Update from bloodwork...

So we're doing very well. Actually, we're doing great!

I was expecting Lisa to give me one of two different results. One that I was no longer pregnant. I know that's a stupid & negative thought - but it's a huge fear of mine because it doesn't really feel real yet. Plus, I'm trying to be realistic. The last time I went thru this for a follow-up (last month), she told me I was no longer pregnant. The other result I was expecting & hoping to get was what she gave me.

She gave me great news. She said my levels were fantastic. My hcg level is at 11,042 (remember I wanted the magic number to be 3,300 - I'm such an over-achiever) & my progesterone is remaining steady at 39.9. She said I was doing fantastic and to keep doing what I was doing.
I was so happy with the results because I was nervous. I had no symptoms last night or this morning. I felt "normal". But now that I was "normal" and still pregnant - EVEN better.

The next step is another bloodtest on Wednesday 8/2 to continue to monitor the levels and then an ultrasound on Tuesday 8/8. Then if all is with those resuls, then she'll turn me over to my OB/Gyn for them to take it the rest of the way.

Things are moving along nicely - keep those fingers & toes crossed. Remember - don't say a word.

So much for "normal"... I just finished lunch and now I feel awful. I have heartburn, I feel sick, and just a general feeling of 'ick'. Oh well - the price you pay...Or I pay.

5 Week Journal...

I know I just posted Week 4, but I wanted to have the official post from the nurse there for people to read first. So since I'm 5weeks today, here's this week's update.

How far along? 5 weeks today
Total weight gain/loss: Maintaining my current weight
Maternity clothes? Not yet, still wearing my fun, new clothes
Stretch marks? Nope
Sleep: Ugh. I can't get comfortable and this week has been hard because I've been so tired but can't sleep at night. Normally I sleep on my back, but everything you read suggests sleeping on your left side. I start out fine, using a body pillow that my aunt gave me, but I always want to lay over on my side.
Best moment this week: Being able to talk about this with Alyson. And
Concerns/Fears: Monday my stomach & lower abdomen felt really old and I had a sensation most of the day that I could "feel" my stomach.
Movement: My stomach/abdomen has 'movement', but after talking to the nurse she said it's very natural providing I'm not in pain and I'm not experiencing bleeding (which I'm not)
Food cravings: None, I've tried to eat a lot of vegetables this week
Gender prediction: None. And although Dan & I want a healthy & happy baby above all else, we both would love for it to be a boy. But will be just as happy if it's a girl.
Labor Signs: Nope
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Words of Wisdom: Drink lots of water & try to go to the bathroom at least once a day.
Milestones: I made it to week 5 and I have my 2nd blood test tomorrow. Looking for magic number: 3300.

5 Weeks...

Today is July 26 and you're at 5weeks: You're exhausted, your breasts are sore, and even common smells may turn your stomach. Welcome to pregnancy!

That phrase couldn't describe me better! I feel & look like the walking dead. I went to bed before 9pm last night and all day I was ready to crawl back in. Not only do smells turn my stomach, but even discussing things I don't like (aka chicken) makes me feel ill. I could smell the fact that Dan ate chicken Monday night and that made me feel really, really ill. Today, while at work, was the first true day I experienced nauseau out of the blue. Man, did that suck!! As long as I have water around me at all times, I find that I'm okay. Let's just hope that it doesn't get any worse while at work, because that may be hard to hide.

Here's an update of where we stand at Week 5:

How your baby's growing: Deep in your uterus your embryo is growing at a furious pace. At this point he's about the size of a sesame seed, and he looks more like a tiny tadpole than a human. He's now made up of three layers — the ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm — that will later form his organs and tissues. The cells are forming for his major organs, including his kidneys and liver, and his neural tube is beginning to develop. This neural tube — from which your baby's brain, spinal cord, nerves, and backbone will sprout — develops in the top layer, called the ectoderm. This layer will also give rise to his skin, hair, nails, mammary and sweat glands, and tooth enamel. His heart and circulatory system begin to form in the middle layer, or mesoderm. (This week, in fact, his tiny heart begins to divide into chambers and beat and pump blood.) The mesoderm will also form your baby's muscles, cartilage, bone, and subcutaneous (under skin) tissue. The third layer, or endoderm, will house his lungs, intestines, and rudimentary urinary system, as well as his thyroid, liver, and pancreas. In the meantime, the primitive placenta and umbilical cord, which deliver nourishment and oxygen to your baby, are already on the job.

How your life's changing: Pregnancy symptoms may surface this week if they haven't already. If you're like most women, you'll notice nausea (and not just in the morning), sore breasts, fatigue, and frequent urination. All are normal, all are annoying, but the upside is that they're all a part of being pregnant and won't last forever. The outside world won't see any sign of the dramatic developments taking place inside you.

4 Week Check-in...

I saw this on my friend Angela's baby blog and I decided to "borrow" it. Just like Angela said, I think it'll be a great way to keep track of the progress.

How far along? 4weeks 5days
Total weight gain/loss: N/A
Maternity clothes? Nope - thankfully I still fit into my clothes
Stretch marks? No new ones
Sleep: Couldn't really sleep last night, I think it was because of my afternoon nap
Best moment this week: Telling our parents. I'm shocked they didn't catch on sooner.
Concerns/Fears: Going to the bathroom (sorry, I know - too much info...)
Movement: Too soon for any movement
Food cravings: Nothing at the moment, however last week I craved juices & lemonades.
Gender prediction: I have no idea...
Labor Signs: Far too early
Belly Button in or out? Still in
Wedding rings on or off? I hope to keep them on for most of the pregnancy
Weekly Wisdom: Sharing the news is a lot more nerve-racking that I expected, and we only told 5 people so far.
Milestones: Thru the first 4 weeks without any morning sickness.

It's official...

At 10:38 this morning on July 20th, 2006, I got the call from our nurse, Nicole.

She was cute & very funny. Our conversation went like this:

Nicole: Hi...... so..... (said with a giggle)
Me: No??
Nicole: Oh yeah, you're pregnant - pretty good too.
Me: Really? (I know I've had positive HPT all week, but it's more real coming from her)
Nicole: We're very happy. And your results are really really really really really good, especially your hCG.
Me: They are.
Nicole: Really good, things look great.
Me: What are they?
Nicole: Your hCG was 835. (hCG levels should be in the range of 500-6,000 in the 3-4th week and doubles every 72 hours. So when I go for my next blood test it should be around 3300 and then 6680 by next Saturday)
Me: Wow!
Nicole: I know - great job! And your progesterone is 40 and we look for it to be over 20. You're doing great.
Me: I'm speechless but so excited.
Nicole: Okay, so we'll have you come back for blood work next week to see where the levels are, then the following week we'll do an ultrasound. Then we'll schedule the OB Appt.
Me: Wow. Thanks so much for all your help!
Nicole: Of course - Congratulations!

I'm so excited. I was hoping to surprise Dan with the news but we started talking about it last night and I told him I was pregnant from the 8 positive HPTs. But he's not going to believe it until he hears the news from the doctor. And what glorious news she gave us! So my plan can still work - I'm going to buy him a Daddy & pregnancy book that I saw at Barnes & Noble and give it to him tonight.

Now Dan & I can figure out when to tell people. We had a conversation last night if we should tell our parents this weekend when they're at our house. I really want to tell them, but I don't want them telling anyone else. We're cautious and don't want this getting out to everyone before 12 weeks (I'm at 4weeks today) ... and plus, we want to be the ones to tell people. I hope our parents can keep this secret.

Can you?? :)

Pregnancy Announcement...

This is how we're going to tell our parents that we're pregnant.



I typed a cute announcement with our details, then I altered a 5x7 frame. I love how it turned out. I was nervous at first, but I think it turned out fantastic!



A bonus: when the baby does arrive, they'll already have a frame to put the baby's picture in.

Positive...

I've been thinking positive and reflecting on our trials & tribulations of last month. I know that things happen for a reason. We were not meant to get pregnant last month. However, we both had faith and didn't give up. We listened to the doctors, and even took some painful medication. In the end, it's all worth it.

It's all worth it, because today (3 days before my official blood test), I took a HPT (Home pregnancy test). And this was the result...






I felt pregnant before today and I definitely had some pregnancy symptoms (breast tenderness, tired, & cramping). But I was hesitant to take a HPT before my appt on Thursday. I didn't know if my hCG injection would still be in my system and affect the tests. For some reason, I felt weird on Saturday, so I decided to risk it and take a test. I got a very faint line and didn't know what that meant. Most websites said that even a faint line should be considered to be positive. But it was SOO faint. I took one each morning on Sunday & this morning and the line got a bit darker. The faint line wasn't sitting well so I needed to take another test. Good thing I stocked up on tests.

Well, I got the most positive result I've ever gotten. Now I can't wait for my blood test on Thursday. The next step if everything is correct, is trying to decide when to tell our parents. And even though it's best to air on the side of caution, I really want to tell them so they can enjoy this with us.

We'll see what Dan thinks...but keep thinking positive baby thoughts!