11 weeks

I'm 11 weeks pregnant...yesterday, I'm 11 weeks 1 day today! :) We got to meet the doctor yesterday, she was very nice. Our appointment went well. My blood pressure is good, I am down 1 pound on their scale since my previous visit. But the very best part of the visit was hearing Baby Chick's heartbeat for the very first time. It was amazing. It was a lound fast swishing noise. The doctor asked me to be patient with her while she tried to hear the heartbeat. Since I am only 11 weeks it could be hard to find. Not my Baby Chick!! As soon as the doctor put the doppler on my belly, we could hear it right away!! Beating at 170 bpm, Baby Chick is doing well. My next appointment will be with the NP in 5 weeks instead of 4. Since there is bloodwork to do at 16 weeks, we are just combining the two appointments. AND...we scheduled the BIG ultrasound. We will get to find out if Baby Chick is a boy or a girl on Wednesday July 1st. 3 days before my birthday...I can't think of a better present!
So here is all the info for the week:
How far along?: 11 weeks
Total weight gain: -1 lb
How much does baby weigh?: less than an ounce
Maternity clothes?: work pants and jeans
Stretch marks?: no new ones
Sleep?: It's ok. I get up at least once to pee, and I toss and turn a lot.
Best moment this week?: hearing the heartbeat!
Movement?: nope
Food cravings?: sour things, cold and creamy things
Labor signs?: no way!
Belly button in or out?: in
What I miss: Starbucks frappucinos
What I'm looking forward to: The NT scan on Friday
Milestone: Hearing the heartbeat
And here is the bely pic!

10 weeks

This post is late... but better late than never. Monday marked 10 weeks pregnant. So far so good. Baby chick is the size of a prune! No morning sickness to speak of, just a genreal mild nausea throughout the day and a keen sense of smell. I'm still exhausted. We had a family function in Vegas this weekend, so we (Steve) made the 6 hour drive to Vegas. It was uncomfortable, but totally worth it. We got to see a lot of my family and share the news of baby chick with them. They were all so happy. I am the youngest in the family...they have a hard time realizing that I have grown up! Three years ago when we got married, they couldn't believe it. Now that I am pregnant, they are even more in shock! They are all very happy for us though. It was so nice to share the news with everyone. This Sunday is mother's day and Steve will call his grandmother and let her know we are having a baby. After that, then I get to go public on Facebook. I will probably still wait until Friday the 15th to post it though. That is our next ulstrasound, so I will have great pics to go along with the announcement. A lot of gals have this on their blogs, so I thought I would do it too!
How far along?: 10 weeks
Total weight gain: .4 lbs
How much does baby weigh?: a few ounces
Maternity clothes?: work pants and jeans
Stretch marks?: no new ones
Sleep?: It's ok. I get up at least once to pee, and I toss and turn a lot.
Best moment this week?: telling my extended family
Movement?: nope
Food cravings?: sour things, cold and creamy things
Labor signs?: no way!
Belly button in or out?: in
What I miss: Starbucks frappucinos
What I'm looking forward to: First appt with MD and hearing the heartbeat next week
Milestone: just making it to 10 weeks!

And last but not least....here is my first belly pic!

This is first thing in the morning. And I know it is just bloat, but it is still because of my baby! By the end of the day I definitely look pregnant!

Heartbeat

We got to see baby chick for the first time today...it was absolutley amazing! I have tears in my eyes just thinking about it. Baby chick is growing healthy and strong. He/she is 16.5 mm "long" and his/her little heart is beating 174 bmp. The best part was seeing the little heartbeat flickering on the screen. It was so so amazing, there aren't enough words to describe it! I am 8 weeks today, but baby chick was measuring at 8w 2d. Since it is only off my a couple of days, they will not change my November 30th due date.

1st baby dream

I had my first baby dream last night. Steve and I were at out "big" ultrasound and baby chick was a....boy!

7 weeks

I'm 7 weeks pregnant today and baby chick is the size of a blueberry!! I had my first appointment today, I saw the NP Melissa. She was very nice and sweet. She went over my family history and my medical history. She suggested that since there is a family history of Downs Syndrome on Steve'e side of the family and mental retardation on my side of the family, that we see a genetic counselor. And also, since there is a family history of genetic disorders, she also thinks that my insurance will cover first trimester screening. Since there is no harm to the baby or me, and insurance will cover it, there is no reason not to have it done. Plus it is an extra chance to see baby chick. On that note, I also got to schedule my first ultrasound...1 week from today!!! I'm so excited to see baby chick!!

I also signed up for a clinical trial. It is a gender study to see if a lab is able to find a new marker in bloodwork that will determine the baby's gender. I don't know if we will get to find out early, but its a cool opportunity anyway! I know how hard it is to enroll patients in a clinical trial and I get a $25 gift card to Target. I will do the bloodwork for this study next week when I go back in for the ultrasound.

So todays visit went well. Lots of questions, lots of paperwork, a pelvic exam, peeing in a cup and 7 vials of blood! During my pelvic exam, she said that my uterus is already starting to grow!!! Yeah!

So genetic counselor appt, study bloodwork and 1st ultrasound on April 20th. Appointment with OB and hearing the heartbeat on May 11. I will have appointments every 4 weeks from now until 32 weeks, alternating between the OB and NP.

Sharing the news

We are starting to tell more and more people. Last night my parents went out to eat with some family members. I thought it was just going to be my aunt and uncle, so I gave my mom permission to tell them. Well it turns out that there were quite a few more people there than expected, and she told them anyway. Its ok though, we are all so happy for baby chick!! Today I told my boss. It was the first time I have seen him since I got my BFP. There were a few people at work that already knew, so I had to tell him before someone else did! He was so happy, gave me a hug and then asked if I was coming back to work. I said of course and that I was already looking into daycare! He even offered to buy a peg perego carseat for baby chick!

Baby Chick, you are already loved by some many people. I hope that you feel all the love in my uterus and stay there for the next 34 weeks. We all love you so much and want to you be healthy and grow big and strong.

Flowers

Flowers were delivered to me at home yesterday...from my inlaws. That was so sweet of them! They are beautiful pale pink roses and white cala lilies, just like our wedding flowers. Here is a pic of them:


Also they bought their plane tickets to come see us in the middle of May.

We haven't always had the best relationship, Steve's parents and I. But I am hoping with baby chick on the way, things will change...

Baby Chick is on the waiting list!

Crazy isn't it! I'm only 5 weeks pregnant, but I already had to put Baby Chick on a waiting list for daycare. This location won't take children under 12 weeks. So based on my estimated due date of November 30th, Baby Chick wouldn't even start until February 22, 2010! Insane!

I don't want to waste my time worrying

This is what I keep saying. I don't want to waste my time worrying that something might happen to baby chick. When people say things about how early we are telling people, or that I want to go out and look at and even buy baby things..I get that it is early, but there is never a "safe" time to start doing things. If something happens to baby chick, there is nothing I can do about it. I want to enjoy my pregnancy and have fun looking at baby things. Even when the first trimester passes, there is still no guarantee that everything will be ok. My cousin was pregnant with twins. She carried them both to term and they were fine. Then one baby needed a chest tube and they poked her heart and she died...there are no guarrantees.
I want to enjoy being pregnant, no matter how early I am. I don't want to waste my time worrying that something will happen and then all of a sudden, 9 months have flown by and I have done nothing but worry. Iw ill enjoy myself and my pregnancy. I will look at baby things in every store I walk by. I will spend time on the internet looking at cribs and bedding and maternity clothes. I will learn to embrace the physical changes that my body is going through.
I will enjoy this pregnancy!

cramping

I was havingmild cramping about an hour ago. Its freaking me out a little bit. I just finished lunch and I'm just trying to relax...

4 weeks 3 days

That's how pregnant I am today! :) According to my calendar, Baby Chick's neural tubes and heart are beginning to form and blood is beginning to circulate. Eay to go Baby Chick!!!

On another note....when will my paranoia go away? Each time I go to the bathroom, I inspect the toilet paper like it is my job!! Its like pee...wipe...inspect, pee...wipe...inspect. Ugh!! I know you are ok in there Baby Chick! I can't wait to see you on an ultrasound, I wonder when that will be?!?!

I feel like all I have been doing is eating, and that Steve keeps shoving food in my face. So I decided to weigh myself this morning....I lost 2 pounds! I won't reveal what my staring weight was, but I was 2 pounds less than it this morning. :p

Pregnancy confirmed!

On Monday I went to my PCP's office and peed in a cup. They called yesterday and confirmed that I am pregnant!! Even after 4 positive home pregnancy tests, I was still anxious to hear back from them. Speaking of...her are all the First Response Home Pregnancy tests. The line keeps getting darker and darker!

I really want to get one of those digital tests that pop up "pregnant", but Steve says its not worth the 3 minutes of stress that I get waiting for the results to come up!

No updates really. I'm getting a little queasy in the morning, but not really nauseous. I'm getting really bloated in the afternoons. About an hour after lunch, I need to un-button the top of my pants. By the time we go to sleep at night, I definitely have a little bump! I know that it is all bloat for now, but eventually it will be the baby! My boobs are starting to get sore, my nips especially. I think they are even starting to get a bit fuller too. I barely have any boobs so the slightest bit of fullness is easy to detect. I think in addition to belly pics, I will do boob pics too!! :)

4 weeks

I am exactly 4 weeks pregnant today, though this is the 5th week of my pregnancy. This whole this is so confusing! Since 2/23 was the first day of my last menstral cycle, that was technically my first week of pregnancy. Then on 3/2 I was officially pregnant for one week...eventhough I still wouldn't ovulate for another week. See, it is so confusing!!

We spilled the beans!

I have POAS everyday since Thursday and line is getting darker and darker. On Friday night we told my family; my parents and my 3 brothers. Everyone one is so excited!! Except for maybe my oldest brother. He and his wife have been trying to get pregnant for over 3 years, so I'm sure this is hard on them. I'm sure they are happy for us too, but it is still hard for them.
Steve told all of our neighbors on Friday afternoon...he was so happy he just couldn't keep it a secret. They all smoked cigars to celebrate! Then this morning, we finally told Steve's parents. They are very happy as well.
I went out on Saturday and bought a few pregnancy books...and also a little hooded towel with a baby chick on it. I couldn't help myself!

A picture is worth a million words!

I'm pregnant!!!! My due date is November 30th, 2009

9 DPO

I'm 9 days past ovulation. My temp keeps rising. I caved in and POAS. Only 1 line, the control line. So I chucked it into the trash and hopped into the shower. I got of the shower and started getting ready for work. Then my curiosity got the best of me, and I went back into the trash can for the test. I'm such a loser....but wait!!!.....tere was the faintest line humanly possible. I'm almost positive that it was an evaporation line but I couldn't throw it away. I kept it. I'm going to write today's date on it and "9DPO' on it, and I will keep it in the drawer. Every day from now until Sunday, for as long as AF stays away and my temps stay up, I'm going to POAS and label them. Let's see what happens...good thing they are only $1.

So yes...I fail at will power. I wasn't supposed until Saturday (I think) and I didn't even make it through Wednesday. Fail!

I'm in the 2ww

This is my first 2ww...my first one after really trying. I'm almost positive I O'd on Monday. That means if we got pregnant this cycle, I would be due on 11/30. If my period doesn't show up by March 23rd, I'm taking a pregnancy test. I'm making a promise to myself right now that I will not pee on any sticks before this date...no matter what I feel like or how my temps look. Ok, I take that back. Fertility Friend is telling me to test on March 21st, that would be 12 dpo. So far my longest LP has been 12 dpo....I will test on March 22nd. Of course if I don't get my period by then. I will be keeping my figers crossed. I will also be avoiding caffeine and eating pineapple core. Pineapple core?? Yes, I read that it aids in the implantation of the fertilized egg into the uterine wall...crazy I know, but I'll try anything! :)

I need to get better at this

So I haven't posted since my first post...I vow I will get better at this. Eventhough I have been on BCP since January, I feel like this is our fist cycle really trying. And being the naive person I am, I truly believe we will get pregnant this cycle...silly me. Being hopeful is one this, be convinced is just plain silly!

I like to have a plan...I plan everything!! So naturally I thought that I could "plan" trying to conceive...too bad I have no control over that!! My original "plan" was to get pregnant in April/May so that I would give birth early 2010. I've always invisioned being very pregnant at Christmastime with a big baby belly in photos. Then when the baby had it's first Christmas, he/she would already be nearly a year old and just have adorable pictures.

Well all that went out the window last cycle. My period was 3 days later than the month before and I practically convinced myself that I was pregnant...I probably gained 3 pounds in the process too! Well, AF came and obviously I wasn't pregnant. It was at that moment that I realized that I didn't care when I got pregnant, or when I was due....I just wanted to be pregnant!!

So the journey truly begins. I bought a ClearBlueEasy Fertility monitor and I am tracking my temperatures. I know that I should just relax and have fun and let things happen when they happen...but I need more control than that! I have been tracking my temperature since I got of BCP...each morning I get up at 6am (even on the weekends) and take my temperature, plug it into this online program and it makes a chart out of it. I know it seems pretty compulsive, but it allows me to see how long my cycles are, determine if and when I ovulate (after being on the pill for 10 years I had no clue!!) and it can help me figure out when my period would likely show up. This is my first cycle using the CBEFM. This thing is pretty cool...really expensive but hopefully worth all the money. It takes all the guess work out of it! I got a "high" fertility reading on Saturday and a "peak" fertility reading yesterday and today....can you figure out what we have been doing! :)

So there it is in a nutshell....I want to get pregnant, we are officially trying to make a baby!

PS. If it really does happen this cycle...my due date would be November 30! :)

I started a blog...

Its my first post in my first blog so please bear with me. A little about me...I'm Mrs. Chick and I am 26 years old. Mr. Chick is 27 and we got married July of 2006. We have lived in San Diego for five and a half years, but we are originally from Massachusetts. We are high shool sweethearts and have been together for 11 years (yes, I was 15). We have decided that it is time to start a family (in addition to our 2 cats and a dog!) and I took my last BCP on 1/3/09. This is totally uncharted waters for me. I have been on BCP for 10 years, I have no idea what my period was like before I started! Thanks to the GP board, I am doing my research on charting (started that on 1/7/09), taking PNV and making healthier life choices. We aren't "officially" TTC until March...but I am preparing. Thanks for reading my blog and I joining me on my journey to a baby chick!