Bittersweet

I am proud to report that we had another great ultrasound this morning. Baby C is now measuring 8w2d and the heartbeat rate is 163. Everything is perfect...and he's even starting to look like a baby! (I'm calling it "he" for no other reason than to not have to type he/she all the time, FYI) My due date is now September 6th. Simply amazing...

Yesterday was my first EDD. Frank and I talked about it earlier in the week...actually, he brought it up. He said he was sad about what we went through but that's it's easier to deal with the EDD when you're expecting another baby. He is so right. Yes, it's upsetting and it's tough to hear other people's announcements right about now and think, I should have a baby in my arms too...but we feel more than blessed for what God has given us now.

I also had the pleasure of babysitting my 16 month old nephew yesterday for about 90 minutes, 87 of which he cried his eyes out. That took my mind off the EDD for a little while too...and also made me thankful (at least temporarily) that my baby will be remaining in my belly for another 7 months. LOL.

Daily updates?

So, I've gotten emails from a few people (you know who you are...) asking why I'm not updating my blog on a daily basis. I thought every other day or so was good enough :) but in a way, they're right...after all, this pregnancy is a HUGE event for us, and something we've been working very hard toward for a LONG time.

I also think it'll be fun to look back on this one day and see how things progressed with my pregnancy on a regular basis (and even share it with Baby C one day!)...soooo, I'll do my best, but I can't promise anything :)

As for today...well, it's a pretty good day. As usual, I didn't sleep very well, but I'm almost getting used to it, as well as that 'sour' feeling in my stomach. Oh and the congestion isn't getting any better either...ugh. But other than that I feel GREAT! LOL.

The low carb thing is going alright too. Those of you who've known me a long time know I've tried every diet under the sun...so low carbing isn't new to me...it's just a little harder when you're dealing with the pregnant ickiness. But so far, so good. And THANK YOU to everyone who left comments about their experiences with GD...any tips you have are much appreciated!

We have a fun and busy weekend coming up so I hope Baby C cooperates :)

Gotta love PCOS!

I saw my endocrinologist today (who is a GREAT doctor, but a tough cookie) and she ALREADY has me testing my glucose twice a day. I have to keep track of it and fax her my results each week. And, she made it VERY clear that I need to stay away from carbs.

Anyone who's been pregnant before knows this is damn near IMPOSSIBLE to do in the first trimester. Bread, pasta, potatoes...they've been a pretty good friend during those waves of nausea (which have been more and more frequent).

Oh well...guess I can throw away those extra mashed potatoes I made last night! Think of me while I shove salad down my throat while trying not to gag.

The prize is WELL WORTH IT...that's for sure.

2008 = The Year of the Miracle

Why, you ask?

1- The Giants are going to the SUPER BOWL!!! WOOHOO!!
2- Frank ate a whole wheat english muffin over the weekend (with no influence from me)

and, most importantly...

3- Our baby is doing GREAT! Measuring right on track and the heartbeat is perfect (133). Our RE is so happy with the way things are progressing.

Now if we all could just work on voting a Democrat into the White House, we'd really be in business :)

Dream a little (crazy) dream...

So, before I got my BFP, I had a dream about my Grandma. It was the first one I had about her since she died in February. It was a great dream...her voice was so clear...we were laughing, having fun, and booking a vacation. Typical Grandma.

A few weeks later my Nonno entered my dream...he died when I was 15 and I NEVER had a dream about him until now. Hmmm. Think my grandparents are trying to tell me something? I love that they're here with me during this special time.

Then, last week, I had a dream that I was eating relish. STRAIGHT FROM THE JAR. Ummm...

And finally, last night, I had the type of dream that everyone told me pregnant women can't get enough of...the SEX dream. Only problem was...the two people having sex were people I've never seen before! Is that normal? Ewwww.

Guess we'll have to wait and see what the next 33 weeks have in store...

Music to our ears

Is there anything better than hearing your baby's heartbeat for the first time? I don't think so :)

Yes, we have a heartbeat...according to my RE everything looks wonderful. I am measuring 5w6d and we could see the heartbeat as well as hear it (well, hearing it wasn't as clear as we would have liked, due to background noise...aka, my gas!)...it was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. I let out the BIGGEST sigh. I've been up since 3am worried sick over this!

Pending my bloodwork results which we'll get around noon, everything is perfect so far. This is HUGE. We've never come this far before. We feel extremely blessed.

Between this and the Giants win yesterday, life is good :)

How am I doing, you ask?

I'm fine. I have the occasional nausea, acid reflux, cramping, sore boobs and I'm pretty tired all the time. And a side effect I never knew existed, the increased production of bodily fluids, has kicked in BIG TIME. The amount of crap that comes out of my nose when I blow it is INSANE...lol. And no, I don't have allergies or a cold. I have no idea where it's all coming from.

Because of said increased mucous, Frank has been putting up with my "adorable snoring". Let's see how adorable it is after a few months :)

No morning sickness though...not sure if that's a good or bad thing...from what I hear, it usually doesn't kick in until around 7 weeks anyway...if at all.

Today I am 5w3d (that's 5 weeks, 3 days). And I am SURE these next 4 days will move at a snail's pace...since we're both SUPER anxious about our ultrasound on Monday.

We talk to our baby all the time...he has to know by now how loved he is. We're confident he'll be sticking around for the long haul. WE HOPE.

Keep those prayers coming...

Bloodwork is back...

My beta is up to 1540...so it did way more than just double since the last one. Everything is right on track...now it's all about the heartbeat next week.

Heartbeat prayers, please! :)

First ultrasound results...

Well, let's put it this way...it couldn't have gone any better :)

Our Dr. told us today would be the very first day we'd see a gestational sac and yolk sac...so, not to worry if we didn't, he'd just have me back in a few days...

Well sure enough they were both there, CLEAR AS DAY. We have never had such a positive ultrasound before. All the others were, "well, I THINK I see a yolk sac", etc...so we are completely thrilled :)

He also told us that I'm exactly 5 weeks today. I thought I was a little further along, but whatever. I'm just happy we came home with 2 ultrasound pictures!

My bloodwork results should be in around noon. Fingers crossed that my levels are still going strong...

So, providing all goes well with the bloodwork, we go back in one week from today for another ultrasound and bloodwork.

We know that we still have a few more hurdles to get over, but this is HUGE for us. One day at a time...that's what I keep saying (at 3am when I wake up to pee then can't get back to sleep because I'm a bundle of nerves).

Happy Monday everyone! :)

God Bless Baby Jack

Baby Jack was a very special little boy...one of the most precious and strong babies I've ever met. A true fighter, and someone who will never know how much goodness he brought out in so many people.

He was laid to rest today.

If you would like to make a contribution, please do so to the following:

Jackson Malia Fund for special needs children
c/o James MacDonald Esq.
P.O. Box 146
Verona, N.J. 07044

May Jack rest in peace.

3rd beta...226!!!!

The last beta was 56, and that was 72 hours ago! So obviously we're rising nicely. Maybe Frank and I will actually be able to get some sleep tonight.

Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers...they're working! Keep 'em coming!

Next step - more bloodwork and FIRST ULTRASOUND on Monday!!

This part is the WORST.

The waiting. The analyzing every little pain, flutter, wave of nausea, dizzy spell...or lack thereof. It's torture...there's no other way to describe it.

I decided to call my RE and ask that my 3rd beta be tomorrow, instead of waiting until Monday (which is when my first ultrasound is scheduled for). After my last FET, we waited the week between 2nd and 3rd betas, only to find that it dropped all the way down to a negative during that time.

I can't help but think it's going to happen again. I'd rather know sooner if things aren't going well.

Please keep us in your prayers, as I know many of you already are. We need this little bean to stick around.