Los Porchs

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

Ugh.  Here I am, still pregnant, still working... I really thought this gig would be up by now.  I'm so thankful though that my body has made it this far and that Baby Porch has had the opportunity to grow safely in my body.  I remember how excited I was to make it to 24 weeks (viability, baby!) and that seems like it was so long ago.  Now I'm actively encouraging her to make her way out of there, even though I know it's going to hurt like hell. Which is another thing.  Every ache and pain, I begin to wonder, "Is this it?  Let's go!" and then nothing.  I'm  a little anxious about labor & delivery and what to expect, but I also trust that my body will do what it's meant to or that Dr. G will help us along as needed.  We're 7 days from her due date and I'm not too sure when we'll get to meet her... maybe we should start a pool! How far along?  39 weeks Progress:   None.  Well, cervix is closed. She's dropped a l...

The world of infertility is a cruel one but the sense of belonging that the blogging community brings to me is overwhelming supportive and has indeed gotten me through rough times before our IVF and along the way.  In very happy news, one of my fellow IVF gals had her baby on Saturday!  I've followed her story closely because our timelines are so similar.  Check out her story and that precious new baby here .  My thoughts and wishes for peace are with those who are still in the trenches of infertility, particularly with a girl I've known for a very long time who is starting an adventure with her husband in the realm of embryo adoption.  We were fortunate that IVF worked for us, but for some couples, that (painfully) expensive and intrusive process does not work.  Embryo adoption is such an amazing thing and Porch and I have discussed the possibility of donating unused embryos when our family is complete.  It's certainly something that demands careful ...

We have ourselves a full-term baby!  She has the official blessing to come any time she's ready; I have finished my coursework for the summer term and things are (mostly) ready at work.  I'm so excited to meet this little person and start this new adventure as a family of three.  Everyone in my family kept telling me stories about how early their babies came and I was early, Porch was early, everyone was early..... which I suspect means that this baby girl will come late.  Just to break the mold.  ;)  (She gets that from her mother) How far along?  37 weeks Progress:   None.  Cervix is closed, she dropped (but just a little).  We aren't expecting her anytime soon. Total weight gain:   I've gained 20 pounds total. Maternity clothes?   I find my choices are getting fewer and fewer as I continue to grow... but I refuse to buy more as we will be all done in 3 weeks or less! Stretch marks?   I suspect I ha...

A somewhat uneventful week has passed and Dr. G says that Baby has dropped a little but doesn't expect her to join us anytime too soon.  Which is good, because he's headed out of the country for a week.  Kind of scary to know he won't be around, but to be honest, I'm not overly attached to him.  Is that bad?  I don't care who's there to catch the baby as long as she comes out healthy & Porch is there with me.  That's basically my entire birth plan:  get to hospital ( preferably  WITH Porch), have healthy baby, bring baby home.  Like it?  Me too.  So does my doctor.  ;)   Until the time comes for her to join us, I am savoring every last kick and roll as she gets ready!  I didn't even realize I was having Braxton Hicks contractions until today at my appointment when they started and the doctor pointed them out to me, "Looks like you're having some Braxton Hicks there!"  I was kind of surprised.  I hadn't rea...

We might have a name picked out (nothing like waiting until the last minute).  We're not sharing and it's only partly because we want it to be a surprise.  It's also because I'm a little nervous that we'll change our minds when we meet her.  Though I'm like 95% sure she will fit right into this name.  It's perfect and I love it. I also think I started nesting this week.  I got home on Monday night and went to town cleaning, organizing, everything.  We have her crib ready for her, which seems funny because I'm pretty sure she'll be hanging with us in our room for a while ;)  Her room is coming together, things are getting put away and organized and it makes me so happy! How far along?  35 weeks Progress:   None.  Cervix is closed, she hasn't dropped -- she ain't goin' no where anytime soon. Total weight gain:   I've gained 19 pounds total (my guess is that's 59% Drumsticks -- which I have found a replacement for:   ...

No one ever believes me when I respond to their question of "How far along are you?"  A woman on the street today, mid-conversation (on the phone), asked me the question and when I said "34 weeks" she just said "No way!!!"  I would have been so annoyed to be on the other end of that phone conversation.  But I had to laugh too.   On my walk to the red line, this man said "Congratulations, Beautiful, on your pregnancy.  He must feel like one lucky man," as I passed by.  Things that should probably creep me out but instead made me smile. Although, in full disclosure, I was terrified that the woman was gonna go all Private Practice on me and try to steal my baby or something.  I watch too much tv. How far along?  34 weeks Total weight gain:   I'm holding strong with a total gain of 17.6 pounds.  Maternity clothes?   Some of my maternity pants seem snug, but really, they're just doing their job.  I feel bet...

It's weird:  people are asking me how many days are left now as opposed to weeks (49, if you're curious).  They wonder if we're ready.  They ask about maternity leave. They talk about the baby as though she were already here.  This. is. real.  This shit is happening to us !  It's not just a dream!  I know we still have a little time to go, but it's so unreal that this is my life.  This is my family.   But what's not unreal?  This girl has more clothes than I do.  I know this because I'm currently in the midst of washing all of her teeny tiny clothes (those socks -- gah!) and bedding.  These are the moments that bring it all into perspective.  My daughter is coming to meet us in the next 49 days (+/- a few).  What a crazy thought.  And when we talk about moving to Milwaukee?  I remember that we'll be moving with a small child (and I think about how much fun that'll be).  There's just so much to look ...

How far along?  32 weeks Total weight gain:   I gained 1 pound since my last visit 2 weeks ago putting me at 17 pounds total so far (I don't know how that can be, given my propensity for Drumsticks). Maternity clothes?   I still have a few things that aren't "maternity" but are generous with space.   Stretch marks?   None yet!  I slather my belly with  Burt's Bee's Mama Bee Belly Butter  every night.  My scar is looking red and angry, but no stretch marks that I've seen (and believe me, I look). Sleep:  If we're calling it sleep... it's difficult.  I have the big maternity pillow and then end up cramming two king sized pillows into the horseshoe shape and making what I  affectionately  call a "Danie Taco."  And seriously?   I'm back to a first trimester level of exhaustion.  Last night, I was falling asleep at like 8:30 in the living room and went to bed -- slept until 6:15.  I onl...

How far along?  31 weeks Total weight gain:   Not sure, but the nurse told me today I only gained 1 pound at my last appointment.  As the weather gets hotter, it's harder to eat those bigger meals.  I graze on fruit, water, and ice cream.  ;)  Maternity clothes?   I have a few pieces that are not maternity but let's be honest... non-maternity shirts are the pits.  The belly is starting to peek out and I despise that feeling of being exposed.  I'll probably keep wearing my maternity tanks after she gets here. Stretch marks?   None yet!  I slather my belly with  Burt's Bee's Mama Bee Belly Butter  every night.  My scar is looking red and angry, but no stretch marks that I've seen (and believe me, I look). Sleep:  If we're calling it sleep... it's difficult.  I have the big maternity pillow and then end up cramming two king sized pillows into the horseshoe shape and making what I  aff...