Wouldn't you know it?

Infertility has been good for one thing this year, I have met my $2,000 insurance deductible for this year. The good news is the Nuchal Translucency Test coming up is covered 100%, I won't pay a dime. but since we will be delivering our baby in 2011 that means jack sh*t because I will still have to pay another $2,000 to my Dr's office before my 24th week. I knew that I would end up meeting my deductible because of how many times I have been to the RE and the many, many tests and prescriptions I have had over the last 10 months. But come on! I get one lowsy test covered for free, really? That's it? What other Doctor's appointments can I make until December 31st? 

Atleast we will have met our deductible by March of next year so everything for the rest of that year will be covered 100%. Stupid insurance companies, grrr I hate them. Ok rant over - sorry

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10 weeks!

It feels like I have so much to update you on. I was in Washington D.C. this weekend visiting my sister and had a blast. Although it was difficult trying to find a bathroom every hour. I downloaded my pictures from the trip last night and as soon as I get them organized I will post them. We saw the Vice Prez while we were there! We were walking from the North Lawn of the White House to the South Lawn and the streets were being blocked off and there were Police with semi-automatic rifles walking around. We knew something was up or about to go down. We were the only people around when we saw several police motorcycles leave the West Wing driveway with their lights on. We ran over there to get a better view and sure enough his limo pulled out and he waved to us. It was so neat! We toured the Capital and while we were there Congress was in session and let out while we were walking around. It was very cool being in the midst of all of that. Last time I was in D.C. I was in High School and could give a crap if I saw a politician giving a press conference or walking around. Anyway I had an awesome trip and really needed to see my sister. I miss her so much everyday.

Yesterday marked my 10th week of pregnancy! Two more weeks until we get to see the bean again, and yes I am counting down. I can't wait to see and hear the babies heartbeat again. I hope this time we get to see it moving too. Over the past week I have felt pretty good except for a few bad days. My middle is starting to fill out now and by the end of the day my belly is huge. I know it is just bloating and not baby yet but it gives me a little preview :). I did have to buy bigger bras already though. My sister works for Nordstroms and gets a great discount so she bought me two new bras this weekend. I love them they are so comfortable.

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First OB appointment went well!

Our meeting with the OB/GYN's office went really well. Everyone is extremely nice and friendly, they have 5 Doctors and 3 Midwives. For your first visit they have you meet with a Midwife and then you can decide if you want to stay seeing the Midwifes or see the Doctors, that way they know what days to schedule your appointments on. The Captain and I both really liked the Midwife we saw and decided to continue to see the Midwives. During labor if your Doctor is on-call then they come when they are needed and to deliver the baby. During labor if your Midwife is on-call then they come right away and stay until after the delivery, this option makes us feel more comfortable. They gave us a whole bunch of information to look over including natural birth methods and class schedules. The hospital does offer the 12 week Bradley Method class that we will take IF it doesn't conflict with the restaurant schedule. 

I asked her if we would be able to hear the babies heartbeat today and she said that 9 weeks is really early and if she can feel my uterus during the exam then she will try. No go! My uterus is tilted back so we wouldn't have been able to hear anything. Oh well, we have already heard it once and seen it twice so I know it's there. It still would have been nice to hear it this week too. I go back December 2nd for our Nuchal translucency screening test. 

The NT test uses ultrasound to measure the clear (translucent) space in the tissue at the back of your developing baby's neck. Babies with abnormalities tend to accumulate more fluid at the back of their neck during the first trimester, causing this clear space to be larger than average.

 All in all it was a very good but long appointment and we feel very confident in continuing on with them. So we have wait another 3 weeks before we get to see the peanut again. I hope time flies by.

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9 Weeks

I can't believe I am 9 weeks already. Time sure is flying by. Only 3 more weeks until I am out of the first trimester and maybe, just maybe, I can start to relax and believe that this is all really happening. I have been such a slacker lately, I have not given an update in weeks. Truth be told there hasn't been anything to report. I haven't felt any different than when I wasn't pregnant. I think that may all beginning to change.

Insomnia: I haven't read this in any books and surely none of my pregnant friends have informed me about this. I am exhausted and can't wait to go to bed at night but then I lay there and cannot fall asleep for the life of me. When I finally do fall asleep I am up an hour later to go to the bathroom. It is amazing how much pee someone can make while sleeping. Then I lay there and can't fall asleep, again. I wake up every morning so exhausted, please tell me it gets better before the baby comes. I know I will be sleep deprived not just from the baby crying but from me not being able to stop staring at the baby. 

Morning Sickness: I think it has finally reared it's ugly head. I am not sure though. For the past two mornings I wake up and brush my teeth but before I am done brushing I start dry heaving. Nothing comes up, I sweat, I tear up and my nose runs as if I have been throwing up. Then it's done and that is that. No nausea or anything for the rest of the day. I can brush at night without any problems, just the mornings. What is that?

Food, please: I am hungry. All. The. Time. I eat all the time but still hungry. 

Don't get me wrong I welcome every single one of these because it means I am pregnant. Just giving you the facts about what is going on with me. I am grateful I am not throwing up all day and night.

We are meeting with an OB this afternoon, according to their website the first visit is more of an orientation and the second visit is the physical exam. I am not really expecting to see the baby or have anything done today. Bummer. There office consists of all women, Doctors and Midwives, I am excited to meet with the midwives because I want to hear what they have to say about natural birth. I really want to plan on having a natural birth and was worried that the OB's office we picked would not be open to that or supportive. Should be an exciting day today.

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Sofa picked!

Thanks for all of the feedback ladies! It was a big help in making my decision. I went back to the store again last night after I read all of your comments and re-looked at both options. I decided to go with my gut and get the leather one. I sat on it, laid on it and lounged on it, for a good fifteen minutes and decided it was more comfortable than the other one. I was really worried about the fabric with our Golden's hair. It seems all fabric is a magnet for her hair! At least with the leather I can wipe it down with a soapy rag every now and then. I really hope I didn't make the wrong decision.

Now I just need to vacuum the heck out of our old one to get it ready for Salvation Army to come pick it up. Maybe a little Febreze too!

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New Sofa!

I am so excited I had to share. The Captain has finally agreed to get a new Sofa set! That may not seem like much but I have been trying to convince him to let us spend the money for 3 years!! Almost as long as we have been trying to have a baby, it is only fitting we accomplish this milestone too, right? Thankfully he says he trusts my judgment so I don't have to wait for  him to available to go with me to purchase it. Don't tell him, but I have been furniture shopping for weeks now and already have two to choose from. I could use a little feed back though from you guys.

Leather vs Microfiber? Remember we have two dogs and a baby on the way. The Captain is really not for the Mircofiber but I am not sure if I want to just get the leather just because he says so. :)

Our living room is very small so I am only able to do a sofa and a chair but I will make it work. Here are the two choices, sound off below. . .

Leather sofa

Microfiber sofa

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Ultrasound #2 - graduated from RE

I just got back from our second ultrasound appointment and the baby looks perfect. I get so nervous on the way to these appointments that there is going to be bad news. I can't help it, it is engraved in me. But the baby has doubled in size and looking perfect. I forgot to ask what the heart rate was this time, dang it. I will attach the picture when I get home and can scan it.Our RE says that everything looks wonderful so we are graduated from his office and can now proceed as a normal pregnancy. I made an appointment with an OB/GYN for next Wednesday, I will be 9 weeks pregnant then. 

I have still not had any morning sickness at all, not even queasy. I really hope it stays that way! Fatigue really hits me about 9:30 every night still, like clockwork. The Captain just laughs and says all I do these days is eat and sleep. He thinks he's funny.

On a good note. He got a job! He is going back to Outback Steakhouse as a manager. That is what he did before the pizza place. I can't say that I am too happy about it. I am happy he is starting a job and will be getting paid but the hours are so long and stressful on him. Please pray that it is easier on him this time around than before.

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Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween everyone! I hope everyone has a spook-tacular halloween today. It is my Mom's birthday today so I am on my way over to her house, she is having a witching hour party. 


Last night we went to a friends Alice in Wonderland themed party. Everyone had to come as a character from the movie. We went as Card Soldiers, sorry for the crappy picture. We had a great time and played croquet for the first time and WON!

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One day you will

It always bothered me or made me jealous when I would read an infertility blog and then they got pregnant. Some times I continued to follow their journey into parenthood other times I moved on. I hope I don't make any of you leave but if you do stop reading my posts I completely understand. I have been there, I have been in your shoes. This post is for you so I hope that you read it.

Dear those of you still on the journey to your baby,

We all have that song or that quote that get us through the really rough times of infertility. I did. It is "One Day You Will" by Lady Antebellum, I suggest you listen to it as soon as you are done reading this. Here are some of the lyrics:

You feel like you're falling backwards
Like you're slippin' through the cracks
Like no one would even notice
If you left this town and never came back
You walk outside and all you see is rain
You look inside and all you feel is pain
And you can't see it now

Chorus
But down the road the sun is shining
In every cloud there's a silver lining
Just keep holding on (just keep holding on)
And every heartache makes you stronger
But it won't be much longer
You'll find love, you'll find peace
And the you you're meant to be
I know right now that's not the way you feel
But one day you will

You wake up every morning and ask yourself
What am I doing here anyway
With the weight of all those disappointments
Whispering in your ear
You're just barely hanging by a thread
You wanna scream but you're down to your last breath
And you don't know it yet

Infertility is such a lonely and isolating place that nobody understands unless they have been there. I always felt like I was falling backwards and just moving through life one day at a time but not enjoying it anymore. Every time I listened to this song it inspired me to remember that failure is not fatal, I will get through this and one day I will find peace. I will never forget the struggle of infertility and the pain it caused everyday of my life for almost 3 years. One day I know all of you will find peace and will be the mothers you are meant to be. Keep believing that and inspiring each other to continue. As Winston Churchill said, "...it is the courage to continue that counts."

Love,

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My heart is busting at the seams

We saw and heard one heartbeat, one baby! We are having a baby, for real. I am beyond ecstatic. The Captain asked me "do you know what the best sound in the world is?" Me - "hearing your babies heartbeat for the first time". When she turned the audio on and we heard that sound I looked at The Captain and I told him that is the heartbeat, he got the biggest grin on his face. It was priceless. We have waited a long time to hear that sound and it is still surreal that it is happening. The heart rate was 127 BPM and the baby is measuring right on schedule at 6 weeks 5 days!

I go back to see the Dr. in a week and then I am released to a regular OB with a normal pregnancy. We may not have gotten to this point by the normal way but that is okay. I leave you with our babies second picture of his/her life. The first picture is in the blastocyst stage.

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