Goodbye Baby C

This morning we found out that Baby C was no longer with us. This was confirmed by both our OB-GYN and RE.

Goodbye Baby C. We loved every minute and every second of the 8 weeks and 2 days that you were with us.

Mommy and Daddy will never forget you.

I've been officially discharged!

Yes! It's true!

We officially get to say goodbye to Dr. Grunfeld and RMA.

We needed an hcg level of 15,000 and we got 15,819!! The nurse said, and I quote, "your levels are perfect!" oh and "Don't forget to send us a picture!"

Thank you all for your prayers. . . they definitely worked!

Stay tuned for next Monday when you'll get to hear all about our 2+ hour visit with the OB.

LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!

Discharged to our regular OB . . . conditionally

Ok, so here's the deal. We went in for our weekly visit with our specialist. He started out the checkup with a bit of doom and gloom, explaining how this is the week where a lot of miscarriages occur. It's the make it or break it week. He also stated concern about my hcg levels, which didn't increase the way he would have liked them to.

When he started the ultrasound, it wasn't as easy for him to get a clear picture of Baby C (which may be because he/she is now moving up) or a clear heartbeat. But thankfully, we were finally able to hear a nice strong heartbeat, now measuring at 150 beats per minute. Unfortunately, we weren't able to film the ultrasound like we had hoped to, but Frank got a great shot. So that's what we're sharing with you today. The reddish-yellow lines at the bottom represent the heartbeat and the arrow is pointing to Baby C.

Now, I know I don't need to ask, but we need a LOT of prayers this morning. Specifically, we need to pray that when that nurse calls this afternoon, she tells me that my hcg levels are way over the 15,000 mark that Dr. Grunfeld has set for our minimum. We need to pray that my progesterone levels stay naturally nice and high, now that I'm stopping one of my two supplements. And finally pray that we will be unconditionally released from our specialists office and that we will be able to attend our first OB appointment next Monday. Just pray for us, please.

We Have a Heartbeat!

So, Frank and I had our weekly check up this morning and it was AWESOME!!!

We went in hoping to see the heartbeat, and by see I mean acknowledge a faint vibrating line on the screen as our baby's heartbeat. Well, we didn't get to see the faint vibrating line! Instead, we got to hear the clearest and most beautiful heartbeat that I have ever heard! It was so cool!

Baby C's heart is beating at 122 beats per minute and she (or he) is measuring in at 5.24 mm!

We have one more weekly visit to our RE and then we should be released to our regular OB. Yay!

On behalf of everyone, I congratulated Dr. Grunfeld (our RE) on a job well done!

First OB Appointments Set!

Ok, so I only had to wait one day to speak to the OB Coordinator and now our first appointments are set!

We have our introductory/sonogram appointment with out OB on January 14th. By then, I'll be about 8 weeks! I wonder what we'll get to see!

We also have our first appointment with the midwife on February 5th. I'm not quite sure why we have to see both a midwife and an OB. But, if it means more attention for me and Baby C, then I'm all for it!

Reflections - Month 2

The hardest thing for me to give up is:

Unhealthy food! I'm trying my best to eat the healthiest food I can so that Baby C can grow into a healthy baby AND so that I don't gain 50 pounds!

This month I told:
Who didn't I tell? Basically our entire support network knows! I know some people prefer to wait until they've made it through the first trimester to share the news. But, the way I see it, so many of you have been there with us through the entire TTC (Trying To Conceive) journey, I wouldn't dream of robbing you of all the joy and excitement we're experiencing now!

They reacted by:
Let's see . . . there was applause, tears, high fives, hugs, swiffering (Frank), cheering, screaming, revelations of secret pregnancies, singing, . . . am I leaving anything out?

This month at my prenatal visit I learned that:
I technically haven't had my first prenatal visit yet, since I'm still with my RE. But as far as those visits go, I've learned that the things that SCARE ME TO DEATH can be considered normal during a pregnancy.

I've also learned that you have to pay very close attention to the screen when having an ultrasound or you could miss the good stuff (i.e. the heartbeat)!

New pregnancy symptoms I had this month:
Other than that one evening of morning sickness, I don't really have any symptoms to speak of! Well, other than a fairly active bladder! Oh, and I'm really tired most of the time. The last two days have been rather difficult adjusting to being back at work and not being able to take a nap!

Also, if worry and anxiety can count as a symptom, then you can add that to the list!

Other than that I'm just peachy!!

My hopes:
That I can learn how to just take a deep breath and relax! I've really been driving myself crazy with the worry and fear! I just want to be able to enjoy this without worrying everyday that something will go wrong!

My fears:
That something will go wrong! That I won't be able to stop worrying!

OB Coordinator . . .

So, I called my OB/GYN to schedule my first appointment, in preparation of being released from my RE. I felt so proud of myself for being on top of things . . . Yay me!

What does the "appointment coordinator" say? "I will pass your information on to the "OB Coordinator" and she will get back to you within 1-2 business days."

Ummm . . . "OB Coordinator"?!?!?

Now, I know I'm new at this, but "OB Coordinator". Really? So, basically I sat on the phone queue for 10 minutes to be placed on a 1-2 day wait list to be contacted by a coordinator, to make an appointment to eventually see my OB. Hmmmm . . .

Anybody?!?!?!?

A Sigh of Relief!

Ok . . . for those of you who don't know, we had a pretty rough time last night. I wasn't feeling very well and we started to worry that something might be wrong.

Well, first thing this morning we went to the doctor's office for bloodwork and an ultrasound . . . and as you can see, Baby C hasn't gone anywhere!!! THANK GOD!!!

To make things even better, the doctor showed Frank a faint heartbeat (it's still pretty early) on the screen! What an awesome birthday present, right?Unfortunately, I didn't catch it! Hopefully when we go back on Monday, Baby C will be big enough to give us a clear heartbeat, so I can see it too!

Right now I'm waiting to get my levels (hcg and progesterone) back from the doctor's office. I'll keep you all posted! In the meantime, please keep us in your thoughts and prayers!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!

Frank, Baby C, Foxy, Midgie and I would like to wish you all a very happy New Year!

We can't wait to see what 2008 brings!