"No Photos Please"

I had my appointment yesterday at 21 weeks, 3 days as well as my glucose tolerance test.  The glucose tolerance test drink was so disgusting; I hate fake orange flavor and I just barely finished in it the 5 minutes they allow you.  I was a bit worried I'd vomit and have to redo it later.  The good news is that I seem to have passed since my ob said they would call only if I didn't and they should have had the result by the afternoon (actually by lunch really).  The appointment went well.  Baby Blondie is looking good, but he was hiding his face behind his hand and the placenta so we didn't get a good profile shot (thus the "no photos please" title).  He also was keeping his boy parts hidden so no confirmation today on that.  My next appointment is on December 28 so I'll be 25 weeks, 3 days and D will hopefully make it to the appointment (he's going to try).  I actually lost the u/s photos for a while yesterday (they blew out of my purse when I was leaving the building, but I went back after I realized they were gone and found them.\

My progesterone is 44.2 ng/dL (20 weeks, 2 days), which is at least a rise from the last draw but it's still Zone 2.  I'm pretty sure I'll be on PIO until 36 weeks at this point.  It's funny that my level at 20 weeks is barely 3 ng/dL high than at 4 weeks (with quite a few drops in between).

We have the baptism seminar at our church this evening, so hopefully D will be off work in time (he's tends to have to work late on Wednesdays).  His baptism will be in Houston at the church where D and I got married on June 5 (so that my parents can be in the country...it's just before my brother's wedding) during one of the Masses.  He'll either wear my little brother's baptism outfit or D's family's baptism gown (depending on how big he is...he may even wear both).  I'll post pictures of each when I have them.  We have decided on his godparents but haven't asked them yet.

Ready for soccer

Baby Blondie is finally starting to do some real kicks in the last few days, and yesterday on Thanksgiving (20 weeks, 5 days) D finally was able to feel some kicks.  Very thankful.

P.S. The 20 week picture is now in the slideshow.

Thankful Part 2

I'm thankful for
-D- who is a wonderful provider and loves me even though I'm kind of crazy sometimes
-Baby Blondie- our little blessing from God (totally undeserved) and the fact that he's finally starting to really kick
-all the Catholic IF bloggers- the community has saved my sanity many times, it's amazing to have people who care about you even though you've never met
-my family, who love us very much even though we don't get to see them very often.

Whooooooooah...

We're half way there.

I'm twenty weeks as of Saturday, so I'm officially halfway done with the pregnancy.  I'm feeling pretty good in general, and I'm feeling the baby a little bit more (it's still kind of hard to notice, I think due to my anterior placenta).  I still have occasional nausea and I really need to figure out the nosebleed thing (I keep having clots in my nose that make it feel stuffed up and then they bleed when I blow my nose...a very annoying cycle).  I'm having some pains and discomfort in my abdomen and , but it's really mainly from me sitting weird.

I don't want anyone to take this the wrong way (I'm definitely not bragging or anything), but I still have not really gained much weight and I started out on the low side and lost a bit due to the nausea and vomiting in the first trimester.  I'm able to eat more now, but it's disconcerting to me that I haven't gained more.  The baby was growing well (even measuring ahead by almost a week at the 16 week ultrasound) but it's still hard for me not to be concerned.  I know D is right that I shouldn't worry if Baby Blondie is growing fine.

Cloth Diapering Questions

I need some recommendations on a couple of things regarding cloth diapering while I'm working on my registry.
1.  If you are using prefolds, do you have a recommended brand/source?
2.  I'm planning to use mainly prefolds (I have experience using them with the baby boy I nanny for, but they are using a diaper service), but I'm probably going to get a few funnibunz and/or BumGeniuses.  How many of each (prefolds and then pocket/all in one) would you recommend (for a newborn size and then for the next size or two up)?  How many covers for the prefolds?
3.  What laundry detergent are you using?
4.  What brand of wet bag and pail liner would you recommend?
5.  What size pail do you use for the diapers?
6.  Any other helpful hints?

Rib weirdness and registry

I've been feeling a weird sensation up near my rib the last couple days.  Baby Blondie's not up anywhere near my ribs yet since I'm 18 weeks, 4 days.  I've been feeling him move a bit more, but I think that the anterior placenta is making it a lot harder to feel.  D is really hoping to feel him move soon, but we'll see if he cooperates or not.

I'm generally feeling ok, but yesterday I think I started have some reflux and I was having a hard time eating.  I still occasionally have to take nausea medication, but it's so much better than early on.

I started working on a list of what needs to get done before Baby Blondie gets here yesterday.  I also wrote up a list of all the stuff to get and/or put on the registry.  I've gotten a lot of the registry done but any suggestions on things that you loved or hated would be great.  My main registry is Target with Amazon for the things that aren't available at Target.  My first shower is in about 2 months (January 15), so I still have plenty of time.

My Patron Saint for 2011

Where Angels Blog picked Hildegard of Bingen (a nun and mystic, who Pope Benedict recently spoke about during his General Audiences)  for me, Rupert Mayer (a German priest who served the poor and resisted the Nazis) for D and Rose of Viterbo (a Third Order Franciscan who died at 18) for Baby Blondie.

U/S pics and more!

My blood successfully made it to PPVI this time.  I'm still in Zone 2, 41.3 ng/dL at 16 weeks, 2 days.  That's right about where my level was at 4 weeks.  It's odd that my progesterone is so much worse during pregnancy.  I'm still unsure if what I'm feeling is really Baby Blondie moving around or if it's just gas or something.

Two shots of Baby Blondie at 16 weeks, 4 days

D and I were traveling to NY and NJ from Wednesday night to Monday night.  We drove and it was really long, but I did fine other than not drinking enough water on the way up which caused a little spotting.  I drank more water on the trip down and did fine.  We visited his mom's relatives first in NY, and we had a good time although everyone was slightly too concerned about me (especially with the drive).  I know they are just natural worriers and this is the first baby from the grandkids on that side.  It was the only time we'll get to see any of his relative's during my pregnancy.

On the way down to NJ, D and I stopped to have dinner with TCIE in Bethlehem, PA.  We had a great time and while D and I waited for TCIE since we got there early we walked along the main street and found a shop with rubber ducks.  We got a turtle duck for Baby Blondie.

Turtle Duck

Me and TCIE (D was taking the picture)

We then went down to NJ for his cousin's wedding.  All of his family was together and it was great to spend time with everyone.  His cousin's wedding was outside and it was cool and overcast, so this Texas girl was glad to have a coat.  The reception was a costume one since it was the day before Halloween.  I got fairy wings to go with my dress and D wore the same Big Mac costume he always does.  Since we said the baby is measuring big, some people kept saying they think he'll be early (even though this is still months away) but I said that I am going to assume he'll be late so that I don't have extra impatience if that happens.

D and I at the reception

I don't know if I mentioned that my mom and I went shopping for maternity clothes, but I love that I can finally wear jeans again (even though they go up to my bra with the panel).  My dress for the wedding was maternity and so were my tights.

It's a...

BOY!  We have the name picked out, but we won't be sharing it with everyone until birth.  His initials are SRS.  He's looking really good, and measuring 17 weeks, 2 day (I'm 16 weeks, 4 days).  His heartbeat is 160.  D was able to come to the appointment, which was great.  I'll post the alien face picture by next week some time.

Where to eat in Bethlehem, PA?

Anyone know of a good and not too expensive place for dinner in Bethlehem, PA?  TCIE and I are going to meet there for dinner on Friday and I need some suggestions.

My big u/s is tomorrow before lunch.  I'll post about it at least briefly tomorrow, but I probably won't be able to post u/s pics until early next week.

On being pregnant after IF

I know my posts have been pregnancy heavy and those who are still waiting might not want to read them.  I hope that my posts don't hurt anyone.  I've been quite limited in the amount of time I have to post and I haven't really talked about my feelings on being pregnancy after IF:

When I talk to someone who doesn't know about our IF struggles, I always try to mention that this pregnancy was not something that happened quickly, but that we struggled for a couple of years and had to have surgeries to get this point.  I hope that I'm being a witness about the fact that IF is out there.  I also mention Dr. H/PPVI/NaPro when appropriate.

I'm still dealing with occasional spotting and although it no longer causes me to completely breakdown (the first two times I broke down and was somewhat hysterical), I'm still very worried about Baby Blondie especially when I have the spotting.  I had spotting that lasted over a couple hours while visiting family this past weekend and it completely ruined my ability to enjoy spending time with my family.

Since I haven't been able to feel Baby Blondie move yet, I still worry about having an u/s and not seeing a heartbeat (even though I've seen the heartbeat on u/s 4 times now).  When the u/s starts, I almost assume no heartbeat until I hear it.  I know that pregnancy, even in the second and third trimester, does not guarantee that you'll get to take home and raise a baby on earth.  I watched a video on the October 15 Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day and it had a baby who died just after the 16 week u/s (I'll be 16 weeks on Saturday).  Although I'm not constantly focused on the fact that my baby could not make it, I definitely have that worry in the back of my mind.  I check the heartbeat with a Doppler on a regular basis.  D even asked me last night about "whether SC (our nickname for the baby) was going to stay in there" meaning whether we could stop holding our breath about the likelihood of having a live baby.  I doubt that he'd be quite as worried (and it's not a crazy high level of worry) about the possibility of loss if we hadn't dealt with IF.

In some ways, it doesn't seem real.  I mean I've seen the baby a few time on u/s sound and my body is changing, but I kind of think that part of the reason that I have worries about not seeing the heartbeat is that it doesn't seem like this is real.  I need to hear the heartbeat regularly and look at the bump to see that this isn't something that I'm imagining.  Even with the horrible nausea, it at least meant that there was a good chance that everything was going ok.

I am thrilled that we having this blessing and I know that it's not because we deserved it, prayed more, or really anything that we did.  I wish that there was something that I could do for those who are still waiting beyond just praying for you (which is important of course).  You are always in my prayers.

Annoyed at USPS

My blood seems to have gotten lost (well, my progesterone blood draw at least...the rest is safely inside my body).  I sent it Tuesday and it should have been up at PPVI by Friday.   Since it's now Tuesday again, I'm pretty sure that USPS lost it.  I had to get it drawn on my birthday and that makes me extra annoyed that they lost it.  I'm now waiting to hear if PPVI wants me to go on Thursday or if I should just wait until next Monday for my regular draw.  It would be lovely if it would turn up (any prayers to St. Anthony would be appreciated), but my hopes aren't very high on that.  

The good news is that my big u/s is in 8 days (next Wednesday, October 27) and we should officially find out boy or girl then.  

30

Monday was my 30th birthday.  Although I never would have chosen to be 30 when our first child is born, I'm so blessed to be only 30 and not have to wait any longer for our little one.  Three months ago, when we had our third anniversary, I never expected to actually be pregnant on my birthday.

I haven't really popped yet, but here are 6 weeks and 14 weeks to compare.

6 weeks

14 weeks

We got our first baby gift this weekend; a friend knitted a blanket in Aggie colors (maroon and white).  I love it.

  

Cold, Progesterone, etc.

I caught a cold last week from the little boy I nanny for.  I'm feeling mostly better, but I still have yucky congestion.  Thankfully my netipot seems to be helping.  The cold does seem to be aggravating the nausea and I'm having to take the medication.  However, I haven't had any vomiting in over a week, so that's good.  I'm able to eat much better in the last week or so.  I've even made a weekly meal plan with breakfast, lunch, dinner, and two snacks.   I'm still pretty fatigued, but I'm glad the nausea and eating are better.

I got my most recent progesterone level from 12 weeks, 2 days and it was only 26.6 ng/mL (zone 2), so I'm still on 100 mg PIO twice a week.  It's frustrating to me that after having perfect (actually on the higher side) P+7 levels every time they were tested and a great P+15, my levels seem to be getting worse over time.  I'm glad that my levels are being monitored, I just wish my body wasn't continuing to be annoying.  I am still having spotting every once in a while; it seems to happen more if I don't drink enough water.

I haven't popped yet (I'm 13 weeks, 5 days), but I definitely can see the bump.  I'll probably post a picture in the next few weeks once I do.

October is a really busy month, I'm busy and traveling every weekend this month.  My 30th birthday is on Monday (the 11th).  We are going to D's cousin's wedding the weekend of Halloween and her reception is a costume one.  I have no idea what to wear (I'll be exactly 17 weeks), and I don't want to spend a lot of money.  Any ideas would be appreciated.

Updates and finally 10 week u/s pic

I've been reading the blogs, but I've been a terrible commenter due to lack of time, feeling tired and nauseous, and not really having much too say.

I had my ob appt today at 12 weeks, 2 days.  Everything is looking good.  The heartbeat is 169 bpm.  The baby was stick its little bottom forward today so the pictures weren't that great.  The doctor has a suspicion as to the sex of the baby, but it's too early to be sure.  We hopefully will find out at my next appointment at 16 weeks, 4 days (October 27) which will be the big u/s with the u/s tech (the doctor does the u/s during the regular appointments).  Hopefully D will be able to go to the appointment, but it's the morning before we leave in the evening for his cousin's wedding in NJ.  

I finally got on some anti-nausea medication (generic Zofr.an) and I'm feeling so much better.  I have nausea still without the medication, but the nausea on it is only if I don't eat frequently enough.  I haven't had any vomiting since starting it and I was having quite a bit before starting.  I can also eating a bit more variety and can open my fridge without gagging.  

I still have a lot of fatigue and I'm trying to nap almost everyday (I nap when the little boys nap when I'm working if I can).  I was off today, but I couldn't get a nap due to timing of stuff.  

10 week ultrasound

10 Surprising (?) Things About Me

Wheelbarrow Rider tagged me for the 10 random things meme.

1.  I love to read historical fiction.  It's probably my favorite genre, especially when combined with mysteries.  I love the Ly.n Ha.milton archeological mysteries and I was sad to read that she passed away.  Any suggestions on good historical fiction are always appreciated.
2.  I graduated college in 3 1/2 years (just like TCIE).  None of my brothers, sisters-in-law or husband graduated in 4 years even either.  One of my brother graduated in 5 years, one in 3 1/2 years and the youngest will graduate in 3 years.  My husband graduated in 4 1/2 years, one of his sisters graduated in 3 1/2 years and the other in 4 1/2 years.
3.  I was in graduate school for 2 years for Developmental Psychology and studied language development.  I really hate writing papers and it was not going to be a good fit for me.
4.  I was a teacher for a little more than two years.  I taught second grade, jr. high science and then 5 grade math/science.  I really don't like the classroom management aspect.  I love tutoring and and I'm really hoping to homeschool.
5.  I make jewelry.  I haven't done it in a while since the local bead store closed and I haven't had much money to do it either.  I have a necklace and earrings to coordinate with most outfits that I own.  I haven't bought a premade necklace or earring in years since I learned to make my own.  I also make most of my mom's jewelry as well.
6. I generally where the same shoes everyday.  Black sandals in the summer and black Sketchers once it's cooler.
7.  I love science & history shows and many sci-fi series.  I loved Quantum Leap, Sliders, and Stargate and we watch Warehouse 13 and Eureka.
8.  I only were makeup for events, church, etc.  I wore makeup everyday when I was teaching, but I don't wear it now that I'm nannying.  I wear mascara a few times a year.
9. My family lived in England when I was really young.  We moved there when I was 18 months old and moved back when I was almost 6 years old.  I went to Kindergarten there and two of my brothers were born there.  I travel to many place in Europe as a young child, but I can't really remember it.
10.  I was about 15 feet from Pope John Paul II as he came into World Youth Day 2002 in Toronto.

(Baby) Likes to Move It, Move It

I had an OB appointment today, 10 weeks, 4 days.  It was really quick since I had the little boy I nanny for with me and he was awake, just blood pressure, weight, urine sample, and a quick ultrasound.  I had some spotting Friday and Sunday, but Baby Blondie is still looking good.  The heartbeat is 179 and I even got to see him or her moving which was really awesome.  You can actually see that it's a person in there now.  I could see the little arms and legs moving.  I'll scan the picture in a bit later.  The placenta is growing nicely and attached nice and high.  If I have spotting, I'll go back in two weeks on September 30, otherwise it'll be four weeks.

For your viewing, King Julian from Madagascar singing "I Like to Move It, Move It".  So funny.

Latest progesterone level (just a quick update)

I'm still in Zone 3, the level was 34.7 ng/dL at 8 weeks 2 days.  I'm still on 100 mg PIO twice a week.  It's odd to me that I'm still lower than I was at P+7 and P+15.

I'm dealing with vomiting most days now (almost always in the evening) and I'm eating constantly so I don't know that there's anything I can do.  I hope that I start feeling better in the the second trimester (about 2-3 weeks, I'll be 10 weeks Saturday).  There is so little that I can eat (and some stuff makes me gag just to think about it).  I'm also tired of losing my dinner; it's seems like such a waste when it's almost every night for the past 10 days or so.  I'm thinking I need to offer this up for all of you still waiting.

That wasn't ideal

I was at the baptism today for the little boy I nanny for and I started feeling really funny and a bit warm (and it's generally a bit cool in there).  Well, I almost blacked out as I was walking out of the sanctuary.  There were quite a few people around so they got me some water and crackers, and I got a ride home (D was working all day today).  I really hope that was a one time thing.  Other than that it was a great baptism, and they did a full immersion (he wasn't too happy about that).

A Spiritual Bouquet

For all our Sisters in Christ who are in the midst of their journey with infertility, loss, and adoption...please know you have our continued support, love, and prayers!