8 Weeks

How far Along: 8 weeks (and 3 days)

Size of Baby: On average 0.63 inches and 0.04 oz. (The size of a big raspberry). My uterus, however, is the size of a grapefruit!

Picture of Baby: I have many, but don't have a scanner so I don't know how to post them!

8 Weeks: Baby Wolfe is growing at an amazing rate — about a millimeter every day — and now is the size of a large raspberry. He/she is looking a lot less reptilian (even though he/she has webbed fingers and toes, his/her tail is just about gone) and a lot more baby-like these days, as are his/her lips, nose, eyelids, legs, and back continue to take shape. His/her heart is beating at the incredible rate of 150 times per minute — about twice as fast as mine! And even though I can't yet feel it, he/she is now making spontaneous movements as he/she twitches her tiny trunk and limb buds. (Information taken from What to Expect's website).

Maternity Clothes: Nope...but my jeans are getting a little tight!

Weight Gain: Nope!

Belly: I can't tell but I think there is a little bit of a change!

Best Moment of the Week: Seeing baby Wolfe twice and getting an Anniversary card from Eli saying how he can't wait to have our baby! Its such a good feeling when he shows excitement about the baby!

Movement: I can't feel it yet, but baby is starting to move around this week! Can't wait to feel it!

Symptoms: Still feeling some nausea but have only vomited once so far! Lots of indigestion, nothing seems to settle very well. Cramping and stretching pains along with some back pain. The cramping scares me a little but I know its just the uterus growing for the baby!

Gender: No idea....but the last couple of days I have thought boy!

What I miss: Nothing compared to being pregnant....but I do miss riding on the Harley already and summer hasn't even started!

What I am looking forward to: My first OB appointment with Dr. B this Thursday!

Weekly Wisdom: Bleeding during the pregnancy is so scary but so common.

Milestones: Making it to 8 weeks and "surviving" a subchorionic hemorrhage.

Yesterday I had a follow-up ultrasound. The hemorrhage is still there but isn't measuring any bigger. Its about 1.2x.5 cm, which I have been told is very small. It also isn't near the baby or placenta. I haven't had any more heavy bleeding but some spotting, especially since the ultrasound. Baby looked good, heart rate 174 and measuring right on track :-) I couldn't believe how big baby has gotten! Yesterday you could see little arm and leg buds on the ultrasound and the umbilical cord. It was very surreal. Everything is very reassuring....I just need to relax about it all. Easier said then done!

Love, Kristen

Still here...

Not much change today. I am still having some red/pink bleeding that slows to spotting at times. I am also having some cramping, more then I have been. I followed up with both clinics today, Dr. M's and Dr. B's (my new OB). Both just want me to update them if there are significant changes. I have my first prenatal appointment with Dr. B next Thursday. I won't be seen until then unless there are changes. I was surprised an ultrasound wasn't scheduled for this week, but no one really seems that concerned. I on the other hand am still very nervous. I don't know how many times I have prayed in the last 24 hours. I hope HE is hearing my prayers. Please continue to pray for us and the baby....this just has to be okay, it can't end. Thanks so much!

Love, Kristen

Bleeding; Every pregnant women's worst Nightmare

I woke up this morning around 6:00AM to find blood, yes BRIGHT RED period like blood. I FREAKED OUT.I SCREAMED.I CRIED "NO". I immediately woke up Eli and then called Dr. M, luckily he was the Dr. on call. He reassured me that bleeding in pregnancy is normal and there isn't anything to do about it. He said that statistically 50% of women have some bleeding in the first trimester and for some reason more common in IVF patients. He told me to rest for the day and call tomorrow with an update. If I started passing tissue or clots I was instructed to go to the hospital. So I went back to bed and some how feel asleep.

At 9:00AM I woke up again. More bleeding. I knew I wouldn't be able to sit home all day with bleeding. I needed to know. So, we went to the ER. I was terrified. I thought for sure I was miscarrying. As we were going to ultrasound my body uncontrollably shook with fear. It seemed like forever. Then we saw it. One perfect little heart beat, beating at 154 bpm! I cried and Eli cried. He/She was also measuring perfect, still growing well. The embryo was fine so why was I bleeding??

Apparently on the ultrasound a small blood filled sac was found and I was told I have a subchorionic hemorrhage. A subchorionic hemorrhage is gathering of blood between the membranes of the placenta and the uterus. There is no known cause for a SCH but many researchers speculate that during egg implantation, the egg slightly separates or tears from the uterus causing a bleed. The current statistics for pregnancy loss with a SCH is 1-3%. This low percentage is related to large clots. Most pregnancies progress with no further complications. Most clots resolve on their own by 20 weeks of pregnancy. The clot either bleeds itself out or the body absorbs it. My clot was diagnosed as small. The ER Dr. said he can't obviously tell me whats going to happen but statistics are on my side. He said one in ten diagnosed with a SCH miscarry. Nine in ten go on to have a healthy pregnancy. What a scary morning/day.

I have continued to have some bleeding throughout the day but tonight is has slowed to almost spotting. PLEASE PRAY for us and the baby. We need all the prayers we can get. I will call Dr. M's office tomorrow and schedule an ultrasound for this week. PLEASE PRAY!! Thank you!!

Love, Kristen

7 Weeks

How far along: 7 weeks

Size of Baby: About half an inch (The size of a blueberry)

Picture of Baby: I finally have one....but need to figure out how to share it with you on here!!

7 weeks: Baby Wolfe is now about the size of a blueberry (and about 10,000 times bigger than he/she was at conception). Most of that growth is concentrated in the head as new brain cells are generated at the rate of 100 per minute. Your baby's mouth and tongue are forming as arm and leg buds sprout, and those little kidneys are getting ready to do their job (pee production and excretion). (Information taken from What to Expect's Website)

Maternity Clothes: Nope! Good thing because I don't even own one pair!

Weight gain: None

Belly: Nope!

Best Moment of the Week: Seeing the baby's heart beat! It was amazing and I am already so in love!

Movement: No, and it won't be for awhile unfortunately :-(

Symptoms: Still feeling VERY tired. Working nights is getting harder. I am tired all the time! I usually can't go a full day without a nap. Nausea is still in full force, but no vomiting yet. The nausea seems to come and go at different times of the day. Still taking Zofran when I absolutely need it. I had to ditch my cart and leave the grocery store the other day, I just couldn't handle even looking at food! I have also noticed some indigestion and a little more heartburn. I am still having some cramping as well.

What I am looking forward to: My first OB/pregnancy appointment on May 12th!

Weekly Wisdom: Take that Zofran EVERYWHERE you go!

Milestones: Making it to 7 weeks and seeing that perfect little heart beat!

We had our Ultrasound on Wednesday and saw one baby and one perfect little heart beat. Baby Wolfe's heart rate was 129, Dr. M said it was PERFECT! Baby Wolfe also implanted in a perfect spot in my uterus, right in the middle where he/she was supposed to! Seeing him/her for the first time was amazing. I am already so in love with this little baby and so is Eli! We also got some other good news, I have been graduated from Dr. M's office!! Dr. M said I am able to get the rest of my pregnancy care at a regular OB office. It was bittersweet. I am sure going to miss Dr. M and all those nurses, I made sure I gave lots of hugs! I will be returning though, but for a visit only and holding my miracle they all helped me get :-) My first OB appointment is May 12th and I can't hardly wait!! I am still taking IM progesterone and still wearing Vivelle (estrogen) patches until most likely week 12. This has been one great week!!

Love, Kristen

6 Weeks

How far along: 6 weeks

Size of baby: Average length is 5mm to 6mm, or 1/6th to 1/4th of an inch.

Picture of Baby: Don't have one yet

6 Weeks: Baby Wolfe's jaw, cheeks, chin, eyes, ears, and nose are beginning to form what will eventually become one adorable face. In addition, his/her kidneys, liver, and lungs are developing, and his/her heart is now beating 80 times a minute (and getting faster every day). (Information taken from What to Expect's website).

Maternity Clothes: Not yet and hopefully not for awhile :-)

Weight Gain: None. However, my evening/night nausea is really getting to me, so I wouldn't be surprised if I lose some weight.

Belly: Nothing yet, but can't wait for it to show!

Best Moment of the Week: When my nephew pulled up my shirt to "see the baby" and when my other nephew kissed my belly or "the baby".

Movement: No, but can't wait until that moment!

Symptoms: I was having some pretty bad cramping, but that has seemed to die down. My boobs hurt but are still the same size. In the last couple of days I have noticed some pretty strong nausea in the late afternoon/evening time. The nausea seems to be worse if I don't eat, but depending on what I eat it sometimes gets worse. Its a no win situation! I do have a prescription for Zofran and have had to take one on Sunday when it was unbearable. I took it when I wasn't even able to watch food commercials on TV, it was that bad!

Gender: No idea!

What I miss: I don't' miss anything to being pregnant. BUT I do miss my Diet Coke :-)

What I am looking forward to: 7 week ultrasound on Thursday April 28th. Can't wait to see the heart beat!

Weekly Wisdom: Eat through the nausea otherwise it just gets worse!

Milestones: Making it to 6 weeks!


Love, Kristen

Second Hcg Level

I'm still here and still pregnant!! On Friday I had my blood drawn and my hcg level more then doubled, it was 158! It went up 120%! I felt like it was still low, but the nurse reassured me it was perfect! Its still so hard to get too excited about everything, but each appointment and good news makes it better! Our next appointment is an ultrasound in 2 weeks. In the mean time I might pee on more sticks, just to make sure ;-) I told my mom today that I wish there was a machine or something that updated you each day about your pregnancy. It would say something like, "Your still pregnant and baby is growing perfect". Just for a little reassurance for us that are a little more nervous then others :-) Thanks for all of your sweet messages and pone calls! They help to give us a little more excitement during these early stages!! Please keep praying!! Love, Kristen & Eli

I have waited so long for this!!!

I have waited 2 years, 11 months and 6 days to say this....

I'm Pregnant!!

I'm Pregnant!!

I'm Pregnant!!

I'm Pregnant!!

I'm Pregnant!!

My beta level today was 71. I was worried that was low, but the Nurse Practitioner said it was a good solid number and not to worry. My progesterone level was also drawn and came back at 27. Good enough to sustain a pregnancy!

Eli and I are beyond excited and so happy. I still can't believe it. Today I am 4 weeks. Still VERY early, so please continue to pray. I go back to clinic on Friday for another blood draw. My beta level should be doubled by then. PRAY it is! Thank you all so much for supporting us on this long tough journey and keep praying. Its working!! Thank you!

Love, Kristen & Eli