Cousins (my daughter is in the middle)-Christmas 2011

Cousins (Ava is in the middle) Christmas 2010

Me and my big boy! He's 4 now.

Ava is one!

This is me...(February 2011) proud mommy of two and stepmother to one. Although I will be 40 next year, I think I still want one more child. So, you may see me back on the message boards in a couple of years!

Ava at 5 months old

Owen and Ava

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2010!!!!

OUR STORY (January 2010):

I have been a member of this site since 2007 when I was pregnant with my first child. My son, Owen, was born on November 24, 2007 weighing 6 lbs. 3 oz and was 19 inches long. Owen is an intelligent and vibrant two year old who has conversations with us and can read and spell his name. He loves race cars, motorcycles, construction vehicles, all sports, plays his guitar and drums and dances to Michael Jackson songs from the Thriller album. He is my heart and joy.

Since Owen was born in November, I knew that I wanted my next baby to be a spring/summer birth. We were going to wait to try until next year, but decided to try this month (Dec. 2009) to see what would happen and if we didn't get pregnant, we would go back to the original plan. Well, needless to say that it worked on the first try and we got a bfp on December 15th. Unfortunately the pregancy was a chemical pregnancy and ended two days after we got our bfp. Instead of waiting until summer 2010 (as planned), we decided to try again now.

So, here I am enduring the 2WW. I tested really early last time and got a bfp at 11 dpo only to find that it turned negative at 14 dpo and my cycle came right on time. I have decided that I am not going to test early this time and will just wait it out.

I look foward to meeting new friends and sharing this journey with all of you. Congratulations to the mommies-to-be and sticky baby dust to those who are TTC.

Jan. 11, 2010: Took an HPT this morning and got a BFP!!! I know it may be a little early to be so excited based on what happened last month, but I just cannot help it! I am so hopeful that this will be a sticky bfp.

Feb. 1, 2010: Had my first ultrasound today and got to see my little peanut! Baby was hiding and it took the tech a little while to get a good picture of it. LOL! Baby is measuring 6 weeks and 4 days (pretty much right on target). I had estimated my due date as Sept. 22nd, but now it is Sept. 23rd. We got to see and hear baby's heart beat! Yea! Heartrate was 113 bpm. I feel so blessed!!!

Mar. 31, 2010: 15 weeks tomorrow - wow time is starting to fly by! My morning sickness has finally sudsided and I am starting to feel a bit more energetic. So far I have gained about 5 pounds. I can still wear my regular clothes, although maternity clothes are much more comfortable. Blood pressure was great at 110/70 and baby is doing just fine. Heartrate was in the 160's. We scheduled our anatomy ultrasound for April 21st, so we get to find out if this baby is a boy or girl in three weeks! My gut says girl, but you never know. I've been feeling little flurrers and thumps for the past week. I love feeling the baby move around!

April 21, 2010: We're having a GIRL!!!! I am so excited! Her name is Ava (can't decide on a middle name). Ava is measuring right on target at 17w6d and weighs 7 ounces. Her heart rate was 154. The sonographer said that all her measurements looked great and that there was nothing to worry about.

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May 12, 2010: Had a doctor visit with my endocrinologist today. I see him every six months to check my thyroid hormones and vitiman levels. Today I learned that my cholesterol is borderline high, my triglycerides are high, and my TSH level is low at a 0.1. I am in shock. My cholesterol and triglycerides have NEVER been high. In fact, I have always prided myself on having healthy, low numbers. I guess satisfying my cravings for sweets since pregnant has taken a toll on my body. Also, when I had morning sickness, carbs and high fat starchy foods were the only thing that would help. I guess it is time to take back over my body and take the reins from this little girl growing inside me! LOL! No more sugary, fatty and unhealthy foods for me. I thought that just because I hadn't gained much weight that I was doing fine. I guess blood tests tell the truth! As for my thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level, it has been low, around 0.3, for the past 15 years (that's why we monitor it), but it has never been this low. I officially have a hyperactive thyroid. My doctor said that it does not require medicine now, but since I am pregnant I have to get it checked again in August. If the TSH level drops too low and is not treated, it could have adverse affects on the baby. I don't think that I got it checked when I was pregnant with my son, so I do not know if my TSH level dropped with him. Thankfully, that pregnancy was easy and Owen was born healthy with no problems. Let's pray for the same with Ava.

May 19, 2010: Very uneventful visit to the doctor today. My blood pressure was good at 120/76 and I've gained 3 pounds since my last visit in April, for a total gain of 11 pounds so far. I really don't want to gain more that 22-25 pounds during this pregnancy, so I think it's time to cut back on the sweets I have been indulging in and get some exercise! My fundal height is measuring right on, so even though I feel big, I am right on target. The nurse had to chase Ava around to get her heartbeat. Ava was literally doing somersaults and let out one pretty forceful kick! We finally got her heartbeat, which was 160. I go back on June 16th (I'll be 26 weeks) and then will have my glucose screening in July.

June 16, 2010: 26 week appointment and everything's great. Gained 4 pounds since last month for a total pregnancy weight gain of 15 pounds. I was hoping to stay under a 25 pound weight gain, but that doesn't seem possible seeing how I have 3 months to go. ARRGGHH. Fortunately, with my first baby, I was back to pre-pregnancy weight at 9 days post partum (lost 22 pounds) and lost another 10 pounds over the next two months. Hopefully the same will ring true this time around! Scheduled my glucose screening for July 14th and will schedule my 4D ultrasound for two weeks from today. Ava had a strong heartbeat and has been moving around like crazy. Last night I just watched my stomach jump around for at least 10 minutes! I am measuring right on track, so Ava is growing as she should.

July 14, 2010: 30 week appointment and gestational diabeties testing. The sugary drink wasn't so bad. The nurse said that no news is good news so I really hope I passed the test and don't hear from them. I passed with my first pregnancy, so we'll see. Everything is progressing right along with Ava. Her heartrate was in the 160's like usual. I am still measuring pretty much right on. I gained 3 pounds since last month and am at a total weight gain of 18 pounds. Only ten more weeks to go, if I make it to my due date!!! My doctor prescribed an antibiotic and a decongestant for this horrible cold I have been battling for the past week. I hope the medicines work because I have been miserable. Next appointment is scheduled for August 4th. I'll be 33 weeks. Then I will start going every two weeks until September and I'll go each week. UPDATE: Well, I didn't hear back from my doctor's office or the lab regarding my glucose screening, so it looks like I passed my gestational diabetes test! Yay!

July 20, 2010: Had my 4D ultrasound today. It was great! Ava was very cooperative and we got some prety good pictures of her face. She's a chunky little thing with chubby cheeks! She weighs 3lbs 10 oz.

August 4, 2010: 33 week appointment. Everything is going well. I've gained another 3 pounds, for a total weight gain of 21 lbs. I am starting to feel pretty uncomfortable with a lot of aches and pains that I didn't expect to experience for a few more weeks. It's getting difficult to focus at work too. So ready for this baby girl to get here!!! My next appointment is in two weeks then I think I start going every week. Only 7 more weeks to go if I make it to my due date!!!

RANDOM THOUGHT: Part of me wishes my doctor would put me on bedrest for just a week. However, there is absolutely nothing medically wrong with me -- blood pressure is prefect, iron is looking good, urine is clean as a whistle and baby is doing just fine. It's just that I am faltering physically and mentally. I never get enough rest and there is always something that I need to do. I am completely stressed about purchasing our new home that we just built and moving; plus the pressure in my career is mounting. I just need a break! However, since I am a lawyer and my cases aren't going away -- even if I took some days off, I still would have to get my work done and meet my deadlines. ARGGHHH! I simply do not know what to do. On top of it all, my husband doesn't seem to understand that it is difficult for me to sit down, stand up, lay around or DO anything! I am positive that this stress is not good for Ava....what to do??????????

August 17, 2010: 35 week appointment and all is well. I've gained 3 more pounds and am measuring right on target. Total weight gain is 24 pounds. My blood pressure was great at 120/67. Now I will start going every week. Next week I will get the strep B test and will get an internal exam to see if any of these aches and pains I have been experiencing are actually doing something. Ava is head down and will likely stay that way. She has completely run out of room, so I don't think she could turn around even if she wanted to! LOL! I am so excited! The count down begins!!!

Also saw my endocrinologist today. My TSH levels have gone up to a .3 (still borderline low, but my regular number). However, my cholesterol is now even higher and my triglycerides are out the roof. My doctor assumes that these wacky numbers are all pregnancy related and will check me again in December. He does want to have Ava's thyroid levels/functions checked when she gets here.

My stress level is still high, but I have decided to deal with it differently. There is only so much I can do...all other things will have to wait! The most important thing going on right now is the health and development of my baby girl and the continued happiness of my 2 year old son.

August 25, 2010: 36 week appointment. I have gained 1 pound since last week (eek!) for a total pregnancy weight gain of 25 pounds. My blood pressure was 110/67 and everything looked good. I am measuring exactly 36 weeks. Had my Group B Strep test (man, I feel violated! LOL!) and will get the results in one week. I didn't have it with my son, but my doctor said that you can still have it with another pregnancy. Also had an internal exam. I am not dilated at all, but my cervix is soft, so I guess that is some progress. I go back on September 1st for my next appointment.

Side note: In the process of building/buying a new house and it has been the most unpleasant, nerve racking experience ever. Exactly HOW much information do these people REALLY need! Just when you think they can't possibly think to ask for anything else, I get an email wanting some other piece of paper. I am so stressed out. Set to close on the 10th. I hope baby girl holds on until then. The problem is that EVERY time I have to deal with these people, I start getting really intense Braxton HIcks contractions. I know it is the stress and I am surprised that I haven't gone into labor yet. I realy hope that my baby girl is not negatively affected by all the stress and anxiety I have been going through dealing with this process. It was not so complicated when we purchased our first house.

September 1, 2010: 37 week appointment. Everything is moving right along. I've put on yet another pound this week. :( But I think it is all going to baby because my belly is continuing to get larger but the rest of me isn't. I guess that's a good thing! My blood pressure was 120/76 and I am still measuring right on track. Found out that I tested positive for the Group B Strep, so I will have to get the IV antibiotics when I go into labor. I didn't have it with my first pregnancy...I guess it is just one of those things. I was disappointed that my doc. didn't do an internal exam. I was looking forward to seeing if I had made any progress. He did say that he would check me next week and we could consider induction at 39 weeks. I went into labor naturally with my son 5 days before his due date so we'll see. I kinda like the idea of knowing the exact day my baby will be born. Oh, Ava is sitting right on my pelvic bone so that's why I have been is so much pain when I walk or sit a certain way. Ready for this pregnancy to be over and to meet my baby girl!

September 8, 2010: 38 week appointment. This was a very quick check up. All my vitals are great and I put on yet ANOTHER pound (total pregnancy weight gain of 27 pounds). I am a little disappointed because I have not dilated or effaced AT ALL! If my cervix is still in this condition at 39 weeks, my doc will not schedule an induction (for fear that when "conditions" are not favorable for labor, induction could lead to surgical intervention). I am ok with that now, especially since I decided to start my maternity leave a week early. This is my last week at work. Also, we close on our new house and start moving Friday. I guess Ava is waiting until we get settled in our new house before making her arrival!

THE ROAD TO LABOR AND DELIVERY

September 9: Loss mucus plug this morning. Not having contractions so it will probably be a while before going in to labor. I am having occasional dull aches in my back and thighs.

September 13: Nothing going on here :( We moved into a new house this weekend and I was hoping that all the lifting and pushing would speed things up, but...NOTHING. I haven't felt any contractions, but I can tell that Ava is sitting lower because I have a lot of pain when I walk or stand up for too long. I go to the doctor on Wednesday to get checked so maybe by then I will have dilated and effaced some. Was supposed to start maternity leave today, but am in the office wrapping up some things. My sister had my nephew this morning so hopefully I got some labor dust from her!

September 19: still no baby, no contractions...nothing. Just a pain in my crotch and a constant dull ache in my abdomen. I must KNEW that this baby was going to get here early, but it looks like we are going all the way. I am scheduled to be induced Wednesday the 22nd at 5am. I had really hoped to go into labor naturally like I did with my son. My labor with him was so easy and pleasant. Oh well, I guess each pregnancy and each baby is different. I have been on maternity leave since Wednesday and we are (pretty much) moved into our new house. My husband has taken 3 weeks paternity leave and has been home with me. BIG MISTAKE!!!! He is driving me crazy. WAY TOO MUCH togetherness. Since baby is not here and we are still trying to get settled/unpacked, he is being more of a bother than a help. I really think he expects me to be able to put boxes on my back an carry them up the stairs or actually bend down on the floor to put items away. I am frustrated. I want to have this baby so I can go to the hospital and get a break! Not to mention that I still have some work to do at my office. These next two days are going to be the longest two days of my life! I am a little nervous. It was one thing to go into labor naturally and unexpectedly the first time, but now I am dreading/anticipating the pitocin induced contractions. I hear they are the worse! oh well, at least I know that my little girl will be here in less than three days!!!!!

September 22: went into the hospital at 5am to be induced. I was hoping my doctor would not have to start from "scratch" but I had not dilated at all on my last doctor visit. Turns out that I was almost 3 centimeters dilated and didn't even realize it. I guess the sudden sharp pains I had been having were contractions of some sort. I was in labor for 4 1/2 hours and pushed my baby girl out in less than 10 minutes with about 6 pushes. She's a beautiful baby and I am a very blessed Mommy!

MY BABIES! Owen (3 years) and Ava (3 months)