GIRL! Sadie is going to be a big sister! We went into our "fun" ultrasound the Wednesday before Christmas thinking that maybe we were having a boy, but lo and behold, it is another girl! Although having a boy would have been fun, I LOVE the idea of Sadie having a sister. I have two older brothers and always thought it would have been great to have a sister too.
We are naming our little girl Keller Kathleen. "Keller" was my grandmother's maiden name. My grandma passed away a few years ago, but was one of my very favorite people in the world. She was an amazing woman and grandma. I loved her dearly. "Kathleen" is my mom's name. She was so supportive of us when our last adoption failed and very instrumental to us moving in the direction of embryo adoption. We wouldn't be pregnant today without her!
One issue with having another little girl is that our nursery is decorated for a boy! Our last failed adoption was supposed to be a boy, so we had already set up the nursery. My mom and I made the curtains ourselves and had the rocking chair recovered, so I really don't want to redo the whole thing. I think I can transform it with a few minor touches, but it will take a little bit of work. You can see the nursery in one of our previous posts here. If you have any ideas, I'd love to hear them! I am thinking of adding some fringe to the curtains and maybe some bird houses in the tree over the crib. I will also add some bows and polka dots on the "Keller" letters. At least the paint color is a neutral green! I just wouldn't have gone with orange as the accent color. Oh well.
Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! We had a great time with my family and got to announce in person that we were having another girl. Very fun! Right now we are in the throws of potty training Sadie and I feel like I want to cry. It is tough work doing the potty training in a day method. I am exhausted!!
Love to you all,
Tracey
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
16 weeks this Friday
Merry Christmas everyone! It has been so fun tracking with all of you through your journeys. We have such an amazing God! I love this time of year and I love it even more being pregnant! : ) Since I haven't posted in awhile, I will try to catch you up on current events....
After my last post with our progesterone dropping significantly, I returned to taking PIO shots once per day for a week and then had my levels taken again. The level shot up from 17.1 to 87! So, the NEDC nurse told me that I could stop the shots again. They believe it was a lab mistake and didn't even make me get tested again after stopping the shots. A little scary, but grateful that I didn't have to go in again for more labs. And SO very happy to have GRADUATED! Yay!
Our NT scan came back negative for chromosomal issues, but I still have to get my blood drawn one more time when I get my 20 week u/s done so that they can compare. We don't feel it would be likely that this child would have any chromosomal issues only because the mother was only 19! We mostly wanted to get the scan done because it was another opportunity to see our baby : ) Here is a picture of our little pumpkin (a little sideways - too tired to rotate, but you get the idea!)
We have an ultrasound that our midwife's practice calls the "fun ultrasound" where you can come in and find out the gender for $50 next Wednesday, the 22nd. We normally would have just waited for our 20 week u/s, but my whole family is coming in for Christmas, so we thought it would be fun to tell them in person what we will be having. My parents are coming in for the ultrasound too, so it should be an exciting day! I am looking forward to it.
I am officially wearing maternity pants now. I am VERY long waisted, so I am still not showing much, but I definitely have a big bump and the people who know me best can tell that something is sticking out! : ) My Gap maternity jeans are definitely one of my favorite pair of pants now. Those and some wide-leg capri pants I wear to bed every night that were lent to me by a friend. I think I will wear maternity pants after I am no longer pregnant. ha!
I am definitely feeling a TON more energy now and I haven't had any nausea in weeks. Very grateful! I have been trying to exercise just about every morning as I have heard it helps in labor. If labor is like a marathon, I definitely need some training! We are planning on having a natural birth in water, so I know that I need to be in shape! Or at least it will help. We are meeting with a doula tomorrow night to hear about her services. A couple of my friends have used this doula and love her. They also had water births and assured me that I could do it naturally. We will see! Kinda scary!
Lastly, we got a bill a couple of weeks ago from the NEDC for storage fees for the remaining embryos that are siblings of our unborn baby. My husband and I have had a hard time knowing what to do. If we were younger, this would be a super easy decision, but I am 41 now and will be 42 when this baby is born. So, we would be about 44 if we got pregnant and gave birth to an additional sibling. We already have another child through domestic adoption, so we will have two when this baby is born. But, we would love to have a sibling! We talked with the embryologist today and I asked her if we would be able to "find" another couple of give the embryos to in case we decide not to use them. She said that as long as the couple met their requirements and went through their process, that we would be able to do that. Great news! So, at least if we don't use the embryos ourselves, maybe we could find a couple that we could have a relationship with so that the siblings could know one another. We have another year to make all these decisions and that makes it a bit easier.
After my last post with our progesterone dropping significantly, I returned to taking PIO shots once per day for a week and then had my levels taken again. The level shot up from 17.1 to 87! So, the NEDC nurse told me that I could stop the shots again. They believe it was a lab mistake and didn't even make me get tested again after stopping the shots. A little scary, but grateful that I didn't have to go in again for more labs. And SO very happy to have GRADUATED! Yay!
We have an ultrasound that our midwife's practice calls the "fun ultrasound" where you can come in and find out the gender for $50 next Wednesday, the 22nd. We normally would have just waited for our 20 week u/s, but my whole family is coming in for Christmas, so we thought it would be fun to tell them in person what we will be having. My parents are coming in for the ultrasound too, so it should be an exciting day! I am looking forward to it.
I am officially wearing maternity pants now. I am VERY long waisted, so I am still not showing much, but I definitely have a big bump and the people who know me best can tell that something is sticking out! : ) My Gap maternity jeans are definitely one of my favorite pair of pants now. Those and some wide-leg capri pants I wear to bed every night that were lent to me by a friend. I think I will wear maternity pants after I am no longer pregnant. ha!
I am definitely feeling a TON more energy now and I haven't had any nausea in weeks. Very grateful! I have been trying to exercise just about every morning as I have heard it helps in labor. If labor is like a marathon, I definitely need some training! We are planning on having a natural birth in water, so I know that I need to be in shape! Or at least it will help. We are meeting with a doula tomorrow night to hear about her services. A couple of my friends have used this doula and love her. They also had water births and assured me that I could do it naturally. We will see! Kinda scary!
Lastly, we got a bill a couple of weeks ago from the NEDC for storage fees for the remaining embryos that are siblings of our unborn baby. My husband and I have had a hard time knowing what to do. If we were younger, this would be a super easy decision, but I am 41 now and will be 42 when this baby is born. So, we would be about 44 if we got pregnant and gave birth to an additional sibling. We already have another child through domestic adoption, so we will have two when this baby is born. But, we would love to have a sibling! We talked with the embryologist today and I asked her if we would be able to "find" another couple of give the embryos to in case we decide not to use them. She said that as long as the couple met their requirements and went through their process, that we would be able to do that. Great news! So, at least if we don't use the embryos ourselves, maybe we could find a couple that we could have a relationship with so that the siblings could know one another. We have another year to make all these decisions and that makes it a bit easier.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Quite the Scare
After being off of all of my meds (the Estrace and PIO shots) for a week, I had labs drawn to make sure my levels were still good. Well, the NEDC called me on Monday to tell me that my Progesterone level went from 57 down to 17.1. They want the level above 40. Not good. So, they wanted me back on the shots and to go and get another ultrasound. They were concerned that something happened to the baby, thus making my level go way down. Fortunately, I had just had our 12 week screening ultrasound on the same day my levels were drawn and the baby was fine. I told the nurse this info and she went and spoke with the doctor and then let me know that we didn't need another ultrasound then, but that we would get more labs in a week after starting the shots again. After getting off of the phone with her, a bit of panic set in. I still felt pretty certain that I was still pregnant, but I ended up calling my OB on Wednesday to see if they wanted me to come in with this new news. I really hated worrying the whole holiday weekend about it. As soon as I called my doctor, they wanted me to come in ASAP for a scan. I was grateful for prompt attention, yet also nervous since they seemed to take it as somewhat of an emergency. None the less, I went in immediately, my husband met me there in case it was bad news, and we got our second scan in less than a week. And of course, our baby was alive and kickin' like crazy : ) Very, very grateful!!
All of this craziness definitely has made me more appreciative of the pregnancy (not that I wasn't already!) and also makes taking the shots not so difficult again. Fortunately, I only have to take one shot a day instead of two as well. They are thinking that I may be on them for another week or two tops. Hope that's true!
On another note, I am now 13 weeks and my nausea has completely vanished and I feel like I am getting a second wind of energy. Woo hoo!
Lastly, at our scan last Friday, we asked our tech to take a guess at what she thought the gender of the baby is and she thought it looked like a boy. She said it was still 50/50 as she couldn't see the "full package", but thought it looked like a boy. We would be thrilled either way, but since we have a girl, I know my hubby would love to have a boy. Not to mention, our nursery is already set up for a boy since our last failed adoption was supposed to be Sadie's birth brother. It would be great to not have to change it at all.
I hope you all have had a wonderful Thanksgiving, full of thankfulness for God's blessings. We have a lot to be grateful for!
All of this craziness definitely has made me more appreciative of the pregnancy (not that I wasn't already!) and also makes taking the shots not so difficult again. Fortunately, I only have to take one shot a day instead of two as well. They are thinking that I may be on them for another week or two tops. Hope that's true!
On another note, I am now 13 weeks and my nausea has completely vanished and I feel like I am getting a second wind of energy. Woo hoo!
Lastly, at our scan last Friday, we asked our tech to take a guess at what she thought the gender of the baby is and she thought it looked like a boy. She said it was still 50/50 as she couldn't see the "full package", but thought it looked like a boy. We would be thrilled either way, but since we have a girl, I know my hubby would love to have a boy. Not to mention, our nursery is already set up for a boy since our last failed adoption was supposed to be Sadie's birth brother. It would be great to not have to change it at all.
I hope you all have had a wonderful Thanksgiving, full of thankfulness for God's blessings. We have a lot to be grateful for!
Saturday, November 13, 2010
My Last PIO Shot!
I have really wanted to post a blog this past week, but keep finding that I have no energy to do much of anything, including blogging! I faithfully read every one of your posts and am tracking with everyone's journey. Sorry that I haven't been commenting much. Please know that I am praying for you guys!
I was able to start weaning last Monday from the PIO shots and Estrace, which made me extremely happy. My rear-end has definitely taken a beating! My husband was having a hard time finding a place to give me the shot due to bruising and lumps. Going down to 1/2 cc instead of 1cc for every shot definitely helped. I got my blood drawn again on Thursday to see if the baby's placenta was sufficiently taking over the hormone production and got the news yesterday that I could stop taking the PIO shots! I was so happy, I got teary-eyed! Unfortunately, my Estradiol level did not come back with the lab report, so I am still taking the pills until I get clearance to stop on Monday.
I have had a lot of queasiness in the late afternoons and evenings, but last week was much better. My main symptom right now is fatigue. I literally take about a 1-2 hour nap while Sadie, my daughter, naps and have been falling back to sleep around 7-7:30pm! I usually will wake up around 10 or 10:30pm and then go back to sleep for the night around 11pm. It is completely crazy. The hard thing about it is that I don't have the time or energy to be productive at the house or just spend time with my husband! My house is a mess and I haven't ironed any clothes in weeks. My poor hubby has picked up a TON of my slack. I am VERY appreciative of how he has not complained at all. I think he sees how physically miserable I have been. I am definitely not complaining as we are so very grateful for the miracle that is producing all of these symptoms, but we will still be pretty darn happy when this trimester is over!
My belly is starting to protrude a tad bit. It looks like I have just eaten one brownie too many : ) I can't wait to wear some maternity pants and have the extra room and elastic! I go into our OBGYN next Friday to get the 12 week screening ultrasound. We are looking forward to seeing our baby again!
I was able to start weaning last Monday from the PIO shots and Estrace, which made me extremely happy. My rear-end has definitely taken a beating! My husband was having a hard time finding a place to give me the shot due to bruising and lumps. Going down to 1/2 cc instead of 1cc for every shot definitely helped. I got my blood drawn again on Thursday to see if the baby's placenta was sufficiently taking over the hormone production and got the news yesterday that I could stop taking the PIO shots! I was so happy, I got teary-eyed! Unfortunately, my Estradiol level did not come back with the lab report, so I am still taking the pills until I get clearance to stop on Monday.
I have had a lot of queasiness in the late afternoons and evenings, but last week was much better. My main symptom right now is fatigue. I literally take about a 1-2 hour nap while Sadie, my daughter, naps and have been falling back to sleep around 7-7:30pm! I usually will wake up around 10 or 10:30pm and then go back to sleep for the night around 11pm. It is completely crazy. The hard thing about it is that I don't have the time or energy to be productive at the house or just spend time with my husband! My house is a mess and I haven't ironed any clothes in weeks. My poor hubby has picked up a TON of my slack. I am VERY appreciative of how he has not complained at all. I think he sees how physically miserable I have been. I am definitely not complaining as we are so very grateful for the miracle that is producing all of these symptoms, but we will still be pretty darn happy when this trimester is over!
My belly is starting to protrude a tad bit. It looks like I have just eaten one brownie too many : ) I can't wait to wear some maternity pants and have the extra room and elastic! I go into our OBGYN next Friday to get the 12 week screening ultrasound. We are looking forward to seeing our baby again!
Friday, October 29, 2010
9 Week Ultrasound
I've been pretty quiet on the blogging-front recently. A lot to do with feeling queasy most everyday and super tired. The time I have to accomplish things is usually during my daughter's nap-time and that time has now become my nap-time too! The evenings have been pretty miserable with on and off nausea which usually starts when I get up from my nap. All well worth the reason, of course! : )
Our 9 week ultrasound was this morning and we are happy to say that the baby is measuring exactly 9w0d, which is what I am today! The heartbeat was 168, so we are thrilled! It was really fun to see the baby moving a little bit on the screen. I still can't believe I have a little baby in there!
This ultrasound was done in the practice we are using moving forward. We decided to use a practice called Gifts of Grace. They are a Christian-based practice with 2 midwives and a perinatologist. A lot of my friends have used them and love them. I think I am interested in water birthing, so we will see. I have a lot of time to think about all of that!
I am still fitting into most of my clothes, but got a couple of things at a maternity store this past week. A good friend sent me home with some of her maternity clothes, which all fit me minus the big belly! And another friend also told me I could borrow some of her's as well, so I think I will be set!
That's it for now! Hope all is well with everyone. Can't wait to hear more ultrasound reports!
Our 9 week ultrasound was this morning and we are happy to say that the baby is measuring exactly 9w0d, which is what I am today! The heartbeat was 168, so we are thrilled! It was really fun to see the baby moving a little bit on the screen. I still can't believe I have a little baby in there!
This ultrasound was done in the practice we are using moving forward. We decided to use a practice called Gifts of Grace. They are a Christian-based practice with 2 midwives and a perinatologist. A lot of my friends have used them and love them. I think I am interested in water birthing, so we will see. I have a lot of time to think about all of that!
I am still fitting into most of my clothes, but got a couple of things at a maternity store this past week. A good friend sent me home with some of her maternity clothes, which all fit me minus the big belly! And another friend also told me I could borrow some of her's as well, so I think I will be set!
That's it for now! Hope all is well with everyone. Can't wait to hear more ultrasound reports!
Friday, October 8, 2010
We have a heartbeat!!
Just wanted to let you all know the great news : ) Dr. K was happy with all of my measurements and the heartbeat, so we are thrilled! I can't begin to express how surreal all of this is. We are so incredibly grateful to God for allowing us this amazing gift and blessing.
After seeing Dr. K, Jeff and I headed out towards Asheville, NC to spend the weekend at the Biltmore. I am quickly posting now that we have arrived at our hotel, but hope to get a picture or video up here soon.
We are grateful for everyone's prayers!!
After seeing Dr. K, Jeff and I headed out towards Asheville, NC to spend the weekend at the Biltmore. I am quickly posting now that we have arrived at our hotel, but hope to get a picture or video up here soon.
We are grateful for everyone's prayers!!
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
6-Week Ultrasound
We have our first ultrasound this Friday! Crazy thing is that we will be going up to Tennessee to have it done at the NEDC clinic. We could only find one clinic in Atlanta who would do the U/S and they were going to charge $650. Because we are out-of-state monitoring patients, they would not run it through our insurance so that we could get our insurance's contracted rate. I really don't understand it all, but the NEDC said that if we came there, they could use our insurance. Yay! Jeff and I had already made plans to go to the Biltmore in Asheville, NC this weekend, so now we are just taking a little extra side trip : ) Our appointment is at 1:30pm.
I have to say that I am a bit anxious about the appointment. I really don't want to be disappointed. It would be so painful to have come this far and then it not work out. I am trying to just celebrate the pregnancy every day until/unless God reveals something new to me. Hard to do at times! It will definitely give me a huge confidence booster to see our baby's heartbeat.
I will let you guys know about the appointment as soon as I can!
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