2 Month update

December 10, 2014 – Today Crew had his 2-month check up and passed with flying colors.  He is now weighting 12 lbs. 10 ozs. (64%) and is measuring 23 inches (53%).  The doctor said that he is super healthy and gaining weight like he should and has a little case of Cradle Cap (yuck).   Crew also had three shots which he wasn’t happy at all about and neither was mommy.

At two months Crew is changing daily.  His face has become very round and he has the cutest little pudgy cheeks.  He smiles often, especially in the morning, and within the last week or so has started to coo much more into something that almost sounds like a laugh.  He is able to support his head much better than in the first month and seems close to be able to roll over.    His sleeping has definitely increased at night and the other night I put him down at 10 p.m. and he slept until 5:30 a.m. 

Crew is just the easiest baby and is very happy most of the time.

Week 1 and 2

The first two weeks of life for Crew have been busy.  He was born on Thursday, October 9th and we went home from the hosptial on Saturday, after convincing them I didn't need to stay until Sunday, and he weighed 6 lbs 9 ozs when we left.  During his first few days we all adjusted to each other.  Luckily it rained so Daddy was out of the field for a couple of days.  Crew first slept for about two hours and then needed to be fed.  His first check up with Dr. Brian Emm was Tuesday and he did great.  He still weighed 6 lbs 9 ozs so the doctor wanted to see him again on that Friday to make sure he was gaining weight.  On Friday's appointment he weighed 6lbs 14 ozs so he had started gaining weight and we were good for another week.

During his second week of life Crew started sleeping better and better.  There were two nights in a row that he slept 6 hours straight and 5 hours straight.  The doctor was not concerned and instructed mommy to not wake a sleeping baby since he was gaining weight.  During the second week Crew also lost his umbilical cord stub and his circumcision surgery greatly improved.  

I, mommy, also felt great after giving birth to Crew the first two weeks.  I made a trip to the doctor to have my staples taken out a week after Crew was born.  It was no big deal and two weeks out everything was healing great.  I weighed 205 when I delivered and was down to 178 post-surgery.  Have a ways to go but feeling great!

The story of Crew's birth

It was Wednesday, October 8th.  I had gone out for the night to my friend, Misti Tompkin's father's wake and had spent a lot of time there talking to old friends and catching up.  I was standing the whole night and complained to my friends how I was ready to have the baby.  My friend Carolyn said that she had just sent vibes to have her other friend go into labor so she was going to the same for me.  My Kathleen said that her brother's bday was on the ninth so I should have the baby then.  My best friend, Arin, who is an obgyn said that she could break my water for me in the bathroom if I wanted.  All these encouraging words plus I had been on "whentoexpectyourbaby.com" and they had said that I was going to have my baby on October 8 and he was going to weight 7lbs 10 oz.  I was ready.

That night I got home and Tate was already in bed so it was past 8 pm.  I spent some time with David and then he was off to work.  I went to bed suspecting nothing.  Then at about 11:30 pm I woke up to a pop like feeling in my uterus and then a gush of water.  I immediately felt that it was my water breaking.  I ran to the bathroom and the fluid just kept going.  I knew it was either my water breaking or something that I needed to have checked right away.  So I hurried and called my parents to make sure they were awake so I could drop off Tate and then I called David at work to let him know that my water had broke and I think that he should come home.  While waiting for David I took a shower and packed anything I thought I might need.  David got home about 12:45 and we were off to the hospital after dropping Tate off at the farm.  I wasn't in a hurry to get to the hospital but David was and even blew a stop sign on our way.

We arrived at the hospital and got checked in and ready to go.  I was feeling contractions at this point but they were very mild.  Once every five to 10 minutes I would feel a little pressure but nothing that was even that painful.  They first ran a test to see if it really was my water breaking.  The first test was inconclusive but the second one came back positive.  By this time I was feeling little contractions but nothing big they felt like slightly intense menstrual cramps.  I was in my room by 2:00 am, (as I heard the woman next door to me screaming out loudly in pain) hooked up to monitors for the baby's heart rate and ready for what the future was going to bring.   They had the monitor around my belly and a couple times the baby’s heartrate slowed but I didn’t think anything of it as the nurses did not seem worried.  At about 4 am david headed to the bathroom and the nurse's came rushing in saying that the baby's heart rate dropped too  low and they started having me switch from side to side in case the baby was on the umbilical cord.  Luckily, the heart rate picked back up and started to increase and everything was fine.  As a precaution since the heartrate continued to drop and then pick up and then drop the nurse's decided they wanted to put a monitor directly on the baby's head to make sure they were getting an accurate reading of the baby's heart rate instead of just the one on my belly.... I agreed.  The nurses checked me and I still was only dilated a 1 cm therefore, getting a monitor on the baby was impossible.  They brought the ultrasound machine in to make sure the baby's head was down and it was.  They decided to let me dilate more and wait for the doctor to come in the morning for more direction.  The doctor came in about 7 am and she said that my water hadn't completely broken so she went ahead and ruptured the rest of the bag so my water completely broke.  Hoping it would help me dilate and she started pitocin.  Within minutes of her breaking my water the baby's heart rate dropped again.  Four nurses along with the doctor came rushing in to see if they could get the heart rate up again.  They were trying to move the baby around to get the heart rate up and get a monitor on the baby.  It was a very scary moment and as soon as the heart rate started to increase I started to cry.  I was starting to get worried that the baby needed to come out as soon as possible.  I was also feeling a lot of pressure from having to go to the bathroom.  I really had to pee and just couldn’t.  I finally requested a catheter because the added pressure was coming too much and after the pressure was released I felt soooo much better.
For the next two hours I continued to labor and the contractions were getting worse and more painful.  Finally, at 9 am I said I was ready for an epidural and within 30 mins the anesthesiologist was there.  I was very happy to see him.  After some time of talking and preparing he was administering the epidural and it was already working by 10 am.  It was not as bad as I thought it would be but it was amazing.  As soon as it was in my spine the contractions became shorter and shorter.  Until I wasn't feeling them at all.  It was amazing.  But within 15 mins of me on the epidural, David said he was going to the restroom and, of course, the baby's heart rate dropped again.  Once again, the nurses came rushing in putting me on each side trying to get the heart rate to rise again and this time they didn't succeed.  They quickly said they were taking me for an emergency c section because they couldn't get the heart rate up in the three minutes they tried.  My doctor was at St. Joseph so they were going to call her but the doctor on call was going to have to deliver the baby.  By this time I was a wreck and completely in shock that within seconds the entire plan had changed!  I really think I didn’t even have time to digest what was happening. They quickly wheeled me to the emergency room and I was on the table within minutes.  I was crying hysterically by this point.  A nurse in the room came over to me and explained that they were going to slow things down at this point because the baby's heart rate was back up to 150 but they were still getting me ready for the c section and were going to wait for my doctor to get there.  She told me to breathe and calm down but it was too late I was hysterical and hyperventilating.  I remember seeing David in the hallway getting dressed and I kept looking for him to make sure he was there for the delivery.  Finally I turned to the right and he was sitting by my head and I asked him if he got the camera and he said no and I think that made me more hysterical.  Poor David but just trying to take everything in and it was freaking me out.  Were we going to loose the baby?  By that time Dr. Emm had arrived and they started the c-section.  The amount of pressure I felt was unbearable and I started to scream out in pain and fear and I turned to the anesthesiologist to my left and told him that I was feeling everything and the anesthesiologist decided to knock me out completely.  The last think I remember is watching the anesthesiologist pushing the entire amount of meds in his suring into my IV quickly.  I was out.

Since I was in "LaLa Land" I don't remember much.  The drugs were very strong and as soon as they gave them to me I went into a state that I was completely not seeing anything and I couldn't move or talk or distinguish between reality and the drugs.  It was like I was on a HUGE drug trip.  I vaguely remember I heard the baby cry when he came out but that's all I remember about the birth.  David said they didn't ask him to cut the cord so I think they were in a hurry.  I also remember David rubbing my hand and telling me to look at the baby but I really didn't know what that meant. (David later told me that I was starring right at him and the baby but the nurse told him that I couldn’t hear anything)  I also remember that when I heard him cry it was very short and then complete silence and I remember thinking in my head there must be something wrong with him because no one was talking and saying how cute he was.  David later told me that he didn’t cry right away, which even made David concerned, he said the doctor opened me up and said “there you are, you’ve been causing a lot of trouble” and then she pulled out and he didn’t cry right away but then he he did cry a lot and David said that’s when he cried too.  And people were saying how cute and perfect he was.  The next thing I remember is being alone on the surgery table and the doctor stapling me up and talking to each other and then the nurses moving me back to my bed.  I have no idea if David or the baby was in the room at this point.    In my head I was scared they were going to drop me on the floor because I had absolutely no control of myself.  And then back to the room.  I'm assuming I passed out again but then when I woke up I saw David sitting in the corner holding the baby.  No one was saying anything and I started to worry that there was something wrong with the baby.  David then came over and laid the baby right by my head.  I could see him but I couldn't talk or move my hands so I think I just cried.  The next thing I remember is them giving him a bath in the sink and he was screaming.

About two hours later I was finally coming out of the drugs.  I was finally able to move but talking made me feel like I had a stroke.  The words weren't coming out no matter how hard I tried to speak them.  It was scary and I didn't know if that was normal or not.  David kept asking me if I wanted to hold him but I didn't feel safe about it and the first time I held him was later that afternoon.

It was definitely not the delivery that I intended and it was scary as hell but David constantly reminds me that our healthy boy is here and we are both okay and that's all that matters.  At the end of the day, he is absolutely right, but I still wish we would have gotten those delivery pictures.

Week 39

10/06/14 - Another weekly appointment with Dr. Emm today.  Everything still looking good.  HB at 120's and moving the same amount.  I have been having some pains in my pelvis this week so I was hoping that meant something.  The pains felt like a quick stabbing pain.  Like I was sitting on a nerve.  So I told the doctor I wasn't getting my hopes up but she verified that SOMETHING was happening.  I was 80% effaced and 1 CM dialated.  I was more excited about the fact I was effaced then dialated.  So we scheduled another appointment in a week and hope that I go into labor this week on my own.  Keep my fingers crossed!  Getting excited about meeting Baby Stroh.  Is he going to have hair?  Is he going to be heavy or long?  Who is he going to look like?  We are just excited for what the next month is going to bring for our family.

Week 38

In for another appointment today and everything was basically the same as last week.  No dilation and baby still doing good.  I asked the doctor today about induction and she said that she had no problems for me going about a week and a half after my deu date.  So looks like the baby can come any day but he won't be here any later than October 22nd.  I really don't want him to share David's bday so I am happy about that but I wish he would come in September or early October so there is a definite separation of their bdays.  Oh well, guess we just wait till my appointment next week.

Week 37

Today is week 37 and the baby is now considered full term.  YEA!  That basically means that the baby could be born any day now and that he would be able to function on his own. 

Weighed in today at 200 pounds so hoping my weight is leveling off a little.  The baby's heart rate was measuring at 147 but the doctor said he was moving so an elevated heart rate at that time is normal.  I also tested negative for the strep test so I am happy about that.  Then the doctor checked if I was dilated and absolutely nothing and the baby is still very high.  Basically guaranteeing me another week of pregnancy.  Ugh.  But, it is also a good thing as we are painting the new house this week so having he baby in my tummy is a lot more convenient than lugging around a new born to the work site.  As much as I want him here, having him sit tight for a couple more weeks would be pretty convenient too.  Until next week :)

36 week check up

Starting to do my one week appointments.  Weighed 200 pounds and baby was moving and healthy.  Doctor basically just did the normal check up but also did a Strep check so same ol same ol.  Everything is looking good and progressing.  I am having a little spotting but the doctor said that is normal so I guess we are going to see her next week.

I am starting to feel very uncomfortable at night.  During the day I can handle everything but sleeping is really not going well.  My belly is like an anchor when moving from side to side.  I spend time sleeping on the couch and time sleeping in the recliner and in the bed.  I am ready for the baby to be here.

Week 35

We have made it to week 35.  My appointment today was fairly routine.  My doctor wasn't even there today so I saw the physician's assistant.  We was super nice.  She measured by tummy and checked the heartrate of the baby which was running about 127.  I guess that is okay because she didn't say that it wasn't.  After today's appointment, I start seeing the doctor once a week.  The PA stated at the next appointment the doctor will swab me for strep and maybe check if I am dialated.  Then she mentioned she might not even check me if I'm not having any contractions.  Ugh....I kinda want her to check on things just to see where we are at if any.  Maybe get some things going down there.  So next Monday will be 36 weeks and another doctor's appointment.

Week 33

Had another check up today.  Everything is looking good and baby’s heart rate is at 135 which the doctor said was normal and when he is born it should be in the 120’s. I think my weight was about 194 today so that wasn’t bad and the doctor was nice to me.  I had my Rh shot last time I was in and the doctor told me that I might want to get a Whooping Cough vaccine.  So another appointment in two weeks and then we go to weekly appointments.  Baby Stroh will be here soon and I am starting to get a little nervous.  Nervous for the labor and delivery, nervous for the lack of sleep, nervous that harvest is coming up, nervous that we won’t be in our new house before the baby gets here and nervous that we don’t have a name for this baby.  So much going on in the next month….please let Baby Stroh be a week or so late.

31 Week ultrasound - Gender reveal

31 weeks and in for an ultrasound.  Our doctor has been trying to get a good picture of the baby’s heart and has no luck for two times.  So at the end of our last appointment they decided to send us to Peoria to get a crazy, super ultrasound.

So yesterday we headed to Peoria for a 9:45 a.m. appointment.  I was actually kinda excited about this ultrasound because I thought it was the 3D ultrasound and we would get some awesome pictures.  I wasn’t really worried at all. 

The ultra sound tech came in and we explained to her that we did not want to know the sex of the baby.  She said that she was glad that we said something and that she would make sure that part of the baby away from us.  Great.  But about 10 mins into the ultrasound…..this happened.

David:  Oh, what's that?

Ultrasound tech:  That's his boy parts (said very calmly)

(crickets, David and I looked at each other like I hope she is kidding and then it continued)

Ultrasound tech:  (as she is circling the parts on the screen) this is his scrotum and this is his penis.

(again crickets, and very awkward silence.  Tech still not realizing she just accidentally told us and finally I had to say something)

Suzette:  Did you just accidentally tell us the sex of the baby??????? (in the most confused voice ever)

Ultrasound tech:  Oh my gosh, I am so sorry.....I haven't ever done that in six years.

So looks like Baby Stroh is a BOY!!!  We are a little disappointed that we waited so long to not find out and then it slipped to us this way but we are so excited to be adding another boy to our family.  Looks like I will still be outnumbered….me and the dog, Penny :0

I am weighing 190 at this point so looks like I am going to hit the 200 lbs mark before delivery.  But I met the best nurse yesterday.  I said I was getting really big and she turned to me and said “who cares, your baby is healthy and you are healthy”  I LOVE her!

The baby is measuring at 32 weeks even though my due date has me at 31 weeks.  The baby is also measuring in the 69%  percentile so just a little above average and weights about 3.12 Lbs at this point.

So now we are trying to pick out a name for a boy.  Our girl’s name was Mia Jean and I absolutely loved it but we are stuck on the boys name.  A couple of our choices are Max, Crue, Mason, Miles, Brody.   Who knows….we need to start getting really serious about that part since the baby could come any time.

Other than the normal pregnancy symptoms, I feel great!  Had lots of energy through the second trimester and starting to feel tired again but we also just got home from vacation last week so I might just be catching up. 

27 weeks

Today we did our 27 weeks Glucose Check.  I had to go in at 8;30 and get blood taken,  then I had to drink this Gatorade like drink.  I didn't think it was bad at all although many people have complained about it.  Then I had to wait around an hour and have my blood drawn again.  After the second draw, they did an ultrasound.  Baby was still in a bad position to get a GOOD picture of the heart.  UGH.  So the doctor said that she does need that picture so she is going to send us to Peoria to use their sono machine.  Not excited about that at all but hopefully that will get the picture we need.  Heart rate is about 142 still according to the ultrasound but in the 130's according to the doppler.  Got a couple picutres of the baby and I find out if I passed my glucose test in a couple of days.  I also only gained 6 pounds this trip so I was happy about that :)

23 Weeks

Had my 23 week check in appointment today and everything is looking good.  Baby is right on track and the heartbeat was at 143.  I feel great and my blood pressure is looking good.  I have gained 9 more pounds since my last appointment so I really need to get out there and walk or swim or something to stay active.

My next appointment will be at week 27 for the Glucose test.  Not looking forward to that but they will also give me an unltrasound to measure the baby's heart since she/he was not in a good position for that last time.

Baby is moving like crazy now which is such a fun experience.  Last night Brayden was even able to feel it and he thought it was really neat and I think it made him feel a little more connected to the baby :)

21 scare

After beginning to feel the baby move last week I was really in tune with that feeling and loved it.  Over the last weekend the feeling fadded and I only felt it like one a day and not as intense.  I called my ob on Monday more and let her know my concerns and she told me to go ahead and come in just to check the heartbeat and make sure everything was ok.  We got there and they started to look for the heartbeat.  It took a good 5-10 second to find it so I started to panic.  The nurse finally heard it by putting the dopplar in my belly button. She said that the baby must be positioned on my backside which is why I was having problems feeling the movement.  Basically she is kicking me in the back and her arms aren't strong enough for me to feel.  All is good though and the heartbeat was measuring in the 150s so I was relieved.

By the next day the baby had moved again and I was feeling movement again.  This time I was laying on my back and pulled up my shirt to see if I could see it.  Sure enough the baby kicked and I watched my stomach actually move.  It was by far the coolest thing I have ever seen.  Pregnancy is an amazing thing and I am so thankful that I have gotten the chance to experience it.  I am loving every single second of this adventure.

20 weeks and NT Scan

Had my NT scan today and I am measuring at 19 weeks 2 days with a heartrate of 143.  Right on track.  Today was the day the ultrasound tech measured everything on the baby to make sure she was developing okay.  Unfortunately, Baby Stroh didn’t want to fully cooperate and stayed in the fetal position for most of the ultrasound so they were not able to measure the heart so that will get done at 26 weeks but everything they were able to measure was fine or “looked good.”  My cervix was measuring 5.0 and they want anything above 3 so I was doing good there.  And the doctor said that the blood work I had taken also looked good and there were no worry for concern so I breathed a huge sigh of relief.  I know you are never really in the clear but one more step that we passed.

The doctor did express some concerns about my weight.  Apparently I have gained 12 pounds in the last five weeks so I am up 25 pounds at this point.  Oh well.  I am trying not to make a big deal about it because I want to keep the baby healthy but I know weight can cause issues later in the pregnancy.

Besides the weight issue, I FEEL GREAT.  I have no symptoms of pregnancy at all.  I think I have started to feel the baby but not sure at this point.

Our next appointment will be at week 23 and then we will have measurements again at week 26. 

15 weeks

Today I had another appointment with my doctor and we are at 15 weeks.  I wasn’t sure what today’s appointment was going to be about as my doctor had told me at the 8 week appointment that I wouldn’t “SEE” the baby again until around the 20 weeks.  But at the 11-week appointment I got very lucky and the nurse used the ultrasound to find the baby’s heartbeat instead of the Doppler.  Which was great but I had a feeling that an ultrasound was only going to be an option if they couldn’t find the heartbeat with the Doppler….and I was right.  We talked to the doctor a little bit and then she got the Doppler out to find the heartbeat.  It took about 5 seconds and then she found it and it was beating a healthy 154 beats per minute.  I asked the doctor if it was a problem that the heartbeat had declined from 167 last appointment to 154 and she said that it slows down the bigger the baby gets so I shouldn’t worry. 

The next appointment is scheduled for 20 weeks.  They have genetics blood testing so I am going to have that just so we don’t have any surprises and then at our 20 weeks appointment there will be an ultrasound and lots of measuring of the baby.  Looking for any abnormalities.  Keeping our fingers crossed that everything is great and we have a healthy, happy baby growing for October picking J

Ultrasound #2 -12 weeks

Today was next doctors appointment.  At this appointment we were told that we were going to hear the heartbeat.  Unfortunately, when I got there I was really nervous.  I have had absolutely no symptoms which made me believe that I was not pregnant anymore.  Because I was so crazy, my blood pressure was high.  The nurse even asked if I was nervous because my blood pressure was high.  Since I was a nervous wreck, the nurse decided to go ahead and do an ultrasound and I was so glad that she did.  That baby was an actual baby.  She was kicking and pushing with her feet.  It was amazing.  David got a video on his phone and I watch it daily.  It's just amazing.  Baby looks good and the heartbeat was about 170 so looks good so far.  I am about 12 weeks so we are pushing along.

I did find out today that I am RH- which means I will have to have an extra shot at some point in the pregnancy.  I also got a call from the nurse and I had some sort of bacteria that came up in my urine culture.  The nurse said it wasn't a big deal and is easily treated with antibiotics.  So I take seven days of antibiotis now and then I will have to be given an antibiotice through my IV when I deliver.  The nurse made it out to be nothing so I am not worried about it at this point.

My next appointment is Wednesday, April 23rd.  At that point I will be about 15 weeks.

Ultrasound #1 - 8 weeks

Today was my first ultrasound.  It was a very scary process for me.  I have done A LOT of research on line with what to expect.  Basically, I knew a few things:

1.  They had to see a sack in my uterus otherwise it was probably an eptopic pregnancy;
2.  They had to see a baby otherwise the baby had stopped growing a while back;
3.  They needed to measure the baby and the baby needed to measure around 8 weeks otherwise there was something wrong;
4.  They needed to see a heartbeat otherwise there was something wrong; and 
5.  The heartbeat needed to be somewhere between 120-170 beats per minute to be normal.  Better higher than too low.

David and I got to the doctor’s office and they asked me to do a urine sample.  After that we were placed in a room and waited for the doctor to come in and perform the ultrasound.  Within a few moments the doctor was able to point out the baby and the heartbeat.  She recorded the heartbeat with a rate of 167.  So a little fast but I would rather it be too fast than slow at this point.  Then the doctor started to measure the baby and her first numbers were 6 weeks and 6 days.  With my last period and me counting the days on which I should have ovulated  I calculated in my head I should be about 8 weeks.  I relayed my concern to her and she started with the you may have ovulated late ( I knew that was crap because I knew when I ovulated and I knew when I concienved). Maybe a day or two but not a whole week and a half?  Then she moved things around and she measured again.  This time she came up with 7 weeks and 6 days.  That made me less nervous.  I understand that the baby is so tiny right now that measuring it is very difficult but if she would have sent me home with 6 weeks and 6 days I would have been a crazy lady.  Hopefully her second charting was correct and things will be great.  I go back again in 3 weeks and she said that is the time that we should be able to hear the baby through my tummy.  Until I hear that heartbeat….I will be a wreck until then .  From my understanding we won't see our baby again until week 20 when they can see the sex.  That seems like a long time but basically everything is in the arms of God right now.  The doctor said as long as I don't have any bleeding they will see me the 26th of March.  Sounds good and hopefully baby will continue to develop as she should. 

6 weeks.

This week is my six week mark.  Still not feeling much in terms of symptoms so starting to get worried.  I'm not even sure if I'm pregnant anymore.  I hope I am but when you don't have any symptoms you start to loose hope.  I am still tired and my boobs feel "full" but I am also taking progesterone supplements so I am pretty sure that the medication would cause those symptoms too.  It's so confusing.  My first ultrasound is scheduled for Monday, March 3rd and I can't tell if I'm excited about it or more scared about it.  I just can't picture them saying everything is normal.  I keep hearing there is no sac, or there is no heartbeat or the heartbeat is measuring behind.  This is just nerve wrecking.  My pure excitement from last Thursday has now changed to complete worry.  I know that I just need to just keep moving forward at this point and what will be will be.

5 Weeks

Today is Monday, February 10th and I am 5 weeks today. 

Symptoms:  Nothing really.  I wouldn't even have known I was pregnant if the test didn't tell me.  When my period was due I felt period symptoms but my period never came.  My boobs are uncomfortable, like I would get my period, but not painful like so many people describe.  They just feel full.  I am a little tired during the day and feel like going to bed early everynight like around 9 pm.  I am also having about two hours of insomnia every night.  My appetite is also not really there. Feel like I could go hours without really wanting to eat.   I am also thristy alot, not dying of thirst but noticible like I need something to drink.  I had heartburn earlier in the week alot but it has seemed to tapper off a little.  I also got a cold sore....but that is totally it.  Maybe I will be lucky and totally miss morning sickness?

Blood Test #2

Well the results can back.  My progesterone went up from 19.2 on Tuesday to 32.8.  Not bad and I am on the progesterone supplements so I am not worried about that.  My HCG is now at 3784 (25 dpo).  So basically it did't double in 48 hours but it is doubling every 50 hours.  Now this is where I'm a little nervous.  Most websites I read say that your HCG should double every 48 hours.  When I talked to the nurse she said the numbers were fine.  So of course I didn't believe her and I called my friendly best friend of an OBGYN and she said that she likes to see her patients come in with at least a 60% increase and my increased by 90%.  Then after going crazy on the web I found that most websites actually state that your HCG should double in 48-72 hours.  So according to Arin and the last websites, , and of course my doctor's office, I'm doing good.  I guess my doctor isn't worried because the next step is scheduling me for a ultrasound on Monday, March 3rd which is my 8 weeks mark.  They will be looking for a heart beat at that appointment and once I see that....maybe, I can actually breathe.  I guess they figure if I make it to that point without any bleeding or anything then I should be good to go.  I'm hoping my symptoms start to increase and my belly starts to pop to actually convince me that I am pregnant.

Shut the front door!

Are you ready for this.....I'm Pregnant (completely naturally).  I have no idea how that happened, but it did.  I would have had no idea except for the fact that I was a week late.  It was due around Sunday, February 3^rd.  I knew the I ovulated the weekend of January 18^th/19^th.  I have been tracking my ovulation for the past seven month with an ovulation machine.  The ovulation machine continues to show that I don’t ovulate on the 14^th day but I ovulate more on the 15^th day of my cycle.  My period was due on February 3^rd but I usually give it until the next day to have me consider my period late (since I usually ovulate a day later).  After I got to the Thursday after my period was due, I started to worry.  I still didn’t even consider me being pregnant.  The thought did pass my mind but I just couldn’t picture it being a possibility.  I had so many discouragements in my effort to get pregnant that I didn’t even want to be positive.  I didn’t want that disappointment again.  I didn’t want to get my hopes up and to have them crushed….again.  The weekend went by and I even mentioned to my mom and sister that I was late.  No one really got excited as I really think we all didn’t have bery high hopes.  Then on Monday I texted my friend Arin and let her know that I was late and asked her what it could be…could I have a tumor, could I be going through menopause?  She told me to go take a test ASAP.  She didn’t say anything to me but later she thought I was definitely pregnant.  I told her I was not going to take a test at work, I didn’t want that disappointment and I promised her that I would probably take it the next morning.   

So Tuesday morning I work up and decided I had to find out either way.  I was getting ready to take my shower and usually when I would take a test I would pee in a cup and leave the test to collaborate while I was taking a shower so I could see the results when I was done with my shower.  But this time I decided to dip the test and watch.  As I watched the liquid make its way through the viewing square I waited.  I held my eyes to the part of the test where the line would pop up it I was pregnant.  Literally, within seconds I could see a faint second line that continued to quickly get darker.  I immediately dropped to my knees in the bathroom and the tears began to fall.  I was in shock.  I couldn’t believe it and I was shaking from pure excitement.  I finally got up enough courage to take a test and it came back positive.  I went to the doctor today and my levels are pretty good.  My HCG level is 2001.5 (23dpo) and my progesterone is 19.2.  I am scheduled to go in for another round of blood work on Thursday to make sure my numbers are rising.  That appointment will basically tell us if the baby is developing normally or if there is something wrong with the development of the baby.  Hoping for the best but trying to enjoy the good news that I hear at this point in time.