13w0d (March 20, 2016)

OMG. OMG. OMG. OMG. OMG. OMG. OMG. OMG. OMG. OMG. OMG. OMG.


The first trimester is DONE. I can't believe it. I'm so happy and thankful to have gotten this far...I just keep praying every day that things keep going well and the little peanut keeps growing, big and strong!


Everything has started to get better - my nausea has tapered off, my energy is coming back and I started to sleep a lot better (for now). I get nervous though because some days it doesn't feel like I'm pregnant anymore...I mean, I know that's silly but, I forget sometimes. Well, for like a millisecond. I even asked some friends if that was normal and they keep telling me that the second trimester is the best...I'm just ready for my belly to pop. I want it to look like I'm prego instead of just gaining weight :) Ha!


We did start taking bi-weekly bumpies -- I have added a first trimester "Page" at the top of the blog if you want to see some progress pics!


Other than that, I don't have much to report...I'm scheduled to see my OB every 3-4 weeks. Technically, we're "high risk" but not really...everything is normal with the pregnancy but since we went through all the IVF and specialty procedures, we get categorized as that. Like I said before, our OB is great...he told me that right now I'm in a phase where I'm starting to feel better but I still can't feel the baby because it's too early. So, if I ever get nervous to just come on in and hear the heartbeat! He's so understanding. Just love it!


Now that I'm feeling better, I'm really going to try and eat well and make better decisions. When I wasn't feeling good, I ate whatever I wanted and didn't have a care in the world...I just wanted comfort food and junk. So, lets see if I can make better decisions :)


Well, I think we're all caught up now...sorry for the delay with posts but I wanted to be sure we got to a good place before I told the world what was happening. Please keep sending many thoughts and prayers this way that all goes well and smoothly. We've waited so long to get to this point and I'm so thankful for everyone's support!

Normal? Wha?!?!?! (May 5, 2016)

Well, we have been considered "normal" for a week now...they released us from the clinic and have since did our first OB introduction and are meeting with our "real" doctor today. I still can't believe it -- they took me off all of my medicine on Saturday. It feels so weird...I mean, I've been doing shots since January so to get home from work and NOT prep for an injection feels odd. I even went to bed the first couple nights thinking, "WHOOPS! I FORGOT!" but then hubby had to remind me that we aren't doing them anymore. I was really nervous... scared that the baby wouldn't make it without the injections since they quit everything cold turkey. But, they tested my blood and there was a jump in my levels which proved to the docs that I was good to go and be done. Since I was nervous, I talked to M, I emailed Miss N, I texted Risa...I googled tons of information. Lots of people quit cold turkey after 10 weeks, some taper off between 10 and 11 weeks, and some higher risk patients stay on until 13 weeks. But, since we're not considered "high risk" (thank goodness), we were able to just quit. Lots of information online said that if people had signs of distress, aka spotting, cramping, etc. to take an injection and call the doctor ASAP but that didn't happen for us....so we went on as normal.


We went to our "real" OB appointment -- hubby came with and tried playing with every single thing he could touch in the room while we waited for the doctor. One nurse checked us in and she wasn't very pleasant...but, after that we waited and waited and waited for the doctor. He probably didn't come in for a good 30 minutes. But, then he knocked and popped in -- he was wearing a little red bow tie and was very quirky but likeable. We were referred to our OB from a close friend who had nothing but great things to say...so we figured this would be a good fit and it was close to home. We went over soooo many thing, details, testing, schedules, histories, etc. Then he popped me up on the table and said, "Let's listen to the heartbeat!"


Now, we've seen the heartbeat twice, but we've never heard it. We have never known the beats per minute. At our specialty clinic, they showed it to you and let you know if it was normal or not, but we never got to hear it. The doc had this little handheld Doppler...it almost looked like a walkie talkie. Ha! He lubed up my lower abdomen and put the microphone on my skin...he felt around for a while but I wasn't nervous. People said it tends to take some time and we were only 11 weeks. He showed me what the sound of the fluid in my uterus was like and then he closed his eyes and was really "into it" -- then he was like "THERE! Do you hear it?!" I was chuckling inside because he was so serious yet super pumped...honestly, it didn't sound much different than what he had me listen to previously but, I read the Doppler and it said 163 bpm. Our little peanut has a heart beat of 163 beats per minute!!! Wow. I couldn't believe it! I yelled over to hubby (who was right there so I really didn't have to yell), "DO YOU HEAR IT!?!" He smiled and said, "Yes, dear."


After that, everything was a blur...we went through more details, did a pap smear, cervix examine, breast exam, etc. Then he told me I could come back anytime to hear the heartbeat and it wouldn't cost anything more, it could be just for fun as all was normal. So, I'm scheduled to come back on the 23rd. They did have some trouble getting my charts and records from our specialty clinic so when I come back, I'm going to bring my ultrasounds, just in case.  


Wow. I can't believe this! So exciting :)

10w0d - Second Ultrasound (April 29, 2016)

Well, the nausea has decided to stay and keep me company....I have only thrown up once though. I'm not sure if it was because of the baby or because I came down with another LOVELY cold and I was trying to hack up a lung...but, I did puke. Other than the nausea, being super tired, and craving everything sweet -- maple donuts, cookies, gummy candy, etc. along with wanting to eat everything else in site, too, things are going good.


Today is my last ultrasound at our specialty clinic...this time, we got to the appointment and hubby wasn't late. We actually walked up together and I wasn't nervous at all. I went to the bathroom, got checked in and we were called back pretty quick. This time the tech was Kara and she's pretty cool -- she's the one who did my ultrasound on my bday with the good lining news!


We got all situated and Dr. C came in -- he was just giddy was excitement. So, you know the drill...insert probe now. Tada!! There is our little peanut...it was doing a dance, squirming and wiggling all around. Kara said, "You have got a wiggly little one in there!" The legs were kicking and twisting...must have been happy to see us all!


Here are some pics -- they did a 3D version today so it really looks like a BABY!



This last one is my favorite -- it's the side profile... you can see the head, the little button nose, arms, legs and the umbilical cord. I'm just in LOVE. The little peanut is now measuring a day ahead of schedule - 10w1d: 36mm/1.42 inches!!


After all was said and done, Dr. C sat with us...told me that he's taking me off of pelvic rest and we can now do everything normal like we used to -- exercise, whoopie ;)...he basically said that we can't screw this up. He also told me that he was going to test my blood and then most likely take me off of all supplementary medicine on Saturday/tomorrow -- no more injections, no more estrogen, no more progesterone...I couldn't believe it. I asked him if he was sure and said that the placenta should now me making it's own hormones and I will no longer need to take any extras. Crazy. It's hard to trust this process but it was built to work...so we just need believe. He also said we were done at the clinic and next week, I need to see my "real" OB and that we were now normal people. OMG. Dr. C did apologize for the process and it taking longer than expected but he asked us to send a birth announcement when the little "turkey" popped out on Thanksgiving!! We're going to have a Thanksgiving baby!!!


Baby G DUE NOVEMBER 24th - Thanksgiving DAY!! WHAT A BLESSING and miracle to be thankful for this year!!

8w0d - First Ultrasound (April 15, 2016)

Well, I was nervous because I hadn't felt an ounce of nausea yet and many people report starting to get those symptoms around 6+ weeks...I was eating whatever I wanted and going to the bathroom a lot, still super tired and had crazy tender breasticles, but no nausea....UNTIL I got back from TX. Then it just hit me. I wasn't throwing up but man o man was I not feeling good. I'd be fine in the morning but by around 2pm it would hit me...then, it would last all night. So, I'd get home and just be worthless....my poor hubby. AND then the mood swings...oh the lovely mood swings. Now, I'm already a super sensitive person but geesh, I'd cry at anything...commercials, animals outside, the wind...good Lord. Then, it would switch to anger...everything just pissed me OFF. Blah....so, I guess I'm really prego. Ha!


With that being said, we had our first ultrasound today... I was soooooo nervous. OMG. This was it. This would tell us...SHOW us if this transfer really worked and whether or not there was a baby inside of me. We got to the clinic and of course my hubby was supposed to meet me there and he was late. I freaked out. I called. I texted. I called. I texted. He finally told me he was almost there so I went upstairs, went to the bathroom and waited. They called me back and hubby was still not there...so they took me back anyway and said they would find him before the doctor came in.


Hubby finally arrived and they sent him back into the room where I was half naked sitting on the table. Julie was our ultrasound tech and she's awesome -- she has been working with us the whole time we have been here, just like Heather. It's so nice to have people who want you to be successful and who are rooting for you around!


Dr. E came in and she was the one who did our actual transfer so it was nice to see her again...you could tell she was excited so we got on with it. As soon as they stuck the probe up in there, I saw a blob. It was different than seeing my normal uterus with a lining in it, it was literally a little round blob of white. Dr. E asked us, she said "Do you see it? That's your baby!" You could see the heart working and pumping, you could see the little nubs where arms and legs would soon sprout. You could see the head and umbilical cord. OMG this was really happening...and of course, I started crying and convulsing on the table yet again...so much so that Julie couldn't get a good measurement/reading until I settled down. The little peanut was measuring exactly 8w0d -- 17mm/0.67 inches.


Dr. E looked at my hubby and said, "There is a baby in there!" and all hubby could say was..."I see it." Ha! I told her that we were all in a little shock that this was happening. She told us, "Good job! You did it!" and I looked at her and said, "No... Good job to you! YOU did it!" and we all laughed. Oh happy day...She told us we can come back at 10w0d, have our last ultrasound and say good bye to Dr. C because if all is good, that's when they will kick us out of the clinic and we turn into normal people...can you believe it??


Here you go - here's our little peanut!

Texas Travel for Work....and I'm 7 weeks pregnant.

Well, BETA#3 is complete...I'm waiting to have my first ultrasound on the 15th...and guess what? I have to travel for work....CRAZY. I asked the docs if it was OK and they said it was just fine but to be sure to get lots of water and walk around on the plane if I could. I had to travel to Texas for the biggest tradeshow of the year -- this show is a booze filled party and of course, I can't drink because I'M ALMOST SEVEN WEEKS PREGNANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Now, if any one was good at keeping secrets, it's me...but when it's a fun, happy, exciting secret...it's REALLY HARD to keep. Especially because I'm a skilled drinker and the life of the party! So, I traveled for work...I got on the plane, brought all my injectable medicine through security (I was scared about that but it went just fine, no questions asked), got the TX and checked into my hotel. I met all our other co-workers -- some came from home, some from other states.


Surprisingly, the week actually went well, I did have to fill in a few folks on the secret so they could help get me "fake" drinks while out with customers and other co-workers so no suspicions were risen. Vodka, soda water and a lime for me please, hold the Vodka! I called the "I'm super tired" card a lot of the time so I didn't have to worry about staying out late and I had to make sure I stayed on schedule for my meds...by the end of the week, I was excited to be done.


Instead of going home, I actually was able to head down to Austin to visit one of my best friends -- she knew about the secret so didn't have to worry about spilling the beans with her! Instead, we decided to eat our lives away...have you ever heard of Gourdoughs?? It's a donut FOOD TRUCK. Yes, we indulged here. OMG.

It was a great trip and I'm glad I had something to do in between my betas and that first ultrasound....now, only a few more days to go :)

19dp5dt - BETA #3 (March 28, 2016)

15dp5dt thru 18dp5dt - Ok, I'm done taking pregnancy pee tests. If I take another one, my husband will disown me! Haven't had any more spotting but I'm sooooooooo tired. I go to work, come home, take a nap, eat food, and go to bed for the night. Then wake up to potty 2-3 times a night and do it all over again. Still trying to lay low and take it easy -- the doctor has me on pelvic rest just as a precautionary measure to ensure nothing disrupts my uterus. My poor hubby.... ;)


19dp5dt - Today is my last BETA....if all is good, I will come back on April 15th for my first ultrasound! I went into the clinic, same old same old...got my poke and left. That was it. So anti-climactic. I wish they were able to give the test results just right then and there but no. So I waited until the afternoon to get the call.


Theresa called with the number....are you ready for it??




3553


OH. MY. GOSH.


So, the numbers went from 120 to 297 to 3553!!


The docs told me everything looked awesome and gave me lots of congratulations - they said to keep doing everything just like we have been doing and that this was a huge success. My progesterone was 17.2 and I asked if that was too low and Theresa said it was just fine. Dr. C was not concerned about it at all -- I emailed N just to get her consensus and she said this was totally great and she wasn't concerned about the progesterone either since it was going up on it's own. She said I'm picking up steam and I am right where I should be -- HURRAH is an understatement!

12dp5dt...BETA #2 (March 21, 2016)

10dp5dt - keep taking more HPTs, just to be safe. Still says YES. Feeling better but laying low to get over my cold. Decided to clean the house a little...super tired. Took a nap.

11dp5dt - Sunday Fun Day, NOT - had to go to fish fry at my hubby's grandparents house. All the relatives were there. I was cranky and tired...plus we had to bring the dogs and hubby was supposed to be in charge but was not. Completely pissed me off and stressed me out...which, ya know is lovely, for this little peanut. Got mad. ARG. Went home to take a nap...Still took an HPT, we're good.

12dpt5dt (morning) - Beta #2 day...went to the clinic, drew blood, used my right arm instead of the left one since it was bruised from 9dp5dt. Praying for a good number....went back to work. Trying to keep busy.

12dp5dt (afternoon) - Got the call....we're up to 297!!!!!! More than doubled from last week...WHOOP!! They said all my counts were great and things look phenomenal. So, they want me to schedule a 3rd Beta for next week and then 3 weeks from now, do my FIRST OB ULTRASOUND. EEEEEEEKKKKK CRAY CRAY. OMG OMG OMG. Talked to scheduling...3rd beta is scheduled for 3/28/16. Ultrasound is scheduled the week of April 11th.

We have customers in town this week and I haven't been feeling the best..so I totally bailed on going out with them and pulled the sick card. Whoops.

12dp5dt (evening) - AGHHHHHH. I spotted. WHAT THE HELL. I'm frantically crying....don't know what to do. Don't want to lose the little peanut. WHAT THE F! It wasn't much, just once when I went potty...on the tissue, there was bright pink blood. Then that was that. It wasn't continuous or heavy...and never happened again. Called M, texted M, text Risa, Texted my bestie....WHAT THE F!! Called the clinic and left a message...

13dp5dt - took another test, just to be safe....still there. Got a call back from the clinic around 10am. They are not concerned at all...said many women spot randomly especially during their first 10 weeks. Nothing to be worried about unless it's continuously heavy - they even said if I fill up more than one pad per hour, to let them know but anything less than that, isn't a concern. I literally was like ummm...yea, no. It was only once on a tissue. They still don't want me to come in until Monday and told me to just take it easy and drink lots of water. Things will be just fine. NO STRESS. I emailed Miss N, just to be sure...she keeps me sane...she does, of course. Don't know what I'd do without her...OMG. Really.

More customers were in tonight...still not feeling good, stayed home. SOOOOO Tired. Went to bed by 8:15...started having crazy dreams and woke up at 3am craving a big glass of milk. Odd. I haven't drank real milk in 10 years....have a slight milk allergy.

14dp5dt - back to work...having some trouble with nausea today... people are asking questions as to why I'm always sick or not feeling well. They are getting nosy. Oh yea, did I tell you? I took another test this morning....yup, still prego. Hubby got mad and schooled me on HPTs...asked me why I'm taking so many and if I read the labels because if I did, I would know they are 99.9% accurate. If I took 100 tests, the possibility of one being off is very narrow. He's such an engineer. I told him I was getting them at Walmart for 6 bucks and they were 3 packs!!!! haha Nerves have settled...no more spotting issues. All is ok.

9dp5dt - BETA #1 (March 18, 2016)

Bahhh finally slept all night but woke up around 4am with a stupid ear ache. This darn cold...I suppose, since I can't take any meds, all the fluid in my head is pooling around my ear canals...but, I still had time to POAS this morning. STILL POSITIVE.

I didn't even have to wait for a line today, it just came up right away...crazy! Went in early to get my blood drawn for the beta/hcg test...waiting for the doctor to call with the news. Also, when they do call, I'm totally going to ask about this stupid cold. OMG. AWFUL.

I got the call this afternoon and of course I was in a car full of co-workers for lunch! I took the call regardless and had to "play it cool." I'm sure the doc was a little surprised that I wasn't freaking out...but he gave me the results and told me to get scheduled to come in for BETA #2 on Monday.

Are you ready for it????

He told me I had a great number for day 9 post transfer and my HCG was at 120!! My progesterone was at 15.8.

I completely blanked out...forgot to ask about my cold, my thyroid, scheduling my next appointment...so as soon as I got back to the office, I called the clinic back and got my next test scheduled for Monday at 8:40am. I also talked to the nurse about my cold and thyroid...They did tell me if I feel like I'm getting an ear infection or have a fever that lasts more than a couple days, I need to go to my general practitioner and get put on an antibiotic. The nurse said to make sure I tell them I'm pregnant....SAY WHAT? I asked her to say it again. She said to tell them I AM PREGNANT and they should know the proper medicine to put me on to not endanger the little peanut. If it is bacterial, it needs to be treated...versus a viral infection. So, we should be good to go! Phfeww!!

Pray for a good BETA #2!

Waiting...TWW

The dreaded two week (or 9 day) wait....here is a play by play for you to follow along :)

0dp5dt - bed rest, Netflix binging, lower abdomen aching, stomach bloating, extremely tired

1dp5dt - bed rest, more Netflix binging, constant lower abdomen aching, pricks on lower left side of abdomen, bloating, very tired

2dp5dt - back to work but working from home, still achy in lower abdomen, bloating, Dad is in town visiting, still tired

3dp5dt - weekend, still achy in abdomen, company all weekend and had to say no to liquor, bloating, yup...still tired

4dp5dt - weekend, still achy in abdomen, nauteaous in the morning...not sure why, got better after I ate. Company left...slept all afternoon

5dp5dt - back to work...still bloated and a little nauteaous but must be coming down with a cold. Starting to get a scratchy throat and a cough. Faint aches in lower abdomen. Still tired...slept when I got home from work for 3 hours then went to bed.

6dp5dt - finally feeling less bloated but still somewhat achy. Feeling better with my cold but still not back to normal. Found an expired HPT from college and decided to POAS...got a BFN. Should've known better...it's too early. Trying to keep my hopes up and tell myself I should've waited. Trying not to stress out.. had to email Miss N in order to relax.

7dp5dt (morning) - less bloated but still a little achy in my lower abdomen. Went to work but feel worse today then yesterday with my cold... can't stop coughing and I feel like I'm going to hurt the little peanut. Decided to take a half day and go home and rest. Felt great to snooze and not worry about emails. Stopped by Target and bought more HPTs... debating when/if I should try to POAS again...I'm nervous. Some people would've gotten good results yesterday and now there is conflicting info about day 7. M says to wait until tomorrow...blood test is Friday.

7dp5dt (afternoon) - decided to just do it and take a test. I chose the digital one too and apparently I was supposed to start with the line tests?? But, I couldn't wait anymore....3 minutes could never be so long but....BFP. OMG. IT'S POSITIVE. Hubby doesn't want to see it because he's an engineer and said the blood test is the true telling factor. But he did get a little excited then tucked it back in...I on the other hand, am ecstatic! OMG. BFP.

8dp5dt - woke up feeling great (but still have my stupid cold) - took another HPT, this time I did the line test...barely had to wait a minute before the other line to pop up. BFP. Still positive! Went to work happy as a clam...excited for Friday and what the beta will be. Got home from work feeling sicker than a dog...laid down, coughed up a lung, held my lower abdomen thinking that would help secure the little peanut. Blew my nose raw and did a neti pot...lovely.

Can't believe this is really happening!!!

4dp5dt (March 13, 2016)

Well, the weekend went by without a hitch...my dad came to visit and I didn't drink (duh) but he didn't ask questions either. It was very pleasant and relaxing but I still had constant cramping and little pricklies. I was super tired too so it was hard to keep up with the busy-ness...but it did keep me distracted. We actually sold our house, so the weekend was spent house hunting and shopping along with eating.

I did wake up this morning and actually felt icky...I'm not sure what it was but, I was super nauseous. I am not sure if I was hungry or if I ate something bad. But, I don't think I could be pukey 4 days in...right? Maybe I'm coming down with something...I hope not.

I have this week, until Friday, to stay busy and keep my mind off of things. Miss N gave us some great gratitude activities that I'm going to try...I wonder how long you have to wait until we can test ourselves aka POAS...Some of my friends have said 6 days post transfer, some say 7. Some say to just wait until the blood draw...but I feel like it might ease my nerves to know if it did or didn't take before the blood draw.

Just to give you an idea of what is going on...here is a chart:



Positive Thoughts everyone!!!