Month 3

This has been a month of development. Our beautiful baby is growing but I finally feel like my body is shrinking back to "normal." IVF puts your body through hell and the end result is usually weight gain, swelling, and bloating. At week 9 my belly looked as if I was 5 months pregnant but was mostly bloating caused by my ovaries being over half the normal size. They were HUGE!!! Today, at week 12, I am feeling bloated with a little belly but more along the lines of how every pregnant woman feels at the beginning of month 4. Looking forward to month #4 and my real baby bump!!

Baby Wood Update- Week 12

How far along?: 12 weeks
Total weight gain: (Started at 120lbs) 125lbs
Maternity clothes? Love the belly band!! My sister-in-law gave me some shirts to wear.
Stretch marks? No stretch marks
Sleep: I wish I could go to sleep and stay asleep for 8 straights hours. I wish I could take a nap during the day. Not happening. I end up falling asleep around 1:00-2:00 and waking up 7:30-8:00. If I do take a nap, it is usually for a quick 15-20 minutes.
Best moment this week: This has been a very exciting and eventful week. At the top of the list was seeing our baby. It has grown and developed so much since the last time. The doctor was very pleased with its development and we were all surprised to see how active it is. The other memorable moments were telling our family members.
Gender: Not sure yet. - I am thinking GIRL and Nick is thinking BOY.
Miss anything: Nothing this week.
Food cravings: No cravings. I am just trying to stay consistent with my meals.
Anything making you queasy or sick: All good this week!!
Labor signs: NO!!
Wedding rings on/off: On
Mood: Overall I am feeling pretty good. Little moments of irritability and and tearing up over the silliest things.
Looking forward to: (a) Telling the rest of the family and finally letting everyone else in on the little secret. (b) LAST progesterone shot on Monday (c) First OB appointment on August 8th.
Fun Facts:

• Baby Wood is the size of a plum.
• It is about 2.1 inches long and .49 ounces.
• Most of the critical systems are formed. All organs and tissues grow and develop rapidly during this growth and maturation stage.
• Reflexes are developing.
• The baby is opening and closing its fingers and curling its toes.
• Its brain is developing fast. 

The Secret is Out!!!

I cannot even begin to explain how good it feels to let the secret out to our families. Over the past week we shared our very special news with our parents, grandparents, and siblings. Everyone is incredibly excited which makes it ten times more exciting for us. It is amazing how as soon as you share your news everything becomes real....nursery plans, maternity leave, showers, maternity clothes, etc. I think Nick and I have been sitting on the edge of our seat for the past few months, holding our breath, hoping everything would go the way it is suppose to.

We told my sister when she came into town. Since she was staying at our house, I felt like it was going to be incredibly hard to hide it. When she arrived, I told her I had a engagement gift in her room I wanted to give her. As she was opening the gift she turned and saw our chalkboard tracker on the wall. It took her a little while to get it, considering she thought I was crazy enough to make one in advance for when I actually did become pregnant. Needless to say she was very happy. (Video to come!)

We told my parents at our anniversary dinner. As we were getting ready to sit down I told them I wanted to show them the chalkboard I had made. My mom knew I had just put one in my dining room. My parents stared at the tiny phone screen completely confused and shocked. After what seemed like forever, my mom asked, are you pregnant? My dad was really shocked too and became a little emotional. For the rest of the night my mom pieced the past few months together. (Video to come!)

After our doctors appointment we had to wait for the rest of the family to get out of work. While we waited, I called my grandparents. My mom-mom was thrilled and didn't take any time waiting to remind me how it was my job as a parent to pray for this little one everyday. 

Finally, Nick called his mom and dad. Both were driving and completely shocked by the news. Nick's mom was really happy. We met with her and Rich for dinner later in the week and caught her up on the past few months. Nick's dad was equally as excited and told us he was waiting for that call.

We decided to Facetime my niece for her birthday and had her share the news with Brandon and Meri. She was really excited. Later, we told Nick's sister who was also very happy for us.  

Now, we wait another week or so to tell all the aunts, uncles, and cousins. Can't wait!!!

We Graduated!!!

On Monday, we had our last appointment with the fertility specialist. We absolutely love this office and have been so blessed to find a group of medical professionals that are truly dedicated to their patients. While I am incredibly sad to say goodbye, this has definitely marked a major milestone for us.

At our appointment, we saw our little baby. There is no way I can call it my little bean because he seriously looks like a baby now. : ) It's incredible. The baby's heart rate was beautiful...158 bpm...and boy was it active. It was moving all around. The doctor said it has really developed beautifully. 

He checked for issues and clots that may be lingering but everything looked good. I haven't had any spotting in a couple weeks now. My ovaries are pretty much back to normal. Things are looking good all around.

Here is a little picture of our little one. I also have some video that I am going to post as soon as I figure out how.

Happy Anniversary!!

Happy 3rd Anniversary to the love of my life!!

Our Little Bean Update- Week 11

I can't believe we are already in week 11. It has been a crazy ride so far. I am having fun with the chalkboard tracker and I think it is something Nick and I will look back on and really appreciate down the road. I am learning how to embrace the changes to my body but, good Lord, I need my hair done and some sun ASAP!!! : )

We have one more check up at the fertility specialist then I am off to the OB. Nick and I have been thinking long and hard about where to go and it is coming to a point where we need to just make the decision.

I have felt really good this week to the point where I OF COURSE question "Is everything okay?" Today has been the first day where my belly has had some twinges here and there. As always, we pray for the little bean. As crazy as I am, as much as I analyze every little thing, and as much as I worry, worry, worry....I am INCREDIBLY thankful for our little miracle.

How far along?: 11 weeks
Total weight gain: I started off at 120lbs. Staying at 124lbs.
Maternity clothes? Sticking to summer dresses and maternity leggings. I picked up a belly band today so I will be trying that out next week.
Stretch marks? No stretch marks
Sleep: I am having the worst time falling asleep and the night is spent tossing and turning. SUCKS! I have also been having the craziest dreams!!
Best moment this week: My sister came to visit and we were able to share our special news with her. (More on that in the upcoming weeks.)  It was so much fun talking wedding and baby all week!!!
Gender: Not sure yet. - I am thinking GIRL and Nick is thinking BOY.
Miss anything: OMG....I have been craving a Pepsi....bad!
Food cravings: Anything sweet...chocolate, candy, watermelon, ice cream. Most of the food I am craving is terrible...BUT... on the positive, I have started eating real dinners again with meat.
Anything making you queasy or sick: All good this week!!
Labor signs: NO!!
Wedding rings on/off: On
Mood: Overall I am feeling pretty good. I have been crying a lot when it comes to the dumbest things on tv.
Looking forward to: (a) Our last fertility check-up and ultrasound is July 22nd. We will get one last early ultrasound. (b) Telling our family!!!
Fun Facts:

• Baby Wood is the size of a lime.
• It is about 1.6 inches long and weighs about .25 ounces. It also has about a 1:1 head to body ratio.
• The baby's skin is see-through.
• The baby is moving all around.
• Baby's fingers and toes are not webbed anymore and tooth buds, hair follicles, and nail beds are forming.

Our Little Bean Update- Week 10

How far along?: 10 weeks
Total weight gain: I started off at 120lbs. Staying at 124lbs.
Maternity clothes? Nothing is fitting right or looking appropriate. Bought my first pair of maternity leggings and LOVE them.
Stretch marks? No stretch marks
Sleep: At least half of the nights were spent tossing and turning. 
Best moment this week: We had an ultrasound and we heard our little bean's heartbeat again. Love that sound.
Gender: Not sure yet.
Miss anything: Nothing this week.
Food cravings: Nothing specific.
Anything making you queasy or sick: No morning sickness. I tend to get nauseous when I am hungry.
Labor signs: NO!!
Wedding rings on/off: On
Mood: Feeling pretty good this week.
Looking forward too: (a) Our last fertility check-up and ultrasound is July 22nd. We will get one last early ultrasound. (b) Telling our family the week of the 22nd!!!!!!
Fun Facts:

• This week the baby is the size of a prune.
• He/she weighs about .14 ounces and is about 1.2 inches long.
• Baby has working arm joints, and the cartilage and bones are forming.
• Vital organs are fully developed and starting to function.
• Fingernails and hair are starting to appear.
• Baby is starting to to swallow and kick.

Ultrasound, Check Up, & First Pictures

The constant worrying about this spotting every other day finally got to me so I called the nurse this morning. I was able to get an appointment to see what exactly was causing the bleeding and to make sure Baby Wood was doing okay.

Good News... Our little bean is growing right on track measuring 9 weeks 1 day. Baby has grown so much since our last ultrasound and is starting to look like a little baby instead of a bean. We were also able to hear it's heartbeat. Sounded AMAZING!!! 165 bpm.

What caused the spotting?...The is a small clot right next to the sac. It is super small. The nurse said I will probably have a little more spotting and possible cramps until it is completely gone. She said many women get this and since it is so small it is nothing to worry about.

Baby Wood's First Pictures

Our Little Bean Update- Week 9

How far along?: 9 weeks
Total weight gain: I started off at 120lbs. I am now at 124 lbs.
Maternity clothes? I haven't bought any maternity clothes yet but my clothing selection is very limited. Most of my shorts and skirts do not fit, I don't have a single bathing suit that covers my top anymore, and, most of the time, if I where jeans I leave them unbuttoned. I don't think I have quite hit the maternity sections yet but I definitely need some bigger clothes to make it through summer.
Stretch marks? No stretch marks
Sleep: I have been sleeping pretty well but still get tired late in the afternoon.
Best moment this week: My stomach feels much better and I have not experienced any spotting since Tuesday. I think the antibiotics are working!!
Gender: Not sure yet.
Miss anything: I have been craving a Caesar salad for weeks but I missed having a drink with everyone on the 4th of July.
Food cravings: Mostly carbs...nothing specific.
Anything making you queasy or sick: No morning sickness. I tend to get nauseous when I am hungry.
Labor signs: NO!!
Wedding rings on/off: On
Mood: I have been feeling pretty good this week but I have noticed I have become very irritable. Small things have been annoying me.
Looking forward too: (a) Our next ultrasound that is on July 15th. (b) Telling our family in the next few weeks.
Fun Facts:

• This week the baby is the size of an olive.
• Baby is now a fetus.
• He/she weighs about .07 ounces and is about .9 inches long.
• Babys' external ears, optic nerves, and eyelids are developing.
• Baby's arms and legs are moving now.  

Ta-Dah!! - Due Date Announcement

Our Little Bean Update- Week 7 & 8

A Little Bit of An Update...

Things are starting to look up. The spotting lasted all day Saturday and a little into Sunday then stopped. Then it decided to reappear for a hot second on Tuesday but things seem to back to normal (or whatever normal is when you are pregnant).

The nurse called on Tuesday afternoon and said that my urine test from last Thursday showed a mild infection so I am on antibiotics for 7 days. I shared with her our weekend experience and she wants me to call her on Monday to check in. The doctor is on vacation so if anything seems off she can do an ultrasound just to check and make sure everything is okay.

I feel good as far as feeling like the baby is doing well. I am very optimistic and feel like everything crazy that happened was just a fluke. I just can't wait to see the little bean in the next couple of weeks.

Here's the Plan...

Since this is a blog to document my IVF experience and now pregnancy, I really want to share weekly updates. Today I am posting weeks 7 and 8 just to catch up; however, since Saturday starts a new week, I will be posting weekly updates every Saturday with pictures starting with week 9.

How Far Along: 7 weeks 

Total Weight Gain: (started @ 120) 122lbs

Maternity Clothes: Not yet

Stretch Marks: No

Sleep: I wake up at a normal time feeling pretty good but by 1:00 I need a nap. Sleep at night has been pretty good.

Movement: No

Food Cravings: I am not really craving much. Just eating whatever is in the kitchen.

Anything Making You Queasy or Sick: Meat

Gender: No Clue...I am thinking girl and Nick is thinking boy.

Labor Signs: No

Belly Button In or Out: Innie

Symptoms: nauseous, bloated, boobs are tender, VERY hungry 

What I Am Looking Forward To: Our next ultrasound.

How Far Along: 8 weeks 

Total Weight Gain: (started @ 120) 124lbs

Maternity Clothes: Not yet...bought some summer dresses in a larger size

Stretch Marks: No

Sleep: Having a hard time sleeping at night and getting comfortable. 

Movement: No
Best Moment This Week: Saw our little bean and it's getting bigger. It measures 7 weeks 6 days. Heart was beating, beating, beating!!! 
Food Cravings: Carbs!! Pizza, pasta, mac and cheese, soup, etc.

Anything Making You Queasy or Sick: Protein. I have no desire to eat any kind of meat. The thought makes me gag. 

Gender: No Clue...I am thinking girl and Nick is thinking boy.

Labor Signs: No

Belly Button In or Out: Innie

Symptoms: nauseous at different points in the day, sore breasts, bloated, acid reflux every time I eat, headaches usually in the evening. I can smell everything. *started spotting this week

What I Am Looking Forward To: Our next ultrasound.