Told My Boss!

So I wouldn't say that I was nervous about telling my boss, but the fact that both myself and one of the women I manager are pregnant and due the same week and will be out for our busiest time of year did cause me some concern.  

My boss works in a different office from me and I had to go to his location to train with somebody else so I scheduled an "in person 1:1" with him.  We ended up having lunch together and he was asking me about summer travel plans so I said "my husband and I have booked a trip to Ireland in August...we have always wanted to go and it will be a good chance to get away before the baby comes"  and that pretty much segued into the whole talk.  

He wasn't too shocked, or at least if he was he hid it well.  There are a lot of women on his team so he said in the back of his mind he sort of has a running  list of anyone who could need to go on maternity leave during the year. 

The best part about the talk was that he asked me about my plans after having the baby (if I knew).  He wanted to know 1) if i was planning on coming back and 2) what type of schedule I was looking at.  I told him I would like to come back on a reduced hours schedule and he was totally fine with it. He said another woman on his team is coming back from leave in a few weeks and she will be working 3 days a week, which is exactly what I want to do.  My mom has said she will watch our baby for 3 days a week so this couldn't be better.  One of the reasons I have stayed with my job for so long and not looked around is 1) the great health benefits and 2) the work flexibility.  They are very open to working from home or flexible schedule, etc.  

The whole talk allowed me to relax a bit and know that I won't have to either work full time with a little one or look for a new gig.  I am so thankful that things should be working out. 

Week 12 Update

Sorry I look a little frightful this week and my update is a day late!

How Far Along: 12 weeks
Total Weight Gain: +1.5 lbs
Maternity Clothes: My cousin gave me the family "box o maternity clothes" and I tried out the cropped jeans I am wearing in this picture.  They were really comfortable, but a bit loose on me right now. I am so thankful that my cousin and SIL have accumulated so much maternity clothes that I will only have to buy a few more pieces for work and possibly when it gets cooler in the fall
Stretch Marks: Nope
Sleep: Still having some sleeping issues, but our new larger bed is coming in a few weeks so I hope that helps somewhat.
Best Moment This Week: This was an eventful week for sure!  On friday we saw the baby on the ultrasound and that was awesome, then the doctor told us that the scan/tests came back good so that was also great news.  We told Brian's parents, sister, grandmother and some friends while we were in PA.  

When we came back to MA we told my extended family at a BBQ.  Then Brian called all his friends and I sent a group email to all mine.  In the email I said "After over a year of fertility treatments, Brian and I are overjoyed to be able to say "we are expecting a baby"  some of my friends told me they teared up a bit as they read the email.  Not all my friends knew what we were going through so this was the first time we were "coming out" about our IF.  It was important to me to mention it in case any of my friends are currently dealing with IF or deal with it in the future. 
Miss Anything: I am starting to realize that none of my regular summer shorts will fit me this season, so I guess I miss fitting into my clothes, but not really since it means my belly is growing due to a baby in there. 
Movement: Nope
Food Cravings: I was craving soda this week so I had a can of root beer at the BBQ and it was fantastic!
Anything Making You Queasy or Sick: The idea of eating chicken kind of grosses me out, but I am still able to eat it, so nothing really.
Gender: Not yet, we tried to see if the u/s tech would take a guess but no way.
Labor Signs: Nope
Symptoms: Getting up to pee at night, more bloating, my eczema is getting worse Belly Button In or Out: In Wedding Rings On or Off: On

Feeling: Still really good.  I am still hoping I am being rewarded with an easy pregnancy since we had so much trouble getting pregnant ;)
Exercise: Went for a couple of runs this week, still not going too fast, but at least I am still getting out there!

Looking Forward To: Telling some coworkers the news this week
Next Appointment: June 7th

N/T scan is good!

Nothing sets off a long weekend right like seeing your baby wriggling around on an ultrasound then having the doctor say that all is good with baby.

Now we can tell Brian's parents and other family members the news this weekend with no concerns. I am so thankful that everything is going well with this pregnancy.

So here is the newest picture of baby lucky!

Having Trouble Working Today

Since I am taking tomorrow off, today is my Friday and I am having a tough time buckling down at work.  We have our N/T scan tomorrow and I am very excited to see baby lucky in there. 

I also went on some websites today to see the possibilities of hair/eye color of the baby (yup I really don't feel like working today).  
Here is what I got:

Eyes

Blue – 7.5% chance

Green – 25.8%

Brown – 66.6%

Hair

Blond – 0%

Black – 0%

Strawberry Blond – 17%

Red – 33%

Brown – 50%

So we will most likely have a brown eyed/brown haired child, but there is also a chance the baby will have blue eyes and strawberry blond hair!  ha

Week 11 Update

How Far Along: 11 weeks
Total Weight Gain: I think I actually lost a lb this week so maybe just +1
Maternity Clothes: Nope, just the belly band
Stretch Marks: Nope
Sleep: Still having some sleeping issues
Best Moment This Week: Not baby related but we had my mom's surprise 65th birthday party last night and it was awesome!  My mom was totally surprised and so thankful!
Miss Anything: Normal sleeping, having to worry about what foods to avoid
Movement: Nope
Food Cravings: Hmm not really, I made banana bread this week and I have been eating it like crazy
Anything Making You Queasy or Sick: Not really, overeating still makes me sick
Gender: Not yet
Labor Signs: Nope
Symptoms: Getting up to pee at night, slightly swollen breasts, my eczema is getting worse
Belly Button In or Out: In
Wedding Rings On or Off: On

Feeling: I am feeling really good.  My mom keeps asking how I am feeling each time I see her and I always reply "great" because really I feel quite good.  At first I was scared not to have morning sickness, but I am starting to believe I am much better off this way!
Exercise: I am still doing well - ran or lifted weights every day this week. Took Winnie for a run in the woods this morning.  Of course she found the small patch of mud to play in, ha.

Looking Forward To: N/T scan ultrasound on Friday the 24th and telling Brian's parents that night!  I can't wait to tell them they are going to be grandparents!!
Next Appointment: May 24th

Work Staffing Call

So my boss and my boss's boss are located in a different office about 1 hour from my office.  Today we had a staff meeting call for every manager in our group.  They were talking about how so and so is moving positions and how work will have to shift around.  

One woman is pregnant and is due in August and I found out on the call that another woman is due in mid November.  It was funny because on the call they joked "well Caity, (and mentioned 1 or 2 other married women) I don't know what your plans are but the year end maternity slot is full so you will have to wait 3 months. So I had to bite my tongue not to say "that is what you think" because both me and one of the women I manage are due the first week in December.  

Now their comments would have seriously pissed me off if we had still been TTC.  Now in 2 weeks I get to call my boss and say "well I know you said the year end maternity slot was full but..." should be interesting.  

Week 10 Update

Brian said he can see some growth there, probably a combination of bloat and mother's day eats!  I was going to take the picture in the dress I had on for mother's day, but you couldn't see much, so here you have sweats and a t-shirt!  Lucky you!

How Far Along: 10 weeks
Total Weight Gain: I believe still about +2
Maternity Clothes: Nope
Stretch Marks: Nope
Sleep: Sleep is not my strong suit right now...
Best Moment This Week: First OB appointment and we got to hear the baby's heartbeat (177 bpm) on the doppler)
Miss Anything: Normal sleeping
Movement: Nope
Food Cravings: Not really, but I have been enjoying popsicles a lot lately. 
Anything Making You Queasy or Sick: Eating too much makes me feel queasy
Gender: not yet, although if you believe old wives tails then the fast heart beat means it's a girl
Labor Signs: Nope
Symptoms: Getting up to pee a lot at night, heartburn and some cramps. 
Belly Button In or Out: In
Wedding Rings On or Off: On

Feeling: Hearing the heartbeat on the doppler really put me at ease.  With a heart beat that strong at 10 weeks I am feeling pretty good at this point. 
Exercise: Doing well, still haven't run more than about 3.5 miles at a time and I walk up the big hills, but I feel strong.  Although I have noticed I am more out of breathe lately. 

Looking Forward To: Next ultrasound the week of May 20th.
Next Appointment: Week of May 20th

First OB appointment

Today we had our first OB appointment!  This is the regular OB practice that I have been going to since I have been about 18, but we saw a different NP today then I usually see.  She took my weight (which annoys me because I am fully dressed and it is the afternoon so I don't consider it my "true weight" but I guess it is mostly for comparison purposes later on) and we spoke about a bunch of things in her office.  

She covered things like when I would come in for appointments and when screenings would be.  They are keeping my due date 12/1 since that is based on my LMP and it isn't more than a week off of my RE's ultrasound.  Maybe they will change it after my 12 week ultrasound, but right now they are claiming I am almost 11 weeks, but I am still going to do my 10 week bump update this week!  I guess the good news about them not changing my date is that I get to do everything a week earlier than I thought!

After the office talk we went back to the exam room and she took out the doppler.  She told me that it sometimes takes a little bit to find it at first.  It took her about a minute and then we heard that fast paced beautiful beating sound!  177 bmp, phew!  I was a little sad we didn't do an ultrasound today, but hearing the good heartbeat makes me feel so happy.   

I went for a bunch of blood work after the appointment and they were able to draw for my 12 week screens.  I will have an ultrasound the week of May 20th (either that monday or friday I believe) which is great because we go down to see Brian's parents that following weekend and should have a nice new picture for them that doesn't just look like a blob.  

So this was a very nice appointment to have heading into mother's day weekend.  This weekend will be a mix of emotions still, because even though I am now pregnant I of course will be thinking of all of the ladies out there who were not as lucky as us this time.  The ladies who have not had a successful BFP and the ladies who got a BFP and had a m/c.  I will be thinking of all of you ladies on Sunday.  Somebody posted this on their blog and I find it rings true for almost every situation:

The wide spectrum of mothering

To those who gave birth this year to their first child—we celebrate with you

To those who lost a child this year–we mourn with you

To those who are in the trenches with little ones every day and wear the badge of food

stains–we appreciate you

To those who experienced loss through miscarriage, failed adoptions, or running away—we

mourn with you

To those who walk the hard path of infertility, fraught with pokes, prods, tears, and

disappointment–we walk with you. Forgive us when we say foolish things. We don’t

mean to make this harder than it is

To those who are foster moms, mentor moms, and spiritual moms–we need you

To those who have warm and close relationships with your children–we celebrate with you

To those who have disappointment, heart ache, and distance with your children–we sit

with you

To those who lost their mothers this year–we grieve with you

To those who experienced abuse at the hands of your own mother–we acknowledge your

experience

To those who lived through driving tests, medical tests, and the overall testing of motherhood–we are better for having you in our midst

To those who have aborted children-we remember them and you on this day

To those who are single and long to be married and mothering your own children-we mourn

that life has not turned out the way you longed for it to be

To those who step-parent-we walk with you on these complex paths

To those who envisioned lavishing love on grandchildren, yet that dream is not to be-we grieve with you

To those who will have emptier nests in the upcoming year–we grieve and rejoice with you

To those who placed children up for adoption–we commend you for your selflessness and

remember how you hold that child in your heart

And to those who are pregnant with new life, both expected and surprising–we anticipate

with you

This Mother’s Day, we walk with you. Mothering is not for the faint of heart and we have

real warriors in our midst. We remember you.

 

By Amy Young (http://messymiddle.com)

Last Day of Crinone!

I have been taking Crinone (progesterone suppositories) since I found out I was pregnant and today is the day when the RE said I could stop! Taking it wasn't super bad, I consider myself lucky that I didn't have to take PIO shots like some ladies have to. 

My progesterone levels were good when I did my beta, but I am slightly nervous about stopping the progesterone, even though it should be fine at this point.  I am excited that not taking the progesterone will get our sessy time back on track.  It isn't super fun doing the dance when you are to use suppositories - that is for sure!

Other than that things are going well.  I had a craving for chocolate milk so I enjoyed some when I got into work this morning!

Week 9 Update

Still no real bump, anything there is just a bit of bloat!

How Far Along: 9 weeks
Total Weight Gain: Last time I weighed myself I was still +2
Maternity Clothes: Nope, but I used the belly band with some tighter fitting work clothes this week
Stretch Marks: Nope
Sleep: Still not sleeping super great, waking up in the middle of the night and tossing a bit
Best Moment This Week: Starting to read the pregnancy books that my SIL lent me
Miss Anything: normal sleeping and coffee.
Movement: Nope
Food Cravings: Fruit salad - we are getting into yummy fruit season!
Anything Making You Queasy or Sick: I ate a bit too much cheese this week and I think I found my limit.
Gender: not yet
Labor Signs: Nope
Symptoms: Tired.  Some days not too bad and some days I am crazy tired.  I still get light cramps every few days, slightly different than period cramps, more like a pulling sensation.  I also had 2 migraines this past week.  Not sure if the migraines are due to spring allergies or hormone changes.
Belly Button In or Out: In
Wedding Rings On or Off: On

Feeling: Each week that goes by with no issues I feel better and better about this baby sticking around.  Brian and I started to talk about names and what to do next!
Exercise: Still doing well with the exercise - I am better working out during the week than on weekends.  This week I ran 3 days and lifted weights 2 days.

Looking Forward To: My appointment this week!
Next Appointment: May 10th

Checking In

8 weeks 3 days today!  Things are going well, not much to report on the symptoms front.  

I am still on The Bump almost daily.  First I go to 3TC to check on my ladies because it is just the board that my mouse goes to first!  Then I head over to PAIF, but there usually isn't that much activity over there.  If I am bored I go to December 2013, but it is hard to handle all of that.  I know I shouldn't vent about other boards, but after going through IF I get fed up with some of the stupidity over there. 

 I guess one of the nice things about 3TC and PAIF (aside from random posts) is that the women on these boards are 1) educated about trying to make a baby 2) Have too much going on to post stupid stuff!  I guess the month board is good for a read, but I just don't see myself becoming a big part of that board.  

My mom listed her home for sale 2 days ago and she already has a full asking price offer!  The real estate market is crazy this spring!  I just hope she is able to find a new home to buy - that will be the tricky part!  I really hope she moves into town near us!