I grew up in the Midwest, in the snowbelt on the east side of Cleveland, so the idea of a snow day isn't new to me. I lived in Chicago for eight years so wind and cold aren't a big deal. But I live in NYC now and the winters are supposed to be mild, a small amount of snowfall each year, temps in the 30s, basically - tolerable. I don't know why Mother Nature is so pissed off this year, but she's giving us a beating! We got another 19" last night. I live close to the subway and my office is close to the subway, so technically I could have made it into work, but it was easier to "work from home" and stay in my cozy clothes and watch the snow from inside. So that's what I'm doing...and maybe a little blogging in between working:)
I haven't posted in a while because I don't have a whole lot to say. My life has been comfortably quiet. And the things I do have to say are random and scattered, so I think a list will be best.
• In addition to my full time job I do freelance work. I haven't had much work since October, but my biggest client just gave me a new project that will take the next couple of months. The money will be good, but it will mean my lazy evenings and weekends spent lounging around are coming to an end.
• All is good with the Woowoo. I had another weekly ultrasound on Tuesday (7w3d) and the heartbeat was up to 150bpm and my bloodwork was great. I have one more u/s with the Doc this upcoming Tuesday then he's going to release me to my gyn (woohoo!). Which brings me to another point...
• I feel like an idiot for even admitting this, but apparently my gyn doesn't deliver babies. I don't know how I never knew this but it makes sense since if I really think about it. I'd never seen a pregnant woman in her office, she is a solo practitioner, there aren't any "mommy" magazines around the office, etc. I called today to make my first appointment with her and the receptionist told me she was on vacation until next week and then she would call me back and give me a baby doc referral. I did a little research on my own and found two practices associated with Cor.nell that I'm going to consider as well. If any NY bloggers have recommendations for a good baby doc associated with either Cor.nell or NYU hospitals I welcome them!
• I've been very fortunate to have minimal symptoms. I've only had a few days of mild nausea (and it usually hits in the early evening, thankfully not at work). But inteasd of morning sickness, I have been plagued with horrible indigestion...again, mostly in the evenings. The only thing that seems to relieve it is excessive burping. I swear its sounds like a frat house in my apartment some nights! The exhaustion comes and goes but the hunger seems to always be around. I want to eat constantly which might be contributing to the little buldge I have going on! I haven't gained any weight but some of my pants are definitely tight. I know it's too early to show so I can only attribute it to my food intake or the indigestion. I'm definitely not complaining...I do know how blessed I am to even be pregnant!
• The cysts are still hanging around which is really annoying me. Despite the crappy weather, Hubby and I have been going out to the park a couple times a week so he can run and I can walk. I really, really want to run with him but I'm being good and following the Doc's orders.
• In other workout news, I interviewed two pre-natal trainers over the last week and think I'm going to hire one of them to work with me once a week. He's fantastic, has vast amounts of experience with pre- and post-natal training and will come to my apartment! I've continued my swimming, elliptical and walking, but I want to incorporate some strength into my baby workouts as well as yoga, and I think he's the guy who can help me.
This post is getting too long (I'm starting to bore myself!), and I've avoided work long enough. Must get back to the grind.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Date night and a beating heart
It's not quite Valentine's Day yet, but I'm in a heart kind of mood. Maybe because I heard the WooWoo's heartbeat for the first time this morning. Yep, definitely because I heard a strong and steady heartbeat and got to see the beautiful little flicker on the screen.
Hubby kept his emotions in check until after the Doc had left the room. Once he was gone, Hubby broke out into a huge smile that just melted my heart. He's been much more guarded with his emotions for fear that something will go wrong, so it was nice to see him excited. We're both still nervous, but growing to love the WooWoo more and more every day. As for the cysts still hanging around on my ovaries...I'm growing to love those less and less every day!
We had a lovely, relaxing three-day weekend that involved a Sunday date night in Brooklyn. About once a month or so we like to get out of Manhattan and head to Brooklyn Heights or Cobble Hill to go out to dinner. This time Hubby had planned dinner and a movie after. We wandered around until we found a great little Italian restaurant with the most amazing pasta fagioli I've ever had (it was sooo salty that I was in love - salt has been my #1 craving lately).
After dinner we headed over to a small theater to see Tr.ue Gr.it (I know it's been out for a while, but we've been lazy!). Apparently everyone else in Brooklyn decided Sunday night was a good night to see a movie too. There was a line that wrapped around the building and half way down the block. We stood in it for about two minutes and then decided it was just going to be way too crowded so we strolled back to the subway and headed home. I was in my jammies and snuggled on the couch next to Hubby by 9:30pm. Honestly, I couldn't have imagined a better date night:)
Hubby kept his emotions in check until after the Doc had left the room. Once he was gone, Hubby broke out into a huge smile that just melted my heart. He's been much more guarded with his emotions for fear that something will go wrong, so it was nice to see him excited. We're both still nervous, but growing to love the WooWoo more and more every day. As for the cysts still hanging around on my ovaries...I'm growing to love those less and less every day!
We had a lovely, relaxing three-day weekend that involved a Sunday date night in Brooklyn. About once a month or so we like to get out of Manhattan and head to Brooklyn Heights or Cobble Hill to go out to dinner. This time Hubby had planned dinner and a movie after. We wandered around until we found a great little Italian restaurant with the most amazing pasta fagioli I've ever had (it was sooo salty that I was in love - salt has been my #1 craving lately).
After dinner we headed over to a small theater to see Tr.ue Gr.it (I know it's been out for a while, but we've been lazy!). Apparently everyone else in Brooklyn decided Sunday night was a good night to see a movie too. There was a line that wrapped around the building and half way down the block. We stood in it for about two minutes and then decided it was just going to be way too crowded so we strolled back to the subway and headed home. I was in my jammies and snuggled on the couch next to Hubby by 9:30pm. Honestly, I couldn't have imagined a better date night:)
Friday, January 14, 2011
A week of firsts
I've lived in NYC for three and half years. In that time I've never had a solo celebrity recognition. I've been with friends who have recognized celebrities, but I've never noticed one without someone else first telling me who it was. I just don't have that celebrity radar the way some people do. Well, on Wednesday I was walking out of my office building saw Bla.ke Liv.ely (Goss.ip Gi.rl and Siste.rhood of the Trave.ling Pa.nts) walking towards me. I was able to hold the door open for her as she entered my office building (there is a sound studio below my office so there are always celebrities going in and out, I just never see them). She was much taller than I expected, but her hair was as amazing in person as on TV. I was so excited to have had my first real, solo celebrity sighting!
Wednesday night I was getting ready for bed, taking my evening progesterone suppository and noticed some pinkish spotting. I immediately started freaking out and had a restless nights sleep while visions of what happened last time ran through my mind. Things were a little better Thursday morning with less spotting that had turned all brown. By Thursday afternoon all seemed to be good. But then Thursday night the redish/pinkish color was visible when I inserted the progesterone (sorry for TMI). This morning it was a brownish/red but still there. I'm trying not to worry about it because everything else is the same as it's been. I keep thinking this is a result of the cysties on my right side. If things get worse, I'll call the Doc and see what he says. Tuesday is the next ultrasound and it sounds sooooo far away. I was hoping for a quiet, low-key long weekend but at this rate I'm going to be a total basket case the entire time.
I had to attend a going away party for a co-worker last night. I have always been one of a small group of colleagues that goes out for happy hour a couple times a month, so I had to go for fear of raising questions. I wasn't sure how I was going to deal with the fact that I couldn't drink because it's still way to early to tell anyone from work about the WooWoo. I was surprised how easy it was. We were all seated at a big table and I snuck away to ask the waitress to order me a gin and soda with no gin. She smiled knowingly and did exactly as I asked numerous times throughout the night as the rounds kept coming. No one was the wiser, which is good, because there is a birthday celebration next week that I'll have to go to as well.
And one last first to round out the week is the beginning of some nausea. I can't really call it morning sickness because it happened at night. I was in a cab on my way home from the work party last night and thought I was going to get sick. I almost had the cabbie pull over but decided to just take a deep breath and hope it would pass. I eventually made it home, but still wasn't feeling great when I went to bed. Things seem to be settled down this morning, thankfully, and drinking my decaf green tea right now is feeling pretty good.
The week isn't over and it's already proving to be a crazy one. I really hope this trend doesn't continue into the weekend...
Wednesday night I was getting ready for bed, taking my evening progesterone suppository and noticed some pinkish spotting. I immediately started freaking out and had a restless nights sleep while visions of what happened last time ran through my mind. Things were a little better Thursday morning with less spotting that had turned all brown. By Thursday afternoon all seemed to be good. But then Thursday night the redish/pinkish color was visible when I inserted the progesterone (sorry for TMI). This morning it was a brownish/red but still there. I'm trying not to worry about it because everything else is the same as it's been. I keep thinking this is a result of the cysties on my right side. If things get worse, I'll call the Doc and see what he says. Tuesday is the next ultrasound and it sounds sooooo far away. I was hoping for a quiet, low-key long weekend but at this rate I'm going to be a total basket case the entire time.
I had to attend a going away party for a co-worker last night. I have always been one of a small group of colleagues that goes out for happy hour a couple times a month, so I had to go for fear of raising questions. I wasn't sure how I was going to deal with the fact that I couldn't drink because it's still way to early to tell anyone from work about the WooWoo. I was surprised how easy it was. We were all seated at a big table and I snuck away to ask the waitress to order me a gin and soda with no gin. She smiled knowingly and did exactly as I asked numerous times throughout the night as the rounds kept coming. No one was the wiser, which is good, because there is a birthday celebration next week that I'll have to go to as well.
And one last first to round out the week is the beginning of some nausea. I can't really call it morning sickness because it happened at night. I was in a cab on my way home from the work party last night and thought I was going to get sick. I almost had the cabbie pull over but decided to just take a deep breath and hope it would pass. I eventually made it home, but still wasn't feeling great when I went to bed. Things seem to be settled down this morning, thankfully, and drinking my decaf green tea right now is feeling pretty good.
The week isn't over and it's already proving to be a crazy one. I really hope this trend doesn't continue into the weekend...
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
I could do this every day
Today was my first ultrasound and it couldn't have come soon enough. I had my first real panic attack last night to the point that I actually pulled out a POAS!
Yesterday morning when I was getting dressed I noticed that I was spilling over the top of my bra (Hubby loved this, by the way). But when I got home last night the girls were snugly back in place with no spillage. This sent me into panic mode and I started analyzing every symptom or lack of symptom I was having. Why are my boobs not as big as before? Why don't they hurt as much? Why does my back hurt? Why am I not as tired as I was last week? It drove me nuts to the point that I woke up at 4:15am and never went back to sleep. All my tossing and turning woke Hubby up. When I told him what was wrong he reached over, did a quick size check on the girls and told me I was being ridiculous. And of course I knew I was, because I had no REAL reason to think anything was wrong. I wasn't spotting or having any severe cramps.
Anyway, I was still a basket case until I was on the table in the Doc's office for my ultrasound. Once I saw the tiny little dark spot on the screen I immediately relaxed. We were able to see the gestational sac and one yolk sac (although he said there was a slim chance there could be another one in there). My numbers came back right on track - 10,082 hcg and 40 progesterone. So despite all my worrying, my little WooWoo (the nickname is a long story for another post) is doing just fine:)
There are still a few annoying cysts hanging out on the right ovary so my attempt at starting this pregnancy off on a healthy track is being sidelined. The Doc said no more running until the cysts are gone. I wasn't going crazy with the exercise, but I love cold weather running so I've been out a couple times a week. It looks like I might need to learn to love cold weather walking instead, at least for a little while.
I must say, a girl could get used to weekly ultrasounds - it's definitely a good way to calm the nerves. I go again next Tuesday when we'll hopefully hear the heartbeat, and I can't wait!! In the meantime, I'm really going to make a concerted effort to not over analyze everything and remain calm. We'll see how well that works...
Yesterday morning when I was getting dressed I noticed that I was spilling over the top of my bra (Hubby loved this, by the way). But when I got home last night the girls were snugly back in place with no spillage. This sent me into panic mode and I started analyzing every symptom or lack of symptom I was having. Why are my boobs not as big as before? Why don't they hurt as much? Why does my back hurt? Why am I not as tired as I was last week? It drove me nuts to the point that I woke up at 4:15am and never went back to sleep. All my tossing and turning woke Hubby up. When I told him what was wrong he reached over, did a quick size check on the girls and told me I was being ridiculous. And of course I knew I was, because I had no REAL reason to think anything was wrong. I wasn't spotting or having any severe cramps.
Anyway, I was still a basket case until I was on the table in the Doc's office for my ultrasound. Once I saw the tiny little dark spot on the screen I immediately relaxed. We were able to see the gestational sac and one yolk sac (although he said there was a slim chance there could be another one in there). My numbers came back right on track - 10,082 hcg and 40 progesterone. So despite all my worrying, my little WooWoo (the nickname is a long story for another post) is doing just fine:)
There are still a few annoying cysts hanging out on the right ovary so my attempt at starting this pregnancy off on a healthy track is being sidelined. The Doc said no more running until the cysts are gone. I wasn't going crazy with the exercise, but I love cold weather running so I've been out a couple times a week. It looks like I might need to learn to love cold weather walking instead, at least for a little while.
I must say, a girl could get used to weekly ultrasounds - it's definitely a good way to calm the nerves. I go again next Tuesday when we'll hopefully hear the heartbeat, and I can't wait!! In the meantime, I'm really going to make a concerted effort to not over analyze everything and remain calm. We'll see how well that works...
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Happy birthday
On January 6, 1948 the most amazing woman I've ever known was born - my mom! Today would have been her 63rd birthday. She was taken from me much too soon.
I know I've mentioned it before, but I'm an only child and lost my dad when I was 17, so for almost 13 years it was just my mom and I. Even before that my mom and I were very close. My dad traveled a lot for work, so I didn't see him much during the week. When he would be home on the weekends I spent all my time with him (I was a tomboy!), but during the week I was my mom's little shadow.
Just like most mother-daughter relationships we had our rocky years when I was in high school, but once I got to college I really learned to appreciate my mom for the generous, caring person she was. I remember one time during my senior year in college my mom drove two and half hours to my apartment with a trunk full of Christmas decorations so my roommates and I could decorate. She dropped the stuff off, said hi to my roomies, kissed me good-bye and drove two and half hours back home. That's the type of mother she was - completely selfless.
I can only hope I'll be half the mother she was in the near future. She wanted grandchildren so badly but was content to wait until Hubby and I were ready. When I found out her cancer was back I never imagined she would be gone as quickly as she was (10 days from the time we found out it was back). I actually asked Hubby if we should start trying right then so we could give her a grandchild before she died!
She was (and always will be) a true inspiration to me. Hubby and I finally being pregnant makes me miss her even more, but I know she's been with me every step of the way.
Happy Birthday Mom! I love you and miss you.
I know I've mentioned it before, but I'm an only child and lost my dad when I was 17, so for almost 13 years it was just my mom and I. Even before that my mom and I were very close. My dad traveled a lot for work, so I didn't see him much during the week. When he would be home on the weekends I spent all my time with him (I was a tomboy!), but during the week I was my mom's little shadow.
Just like most mother-daughter relationships we had our rocky years when I was in high school, but once I got to college I really learned to appreciate my mom for the generous, caring person she was. I remember one time during my senior year in college my mom drove two and half hours to my apartment with a trunk full of Christmas decorations so my roommates and I could decorate. She dropped the stuff off, said hi to my roomies, kissed me good-bye and drove two and half hours back home. That's the type of mother she was - completely selfless.
I can only hope I'll be half the mother she was in the near future. She wanted grandchildren so badly but was content to wait until Hubby and I were ready. When I found out her cancer was back I never imagined she would be gone as quickly as she was (10 days from the time we found out it was back). I actually asked Hubby if we should start trying right then so we could give her a grandchild before she died!
She was (and always will be) a true inspiration to me. Hubby and I finally being pregnant makes me miss her even more, but I know she's been with me every step of the way.
Happy Birthday Mom! I love you and miss you.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Excitement might be creeping in
Thanks for all the congrats!!
As I mentioned, I'm scheduled for my first u/s next Tuesday. Until then I'm using my IUI date to figure how far along I am. Which means today I'm 4w4d. This is when it all went bad last time. Hubby and I were in Cabo with four other couples and I saw the first sign of spotting. I tried not to panic, but I'm not a spotter and never have been. It got heavier and then the cramping started. I knew even before I bought a test at some random drugstore. The test confirmed what I feared - it was negative.
I try not to think about that experience, but today it's front and center in my mind. I'm starting to let myself get a little excited, but don't want to set myself up for disappointment. I'm still having some cramping, but not as much as the past few days. Absolutely no spotting - and believe me I'm examining for the tiniest of color change. I'm hoping if I can get through today without anything bad happening, I'll start to relax a little more.
Hubby has been working some long days, so we haven't had a chance to really spend time together since the weekend when we were both still in shock. I mentioned that my betas were pretty high which could mean twinsies. I think we're both ok with that. At this point, we just want everything to be ok and will deal with any unexpected (yet pleasant) surprises that may show up.
There was one point when I woke up this morning that I thought to myself "huh, I'm pregnant" and then I smiled. I think it's the cautious excitement creeping further and further into my head. I kind of like it!
As I mentioned, I'm scheduled for my first u/s next Tuesday. Until then I'm using my IUI date to figure how far along I am. Which means today I'm 4w4d. This is when it all went bad last time. Hubby and I were in Cabo with four other couples and I saw the first sign of spotting. I tried not to panic, but I'm not a spotter and never have been. It got heavier and then the cramping started. I knew even before I bought a test at some random drugstore. The test confirmed what I feared - it was negative.
I try not to think about that experience, but today it's front and center in my mind. I'm starting to let myself get a little excited, but don't want to set myself up for disappointment. I'm still having some cramping, but not as much as the past few days. Absolutely no spotting - and believe me I'm examining for the tiniest of color change. I'm hoping if I can get through today without anything bad happening, I'll start to relax a little more.
Hubby has been working some long days, so we haven't had a chance to really spend time together since the weekend when we were both still in shock. I mentioned that my betas were pretty high which could mean twinsies. I think we're both ok with that. At this point, we just want everything to be ok and will deal with any unexpected (yet pleasant) surprises that may show up.
There was one point when I woke up this morning that I thought to myself "huh, I'm pregnant" and then I smiled. I think it's the cautious excitement creeping further and further into my head. I kind of like it!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Wow, this is real
I went in for beta #2 this morning. The office just called and my number more than doubled. I went from 307 to 627. I've been scheduled for my first ultrasound next Tuesday, 1/11/11. I'm doubtful we'll be able to hear a heartbeat then since I'll only be 5w3d so I don't think I'll bring Hubby with me. Honestly, I'm scared I won't make it to that appointment. I'm still really nervous that this all going to go away. I want to be soooo excited and relax and enjoy this, but I keep thinking about what happened last time and how quickly it all disappeared.
I've been having a lot of cramping the last couple of days with some intermittent lower back pain. The cramping has been bearable, except one point last night when it woke me up. I contemplated taking a Tylenol for it, but after about 15 minutes it went away and I fell back asleep. I asked the nurse about it and she said it's nothing to worry about unless it's accompanied by bleeding (which is hasn't been). Of course I know all this, but it's always comforting to hear it from the nurse anyway.
In other news, I ended up working at the office for 12 hours on Sunday. It was worth it - the client was very pleased with our concepts yesterday morning, which in turn made my bosses very pleased with me. The only downside is today feels like Wednesday instead of Tuesday. My head keeps telling me I've already worked two full days. I think it's going to be a l-o-n-g week!
I've been having a lot of cramping the last couple of days with some intermittent lower back pain. The cramping has been bearable, except one point last night when it woke me up. I contemplated taking a Tylenol for it, but after about 15 minutes it went away and I fell back asleep. I asked the nurse about it and she said it's nothing to worry about unless it's accompanied by bleeding (which is hasn't been). Of course I know all this, but it's always comforting to hear it from the nurse anyway.
In other news, I ended up working at the office for 12 hours on Sunday. It was worth it - the client was very pleased with our concepts yesterday morning, which in turn made my bosses very pleased with me. The only downside is today feels like Wednesday instead of Tuesday. My head keeps telling me I've already worked two full days. I think it's going to be a l-o-n-g week!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
By the numbers and a little complaining
I think I'm still in shock. In fact, I know I'm still in shock (and am cautiously optimistic that this one will stick). But I got confirmation today that I'm pregnant!!!
11dpiui - BFP
12dpiui - BFP
13dpiui - BFP
14dpiui - BFP
15dpiui - BFP and 307 beta #1
beta #2 scheduled for 1/4/11
I know how hard it is to not be pregnant, still struggling with IF issues yet wanting sooo badly to get a BFP, so for the sake of my bloggie friends who are in that boat, this post isn't going to belabor the fact that I am pregnant (I'm sure there will be more of those in the future).
Instead, I'm going to complain about the fact that it's Sunday, the last Sunday of my vacation, and I'm sitting in the office where I've been since 9:30am. Technically I am still on vacation, but we have a HUGE presentation at 9am tomorrow morning.
Really? What sadistic client schedules a presentation at 9am the Monday after the holidays? Apparently our sadistic client that's keeping me employed does that. Am I bitter? Of course I am. Did the croissants that my boss brought in help matters? Of course they did! Croissants or no croissants, it's going to be a full day of work to get ready for this presentation. I hope everyone enjoys their Sunday while I'm slaving away for the man:)
11dpiui - BFP
12dpiui - BFP
13dpiui - BFP
14dpiui - BFP
15dpiui - BFP and 307 beta #1
beta #2 scheduled for 1/4/11
I know how hard it is to not be pregnant, still struggling with IF issues yet wanting sooo badly to get a BFP, so for the sake of my bloggie friends who are in that boat, this post isn't going to belabor the fact that I am pregnant (I'm sure there will be more of those in the future).
Instead, I'm going to complain about the fact that it's Sunday, the last Sunday of my vacation, and I'm sitting in the office where I've been since 9:30am. Technically I am still on vacation, but we have a HUGE presentation at 9am tomorrow morning.
Really? What sadistic client schedules a presentation at 9am the Monday after the holidays? Apparently our sadistic client that's keeping me employed does that. Am I bitter? Of course I am. Did the croissants that my boss brought in help matters? Of course they did! Croissants or no croissants, it's going to be a full day of work to get ready for this presentation. I hope everyone enjoys their Sunday while I'm slaving away for the man:)
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