Los Porchs

It's a great feeling when nothing fits and the ol' baby bump just kinda hangs out of my shirts. Guess it's going to be dresses to work for me from here on out... c'mon little sister!!

Waiting for little miss to join us earthside. I was at 3cm at my appointment on Monday and have had some contractions here and there but this little peanut is not done cookin' and has decided to hang out in utero just a bit longer. I won't lie, I'm ready. The reflux makes me want to cry as it makes me throw up at times. There isn't much room left in there for her as she continues to grow; the kicks and punches are now extra fun as her legs reach under my ribs. The doctor said she's measuring large; I have a third-trimester growth ultrasound scheduled for Thursday to see how big she actually is; I almost don't even want to know, but I do want to see that smushy baby. I am hopeful that I don't need the ultrasound (because I've had the baby) but know that it's best to let her continue to marinate... I won't rush her but I also won't be sad if she shows up tonight, just sayin'. Big sister is also very excited to meet the littlest homie. Charl...

one of my favorite parts of this pregnancy has been charlie's excitement about it and the enthusiasm with which she greets the friday morning update about what size the baby is each week. i was so thankful that i got to be with her this friday morning so we could look at it together before we were apart for a minute. baby is the size of a butternut squash. i am currently 76 days from her due date and wondering if she'll be early like her sister or if she'll stay snuggled in there beyond her due date.  i am excited to watch charlie evolve in her role as big sister. being 4 is hard work and adding in big sister duty will be interesting to witness. i am already super proud of my big girl and can't wait to see my girls together. i have been awful with bump pictures this go 'round but here's what i've got at the moment. :) 28 weeks 28 weeks @ the beach

yesterday was eventful; after an evening and morning of cramping with spotting, i was advised to head to the emergency department for monitoring to make sure all is well with the littlest porch. it was a long time spent waiting but i got a sneak peek at the baby via ultrasound (making sure the placenta wasn't over the cervix) and holy moly you guys - that baby is gettin' BIG. i always picture this tiny little bean in the lowest part of my body but the ultrasound tech was way up on my belly - and there was baby! hanging out! heartbeat was wonderful at 138bpm and the little one was dancing around which was amazing to watch! our anatomy scan is in early february & i am so excited to find out who this not-so-little bean is & learn about the growth so far. we've started throwing around names (okay, i throw a name out there and watch porch's face for reaction) and thinking about what we will actually need for this kiddo. so far, all i've come up with is a crib (an...

i got a wusic heartrate monitor for christmas from my father-in-law & tried it right away. i felt like i heard the heartbeat but tonight after we wrestled charlie to sleep, i laid in bed and found it definitively. that little heart was BUMPIN! there was no confusing that with my own, it was very much the beating heart of my little nugget. tonight after i vacuumed the living room, i told porch it felt like baby was tucked away on the left side of my body, i could just feel a heaviness there and sure enough - that's where i found the little one! i think it's important to note that the directions clearly said best results after 16 weeks, which i just hit on friday. while i'm not feeling movement, i am very much aware of this kiddo's presence both in the new bump i'm rocking & just this heavy feeling on my left side. but hey - i think i'm done barfing! it's been several days now & i think i'm in the clear!! xo d

Man, you guys. Remember when I was pregnant with Charlie and you got updates each week, posted on the first day with the week with pictures and information about changes and symptoms? Ha. Listen, to be fair, this kid has spent 11 weeks making me want to sleep and vomit so it's only fair that we have no record of this time.  I've been taking that B6 and Unisom and have been able to keep it together enough to function but definitely not bringing anything near what one would consider an A game. Maybe like a C game? B+ at the very best. So, let's start documenting this adventure. I won't lie - part of me is still terrified that if I post about this and get super excited, something will go wrong. I know my anti-anxiety medication is definitely helping me in this area but there's still that lingering fear and doubt. But today, I am VERY much pregnant. And it is the eve of the 11th week so I thought we better mark it with a post. 11 Weeks Symptoms: Vomit. All of the ...

Just rollin' right along with my littlest homie; had our first visit with my ob/gyn yesterday and everything looks unremarkably wonderfully "fine." Heart rate was at 160 bpm and this nugget currently the size of a cherry looked very gummy bearish to me. Also, did you know that ultrasound envy is a thing? It's not? Well, it should be - I have a mama at work who is 11 weeks and had ultrasounds done at her provider (different network) and they are amazing - 3D and breathtaking. Meanwhile, my kiddo legit looks like a lumpy ghost, but it's fine. Haha, I just never thought to be jealous of someone else's ultrasound. Anywho, off to another day in paradise at work now that I dropped off my biggest little homie. Just enough time to come home, get dressed, try to eat something, grab coffee for work and head out! My next class starts on Monday and I'm ready for it. Shoot. I never told you about that, did I? I started coursework through UW-Platteville for my Progr...

as i prepare myself for the big 3-5 tomorrow, i spent the evening staring down a vial of progesterone in oil (PIO) and the syringe i'd need for this intramuscular devil's work. i put some ice on my gorgeous pre-drawn triangle (hats off to the nurse who made me look like a jack-o-lantern with a triangle on each side of my body), took a deep breath, and did the damn thing.  i didn't hurt any more than the stimulation cycle injections which were subcutaneous, though maybe it was beginner's luck. whatever it was, it didn't make me cry. transfer is scheduled for tuesday afternoon and then it's 10 days of waiting for the blood test. if we get a positive, i get to keep on keepin' on with these shots for 10 more weeks! if not, i get to take a break from the shots and try again later. like a boss.  a jack-o-lantern boss. not today, satan. xo mama porch

Today is CD 2 (CD = cycle day) Today I stopped by the lab here in town and had my blood drawn.  No joke, I felt like I lost 1/2 my blood supply.  I think I counted 10 or 11 vials.  Full work up!  I got handed a container of juice afterwards because the young lady was nervous about how much she had drawn.  Cute, honey, super cute.  This ain't no thang in the scheme of things! We are on our way, folks.  All that's left (I think) is my HSN which will either be late next week or early the following week.  The important thing is that so far, the stars have aligned and we have been able to get things done quickly without having to wait for another cycle to start.   I am feeling really thankful and appreciative for everything that has brought us to this point.  Here's hoping everything continues on this way! Today we are venturing out with our sassy 3-year-old to Target and Costco -- pray for us. xo Mama Porch