My 2nd OB Appt

I just got back from my 2nd OB appt and all went well!!!! The doctor found the heartbeat right away on the doppler beating away at 153bpm. What a relief!!! I've been waiting for this appt so I can breath a little more. Now that I am entering the 2nd trimester and they heard the heartbeat on the doppler my chances of miscarriage go down to 1%. I'll take those odds. :) I did ask the doctor about my progesterone and he did say that I am on the low side of normal so they do want to continue the injections for quite awhile. Oh well...as long as it is helping I will continue. He also did give me some long explanation about a theory on progesterone levels and how it is not 100% accurate. Basically...they just like to be extra cautious. That's ok, it's better safe than sorry. I'm so happy for the good appt...now I can finally start telling my extended family and others about the pregnancy. I just wanted to get out of this 1st trimester before I told the world. Thanks for thinking of me...

Week 13

Wow...I can't believe I am only a couple days away from the 2nd trimester!!! I have my 2nd OB appt tomorrow morning so I'm holding my breath until tomorrow when I hear that heartbeat on the doppler. Once I hear that I think I can breath a little better going into the 2nd trimester. As I mentioned before, clothes are definitely getting tighter. I went to Target this past weekend to check out maternity pants. What a disappointment. Don't they make maternity pants for TALL women???? Seriously! It looks like I'm ready for a flood wearing the pants. Ugh! So I left there buying a bella band to try out. I used it last night when we met some friends for dinner and I must say that it worked out pretty well. It didn't look like I was wearing my pants unbuttoned or anything. It kept my pants up and hopefully this will work for awhile until I can find myself some maternity pants. If you know where I can get TALL pants let me know! I'll update you after my appt tomorrow.

Fetal Development

There is a lot going on with your baby this week. Your baby's intestines are migrating from the umbilical cord into his or her abdomen. The villi are also forming in the intestines, and these help in peristaltic movements and digestion. The liver begins to secrete bile and the pancreas is even secreting insulin! All twenty teeth have formed and are waiting under the gums, while your baby has begun to practice swallowing by taking in the surrounding amniotic fluid and pass it back in his urine. Your baby can smile and his vocal cords are quickly developing, too. He looks more and more human as his eyes move closer together and the ears are beginning to move to what will be their normal positions. Your baby weighs between approximately 13 and 20 grams (1/2 and 3/4 ounce) and is approximately 2 1/2 to 3 inches long. The placenta and baby are about the same weight now.

This week marks the end of the embryonic period. Most of the vital systems are developed now, and baby starts really growing, at times, growing as much as an inch this week.

My Symptoms

- Constipation (sorry, I know...TMI)

- Forgetfulness

13 week belly pic!

Progesterone Results

Well it wasn't the best news but my levels are increasing...s-l-o-w-l-y! I know it is better than decreasing and it does mean that things are still progressing in there but I hate that I have borderline low progesterone the entire time. I will continue to get the shots and they will recheck my levels in 2 weeks. I have my 2nd OB appt on Tuesday and I really want to talk to the doctor about this whole issue. I just want a DOCTOR to tell me that those levels are ok or if they have reason to be concerned or what. Do I need to be on these shots the whole way through the pregnancy? I'm so lucky that I work for my parents since I am at the doctors office just about every other day. No other employer would be too happy with their employee leaving the office constantly like that. It's funny that the entire OB/GYN office knows me by name now and are pulling for me to get taken off these shots. As soon as I walk in to the office I always get a polite "Hi Lesli" from all the ladies in the office. They always have my file ready to go when I walk in. I know all the nurses and office staff by name and it kinda makes me feel special in a way that they all talk to me every time I go in. Anyway, hopefully this will be my last 2 weeks on the shots but if I have to continue...then I do.

Week 12

What a difference a week makes!!! I've been feeling really good lately :::knock on wood::: I'm feeling pretty much like myself again only with slight exhaustion later in the evening. I had SUCH a busy week and had barely 30 minutes to myself. I'm glad that this week is much more calm though. Although I'm glad to be feeling good...it makes me nervous too! I hope things are still cooking in there. My clothes are getting tighter and tighter everyday. I'm lucky that I can wear whatever to work...so its been casual velour pant/jacket sets. woohoo!

I also got a new car this weekend!!!!! We got an OUTSTANDING deal on a new VW Passat that we couldn't refuse. I was leasing my Jetta and the lease was up in a few weeks. I went there planning on getting another Jetta but I drove out of there with a Passat only paying $30 more a month for it AND I'm buying it...not leasing anymore. I absolutely LOVE my new car!!! Heated leather seats, Satellite radio, sunroof, smoother ride, lots more room...it is AWESOME!

Ok, back to my pregnancy...I have shots and bloodwork tomorrow (Tues) to check my progesterone levels again. Let's hope things are going well that I can get taken off of them this time. My insurance is not paying for the progesterone so I'm getting sick of the large bills coming to the house every week....however if it is helping keep my baby healthy, then I will pay whatever!!

Fetal Development
By now, nearly all of your baby's organs, structures and systems are fully formed. The heart begins pumping several quarts of blood through your baby's body every day. Your baby has also begun to develop nerves and a spinal cord, allowing him to feel some types of pain. While your baby's brain is not the same size it will be at birth, it does have the same structure. Fingers and toes have separated and hair and nails continue to grow. Your baby is approximately 2.5 - 3.5 inches and weighs about 12 - 14 grams.
Also, the external genitals can now show definite signs of male and female gender. Before, Where there was only reflex movement, your baby now moves spontaneously and at random, although his movements are still too slight to be felt. With the use of a Doppler, you may be able to hear your baby's heart beat at this office visit. It will sound very fast, similar to the sound of a running horse's hooves. Once you hear this sound, you can rest assured that your risk of miscarriage is greatly reduced.

My Symptoms
- Exhaustion in the evenings
- Forgetfulness!!!

12 week belly pic

So excited...

Let's switch gears a little from all this pregnancy talk and take a moment to talk about the success I'm having with lia sophia. Last night was our monthly meeting and I went home with all kinds of prizes. I couldn't believe it...this is something I would've NEVER guessed would happen to ME! I sat in shock as I was given a "jewelry showcase" for my sales efforts. A jewelry showcase is basically what it is...a showcase to display your jewelry. It's a wooden fold out case that sits on a table that can display several pieces of jewelry. Those cases retail $150+ a piece and I WON one!! I couldn't believe it. I was just thinking about breaking down and buying one since it takes me so long to set up my jewelry at shows but now I don't have to. Eventually I would like to buy a couple more but this is a fantastic start!!! I also won a very nice lia sophia tote bag for meeting a certain goal in December. Woohoo!!!! In addition to these wonderful gifts I also got to pick out several pieces of "supplies" (packages of order forms, catalogs, brochures, etc.) for each show I had in December. I can't tell you all again how excited I am to be apart of this AWESOME company. I never thought I would be good at direct sales and never thought that I would make any actual REAL money with it but I TOTALLY AM!!! My commission checks AGAIN paid for ALL the Christmas gifts. The checks just keep rolling in...

This Sunday our local lia sophia unit is holding a jewelry BINGO event that was an absolute BLAST last time. Past guests/hostesses ask about the dates for upcoming BINGO events so they can mark it on their calendar. So many prizes given away and it doesn't have to cost you a thing to play. If you are interested in attending this event, please contact me and I will be glad to give you info about it. I promise that it will be tons of fun.

I am actually right on track for earning a trip to Cancun, Mexico this year which makes me so excited. What a wonderful gift that would be! I'm on my way to winning....

Week 11

I'm getting closer and closer to the second trimester now...woohoo! Overall I'm feeling MUCH better. The headaches are not quite as often as the past couple weeks but still there from time to time. I've had some cramping the past week which kinda freaks me out but hopefully it is just things stretching out in there. My clothes are just starting to get a little tight but not bad yet. Since I am tall I'm sure it will take a little longer for me to get a baby bump so I may be able to hold off awhile for any type of maternity clothes. We'll see!! I have a busy week with lia sophia stuff and bears games that hopefully it will go fast. I also have my shots on Tues and Fri and HOPING to get taken off them next week.

Fetal Development
Your baby's organ systems are now functioning and he has a skeleton, nerves and blood circulation. Your baby's tiny feet are fully formed and shaped and could stand on an adult's fingernail. The most critical part of baby's development is now over, and the remainder of the pregnancy is about rapid growth, organ maturation and getting ready for delivery. In fact, your baby grows so quickly now that he will start out this week being approximately 21 - 25 mm or 0.85 - 1.0 inches and by the end of the week will be 44 - 51 mm or 1.75 - 2.0 inches and weigh approximately 7 grams! Your baby's head is about 1/2 of his body length. The baby's eyelids are fused now and the irises are developing. Your baby will begin to get baby teeth, fingernails, toenails and hair follicles this week, too.

My Symptoms
- Frequent Urination (getting up twice a night to pee)
- Small headaches from time to time

11.5 week belly pic

Week 10

Yay...I made it to double digits!!! I really thought the first trimester would drag but surprisingly it's going fast. I'm sure having the holidays in the middle of it made the time go quickly. Tomorrow I have my progresterone injections and bloodwork to see if I can get taken off them. I really hope my progesterone went up so things are continuing to develop well in there plus my bum really could use the break. My entire butt is black and blue from the injections and sitting gets to be difficult. Oh well...this is all well worth it in the end. I'm still having headaches and lack of energy to get through the day but it does seem to be better than weeks 8 and 9. The weeks of Christmas and New Years were a struggle and I'm glad they are behind me. I'm excited to get my life back to normal and looking forward to lots of lia sophia activities this month.

Fetal Development
This week marks the beginning of the fetal period, which lasts until birth. Your baby's body systems, such as circulatory, nervous, reproductive and digestive, are fully formed during this time. His heart is beating approximately 160-170 beats per minute. Your baby is 27 - 35 mm or 1.06 - 1.38 inches with 1/2 the length being attributed to the head. He weighs between 3 - 4 grams (or less then 1/2 ounce), or 4 paper clips.

Also, your baby will become much more active then before, but unfortunately, his movements are still too small for you to notice. He will be moving his arms and legs, which can be seen on an ultrasound. Your baby's joints are fully formed, as are his tiny hands, feet, fingers and toes. At this age, he would be able to grab an object, if it were placed in his hand, as he grows more and more sensitive to touch. Your baby's eyes are open most of the time but the eyelids are beginning to fuse - they will stay that way until you reach approximately 25 to 27 weeks. The external genitalia are beginning to be able to show your baby's gender and both the external ears and upper lip are completely formed now. Your baby's biggest accomplishment this week is the disappearance of the tail!

Also, your baby is breathing. This breathing activity is noticeable as he "breathes" amniotic fluid. He is beginning to urinate as well.

My Symptoms
- Headaches
- Lack of energy
- Hungry all the time

Week 9

Week 9 has been rough with the inlaws visiting for 7 days. I have absolutely NO energy and terrible terrible headaches that never go away no matter what I do. I felt like I was a terrible hostess for the inlaws. I just wanted to lay around and sleep most of the days but they wanted to go out and eat lunch/dinner or go shopping or visit other friends. I rarely sit around in lounge type clothes...especially around my MIL who wears stilettos to a sporting event. She is always dressed up real nice but I felt like a bum. I just couldn't bring myself to get all dressed up. Oh well...I can't help it and I wanted to feel comfortable.

We had our first official OB appt right at 9 weeks and got to see our little one moving around on the u/s. The heartbeat was beating great at 157bpm and the doctor got some real good pics. I'm measuring on track and HOPEFULLY I only have one more week of progesterone injections. I will get bloodwork done in week 10 to check levels....if they go up again, they will take me off them. YAY!

Fetal Development

This week marks the end of the embryonic period and the placenta is developing as well. Your baby looks like a tiny human now and is approximately 13 - 17 mm or about 0.51 - 0.66 inches in length (about the size of a raspberry). At this point, he weighs approximately 1 - 1.5 grams (the weight of a paperclip).

While the internal reproductive organs have now become either testes for boys or ovaries for girls, there's nothing yet to tell you whether it's a boy or girl even if you look closely. The skeleton has begun to form as cartilage and bones take shape. The baby's intestine has begun to move out of the umbilical cord into the baby's abdomen and your baby is now taking his first few drinks - he's drinking amniotic fluid. Remember, a little of what you eat and drink ends up in the amniotic fluid so, it can end up in him. Reflex muscle movements continue and now your baby will move away if touched through the uterine wall. Other changes in your baby are the heart valve formation, the retina formation, and the tip of the nose becoming visible.

My Symptoms

- TERRIBLE headaches

- Extreme fatigue

- Nausea right before bed