3 Weeks

I should have posted some updates sooner but I have been distracted by cute Alexandria.
During our first week home, my mom was here to help us out while we figured out what we needed to be doing. We also took Alex to the pediatrician for the first time.  She had lost 10% of her birth weight.  Alex wasn't breastfeeding and so I wasn't producing anything for her.  The doctor suggested pumping and supplementing with formula to get her weight back up and seeing a lactation consultant to help with our feeding issues. We ended up giving her formula for a few days with breast milk until I was able to pump enough to feed Alex without the formula. We saw the lactation consultant and she said we should have no problems but Alex is too stubborn and won't cooperate if she doesn't want too. So I have been pumping and Alex has been gaining weight.
After my mom left and Greg went back to work, its just been Alex and I at home.  We have been doing our best to figure out a schedule. Eating, sleeping, pumping and snuggling.
 We survived our first week alone and are now working on sleeping through the night. Alex has only been waking up for one middle of the night feeding (between 1-3am) and then an early morning (between 5-7am) feeding. She has been dealing with some congestion problems.  Doctor says it just congestion or she has reflux.  She also likes to keep spit/drool in her chipmuck cheeks and then she has a hard time swallowing it. So we are working on remedies for both issues. Humidifier and saline drops if she is congested from the dry desert air and sleeping on an incline and adding rice cereal to her night bottle for the reflux.  She's better but the congestion hasn't resolved itself yet.
Alexandria is just as cute as can be.
Alex also went back to the pediatrician at two weeks and she is back to her birth weight and she grew 2 inches.  Alex has outgrown almost all the newborn size clothes but the 3 month clothes are still slightly too big.  Trying my best to chunk her up.
We also had a photo shoot with Alex when she was a week old and I just got the photos back from the photographer.  I have posted a few on Facebook and Instagram..

40 Weeks and Alexandria arrives!

Alexandria is here! Finally!
The last two weeks, we're spent waiting and wondering when she was going make her appearance.  My mom was here helping me get ready and then my Dad and sister came last week hoping baby would come early.  Doctor and nurses all said she would come early but she surer showed us.
At my 39 week appt, I was still 1 cm and not showing any signs of progress and at my 40 week/due date appt,  I was still at 1 cm. My OB stretched and stripped my membranes at that appointment and then scheduled me for induction the next morning, the 15th.
Well, all day on Thursday, the 14th after my OB appt, I was having contractions.. It was nothing new. I had been having contractions for so long before that, but these contractions were closer together but still not consistent.  At about 8:30pm, I was laying the couch trying to time contractions while watching tv.  I felt a pop and then THE gush.  I jumped up off the couch, told my mom my water had broken.  While I stood in the kitchen gushing fluid (you all are welcome for the image), Greg got our bag and cat seat and I got cleaned up enough to get in the car to head to hospital.
Once we got to the hospital, we went to labor and delivery triage where I was hooked up to the monitors and got blood drawn.  The doctor on call told me that I could start pitocin or walk around to try to get my cervix dilated since I was still at 1cm.  I opted for the pitocin since either way I was going to end up with it. (And that's the medication I would have gotten at my induction anyway).
So I got admitted to the hospital and put in a delivery room. I got hooked up to all kinds of machines. At about 2 am, my contractions were SO painful. I am a huge baby and couldn't handle the first stage contractions and I got my epidural. Still at only 1cm.
Greg's parents drove all night to be at the hospital and when the arrived I still hadn't progressed much. So we sent them to our house where my parents were impatiently waiting/sleeping also.  It wasn't until late morning/early afternoon that things started to get real.  Even though I had an epidural and the pain was taken away, I could still all the pressure of contractions and baby moving down.  I went from 4 cm to 10 cm in about 3.5 hours and then baby girl was so low that it was time to push.
With assistance from Greg and the nurse and almost 2 hours of pushing, baby girl arrived! (It took two hours because baby's head got stuck on the way out). As soon as baby arrived, she was give a basic clean up, suctioned out airways then she was given to me.  Her and I hung out while nurses and doctor got me all cleaned up.  And I decided on her name. As soon as I saw all her blonde hair and round face, I knew she was Alexandria! She had just become the new love of our lives!  Greg cut her cord and checked on her while she got cleaned up and then he went out to tell the impatiently waiting grandparents that she is here and what her name is.
Alexandria Kristen, weighed 8 pounds 4oz and is 20.5 inches long.  Quite a bit heavier than I had expected but she is perfect!

We came home the day after she was born and we are adjusting to life with baby.  And trying to figure out feedings and sleeping. Our kitties are trying to figure what just happened and what's with all the noise.
We are so happy and love Alex to pieces. All the grandparents are trying to take turn holding her, while they are all in town.


We love our little miracle!

38 Weeks

14 days!
Baby girl can come out anytime now, I'm so ready!
I quit working last week at 37 weeks because I had been having lots of contractions. Also at my 37 week OB appt, my doctor said that I could have baby at anytime.  My body and baby are ready to go, just waiting for real contractions.  At my 37 week monitoring appt, the nurse said the same thing.
Unfortunately, I have made it to 38 weeks and another OB and monitoring appointment.  At the OB, we are basically at the same place as last week.  I'm 1 cm dilated and 50% effaced.  Still just waiting for real contractions.  Dr said again body and baby are ready.  Went to monitoring and everything was good there. Baby girl behaved except she was napping so it took a bit to see her do her breathing motions but she did them.
My mom has come to visit until baby makes her arrival.  We spent the week doing some shopping/walking.  I was hoping the walking would get some contractions going but that hasn't happened yet....
Next week, we plan on doing cleaning and more walking.  Hoping something will work!
I feel like my belly is so huge and it's so heavy.  Baby needs to come out already!
Hopefully, my next update will be with pics of baby! Hopefully!

36 Weeks!

As of today only 27  days till Due Date!  Pretty excited! So ready to be done!
Baby Girl has positioned herself super low (per usual) and ready to escape.  I have her head on my bladder, making me have to pee all the time and her feet up in my ribs. Most days are rather uncomfortable. I, also, have constant Braxton Hicks contraction. though no one seems to be concerned with me having them, yet. Still suppose to get see if they get more consistent.  I have had a few bouts of 10 min apart but nothing lasting longer than a hour. Contractions are getting painful. They used to be just uncomfortable and cause pressure but now it hurts. I just have to look at it as a good workout for my uterus and hopefully make pushing baby out easier.
I had to 2 appointments this week. OB and an ultrasound with monitoring. Both OB and monitoring will be once a week until baby arrives.  I saw a nurse practitioner at the OB office.  She said I am doing great. Baby's heart rate is good and she checked to see if she was head down even though I told her I knew for sure she is. She checked to see if I am dilating at all and I am not just some softening.
At my ultrasound and monitoring appt, Greg came with me. It was my last ultrasound. Baby Girl has grown to an estimated 6.3 pounds and 18 inches long. She was all squished together so measurements were a little tricky.  She was so low that seeing her face was impossible and getting head and brain measurements was difficult.  Although we did see her hair moving in the fluid.  I think she will have lots of dark hair like her daddy.
She did behave for the monitors though and that doesn't usually happen.  She had 6 heart rate accelerations in 20 minutes and I had 1 big contraction and possibly 2 smaller ones. Sometimes its hard to tell between movement and a contractions, especially with her butt right up against the middle of my belly. The nurse practitioner at the specialist said there is nothing I can do about the contractions except deal them. Also, she suspects that since baby is in escape position that once I go into labor it should go quickly.  So that was good to hear. Hopefully not in labor for hours and hours. No prediction on when she could arrive. I hope sooner rather than later after we pass the 37 week mark.

We have narrowed down the name list to 2 possibilities, So we will make the final decision after seeing her.
Everything is all set up and ready for her to arrive. I think we have everything that we need to at least get started.
Surprisingly, our cats have left all the baby stuff alone. Neither of them has tried to get in the bassinet or the pack and play or the swing.  Neither seem interested in any of it. Which should be good and will hopefully continue once baby comes home.

34 Weeks

So close and still so far away! I'm so ready to meet this little wiggly girl!
I had 2 appointments this week. One with the OB and one for monitoring.  Everything is going well so far.  At the OB, my belly measured exactly on track, my blood pressure was normal and I'm only a gaining a pound a week (which is the recommended amount). I mentioned my contractions that I have all day everyday to the doctor and she was not concerned about it. As long as the contraction do not come in a pattern or close together.  Which so far they have been very irregular and no pain just discomfort from my belly tightening up.  I am hoping that all this practicing makes it easier to push baby out.
At my monitoring appointment, baby was yet again uncooperative. She was sleeping during the heart rate monitoring, so not doing her accelerations. And she was wiggling for the ultrasound. Pretty much the opposite of what they need her to do.  Just can't win with this one. Oh well!
But overall, she is doing great!
Baby girl moves around a ton! I'm always getting kicked, punched and headbutted. She still has the hiccups all the time too.
We still have no name decided for her yet. Everyone keeps asking me what we are naming her and we seriously have yet to decide.
Her room is all ready for her and so are all her things. Everything is organized and cleaned/washed.
Now ti's just a waiting game!
I was going to try to work until the end of July, but my boss is getting worried that my water will break while I am work and she doesn't want that to happen so I might be off work sooner than planned. If that happens, I hope baby comes just a tiny bit early so I wont get too bored just hanging out at home waiting.
In the meantime, we went to AZ for the holiday weekend. This was my last trip until after baby arrives. We went to AZ because I was throwing a bridal shower for my BFF, Kalina, who is getting married in October. (In which I am a bridesmaid and is giving me a goal to lose the baby weight before her wedding so I can fit in my dress).
We also had one last chance to see the family before baby arrives.


Sorry this post is going up almost a week late

32 Weeks

Single digit countdown! 8 more weeks!

I have recovered from my stomach flu from a couple weeks ago. I did end up losing a couple a of pounds but nothing concerning. This week, weight is up about 22 pounds. Not too bad.

I went to the OB and the specialist this week. And everything is going well!

OB appt was quick and easy. I had my belly measured, which was right on track and listened to baby's heartbeat,once she stopped wiggling long enough to get the beats counted. Also, got the whooping cough vaccine with tetanus, so my arm is still a little sore. Going back in about 2 weeks for another check up.

I went to the specialist's office for an u/s and monitoring.  Ultrasound didn't go as well as hoped but only because baby girl has her head down super low in my pelvis.  Lower than ever before.  She seems to be getting ready to make her exit. So the tech was not able to get any pictures of her head or face. She also wiggled a lot so getting clear pictures of anything was a challenge. However, they got enough measurements to estimate her length and weight, which has come back up to average, 17 in and 4.4 lbs. The tech also said she though she saw a fat roll.

After my ultrasound, then I was hooked up to the monitors.  Baby did cooperate for that this time.  We got done in the normal 20 minutes. I did however, have tightening and a contraction while  on the monitor. The tightening happens all the time and its usually baby moving around but I'm suppose to watch the contractions and make sure I don't have them too often. If I do then I have to call my OB and go tot the hospital.

Overall, things are good! I have been getting baby's room all ready and organized. I'll take and post some pics once it is all cleaned up. Greg left for a conference in Maine this week but before he left, he got the prints I make put up, a couple of shelves put up and the butterfly mobile hung up too.  I have been washing some of her things and organizing her clothes. So many cute things!

Getting excited and ready for her to be here, even though I know she needs to cook a little but longer. We are just so close to the end.

30 Weeks

Starting the countdown at 10 weeks now, so exciting!
I have had two monitoring appointments at the specialist office. Both times baby girl was not very cooperative. It seems to be the only time she sleeps.  During the monitoring, I'm hooked up to the heart rate and contraction monitors.  The nurses are looking for baby to raise her heart rate twice, 10 bpm higher than her baseline for 10 seconds, in approximately 20 mins.  Well,  it always take longer cause she sleeps or she won't raise her heart rate for the entire 10 seconds.  So it takes cold water, switching sides and even vibrating my belly to wake her up.  But eventually she does it.  I also get  low resolution ultrasound to check for movement, blood flow, practice breathing motions and fluid levels.  So far, she was been doing well.
As I posted in my last update, I was suppose to have an OB appt on Wednesday.  Well I didn't make that appt because Tuesday night, I went to the hospital because I was throwing up and couldn't keep anything down.  I spent 6 hours in labour & delivery triage, throwing up and getting IV fluids and anti nausea medications.  At about 5am, I was admitted to the hospital because I hadn't stopped throwing up.  I spent the entire day Wednesday hooked up to an IV drip and getting medication.  It was determined that I had the stomach flu.  All my blood work came back normal and no fever or contractions. I received 5-6 IV bags, started being able to keep water and crackers down so I was released.  Worst 24 hours ever!  Baby was monitored and she was fine.  Normal heart rate the entire time, lots of movement and I had a few Braxton hicks contractions (due to my dehydration).
I saw my OB while I was in the hospital, she was only concerned that I got enough fluids back in me. Baby was fine, so no worries there.
I've been resting at home for the last few days. And my mother in law was able to drive out from AZ to stay with me while I recovered. (Greg has been out of town this entire week on his guys hiking trip. He was not able to make it back due to their semi remote location in California).
I have another monitoring appt next week, then the next week I have an OB appt and an ultrasound appt to check baby's growth at the specialist and more monitoring..

We are finally getting close to the end and I'm so excited for her to be here. Her room is mostly organized. Still need to get the decor up and clothes washed but then I think we are as ready as we can get.  I only have 8 more weeks of work left.  Going to stop 2 weeks before my due date.
Still no decision made about her name yet! I think we are just going to wait till she arrives to make that final decision.

No Belly Pic this week because I was sick and Greg wasn't here to take the pic.

28 Weeks and Baby Shower

We have made it officially into the 3rd trimester! Pretty exciting!
I am a little late posting here since Greg and I went to AZ for the weekend and all my appts were last Thursday.
So here's what is new.  I had a very short appt with the OB. Heartbeat was good and my belly measured good. Weight and blood pressure were good also.  Only question I had while there, was that baby girl tends to ball up and push out on my uterus tightening it up in spots. I was concerned that it might be Braxton Hicks contractions but the nurse practitioner said its just baby moving around in there.  Which baby does a lot of most days.  She is a wiggler and a kicker. Since I am now in the 3rd trimester, I will be going to the OB's office every 2 weeks until 36 weeks then I will go every week until baby makes her appearance.
After my OB appt, I went to see the specialist for an ultrasound. They were really backed up with patients so they decided to start doing fetal non stress test monitoring on baby and I.  Basically, I am hooked up the fetal monitor and contraction monitor that is used during labor to measure baby's heart rate and if I am having contractions.  Needless to say, my very active baby was not cooperative, as usual. Every time the nurses tried to catch her heart beat, baby would kick/punch the monitor and move away.  I was suppose to be monitored for 20 minutes and during that time, baby's heart rate was only captured half the time because she would move away.  The nurses said it gets easier to catch them on the monitor when they get bigger and have less room to move away. Anyway, I will be doing this monitoring once a week for the next month and possibly for the rest of my pregnancy.
When I finally got my ultrasound, baby was less wiggly but still in her usual head down position.  Makes it a little tricky to get all the measurements they need from her when she is like this. But from the measurements the tech got this time, baby is measuring on the small side. She is about 2.4 pounds and between 14-15 inches long.  Though the ultrasound is estimating based on the measurements the tech takes. The nurse practitioner that I saw, said not to worry at this point babies start to grow at their own rate and she is perfectly fine.
I go back for another ultrasound in 4 weeks to check on her growth. I also had to get blood work done to check on my thyroid again.

 Bump just keeps getting bigger.

 3D ultrasound of baby girl. She had her cord floating between her nose and lips and she is squished to the side.

Regular profile ultrasound

After all my appts on Thursday, Greg and I left to go to AZ for the weekend. My BFF Ashley was throwing me a baby shower and we had to attend the funeral of my grandma.

My shower was amazing and I am so thankful for everyone that came and for all the wonderful gifts and books every one brought and sent. Baby girl is well loved already!

Greg got caught holding his cousin's baby, He doesn't hold babies often.  

The week before we got all of the nursery furniture. The dresser and crib arrived a couple days apart from each other and Greg was able to get the crib put together.

Now all I need to do is get the decor up and the nursery will be ready!

I do need to work on organizing all the gifts we received from the shower too. But now I have places to put things.

So next update I suppose will be in a couple weeks, after some monitoring appts and the OB.

Thanks again to all those who came to the shower and sent gifts!  We really appreciate you and them!

26 Weeks!

Thursday, was officially 26 weeks and according to my app with my countdown on it, that's only 98 more days until due date! Yay double digit countdown!
The last 2 weeks have not been that exciting. Only done 2 pregnancy related things, first was I had my glucose level tested. I have yet to hear results. I assume that if I haven't heard anything from the Dr then is everything is fine.
Also, Greg and I have started to take some classes. I signed us up for a birthing class, a newborn care class and a breastfeeding class (making Greg go to this class with me because if I have to go then so does he). Right now, we are taking the 4 week birthing class. Class is once a week for 3 hours. Some of the information is helpful and some of it is not. I am for sure not having a natural birth so a lot of the techniques for pain management do not apply to those getting the epidural. But I suppose its good info to know in case I can't have the epidural for any reason.
Baby girl has been moving around a lot.  She is usually down super low in my pelvis. I have only a felt one kick to the ribs and that was when I was laying down. I have felt her have the hiccups a handful of times recently also.
Still no name for her.  Still working on it.
That's about it for this week.
At 28 weeks, I will see the OB and be getting an ultrasound from the specialist.
We will be going to AZ right after those appts for memorial weekend, so my next blog update will be delayed a bit.

Bump is getting bigger! Going to be huge by the time baby arrives....

24 Weeks

This is a big week. This is the week of viability. Meaning if something were to go wrong, baby could be born and survive in the NICU. Of course this is not ideal but it does give a little piece of mind that baby girl could survive on the outside.
I went the OB on Monday and everything is going well!  Weight is continuing to go up at a good rate, blood pressure is staying a good rate and belly is measuring on track.
I have to do the glucose test to test for diabetes within the next couple of weeks.
OB listened to baby's heart beat, she was good and normal. Baby girl also kicked/punched the dopplar while Doctor was listening. Apparently she didn't appreciate the intrusion. This also happened as the doctor was asking me if I feel baby move. I feel baby move almost every time I am holding still. I don't feel her, when I'm working or moving about. But if I sit or lay down for any amount of time, I'll feel her wiggle and dance.  Sometimes more than others, depending on what I have eaten lately. Greg has felt her move a few more times and we have even seen my belly move when she's wiggling. That was crazy seeing my belly move for the first time.
So all is well with the dr appts. I am going to see the OB and the specialist for an ultrasound on the same day next month (22nd). Made that easy on myself since they are located in the same building just on separate floors.
I told my OB about the one of the specialist being concerned about pre-term labor and she says that there is no reason to be concerned. Everything is normal, and  when I have something to worry about she will let me know.
I just can't wait for baby girl to be here! Only 16 weeks left till due date!
Feeling larger!

Greg has finished painting baby's room! He did a pretty good job.  I love that it's super girly!
We have all the furniture ordered. Crib, Dresser and rocking chair! We should have everything in about 8 weeks. The dresser and crib had to be ordered and its going to take 8 weeks for them to arrive. Greg picked up the chair yesterday. Just have to get it up the stairs now.

In the meantime, I got the carpets cleaned and I' m starting organizing things around the house. And try not to buy too many baby things until I have places to put to them.

22 Weeks!

Today was an ultrasound day! My favorite days
We are 22 weeks! Over the half way and on the countdown to due date.
At today's ultrasound, baby girl was kicking and punching me for the first half of the scan. She was, however, in her favorite position, upside down with her face down really low. The tech said she has tons of room to stretch out but she was curled up in tight ball.  She would kick or punch then curl back up.
The tech took as many measurements as she could. baby girl is measuring right on track.  Her heart and internal organs all look good.. The tech got a few brain measurements but not all the ones she needed. The doctor said from the measurements they got baby looks good. Nothing to worry about!
The doctor I saw today was more chill than the last one I saw who practically scared me with all the possible preterm labor risks.  This doctor was like everything is good, nothing to worry about!  Everything is so good that I am not scheduled to go back for another look for 6 more weeks.  That will be the longest I will go without seeing baby.  They just want to keep checking that she continues to grow at the right rate. This something that they are only concerned with because she was conceived using IVF.
Since baby was up in ball, estimate was that she in 11.25 in long and weighs 1.1 lbs.  Completely normal and average for her age,  She's not big and she's not small.  I'm kind of glad she isn't measuring big anymore. Hopefully, she wont end up being over 8 pounds.
I am weighing in at a 10 pound gain now... yay... not terrible for 22 weeks though.  Belly is for sure looking pregnant. Not being able to hide it at work anymore.

There she is!  The doctor tried to get me a 3D pic of her face but she just shoved her face down further so it didn't work.  Hoping for next time she will cooperate better.

Greg and I are going to AZ for the weekend to see the families and our new niece.
Here'e a pic of my bump for 22 weeks. Not sure if I'll get a pic like I usually do.

My next appt is in 2 weeks with the OB so that wont be anything exciting, I suppose.  The doctor today mentioned getting my thyroid retested but didn't give me a test slip so not sure when that will be done again. Probably in  2 weeks or so.
After that appt it will be another month till the next ultrasound so I won't have anything to update with until then.

Since, we have reached the halfway mark we finally started getting the baby's room ready. Greg got the room all painted except for the stripes on one wall. I'll post pics once its finished.  The room is a mess with painting supplies still.   I ordered her crib that should be in the end of May/June.  We still need to find a dresser and a chair. But its coming together slowly.

We still have no name picked out for baby girl. Greg is not very cooperative (kinda like baby), We have short list nothing picked out for sure.


Until next time.....

20 Weeks!

We have made it to the halfway mark! Pretty exciting!
I went to see the OB, or rather I saw the nurse practitioner, and everything is going well.
My blood pressure is good, my weight is up 3 pounds from the previous month, no proteins or sugars in my urine. I got the results from the blood work that the specialist had done 2 weeks ago.  Baby doesn't have spina bifida (as we expected) and my TSH levels is closer to normal.  Its still not in the normal range but it is way better than it has been.  So no blood work till 28 weeks. Then I will be retested for my thyroid and for glucose levels. I suppose that's the dreaded sugar drink test.
We heard baby's heartbeat today. She was especially wiggly today and the nurse had a harder time trying to catch her so she could count the beats.  When she did catch her, her heartbeat is normal, 150's bpm.
So all is well for now!
I realized that I haven't mentioned that I have been feeling baby girl wiggling and kicking for almost a month now.  Around 16 weeks, I started to realize that the feeling of bubbles popping was baby moving. Then at about 18 weeks, I was getting kicked.  Greg even got to feel a tiny kick.  Though most of the time, when I tell Greg to put his hand on my belly, baby girl stops moving.  The last few days I have felt the most movement. Lots of kicking, punching and just wiggling.  It's so nice to be able to feel her and know that she is doing ok in there.
Last week, I really noticed that we are halfway and we have nothing ready for baby.  Halfway came up kind of fast. (Not that I am complaining. I'm glad time is going by fast right now.  The more weeks that go by the sooner baby will be here and I'll have a new set of worries.) Anyway, Greg has started to paint the baby's room. He got the ceiling painted last weekend and is planning on painting the walls this weekend. Then, I plan on getting the carpets cleaned and then ordering some furniture. I think we decided on a crib and possibly a dresser. Still looking for rocking/gliding chair.
I think I also decided on a "theme" for baby's room.  Fairies & butterflies. I want it to be girly but not cartoon-ish. I'm on the search for some decor.

Tomorrow is also, our 5 year wedding anniversary!
We aren't doing anything exciting. Probably go out for a nice dinner at some point this weekend.
Greg did buy me a second band to match my wedding ring. My wedding set is now complete! I'm  pretty excited about it!

Oh, we did get a new niece last week! My brother August and his wife Melissa have added to their family with baby #3 and the their first girl, Jade!
We can't wait to meet baby Jade in person in a couple of weeks, when we go to AZ for the weekend.

18 Weeks

Getting closer to halfway! 18 weeks!
I went to the high risk specialist this morning, for an ultrasound and follow up with the doctor!
Baby girl was not cooperative with getting her picture taken today. She was sleeping and upside down with face deep in my pelvis and her legs curled up over her body.  Basically folded herself up.  I did get to see her heart, brain, kidneys, and her girl parts. She was confirmed to be a girl!

With the measurements, the tech was able to get today, baby measured 8 inches long and weighs half a pound. Which according to my baby tracking apps is right on for weight but 2 inches longer.  The tech today said she is measuring normal for her age.  I'm pretty sure that baby is going to be long/tall.


I, also, had to get more blood work done.  Retesting my thyroid, since it should be close to normal,if it was pregnancy hormone related.  Also, had blood work done to test baby for neural tube problems, such as spina bifida.  Not worried about that test since all appears normal on ultrasound.

I go back to the specialist in 4 weeks for another ultrasound.  This next ultrasound and the ones following will be to continue to check on baby's anatomy and watch me for preterm labor risks.  PCOS, can lead to several risks, like gestational diabetes, high blood pressure and something else I can't remember. Doctor will be keeping close watch of me and baby, especially after 24 weeks. More  frequent visits the closer to due date.
Next appointment, is in 2 weeks with the regular OB, for my regular monthly appointment.  Probably nothing to exciting there but getting my blood work results.

I have bump for sure now! Well, I think it's a bump!  I'm up 2 pounds from last months doctor visit.  Looking at about a total of 4-5 pound gain so far.  Not bad for almost halfway.
Wearing and bought maternity clothes. So much more comfortable then just wearing my jeans unbuttoned.


Greg's mom, Sue, came out to visit us for a quick trip. She was able to see baby and she helped me do some maternity clothes shopping. I got some new shirts, so I wont have to stretch my regular shirts out.
I think, I am just about ready for spring and summer to get here and wear my new clothes and be comfortable! Sue and I also looked at baby things. Just browsing to see what I like and what I'll need. We both fell in love with all the cute baby girl shoes!

16 Weeks & visit from mom and sister

We have made it another 2 weeks and we are now 4 months along! Getting close to the half way mark.

Over the last few days, my mom and sister came to visit me.  They both needed their hair cut and colored and that's my job.  We also got to do some shopping for ourselves and for baby.  We got paint colors picked for baby's room. Pink and white, of course! They both also brought me some clothes for the baby. My mom brought 2 pink outfits that I wore as a baby and some onesies. My sister brought the baby a fuzzy sleeper with a bunny tail, too cute! Also, while they were here I received some baby things that I ordered online for free with coupons. I got a baby sling, a nursing cover and a nursing pillow. I figured why not order them when they were free!  I tried the baby sling out by putting Zinc in it. He wasn't exactly pleased to be carried around in it but it was cute.
Also, while my mom and sister were here, we got pedicures, ate lots of New Mexican food and visited Old Town.

Dinner at El Pinto 

Pedicures

Shopping (Mom's 1st attempt at a selfie)

Zinc in the baby sling

wearing my maternity jeans and flowing top (from my mom)

Yesterday, I had my appointment with the regular OB. This doctor was new to me, since I did nor like my last 2 OB's. This new one seems OK so far. She was very nice and took the time to read through all the history from my fertility doctor and the perinatal specialist.  It was a pretty easy and short appointment except for the waiting that always happens when you go to the doctor.  But we got to listen to baby's heartbeat, which was good at 158 bpm.  The doctor said she must have been sleeping because she could not hear her moving.  This seemed right to me, because the belly seems to get the most uncomfortable in the afternoon.  It feels like everything is stretching and I feel like I am getting kicked in the bladder (which I assume will only get worse). I have another appointment to see the OB in a month.  For right now, I will be having appointment with her once a month, but will go more frequently towards the end. I also will be getting my ultrasounds from the perinatal's office once a month also. These appointments look like they will be 2 weeks apart, so definitely going to appointments every 2 weeks. So, this just means baby is getting checked every 2 weeks, which makes me happy. Less time to worry in between appointments.
Oh, and I had my thyroid tested again over this week and my numbers are still low but no one is concerned still. So I guess that's good too. Just waiting for them to level out. I also was tested for vitamin D and the doctor was surprised that I was not deficient. Yay for me and my prenatal vitamins that appear to be working.
After my doctor visit, I had to get more blood work done. This time it was for a broad spectrum pregnancy level check. I had one last year but apparently I need to be re tested for every new pregnancy. I had to do 3 urine tests also to check for various infections. And then I got a flu shot. I was trying to avoid getting the flu shot but after 2 doctors telling me to get one, I finally caved and got it done. I suppose its not a bad idea since I work so closely with people all day and not all of them are healthy.

Since my last post, I feel like my belly has grown a bit. My mom noticed right away that I look fat/pregnant when she got my house. Wearing my regular jeans even with a belly band is getting uncomfortable. I did buy a couple pairs of maternity jeans and couple pairs of maternity pants to wear to work. I wore my jeans for the first time a few days ago. They are still too big for me and I was pulling them up all day but I was so much more comfortable. According, to my scale at home, (not the doctor's scales which weigh me a lot more than my home scale), I am now up about 3 pounds. Not too bad I guess.
Doctor said to shoot for 20-30 pounds overall.  Also, the doctor said since I am tall I probably won't get as big of a belly as other women but my current belly is already kind of big for 16 weeks, I think. But this little girl stays pretty low in the my belly, so I'm hoping not to get too big.
Here's pictures, as requested:

14 Weeks

I went to the Dr. yet again yesterday. This time was for my thyroid problem but I got an ultrasound too.
I saw the high risk specialist and actually spoke to a Dr. this time.  He looked through all my lab work for the last year, which included blood work I had done for my second pregnancy/miscarriage. I can't believe it has only been year since all that happened.
Anyway, in my blood work everything (and I mean everything, I have been tested for so much) was normal, except for this TSH level which is low.  I had blood work done on 3 other thyroid hormones last week besides the TSH and all the other (T3, T4 and thyroid antibodies) were normal. The Dr. felt my thyroid and its normal size. My blood pressure and pulse were within normal pregnancy range as well. So at this point, Dr. is not concerned but I will need to continue blood work to monitor the thyroid levels for now.  He suspects that pregnancy hormones, especially the HCG, are the reason why my TSH level is low. HCG can act as a thyroid hormone and slightly confuse the brain into thinking that the thyroid is over producing when in reality it is not.
So that is the thyroid situations for now.

I did get to see baby again for another long ultrasound and baby got measured again. Her heart rate was good again at 160 bpm. She measures right on track at 14 weeks. She did have some body parts that measured 5 days ahead.. Her head, belly and legs all measured at 14 weeks and 5 days. The tech did say its not uncommon for baby this early to measure a few days ahead or behind. She is still so tiny. Baby was bouncing and waving. I saw her 5 little fingers and her nose! I love getting these ultrasounds. Eventually, I think they will start doing them once a month instead of every 2 weeks but its been nice.
Since I went to the Dr. this week, I will be going the high risk office once a month for ultrasounds. Which will put me at a Dr. office every 2 weeks. I see the regular OB, finally, in 2 weeks and then 2 weeks after that I am back for an ultrasound. I assume it will be a monthly visit to the OB as well.
I am not complaining about all the extra visits, as long as baby keeps doing well.

Baby Girl @ 14 Weeks

I posted this pic on instagram yesterday but I realize not all my blog readers are on or follow me on instagram. I was looking at all my ultrasounds pictures and it is amazing to me how much baby has grown in just 8 weeks. And how much she has grown from the tiny microscopic embryo that was implanted 3 months ago. I can't wait to see more growth!

I am little late adding this to the post but here is another belly pic. At 14 weeks

not much of a different from 12 weeks

Late Test Results/13 weeks

I was hoping to avoid posting an update for a while. Not because I don't like updating but because I was hoping not to have anything happen worth posting about.
Things don't ever seem to come easy to me in regards to having a baby.
Thankfully, this is not a tragic update.
When I last saw my IVF dr, they sent me for a blood test to test my thyroid, even though it was always tested within normal range. I suppose it was just to make sure.  Well, it has been 3 weeks since I had that test and I never received a call about the results, which I assumed meant everything was fine.  This had been how I had gotten results before, no call meant all was fine and a call meant that something needed to be adjusted.
About 2 days ago, a nurse from my IVF dr called to say  that my thyroid test showed low levels of TSH, which meant my thyroid was over producing and asked if my OB had done anything about it. Well I haven't seen my OB because I couldn't get in until the end of Feb. So I got sent for another blood draw to what my thyroid is doing now 3 weeks later. I was hoping that my levels had just dropped due to all the medications and extra hormones I had been on and that being so close to the second trimester that the levels had gone back to normal.  The nurse told me the symptoms for my levels being low are, heart palpation (my heart races occasionally), feeling jittery (nope), shortness of breath (nope), insomnia (nope). I generally feel pretty good lately.
Well, no such luck. My TSH level is lower than it was 3 weeks ago  So I'm going to see the high risk specialist again, next week. Probably actually, see a Dr this time.  I suspect this appointment will have 1 of 2 outcomes. I'll be medicated for the remainder of the pregnancy, to avoid, high blood pressure (preeclampsia), preterm labor in the third trimester and to help me gain weight. Or they will just monitor me because sometimes TSH levels return to normal once the baby starts producing its own around 18 weeks.
i'd rather not be medicated since I have rad some scary reports on how bad the side effects can be  but I have also read that the risks to me and later baby (with preterm labor or preeclampsia) are worth taking the meds at lowest does possible.
I cant seem to catch a break. I finally got off all my prescription meds and now I might have to go back on one. Seems like I'll do anything to get this baby here!

On a brighter note: I am 13 weeks today and officially in the 2nd trimester! Big milestone here! and I checked for baby's heartbeat this morning and found her. she is always hiding and moving around.
13 down, 27 more to go!


update after dr appt on Thursday!

12 weeks 4 Days - Specialist Appt.

Today, I had to get up super early to go to my appt at the perinatal specialist office (high risk pregnancy specialist).  I hate these morning appts,. I don't know why I keep making them for myself. But anyway, We saw the genetic counselor, who told us that basically we are consider "low risk" because of our age, no family history of genetic disorders and baby already tested negative for genetic abnormalities. She gave us the option of doing more blood work to sequence baby's DNA again but we declined since we already had her DNA tested.
After meeting with the counselor, we saw an ultrasound tech for some pictures of the baby and to have measurements taken of her.  The measurements showed that baby is the right size and measuring right on track. Also, had the back of her neck measured, which can determine if baby has Down's or other genetic conditions. Baby measured normal, so no concerns there. (another reason we declined further genetic testing.)
Since baby was all normal, we didn't need to see a doctor. But I do get to go for another ultrasound in a month. I love being able to see baby, makes me so much less nervous every time we see her and she gets bigger and her little heart is still beating.  In the ultrasound today, we saw baby bouncing a little and her hands were up. We saw her tiny nose and her heart was beating at a normal rate of 153 bpm.  She was very chill and I had to wiggle around to get her to move some so the tech could get a better angle on her for some measurements. This was probably the first time both baby and I were chill going to a dr appt.

baby girl at 12 weeks and 4 days

I recently made my first baby purchase. A tiny pink tutu! (How practical of me) I showed Greg and he was not as enthusiastic about it as I am.  He'll come around. ; )

I have been starting to feel a little better. The nausea I get from eating still happens from time to time but not as often as it had been happening.  I have less migraines too.  I seem to get them if I am really tired. I am trying to eat healthier even though healthy food hasn't been tasting all that well lately.I have not gained any weight so far.  Still within my usual fluctuating range and most of the time at the lower end of that range.  I suppose that will start changing.

I have had a request (Ashley) for pictures of my belly. I appear to have a little bit of a belly. Mostly bloat though, since baby is still very tiny. But my normal flat belly has disappeared. The size of my bloated belly varies from day to day. Definitely smaller in the morning and grows through out the day. Here's a midday belly picture.

I don't think I will have any updates for a while. My next appt is with the regular OB at the end of Feb.  Hopefully, nothing will happen that I will need to update the blog with until then. So ready for second trimester! We have already surpassed all my previous pregnancies and the second trimester will be a big milestone for me! And maybe I won't worry so much but that probably won't happen.

11 weeks and 5 Days

Today is just a quick update. I will be going to visit the high risk specialist on Monday for a consultation and for first trimester screening.  Which I think entails an ultrasound and blood testing.  I am going to try to avoid any invasive testing since we already had the genetic testing done before baby was put inside. I do not feel the need to do anything that would put baby at risk.

On a lighter note, my paranoid self, ordered a fetal heart dopplar after reading lots of reviews that I could hear baby's heartbeat at home on my own. So I got it last weeks and tried it at 10w6d and hear the baby for a second.  Over the last week I have tried a few more times to hear baby but she always seemed to be hiding from me.  But today, I found her! Loud and clear!  Its so reassuring to be able to hear her whenever I get worried.  Which will be really nice in the coming weeks, since after my specialist appt I won't be seeing my OB until I am 16 weeks. Such a long time to wait!

Here's a short video where you can hear baby's heartbeat.  The numbers om the monitor are suppose to measure the hear rate but every tiny movement I made reset the counter. It did reach 160 so that is about normal.

I hope this video works. otherwise, you will just have to trust me that I heard it.!

Also, since coming off most of my meds, I have definitely been feeling the first trimester symptoms.
Every day is different. Some days I feel good and other days I feel pretty awful. I have not been throwing up (thankfully) but I do get nauseous from time to tome. Food just doesn't sound good most of the time. I'll be hungry but nothing sounds appetizing or I will try to eat something and it tastes disgusting. Other times I am just not hungry but make myself eat something anyway.  I have been getting a few migraines and I have had some hormonal emotional moments. I have been getting pain in my hip bones, I assume from stretching and shifting.  Other days I just generally don't feel like myself and feel slightly off.
With the second trimester right around the corner. I hope to feeling more normal soon!
Thursday will be the last day I am on prescription medication. My Dr told me I should stop taking it at 10 weeks but I just dialed my dose back to half until 12 weeks. Just to give myself peace of mind and because I had almost an entire bottle of pills left. This is my last "safety net" of medication. So from Thursday on its up to me and baby to get through this.

Updates after monday's appt!