Just a quick ultrasound today to check baby's measurements!

The baby has legs and feet, arms and legs. The heart rate is good, the spine looks fine. The baby was measuring a little tall for our calculated due date, but we're going to stick with the IVF calculations- it should be pretty accurate!

It took a little while to get all the measurements because the baby was moving around so much. I can't believe all the growth and movement that is happening, and all I feel is a bit more tired and a bit more chubby :)

I don't think my first trimester has been all that bad, but now that I'm about done, I've realized just how cranky I was! It wasn't towards Matt (truly!), but I certainly had much less patience with my students and much more need for alone time. Since we've been back from Spring Break, I feel so much more myself! I'm napping less and feeling less icky between meals. And my students either were very patient with me, or they are sadly used to cranky teachers! I'm sure they're onto me :)

Leading up to today was the longest we have gone without some sort of doctor appointment or check-up since we started this whole thing- Everything seems to be happy and normal, but I certainly miss having an ultrasound picture to go along with our progress!
We're growing ever nearer to the end of the first trimester, and apparently, our little embryo baby is now a fetus baby about the size of a lime. I've been experiencing some "morning" sickness, but it's more like "whenever-I-start-to-get-hungry-after-breakfast" ickiness, and therefore very manageable with a few Saltines (which we are keeping well stocked). I am admittedly much crankier as a teacher- more "Ain't nobody got time for that," if you will. And I'm probably sleeping an extra 2 hours everyday. Nothing too grisly, thankfully. And every symptom is still a nice reminder that things are moving forward as they should!
Baby enjoyed visiting California, especially eating at some of my favorite restaurants from home- they've never tasted so good! I also got to register with my Mama and get trusted product advice from my sister in-laws
My appointment today was uneventful (in a good way). Baby's heartbeat was strong and easy to find, and we've got another ultrasound coming up in the next few weeks! It is so nice to have these little check-ins along the way to remind myself that this is really happening!

Size of Baby: 1.61 inches (lime)
Pregnancy symptoms: some nausea, constipation, fatigue, heart burn, moodiness, migraines.
Food Aversions: Too much fruit or sugar
Cravings: None!
Boy or Girl? As the only girl in a family of 5 boys, it's hard to imagine a girl. Do we care either way? No. Would it fulfill some sort of childhood dream to have a girl? Maybe.
Names We're Considering: Kate (Catherine), Ben (Benjamin), and Danny (Daniel) have all been discussed. Middle names Jo and Michelle for girls, Matthew and Richard for boys.
Nursery Colors: White and Wood

Today we had what is called a confirmation ultrasound. The doctor is looking to confirm the pregnancy while also taking measurements and noting position and quantity. For me, though, this was a confirmation that this is really happening. After all we have been through, to sit and watch the tiny fluttering heart beat of this little embryo and let it sink in that I am pregnant- the time we have waited felt so insignificant next to that small moment!

Everything is measuring perfectly- We're 6 weeks and 6 days along with a due date of October 9, 2017. I am tired, have minimum morning sickness, and am still rather bloated from the IVF procedures, to the extent that I look further along than I really am (and have already purchased maternity pants).
With how things look, our doctor said there is only the slightest chance that I could still miscarry. So now we're on to finding an OBGYN for prenatal care and letting ourselves celebrate- We're pregnant!!!

When you've gone as long as we have without having kids, it's hard to accept that we might be, you know, expecting. We've had two positive pregnancy blood work results, and I still can't bring myself to say the "P" word. When I do, it's always prefaced with a "barely," and it feels far too soon to be talking about names and due dates and how I'm feeling- we've never gotten this far before!
IVF became the next step for us back in Texas when all of our other options were extinguished. We took some time off from fertility treatments and started saving up for In-Vitro, knowing it would take a little while :) The process itself was both what I expected and not what I expected. For example, I think I was a bit crankier than normal, but I certainly didn't think so at the time! And I definitely didn't realize how bloated and uncomfortable I would get or how long I would stay that way!

We've had these two little pictures since the day of our transfer: our little embryo before and after. Leading up to that day, I had had appointments practically every other day, so it had been easy to take things one day at a time. Every appointment was a small reassurance- I wasn't hyper stimulating, but I did have lots of follicles maturing. We were able to retrieve 18 follicles, 17 of which were mature, and 15 of which went on to divide. And everyday I had my twice daily medications to take and everyday life to keep my distracted.

The call from our doctor with the positive pregnancy test results was absolutely surreal. I actually took a personal day so I could be home when the call came. I've gotten A LOT of these phone calls, so I immediately recognized something different in his voice. Throughout the whole process, I'd felt such peace that I knew whatever happened was going to be alright. Still, it has taken about a week to sink in!

Up next is our confirmation ultrasound at 6 weeks. They'll be checking for heartbeat, position, and quantity. If everything still looks good, I think we'll get a more clear idea of a due date at that time. Our best guess right now is the first half of October- eight years from when we first started trying to have children. Fingers crossed, prayers, and happy thoughts!