doesn't say 'women in labor parking spot', it says 'Expectant Mother parking spot', and that is me"! Is it a shame that I've always been bitter about those spots, and just the day before I was wondering when I was going to see one, and if I'd have the nerve to use it.

Next appt is in 4 weeks, BIG u/s in FIVE weeks!!!!!

Little lemon's test results...

14 weeks yesterday, which means McBaby miraculously turns into a new fruit or veggie. Fruit o' the week is lemon.

Your adorable little fetus is busy with thumb sucking, toe wiggling, and (not so cute but equally amazing) making urine and breathing amniotic fluid as the liver, kidneys and spleen continue to develop. Lanugo (thin, downy hair) is growing all over the body for warmth.

The best news of ALL is that we got the NT results yesterday. For my age and history alone, chance of Down's was 1/302. When adjusted for the NT scan, chances go down to 1/1388!!!! Chances of Trisomy 13/18 is even less than that.

As much as I (thought I) wasn't worried about it, it was definately a relief to see it in writing.

This little lemon seems to be sucking the life out of me (no pun intended). I cannot get enough sleep. And the headaches are excrutiating. I'm taking at least 6 Tylenol Xtra Strength each day, and still either wake up/go to bed with a headache. And these are migraines, not just your run of the mill headache...I have a history of migraines, so YES I can tell the difference. A little caffeine seems to help, but not greatly.

I seem to have about 2 good days for every 5 bad days. Again, last night, napped for 3 hours, woke up for an hour and attempted to do something productive (i.e. check Facebook and e-mail) and then back to bed at 10, only to FORCE myself up at 6:30. I really wonder if I have an iron deficiency. I'm going to ask Dr. S to check that next week.

When oh when...

does the 2nd trimester start? I know there are different theories, but they just make me more confused. For me, I thought it was today (13w3d)...but then I start googling and I saw something that said the start of week 14. Dr. S told me "anything after 12 weeks" which was way too lax for my uptight personality so I didn't listen.

I know I'm close, but HOW close??!!!

Things seem to be progressing. My symptoms have gone from 90-100% of the time to 50-75% of the time. All this means though is that I get lulled into a feeling of "ahhh the yuckies are over"...and then they sneak up and kick my butt.

I think my bloat is about gone. My squishy stuff is definately being taken over by a harder feeling. Maternity pants/short are my new best friend. You wouldn't think I'd need them yet, but they are oh so comfortable.

11 days until next OB appt. Our NT results should be here any day. They said we'd get a post card 7-10 days after the scan, and tomorrow is 11 days. Suprisingly, I haven't even thought about it.

13 weeks and NEEDING chocolate

I made it to 13 weeks, and am loving the peach for the fruit of the week!



Your fetus is forming teeth and vocal cords... savor this, their non-functional phase. Baby is approaching normal proportions, with a head now only one third the size of the body.





Intestines are in the process of moving from the umbilical cord to baby's tummy. (Much more convenient.)

I apparently am also loving chocolate. I decided to go to the grocery to grab a donut before work...chocolate long john. Of course I needed milk, so on the way to the dairy section I saw some chocolate pudding snacks that looked just wonderful. Grabbed those. Then, on the way to the aisle to get plastic silverware, I passed a display of triple chunk chocolate brownies. You guessed it, I grabbed those too.

The crazy thing is that I am NOT a chocolate fan. Sure, I'll eat it, but it's not my idea of a treat. Except for today.

My symptoms seem to be TRYING to slow down a bit. Two nights ago, after a busy day at work, I went home and was in over-drive getting things done, and had to force myself to bed at 10:30. Last night, I was asleep by 6:30. The nauseau is much better, with the exception of almost puking up a glass of water this morning. Yuck.

My boss told me (affectionately of course!) that I am looking "poochy." I'll take it, it's better than bloated:-)

my new (kind of sick) obsession

My curiousity has turned into obsession. Each day, I google whatever day pregnant am (today would be 11 weeks, 5 days) and look at all u/s pictures that I can find. It's a bonus if there is actually a video. I am just intrigued by what is going on inside of me right now, and apparently have the need to see.it.every.day.

It's weird, and kind of sick, and gross...I know all these things but I still do it.

I'm actually thinking of taking our camera to the NT scan on Thursday, not to take a picture, but b/c it has a 2-3 minute video capacity. Then I'd have my own video:-)

Symptoms wise...nausea is still there, but not as constant as it has been. I opted not to get the Zofran script filled, since my lovely insurance company won't pay for it, and I refuse to pay $150 for 30 pills. So, unless it gets REALLY bad, I'll just suck it up.

I continue to be completely exhausted. My b-day was Sunday. I was asleep by 6 pm. I'm regularly sleeping AT LEAST 10 hours a day, sometimes straight through...other times with a nap or two built in.

I've been noticing my dreams have also been getting more "real." Last night, I actually dreampt that I was having a nightmare. In my dream, I was able to tell myself it was a nightmore, and actually got to "enjoy" it, since I knew it wasn't real. It was sort of like watching my own scary movie.

The closer it gets, I'm extremely nervous about Thursday. I just feel like if all looks good I can finally start to relax and enjoy. (OK, I know this probably isn't the case, but it's what I tell myself to get through another day). And by "look good" I simply mean a good heart beat. Even if we get discouraging news regarding Downs or something else, I will consider it a great day if there is a still a heart beating at the correct rate.

The beans have been spilled...

After much thought, I came to the conclusion to that Mother's Day was a good day to "spill the beans" to family. Some people knew already (parents, sister, etc), but others I've been holding off on "just in case." I broke down and now both grandmas know, along with some other extended family. News travels fast I guess, as I got a call from an aunt this morning.

So...it's out! Exciting and scary all at the same time.

I hope to breath a sigh of relief on Thursday (assuming we get another u/s at OB appt), and then a bigger sigh of relief at NT scan on May 21.

I also made my first maternity purchase this weekend. Note that I didn't buy something for baby, just me. I can't go there yet. I got a few camisoles and maternity tank tops that are just a bit roomier than what I'm currently wearing. They seem to fit pretty well now, so who knows how long they'll last me.

Nauseau is still kicking my butt, along with INTENSE fatigue. All I want to do is sleep, although mornings seem to be my best time of day. By 2 pm, I'm starting to go downhill. By 7 pm? Forget it.

Little prune got a present:-)

First things first, since it's Thursday.

Week 10: Prune

With bones and cartilage starting to form and vital organs beginning to function, baby is making major progress. Body length will almost double in the next three weeks, and arm joints are now working. (Soon, legs will too.)

I can't really say that I find prunes appetizing, much less like to think that that's what's going on inside right now, but whatever. I think it's more about the length of measurement, so I'm happy to see that McBaby is hopefully on its way to 2 inches!!!

The little prune got a present last night!!!! Lisa and her mom send us an adorably cute onesie that says Worth the Wait. Dan had already opened the package, so it was lying on the table when I got home. I saw that it was a onesie and started crying (yes, I did), and THEN I saw what it said and the tears were really flowing. Hormones are getting the better of me these days.

As is exhaustion. Mon night I slept 12 hours, Tues and Wed, 10 hours. It's insane. I've heard about the exhaustion, but this is just ridiculous. I start going downhill by early afternoon, and by the time I get home I am useless.

We're in the process of trying to schedule the NT scan. My OB nurse actually schedules it, and hasn't been able to get in touch with the office that does them, so I'm a bit frustrated with that.

TONIGHT IS MY LAST PIO SHOT!!!!!!!!!!

Olive, no martini please:-)

Well...we made it to week NINE. In my head, getting to this point has been somewhat of a mental struggle. To me, nine weeks seems pregnant...not just "a little pregnant" but really and truly pregnant. I've been looking forward to/dreading (if we didn't make it) this date, since we found out. I feel like now, people won't roll their eyes if I happen to tell them how far along I am. Actually, the fact that I can even state "how far along I am" freaks me out. Will I EVER believe that this is happening???

I still have an upset stomach, but with the exception of Tues night everything is staying down. I've been MUCH more tired suddenly. I love to sleep, so you wouldn't think that would be a problem for me, but things are starting to pile up at home.

McBaby has graduated to green olive status this week:-)

Your little embryo has now officially graduated to fetus-hood. Adding to the excitement, a Doppler ultrasound device might be able to pick up the beating heart. With basic physical structures in place and increasingly distinct facial features, baby is kind of starting to look like... well... a baby!

A little reassurance!!

Guess what???!! I threw up last night. WOOHOO!!!!! Never have a been so happy to be so sick:-) See? This is what a sick-O I am.

The nauseau was actually better yesterday (and today so far), so I was shocked to get sick. But I'll take it!!! And the spotting is staying away. In one of my books, it has this great table for symptoms/problems and the appropriate time to call/inform the dr. For spotting that lasted less than a day, it said to inform doc at next appt. That relieved me too...it is obviously very common, but when it happens to me...well that is a different story.

Only 48 hours till my appointment. Please oh please let that little heart still be beating strong.

"your baby looks good!"

That's what the u/s tech said when the dildo-cam went in. She reassured me, then went about her business of checking ovaries and all that good stuff. Then we got back to the baby and she spent a little time zooming in so we could get a "good" look.

McBaby looked like a gummy bear today (a rather cute one if I do say so myself). Heart was beating 177 bpm. About 3/4 inch long. Perfect:-)

Then came the appt I've been dreading...our last appt with Dr. K. First, she was ECSTATIC for us. She was at the last appt too, but I could tell she was really holding in her excitement, since we all know things can go wrong. She asked who I would be seeing (meaning OB), and I just put my face in my hands and started crying. I suppose I was crying for 2 reasons, 1) that we are "done" with her, and 2) (most importantly) that we're actually at the point where I can be considered "normal". I keep using the word surreal, and that's still truly the way it feels. We've worked so hard to get to this point, and now it's here, and I have no idea how to handle it. Poor Dan rotates b/t being super excited and super cautious. According to his book this is normal:-)

I still have a hard time admitting I'm pregnant. To say it out loud feels like a lie, like I'm a big fake. I was at Home De.pot yesterday and bought some charcoal. The bag was almost 50 pounds and there was no way I was going to try and lift it. I found someone to help (who looked exactly like Amer.ican Idol.s Ada.m La.mbert, btw...I wanted to say something but thought it would be rude if that's not the look he was going for). Anyway, I asked him to help lift it for me, but just couldn't get the "I'm pregnant" words out of my mouth. You'd think I'd be shouting it from the rooftops, but not so much. I feel like a phony.

Back to Dr. K...she said I could call anytime, and she expects us to stop by with baby next winter. I hugged her, thanked her (getting teary just thinking about it), and that was it.

First OB appt is Friday morning!!!

Raspberrry and a brick

First the good news!!!

Week 8: Raspberry

Your baby is growing like mad, putting on about a millimeter every day and continuing to straighten out in the trunk. Though you can't feel it yet, baby is moving those little arms, legs and (now only slightly) webbed fingers and toes like crazy.

Yay for a raspberry:-)

Now, the "brick" part...I feel like poo-poo. I've been trudging along the last 10 days or so, feeling fairly ok. Like I've said before, I tend to get nauseaus in the afternoon. That has started scooting up earlier in the day. Today, I got out of bed, felt fine, walked Sierra. While in the shower I started feeling a little dizzy, but was ok. Once out of the shower, I leaned over to wrap my hair in a towel and the room started spinning. I said Oh God or something like that and ran to the bathroom, just in case. Nothing came up, but the room was still spinning. I managed to get dressed, eat a bagel and get to work. I still feel like poo. Extremely light-headed.

Just talked to Dr. K's nurse. She wants me to come by and have my BP checked today. My BP is on the low side normally, so they want to make sure it is ok.

That's my story. Me and little raspberry are just truckin' along:-)

Slacker!

Sorry for slacking! I've gotten several e-mails over the past few days, wanting to know if things are ok since I haven't been blogging. The answer is YES, although I've unfortunately had no motivation to do much of anything:-) Things seem to be progressing. My nauseau is becoming more constant; I still feel the best in the early morning. Around 10 am in starts kicking in. I still haven't gotten sick, but it seems like the only thing to make it go away is to eat:-/.

Carbs are my best friend. Fries, bagels, pasta, you name it. I had 2 orders of fries yesterday, at 2 different restaurants, and just got back from lunch at McDonalds. Yum-O:-)

I'm feeling extra tired too...I'm a sleepaholic as it is, so the fatigue is a bit out of control.

Our 2nd u/s is a week from today. We are just praying that all looks good.

And we got our first baby gifts this weekend!!!!! Kelly, Sara and I went out for lunch on Sunday. Kelly brought me a cute little pack of bibs and a J & J starter kit. It was kind of an out of body experience opening it. Like, wow, this is for me, people are giving us stuff for baby!!
And, Andrea, a Nestie friend sent me an adorable journal and book for Dan, The Expectant Father. He actually openend it, and read some. You better believe I got a picture of that!!

Blueberry!!!

7 weeks today:-) I think Thursday is going to become my favorite day of the week. I don't look ahead to the next week (b/c I am superstitious), so it's fun to see what the week brings.

Baby's brain -- both hemispheres! -- is growing fast, generating about 100 new cells every minute. Arms and legs are emerging as joints start to form, and a permanent set of kidneys (baby's third!) is now in place.

I've been having a horrible time sleeping. I'm exhausted after work, but when I try to wind down to go to bed, I can't sleep. It's horrible. I can feel my heart racing. All I want is a good nights sleep and I can't get it.

I've been feeling nauseus in the evening, but today is the first day that it's hit me mid-morning. Horrible, icky, flu-like stomach churning. Yuck. But, it's reassuring. After all, we paid top $$$ for me to feel like crap, so bring it on:-)

Oh, and our 2nd (and final, hopefully) u/s with Dr. K is April 27. If all looks and sounds good...she'll release me to my regular doctor. I'm not ready to be a normal pregnant person who only gets an u/s at 20 weeks. I am so low-maintainance in every other aspect of my life, but not this. I hope my doctor can handle me!

Sweet Pea!!!

This is what is growing inside of me right now:-) I think it's weird that they call it a baby at this stage, when it is actually still an embryo. But maybe that is denial or self-preservation coming out in me.

Growing like crazy, baby is starting to sprout eyes, ears, nose, cheeks and chin. Those little hands and feet- still webbed like paddles- might wiggle by week's end, the heart is beating (almost twice as fast as yours!), and blood is starting to circulate.

Dan did NOT earn brownie points last night. We briefly talked about what we would see at the u/s. I told him we may not see a heartbeat yet, but that doesn't mean when we go back a week later we won't see one. Then he said, "or we might see nothing." Me: "um, yes I know that."

Him: "No, I don't think you get it, we might see NOTHING."

YES, A-hole, I get it. There might not be anything there. Thank you for that comforting thought. That is HIS effort at self-preservation (or most likely denial).

I am starting to get really bloating in the evening. Then, when I wake up, it's all gone. Very weird. It means my pants get more uncomfortable as the day goes on. AND, I had lightening boobs last night. So far, I've had no issue/pain/discomfort with this particular aread, but before bed last night it felt like lightening bolts were striking! It didn't hurt, it was just weird.

ETA: I'm really not happy my paragraphs aren't separated!

Sex and Tums

Sounds like the latest country song, huh?? I was just informed by Dan that these are the two questions he has for Dr. K next week...sex and Tums. 1) When can we have sex, and 2) Are Tums ok?

I find it funny that neither of us have been interested in sex, after all the baby making sex that was required (and never worked). And now, suddenly, b/c it's "off limits" Dan is ready to go. Psychological? I think so! We haven't been able to have sex since the day of the ET, doctor's orders. Honestly, even if she ok's it, I'm going to be petrified. Scared to death. We've come so far I don't want to risk anything. Rationally, I *know* it should be ok...but still.

I mentioned my acid reflux and digestive stuff a few days ago. Tums makes it go away. I've heard from so many people it's ok to take (and it's not like I'm eating them like candy), but this is Dan's concern, that they are not good for growing embryo. It's nice to know he cares:-)

Beta #3 :-)

I have been on pins and needles since 11 am, expecting the call by 11:30. They JUST called a few minutes ago and I almost peed on myself when the phone rang.

Beta #3 at 22dp3dt (or about 25dpo) is 4157!!!! The secretary who called said it was very, very, very, good news:-)

I just looked up the numbers on betabase, and it still seems in line for a singleton, but I really didn't expect such a high jump b/t last Thursday and today.

First u/s is next Monday, which is Dan's birthday. I'm so happy it falls on that day, but scared at the same time. Three years ago on his birthday, we found out about our miscarriage. I hope this one brings us better luck:-)

I've been having some symptoms. I've had weird digestive stuff going on, like acid reflux and some heartburn. I can feel the nauseau starting, but so far so good.

I am officially 5 weeks, 4 days PREGNANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!