Baby Stephens #2

Well, after 5 months of trying William and I were thrilled to discover that a few days after I declared my secondary infertility I was actually already pregnant.

I was on day 38 of my cycle and was getting pretty pissed that it was going on so long. We had just decided to go forward with intervention but the lack of "Aunt Flow" showing up really threw a kink in our plans to start meds. I had been taking cheap pregnancy tests I bought off Amazon and they were all negative so I finally broke down and bought a few expensive ones.

On November 12, 2013, we found out we were expecting again. I called my doctor the next morning and went in for blood work to check my progesterone levels and hcg levels. I found out Thursday that my progesterone was normal but my hcg levels were extremely low. They asked if there was any way I actually ovulated much later than expected which of course is a possibility with me. I went in for repeat blood work this morning but won't know the result of it until Monday.

We are excited. Still trying to figure out how everything will work out (money and house preparations) but we have plenty of time.

Right now I'm guessing my due date is around July 20, 2013. I will be having a scheduled c-section this time. My guess is they'll want to do it around 38 weeks so I don't go into labor. That would put the baby's birthday around July 7th.

I'm already making a short long list of boys and girls names for us to consider. I'm of course still team pink and William is of course still team blue.

So I guess all that is left to say is bring on the pregnancy!
Peyton

Blog Merge

I have decided to merge this blog with our family blog.

Visit wandpstephens.blogspot.com for future updates!

Peyton

Hey baby....

You are making my uterus hurt.  It's making me one grouchy momma.

Just letting you know...

Peyton

10 weeks

I'm 10 weeks pregnant today.

Not much has changed from last week.  I'm mostly just feeling quite scared that the baby won't make it to my next appointment.  I ordered a fetal heart monitor.  Hopefully I'll be able to use it in between appointments to listen to the baby's heartbeat. I'll feel alot better that way.

Bump watch:
Just pudge.  From eating too many marshmallows.  Not from the baby... yet.

The baby:
Baby is the size of a kumquat weighing less than a quarter of an ounce.  Toe and finger nails are growing this week! The vital organs are all functioning including the liver which is making blood!

Symptoms:
My greatest symptoms are extreme fatigue, uterine cramps, and food aversions/cravings.

Next appointment:
My next appointment is on August 26th... counting the days. 24 from today.

Names:
Girl- Madelynn Anne
Boy- probably Preston... no luck on a middle name yet.

Peyton

9 week doctor appointment

Well we had our 9 week appointment today.  It was my OB workup... so I got to do all the not so fun stuff like pap smear, urine sample, blood work, breast exam... alll of that kind of stuff!

We of course got to see the baby again.  Everything looks great.  It's measuring slightly smaller than it was at 7 weeks 6 days.  He measured twice... first time measured March 4th due date... which freaked me out. The second time measured as March 1st due date.  Doc was not concerned but I was at first because I know that the baby measuring small can be a sign that things aren't going okay.  Anyways he told me not to worry (like that will happen).

Baby's heartbeat was 179 which is nice and fast and strong.

Here are the updated pics.  I'm convinced my doc has the worst ultrasound machine in the world.  Ugh.

Oh and... to anyone who might want to be or is a phlebotomist... don't be cocky while taking my blood.  I told you when I walked through the door that I was a hard stick.  I suggested you use my right arm and a butterfly needle... I basically TOLD you how to do your job.  But no... you used the regular needle, in my left arm, and told me how you get blood from everyone.  I got news for you... you failed... twice!!! And then your coworker came and saved your  butt! What do I have to show for it? Not one, but TWO arms full of bruises and needle sticks.  Grrrrrr.

Okay, pregnant lady rant over. I promise.

Peyton

9 weeks

Today I'm 9 weeks pregnant.  It's hard to believe that I'm already that far... yet every day I'm a little more anxious for the first trimester to be over.

Bump watch:
There's no bump yet... I'll try to get William to take a picture this afternoon.  Although I fear it will just highlight the little bit of bloating that has occurred thus far. I've gained about 2 lbs. total, which I would say is pretty good considering my strange eating habits and sudden drop in exercise.

The baby:
The baby is an inch long... about the size of an olive or a grape.  This week the heart finishes dividing into the four chambers and tiny teeth buds are growing. The "tail" is completely gone now. Apparently with all systems in functioning order, the baby is ready for weight gain.

Symptoms:
So this is where most of my anxiety comes from.  I would say my symptoms severely pale in comparison to other people that I know.  I haven't thrown up at all.  I can count on one hand the number of days I've had severe nausea.  I've definitely had many food aversions though. I continue to have pretty substantial cramping.  For you ladies out there, it feels just like menstrual cramps... but it's not.  My doctor says it's normal, but it's still alarming. I haven't had any spotting or bleeding though which keeps my hopes up. The only other major symptom I continue to experience is some severe chest soreness.  Oh and the fact that I'm super emotional.  William and I think I have the pregnancy blues.

Next appointment:
My next and first "official" prenatal appointment is on Thursday at 2:45pm. I'm super excited and anxious to see our little one.  I'm hoping this time its anatomy is human enough that I can make out the difference between it and the depths of my uterus. As before though, I don't care what I see as long as we hear/see that little heartbeat.  At this point, it's the most important thing!

Names:
Girl- Madelynn Anne
Runners up are Vivienne/Vivian (difference of opinion on spelling is the reason we aren't using this name), Wynne and Abigail

Boy- still no contenders... Anyone have any suggestions?  Our style is classic but veering to slightly unusual. Considerations have been with the names: Dixon, William with an "A" middle name but not Arthur, and Levi. I also really like Sawyer and Emerson (actually most of the "son" names... Greyson...Anderson). William is very picky however Dixon was his idea.

Leave a comment if you have any name ideas!!! I'll update after the appointment.
Peyton

I thought it was just a rumor...

but it's true... pickles taste amazing when you are pregnant.

I would know.
I just ate a bowl of them. With a fork.

Peyton