Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Bumps

9 Weeks

14 Weeks

15 Weeks

16 Weeks

19 Weeks

22 Weeks

25 Weeks

26 Weeks

29 Weeks

30 Weeks

31 Weeks

32 Weeks

34 Weeks

36 Weeks

38 Weeks

Saturday, November 22, 2014

13 Weeks

How far along: 13 Weeks

Total weight gain: 6 pounds

Symptoms and Body Changes: My jeans are definitely more snug. And I had my first day of morning sickness. While over the toilet, I kept telling myself "This is worth it, this is worth it" 

Best moment of this week: 
We went in for an appointment at 12w3d and our OB couldn't find a heartbeat on the doppler. So we waited around for 1 1/2 hours to do a sonogram. It was the longest wait of our lives. BUT everything looked perfect and we got to see our jumping jelly bean! It was magical. Also, our genetic testing came back saying the baby is healthy! That's all we could ask for!

Miss anything: Nothing

Food cravings/aversions: Sweets still seem to be on the mind..

Anything making you queasy or sick: 
Not really?

Sleep: Yes, it's becoming more difficult to sleep. I can't really sleep on my stomach anymore, so I'm trying my best with extra pillows between my knees and surrounding my body.

Movement: I think I feel little flutters...but could be gas?

Have you started to show yet: I can definitely tell a change. Still in my regular pants...just tight

Maternity clothes:  Not yet...maybe soon?

Gender: Our doctor wrote it down on a note card (from the genetic testing) and we will find out next week!

Labor signs: Too early

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy, happy, joy, joy! 

Milestones: 
Seeing the arms and legs on the sono! And knowing (but not knowing yet) the sex! 


Looking forward to: Our gender reveal cake next week for Thanksgiving. Yes, I know it's overdone...but it's something I wanted to do 5 years ago before it was so trendy and we even started trying to have a baby. 

Saturday, November 15, 2014

12 Weeks

How far along: 12 Weeks

Total weight gain: A few

Symptoms and Body Changes: I'm still really tired a lot. And my boobs are definitely bigger. Thank you, sports bras!

Best moment of this week: Going in for an ultrasound at 9w6d and seeing the baby. It was amazing and it kept moving every time I talked. Plus I could see all of the arms and legs moving, it was truly amazing! Still, every time we see an ultrasound and she's doing it on my stomach, I still don't think it's me. I just don'e feel pregnant, even though I know I am.

Miss anything: No, not at all. This is worth everything. Even though it doesn't seem real.

Food cravings/aversions: I've still been wanting to catch up on missing all of my gluten. I might have had a few bagels this week.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Same as last week...only when I don't eat for a few hours

Sleep: I was having a harder time sleeping this week and kept waking up every few hours just because.

Movement: Too early

Have you started to show yet: Too early

Maternity clothes:  Too early

Gender: Too early

Labor signs: Too early

Happy or moody most of the time: I'm so very happy, but still nervous. 

Milestones: 
Nothing really.


Looking forward to: We are telling our families next week! Greg messaged me on Thursday "I'm so freaking excited to tell our families" and I couldn't stop smiling. Maybe when we tell them it will seem more real?  We also have our new patient meeting with our OB on Tuesday. I'm looking forward to this to be able to speak with him and hopefully maybe get another ultrasound?!

Saturday, November 8, 2014

11 Weeks

How far along: 11 Weeks

Total weight gain: A few lbs

Symptoms and Body Changes: Nothing new from last week

Best moment of this week: Telling our families! They were all so surprised and we are so blessed by the love and support.

Miss anything: Nope.

Food cravings/aversions: Sweets...and of course all of my regulars in Weatherford. Pizza Place, Yesterday's, La Madelines

Anything making you queasy or sick: No

Sleep: Same as last week

Movement: Too early

Have you started to show yet: Too early

Maternity clothes:  Too early

Gender: Too early

Labor signs: Too early

Happy or moody most of the time: I'm so very happy, but still nervous. 

Milestones: 
Nothing really.


Looking forward to: Telling more family and friends!

Saturday, November 1, 2014

10 Weeks

How far along: 10 Weeks

Total weight gain: None

Symptoms and Body Changes: I'm still really tired a lot. And my boobs are definitely bigger. Thank you, sports bras!

Best moment of this week: Going in for an ultrasound at 9w6d and seeing the baby. It was amazing and it kept moving every time I talked. Plus I could see all of the arms and legs moving, it was truly amazing! Still, every time we see an ultrasound and she's doing it on my stomach, I still don't think it's me. I just don'e feel pregnant, even though I know I am.

Miss anything: No, not at all. This is worth everything. Even though it doesn't seem real.

Food cravings/aversions: I've still been wanting to catch up on missing all of my gluten. I might have had a few bagels this week.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Same as last week...only when I don't eat for a few hours

Sleep: I was having a harder time sleeping this week and kept waking up every few hours just because.

Movement: Too early

Have you started to show yet: Too early

Maternity clothes:  Too early

Gender: Too early

Labor signs: Too early

Happy or moody most of the time: I'm so very happy, but still nervous. 

Milestones: 
Nothing really.


Looking forward to: We are telling our families next week! Greg messaged me on Thursday "I'm so freaking excited to tell our families" and I couldn't stop smiling. Maybe when we tell them it will seem more real?  We also have our new patient meeting with our OB on Tuesday. I'm looking forward to this to be able to speak with him and hopefully maybe get another ultrasound?!


Saturday, October 25, 2014

9 Weeks


How far along: 9 Weeks

Total weight gain: None

Symptoms and Body Changes: I'm so so tired, all of the time.

Best moment of this week: We had to go in for an ultrasound due to some spotting. Everything is fine, but it was still amazing to see the baby. I don't think I'll ever get used to it.  Also, graduating from our RE was both a happy and sad moment. I'm glad that we've moved on, but also sad because I trust them so much and they've gotten us this far. It's like leaving someone behind.

Miss anything: Nope

Food cravings/aversions: GLUTEN...anything I haven't been able to eat the past year with gluten

Anything making you queasy or sick: Only when I don't eat for a few hours

Sleep: Same as past weeks.

Movement: Too early

Have you started to show yet: Too early

Maternity clothes:  Too early

Gender: Too early

Labor signs: Too early

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy

Milestones: 
Nothing this week.

Looking forward to: Telling our families in a few weeks!


Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Graduating from CCRM

What a weird feeling. I just got off the phone with our CCRM nurse with our results from our latest ultrasound and bloodwork...everything looks fabulous so they are officially graduating us to our OB and I cried.

Yes, I cried.

We've been with CCRM for 1 1/2 years and they are the reason we can now say we are pregnant for the first time ever. I'm still in shock and I can't believe it.

What an emotional day that I will never forget.  She said I get to go be a "normal pregnant" woman now.  I never thought I would see this day.

I'm going to miss our CCRM family. Greg and I enjoyed working with the entire staff, especially our nurses and Dr. M.

For anyone struggling with infertility, I would strongly recommend CCRM.

Saturday, October 18, 2014

8 weeks


How far along: 8 weeks

Total weight gain: None

Symptoms and Body Changes: Still having some cramping but that's about it.

Best moment of this week: Nothing really...just cautiously playing the waiting game.

Miss anything: Bread...Dr. M cleared me to start eating gluten again, but I think I'm going to play it safe and wait until after the first trimester.

Food cravings/aversions: Same as before... I haven't really been wanting to eat much at night for dinner, but no real cravings or aversions.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not really

Sleep: Same as past weeks.

Movement: Too early

Have you started to show yet: Too early

Maternity clothes:  Too early

Gender: Too early

Labor signs: Too early

Happy or moody most of the time: So very happy...this week was a huge milestone!


Milestones: 
Nothing this week.

Looking forward to: Our 8 week ultrasound appointment. I'll be 8w2d by then. I feel that if everything progressed as it should, then I will feel so much better about it all.  




Saturday, October 11, 2014

7 weeks

How far along: 7 weeks

Total weight gain: None

Symptoms and Body Changes: I have some cramping, but that's normal (from Dr. Google).

Best moment of this week: Seeing our little baby on the ultrasound on Monday was a moment I'll never ever forget.  Measuring perfectly at 6w2d and we saw a flutter of a heartbeat at 121bpm.

Miss anything: All things with gluten. 


Food cravings/aversions: 
I haven't really been wanting to eat much at night for dinner, but no real cravings or aversions.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Greg's heated up chinese didn't smell so great the other night, but does it ever?!

Sleep: Same as past weeks.

Movement: Too early

Have you started to show yet: Too early

Maternity clothes:  Too early

Gender: Too early

Labor signs: Too early

Happy or moody most of the time: So very happy...this week was a huge milestone!


Milestones:
Our first ultrasound! It was amazing and of course, I cried. We've been waiting 4 years for this, and it was such a site to see!

Looking forward to: Our 8 week ultrasound appointment. I feel that if everything progressed as it should, then I will feel so much better about it all.  




Monday, October 6, 2014

1st Ultrasound

Today we went in for our first ultrasound.  It was emotional to say the least. I cried. Of course I cried.  We were able to see the flutter of a heartbeat at 121 bpm and the baby was measuring perfectly at 6w2d. It didn't look like much and I almost felt like Rachel from friends, but it was still amazing.

Saturday, October 4, 2014

6 weeks

How far along: 6 weeks

Total weight gain: None

Symptoms and Body Changes: None

Best moment of this week: Finding out that my Progesterone and Estrogen looked GREAT!

Miss anything: Not at all

Food cravings/aversions: Not really. I don't seem to really want to cook, but hey, that could just be some laziness.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope.

Sleep: I'm sleeping fine even though I have to get up a few times to go to the bathroom, but hey, that's normal for me.

Movement: Too early

Have you started to show yet: Too early

Maternity clothes:  Too early

Gender: Too early

Labor signs: Too early

Happy or moody most of the time: A little more moody and annoyed lately...but hey, sometimes people can be stupid. 


Milestones: 
Getting back my bloodwork that looked great was a huge milestone. So very happy!

Looking forward to: Monday!!! Hopefully we will be able to see a healthy little baby and a heartbeat.  






Saturday, September 27, 2014

5 weeks

How far along: 5 weeks

Total weight gain: None

Symptoms and Body Changes: Nothing really. A bit tired in the evening

Best moment of this week: Finding out that my TSH levels were normal.

Miss anything: Not at all

Food cravings/aversions: Not really.  I was really hungry at work the other day so I went to 7-11 to find something to eat. I ended up getting chocolate milk but when I got back to the office I realized it wasn't sealed. Fail. Other than that, cheese and crackers have been good. And chez cereal.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not really. I was a bit queasy last night going to bed, but it could be from hunger.

Sleep: I've been sleeping pretty well, still miss sleeping on my stomach.

Movement: Too early

Have you started to show yet: Too early

Maternity clothes:  Too early

Gender: Too early

Labor signs: Too early

Happy or moody most of the time: So very happy but nervous...there's still a lot that can happen. 


Milestones: 
Nothing really.

Looking forward to: Same as last week...Our first ultrasound at 6 1/2 weeks on 10/6.  With each next step, I feel that I can breath a bit easier.




Saturday, September 20, 2014

4 week update...the size of a poppyseed!

How far along: 4 Weeks

Total weight gain: None, I actually think I've lost a few lbs.

Symptoms and Body Changes: Cramping, twinges, sore boobs, lower back, tired...but it could all be from the amount of estrogen and progesterone I'm on?

Best moment of this week: Getting our first ever positive pregnancy test and getting the news of a strong beta #1 (116) and an even stronger beta #2 (256)!!

Miss anything: No, I'd give up anything for this. It's been 4 years in the making.

Food cravings/aversions: Not really.  I am hungry more often the past week or so.  Last night I couldn't really eat anything, but I don't think it was pregnancy related.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not really. I was a bit queasy last night going to bed, but it could be from hunger.

Sleep: I'm not too excited about not sleeping on my stomach, but hey, whatever works.

Movement: Too early

Have you started to show yet: Too early

Maternity clothes:  Too early

Gender: Too early

Labor signs: Too early

Happy or moody most of the time: We are so very  happy but very emotional.  With 4 years of infertility struggles, you can't help but think of the worst case scenario for everything. We are trying to enjoy this time as it should be one to celebrate, but we don't want to get too far ahead of ourselves. Throughout this entire 3rd IVF cycle, we've been using the term "cautiously optimistic" which will probably be the case until we get through the 1st trimester.

Milestones: Our first EVER positive pregnancy test on 9/16.  And then on 9/17, and then 9/18, and then 9/19...and again tonight on 9/23. Hey, I've never seen a positive test before, so I have to keep checking that it's true.

Looking forward to: Our first ultrasound at 6 1/2 weeks on 10/6.  With each next step, I feel that I can breath a bit easier.


Photo taken on 9/18 at 3 weeks, 5 days.  I guess you could say this is our first photo as a family of 3?  Minus our fur babies of course! And mom, no, I didn't do it on purpose. I really was just pointing at the shirt! 

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

3rd time's a charm!

We are pregnant. Well, I'm technically the one pregnant, but its 143% a WE thing. We've never seen 2 pink lines on a pregnancy test before until now. It still seems too good to be true. Can it be? Is this really happening? Our 3rd IVF did the trick. I feel like our lucky number is 3. 3 embryos from this cycle and it's our 3rd attempt. Wow. I don't know if this will ever sink in...

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Aubrey's Visit to KC

Like I've mentioned before, distractions are good.  This past weekend Greg and I were able to spend time with my cousin, Aubrey.  She flew in to visit us from Houston and we had a blast! It was so much fun having her here, and while we might have spoiled her, I'm pretty sure she had fun too!

We went to Legoland....




And the K-State football game...



And Deanna Rose...











Sunday, July 13, 2014

Hope for IVF #3

Well, we were off to Colorado again for IVF #3 at CCRM during June 2014.  I had been on the CCRM recommended supplements since October 2013 as well as eating gluten free since then (minus a weekend trip to New Orleans for my sister's bachelorette party in January - hey, there's not a lot of GF options at 2AM when you NEED food).

In addition to the supplements and going GF, I also saw an acupunturist for about 8 visits prior to heading out to Colorado and then saw one while we were there in Colorado.  Dr. M also changed our protocols this time around, putting me on minimum drugs.  We are going for quality over quality here. It just takes one. We also decided that we were going to push forward to try and get to blastocyst stage, and not stop on day 3 as we did last time.  If anything makes it to day 5, our chances double!

We ended up retrieving 5 eggs this time around.  So the same as last time.  OR IS IT?

Out of the 5 eggs retrieved, 3 of them were mature and all 3 fertilized with ICSI.  100% fertilization rate? Is that possible? Oh, and then we find out that all 3 made it to day 5 blastocyst stage! During the time from my retrieval to day 5, my grandfather passed aware.  I can't help but think that he was watching over us and helping us along the way.  I felt it.  He was there.  He was looking out for us.

This was the best situation we could ask to be in at this point.  We had 3 frozen day-5 embryos.  2 4AA's and 1 4BA.  This means they are all great quality and we could not be more ecstatic.

Thank you for watching over us, Grandaddy.  You are the reasons we are able to try and have our own biological children and I strongly believe you are the one watching over us during this time as well.



Here are a few photos from our trip to Colorado for the retrieval this time around:









Saturday, June 28, 2014

Cheers, Grandaddy!

My grandfather recently passed away and to say my heart hurts is an understatement. He was truly an amazing man and Greg and I owe so much to him.  We wouldn't be where we are today without his love and support and it aches me to know he will never be able to meet our children.

I do know he is watching over us as we were able to get some amazing news about our embryos soon after his passing, but it doesn't take away the pain of loss.

Love you Granddaddy. Cheers!

On his 90th birthday

With is beloved dog, Susie!

With his four granddaughters on Christmas 

Back in high school

His wedding photo with my grandmommy, Wanda. 

His high school portrait.

The last photo Greg and I have with him. I'm so thankful for all of the time we were able to spend together. 







Monday, May 19, 2014

Down by the Bayou

This past weekend we went to the wedding of my dad's wife's son in Louisiana. I've driven through Louisiana before, but I don't remember much of it. 

We had a lot of fun! The venue was gorgeous and the reception was a blast. And talk about amazing food!