17 Weeks

How far along: 17 weeks 4 days

Total weight gain: 10lbs, I'm guessing I'll find out for sure at my Dr appointment on Monday

Maternity clothes: I've been wearing my maternity shorts from Destination Maternity all week plus a few maternity tops, I can fit most of my non-maternity tops but I'm enjoying the way my maternity tops fit my growing bump
Stretch marks: None yet, still using my belly balm by the honest company every night before I go to bed

Sleep: Sleeping great this week, getting a little tired of having to get up to use the bathroom but having no problem falling right back to sleep.  My hips have been feeling a little sore from sleeping on my sides all night long

Best moment of the week: My mom came into town for a short visit on her way to Maine for the summer and we got another sneak peek at our little boys

Miss anything: Not having to think about what I'm eating, there seem to be lots of things you aren't supposed to eat while pregnant so trying to remember all those things while I'm out and about can be tiring

Movement: I'm feeling a little something each day I think.  I have been feeling a little tickle in the same part of my stomach through out the week which I believe are my boys!

Symptoms: A tight belly by the end of the day, I continue to feel like my stomach is being stretched and my muscles are sore.  Also sore hips after sleeping all night on my side.

Food cravings: Salads with strawberries, blueberries and chicken apple sausage (all natural, no nitrates).  

Anything making you quesy or sick: I was only quesy once this week and I think it was just from not eating soon enough

Have you started showing: Yes

Gender: Two Boys!!

Labor signs: No

Belly button in or out: In, but its starting to look awfully shallow and funny

Wedding rings on or off: On

Happy or moody most of the time: I have been happy all week especially getting to spend time with my mom!

Looking forward to: Planning the nursery and getting this rocking moose I ordered for the nursery

15 & 16 Weeks

It's time to play catch up.  I wasn't able to post last week because I was down in FL at my parents attending a friends wedding and this week I was slow posting because I was busy getting back to work and getting my house back in working order.   So now it's time for weeks 15 and 16!

15 WEEKS

How far along: 15 weeks 3 days

Total weight gain: 6lbs (possibly more, but I didn't way myself this week)

Maternity clothes: My mom and I went shopping this week and I purchased a few pairs of maternity shorts and a few more tops.  I have been wearing the shorts since I purchased them.  

Stretch marks: None yet, I found this belly balm by the honest company this week and have been enjoying it so far.  I put it on every night before going to bed. 

Sleep: Sleep has been good this week, still waking up 1-2 times a night to use the bathroom

Best moment of the week: Getting to come home and visit my family and celebrating my friends wedding!

Miss anything: My normal energy level.  I have been exhausted this week taking naps in the afternoon after my mom and I have been out running errands

Movement: No, not yet.  I hoping for feel something in the next couple of weeks

Symptoms: I'm still taking medicine for morning sickness but I've only been sick once this week so thats an improvement! Also a tight stretching belly

Food cravings: When I was home it was a must that I went to eat at TooJays and got to enjoy a piece of coconut mounds cake (the most delicious cake, I've been enjoying this cake since high school!)

Anything making you quesy or sick: Not this week =)

Have you started showing: I think so

Gender predictions: Still thinking 1 boy and 1 girl.  We find out next week!!!

Labor signs: No

Belly button in or out: In

Wedding rings on or off: On

Happy or moody most of the time: I'm a happy girl

Looking forward to: Finding out what our babies are!

A few pictures from the wedding and my week home

16 WEEKS

How far along: 16 weeks 5 days

Total weight gain: 8-9lbs I think, I weighed myself on my home scale. 

Maternity clothes: Wearing my maternity shorts all week and my gap pure body tanks all week. 

Stretch marks: No,  Still using my  belly balm at night before going to bed.  

Sleep: Sleep has been great this week.  I have been having crazy dreams this week and am still waking up 1-2 times a night but have no problem falling back to sleep. 

Best moment of the week: Finding out we are having 2 BOYS!!!

Miss anything: I'm not really missing anything this week due to the pregnancy but I am missing cool weather this week.  We are having a heat wave this week and temperatures have been up around 100 feeling like 110, that is way too hot for me!

Movement: I'm not sure but I think I have felt a few flutters this week but nothing consistent that I could say was for sure my boys. 

Symptoms: I'm still taking medicine for morning sickness I'm down to only 9 more days of my medicine so I hope my morning sickness eases soon.  I've been feeling exhausted most of this week and my belly still feels like it is stretching (which I feel might just be a feeling I should get used to)

Food cravings: I have been loving Kraft mac n cheese in the spirals, not the normal elbow shape.  I haven't eaten this in years, but enjoyed it for lunch a few times this week.

Anything making you quesy or sick: Not this week =)

Have you started showing: I'll say yes

Gender predictions: Baby Boys x2!!

Labor signs: No

Belly button in or out: In

Wedding rings on or off: On

Happy or moody most of the time: I have been mostly happy this week, but had a few moments of just feeling teary, which I blame on all the hormones. 

Looking forward to: Picking names for a little guys, planning their nursery and starting a registry!

14 Weeks

How far along: 14 weeks 5 days

Total weight gain: 6lbs at my Dr appointment this week

Maternity clothes: I have bought a few pieces: tops, leggings (I tried them on and they are sooo comfy),  and jeans.  I've worn a few of the tops but I can still fit in my regular clothes so far

Stretch marks: None yet, I put lotion on my belly after showering. I'm thinking I might need to get a lotion or cream made for stretch marks.  If anyone has suggestions that would be great =)

Sleep: Sleep has been ok this week.  I got a cold which makes breathing tough and interrupts my sleep. 

Best moment of the week: Hearing my babies heartbeats 145bpm and 155bpm  And making an appointment to find out the gender of our babies in a week and a half!!!

Miss anything: Energy, probably because of my cold but I have been exhausted this week.

Movement: No, not yet.  I hoping for feel something in the next couple of weeks

Symptoms: I'm still taking medicine for morning sickness and occasionally still getting sick.  At night my belly has been feeling tight/sore, I'm guessing because my stomach muscles are being stretched.  And I've been getting headaches almost everyday, boo

Food cravings: I am loving orange juice every morning and eating oranges during the day

Anything making you quesy or sick: Just my morning sickness. No foods

Have you started showing: I have a little bump (which gets bigger at night)

Gender predictions: Still thinking 1 boy and 1 girl.  You never know but we'll find out in  week and a half!

Labor signs: No

Belly button in or out: In

Wedding rings on or off: On

Happy or moody most of the time: I'm a happy girl

Looking forward to: Heading home next week to spend time with my family. 

13 Weeks

This post is a little late since I will techinically be 14 weeks tomorrow.  I want to start doing weekly pregnancy updates, if I can stay on top of it, so I can remember what it was like being pregnant with these two little babes. 

So on to the update:

How far along: 13 weeks 5 days

Total weight gain: 4-5lbs but I'm not totally sure

Maternity clothes: No, not yet. But I have purchased a few maternity tops for the summer and a pair of shorts. I can still button most of my pants but they become uncomfortable. I have purchased a belly band for Target which I enjoy using when the button of my pants feel too tight

Stretch marks: No, not yet

Sleep: Pretty good. I think it could be a problem when I can no longer sleep on my stomach. Right now I'm waking up 1-2 times a night to use the bathroom but usually don't have a problem falling back to sleep 

Best moment of the week: Getting to see my babies. It is pretty amazing how much they have grown since 9 weeks. I loved watching them stretch and move

Miss anything: A normal appetite. I love food so I would like to enjoy eating again

Movement: None. I'm really looking forward to feeling them

Symptoms: Morning sickness- all day long! I'm taking Diclegis for it which seems to help. I tired to stop taking it a few days ago with terrible results so I'll keep taking it for now!

Food cravings: I'm not really craving any foods right now. I have been enjoying fruit, yogurt, and toast. But I wouldnt consider them cravings just foods I know I can keep down

Anything making you quesy or sick: The thought of food at times but nothing specific

Have you started showing: Yes I guess. Everyone I've told this week said it was pretty obvious I was pregnant and I've had one stranger ask when my baby is due. So I guess I am.

Gender predictions: Right now I'm guessing I have a girl and a boy in there but who knows (can't wait it find out!)

Labor signs: NO!

Belly button in or out: In

Wedding rings on or off: On

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy and excited! I'm just looking forward to so many things

Looking forward to:  My bump growing and getting bigger, eventually finding out what these sweet babies are (maybe in a couple of weeks!) and hopefully my morning sickness going away

Not the best pictures but you can see their profiles =)

Last weeks Bump Picture

First OB Ultrasound

On Friday April 3 I got to have my first OB ultrasound!  It was very early I was only 5 weeks and a couple of days, but my nurse had told me that they just wanted me to come in to make sure everything was where it was supposed to be.  I was excited that my husband was able to come with me, he just happened to be off from work!  

The doctor came in to do the ultrasound and the first thing he says after starting was "I see you went for the advanced package.  I see two in there!"  He saw two sacs!

There isn't too much to see at this time.  But my doctor said it was exactly what he would expect to see at this point. My husband and I are SO EXCITED! Two Babies, this is an amazing blessing!  I can't wait for what is to come.  These two babies would explain my high hcg levels!  I was feeling good up until last Thursday, then I started feeling sick to my stomach and it has only gotten worse.  I am taking this as a good sign and am reminding myself to be thankful for this feeling because it means my babies are growing well.  I am trying to eat small meals/snacks through out the day, but nothing seems to help.  Thankfully I haven't actually been sick yet, but my stomach is continually churning and the thought of food is blah gross.  I have been trying to eat bland food: eggs, toast, grits, pretzels.  Sweets have no appeal and don't sound appetizing at all.  I am trying to stay hydrated and drink lots of water.  Any tricks on how to beat this feeling would be greatly appreciated!

I go back on Friday for another ultrasound which I'm excited for!  I'll update again after the next ultrasound.

XOXO

Brooke

No More Waiting

The two week wait is over and it actually went by pretty quickly.  I was pretty busy driving down to Florida for my sisters wedding, which was beautiful! 

Me, My sister and Cousin

  I have to say I was not very optimistic about this month.  I did not feel anything that would make me think maybe the IUI had worked.  So on Wednesday morning I woke up at 4:45 and decided I wouldn't be able to get back to sleep unless I tested.  My boobs had started to get sore on Tuesday night (which has been the only indicator I have had with my last two pregnancies) so I was a little curious at what the results might be.  And they were....POSITIVE!!!

I couldn't believe it!  The line came up immediately and was extremely dark!  I woke my poor husband up at 4:45 saying "I'm Pregnant! It worked!"  He was excited but being tired from work won out in the moment and we celebrated more later when he was actually awake. =)  

I called my nurse Wednesday morning to let her know the results and before I had even heard from her got in my car and started driving to the office to get my blood drawn.  Thankfully she called me back before I got there, otherwise I would have looked a little crazy.  My nurse called me with the news around 11:00 that I was indeed pregnant and my hcg level was nice and high.  They like to see anything above 80 and my level was 741!  I was thrilled and excited but still nervous knowing I had to wait until Friday (today) to do a repeat draw to make sure my levels were doubling normally.  

I got up extra early today so I could get to the office nice and early, thinking that this would ensure I would get a call before lunch with my results.  That did not happen.  Waiting is awful and stressful, but I tried to keep myself busy.  I finally got the call around 2:00 that my numbers have doubled and are now 1469!  My doctor is pleased with the numbers and I'm excited!  Things are going well so far and I have a very early ultrasound scheduled for next Friday at 9:30.  I will either be 5 weeks and 2 days or 5 weeks and 4 days depending on when you count from the date of my last period or date of IUI.  

I hope this next week goes by quickly and things continue to go well with this pregnancy!  I am excited and feel like God has answered our prayers!!  

I hope you all have a great weekend!  I will update after my ultrasound next week!

XOXO

Brooke  

Finding Support

When going through infertility it can feel isolating. You can feel like no one understands what you are going through at times. And even those who try, may not completely understand the feelings of jealousy, the anxiety over money, the disappointment month after month, and the feeling you get when someone tells you to "just relax". 

So last month when I saw a flier stating my doctors office was starting an Infertility Support Group I was intrigued and interested.  I got up the nerve to call the office and tell them I planned on coming: and I'm so glad I did!  This group meets once a month and even though we have only had two meetings I feel such a bond with these wonderful women!  

The group is set up to be whatever we need it to be: a place to vent, learn,  console and commiserate with each other.  I look forward to our monthly meetings and leave feeling rejuvenated.  It is just such a nice feeling knowing someone understands you and gets how you are feeling!

If you are going through infertility and have the option of meeting with other women going through it I would highly recommend it!  

XOXO
Brooke