I'm Vibrating

LOL Last night my right hip flexor (ish) area started vibrating. Comes and goes. Still happening today. It's the weirdest thing ever.

Gotta love the things pregnancy does to your body. Any one else experience that?

Peeing

Yes, peeing. That's what today's post is about - seeing as how I'm doing enough of it lately. ;-) I want to preface this post by saying that I'm not complaining (b/c it isn't that bad honestly), just pointing out things I've noticed. So let's get started:

1) The standard - I'm pregnant. I drink a lot. I pee a lot. I never thought to include the cost of increased toilet paper purchasing in our budget. lol

2) The little guy likes to use my bladder as a trampoline. I love that I can feel him, not loving the sudden urges to pee. ha

3) Haven't slept through the night in I don't know how long - often due to getting up to pee. Multiple times. Good thing it's not too far from the bed.

4) My "style" of peeing has changed. Before I was pregnant, the rate at which I peed varied. If I really had to go, it came out fast. Now - it's always a steady rate. Always. Well - except for those trickles that result from above mentioned trampoline practice. It's like there's a limit on how fast I'm allowed to pee now. Very weird. Anyone else notice this?

5) Cramping/ab tightening. Just for a short while. And often right before I go and right after I'm done. Anyone else?

6) The lovely "snissing". While it's been close, I haven't actually peed my pants yet (thanks kegels??), but I have a feeling it will happen at least once before this pregnancy is over.

OK - guess that's it. Just some weird little things I've noticed about peeing now that I'm pregnant. ;-) Anyone else experience any of these, too? Or have anything else to add to the list?

Hope everyone's having a great day!

A Thump and a Book

So, I felt another "thump" today, so I am beginning to think it is the baby, although still not 100% sure. I don't think I'll be 100% sure until it happens more often and is a little harder. But yay for now if it is!

Outside of that, I've been feeling pretty good. Still sleeping like crap - that's probably the biggest thing right now. I am such a light sleeper right now - I wake up so easily - and it's not always to pee. I knew the not sleeping was going to happen, I just thought I had more time! lol

I also noticed I had my first skin tag - they're kind of freaky - yikes! It's tiny and I know they generally go away, just weird to see actually happen. I think I'll just not look for now. ;-)

On a different note, this past weekend, we went away to visit DH's family for Mother's Day. It was a nice trip. I hadn't been able to go out to visit since Christmas, so it was great. We catered to his mom and tried to not let her do anything (although not always successfully!). I wasn't expecting anything myself for Mother's Day since I don't technically have a baby in my arms, but his sister and nieces got me a card and a gift, it was pretty cute. And some friends sent well-wishes as well, it was kind of cool!

DH didn't do anything (and I agree) since we aren't technically there yet and didn't want to jump the gun, just in case, you know? I'm completely ok with that and can't wait for next year!

Besides the card/gift from his sister, she always gave us a box of the old books she and DH used to have as kids - it is so cool to look through them. And DH said he wanted to pull each of them out and read them to my belly - yay! Although not one of those books, DH took a book out of the elementary school library last week (his idea!) and read it to my belly last night:



It was actually a pretty good book - I've never read any of the Clifford books. DH thought it was pretty funny and now that I think about it, I wonder why, too - seems everyone did - maybe they were out after I was too old for them? Who knows!

Either way, it was so cute watching him read last night. He was so into it and it just made me fall in love with him even more!

OK, guess that's it - I hope everyone has a great day!

Heartburn, Insomnia & a Cold

So those are the two newest things to have popped in this week. The heartburn itself isn't too bad, but I can feel it. The best part has been twice when I've bent over, I sort of get some acidy/vomit type stuff in the back of my mouth. Not nauseau, just from the heartburn/acid I'm assuming. Nice! lol

And while, throughout this pregnancy, I've had to get up throughout the night to pee, but this week I am just waking up ALL THE TIME. Not always just to pee. Just wake up, grumble, then try to go back to sleep. But, of course, because I'm awake, my mind won't let me go back to sleep until I pee. So I get up anyway. I know it'll be worse than this when the baby comes so I'm not complaining - at all. I would just like a little more sleep each night. ;-)

And in other news - I have a cold. I blame my boss. I've been able to avoid getting sick most of this winter. But on Friday my leader comes in saying he woke up with a sore throat, etc... We had a lot of meetings together on Friday and what what you know? A few days later I wake up with a sore throat to. Add in a stuffy nose and messed up ears and that's what I've got.

Hopefully it goes away soon. My mouth is so dry from not being able to breath through my nose - and water just doesn't help! ha At least this morning my throat didn't hurt as much, so I'm taking that as a good sign.

Hopefully that didn't all sound like one big complaint - yikes! I'm just kind of writing down what's going on throughout this journey. ;-)

So how are all of you doing?

Spider Boobs

Yup - that's what has started to show up. I know they will get even more "spidery" but I really started seeing the veins show up yesterday. And I have to admit - I knew they'd come, but it's kind of weird to actually see! LOL

11 weeks 1 day!

Can you believe it? While I still have a long way to go until this little one is born, there are only 2 weeks left of the first tri and it has been almost 2 months since I got my BFP - crazy!

Still not really having any morning sickness which I am so incredibly thankful for. Little bouts of feeling a little "off", but nothing that isn't resolved by making sure I eat. Still feeling tired - mostly in the morning and at night, but if someone would give me the opportunity to take a nap in the afternoon, I wouldn't say no! lol


And as far as 11 weeks, it look like our little one is a lime this week!

From TheBump:

Your fetus currently enjoys a 1:1 ratio between body and head, and has skin so transparent that blood vessels show right through. But, fingers and toes are no longer webbed, and hair follicles, tooth buds and nail beds are forming -- setting up a significantly more attractive future.


And from BabyCenter:

How your baby's growing: Your baby, just over 1 1/2 inches long and about the size of a fig, is now almost fully formed. Her hands will soon open and close into fists, tiny tooth buds are beginning to appear under her gums, and some of her bones are beginning to harden.

She's already busy kicking and stretching, and her tiny movements are so effortless they look like water ballet. These movements will become more frequent as her body grows and becomes more developed and functional. You won't feel your baby's acrobatics for another month or two — nor will you notice the hiccupping that may be happening now that her diaphragm is forming.

See what your baby looks like this week.

How your life's changing: If you're like most women, you're feeling a bit more energetic now and your nausea may be starting to wane. Unfortunately, you may also be suffering from constipation (caused by hormonal changes, which can slow digestion) and heartburn (hormones again, relaxing the valve between your stomach and esophagus). Just remember, all this discomfort is for a good cause.

Don't worry if nausea has made it impossible for you to eat a wide variety of healthy foods or if you haven't put on much weight yet (most women gain just 2 to 5 pounds during the first trimester). Your appetite will likely return soon, and you'll start to gain about a pound a week.

9 weeks!

Well - technically 9w1d - and my baby is a green olive this week - yuck! lol There aren't many things I don't like, but olives of all types are one of them - especially the green ones. I think I'll go with it being a grape, instead. LOL

But, since the TheBump uses an olive:

Your little embryo has now officially graduated to fetus-hood. Adding to the excitement, a Doppler ultrasound device might be able to pick up the beating heart. With basic physical structures in place and increasingly distinct facial features, baby is kind of starting to look like... well... a baby!

And BabyCenter:

How your baby's growing:

Your new resident is nearly an inch long — about the size of a grape (ooh, I was right referring to a grape instead of an olive! haha) — and weighs just a fraction of an ounce. She's starting to look more and more human. Her essential body parts are accounted for, though they'll go through plenty of fine-tuning in the coming months.

Other changes abound: Your baby's heart finishes dividing into four chambers, and the valves start to form — as do her tiny teeth. The embryonic "tail" is completely gone. Your baby's organs, muscles, and nerves are kicking into gear. The external sex organs are there but won't be distinguishable as male or female for another few weeks.

Her eyes are fully formed, but her eyelids are fused shut and won't open until 27 weeks. She has tiny earlobes, and her mouth, nose, and nostrils are more distinct. The placenta is developed enough now to take over most of the critical job of producing hormones. Now that your baby's basic physiology is in place, she's poised for rapid weight gain.

How your life's changing:

You still may not look pregnant even if your waist is thickening a bit. You probably feel pregnant, though. Not only are morning sickness and other physical symptoms out in full force for most women, but you may feel like an emotional pinball as well. Mood swings are common now — it's perfectly normal to feel alternately elated and terrified about becoming a parent. Try to cut yourself some slack. Most women find that moodiness flares up at around six to ten weeks, eases up in the second trimester, and then reappears as pregnancy winds to a close.

(No morning sickness yet - thank goodness!, but I do have waves of feeling like I want to cry - that's for sure!)

Yay for my little grape!

8 Weeks!

Today, I am 8 weeks even. Woohooo! I called my OB and could have had my first "graduate" appointment next Tuesday, but I have to pick my parents up from the airport, so won't be able to. But that's ok. I'll have just had an ultrasound this Friday anyway. So, instead, we go a week later on 3/18. Yay!

Had a good weekend. No new symptoms which is good - fingers (and toes and everything else) crossed this holds out. Had a friend come in from out of town that we told our news and he is very excited for us! We were going to wait to tell friends until after we told all of our family, but we couldn't pass up a surprise in-person visit!

In sad (for me) news, we were supposed to go up to visit one of my sister's this weekend to share the news and help her with wedding stuff, but we have had to cancel. Stupid winter weather! Boooooo!

In happier news, here's what's going on in my belly: ;-)

According to The Bump:




Your baby is growing like mad (average embryo: 0.63 in, 0.04 oz), putting on about a millimeter every day and continuing to straighten out in the trunk. Though you can't feel it yet, baby is moving those little arms, legs and (now only slightly) webbed fingers and toes like crazy.


And for fun, according to American Pregnancy:

What changes are occurring with your body?
Even though it may not look like your body has changed from the outside, many changes have occurred throughout your body. Before you were pregnant, your uterus was about the size of your fist, but it is now about the size of a grapefruit.

You may have noticed changes in your breasts. They may be more tender and sensitive than usual. This is completely normal as your body is preparing for lactation.

Another change that has occurred that you may not be aware of is that your blood volume has increased by 40 to 50 percent.


What is happening with your baby?
Everything that is present in an adult human is now present in the small embryo. The ears are continuing to form externally and internally. The bones are beginning to form, and the muscles can contract. Fingers and toes are webbed but are growing longer.

The facial features continue to mature. The tip of the nose is present and the eyelids are now more developed. The embryonic tail is also disappearing, and your baby's body is beginning to straighten out.

While your baby's gender has already been determined, the external genitals are still forming and cannot be clearly seen. The embryo is at the end of the embryonic period and begins the fetal period.

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Thanks for stopping in!

Ultrasound #3!

Still growing strong! She said the little one is measuring right on track, about 11 mm, with a strong heartbeat beating at 157 bpm!

Here is my once again sad attempt at taking a picture of one of the pictures. I suck at it, but at least it's something (ignore the giant white circle - it's just the reflection of my camera).

It doesn't really look human yet, but you could sort of see the distinction between the head and the body on the screen.

Next week will be our last appointment with the RE. They typically release you at 8 weeks, but since my ultrasounds have all been in the middle of the week (ie: today is 7w4d), they are having me come back next week for one more.

And I have a feeling this will be the best appointment yet! They said they will use the 3d ultrasound machine and pop in a DVD for us so we can have a copy of the ultrasound as well as the sound of the baby's heart! We haven't gotten to hear that yet and I hear it's just the most amazing sound ever. I cannot wait! And I feel so lucky they are giving us a DVD of the appointment. Woohoooooo!

I am so going to miss getting these every week after I graduate from the RE and am released to the OB. I'm getting pretty spoiled! Plus, I really like being there - I feel comfortable there. But will still be exciting to be released like a "normal" person. ;-)

In other news - the spotting has stopped (I think) - yay! No other new symptoms yet so I'm pretty excited about that. Other than that, not too much going on. Just looking forward to the weekend. Hope everyone has a great one!

Spotting :-(

I have been able to avoid the joy of spotting so far. Thought maybe I'd be a lucky one who didn't spot. But, such is not the case. It started last night, then went away for a bit and is back today. Mostly brown, some pinpoint red yesterday. And it freaks me the heck out. A lot.

I know it happens. And doesn't always mean something bad - but there's still that possibility. And that's what keeps creeping into my mind that I have to keep pushing out.

I tell myself - I have cramping, but it's not really bad so that's good, right? And it's just spotting and not a ton of bleeding, so that's a positive, right? Ugh.

I haven't bothered called the RE's office since I have my next ultrasound on Friday anyway. And it's not like they can do anything about it anyway if it was the start of a miscarriage.

So - I guess I will just hope it stops soon and see what Friday brings us, right?

(Please stop, please stop, please stop...)

7 weeks - a Blueberry!

So - today I'm 7w1d today - yay! Still no new symptoms (meaning: no morning sickness or big/sore boobs) so I'm feeling extremely lucky at this point. I just hope it stays that way. The other symptoms are still here and manageable (cramping, emotional, tired, thirsty, hungry - and maybe a bit gassy and bloated, but not terrible).

And according to TheBump.com, my baby is a blueberry and will be about .5 inches this week:

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.


And since I like to compare: according to American Pregnancy.org, it'll be about an inch by the end of the week. So maybe it doubles this week? I don't know! lol

What is happening with your baby?
At this point every essential organ has begun to form in the embryo's tiny body. The hair and nipple follicles are forming, and the eyelids and tongue have begun formation. The elbows and toes are more visible as the trunk begins to straighten out.

How big is your baby?
Your baby is approximately an inch long by the end of this week and weighs less than an aspirin.


Also - my parents safely arrived in South Africa - just got a call from my mom. Yay!

Ultrasound #2 today!

We should be able to see/hear the heartbeat at this one and I am just so nervous!

I'm still feeling some the same symptoms as below - including increased cramping yesterday/today which of course makes me nervous - but no spotting or anything like that. So I just hope with everything I have that the little one will be measuring right on track today and we see that little heart beating away!

Aaaaaah! LOL

6w 2d Pregnant!

I hope I don't jinx myself, but so far, I'm feeling pretty ok! I have had some very minor heart burn and I'm tired and bouts of emotional-ness (is that a word?). Not exhausted, but still pretty tired. No vomiting yet and only some very minor nausea, but if I eat something (granola bar, orange, jolly rancher), it seems to help. Still pretty thirsty, and off and on extreme hunger, and some cramping. Not too bloated, no spotting as of yet (phew!) and the boobs haven't really changed much and don't hurt yet.

It sometimes makes me wonder if anything is still going on in there, but then I remind myself - it's not the same for everyone - and I remember the symptoms I do have and consider myself extremely lucky.

And now, time for another round of c&p of what's going on in there. ;-)

http://www.thebump.com/:


Growing like crazy, baby is starting to sprout eyes, ears, nose, cheeks and chin. Those little hands and feet- still webbed like paddles- might wiggle by week's end, the heart is beating (almost twice as fast as yours!), and blood is starting to circulate.


http://www.babycenter.com/:

How your baby's growing: This week's major developments: The nose, mouth, and ears that you'll spend so much time kissing in eight months are beginning to take shape. If you could see into your uterus, you'd find an oversize head and dark spots where your baby's eyes and nostrils are starting to form. His emerging ears are marked by small depressions on the sides of the head, and his arms and legs by protruding buds. His heart is beating about 100 to 160 times a minute — almost twice as fast as yours — and blood is beginning to course through his body. His intestines are developing, and the bud of tissue that will give rise to his lungs has appeared. His pituitary gland is forming, as are the rest of his brain, muscles, and bones. Right now, your baby is a quarter of an inch long, about the size of a lentil bean.See what's going on in your uterus this week.

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Both of these sites say the baby is 0.25 inches long, another says 0.75 - so who knows. But it's still prettty cool to know everything that's going on in there!

Beta #2!

Happy Wednesday everyone! I just got the call -- and it's great news!

My hCG went from 16.2 to 35 - that's more than doubled in just 48 hours!

And my Progesterone went from 15 to 41 - so that looks like the meds are doing their trick!

I guess that explains the continued achy/crampy-ish uterus, feeling like I want to cry (although that could easily be the stress!) and why I'm so darn thirsty. ;-) And the 2nd HPT this morning with 2 lines. Such a beautiful sight! ;-)

My 3rd Beta will be Monday morning - I can't wait. My DH's birthday is tomorrow and it's all such an awesome birthday present for him. Yay! I wish I would have told him the appointment was tomorrow instead of today so I could have made it an even better surprise, but hey - I'll take this news today with NOOOOO complaints!

I called my mom yesterday asking her to call me back. She sounded so disappointed when all it was was to give her directions for my dad for Saturday - oops! She knows we're doing IVF#3 right now, but we're definitely not ready to tell anyone else yet.

so - it looks like we may just have a little procrastinator in there - just like it's mommy and daddy!

Thank you so much, to everyone - your support and positive thoughts mean so much to both of us!

Perpetually Hungry

I have heard others who were on PIO talk about this but man - I never knew how true it was! It seems like for the last few days, every couple hours I'm hungry. And I don't just mean a little - I mean full on stomach growling hungry. I have tried to eat healthy, but it doesn't always happen. An apple doesn't really do the trick, you know? It often makes me hungrier!

That and this headache. My stuffy nose is clearing up, but this headache has decided to hang around the last 2 days. And nothing seeems to help. Maybe a weekend away from work will do the trick - I hope so!

OK, sorry - complaining over. ;-)

We're watching "Swing Vote" now. It's actually not too bad - I recommend!

Have a great weekend everyone!

5dp 5dt

5dpt: Morula is completely inmplanted in the lining and has placenta cells & fetal cells

So, now the little mushrooms should be completely implanted - yay! No new symptoms - still just tired a lot, some achy uterine feelings, and can't seem to eat enough. But, who knows what it's from at this point - you've got to love the whole:

PMS Symptoms = Meds Symptoms = Pregnancy Symptoms

It just plays with your mind!

I do have to admit this 2ww has gone by faster/easier than the others. I'm not sure if it's because we did a 5dt instead of a 3 so there was less time to think about them after they were transferred, or because I've just come to accept that this may not work, or what. But, I just have to get through tomorrow and the weekend and the Beta is Monday morning.

Now - the big question. Will I POAS between now and then? ;-)

4dp 5dt - PIO Queen!

If everything's still on track, here's what the little ones should be spending their day doing:

4dpt: Implantation process continues and morula buries deeper in the lining

Outside of that, I have big news! Inspired by a fellow Nestie, I did my own PIO shot last night - yay me! I am trying to think positive that this cycle will work. And if that's true, I'll have to keep doing PIO injections for a few more weeks, including time when DH is out of town.

So I figured why not give it a try now while he IS in town in case I can't do it, right? Well, I did it last night and it worked - honestly not bad at all! I had to move it around a little to get my fingers right to pull back to check for blood, but not too bad. I could do it again with no problem. Go me!

And I'm sure everyone reading this knows what a PIO-sized needle looks like, but just in case, here's a sample. Not the same drug, but the same needle - yikes!

As far as symptoms, I'm beginning to lose some hope since they are going away. My boobs aren't as sore, not really gassy/burping nearly as much, I'm tired, but not exhausted, no more acid reflux/heartburn. I continue to have an achy feeling in my uterus and pains in my vagina (weird, but true), but I don' tknow - most likely from the meds. Despite trying to remain positive, I still have to tell myself that this may not work so I am not absolutely crushed should I hear a big fat NO. It's better for me that way.

So, let's all hope they are snuggling in today like good little ones - go embies!

3dp 5dt

3dpt: Implantation begins, as the blastocyst begins to bury in the lining

As far as symptoms, nothing too different than yesterday. Still really sore boobs, tired, acid reflux (I'm assuming that's what this feeling is), a bit emotional, etc...

I have also had some annoying ovary pains, but I am going to attribute that to the fact that I'm getting sick and keep blowing my nose - a lot. I'm thinking that might be putting some pressure on my abs, ovaries, etc... with each blow. Or maybe cysts from all the stims.

Implant little ones, implant!

Today, in my Uterus

Based on the chart below, the little ones should be attaching to a site on the uterine lining.

I would really love a little uterus nanny cam to see what's going on in there for sure!

As far as symptoms go I have extremely sore boobs, acid reflux, uterus twinges and have been burping alot. Oh - and tired. But, since they were just transferred back in 2 days ago and are only just now potentially implanting, I know all of these phantom symptoms are a result of the meds, but I still want to list them. ;-)

Hope everyone had a great weekend, talk to you soon!

Gatorade + Ovaries + Pee

So - I have been downing the Gatorade (G2 specifically) since the Retrieval, and I have to say, I think it's working! I switched to G2 rather than regular Gatorade this cycle and I like it so much better - not as sweet and not nearly as many calories, yet still tastes great - anyone else try it?

I don't have nearly as much bloat as I did earlier this week and the constipation and gas aren't so bad, either. Definitely manageable. Emotions, so far, are pretty well in check and I find myself drifting into my own little world thinking about Saturday. Wondering how our little emibies are doing - I can't wait to see them!

The only thing I've noticed that's different this time as compared to the other cycles is that when my bladder is full, my ovaries hurt - especially the right one. It makes sense that it's the right one since that one hurt more after the retrieval. I'm assuming it's happening since my bladder is pushing on them, but wow it can really hurt sometimes! But, again, easily relieved just by peeing ;-) Anyone else experience this?

Kind of sucks since I've been downing so much G2 and water - I feel like I'm in that bathroom all the time!

And lastly, wanted to leave you with something I thought was pretty funny. I'm currently doing Lovenox and PIO injections (which haven't been so bad yet!) as well as the low dose aspirin and pre-natals. Well tonight I picked up the Lovenox box and read the warnings which basically state the following:

1) Don't use if planning to become pregnant
2) Don't take with other medicines
3) Don't take with aspirin
4) Don't skip doses and use as directed

Well - needless to say I'm currently breaking the first 3 of those rules!