3D Alien Baby!

So we went for our first trimester screening at the hospital today. The doctor quickly figured out we are still measuring 3 days behind and we were just a few days early to do the testing. But the doctor was so awesome and let us peek around for about 30 minutes and we got some great shots. We still have a really strong HB at 162...Girl maybe? So we have to go back in another 10 days to do the actual genetic testing. But for today we got to hear the heartbeat for the first time. Music to our ears. It was so awesome. So I just wanted to share my favorite picture from today. "Our little Alien Baby"

We Graduated!

I had my last appointment with the RE today. We got to see the little bean again. I am measuring to date and we have a really strong heartbeat at 167! He says everything looks good, and I have been officially releaased.

I also went to see my OB today for my first pre-natal appoinment. Tons of bloodwork and lots of medical questions. No biggie. We go back in 4 weeks. This is the bitter sweet part. Being with the RE at only 9 weeks we already had 4 ultrasounds. But I am so thankful we got here and have been so blessed!

We have a heartbeat!

We had our ultrasound today at exactly 7 weeks. We got to see a beautiful little heartbeat on the screen. It was so amazing to see that little flicker on the screen. It was such a relief and such a weight off our shoulders. I had been so worried since I still feel really good. I have only been really tired. But, I haven't felt very sick. A few dry heaving episodes, but nothing else.

The heartbeat was 125 which I was told is normal. RE says I am measuring 3 days behind which is normal and expected since my HCG betas got off to a really slow start. We go back again in 2 weeks. If everything looks good, I graduate to my regular OB. I never thought I would be happy to see my OB!

Leaving the RE is actually going to be bitter sweet. I know we won't get the same individual attention that we get at our RE. Not to mention, we won't get so many ultrasounds at the OB. But we are so thankful that we have been blessed.

So everything is going well. Please keep us in your prayers.

Ultrasound #2

I had my second ultrasound today. We saw the sack, the yolk sack, and a tiny little embryo! She couldn't see the heartbeat. She says it starts beating around 6 weeks. I was exactly 6 weeks today. So she thought it could be a concern, or it couldn't. So I have ANOTHER beta done.

After about 4 hours of waiting for that darn call, the nurse called around 1:30. Beta came back at 6319. Progesterone was 41.3. She says the numbers look awesome. What a relief! So I go back in exactly 1 week. I will be exactly 7 weeks. Hopefully we will be able to see the heartbeat then. Lots of good vibes, prayers etc!

1st Ultrasound Fiasco

So today was our first ultrasound. I am 5 weeks 4 days. We were very excited. But, the RE said "Don't be alarmed, it's so early we may not see anything".

So we go in and the tech sets everything up...she says "By the wheel you are about 6 weeks. That may be off by 2 weeks. We should see a sack though. We might see the embryo and maybe a heartbeat". I already know 6 weeks is wrong since I know my exact ovulation date. But fine...proceed.

Again violated by the wand...she starts messing around. I usually know what the hell I am looking at but I was extremely confused. Then I saw what I "thought" was the sack. She looks around and says your left ovary is pretty big. It's filled with fluid and it looks like you have a cyst on it, but that is normal. She find the sack and says, "It's smaller than I would have expected at 6 weeks, but I think this is the yolk sack". After a few minutes of looking around, she says, "Ok I am satisfied with what I see at this point". She removes the wand and blood EVERYWHERE!

All I could think was, "Oh My God, it's happening again!". I said "OMG blood? That is NOT a good sign". She asks me if I have been bleeding at all. And I told her not since like 2 days before my last beta. This is a first, and it was tons.

Now the mood changes. She says get cleaned up. We are going to draw your blood and I want you to go to the imaging center. (Calling in the big dogs). She says "I want to get a better picture and see where the bleeding is coming from". Now my head is spinning, I look at DH who looks white and is seriously ready to vomit. I get cleaned up and they draw my blood. I am usually such a wimp with drawing blood. It always hurts. I felt NOTHING. I was numb. All I could think of was "I'm miscarrying, I can't believe this is happening" She gives me the paperwork to make the appointment for the imaging center, then we leave.

Fast forward about 45 minutes. I drop DH at the train station so he can go to work, and I go to work. I tell my boss I have a "follow-up" appointment again at 10:30.

So I go to the imaging center. They get me right in. I explain to the SUPER nice tech what is going on. I tell her I'm 5 weeks 4 days...not 6 weeks. I hadn't bled at all until the ultrasound at the RE. And I also tell her it stopped about 30-45 minutes after I left the RE. So I hop up and she starts to look around.

I immediately ask her "Can you tell me what you see?". She says no not really, the radiologist has to look at it, report to your doctor then they will tell you". Now I'm annoyed but I know it's not her fault.

She looks around for at least 20 minutes. Take all kind of pictures of stuff. She records the blood flow to my ovaries and lets me hear it. I wish she didn't because all I could think was "this is what I should be hearing next week". Finally at the end she shows me the sack and the yolk sack. She says it's still really early, and the blood work is going to be the key if everything is alright. I already knew this, but I hoped she would see SOMETHING. She wishes me the best of luck and says "I will have everything crossed for you". Best thing she could have told me. And I didn't bleed at the ultrasound! Score! So I leave there it's about 11:30 and go back to work.

Fast forward again to 3:00. RE's office calls. She says "Your blood work came back and it looks great, your beta is 1300. It has gone up nicely. The imaging center saw the same thing I saw. So RE wants you to come back again on Thursday for another ultrasound". So I ask her if my beta is normal for where I am, and she says "Yes it is".

So that is it. I get the scare of my life. I don't know what to think. I have no idea what Thursday will bring. So I sit in limbo until then. I am praying that this was just a scare and everything will be fine. I am hoping that we can see the fetal pole and maybe the heartbeat on Thursday. I will be exactly 6 weeks. I will have an update after my appointment on Thursday. We will take any prayers, vibes etc.

Telling the Parents...

So I told my parents on Wednesday the 17th. DH was in California. But, I just had to tell them. I couldn't keep such a huge secret from them. So I got two sets of booties (pink and blue) and two bibs. One said "I Love Grandma" the other "I Love Grandpa". So I got this shopping bag walked into the house and said oh you have to see these really "cute shoes" I bought. So they are both there...Mom grabs the bag....she looks in and jumps back...like there was a mouse in the bag...she takes out the booties and says "Oh my gosh how cute, who gave these to you?" I said "Seriously?" She says "No, really who gave these to you, the RE?" Now I laugh..I look at my dad who is smiling and obviously gets it already. But, he doesn't say anything and lets it sink in for her. I say "Mom look at the thing under the "shoes" ie the bibs...she grabs one and says out loud "I love Grandma". She looks up and says "No! Are you pregnant?" I couldn't even get the word "Yes" out. I just nodded my head she hugged me and we both started bawling. (My parents know all about our struggles).

Then DH came home on Friday morning. We told his parents on Sunday the 21st. We would have told then sooner, but we wanted DH home so we could tell them in person. For them, I got two bibs. One said "If Mommy says no, Ask Grandma". The other said "Rockstar". A bit of a backstory. DH's dad was in a band for a very long time, and he always wanted to be a "Rock Star". So we kid him all the time about how he thought he was going to be in the Rolling Stones. So very funny/appropriate bib.

So I put them both in a bag. DH handed his mom the bag and said "Melissa and I got you guys this gift". She digs in the bag. (She loves presents). She pulls out the "If mommy...bib" Same reaction..."No! Seriously! OMG!" Meanwhile his dad didn't see the bib and says "What is going on?". I start laughing like crazy, and she lets him in on what's going on.

So everyone is very excited. FYI DH and I are BOTH only children. So obviously this announcement was HUGE for our parents.

Beta #3 is in!

So I went for my third beta today. We are at 321! Progesterone was 30. So we have more than doubled in 2 days. They were looking for a 60% increase. So we are looking good so far. Our first ultrasound is schedueled for Monday morning. She already warned me that it will be so early, that they may not see anything yet. Hopefully we do. I am obviously worried sick!

So I will have an update Monday night!