16 Weeks Check In

Just a little check in...

To answer my most frequently asked question of late, no, we don't have a name yet. We didn't think too hard about names until we found out what we were having (why agonize over two names when we will probably never need one of them?)... now it's just hard finding the right name that goes well with our last name, is easy to spell, is gender specific, translates well to adulthood, and is not common but not weird in a small Southern town. Suggestions welcome! :)

Rant- I've gotten multiple times that since we're having a boy, maybe next time we will have a girl. Ahhh. Although we have two embryos left, at this point it's pretty unlikely in my mind that we will be the ones to transfer them for a multitude of reasons. Our family can be complete with one child, I think, and without a girl if that's how it pans out. And besides, we already had a girl. She just didn't make it to the earth. Of course, we reserve the right to change our minds (and we are paying to store the embryos until after the birth and can fully decide)... it's just frustrating to hear this comment.  

Well, it's been 8 weeks since I did one of these, so I guess it's time to give an update on all my ailments- haha!

Baby's size: Avocado

Total weight gain: Last week I was one pound below pre-estrace weight. If I had to guess, I've gained at least a pound or two this week. I feel huge!

Sleep: Tired earlier in the evening and waking up early- hello 5 AM.

Best moment of last week: Seeing our baby on the ultrasound and finding out we are having a boy! And giving the news to our family.

Miss anything: Being able to wear normal scrubs, being able to exercise (I say it loosely- walking on my lunch break and doing pilates at home)

Food cravings: Pizza, any fruit, coffee cake, cinnamon rolls, an ice cold Diet Dr Pepper in a 20 oz bottle (haven't had any since before the transfer but I keep thinking about it- the sound of the lid coming off, the mist coming up from the bottle, the burning and sweetness on my tongue....)

Anything that makes you sick or queasy: As long as I eat pretty regularly, I feel okay. I haven't ventured back to chicken yet but thought today that Z.axby's sounded kind of good- too bad they were closed due to weather, so I couldn't test out my thoughts. I still can't drink carbonation, and I am hesitant around fried foods (my heartburn is totally gone since I stopped the progesterone, but it's in the head).

Looking forward to: Going to the doctor next week- I never knew I would be excited about the doctor! I just want to make sure everything is okay. I know he is growing and I don't have any more bleeding (knock on ten piles of wood). But I don't know that my thyroid, blood pressure, blood sugars, cervix length, and a multitude of other stressors are what they should be. I'm constantly on edge.

The internet says: He is 4.5 inches (feels way bigger) and is getting hair, lashes, and taste buds. He also may be able to start hearing the world around him soon, too.

Other milestones: I haven't thrown up in about 2 weeks! Wohoo!!! I've cleaned a bunch of junk out of the nursery- we've had it set up for over 2 years since we were doing foster care and had accumulated way too much stuff. And, I got back into some counseling to help with my anxiety. Anxiety isn't the enemy. It is my body protecting itself (physically and emotionally). I knew my emotions had been through the ringer but really hadn't stopped to think just all my body has been though in less than a year- all the medication and hormones and appointments and transfers and pregnancy and surgeries. I know most of my anxiety stems from some of the traumatic things that have happened a long the way, so luckily I am finding a healthy and effective way to process them.