8wk appt

I had my first OB appt. today. I had to do a gluclose test, which normally doesn't affect me but I think b/c you have to drink it so fast (within 5mins) and that I did it on an empty stomach, I thought I might hurl. I was feeling a little green but eventually, I started feeling better.

They have to draw the blood exactly one hour after I finish the drink so they took a total of 4 vials for all the other tests they had to run as well. They also had to do a urine test and my blood pressure was 112/60 and the urine came back negative. They sat me down in the dr's office and he went over my whole history again. They did a pap. I had the works.

And then to my surprise, he gave me a sonogram! It's too early to 'hear' the heartbeat so they did a sono so we could 'see' the heartbeat.It was amazing and so unexpected.

The little 'critter' (as the dr called it) was an inch or so long with little arms and legs with little hands and a little fluttering heart. I can still see it now. They didn't take any pics or measurements since it was just to see the hb and we were in the office but nonetheless, I was in awe.

I'm growing a baby.

6wks 2d Sono and Jack's first haircut.

120bpm was the heart rate of the ONLY baby in there!

Right now I'm at what they call the "diamond ring" stage b/c the yolk sac and baby look just like a diamond ring. I haven't had time to scan the pics b/c right after I got home, we took Jack for his first haircut. He didn't care for it much but I got some cute pics and he looks so handsome. When I get the pics scanned and d/l'd - I'll be sure to share.


ETA: I also have a really large cyst on my right ovary (the one I ovulated from), it's like 4+ cm and she said that my dr might want me to come back for another sono to make sure that's resolved, she said it's pretty big yet no reason for concern either.

Biopsy results.

I just got my biopsy results like 10-15mins ago (it's 6:45pm here, isn't that late?).

Anyhow, it was nothing to worry about it was a lactating adenoma (Adenoma: A benign tumor that arises in or resembles glandular tissue).

48hrs later - bloodwork

At 14dpo my progesterone was 29.3 (they want it to be 11-40) and at:

14dpo hCG = 270

16dpo hCG = 666

They want to see it double every 48hrs so it's looking good.

Biopsy today.

Today is my biopsy. I have to be there at 10:15est. I'm not even really scared or nervous since it's just a needle biopsy. They'll numb it and use an ultrasound machine to be sure the needle goes into the lump and then they will take 2-3 samples removing most of it just doing that. I have no idea when I'll get the results back but so far my Nov has been much better than my Oct so I'm crossing my fingers for good news.


UPDATE:
I went in not at all stressed or worried. I mean how bad can a needle biopsy be right? Well let me tell you, ignorance is bliss.

With that said, it still wasn't bad and I would do it again without fear. I won't get into all the details but I basically had mini outpatient surgery where they just gave me a local. I'm a little sore and he said that there would be some bruising but I can still breastfeed without a problem.

I can't not get the dressing wet for 48hrs so no showers for that long. And they will call me next week with the results.

Bloodwork (pg?)

I went in yesterday for a blood test since I've had a few m/c's in the past and I got the results back today. I go back tomorrow and those will be the tell tell results since my hCG should at least double every 48hrs for a viable pregnancy.

Anyhow, the blood was drawn on 14dpo and I also had blood drawn at 14dpo with Jack as well. With Jack my hCG was 511 at 14dpo and at 12dpo it was 162 with my progesterone at 26.3 (they want it between 11 - 40).

This one at 14dpo the hCG was 270 and the progesterone was 29.3.

So it all looks great... for now. I just gotta pray that it doubles to ease my mind! When I go tomorrow we will also make an appt for an early sono. so I can see that little flickering heartbeat.

Abdominal sono update

I've been so busy lately that I forgot to update everyone on my abdominal sonogram.

I got the results about a week ago. They were specifically looking at my liver and that came back normal. However, they measure everything and they found that my spleen is enlarged. Not what I was expecting to hear... but they said that's not so enlarged that they are concerned. It's 12cm and they said that when they talk about someone having an enlarged spleen they are talking of one that measures 20cm+. He did say that it could explain the elevated bilirubin (bilirubin is the waste material that red blood cell leave behind when they die) since that's where the red blood cells die.

So that's it in a nutshell. We will be keeping an eye on things but right now he's not too concerned.

General Surgeon appt

I went to a gen surgeon - not for a biopsy - but for a 2nd opinion. I was led to believe that I was going for a biopsy but that wasn't the case. However, he did say that he wanted to do one - that will be on Nov 14.

He told me if he was a betting man that he'd say it was benign and something commonly found in lactating women and not to lose any sleep over it. He also said that he wants to see what it is before he goes in to remove anything and that just doing the biopsy will remove most of it since it's so small.

That's it in a nutshell.

Jack is walking!!

10 1/2 mos old and Jack is walking!! It's amazing. I know I'm in for a world of trouble now but he already gets into everything crawling and this way, at least he keeps his hands and pants clean. :) He's been letting go and taking a step here and a few steps there but when I was at the dr today, my mom said that he kept taking 4-5 steps and then today he kept doing it as well only walking further and further.

I can't believe he's walking!!

Breast sono - update

I had my sono today.

What they found was NOT a cyst but a solid mass. They will now do a biopsy on the 30th instead of aspirating it...What I don't understand is why will they do a biospy instead of just doing a lumpectomy and removing it and THEN biopsying it? Because aren't they just going to remove it anyhow?

Anyhow. I'm trying to remain calm but all the what if's and unknown are invading my thoughts. It's all overwhelming to think about.

Worst mother ever! :(

Today my sister, mom and myself were looking at pics on my sisters computer for her to upload to Babygap when we heard a thud. My sister jumped up, my mom jumped up and they both ran upstairs thinking my nephew crawled up to the top bunk and fell off (he's three). My BIL came from the kitchen and said that Kyle fell from the top bunk when they got up there he was still sleeping and my niece was still in her crib.

That's when the crying started and I realized it was JACK!!!!!!!!!!!!

He fell down the steps.

A WHOLE freakin' flight of like 10 but he's ok. I freaked out! I ran to him and I don't know how many steps I even hit on my way to him. My sister said that my lips were white. He doesn't even have a scratch but man! what a wake up call. I feel terrible. I've never had such accidents happen - EVER. I'm such a terrible mother.


ETA: That Jack was there with us one minute and down the steps the next and my sister has a gate on the steps but my mom opened when she came back in with the mail b/c all the kids were sleeping, shortly after, Jack woke up and we never thought to close the gate. I mean he was in the room with 3 adults not that it mattered, had I realized the gate was open, I would've close it.

I had an appt today.

Today I went and saw my gyn regarding the lump in my breast. He told me to schedule a sonogram (so now I will get a sono of my breast and abdomen at the same time, thank God I waited to make the abdomen appt - the abdomen appt is b/c my bloodwork came back in Sept with elevated bilirubin and this is not the first time so my dr wanted to see what my liver looked like) and to make an appt with a general surgeon.

While all of this is scary, I really have no gut feeling telling me to worry. So I'll just wait and see what happens. My dr did tell me that it could be something from breast feeding b/c they see that a lot. Who knows...

Austin is 11!

Today my baby is 11. Eleven. Where'd the time go? I can't believe that I raised such a good kid. Austin is incredible. He's so helpful to me and so caring and loving. I think it's in his genes b/c as much as I'd like to take the credit, I hardly doubt that it was my parenting. lol

Happy Birthday Austin! I love you... more!

Austin's birthday party.

Austin had his birthday party yesterday. He won't be 11 until the 17th but he's at his dad's that weekend so we had the party last night. Austin was so excited for this party. It was a sleep over but not just any sleep over, this one was special. First we invited all the family and a few of his closest friends and we ordered pizza, had a bon fire (where they later cooked hot dogs and marshmallows) and then they got to spend the night in the RV. I've got to say that all the kids at the party had a really good time. The younger kids chased each other round and round the yard, they must've slept well. It was loud and while I was going a little nuts making sure Jack didn't wake up from the party noise, we all had a good time.

Overall, I think it will be a birthday that he will always remember.

Found a lump.

I found a lump in my right breast today. I'm not sure what to make of it right now but I guess I'll be calling a dr on Monday. I'll keep you posted.

Bill is in Idaho.

Bill is in Idaho hunting. I hate when he's gone for long periods of time and any time he goes far away from home, he's always gone like 10-14 days. Did I mention that I hate when he's gone for long periods of time? He's been gone 8 days now and it's getting old. When is it my turn to up and leave reality for a two week period?

Anyhow, if things didn't already suck, I ovulated. We are ttc and this is my first ovulation since getting pregnant with Jack. Oh well. I suppose it's better that my body has at least one period before I get pregnant.

Well, that's enough for now. I'm going to bed.

8mos!!

Jack is 8mos old today!! How the time is flying. He's such a joy! I'm so terribly blessed. He's been crawling but now he's pulling himself up on stuff and eating Puffs. He still doesn't have any teeth but we are working on that. I've recently stopped his night feedings and we're trying to teach him how to self soothe. I think he's doing pretty good.

Off to go get lunch.

The babies are here!

Today my nephews were born. Into the world came, Caden Chase and Carter Vincent. Caden weighed in at 4lbs 11ozs and was 16.5" long and Carter weighed in at 4lbs 1ozs and was 16" long. They are both doing good but still preemie enough to have all the wires and tubes hooked up. They were only 34 or 35wks, I can't remember which.

I can't wait to meet them!

A death.

Last night the Toothfairy died. Good riddance! That was the most STRESSFUL thing for me, sneaking down in the night, reaching under the pillow for the tooth and replacing it with money and slipping away unnoticed... Nevermind the lies one must tell if they forget!


Anyway, Austin has been pestering me for like a year about whether the toothfairy was real or not. Once he even wrote a note that needed a reply!! Then he would lose teeth and not tell us to see if she would come... alas she would not. So last night he started again and I confessed. Whew... I feel like a load was lifted.

Jackie's baby shower

Well first let me say that we got here ok. Jack cried in the car for about an hour at the half way point, probably because he didn't want to keep sitting confined in that car seat any longer but alas, he fell asleep for the rest of the way.

Today was Jackie's, my brother's girlfriend, baby shower. I don't know if I mentioned it before but she's having twins, twin boys but they are fraternal so they won't look alike. It was a great shower. I was there with my mom, my sister, her daughter Ainsley and Jack. Ainsley was a busy body, she was everywhere. Jack was good and in the end, ended up falling asleep in my arms.

The food was great and she got a TON of stuff! We got her a crib and crib mattress and I got her a ton of other things including bags of handed down clothes. She should be set for now.

I need to run, my mom is watching Jack and I need to feed him.

Going to PA

I'm leaving to go to Pennsylvania today, in just a couple hours at that so I don't have too much time to blog. I'm nervous about driving with the baby, I'm nervous about him crying. I still have a ton to do. I need to pack for myself and any last minute things I might remember. It should be a good visit home. I'll get to see my mom and dad and a bunch of people that I haven't seen in a while. I'll post more later.

Sofia Rose

That's the name of my newest niece born July 5th.

She was born yesterday morning at 8:23am and has a head full of dark hair. She weighed in at 7lbs 9ozs and was 19" long.Bill and I will go see them tonight and I can't wait to see the wee one.

So cool to be an Aunt again!

Realization

I realized while I was in the shower that my short marriage to Bill, 1yr and 5mos, has already been longer than my marriage to ex. It's sad but it's true. Ex came to me after 1yr and 3mos and told me that he was content but not happy. I asked him to explain that to me because I thought that content was a state of happy and he told me that when someone is [only] content that's why they cheat. Boy, I didn't even see that huge red flag. I knew something happened that weekend while I was gone but I couldn't get him to admit to anything until years later when he had nothing left to lose by telling the truth. Scum. I loved him whole heartedly which I why I always said that he would never find a woman better than me, not because there aren't good women out there but because NO ONE would love him like I did. All of this is water under the bridge. I'm happy now with my new life. It just wanted to put my realization out there.

I should know better.

I jumped the gun a bit in my "ovulation" post. I should know better than to assume ovulation based on one temperature. As you guessed, I did not ovulate, the temperature must've been a fluke. So, that's it for that. I didn't miss a thing.

This morning I went to get Austin and when no one showed up, I started calling. Here I thought that his dad was getting Austin for a week after we went to PA but it was the week before - this week. Man. I woke up Jack and everything. I could've slept in. Oh well.

Ovulation

So I'm breastfeeding. Jack is 6mos old and I still have not had my cycle return. This is a good thing and a bad thing all at the same time. I mean, I don't think I need to explain to you why I think it's a good thing, especially if you're a woman but it's a bad thing because I was hoping to be able to start ttc #3. I want my last 2 children to be close in age and the closer the better. I have my reasons.

One being I worry about getting pregnant at my age because in the ttc world I already have one foot in the grave. This never really would've bothered me until I had my pregnancy with Jack and they kind of freaked me out putting me through rounds of testing. Yikes!

Two, although I love being pregnant, I want to get this out of the way.

And three, I want the two to be close. Friends close. Not that they can't be "friend" close further apart but they will be more on the same page closer together.

Anyhow, I've been watching my cycle very carelessly. We haven't had protected sex once since Jack has been born because I don't care if I get pregnant. I've taken my temperature (my choice of birth control) a handful of times just to note whether or not I ovulated. In the past I could always feel when I ovulated so I figured I would probably feel it again. So, I think it was Saturday the I last took my temperature, although I'm not 100%, it could've been Friday, whatever, it was 97.2 which tells me that I had not ovulated. This morning I get up and I think to take my temperature and it's 97.9 indicating ovulation. I did not feel ovulation this time and I'm bummed (not terribly bummed being as how Jack is only 6mos old) to think I may have missed my first month ttc because I wasn't more on top of things. Thing is though, I don't know when I ovulated. My best guess would be either yesterday or Monday. The only time we had sex was last night so I'm hoping I ovulated yesterday. I guess I'll know in about 2wks.

Bottom line here: God knows what I can handle.

A weird phone call

You'll never guess who called me yesterday. My ex mother-in-law. It's funny how she called me right after her family had a get-together. She said that she found out my new last name from last year's Christmas card and she called information to get my number. Now, maybe this is true but I have a feeling that ex gave her my number when he saw her on Sunday. I'm sure she asked and he handed it right over but she wouldn't tell me that.

It was an odd conversation. I mean, I always did get along with ex's parents and I even said to Bill one day that it was shame that I didn't / couldn't keep in touch with them but there were long pauses where she didn't know what to say so I had to keep filling in the blanks. She called me and I had to keep coming up with the topic of conversations. Mainly b/c so much time has passed so there's not a ton we can talk about plus the fact that she's my ex-husband's mother but it was nice to hear from her. I will admit though, I was a bit relieved my dad called on the other line and it was time to end the conversation.

I have a feeling that that won't be the last time that I hear from her since she was the one who went of her way to get my phone number and made the first call in probably 3yrs. We'll see.

Sitting and crawling

Jack has become real good at sitting these days. He's no pro at it just yet as he still loses his balances from time to time but he's close, real close.

And he's trying to crawl. He gets up on his hands and knees and rocks now, sometimes he goes forward and sometimes he goes backwards. I can't believe how quickly he's learning right now.

Before I know it, he'll be pulling himself up and taking his first steps.

Jack's 6 mos check-up

6 MONTHS!!!!

Today Jack weighed 17 lbs 4 ozs (50%) and he was 26 1/4" long (45%).
His head circumference was 44cm (50%).

They were real happy to know that he was still on breastmilk. He has a touch of eczema which they weren't too worried about. He also had more vaccinations today that he did real well with. Each time now he seems to cry less and less.

Also, I found out today that a boy will have grown to have of his adult height by the time he's 2. So when Jack's 2, I'll be able to double his height for an indication of how tall he'll be full grown. Interesting I thought.

Vacation

We're on vacation this week with MumC and Brian up at Bethany Beach in Delaware and the weather has been so-so.

The first day we were here the weather was nice, beautiful even. Jack had his first day at the beach that day. He seemed to like it but then again he likes being outside. He got to dip his toes in the water and sit in the sand. As soon as MumC sat him in the sand he got a whole handful of the stuff. I didn't care for that so much because he eats his hands still and now they were covered in sand. Bleck. He even got to take a nap on the beach in the stroller. However, all good things must end and that's when I felt the first few drops of drizzle. At that point, we packed up and went back to the condo but not before I burned my shoulders pretty good. 3 days later and they still hurt.

We got some great pics! I can't wait to download them (I didn't bring my USB cord for the camera).

We've been out to dinner every night except for tonight and MumC made us spaghetti. It was so good but now I feel full as a tick. It was my best meal all week!

Tomorrow Shannon, Ronnie, Kyle and Ainsley are coming over and we will spend the day with them before heading home on Saturday so that Austin can spend Sunday (Father's Day) with his dad.

I'm going to wrap this up now. Goodnight!

5th Grade Graduation

My first baby is already graduating 5th grade!! I said it before and I'll say it again, "How time flies!"

Today was Austin's graduation. I'm so proud of him. He's so proud of himself. He looked so grown up in the suit that he HAD to wear with the tie that Billy gave him to wear...awwww...

I'm a little upset that the camera decided to act up today and all the pics we got were really dark. Now I need to call ex to see if they got any real good pics of Austin graduating.

The ceremony freaked Jack out. Everytime everyone clapped he cried. Anyhow, we're off to the beach now!!

Ainsley

Today is Ainsley's birthday. Ainsley is my niece and she's turning one year old. I was at her birth and I remember it like it was yesterday. She was a couple weeks early so she was just a tiny little thing weighing around 5 1/2lbs but she had the longest feet and fingers any newborn (other than her brother) I have ever seen. She was also covered in vernix, you know that white sticky stuff that protects the newborn skin from the amniotic fluid. A baby born at 40wks doesn't have this but the earlier they are born, the more they have, she seemed to have a lot.

Alas, she already one! How the time flies. Happy Birthday to my beautiful (and only) niece, Ainsley! xoxoxo

Jack's 4mos check-up

Jack is 4 mos old now so it's time for the growth measurements.

Today he weighed 14 lbs 15 ozs (25 - 50%) and he was 24 3/4 (25-50%).
His head circumference was 42 1/2 (50-75%).

He did much better today with his vaccinations. But he's growing like a weed.

Jack and Austin

Jack is such a great baby! I could not have asked for a better baby and I hope that I'm not jinxing myself by bragging. Jack has to be one of the happiest babies ever. All he does is smile and laugh at me all day. Sure, he nurses (which he has now decided to stop so he could smile at me then too), sleeps and poos but aside from that, he's smiling. And he doesn't even cry when he wakes up so even though his room is right next to mine, I need a monitor. For example, just now, he made a noise in the monitor so I went to check on him and he was laying in there wide awake and when I said "Hi baby" I got great big smiles (he's laying on his belly so he couldn't even see me, only smiled at the sound of my voice)!!

My mom is coming into town tomorrow and I just can't wait for her to see him. She's going to enjoy him so much b/c he's such a pleasure!

Also, I'm going to make Austin's day tomorrow. I'm having a Tastefully Simple party. We went to one about 2wks ago and Austin had to come b/c I didn't have a sitter. Well, he tried everything everyone else tried and he loved it all. A party where they're there to feed you, he loved this idea. So we're having our own tomorrow. He can't wait.

Not to mention, Bill left this morning to go snow mobiling in Idaho for 5 days and since my mom and step-dad will be here I told Austin he could sleep in my bed so that they could sleep in his. He's beside himself with excitement! It's great to see him so happy.

One year ago today

Bill and I were married in a little gazebo that hung out over the ocean in Jamaica.

My sil offered to babysit for us tonight so we could go out to dinner but I would hate to leave Jack even though he'd be in great hands. I've only ever left him with Bill for an hour or so at a time. I'm over protective that way. So in the end, we ordered out and we'll be spending the evening with Jack and Austin.
I got Bill a gift certificate (1 yr - the gift is to be paper correct?) to get a pedicure. Some you might laugh at the thought of a man getting a pedicure but Bill is in desperate NEED of one b/c his feet are in work boots all the time and he really messed them up the last time he went hunting in Idaho... Hopefully, he'll use it real soon.

Anyhow, I can't believe it's been a year and that we already have a 9 wk old!!

Here's to many years to come!

Jack's 2mos check-up

Jack is 2 months old. How time flies!!

Today he weighed in at 12 lbs 0.4 ozs (50%) and he grew to 23" (50%).
His head circumference was 40 1/4" (75%).

He also got shots today. My poor guy didn't like that at all. I'm hoping they don't make him too sick...

Something Austin said

The other night I was tucking Austin in bed and out of the blue he says, "Thank you mommy."

I said, "What for?"

He said, "Jack."

He loves his little brother so much! When he's home he can't stay away from him.

Hi there!

Wow, it's been forever since I've added an entry here. As you know, I've been busy with Jack. It seems that no sooner do I get him down that he gets up and with Bill working as much as he does, it seems as though I don't have time to do anything but lurk. I do post on my Stork Delivery board but that seems to be about it.
Anyhow, Jack and I are doing great! He's gaining weight so fast that my arms sometimes ache carrying him. I'm not used to carrying a baby around. My other "baby" is 10.

I can't get over how much Jack has changed since we brought him home. He smiles and coos and sucks on his hand when he has a burp stuck that's giving him problems. I love that little sign. If I'm trying to rock him and he puts his hand in his mouth, it's time to try and get a burp. He smiles when I stick my tongue out at him and he tries to do the same. I just love having a baby again. Granted it's hard work and awfully tiring but so terribly rewarding!

As a matter of fact, I asked Bill just last night about having more children. He says he'd love more children. I know that sounds nuts seeing as how Jack is only 7wks old today but I'm not talking about ttc next month or anything! Good Lord women, give me some credit. :lol: However, the sooner the better for a couple reasons, the biggest one being my age.

I'll try not to stay away for so long in between entries. I think we're finally getting a schedule in place which will allow me a little bit more computer time. It doesn't help that I have to dial-up and then the connection is so slow, I feel like I'm in the stone age but hopefully by the end of February, we'll have a cable connection. I can't wait!