The oddest part, is getting used to looking pregnant.  I’ve definitely popped, and I still find myself (doing my best to) sucking it in!! I’m trying to get into the mind frame of its ok to have a belly… its not just fat anymore.  But after all we’ve been through, after being so used to it being just bloat from the meds and surgery… I don’t know, I just feel weird!

And here’s my pic!

And for the required survey

How far along? 14 weeks!

Total Weight Gain/Loss: +4 lbs.. and still holding strong!!

Maternity Clothes: Almost on a daily basis.

Stretch Marks: Yup, but they don’t look to be getting any worse!

Sleep: This was getting better last week, but has now gone back down hill!

Best Moment of Last Week: Continually staring at myself in the mirror in disbelief

Movement: I don’t know… I’m feeling some flutters when I lay on my belly.. could be!

Food Cravings: Back to bacon!

Gender: Still feeling girl!

Labor Signs: Nope

Belly Button In or Out: Still headed out!

What I miss: My regular jeans!

What I’m looking forward to: Finding out the sex!

Milestones: No big ones this week

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

In the past few days I have officially “popped” I think.  My “bump” is still very high, and I sure its still a lot of bloat, but its definately a bump because a) it doesn’t jiggle any more and b) its very hard.. not soft like my usual pudgy self.  See below…

So that, my friends, its about it.  We started looking at baby furniture and have made a list of all that good stuff we want.  I’m finally getting my energy back, slowly but surely.  I will certainly take back any energy this goober is willing to spare me.  And on to the 12 week survey!! Now that I am starting into the 2nd trimester soon.. I think I will try to do this weekly now!

As you move into the second trimester, baby shifts into the growth and maturation stage. After weeks in the critical development stage, almost all of baby’s systems are fully formed.

How far along? 12 weeks!

Total Weight Gain/Loss: +4 lbs

Maternity Clothes: Almost on a daily basis.

Stretch Marks: Yup.. scars from my surgery are more like craters now

Sleep: Still my best friend (next to maternity jeans)

Best Moment of Last Week: Being asked by a stranger when I am due!!!

Movement: Nada… still way to early!

Food Cravings: Cheetos!!

Gender: Still feeling girl… but Chinese Gender Chart says boy.

Labor Signs: Nope

Belly Button In or Out: Still headed out!

What I miss: Being able to go more than two hours without taking a potty break!

What I’m looking forward to: Finding out the sex!

Milestones: Taking my first belly pic!! SQUEE!!

]]> http://familyinthemaking.wordpress.com/2009/12/02/12-weeks/feed/ 0 familyinthemaking 12 weeks http://familyinthemaking.wordpress.com/2009/11/15/ok-so-i-suck-at-blogging/ http://familyinthemaking.wordpress.com/2009/11/15/ok-so-i-suck-at-blogging/#comments Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:17:07 +0000 familyinthemaking http://familyinthemaking.wordpress.com/?p=19 ]]> At least while I am busy growing a human

I apologize for my lack of updates lately… but Thing is literally sucking the life out of me (which is fine, because it means its giving him life so that more important than my energy!)

So today I am 9 weeks and 4 days.  Jason and I had our first ultrasound on Thursday which had to be in the top 5 worst experiences of my life.  From what we could see (because we weren’t really allowed to look at the screen according to the tech) the baby looks good, measured right on track and had a heartbeat of 170 bpm.  The 10 second glance I did get, the goober was wiggling around and looked like a little gummy bear!! It was the most precious 10 seconds of my life though, I will tell you that.

So anyway… this is why my ultrasound experience was horrible. Her first question was “So why are you here?” and at that point I should have known this was going to be bad…

First off, they wouldn’t let Jason video tape the ultrasound.  Yes, I understand all about HIPPA laws and such… but the tech didn’t need to be a complete witch about it.  At least I asked and didn’t demand!! So I asked how many photos would we get and if she could try her hardest to get a really good one since we really wanted to put it on our Christmas card.  To this, she explains that the printer in broken so even *if* it was “standard procedure” to send new parents home with a photo of their goober.. they couldn’t do it that day.  Hmmm..

So she goes on the explain that they have 1 machine with a working printer and she could try to sneak us in that room.  So I shut up, and continue to strain my neck (as did Jason) just to get a glimpse of the bean since the tech wouldn’t let us see the screen.  She takes one measurement of the baby, tells us I am 9 weeks and 1 day (which I was) and the proceeds to try and find my ovaries.  Thats right… she spent 1 minute on the baby and 10 on my ovaries.  HUH!?!?!  Hello lady… my ovaries have been my life for 18 months!! I don’t need to see them anymore!!

So while she’s starring my ovaries, Jason and I are telling her about our IF journey and how much we have been through to have this baby.  I get dressed and ask if she can check that other room, and if need be we could wait a while until it was free.  She popped her head back in the room as coldly says ‘No pictures today… we’ll see if you can’t get one or two at your 20 week scan… its not that far away.” Ummm a) YES IT IS THAT FAR AWAY and b) I will NEVER get to see the goober in this form again so how dare you tell me I can wait!! This is a moment I will NEVER get back… EVER.

So I leave, in tears of course.  I proceed to call my doctor and his nurse (aka my awesome aunt Kathy!) is livid at the situation.  She calls the radiology center and explains how upset I was and someone there (I assume the practice manager) agrees and says to have my come back immediately and they will redo the scan and get me some photos.  So I do just that.  But then the same tech walks out from the back (hell to the no am I letting this chick near me again.. for her safety’s sake and my freedom’s sake) and she says they found a way to print a photo for me.  She says she saw me crying outside but had no clue why (!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!) So here.. is the one photo of the goober we have.. and it’ll have to last for 11 weeks UGH!!’

Other than that.. not much else going on. I am spending my days working and sleeping, and not much else!!!

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

How far along? 7 weeks!

Total Weight Gain/Loss? +2 lbs

Maternity Clothes? Getting there!! I’ve picked up a few shirts on clearance and snagged a pair of jeans on ebay.

Stretch Marks? Yup Still faint, but I can see them

Sleep? Can’t get enough of it…

Best Moment Last Week? My mom’s gift of a “I was worth the wait” onesie and cap

Movement? Nada, although the grumbling my stomach makes sometimes could easily be mistaken for that!

Food Cravings? Bagel w/ cream cheese… and lots of bacon.  No, not kidding.

Gender? Feeling girl… but who knows at this point.

Labor Signs? Nope, thank goodness!

Belly button in or out? Going out quicker than I’d like!

What I miss? A nice glass of Pinot Grigio…

What I’m looking forward to? Our first ultrasound in 2 weeks!!

Milestones? Just being here and getting to this point!

And now for a video….

Its true what they say, once an infertile, always an infertile.  I saw this on one of my infertility message boards and I just bawled.  I’m sure the hormones have something to do with it, but man… this describes what I have been through in the past 18 months.  Please watch and send vibes to anyone and everyone that you know who struggles with infertility. Trust me, they will appreciate it!

A few updates since I have been so busy and haven’t posted much…

1) My hcG levels went from 41 last Monday to 146 on Thursday so that was beyond awesome.

2) EVERY ONE knows now.. there was no hiding it!! We are just estatic and couldn’t keep the secret in.  Everyone is beyond elated for us and have even started buying the baby things! (oy vey!)

Your embryo (looking kind of like a tadpole) is starting to form major organs (heart, kidney, liver, stomach) and systems (nervous, circulatory, digestive). 

How far along: 5 weeks!
Best moment this week: Telling the families!
Movement: Not for a long long time!
What I am looking forward to: The weekend and having NOTHING planned.  It’ll be nice for a change so I can get caught up on some sleep and some R&R.
Milestones: Nothing yet… my pants are already getting tight if you want to count that!

I’m still in shock.  Still don’t really believe it.  We told Jason’s parents Monday night.. and they are thrilled.  I got it all on video and I will have to try uploading it.  I’m having lunch with my mom in a hour and will tell her then… I’m nervous but soooo excited!!  This is 18 months in the making and I just know how happy she’ll be to know another little one is on its way!

We’ve coined the baby “Thing” until we know what it is (and how many there are LOL) because if its twins.. it’ll be easier to switch to “Thing 1″ and “Thing 2″. 

I’ve already started perusing baby web sites and making a list of things I like/don’t like. This might very well be the longest 9 months of my life!! Even worse that waiting for my wedding day!!!

Off to call Yale so they can get me in for a blood test stat.  Then I’ll probably have one again Wednesday and Friday.  As long as my hCG levels double every 48 hours… it’ll be good news!  Then I’m sure they’ll have me in for an ultrasound next week or the week after (around 5-6 weeks) to see if they can see a heartbeat.

I really thought I was dreaming.  I woke up this morning, peed on the stick and when I saw the line thought “No way in hell is that a line”  I rationalized this by telling myself that a) I had just woken up and it was 6am b) I hadn’t turned the light on in the bathroom and c) I hadn’t put my contacts in yet.  So I did all that and yup… line is still there.  So I am back to anxious shaking and need to make it through a long day at work.. yipee!

My first pregnancy test.. early, but POSITIVE!!

I’m sure you’re all looking at it like “Huh!? I don’t see a second line.”  Jason said the same thing.  I plan on taking another one tomorrow morning, and of course every single day until my first ultrasound when we see the heartbeat(s) (HOPEFULLY!)

I am still in disbelief.  I was so sure that my surgery only worked temporarily.  I was just getting comfortable with the idea of  taking a “break” from treatments for 6 months since Jason will be so busy at work for the holidays.  This is just nuts!! I can’t wrap my head around it, but I am so psyched that I want to shout it to the world.  Of course, I know thats not rational seeing as its so early in the game (if you want to get technical I’m only 3 weeks and 3 days pregnant out of 40 weeks… so not even 10% to the finish LOL)

And of course, tonight Jason and I are having dinner with my parents AND his parents for the first time since before we were married.  Of all days, I found out today that I’m knocked up LOL.  Its going to be a very long and awkward night trying to not spill the beans to the family.  We have some AWESOME ideas of how we plan on breaking the news.. but that won’t be for at least a week or 2.

I am just beyond speechless right now.. which is saying a lot for me!!