The Mommy Diaries

If I thought that being pregnant made time fly by, having a baby makes time go even faster.  Zayne came into the world nearly 6 weeks ago, and it has been the best 6 weeks of my life.  15 hours of labor and a c-section later, and our little man was finally in my arms on October 28, 2013.  I hadn't planned on having a c-section, but it was the best decision for Zayne, as his heart rate kept decelerating.  I'm sure that no one likes being cut open, but led to Zayne's birth, so it was all worth it. 

I was all proud of myself for having this master plan in mind as far as parenthood goes.  We didn't buy a bassinet because I didn't want to start the habit of Zayne sleeping in our room, but once he arrived, I couldn't let him sleep in his crib.  I wanted him right next to me.  So he slept in his pack and play for the first two and a half weeks.  I didn't want to move him into his crib at that time either, but I knew that we all would sleep better once he was in his own room.  Since the move, Zayne has started sleeping more during the night, only waking up 2-3 times a night, on a fairly regular schedule.  I laugh because I have never been a good sleeper, and was dreading the late night feedings, thinking that I would be up all night long, but surprisingly, I'm sleeping better now than I ever have.  It takes 30-45 minutes to feed Zayne, and then we are both able to go right back to sleep.  I still feel sleep deprived, but I usually get a nap during the day if Zayne lets me.  My quality of sleep is better, even if the quantity isn't much.

I had also planned on breastfeeding, because of the health benefits for Zayne (and the cost of formula is outrageous!).  That plan changed too, as Zayne wasn't gaining weight like he should, leading to doc's conclusion that I don't produce enough milk.  Doc suggested that I continue to breastfeed, but also supplement with formula.  Even though I know that it's common to supplement and Zayne is still getting the benefits of breast milk, I feel like I've failed him in that department.  I know there's nothing I can do about it, and I have to do what's best for Zayne, but it's still frustrating.  It took a lot of work to learn to breastfeed, and it hurt like no pain I've felt before.  (I wish someone would have warned me about that!)  So to now be told that he needs formula was pretty hard to take.  But I'm happy to say that little man is gaining weight and growing like a weed now!

I have a new found respect for all the single mothers out there.  I'm blessed to have an awesome partner in this adventure, so I'm fortunate to get a shower and a meal or two daily.  I don't know how single moms do it.  That's a whole kind of sacrifice, right there!  Brian is pretty good about helping out, and he wants to be involved with every aspect of Zayne's schedule, unless there's dirty diapers involved.  He claims that poopy diapers make him puke, but I think he's just pawning it off on me.  I'm curious to see what he's going to do when I'm not home and he has no choice but to do it himself. 

Speaking of not being home, I only have two weeks of maternity leave left, and I don't want to go back to work.  Don't get me wrong, I love my job, but this kid has consumed my world and I don't want to spend a minute away from him.  I keep thinking that I need to start playing the lottery so maybe I can change careers to be a stay at home mommy.  I wish it were that easy!  Staying home has made me lazy though.  I spend my days snuggling and playing with Zayne, and when he's sleeping, I just stare at him.  He's so precious, and I can't take my eyes away from him.  It still amazes me to think that we created this awesome little person.  I don't know how many times I have counted his fingers and toes, smoothed his wild hair, or stared into his big blue eyes.  He was definitely worth the wait, and I hope he knows just how much I love him.

The Moment We've All Been Waiting For!!!

As I sit here typing this, I'm currently sleep deprived.  I hear that it's my body's way of preparing me for motherhood.  If that's the case, then my body has been preparing me for the last several years.  I am just so excited that this day is finally here, and every time I wake up to go to the bathroom, I lay awake with my mind racing. 

My awesome coworkers threw me and Zayne a baby shower, and it was a blast!  We played a game of "Guess What's In The Jar" and surprisingly, I didn't do too bad!  My friends also had to guess the size of my belly by tearing off lengths of toilet paper.  I was a bit nervous about that one, as I feel like I'm the size of a hippo.  The best guess came from my friend's young daughter, and she nearly guessed it exactly right!

We continued with weekly doctor appointments, which were not too exciting until these last two weeks.  Two weeks ago, doc decided to see if I had began dilating.  Turns out that I was already dilated 2 cm, without any contractions.  I have to say that I was pretty proud of myself!  And then he asked if I wanted him to thin my membranes....  I told him to go for it, not knowing what I was in for.  OH MY GOODNESS!  Did that hurt!  But, after the pain, I was 75% effaced.  Nice!  And then at last week's appointment, I was sure that I'd gained at least another centimeter, but I was wrong.  Nothing had changed.  Doc asked if I wanted him to finish thinning my membranes.  Might as well get it over with.  Thankfully, this time wasn't near as bad as the first time, but it still wasn't pleasant.  But I'm definitely rethinking attempting to deliver without an epidural..... On another note, my lack of progress may have been a good thing.  Doc asked if I would like to schedule an induction.  That brings us to today.

In just a matter of hours, we will be making the trek to the hospital to start the process of bringing little man into our world.  I haven't slept in two days due to the excitement, and I'm sure this will be the longest day of my life, but it is so worth it!  I never, in a million years (or 30 some...), thought that this day would come.  People keep asking me if I'm nervous, and the answer is no.  I've already accepted that it's going to hurt, but I know that it will all be worth it to meet Mr. Zayne and hold him in my arms.  Brian and I have been trying to decide what he will look like.  We never seem to come to a definite answer, but we agree that he will be the most handsome boy around.  I have a feeling that he will come out sporting a full head of hair, based on the amount of heartburn that I've had for the last 9 months.  Regardless of his physical appearance, I know that he will be absolutely perfect.

Well, I suppose I should go make another attempt at sleeping.  We have a big day ahead of us, and I can't wait to share him off to the world!!!  Thundercats are go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A letter to my son

To my Zayne,

As our time to meet grows near, I'm finding it harder and harder to sleep. My mind is filled with excitement, as I have waited so long for your arrival, and I cannot wait to see your precious face. I wonder who you'll look like, if you'll have your dad's eyes and my nose. I wonder what your first thoughts will be, if it will be "Hey mom and dad!" or "Who are these crazy people?" I'm also a little nervous. I've never been a mom before. I'm sure there will be some bumps in the road, and I pray that you have patience with me as I learn. We will both make our share of mistakes, but I know that we will be just fine.

I'm sure that by now you have noticed all the keepsakes I've collected for you, and I hope you don't think I'm a hoarder.  Your dad and I prayed for you for so long, so when we found out that I was pregnant with you, I decided to start writing down our experiences. You have been our miracle since before you were conceived. I made a scrapbook filled with memories from before you even existed.  Your creation was such a big event, and you had many followers long before your birth. I am thankful to have such a large support system to guide me thru this! I started journaling my pregnancy early on, the ups and downs, my feelings as you were growing inside me. I kept all the cards received so you will see just how many people love you.  I kept all the notes from the birthing classes.  Some (or all) of this may seem silly, but I want you to know that prayers do come true, and you are proof of that, and I want to remember each step of this journey and share it with you. 

My hope is that you will know just how much you were loved, before you even set foot on this earth.  There aren't enough words in the dictionary to describe my feelings for you.  Each night as I watch you squirm inside my tummy, I am fascinated my your activity level.  You are always on the move, which makes me wonder if you're going to be an all-star athlete when you grow up, or if you're just cramped in your current living quarters.  I could sit back and watch you move all day long.  I'm sure you will have an amazing personality, always busy, just like your father.  And I'm sure that I'm gonna be one tired momma when you start crawling and walking! 

So I guess to sum it all up, I just cannot wait for you to get here.  I'm not worried about labor or pain, or anything in between, because it's all so worth it to have you in our lives.  I am already so proud of you, for being a fighter and making it through the science experiment that was your conception.  I can't wait to see what the future holds for you!  I never dreamt that this time would come, and I'm thrilled to call you my son.  I love you more than you will ever know!

Love always,
Mom

Getting closer!!!!!!

I can't believe that our little miracle is due next month!  NEXT MONTH!!!!!  I have honestly enjoyed being pregnant, but I can't wait to meet this little guy who has been breakdancing in my tummy for the last few months.  Maybe I'm just easily amused, but I could sit back and watch him move and kick all day long.  And I'm convinced that he is either gonna be a boxer or a football player, as those arms and legs are always moving!  He's got some strength behind them too!  Brian got to feel Zayne move for the first time this month.  He's felt the kicking before, but he actually felt Zayne turning and rolling, and his reaction was priceless.  He is gonna be the best dad! 

I started having Braxton Hicks contractions in this last month.  I really expected them to hurt, but it's more like a strong pressure in my tummy when my uterus contracts.  Brian's new "thing" is to poke my tummy whenever he's near, and inform me if I'm having a contraction or not.  I think it's funny, because most times, I don't even notice them.  Really the only way I can tell is by the hardening of my tummy.  It feels like I've swallowed a watermelon.  On another note, Brian bought a watermelon a couple weeks ago, and I proceeded to put it under my shirt... He thought that was pretty funny.  ;)  I have had one painful contraction.  I just had just woke up from an awful dream, and my abdomen hurt like crazy.  I was all balled up and couldn't stretch out or breathe.  Thankfully it only lasted about 20 seconds, and has never returned.  I don't know if it was an actual contraction or just stress from the dream, but whatever it was, it sucked! 

Zayne and I have had a couple check ups lately, although they were nothing exciting.  Just a quick check of his heart rate and the typical Q&A session.  We have an appointment next week, and doc plans to do an ultrasound (FINALLY!  I've only been begging for the last 6 weeks!), so hopefully we can get a better estimate on Zayne's size.  I guess I've got a bunch of vaccinations coming up in the next few weeks, but the only one I remember is the Pertussis vaccine.  There was a big story on the news a couple weeks back about how whooping cough is on the rise, so that was at the top of my list of questions to ask Dr. Spencer at our last visit.  Brian got his vaccine the same day as that appointment, and I'm hoping that our parents will get vaccinated too before they come visit. 

We started our Prepared Childbirth class two weeks ago.  So far it's been pretty informative.  There are about 8 other couples in the class with us, with two of them having twins.  That could have been us!  Since our first class, I have looked at Zayne's very first picture (the one with the two embryos that were implanted), and I wonder which one he is.  I really hope he finds this whole journey as exciting as we have, when he grows up and looks through all his baby stuff.  I don't know of any baby that has been so anticipated and has had so many followers since well before he was born!  Anyway, back to these classes...  Brian has been attending the birthing classes with me, and I think he is learning a lot.  He's very proactive in the process, and doesn't hesitate to ask questions.  I love that.  He wasn't able to make it to the Breastfeeding class, but I brought home a bag of info that I'm hoping he will flip thru eventually.  He had to work, but I secretly think that his reasoning was, "I don't have boobs, so what can I do?"  True statement, but I think he will be a little more involved than he thinks.  The whole thing sounds like an interesting process, and I'm sure I will need all the support I can get.  The realization finally hit me during the breastfeeding class, that Zayne will be here before we know it.  I actually became a little emotional during the class, even though no one noticed, simply because all of this has been such a whirlwind of an adventure.  For years, I never thought I would have the experience of becoming a mom; no baby showers, no classes, no worry/fear/excitement of raising a child, and all of a sudden, it's happening.  I think I literally felt every emotion possible in a matter of minutes. 

Football season has started, so that means Saturdays are full of excitement, at least for a few hours each week.  None of my Husker gear fits at the moment, so my shirt of choice is Brian's Husker jersey.  I feel like I'm the size of a barn when I wear it, but I gotta support my team!  I'm kinda tossing around the idea of putting Zayne in a husker outfit once he arrives.  Wonder how much commotion he would cause, being born in Texas but wearing Husker gear! 

Hello, third trimester!!!!

I've always been told that pregnancy goes by so fast, but I never understood just how fast until now.  I can't believe I'm already in my third trimester and that baby Zayne will be here in just a couple of months!  Compared to the first few, this month has been pretty exciting.  With time creeping up on us, we have been busy!

Brian got all of Zayne's furniture put together, and his room is actually starting to look more like a nursery and less like tornado alley.  I did what seemed to be an endless mountain of laundry, and have managed to get most everything organized and put away.  I got lots of advice, and worked really hard to make the nursery as convenient as possible, but I'm sure that once Zayne gets here, I will end up rearranging it all.  My final decision was to put pajamas, night shirts, and changing necesssities into the changing table, and pretty much everything else in the dresser and closet.  This kid has more clothes than Brian and I combined!  And I'm sure he won't even end up wearing half of it!  He has so much that Brian has had to put an additional rod in the closet!  Baby boy is SPOILED!!!!!!!

The most exciting part of this last month was my baby shower!  Brian and I and the puppies loaded up in the rental car and made the trek back to Nebraska a couple weeks ago.  As always, the trip was way too short, but I got to see a lot of friends and family that I haven't seen in ages.  Brian, Zayne, and I are so blessed to have such an awesome support group!  The shower was a great time, and we got a ton of great gifts, including clothes, diapers, bedding, and other necessities.  (Did I mention that this kid is SPOILED???)  I used the cards we received to make a little flip book, so Zayne can read all the well wishes when he is older.  I'm starting to think that I need to start a memory box for him, due to all the stuff I'm saving.  Or... maybe I'm just a hoarder.  Who knows.

I made my first trip to the ER this month.  (It's not nearly as exciting as it sounds...)  I was watering the back yard and had just moved the sprinkler, when I managed to find a hole in the ground and fell.  I twisted my ankle pretty bad, and had to crawl back into the house because I couldn't walk.  I don't think I fell onto my tummy; I'm pretty sure the brunt of my fall was on my right knee and shoulder, but Brian and I decided that we had better go get Zayne checked.  So after nearly 3 hours in the ER and an hour in Labor & Delivery Observation, and I have a badly sprained ankle, but a healthy baby.  He didn't move at all until the ER doc started poking him, and then Zayne was fired up.  He didn't sit still the rest of the night.  I guess that's probably a good thing. 

 

 

Today, I worked on getting some of Zayne's stuff cleaned and sanitized.  Bottles are drying as we speak, and his carseat has been cleaned and is awaiting disinfection.  I still have quite a bit to do, but am taking my time to make sure everything is done right.  I washed up the carseat and swing padding, and I'm 99.9% sure that I will need help putting the carseat back together.  I tried to take note of where all the straps went, but dang, this thing is complicated!  I also started putting the diaper bag together, but so far all that's in it is diapers and wipes.  We need to decide which of his many outfits he will come home from the hospital in.  I'm not sure what else goes in the diaper bag, but thankfully I have a ton of mommy friends who can hopefully help in that department.  I probably should start putting my hospital bag together, but I think I've still got time to work on that.  (And I probably just jinxed myself too.)

 

I guess that's the end of the excitement for this month.  All that's left is the belly pic!!!!

 



 

Growing like a weed!

I cannot wrap my head around how fast time is flying by!  Several people have told me in the past how fast it goes, but until I actually became pregnant, I had no idea just how fast!  I am nearing the 6 month mark, and baby Zayne is keeping things interesting for us. 

In the last few weeks, I finally had to break down and purchase some maternity clothes.  My pre-pregnancy clothes still fit, although a bit snug.  The final push to go shopping came from one of my elderly patients, who, not so subtly informed me that it was time.  Gotta love little old ladies!  So myself, my girlfriend, and her step-daughter hit the mall and actually found some great deals.  The maternity store was in transition from summer clothing to winter, so all but 3 of my items were on clearance!  Score!  Bump wise, I feel like a blimp, but I have to admit that I do feel a lot better now that I'm not having to watch my movements so I don't rip my shirt! ;)

Since my last post, I have had my anatomy scan, which allows us to see that Zayne is growing according to schedule.  It was a longer ultrasound that I was used to, but it was very thorough.  All of his organs are in place and functioning, and his estimated weight is about 12 ounces at this time.  Doc took a length measurement, but I was so overwhelmed by all the pictures that I don't remember what he said.  I expected a due date change, because I feel like he's growing like crazy, but doc is confident that a Halloween delivery is in order.

 

We have also become homeowners since my last post!  We closed on our little home on June 17, and began the move that week.  Brian painted the walls in the master bedroom and the ceiling in the living room.  It turned out awesome, and is feeling more like home every day.  We lucked out in Zayne's room, as the prior owners had a son, and his room is painted in green, which matches the decor that we have picked out.  We plan to order nursery furniture within the next week, and we're both excited to begin putting Zayne's room together. 

I had my first unscheduled doctor appointment on July 1.  I won't call it an 'emergency' appointment, but it was definitely not in the plan.  Baby Zayne is usually very active all day, every day, but I noticed that his movements were few and far between over that weekend.  After consulting some mommy friends, I was nearly convinced that he was just sleeping and decreased movement was normal, but by Monday morning, I was still on edge.  My nurse assured me that he was probably ok, but wanted me to come in, just in case.  Sure enough, he was.  In fact, the doppler was taken by a resident, and she found him almost instantly, little heart beating away.  What a relief!  It was just a quick scan, but hearing his heart beating strong was all I needed to hear.  When doc came in, he noticed that I hadn't yet had my glucose test, and ordered it to be taken the next morning.  I knew the test was in my near future, but wasn't planning on taking it right away.  I had taken the glucose test as part of my infertility testing, so I knew what I was in for, and was NOT looking forward to it, simply because of the after-effects of the test.  Last time, my sugar level got so high that I nearly passed out after the test, while making a quick stop at walmart.  Thankfully, this test would only be a 2 hour test, and I came prepared with a huge bottle of water, snack, and a good book to pass the time.  I felt pretty confident following the test, as I had none of the side effects that I felt before, but, in fact, I did not pass the test.  When my nurse called me that afternoon, I could hear doc in the background yelling. "I told you so!"  What a goof.  So I'm assuming that my levels weren't too terribly bad.  I didn't ask, and nurse Laura didn't tell.  I was instructed to monitor my blood sugar daily (4 times a day!) and return to see the doctor in a week.  So far, my numbers have been good, with the exception of once, after a late lunch at McDonald's.  I knew it would be high that day, but it actually was just 2 points out of range.  I don't know what the plan is, after my week of monitoring, but I'm praying that I don't have to take another glucose test! 

According to the literature, Zayne can hear now, so we've been talking to him a lot, and I've started playing music for him.  I've heard that if you play classical music for your baby, it increases intellectual capability, so I'm hoping to do some serious downloading in the next few days.  In the meantime, I've been flipping thru my iPod, discovering Zayne's taste in music.  So far, he seems to follow in my path, liking a variety of music.  He really starts kicking when I play Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean (or pretty much any male country singer), and he also likes Disturbed, Ozzy, and Five Finger Death Punch.  I'm glad he's so well rounded with his interests!  I do need to invest in some different headphones tho...

Ok, ok... I know you want a belly pic, so here it is!  No makeup and bad hair, but you're only supposed to be looking at the tummy! ;)  I've only gained 13 pounds so far, but I feel like it's so much more! 

Holy crap! We're having a baby!

I've been pregnant for 4 months now, and it finally is starting to feel real.  This month was a big one for us, as we now know that our Little Lamb is a boy!  We're both excited, although Brian is ecstatic.  He knew all along that it was a boy.  And now he's got his little football player!  Baby was very proud of his goods, and there is no mistaking that he is definitely a boy!

Symptom wise, there's nothing extreme going on.  Thankfully, I seem to be past the acne stage, so I no longer look/feel like a pubescent teenager.  I'm still adjusting to not being able to sleep on my tummy.  I had started out with pool noodles under the fitted sheet, to make myself a valley so I couldn't roll over, but that was the most uncomfy thing ever!  I finally dug out an old pillow which seems to be working a little better, although it's a little too fluffy, and puts my hip at a funny angle.  Not helping my SI joint pain either.  But it keeps me off my tummy, so I stick with it.  I'm finally starting to sleep better, now that I've discovered that I have too much noise in my bedroom (although it's no louder than usual).  I dug out a pair of earplugs and they seem to do the trick.  I still get up 3-5 times per night to pee, but I doubt that will get any better anytime soon.  I'm having some random pain/discomfort in my lower abdomen, which doc says is due to my uterine ligaments being tight.  Thankfully there have only been three times when I have been unable to move, and all three times have been on weekends or in the evenings, so I haven't had to miss work.  Little Lamb is becoming more active, so I almost always have my hand on my tummy, waiting to feel a kick or punch.  Brian has even felt him move a few times.  We still have yet to hear the heartbeat thru my stethoscope, but we keep trying.  We'll hear him on our own one of these days! 

Everyone keeps asking if we have decided on a name yet, and the answer is still no.  I have been thru the entire baby name book, and have flagged a handful of names, but unfortunately, they aren't any that Brian likes, so we have to keep looking, I guess.  I think Brian has been on every baby name website, and there have been a couple names that show up on every list.  Maybe it's a sign... I'm told that we may end up having to wait and see what Lamb looks like before we can decide, but I really would like him to have an identity by then.  The baby books say that Lamb will start hearing sounds within the next couple of weeks, and I'm looking forward to talking to him, and getting him interested in music and reading. 

I guess that about wraps it up for this month.  It's hard to believe that we're nearly halfway thru the pregnancy.  The next couple of months will fly by (I hope) with the move and a trip home for the baby shower and family reunion.  He'll be here before we know it! :)

Time traveling

Well, have offically lost two weeks somewhere.  Despite technically being 12 weeks along, doc is now saying that I'm 14 weeks, due to Little Lamb growing like a weed!  Like last post, I still don't have much going on pregnancy wise.  My fatigue is fading (slowly) and my insomnia isn't quite as frequent (thank God).  My boobs still hurt, and my face looks like that of a pubescent teenager.  If I didn't know that there was a baby inside me, I wouldn't know the difference. I almost feel better now than I did before I was pregnant (minus the sore boobs!).  I just hope that labor goes as smoothly as this pregnancy has so far! ;)

Our most recent checkup was a bit different than previous visits.  No more vaginal ultrasounds!!!!  Woot!!!!  Doc used a portable heart monitor, and after about 10 minutes, was able to pics up a heart rate of 150.  Significantly lower than last time, but still within range.  I've been told that boy's heart rates are lower than girls, so maybe...  We go back in 3 weeks and hopefully we will be able to tell if Little Lamb is a boy or a girl.  That is, if he/she will sit still long enough to get a good look.  He/she was very active at this last appointment!  Doc also wants me to monitor my blood pressure, as the nurse got a high reading.  I've been checking it every night since, and it's been back down to normal.  Must have been a fluke thing.

I guess that about wraps it up.  Hopefully I will have more to share next time.  Now for the dreaded belly pic...  :/  At least Duke is in the pic to distract from my scariness! ;)

2 Months! (well, 8 weeks, 3 days to be exact!)

Wow how time flies!  Already two months in!  But I have this feeling that the farther along I get, the slower that time will move.  It doesn't seem like it has been two months already.  Maybe because not a lot has changed since my last update.  Maybe that's a good thing!

I'm still tired. So tired!  I've realized that I need to slow down, at least for the time being, because by about 3pm, I barely have enough energy to walk.  I get short of breath a lot quicker than I ever have.  There are some days that it takes all my air just to get up the stairs at home.  My boob pain has somewhat subsided, unless I'm cold.  OUCHIE!!!!  Still really no "cravings," although if I'm in the grocery store and see something interesting, I must have it now.  Like last night.  I was at the store and walked past the taquitos and was instantly hungry.  I tried to keep shopping, telling myself that they weren't the healthiest choice, but I eventually went back and got a box, and had them for dinner that night.  And breakfast this morning.  And probably for lunch today as well.  (No wonder my jeans already don't fit! lol).  Maybe that's considered a craving.  I don't know.  But they were good.  The heartburn afterward was not fun, but it was worth it! ;)

I have had two OB appointments since my last update.  My initial appt was at 6 weeks, and another at 8 weeks.  At the first appointment, we got to see our baby for the first time and hear it's heartbeat.  It was the most amazing experience ever!  For a moment, doc thuoght there might be two babies growing inside me, as he saw a dividing membrane, but couldn't get a clear picture of anything on the other side of the line.  But alas (I've always wanted to say 'alas!'), there is just one baby.  And that's fine with me!  Our little one is growing at a good rate, with a strong heart rate of 170.  Here's our first sono picture!

 

 



Our second appointment showed that baby is growing like a weed!  In fact, despite only being 8 weeks along, baby's measurements would put me at 10 weeks.  His/her (although I'm feeling like it's a girl) heart rate is still strong at 168, and he/she is 3.44 cm long.  Our little Lamb looks like a gummy bear in this sono pic!

 

 



Well, I guess that about sums up the last month.  I told ya it wasn't much!  Hopefully the rest of the pregnancy goes as smoothly as it has so far.  I'll leave you with your monthly dose of blubber tummy! ;)

1 MONTH! aka 4 weeks! aka 28 days! :)

One down, eight to go!!!!! 

Thought I would jot a quick note to update everyone who has been following.  I know that we have quite a few followers on facebook, but I also know that there are a few people who get tired of hearing my updates.  So, I shall blog.  If you wanna keep up, this is the place to do it.  My plan is to do a monthly update, unless something exciting happens.  I also plan to do a monthly belly pic, so that may be reason in itself NOT to check back.  Here's your fair warning: Images may contain graphic images.  AKA, fat blob soon to be enhanced with round baby.  ;)

So what's been going on in the last month?  Not much, to be quite honest.  I haven't had any nausea or morning sickness, and I'm thankful for that.  I'm sure it's coming tho!  I'm slowly learning what I can and can't eat, as I'm starting to have frequent heartburn.  It's nothing a tums can't fix!  I have had to give up my precious McChicken sandwiches.  I love them, but they apparently now hate me.  Health wise, it's probably a good thing that I'm not eating them anymore, but dang those things are good!  I haven't really had any cravings yet, but I always eat weird stuff, so it will probably be difficult to differentiate between normal eating and craving.  Probably the two most common symptoms are my constant state of fatigue and my excruciating boob pain.  On a good day, I might be able to stay awake until 10ish, but most nights anymore, I'm asleep between 8:30 amd 9.  And then I wake up tired.  Usually around 2-3 am.  Occasionally I get to sleep til 7ish, but I still wake up tired.  This little Lamb is already sucking the life outta me! ;)  About that boob pain... OMFG!!!!! I have never felt anything like it! It hurts to wear a bra, it hurts not to.  It hurts trying to get comfy in bed.  It even hurts just to have the air from the fan blow over it. Last night I slept in a sports bra, with a folded Spa Sock  covering each nipple.  Sexy, huh?  I don't care what I look like, especially when I'm sleeping.  But it worked, and that's all that matters!

Brian is taking the daddy-to-be role well.  I bought him a fatherhood book, which he says he's looked at, but I doubt I'll ever know the extent of his 'looking.'  He's been pretty good about taking care of me and is already buying trinkets for the baby.  I think it's cute that he rubs my tummy and talks to the baby.  (I'm sure he'll appreciate that comment!)  I do wish that he could comprehend that mood swings are a part of pregnancy, tho, and that it's never a good idea to argue with a pregnant woman.  It may be an interesting few months in our household... but surely every pregnant couple says this, right?

That's pretty much the extent of my symptoms.  I think I've been lucky so far.  I try not to complain, but there are definitely days when venting is necessary.  And I'm thankful to all my mom-friends who have been there to answer my random questions.  Maybe it's a good thing that I'm the last one to have kids.  Everyone else has been there, done that, and learned the hard way.  Now it's time for me to take those experiences and do it the easy way! ;)

My first OB appointment is coming up in a couple weeks, on March 21, to be exact.  I've been trying to research what I can expect on this first visit, but I guess all appointments vary by doctor.  I'm hoping that he will be able to hear a heartbeat, and maybe tell us if there's one or two little Lambs in there.  Regardless, I'm sure it will be an awesome experience!

So, here's the first of the belly pics.  Keep in mind that for some reason, I chose to take the pic right after getting out of bed, so I'm really not in my finest form.  My rationale was that I should take the picture before eating or drinking anything so I'm not bloated! lol

The Power of Prayer

I had intended to give a day by day, play by play during the in vitro process, but it just didn't happen.  So let's get ya up to speed!

After days of injections, I had my egg retrieval on February 6, 2013.  20 eggs were retrieved, with 15 fertilized.  Our embryo transfer happened on February 9, with two beautiful embryos transferred.  Doc gave me an intrauterine injection of hcg to increase my chances of "sticking" by 20%.  Well, that extra boost must have worked, because on February 21, I took a urine pregnancy test with a positive result.  My blood test on February 22 confirmed that I am, in fact, pregnant!  I never thought I'd be able to say that I'm pregnant!  This is definitely a miracle, and I believe 100% that it is due to the power of prayer!  Brian and I cannot express the gratitude we feel to everyone who has prayed for us along the way. 

Our parents are excited, needless to say.  Our moms are excited to be grandparents, and our dad's really don't have much to say.  I guess that's how dad's roll.  Brian's excited too, but he's already fit into the dad role, as he has expressed little emotion thus far.  I bought him a book: The Everything Father-To-Be, so he can prepare for the exciting world of fatherhood.  I know he's at least looked at it because the ribbon is off, but I'm doubtful that he's read any of it.  The busy life of a dad, I guess.  I've started reading the mommy bible: What to Expect When You're Expecting, and have already started flagging pages for review.  I'm hoping that this pregnancy will go smoothly if we're both prepared, at least as prepared as you can be for something like this...

So now, the question I keep getting asked: Do I feel pregnant?  Yes and no.  I have not experienced any morning sickness, although I'm only 18 days pregnant, but I'm sure it's coming.  I have lost all the fluid weight that accumulated during the IVF process, but I feel like I'm the size of a hippo.  My jeans already don't fit!  I can't even imagine what I will feel like when I'm 9 months into it!  But more than anything, my boobs are killing me!  It hurts to wear a bra, and heaven forbid that I get cold! :/

Well, I guess that's all the info I have for now.  I have to schedule our first OB appt, which should be around March 20 according to the calendar that doc gave me.  Will do my best to keep y'all updated! :)

IVF day 1

I had my first appt with our RE today, preparing for IVF. my ultrasound showed 40+ follicles in each ovary, and doc said their sizes looked good although he didnt give me any measurements. He was definitely surprised at the quantity tho, and I will have to be monitored closely so I dont hyperstim. I just did my first injections of low dose hcg and gonal-f. Hopefully I did it right! Next appt is Saturday! :)

My appointment consumed a whopping 30 minutes of my day, so what else have I been up to? Fun times! I read the latest issue of In Touch magazine, cover to cover. I ate bon bons. I worked on a few puzzles out of the variety book that my coworkers got me. I taught myself a new crochet stitch, and started a new scarf. (The pattern said it was a 90 minute scarf, but I invested about 2 hours and have only finished 5 rows. Grr!) Productive day! :)

One day down, 17 to go! ;)

Sleepless in Sandy

The time has come! Tomorrow is the big day! Woot!!!!

I have been here in Sandy (suburb of SLC) for 2 hours now, and I'm exhausted! And wide awake! :/ There are a million thoughts going thru my mind right now. I cannot believe that tomorrow is the start of something big. I would be lying if I said I wasnt nervous. Honestly, I'm scared to death. I'm gonna have a ton of information thrown at me tomorrow and I'm not totally sure I can keep it all straight. I'm not really nervous about the procedure itself, mostly the mixing and injecting of my meds. I don't do needles. Period. So that along with dosing of my meds is not a good combination. Not to mention that I suck at math, so I will probably be the girl who is supposed to take 1 unit of medicine but ends up injecting 100. Gah!

But other than the medicine/needles thing, I'm overwhelmed! I will be pregnant soon! The next time I set foot in our apartment, there will be a baby in me! How crazy is that?

Well, I suppose I should make another attempt at sleeping. Keep those prayers coming! They're working! :)