Feeling Good Today!

So, yesterday was a crappy day in terms of how I felt. I woke up with a headache. I think it was from the way I wrapped my hair the night before. I was also quite nauseous even though I couldn't wait to wake up and have some Cinnamon Toast Crunch. So, I got up, got dressed took my pre-natals, did my daily injection and went downstairs to eat come cereal. I could only eat about 3 spoonfuls before the nausea came with a vengeance. So, Kim finished my bowl and we headed to the doctor's office with a trash bag in case I couldn't make it out the window during the 5 minute drive.

Once we got to Dr. Bailey's office I started to feel a bit better. We saw the baby on the sonogram and heard the heartbeat which was wonderful! Every time I see the baby it makes me feel reassured that he/she is going to be just fine. Thank God for my faith too.

Other things I found out at the Dr is that I've lost weight, about 6lbs since I was weighed at the hematologist's office last month. I can have some caffeine and splenda is ok, though I'll probably still stay away from both. Maybe an occasional tea, I'm not into coffee anyway. Shellfish is cool (I knew that) and I can have a turkey hoagie!!!! I've really been wanting one too. Kim told the Dr that I've been moody and he told her he already had to deal w/that at home so she needed to figure it out. LOL.

I also made sure I was cool to take the 8hr car ride to Vermont in a couple of weeks and he said it was indeed okay. He also recommended a great route so we are looking forward to going.

Two things Dr. Bailey did that I was really impressed about. When we were first taken to the exam room, he peeked in and said hello and said he was glad to see us back. The other thing was that he asked how often we wanted to come in because he understood that we may want to see him more often after the 2nd trimester loss last year. So, we're going back next week and the week after for a scan and then will go to every two weeks. I also talked to him about getting a dopplar and he recommended waiting until 14 wks to do so but understood. He also recommended I get a blood pressure cuff because my blood pressure was a bit high. He said I need to keep the bottom number under 90.

So, I'm watching my salt intake (as I have been anyway) and I have to make time to walk around the neighborhood for some exercise.

This weekend, I'm going to a bachelorette party and I'm looking forward to having a great time!

Tootles!

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Graduation Day!

Well, today I graduated from my fertility doc! I thought I would be there another 1 - 2 weeks but he said everything was looking good and I needed to see my ob within 2 weeks. My progesterone level is at 14.5, so I'm still concerned about that but I'm also still taking 200mg of Prometrium twice a day to make sure it stays elevated enough to hold the baby. In another 3 weeks, I'll be off of it and the placenta will take over.

So we saw the baby this morning, wiggling a little bit as the nurse tried to get the heart rate. 154 bpm. Nice. We are so amazed how this one is growing from week to week. Today he is 22 mm in size, 9 over the last time last week this time. Kim is thinking that it's a boy this time around. I'm not sure what it is but I'm getting more anxious to actually find out. We talked about whether or not we're going to find out or not and we're not sure. I'm leaning more towards yes right now though. Maybe we'll find out and not tell anyone. I don't know, we'll see.

This morning when I put my pants on, they were a bit snug. Yesterday, my MIL said I was carrying high. I was like, I'm not showing yet that's from dinner. But this morning I did look like I could be, but maybe that's just pregnancy bloat. They say you show sooner if you were pregnant before. I'm not sure I was pregnant long enough last time for that to happen or not but the maternity pants are much more comfortable than the others I have in my closet and I've started to wear them.

So, I'm at the office. We need to get some more sales to do some repair work to the house and save for the baby. I have to make 12 calls today to get at least one appointment. Right now, I'm tired and putting off work for a bit. It's also cold.

Okay, I need to start to get in the work mindset so ta ta for now.

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It's time to say it

Sooooooo, I'm pregnant!!!!!

Since hardly anyone I know reads this and those who I knew that did haven't in eeons, I'm thinking I'm safe to say it. As you can see from my ticker below, I'm newly pregnant. Today we went to the doc and saw the baby's heart beating at 130bpm. I'm going through a range of emotions including happiness, fear, excitement, worry, etc. I also have some heartburn and am very tired. I don't feel like doing anything on most days and I'm pushing past that right now. We aren't letting the floodgates open to people until we're at least 13 weeks. I originally thought I'd wait until about 20 weeks after the scan, but I don't think I can hold it that long and will likely be showing by then. June 9th, we'll be 13 weeks but we'll also be in Vermont so maybe when we come back we'll spill the beans.

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Been Such a Long Time...

Well, the last time I posted to this blog, I was really excited about my pregnancy. I haven't posted here in a while because things went downhill since the last post.

On November 18th I saw my doctor and we heard and saw the heartbeat. The baby didn't move much but the Dr said he/she may have been sleep. That night, I got sick. I woke up out of my sleep choking and trying to catch my breath. I calmed down and eventuall went back to sleep.

On November 20th, I went for my 20 wk scan. We were so excited and the nurse came and started to take a look and there was silence. She kept looking and then said the worst words possible, "I don't see a heartbeat". I immediately started to cry, loudly and hard. I couldn't believe it. We just saw the heartbeat two days ago. The nurse called a Dr in who confirmed it. She said the baby was measuring small so it may have just stopped growing.

On November 25th, I had a D & E while unconscious. I was in pain that night and the next day, which happened to be Thanksgiving. The range of emotions I felt were vast. The support I received from family and friends felt monumental. The stories that women shared about their experiences with 2nd & 3rd trimester miscarriages soothed me some.

Well, I trusted in God and new that He is ALWAYS in control and we got through it. When I went for my follow-up I learned that we had a baby girl. I also learned that there were no chromosomal issues as my doctor thought. This left me feeling a bit empty not knowing exactly what happened. So, my doctor ordered blood tests on me to see if there was anything else that could be found.

Last Thursday, I found out that I have Prothrombin Factor 2 and I may have APS. This would explain it! This condition makes me more apt to clot. The doctor said it is likely that there were clots in my placenta that cut off nutrition to the baby causing it to stop growing. It may be odd to think this but Ifelt SOOOOOOOOO relieved. Now, I can pinpoint the problem instead of wondering what it could be. I have to see a hematologist to confirm bu my doctor said the next time I'm pregnant I will have to inject Lovenox daily to prevent any clotting. I've also read that I will likely take baby aspirin daily.

I'm in a really good place now and looking forward to seeing the hematologist and starting my way to my next pregnancy.

Thank you to everyone for your love and support through this difficult time!

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Labor & Delivery Tour

So yesterday we went on the Labor & Delivery Tour at Lankenau Hospital and I was somewhat impressed. The unit is new and all the rooms are private. I don't particularly like the fact that after birthing I will have to move to another room (at Paoli you could stay in the same room). They have two birthing suites that have jacuzzi's which of course are on a first come first served basis. You can order your food from a big variety and I've heard that it's good.

I don't like that the baby has to go to the nursery after an hour but I understand why. While they are transferring you to the new room and getting you cleaned up, the baby goes there to make it easier. I'm just going to make sure Kim is with the baby the whole time.

The one thing I didn't like was about the tour, not the hospital. Clearly, the tour guide saw that we were a couple and yet she kept using the word husband and Dad. I even asked a question using the word partner and she continued with husband and Dad. I should've said something to her afterwards to ask her to use friendlier non-biased language but I didn't. I'm hoping it won't be a problem when we get there. The other hospitals we toured used neutral language.

Anyway, I'm doing well. I've started to feel the baby kick more and we get an ultrasound next week. I still don't want to know the sex but Kim does so we'll see what happens because we're at the point where we could find out.

Oooohhh, the heartburn is back. Let me go and take some TUMS and call it a night.

Toodles!

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It's been a while!

Between work and sleep I haven't even thought about posting. It's 12:16am right now and I'm happy to say that yesterday I got my Hypnobabies Home Study Course. I'm really quite excited about it and will definitely share my thoughts.

I had a tv date with my bestie yesterday and she shared with me that she too would like to birth naturally when it comes time, something I never knew about her! Yet another thing we have in common.

Wednesday we went to the doctor and heard the baby's heartbeat. The ultrasound machine wasn't available so we couldn't see the baby, but I was glad to at least hear the heartbeat. We also heard the baby kick!

Yesterday was the first time that I felt a kick on my own without Kim talking to the baby or pushing down on my stomach to feel something. It was kind of exciting to distinctively know that the isolated pain was a kick.

I think I just felt another one!

Anywhoo, I'm going to get ready to go to bed. I'm looking forward to a great homemade breakfast of fried apples, scrambled eggs and toast with butter & jelly. Yummmmmm!!!!

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I'm tired...

So, this week we went to the Gyn and saw another shot of the baby. The baby's head was laying on the placenta and the hand was up saying high. Also, we saw a kick and the doc said I would feel that in a couple of weeks. It was funny that he said I may feel it as a flutter right now but will think it's gas. A few days ago, my partner Kim was talking to the baby and I thought I felt a flutter. She continued and I told her it must've been gas.

So I've been getting up, going for a walk, eating breakfast & coming into the office. But when I get here, I'm tired as if I've had very little sleep. It especially hits me after lunch. If I worked from home right now, I don't know if I'd be selling many houses. Right now I feel like going home, cuddling up on the couch and taking a good nap. I didn't get to walk this morning so I'm going to do so after dinner this evening.

I've got 17 listings that need to get sold before Christmas. I've got two under contract, which is always good but I've got to work on getting a few others there as well. This morning, I met with Congressman Sestak to talk about extending the $8,000 tax credit. He is pushing for it and wants to do a press conference in front of one of my listings Monday, so stay tuned for a link to the interview.

I also need to figure out how to post a video here. I'll try later.

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