Birthday Present for Mom

We told Abbey on Saturday about our news and she was happy and wanted to know if we were having a boy or a girl.  We told her that it was too early to tell so we have to wait a few more weeks to find out.  She wanted to know why it's taking so long to find out.  (Love her to pieces!)

Since she has been praying so long for us to have a baby, we wanted to teach her that Heavenly Father does answer prayers and that He did hear all those prayers that she said.  We asked her to continue to pray for us and especially the baby that it will continue to grow and be healthy and strong.  She said she will pray for the baby.

On Sunday, we went over my brother's house to celebrate my mom's birthday (55).  We had dinner and icecream cake!  Then we handed my mom an envelope with the ultrasound picture.  My mom is a woman of very few emotions.  I was expecting her to just look at the picture and not say much.  When she opened the envelope, she didn't have her glasses on and didn't know what it was.  She had the picture upside down and thought it was a cat!  After she put her glasses on and Steve pointed out the baby parts, she was happy.  She didn't jump up and down, but I could tell she was happy for us.

(Me, mom and my niece Mya, after they blew out the candles)

I've had light spotting all weekend.  Nothing to be worried about, but of course, I still worry.  Today is 11w2d and we have an appt on Thursday with the OB.  Can't wait to see baby Vietitaly on Thursday. 

Peri.natologist - 10wks5dys

My IVF nurse had warned us that going to see the Peri.natologist may be a bit scary because they are trained to deal with worst case scenarios.  She's had patients leave the Peri.natologist's office and come straight down stairs to their office crying!  Yeah, she was right about the scary part.  We did come down to see them after our appointment, but there was no crying....just a little worrisome. 

They go through a lot of information and do lay it all out as far as risks and what could possibly happen.  Steve was really intrigued by it all and was taking it all in.  I was just scared thinking, 'uh, I hope my baby doesn't have that or I hope we don't have to go through that.' 

Overall the appointment went well.  The dr. said that everything seems to be coming along good.  They will see me every 4 weeks to monitor baby and make sure things are progressing like it's suppose to.  He agrees that I should stay on the Love.nox as long as possible for now.  We will return in two weeks to do the first trimester screening.  I need to really watch my sugar intake since I have PCOS (that will require a lot of work on my part since I have a big sweet tooth!)

I think between my regular OB visits and the peri visits, we should be able to see more of baby.  We could have just sat there all day and watched the screen.  Every time we see the baby, we are just in awe of God's creation. 

(Heartbeat was 174 bpm)

This baby needs a name while it's in womb.  We've been trying to come up with one and I think we may have one.  Promise you won't laugh??  Since I'm Vietnamese and Steve's Italian (50%) the best we could do is Baby Vietitaly (pronounced Viet-ta-ly).  Get it?  Too cheesy?  Okay, ya'll can stop laughing now.  Please tell me if you have a better name because we're open to suggestions!

Telling the Boss

I broke down and told my boss that I was preggo.  I figured she was probably wondering why I am always taking off early for doctor appointments.  I didn't want to tell her until I hit 12 weeks, out of fear of jinxing the pregnancy. I know, I know, silly me for thinking I could 'jinx' it, but I still have that fear.  I wanted to tell her in person, but she was working at home today so I had to call her to tell her I had to leave early tomorrow for an appt.  Then I just blurted out the reason for all my doctor appointments lately.  She was very happy for us and said she wish she was hear to give me a big hug.  It was very sweet.

I'm getting nervous for my appt tomorrow with the Pe.rinatologist.  I just want to be able to see the baby's heartbeat for reassurance.  Once we hit 12 wks I think we might get a doppler (we are currently at 10wks4dys).  That way we can hear the heartbeat in between dr appts. 

Thank you Heavenly Father for getting me this far!  I pray EVERY day for this baby to keep growing.

Fried Oreos

Life has been busy for us almost every weekend.  We've had lots of birthday parties to attend. While it's fun to celebrate and see family and friends, by time Sunday rolls around, we are exhausted! 

I have a new calling at church too.  I am the Secretary in the Young Women's organization (working with the girls from age 12 - 18yrs).  I am blessed to work with wonderful women as we serve these awesome girls. 

Busy weekends results in getting behind on updating my blog as well as catching up on my blogs.  I've been reading blogs at work, when I can, but still can't comment on them from my work computer.  I love reading about happenings in everyone's lives!

Last weekend, we were returning from a birthday party and decided to make a stop at the county fair.  Abbey and Steve rode a few rides and we grabbed a snack before we left. (I can't believe how expensive it can get to go to the fair!)  I enjoyed the people watching.  It's quite entertaining. 

Abbey and Steve enjoying their ride together.

I love Abbey's face in this one.

Nothing says fair like....Funnel Cake!....

And Fried O.reos.  Have you ever tried it?  This was my first time trying it and I wasn't very impressed.  Maybe if I had a glass of milk to wash in down it would have been better.  At least I can say I've tried it. 

Nothing new on the baby front.  I hit 10 weeks on Saturday so that made me smile!  I have an appointment on Thursday to see the perinatologist.  My new OB did not have any issues with me staying on the Lov.enox so I'm hoping the Perinatologist won't either.  I will update after the appt.

I hope you all have a great Monday and rest of the week!

Spotting Scare, But All Is Well - 9wks2dys

I started spotting a little this morning and it was bright red.  I was scared out of my mind thinking the worst was happening.  I know they say spotting in the first trimester is common, but when you've experienced multiple miscarriages, it's the scariest thing ever!

I called my new OB (who I was scheduled to see on Wednesday) and they had me go get an ultrasound and then come in to see them.  I was a nervous wreck all morning until it was time to go to my appt.  I said a little prayer at my desk and turned it over to the Lord.

When we got to the Imaging place for the ultrasound and the tech did a regular ultrasound we could see the little heart beating away.  Then she did the vaginal ultrasound and we saw the little baby waving it's hands and feet, like it was doing a little dance!  It was just amazing.  It made my heart melt. 

We were then off to see the new OB.  He was super nice and was very easy to talk to.  He didn't seem concern at all since the ultrasound showed that all was well with baby.  He thinks that the spotting was probably the second sac slowly dissolving.  He said the spotting may be around for a few more days, but not to worry.   We will return to see him in two weeks. 

I am so grateful that everything is okay.  What started out as a scary morning ended with a great moment of seeing the baby getting jiggy wit it.  Thank you God!

Last Appt With the RE!

I am 8 wks 3 days.  Today was my last appt with the RE.  I will miss him and our wonderful nurse!!

Baby's heartbeat is beating away at 171 bpm.  As tiny as the baby is, we were able to see the little 'paws.'  It was amazing. 

Next week I go see the OB and the week after that, the perinatologist.  Just four more weeks to the 12 week milestone. 

I'm taking it one day at a time, one blessing (aka milestone) at a time.

Thank you for all the prayers! 

7 Wks 5 Days

My heart is filled with sadness lately for these lovely ladies who have received BFN on their cycles; Baby on Mind, Julia, and Hillary.  Oh how I wish I could take away their pain.  I continue to pray for them and I know that God is the only one that can ease their burdens. 

I know it's hard for some people to read about pregnancy annoucements or progress when they are still struggling with their own journey.  And some people choose to no longer 'follow' or just check in once in a while on those blogs. 

I get it.  I've been there.  I understand how incredibly hard it is.  Please know that if you decide not to read my blog anymore, I understand completely. 

I will be 8 wks on Saturday.  I've never made it past 8 wks.  My very first pregnancy ended in miscarriage, but I didn't find out until my 12 wk appt, but the dr. guestimated that it probably happened around 8 or 9 wks, but they weren't sure.  My second miscarriage was at 8 wks.  And my third miscarriage was a week after my first beta (the numbers never got high enough, then dropped).  I've been anxious this week as we approach the 8 wk milestone.  I go in next Tuesday for my last appt with the RE.  I keep praying that this tiny little life inside me is still growing. 

I had two people approach me at church on Sunday and asked me about my pregnancy.  I was suprised that they even knew because I'm pretty sure they do not read my blog.  I guess I shouldn't be too surprised because people do talk, regardless if you think you can trust them.  It is what it is.  I know they all mean well.

Steve left this morning to go to upstate NY to visit his family for the weekend.  I can't go with him because I don't have enough vacation time (and I need to save what little I do have).  Since he's always been the one to give me my shots, I've been practicing the last week to give myself my Love.nox shot (blood thin.ner).  It's not too bad doing it yourself.  I haven't been bruising at all since I've been doing it.  I still have plenty of battle scars, but at least I'm not getting anymore (Love.nox is notorious for bruising). 

I will spend the weekend with Abbey celebrating her real birthday and counting my blessings for making it to 8 wks.  I have to take it one day at a time and keep putting my faith in the Lord. 

A Hello Kitty Birthday!

We celebrated Abbey's 7th birthday on Saturday. 

(Her real bday is Aug. 6)

We had two parties.  One in the morning with some of her friends from church and then another one in the afternoon with just family. 

She wanted a Hel.lo Kit.ty theme so I decorated with pink/gream colors with matching party hats, plates and napkins. 

My sister in law made the funfetti cake.  It was very yummy!

I made pink/green flower pom poms and had matching balloons.

(Super easy to make the pom poms.  You can you.tube it and get step by step instructions).

The girls with their serious faces.

The girls with their SILLY faces.

Our birthday present to her was this waterslide.  It has three slides! 

They had so much fun on it.  I wish they made big water slides for adults!

Make a wish!

Me and my Abbey!

This is the only picture I have with her from the whole day. It was a crazy, fun filled day!

Abbey had so much fun and was exhausted at the end of the night.

It's hard to believe she is now 7!  Steve and I were reflecting on how it seems like yesterday when she was just a baby!  She is growing up way too fast.

I am grateful to have such a sweet niece who plays such a big role in our lives.  She has brought so much joy and happiness into our home.  I love her to pieces!!