Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Maybe we've turned a corner...
News Flash - I haven't been sick since last Thursday. Then, last night, I only awoke once to go to the restroom, and didn't even need a snack. AND, today I didn't even take a nap. I'm praying that all this points to the fact that maybe the hardest part of the all-day sickness and fatigue are over. YEA! I'm so thankful.
What to Expect - 11 weeks
I just think it's amazing how rapidly our tiny baby is growing, and here are details. We're so thankful that we've been able to find the heartbeat nightly since last week, at home. The kids just love hearing it, and Abigail gets down to my belly and says, "Hey! It's Abigail. I'm your big sister!"
Week 11: The Budding Acrobat Takes on Yoga
Slightly more than two inches long now and weighing about a third of an ounce, your fetus is growing by leaps and bounds. And so is his or her head, which is equal in length to the rest of the body (don't worry — all fetuses are top-heavy).
On the crown of that large head (and over the rest of the body), hair follicles are forming. Fingernail and toenail beds begin to develop this week and by next week, the nails themselves will start to grow (so don't forget to add a baby nail clipper to your to-buy list).
Your baby's body is straightening and his or her torso is lengthening (sounds like a yoga pose, doesn't it?). Other poses your baby can assume now: stretches, somersaults, and forward rolls. And while you can't tell this baby's gender by its cover yet, testes are developing if it's a boy and ovaries if it's a girl.
Week 11: The Budding Acrobat Takes on Yoga
Slightly more than two inches long now and weighing about a third of an ounce, your fetus is growing by leaps and bounds. And so is his or her head, which is equal in length to the rest of the body (don't worry — all fetuses are top-heavy).
On the crown of that large head (and over the rest of the body), hair follicles are forming. Fingernail and toenail beds begin to develop this week and by next week, the nails themselves will start to grow (so don't forget to add a baby nail clipper to your to-buy list).
Your baby's body is straightening and his or her torso is lengthening (sounds like a yoga pose, doesn't it?). Other poses your baby can assume now: stretches, somersaults, and forward rolls. And while you can't tell this baby's gender by its cover yet, testes are developing if it's a boy and ovaries if it's a girl.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Beautiful Baby
If you look closely, you can see features of our sweet baby's face - even nose, mouth, ears and eyes. The arms and legs were very visible on the video, but harder to distinguish here. You can click on the photo for a closer look. We praise God for this little blessing!
10 week update
Finally! After days of feeling particularly yucky, I've returned to the land of the living today! Tuesday James and I went for my 10 week check up. We were so thrilled to hear our little one's heartbeat, which is a precious "chugga chugga" sound! Dr. McK felt like things are going really well. He again told us how thrilled he is, and how meaningful it is to see us reach this point, after journeying with us for years to get here. He mentioned how Scripture says God delights in blessing His children, and that it's even sweeter to hear the beating heart of this baby after longing for him/her for so long.
Because of some spotting I've had for a week, he wanted to rule out any hematoma or other problem, so we were able to see the baby again, this time on the big plasma sonogram screen! That tiny baby was wiggling arms and legs everywhere. It was thrilling to see how active he/she is, and how much detail in growth has happened in just a few weeks. There were no problems seen at all, and the tech said our baby was just beautiful! Of course, since he/she's only the size of an olive, it's hard to see much detail, but we still agreed! It was also interesting that the baby measured 11 weeks, 2 days, which is a week farther along than I am. So, we'll see if that changes or hold steady.
Last night we were able to hear the heartbeat ourselves, with the doppler James bought off of eBay. Tonight we found it again (after lots of trying) and Isaac and Abigail heard it, as well as grandparents via telephone! :-) Yea for technology!
Because of some spotting I've had for a week, he wanted to rule out any hematoma or other problem, so we were able to see the baby again, this time on the big plasma sonogram screen! That tiny baby was wiggling arms and legs everywhere. It was thrilling to see how active he/she is, and how much detail in growth has happened in just a few weeks. There were no problems seen at all, and the tech said our baby was just beautiful! Of course, since he/she's only the size of an olive, it's hard to see much detail, but we still agreed! It was also interesting that the baby measured 11 weeks, 2 days, which is a week farther along than I am. So, we'll see if that changes or hold steady.
Last night we were able to hear the heartbeat ourselves, with the doppler James bought off of eBay. Tonight we found it again (after lots of trying) and Isaac and Abigail heard it, as well as grandparents via telephone! :-) Yea for technology!
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
9 weeks today!
This was taken from "What to Expect" today. Fun info!!
Would you believe your baby is having his or her first graduation already? Yes, it's true: Your scholar-to-be has ended his or her embryonic stage and is entering the fetal period now (good-bye embryo, hello fetus). Your fetus is now about one inch long, the size of a medium green olive (but no martinis, please). The head has straightened out and is more fully developed, the ears are much more prominent, and some new organs (the liver, spleen, and gallbladder) are forming. Your fetus is also making spontaneous movements of his or her arms and legs now that minuscule muscles are beginning to develop, though you won't feel your tiny dancer for at least another two months.
Would you believe your baby is having his or her first graduation already? Yes, it's true: Your scholar-to-be has ended his or her embryonic stage and is entering the fetal period now (good-bye embryo, hello fetus). Your fetus is now about one inch long, the size of a medium green olive (but no martinis, please). The head has straightened out and is more fully developed, the ears are much more prominent, and some new organs (the liver, spleen, and gallbladder) are forming. Your fetus is also making spontaneous movements of his or her arms and legs now that minuscule muscles are beginning to develop, though you won't feel your tiny dancer for at least another two months.
Monday, May 21, 2007
A Beautiful Sight
Today was our first visit with Dr. M, and of course, as soon as he walked in the room, smiling, and shaking his head, I burst into tears. It was just a precious moment that we never thought would come. He was so genuinely happy and said it was an understatement to say he was just thrilled for us when he started seeing results for my bloodwork come to his desk. I'm officially 6 weeks, 6 days, due on January 8, 2008. Nice, even numbers for my Mom. :-) It was a good visit, with a bonus! I wasn't sure we'd have an ultrasound, but he did do one, and it was amazing to see that tiny little "grain of rice" with his or her heart beating so strongly! Here's our little one's first photograph! Please pray for this tiny baby as it grows, that it will be strong and healthy.
Friday, May 18, 2007
A Little Background, Part 2
The struggle to become pregnant the 2nd time really caught me off guard. Soon after Abigail was born, people asked, "Well, do you want another one?" I usually answered, "Maybe." We really did want more children, but weren't sure if we would since James was in nursing school while Abigail was tiny, and it was such a hard few years that babies were way down on our list of priorities. We were just trying to emotionally and financially survive. Plus, if there would be any kind of difficulty like before, I knew I just couldn't arrange for 2 children to be taken care of while I spent countless days at the fertility clinic, trying to have another baby. I just knew I personally couldn't do it and felt it would be neglectful of the babies I had been given.
Part of my hesitation too, was that I was increasingly concerned about Isaac's education, and wasn't totally satisfied with the public school system he was in. Though his teachers themselves had been awesome in the preschool program he'd been in, kindergarten was a hard year. We loved his teacher, but really felt he was lost in the class. With many kids of varied abilities, and not enough attention for each one, I just knew that God was calling me to consider our options. I had said for years I didn't think I could homeschool, because I wasn't qualified to teach a child that may have learning delays, and even though I'd been a teacher, I just couldn't do better than the teachers in public school. This concern added to my hesitation to even consider having another baby. I thought if I'd end up spending lots of extra time working with Isaac after school all the time, it just wouldn't make sense to spread my attention thinner by having more children. The only logical option, to give him the attention he needed, was to homeschool. But, I had no confidence I could do it, until a friend finally said, "Since God gave you Isaac, he must think you're qualified to be his mom. Who knows him better than his mom?!" I just sat there stunned, realizing she was right. I felt convicted and excited too. James had been encouraging me, saying the same thing really, but when Mindy spoke it, I just knew it was the right thing.
So, before we even started homeschooling, I had a really clear peace from God that He would give us another baby. It wasn't necessarily a dream, but almost like He spoke out loud to me one day, that I was being obedient and because of that, my hopes for another baby would be realized. It was just a sweet, peaceful time. I wasn't anxious, but just comforted, and looked forward to that happening.
Unfortunately, it didn't happen quickly. After Abigail, I guess I thought I was cured from infertility. However, there were more problems with the dreaded e. word, and I had surgery in December of 2005 to remove more endometriosis and a uterine polyp. By May 2006, after a year with no success, we began Clomid again. This time, I set the parameters, and chose not to go back to the ART clinic, but just let Dr. McKenzie advise us. I knew we wouldn't do anything drastic, nor did we desire a long effort at getting pregnant on multiple medications. Dr. McKenzie recommended a 6 month period of Clomid, at the lowest dose, to just regulate my cycles and hopefully optimize the chances that more eggs would be released, and so that's what we did. We had to take a break in the middle of it, because of another polyp that returned and because of large cysts one month. By December, I was very disappointed, but knew that we were done. I had no peace whatsoever that we were to continue any further treatment, and though James supported me either way, Dr. McKenzie was in agreement that we'd done all we needed to for the time being. At the end of that time, a follow-up ultrasound showed that tissue was forming where the left ovary had been removed 10 years early. That wasn't a huge cause for concern, but also confirmed to me we needed to just leave things alone. Dr. M. said he'd see me back in August, unless I came in sooner pregnant. He was so compassionate and sensitive throughout that time, and knew our desire hadn't lessened at all and prayed with us numerous times.
After a few more months of hoping that maybe we'd finally achieve a pregnancy, I really hit bottom emotionally in April. I think knowing that May was around the corner, and it would be 2 years since we'd started trying this time, really just haunted me. I also felt like somehow I'd just missed God's plan. I'd been so confident that He'd spoken to me about this other baby that wasn't appearing, and it just hurt and shamed me, really. Finally, I broke down one night and told James I finally accepted that I must've been wrong, and that it was going to be o.k. I longed for a baby so deeply, and it hurt terribly, every single day, but that I needed to just move on. I had 2 children to be thankful for, both miracles in themselves, and I just needed to remember that. He was very kind and loving, and hurt with me. I think the toll on the spouse is a significant one when a couple struggles like this, and many people really don't realize how much they have to share the burden and endure during hormonal and trying times! Anyway, there was a huge relief in saying that and I even shared with a few friends who had been praying for us, how I'd realized this and God was comforting me despite my disappointment. It was a freeing thing, really.
Of course, this was LAST April. As in, one month ago - the month I got pregnant. Is God totally amazing or what?! Several people have said, attempting to be encouraging, that I finally just relaxed. Or, that I surrendered my plan, and God blessed me for it. I don't know if it's either of those, or both, but think mainly it was just finally God's perfect timing. I am not going to analyze it too much, since it doesn't matter. I am just incredibly thankful and awestruck at His goodness.
Part of my hesitation too, was that I was increasingly concerned about Isaac's education, and wasn't totally satisfied with the public school system he was in. Though his teachers themselves had been awesome in the preschool program he'd been in, kindergarten was a hard year. We loved his teacher, but really felt he was lost in the class. With many kids of varied abilities, and not enough attention for each one, I just knew that God was calling me to consider our options. I had said for years I didn't think I could homeschool, because I wasn't qualified to teach a child that may have learning delays, and even though I'd been a teacher, I just couldn't do better than the teachers in public school. This concern added to my hesitation to even consider having another baby. I thought if I'd end up spending lots of extra time working with Isaac after school all the time, it just wouldn't make sense to spread my attention thinner by having more children. The only logical option, to give him the attention he needed, was to homeschool. But, I had no confidence I could do it, until a friend finally said, "Since God gave you Isaac, he must think you're qualified to be his mom. Who knows him better than his mom?!" I just sat there stunned, realizing she was right. I felt convicted and excited too. James had been encouraging me, saying the same thing really, but when Mindy spoke it, I just knew it was the right thing.
So, before we even started homeschooling, I had a really clear peace from God that He would give us another baby. It wasn't necessarily a dream, but almost like He spoke out loud to me one day, that I was being obedient and because of that, my hopes for another baby would be realized. It was just a sweet, peaceful time. I wasn't anxious, but just comforted, and looked forward to that happening.
Unfortunately, it didn't happen quickly. After Abigail, I guess I thought I was cured from infertility. However, there were more problems with the dreaded e. word, and I had surgery in December of 2005 to remove more endometriosis and a uterine polyp. By May 2006, after a year with no success, we began Clomid again. This time, I set the parameters, and chose not to go back to the ART clinic, but just let Dr. McKenzie advise us. I knew we wouldn't do anything drastic, nor did we desire a long effort at getting pregnant on multiple medications. Dr. McKenzie recommended a 6 month period of Clomid, at the lowest dose, to just regulate my cycles and hopefully optimize the chances that more eggs would be released, and so that's what we did. We had to take a break in the middle of it, because of another polyp that returned and because of large cysts one month. By December, I was very disappointed, but knew that we were done. I had no peace whatsoever that we were to continue any further treatment, and though James supported me either way, Dr. McKenzie was in agreement that we'd done all we needed to for the time being. At the end of that time, a follow-up ultrasound showed that tissue was forming where the left ovary had been removed 10 years early. That wasn't a huge cause for concern, but also confirmed to me we needed to just leave things alone. Dr. M. said he'd see me back in August, unless I came in sooner pregnant. He was so compassionate and sensitive throughout that time, and knew our desire hadn't lessened at all and prayed with us numerous times.
After a few more months of hoping that maybe we'd finally achieve a pregnancy, I really hit bottom emotionally in April. I think knowing that May was around the corner, and it would be 2 years since we'd started trying this time, really just haunted me. I also felt like somehow I'd just missed God's plan. I'd been so confident that He'd spoken to me about this other baby that wasn't appearing, and it just hurt and shamed me, really. Finally, I broke down one night and told James I finally accepted that I must've been wrong, and that it was going to be o.k. I longed for a baby so deeply, and it hurt terribly, every single day, but that I needed to just move on. I had 2 children to be thankful for, both miracles in themselves, and I just needed to remember that. He was very kind and loving, and hurt with me. I think the toll on the spouse is a significant one when a couple struggles like this, and many people really don't realize how much they have to share the burden and endure during hormonal and trying times! Anyway, there was a huge relief in saying that and I even shared with a few friends who had been praying for us, how I'd realized this and God was comforting me despite my disappointment. It was a freeing thing, really.
Of course, this was LAST April. As in, one month ago - the month I got pregnant. Is God totally amazing or what?! Several people have said, attempting to be encouraging, that I finally just relaxed. Or, that I surrendered my plan, and God blessed me for it. I don't know if it's either of those, or both, but think mainly it was just finally God's perfect timing. I am not going to analyze it too much, since it doesn't matter. I am just incredibly thankful and awestruck at His goodness.
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