14 weeks & Gender Scan

Far Along: 14 weeks

How Big is The Baby: At our elective scan they measured so we know exactly how big.... 5.5inches and 3 ounces!!!!

Total Weight Gain: At my OB appointment on wed I was up a total of 2 lbs. (I think, they never tell me!)

Maternity Clothes: Still in normal jeans but they dont button and can only zip a little bit. Maternity shirts because they re more comfy and longer.

Sleep: Sleep got a little bit better this week.

GENDER: To be revealed below!!!!

Movement: Not that I can feel but TONS of movement when we watch baby on the ultrasound.

Food Cravings: Fruit, sweet things.

What I Miss: lunch meat

What I'm looking forward to: Putting the final coat of paint in the nursery today!

Milestones: Finding out the gender of our baby!

Symptoms: Acid reflux, burps, tiredness, breakouts on my face (dear face wash, I miss you), slight dizziness, headaches.

Ok, time for the gender scan.....

We went and had an elective gender scan because anyone who knows me knows that I am not patient in the least bit. So we went and I also brought 2 of my best friends, Kelli and Emily, with us. We had to be there at 4:50 for the appointment and the day went sooooo slow!

Kelli brought me a super fun gift to open while we were waiting with one of her famous collages (that i love!) on the front! It had 2 adorable sleepers, pacifiers, a giraffe stuffed animal and some candy for me.

The scan was great, it is ALWAYS so nice to see the baby and it was super active for the ultrasound!!!

The gender was easily found and they were completely sure without a doubt.

ITS A BOY!!!!!!!!!!

We are so very excited to be having a little boy. It is so nice to be able to say "he" and "him"... we are so in love with our little guy already. I will add some pictures later when I load them on my computer.

NT results, u/s, OB appt and IM IN THE 2nd TRIMESTER!!!!!!!

On wednesday I had an OB appt with the a nurse practitioner at the office. I know some people dont like to see nurse practitioners but I love them, after all I am in school to be one =) I really liked the NP and she gave me a bunch of good info. I got to hear the baby's heartbeat on the doppler for the first time! I was so sad that Justin wasnt there to hear it with me but hopefully he will hear it soon.

After the OB appointment I met JD for lunch and then we went to our RE appointment to get our NT scan results. My RE is so sweet and I know I have said 100 times how much I love her, and again she was just great with us. She said that both our bloodwork and scan results put us in the high-risk zone for downs. Trisomy 18 and 13 came back with much better results and we dont have to worry about them. Normally after NT scan some people will get a great risk number like 1 in 27,000 but we got 1 in 159... so we have to worry. She said that they would suggest an amniocentesis (inserting a large needle thru my abdomen to remove amniotic fluid) in we would consider termination for a baby with down. We would never consider termination for this so she said that at this point she would wait because of the miscarriage risk associated with the procedure. So, form here we will be forwarded to an MFM or Peri (same thing) and have a level 2 ultrasound at the hospital sometime between 18 and 20ish weeks to look for more downs markers. At that point if we saw more things that point to downs we would probably do the amniocentesis just so that we would know if the baby did have downs and be prepared. We are optimistic that everything is fine but we have to take the necessary precautions. Overall, we are fine and have a positive outlook because I just "feel" that everything is going to be fine. The RE also did an ultrasound and the baby was facing the probe so that pictures werent the best but I will show you anyways because I think our baby is just so cute!
The RE also told us that we are DONE with PIO and Vivelle FINALLLLYYYYYYY! We were SO excited about this. But then she dropped the bomb... we were graduating (aka done at the RE's office and released to the OB officially). She hugged me and we were both so sad. I wish I could stay there forever. I just love her and I am so so thankful for her and all that she has done for us. She made our miracle with us and for that I will be forever grateful.

On wednesday night I got a HORRIBLE migraine. It was so bad that I couldnt focus my eyes to see the tv or anything. I felt like the room was spinning I was so dizzy and was very very nauseous. It lasted all night and was so bad that I couldnt really sleep. The next day I was still feeling pretty bad but not dying like the night before and I was really worried that maybe this was tied to the fact that I just stopped taking the PIO and Vivelle and couldnt help but be worried. The OB wanted me to come in so I did that afternoon and the baby sounded great in the doppler and they gave me some meds to use for these headaches. I was very pleased that they got me in and were worried about me.

Now the stats!!!


Far Along: 13 weeks!!!! Hello 2nd Tri!

How Big is The Baby: Size of a peach. About 4 inches long and weighing in at about 1.5 ounces.

Total Weight Gain: I am down 1.5 pounds from my last OB appt on their scale. They are starting my weight gain measurement from my first appointment there so I am going to also or I will get confused. So i am -1.5lbs.

Maternity Clothes: Still trying to rock the BE Band with my normal jeans but I am in maternity shirts for the length and non-tight tummy.

Sleep: Still not sleeping very well but my SNOOGLE is helping (its a pregnancy pillow)

GENDER: 1 more week till our elective gender scan!!!!! (next friday)

Movement: nothing yet.

Food Cravings: Fruit... I have been eating TONS of it. Also waffles and rice krispies.

What I Miss: I would kill for a Jersey Mike's Sub! for real.

What I'm looking forward to: Gender scan next week!

Milestones: Being in the 2nd Tri!!!!!!

Symptoms: Not sleeping well, frequent urination, headaches, tiredness, acid reflux.

today has been tough

Today was kind of like running into a brick wall. I dont know what to blame for the way I feel today but I dont like it! I have been feeling "off" all day. I have been tired, shaky, had an upset stomach, headache, sore butt, emotional day. I have cried at least 5 times and I just dont feel right.

I know what you are thinking.. "YOURE PREGNANT! OF COURSE YOU DONT FEEL RIGHT!" but today I just feel worse. I dont really like to complain about pregnancy because I am so thrilled and thankful to be pregnant that I am savoring every moment of it because I thought I may never know what its like. Today just feels like im getting sick or something.

One thing that has been weighing heavily on me is the bad news that we got at our NT scan last week. We havent gotten all of the results because we have to see what the blood work says this wednesday but the waiting is killing me. Its so hard to think that MY little baby, with 10 fingers and 10 toes, could be sick in there and there is nothing I can do. All I can do is hope that everything is ok. When the doctors say that this test is good because is results come back after more testing and you have a child with downs or trisomy 18 you have the option to "end" the pregnancy before you are toooooo far along. Those words feel like a knife in my chest. End the pregnancy? Give up what I have worked all this time for? I cant imagine that I would ever even consider that. Trisomy 18 terrifies me, if basically means that your baby will die in utero or at birth. Can you imagine?! I dont want to but I cant help but think about it. All of these things are just making me an emotional basket case. I just want a healthy baby to bring home and love.... why does this have to be so hard. Every step on this journey has been SO HARD. Why change now, huh?

Our little one, as well as Justin and I, could use all of the thoughts that you have to give us. Its a rough week and we are doing our best but its hard.

On another note- I had my first dream that included the sex of my baby last night and I dreamt that it was a GIRL. Wonder if thats a sign? =)

12 Weeks!!!

Some books and sources say that I am now in the second trimester and others say that it is at 13 weeks that you are the second trimester. So I am going to go with 13 weeks that way I am sure. SO- THIS IS THE LAST WEEK OF MY FIRST TRIMESTER! Crazy right?!?!

How Far Along: 12 weeks

How Big is The Baby: About the size of a plum. 3.5 inches long and weighing in at an ounce.

Total Weight Gain: I got weighed at the RE this week and it seems that I am down 4 pounds from last week at the OB? I think their scales are probably just different. I am going to assume that I am up maybe a total of 5 to 7 pounds total.

Maternity Clothes: I hate my BE Band but it is necessary, ugh! I bought a pair of maternity jeans and I hate them... they stretched right out and wont stay up.

Sleep: What is sleep? I dont sleep and its killing me. I would give ANYTHING to sleep.

GENDER: 2 more weeks!!!

Movement: cant wait to feel it in 5 or so weeks

Food Cravings: Sweets and ice cream (which I havent been giving in to too much) and also yesterday I had a ridiculous craving for Arbys.

What I Miss: DELI MEAT! Fish, coffee and mountain dew.

What I'm looking forward to: Finding out the gender in 2 weeks hopefully.

Milestones: making it to 12 weeks, huge decrease in miscarriage risk.

Symptoms: Unable to sleep, exhaustion, peeing constantly, heart burn, headaches, bloat.

NT Scan

So I went for my long awaited NT Scan. Everyone has always told me how wonderful they are, how awesome the baby looks at that point, everyone always has precious pictures of the profile etc.

Well....

Mine was awful and I could not be more pissed.

It was literally 3 minutes long. The guy acted super rushed. He acted like he didnt know me when he did my ER back in sept. We got ZERO pictures. He had the screen turned away so I didnt even get one glance at my baby. He showed us nothing. I asked for a gender guess and he said he would guess but never did and hurried out of the room and immediately went into a consult with another patient.

The one thing that he did say was that the nuchal fold was indeed thicker than they like to see but we will see what the blood work says.

I asked the nurse if he told her because he was supposed to give us a gender guess and he was already in that consult. We waited around so she could ask him when he was done and this is what he told her to tell us: "Its really just a guess, and I guess boy and Im right about 50% of the time". So basically he didnt know?!? I dont know if he thought it was a boy from what he saw or if he just said that because he couldnt tell but I guess Ill never know because he didnt say anything to us.

Basically I have never felt so let down. I have been looking forward to this scan in particular since our positive beta and I am SO LET DOWN. I started crying the minute he left the room.

So we got:

Bad news, no pictures, and no glimpse of the screen.

F*CKING FANTASTIC

11 Weeks and OB appointment!

How Far Along: 11 weeks

How Big is The Baby: About the size of a lime. Weighing in around .25 ounces.

Total Weight Gain: Went to the OB this week and got weighed in. About 7lbs.

Maternity Clothes: BE band.... it is sooooo annoying. Time to get some maternity pants because I am SICK AND TIRED of pulling it down every time I move.

Sleep: Not sleeping well at all.

GENDER: Dying to know!!!

Movement: We got to see more movement on the ultrasound at exactly 11 weeks. It is SO neat to see.

Food Cravings: Still craving sweets, and ice cream which I normally dont even like. Sour patch blue raspberries and cherries are god's gift to my pregnancy.

What I Miss: Deli meat, seafood, sleep, not peeing every 2 seconds...... and maybe sangria ;)

What I'm looking forward to: My NT scan on wednesday!!!! Also have a visit with my nurse practitioner at the OBs office that day so I am excited to meet her.

Milestones: Seeing our first 3D ultrasound pictures of our baby. We are so in love.

Symptoms: Still extreme exhaustion, craving sweets, not sleeping well, moody as heck, indigestion.

Recap of our OB appointment:

First we had an ultrasound and got to see our first 3D images of our baby. Then we got to meet our OB. Let me tell you, I really really liked her. She was young and friendly and I was really happy that I was referred to her. We went through the family history and our ttc history. Everything seemed to be going really well.

The only thing that she did mention was that the ultrasound tech took a quick measurement of the nuchal fold (which they test in the NT scan) and she said that it appeared to be thicker than they like to see which can indicate an issue. She said not to worry yet and to wait and see what happens at the NT scan.

Without further ado here is our baby:

OB appointment in the morning

Tomorrow morning we have an ultrasound at 8am and then we have our first appointment with our obstetrician at 8:40. We have never met this OB before, she was referred to me by my wonderful RE. If she is anything like Dr.J I know that I will love her. I cant believe that all of this is happening and we are going to an OB tomorrow like normal people. Will I ever actually feel like a normal pregnant lady? Probably not but this is one step towards normalcy.

Cant wait to see our little baby at 11w0d tomorrow. We are so in love with the baby already <3

10 Week Update & Ultrasound!

How Far Along: 10 Weeks (10 weeks one day when writing this/ 10w0d in picture)

How Big is The Baby: 2.5 Inches long

Total Weight Gain: Probably still about 2 pounds. The real weighing will begin at the OB this coming friday.

Maternity Clothes: No, but I do where a BE Band because my pants wont button. Last week they just felt painful if buttoned and now the button wont reach.

Sleep: Not sleeping well but super tired all day

GENDER: Dont know. I still think girl but after out u/s one of the nurses said it looks like a boy to her. Also Justin's Grandmother told me she has been having dreams that it is a boy.

Movement: We SAW movement on the ultrasound (so cool!) but I wont feel it for a while yet.

Food Cravings: Sweet things. I HAD to have a nerd blizzard from Dairy Queen last night and luckily Kelli went and indulged with me! <3

What I Miss: Having energy!!!!!!! I stayed up later than normal last night and I am SO tired today and totally paying for it.

What I'm looking forward to: Meeting the OB next week and having another ultrasound! Also knowing the baby's gender so I can start planning better.

Milestones: Double digits (as in how many weeks) and seeing the baby move!

Symptoms: Still extreme exhaustion, craving sweets, not sleeping well, moody as heck!, heartburn.

It was, BY FAR, the best ultrasound yet. It was so amazing to see that in two weeks the baby had grown that much and looks like a baby now. The heart was beating away at 177bpm again. He/she was moving and waving his/her arms and legs around. It was so special. Justin even took a video of the baby moving around with my phone. We are so blessed to have this baby growing inside of me and we are NOT taking it for granted. After everything that we have been through it just amazes me that this is happening. Its days like yesterday that make me SO thankful that we didnt give up, I truly felt that we may never see what we saw yesterday so it is unexplainable how much it meant to us.

For Justin it made the whole thing so much more real. It isnt a growing blob anymore its a little baby moving around in there. He immediately said "CAN YOU FEEL THAT?!"..... so cute.

We have our first appointment with our OB next friday and we will have an ultrasound then too (at 11 weeks) then our NT scan at the RE the next wednesday. We will be seeing a lot of the baby in the next two weeks and we are so excited!

9 Weeks

I was actually 9 weeks pregnant last friday but I didnt have a chance to post this. I have been going crazy with school work and have been neglecting my blog. From now on I will be posting this progress survey weekly!!!

How Far Along: 9 Weeks

How Big is The Baby: 1 to 1.5 inches long from crown to rump (not counting leg length obviously)

Total Weight Gain: I havent been good about weighing myself at home. I figured they will will start when I finally see the OB at 11 weeks because the RE hasnt weighed me. I think I have gained about 2 pounds.

Maternity Clothes: No. I do use a BE Band because it isnt possible to button my jeans comfortably.

Sleep: I wake up a LOT at night, especially to pee. Also I wake up early and cant get back to sleep.

GENDER: dont know yet but I CANT WAIT =)

Movement: not for a while.

Food Cravings: Milk and candy.... why couldnt I crave something healthy?! Haha. Oh yeah, I crave hot dogs too and im not allowed to eat them =(

What I Miss: Sangria and red wine. Seafood because I love all seafood and most of all HOT DOGS! all I want are hot dogs.

What I'm looking forward to: Our ultrasound on 12/21 @ 10 weeks!!!!!

Milestones: This week the baby went from being an embryo to being a fetus.

Symptoms: EXHAUSTION, peeing alllll the time, mood swings/ super emotional, sore butt form still being on PIO, heartburn, slight nausea, not sleeping well.

2011 is Kicking My Butt!

First, I am so so sorry to all my readers that I have been neglecting my blog! I promise I dont mean to. I started grad school on january 3rd and it is KILLING me... I mean taking every waking moment of life from me and stressing me out! I have vowed to dro pout daily and had a million mini-breakdowns but here I am, still in it!

Update: We had an ultrasound last friday at 8 weeks. Snowflake still didnt look much like a baby to me and really in one of the pictures looks like a toucan so I am more excited for our 10week ultrasound where we will see snowflake move around and look like a baby!

Here is an 8 week ultrasound picture of snowflake with his/her little heart beating away at 177 bpm!


I have been feeling exhausted (which is really an understatement), nausea at night (but not too bad), bloated, thirsty, having a good amount of acid reflux and all in all I am LOVING EVERY SECOND OF IT. I love being pregnant. I am so thankful to be exhausted and yucky feeling because I was so scared that I may never feel any of this.

Now, off to watch a lecture- ugh!