Pregnancy 101

As I mentioned in this post, there have already been some moments of sheer panic that our little poppyseed wasn't developing on track.  I wanted to give you the run down (and for my own records) about how the last few weeks have played out.

Monday March 12, 2012

• Charting day 16 & Estimated date of ovulation.  I was not charting temps this month (only cervical fluid), as my cycles have been so predictable with ovulation on day 16 every cycle for the last 6 months.  Although I don't know 100% CD 16 was ovulation day... I feel pretty confident.

Monday, March 19, 2012  (Approx 7 dpo)

• I had my annual appointment at my obgyns office.  I told her we had just starting trying to conceieve and she offered a quick blood draw (which measures level of HCG, "the pregnancy hormone", in your system) since I was probably 7 or 8 days past ovulation.  She mentioned this was when numbers just start showing up... and to not be disappointed if it was negative.  

Tuesday, March 20, 2012  (Approx 8 dpo)

• Blood draw numbers came back negative.  I was disappointed.  shocker.  

Thursday, March 22, 2012  (Approx 10 dpo)

• I took a pregnancy test at home, at about 10 days past ovulation.  It also came back negative.  A lot of women see positives at 10 dpo, so I assumed we were out for this cycle.

Monday, March 26, 2012 (Approx 14 dpo)

• I didn't get my period as expected.  After work I came home and took a pregnancy test.  Positive.  Wow.  Took another pregnancy test.  Positive.  Called our parents and siblings to share the news.  

Tuesday, March 27, 2012  (Approx 15 dpo)

• I called my obgyn to let them know, and schedule my first appointment.  They said they do their first appts at 8 weeks with sonogram, blood work, and pelvic exam.  I requested early blood work, and they said they typically only do that for women that  have had previous losses.  I told them that my insurance would cover it, and I would like to have blood work for confirmation (along with progesterone levels).  They persisted "can I ask why?".  I just told them that I wanted it, and that was it.  They agreed and said they would send it in to the labs that day.  They forgot, so a trip to the lab was wasted.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012 (Approx 16 dpo)

• They finally got the paperwork right and I had blood work taken.  They had to poke me 3 times before they could get blood.  Apparently I have tiny veins and they float.  They ended up using my hands for veins.

Thursday, March 29, 2012  (Approx 17 dpo)

• The nurse called to tell me my beta was 254, but my progesterone was only 10.1 which is not high enough to sustain a pregnancy (they like to see levels at 15 or higher).  She said  I needed to start taking vaginal supplements of this progesterone hormone twice a day... starting that day.   Which I did.  I raced to the pharmacy and inserted the first one in their public restroom.  In my mind I couldn't get it in fast enough.  We also had to meet with a nurse that day and pickup all of our paperwork and brochures on pregnancy.  I felt quite justified in my pushiness to have early blood work.  :::thumbs nose at nurse:::

Friday, March 30, 2012  (Approx 18 dpo)

• More blood work to see if beta numbers were doubling.  They poked me SIX times before they found a vein.  They put "stat" on the order - so I found out later that afternoon that the beta had more than doubled to 577.  Good news.  It was still too early to test progesterone again.

Thursday, April 5, 2012 (Approx 24 dpo)

• More blood work to see if the progesterone supplements are doing their jobs.  They got blood on the first stick.  I almost kissed that tech.  

Friday, April 6, 2012 (Approx 25 dpo)

• Nurse called and my beta numbers are now at 7,274 and my progesterone has increased to 20.8.  Celebrations.

• I do have to continue the 2x per day progesterone supplements... which sucks because they make me SO bloated and constipated... but if I get a healthy baby out of this, no problem.  I typically wake up about 40 minutes earlier than normal and stumble to the fridge to get one out.  After inserting it, I have to lay down for about 35 minutes (per pharmasist's instructions).  I use that for a power nap.  In the evenings I have been passing out around 9:30pm so I insert another one before I go to bed.  

So that has been my life for the last three weeks.  Blood work and worrying about this little poppy seed.  In the mean time I've been substantially less productive and work and my house is a complete wreck.  I'm hopeful next week will bring a little more energy and less worry.  

The nurse said today that I'm back on track for an "average, run of the mill, pregnancy" which is exactly what I hoped for.  

Grow poppy seed (which is apparently now the size of an apple seed)... grow!

Letters.

To my baby poppy seed,

The stars aligned, and here you are.  In whirlwind speed our family has grown from 2 to 3. Little one, you were the wish upon every fallen eyelash, every shooting star, and every thrown penny.  You, exactly how you are, are exactly what my heart desired.  I am in awe that I have the chance to be your mom, and that Daddy and I get to parent you together. 

On March 26, 2012 we confirmed that you, just a tiny ball of cells, were developing deep inside me.   Although you are only the size of a tiny poppy seed, I want you to know that I will do my very best to keep you safe.  I will work every day to give you my best, for the rest of my life.  I promise. 

You will be the one who teaches me how to be a mother.  I hope you are patient, little poppy seed, because this transition is going to be big for me, too.  You will be the one that will enable me to see your Daddy as a father… something I’ve imagined since I fell in love with him.  Little one, I want you to know that I picked the best Daddy for you.  His eyes gleam, his smile deepens, and his palms sweat when we talk about you joining our family. 

There is so much to tell you, and so much we want to show you… hopefully around December 1^st we can start this new life together.  Daddy and I cannot wait to have the opportunity of meeting you, holding you, touching you, and I desperately want that privilege.  

Poppy seed, please bury deep and stay safe for the next nine months.  I already love you.

Mommy

In a moment...

...Life changes.

Friends and readers... there have already been a few concerns (that are resolving themselves quickly, thankfully) with our pregnancy (plus, it's just so very early)!  I appreciate your positive thoughts, and tight lips.  No facebook or any other "outing".  I bigger, more thoughtful post is on it's way.  

Thanks for understanding.  

Now, I will return to basking in my pregnant glow, thankyouverymuch.  

the couch as arrived.

Up until recently our house was pretty empty.  See our Empty Playroom here.  And our not-so-empty dining room here.  Thankfully, we were able to (partially) furnish the dining room for free just two weeks ago.  And now, just in the last few hours, the house has had some big changes! 

The Husband and I have a separate account just for furniture that we've been slowly adding to over the last few months (cause couches ain't cheap!).  Once we hit the 'magic number', I ordered it online that evening.  We had done lots of research, measuring, sitting, laying, etc on this couch in stores so I felt 100% comfortable ordering it online.

Here is the "before" of our living room.  Ugly love seat, chairs, and ottoman that were free to me.  The scale is way off and... well, there is  nothing positive to say about this.
(view from the extended entry way)

(view from the kitchen)

(view from the back entry way)

Last night The Husband and I moved all of the old furniture into the playroom (with the exception of one chair for additional seating).  We also pulled out a rug that was rolled up in one of the guest rooms.  

We had this rug out when we first moved in, but SIL's dog created some damage.  I was too pissed to think rationally and turn the rug - I just rolled it up to get it out of my sight.  The new sectional was going to be plenty large to cover this up and keep it safe from additional damage.  

(view from the back entry way)

Moving the old furniture into the playroom worked well, because it was 100% empty.  The scale of the furniture works much better in a smaller space.  We've already realized this is a great area for The Husband to program, and work from home.  It's not in front of a TV (key for his attention span) and it's still fairly comfortable furniture.   

This furniture arrangement is temporary.  Once we welcome kiddos into this house - it will transform from this "old man den" that we're currently working with...  to a real "playroom". 

And here is the after current state of the living room.  

(view from the extended entry way)

(view from the kitchen)

I think my new purchase will be a console table.  I don't love looking at the back of a couch.

(view from the back entry way)

The plan is a large leather ottoman as an alternative to a coffee table.  

Pearce Sectional Sofa

Color:  Oat

Fabric:  Everyday suede 

So a few thoughts...

• It's going to take some getting used to.  It's definitely an improvement, but I'm not sure if I'm hesitant because it's still so barren in that room... or what.  
• I'm taking suggestions on the carpet placement.  Right now, it's centered in the room... but the couch is a bit off center in an effort to not close off the space.  I think it adds a great texture, but I'm just not sure yet.
• The ugly plaid chair looks horrendous.  I was hoping we could salvage it by reupholstering, but that won't work.  It looks bitty next to that massive couch and it just can't stay.  I think I would eventually like to get another chair for that area, but I have no idea what.  I was REALLY hoping the chair would work because it was free... but I don't think it's possible.  Maybe something leather to match the ottoman?
• Where can I buy pillows for this couch?  It needs color - stat!  

this is where I post something super private on the internet

If you know me in "real life" or even on facebook - here is where I ask for your assistance.  I consider this little blog a private space.  The Husband doesn't read it and I have not told any family about it.  I feel like having my friends and family read it takes an element of anonymity out of it.  I love that coat of privacy (even though it's clearly not... I'm publishing it on the inter webs.  Let me play dumb, please).  I request that nothing that I talk about here be put onto facebook where nosy aunts, uncles and neighbors can read.  

Now that that's out there.

The Husband and I are trying to have a baby.  

This is a very new development, and one that I am so excited about.

Two and a half years ago, the Husband had been married for almost a year... and I was getting "the itch".  I was spending some time online forum where a large portion of the conversation was about fertility, trying to conceive, raising children, etc.  ::itch, itch, itch::

While on this forum I read about a book entitled Taking Charge of Your Fertility.  After ordering the book online, I sat and read cover to cover in two evenings.  I was shocked about the fertility clues that I was so oblivious to.  The Husband was still unemployed at the time and we were not ready for children... but I felt so inspired and educated by the book.  After discussions with The Husband, we decided we would use the methods (charting, temping, checking CM) to avoid pregnancy once he was gainfully employed, and I could finally get off the birth control pill that had been ruling my life for 6.5 years.  

In January 2010, we tossed the pills and started using the more natural methods in TCOYF.  At that time, we decided we would start trying in January 2012 due to some financial goals we wanted to spend the next two years working towards.  I was on board with our savings goals... but my desires to start trying were much stronger once there was so much more stability with The Husband's income.  ::itch, itch, itch::

In January 2011 we took an (unplanned) leap of faith and signed a contract to build a home.  This was not in the 5 year plan, but we felt like it was the right time and the right decision.  We put 15% down on the house, so this obviously impacted our savings goals.  When we signed the contract on the house, The Husband and I decided we would need to push ttc back 9 additional months, until August 2012.  I struggled with this, but decided the home was the right decision and reluctantly got on board with our new plan.

Since we've moved into the house in June 2011, and gained even more stability (emotionally and financially) I have been bugging the shit out of The Husband to push up our ttc date.  The poor guy was subjected to my irrational pleads on a regular basis.  In what I can only rationalize as a weak moment, The Husband agreed to reconsider once he received his next annual review in April 2012.  When he said  "We will talk about this in April 2012, after my annual review.  Leave me alone about this.", I heard "We can start actively ttc in April, and I cannot wait to father your children".  I was stoked.  ::itch,  itch, itch, itch::

Last Saturday, The Husband and I were laying in bed chatting about a potential vacation in April.  He rolled over and said "I have been thinking about this, and I'm ready to start trying for a baby now".  

...Enter my gasp of air, and momentary pause in the beating of my heart... 

(Due to my predictable cycles and history of charting - the husband knew right where I was in my cycle - which happened to be 2 days before ovulation).  I was finally able to scratch that "itch" that has been bugging me for the last 2 years.

So we tried that night.

And we tried last night.

And you can bet all of your buttons that we're trying again tonight.

I am not naive to the difficulties so many people, including several of my own friends and family have endured trying to conceive.  I am just choosing to maintain positive because this is an incredibly exciting time in our lives and there is no reason for me to not soak up every second.  I'm sure a few months of negatives may eventually change my tune, but this post is about where I am in the process as of today.  Bring on the two week wait.  

living room floor plans.

We have been in desperate need of living room furniture.  We have been sitting on a tiny love seat and two chairs that were given to me when an elderly family member passed away.  

What we have right now is way too small for the space... and so far away from our taste it's laughable.  I have to excuse the furniture anytime someone new comes to our home.  It is time for an upgrade.

 We have been saving up for the last few months and I'm so pleased to announce that we finally ordered our very first sofa!

We decided on the Pottery Barn "Pearce" 3 piece sectional sofa.  We have seen it in the stores and I think it's going to be perfect.  We have a very odd foot pattern in our living room, so we had to do a lot of measuring and taping on the carpets to be sure the flow would still work.  I also scored a 10% and 15% off code so I feel pretty good about the grand total.  

(Although this is the most we've ever spent on furniture.  But on second thought, the only other piece of furniture we actually purchased was that tv stand for about $400... ha!  I love a good hand-me-down.)

Here is a photo of the space (as of right now) - meaning I didn't clean up at all. 

The "holes" in the wall directly under this writing are the two windows you see in the photo.

 And here is a photo of the sectional (via google).  It doesn't appear large... but I'm so glad I got the dimensions from the website and put painters tape on the carpet to gauge the actual size.  The Husband and I will both fit on this couch without being on top of each other.  I cannot wait!

The "swing" of our couch will be facing the opposite direction, as you can see from my fancy pants floor plan below (/sarcasm).  You can see that we will keep one of the fugly chairs and matching ottoman for the right side of the room.  Eventually it will be reupholstered, as it's very comfortable (much to my dismay).  The second fugly chair will go into the playroom, as it's a rocker and I anticipate it being handy with little ones someday.  I'm just too practical to toss them.  

...And then eventually we will add to this plan.

I'm looking for a large leather ottoman (opposed to a coffee table).

I also hope to get a console table to cover the back of the couch from the view from the kitchen.  

And last but not least... an armless chair next to the tv stand.  This idea boggles The Husbands mind because "WHO would sit in a chair that didn't face the television?????".  yeah.  

 The delivery date for the couch has been set for two weeks from today.  I think the change is going to be dramatic and I cannot wait!

... p.s.  if I were to post that love seat on craigslist - how much $ would you ask for?  It's a down couch and I'm pretty sure it's custom and was (at some point) a very expensive couch.  It's in great condition but the fabric is just not easy on the eyes.  How about helping me gauge what to list it for??

mmmmhhmmm. Look at those legs

ohhhhhhhh. and that back side. 

and what she's workin' with up top...

Oh hey there!

We got our very first grown-up dining room table.  Exciting stuff!!

(Yes, we have lived in this house for 9 months and the dining room was completely empty for all (approx) two hundred and seventy days.)

A dining room table never seemed like a priority when we didn't have a full sized couch, kwim?  Furnishing a new house (that it twice the size of where you moved from) is a very, very slow process. 

My grandfather recently offered to pass down his table to us (in addition to that beautiful cobalt blue glass).  My parents loaded this set into a u-haul and delivered it this weekend.  And I just love it.

It's nothing I would have ever picked - but I'm really falling for it.  It's much more formal than I would ever choose - but really... If you can't be formal in the formal dining room... where can you?  

I imagine the white (white... where you eat... insanity) seats will be need to be reupholstered the day after our first formal dining experience... but I'm going to enjoy them while they're here, and still white.

Pulled back view from the entry way

It came with an extra leaf, so it easily seats 6 (the extra chairs are on either side of the window).  We initially had the extra leaf in the table, with it running front to back opposed to our current side to side setup) and there was plenty of room.  However, I preferred the side to side look, so we hid the extra leaf under a table... and when we need to feed six people at a time I will just turn the table 90 degrees to accommodate everyone.  

With the dining room furnished (not even close to styled, or complete) I can focus on the big changes that will be happening very soon in our living room!  

Eventually I hope to get a buffet, or large china hutch on the far wall.  In addition some art and color will really help this room feel more finished.  Sooooome daaaaaaay ooooooover the raaaaaainnnnbowww.