7 weeks

Today's photo was taken in the Northwestern Fertility and Reproductive Medicine office after we had our second ultrasound. (I'm wearing the same outfit as last week because it's been a lucky outfit for my Badgers.) John had a PT appointment this morning so we didn't have time to take one at home before we left. Our appointment went well. Baby is doing just fine, measuring appropriately, and had a heart rate of 140. We have now graduated back to the regular OBs/midwives. I guess I better get our initial appointment set up with them!

We had a great time skiing in Jackson Hole. I was completely exhausted after three full days of skiing...but it was awesome to be back in the mountains. There's just something about that mountain fresh air. John only took me into an "expert only" area once...and I lived!

Zac Brown Band played at Jackson Hole's Rendezvous Fest Saturday night and we got free tickets! They are my favorite band, especially to see live, so I loved it! Baby's first concert...ha!

We also sneakily picked up a souvenir for baby on our way out of town. John's dad drove us to the airport and made a pit stop at Starbucks so we could get some drinks and sandwiches. He stayed out in the car so while John was getting our Starbucks goodies, I went down to the toy store and got an adorable little moose.

This week I've started feeling more nauseated and more fatigued. From what I've read, that's a good sign. I haven't been reading too much about pregnancy but this book that Jamine gave me years ago (after she had Cade and Blake) has been super helpful! I suppose I'll get around to reading the other ones she gave me one of these days...

We're heading up to Oshkosh today for Easter. My parents are coming tomorrow. We have everything ready for the reveal...hopefully we'll get through tonight without any questions and then be able to surprise everyone tomorrow! John, Annie, and Natalie didn't come out and ask while we were in Jackson Hole...but I'm not sure we entirely evaded suspicion.

The M&Ms say "Baby Lenz" and "November 2016"

Little Easter pails for our parents, Annie and Ben, and Natalie

Go Badgers!

6 Weeks

I decided to do the pictures in front of our shadowy whitish wall this week. I'm not sure I like it better than in front of the shelves or not...but it's definitely easier to read the words.

 

We're on our way to Jackson Hole for a weekend of skiing with John's dad and his sisters. I'm hoping we can keep the news a secret until we see the whole family (and my parents) next weekend.

I've felt pretty good this week. A little nauseas, a little tired, and breast tenderness but that's pretty much it. I had a bit of a scare with some spotting last night but that seems to be resolving. Now the anxiety begins, I guess.

We had our first ultrasound on Tuesday afternoon and got the first picture of our baby. Amazing.

Go Badgers!

5 weeks

Our week-by-week pregnancy journal has begun! Unfortunately, the lighting in our apartment is really bad for photos. There are shadows everywhere there's natural light and just plain poor lighting elsewhere. So, our background is going to be in front of our busy bookshelves.

I made it through our first drinking event yesterday. We had friends in town and celebrated St. Patrick's Day with them. I'm not sure if it's because I'm pregnant or not but I really did not enjoy being in a super crowded bar with a lot of drunk people. It was great to see our friends...but I was glad to go home early!

I did not make it through the day without arousing suspicion though. Conor called me out in the afternoon but offered up a "maybe" as an answer so I went with that. I'm not sure how convincing I was...and I'll be sure to let him know he was right as soon as we're ready to share the news.

We definitely want to tell our families first and are planning to do so over Easter weekend. My mother-in-law asked me if I'd like her to invite my parents when we were in Oshkosh a few weeks ago. My mom said she would go but didn't know if my dad wanted to. I talked to my dad last week (before I even knew I was pregnant) and he said they were planning to come without me even talking him into it. It will be great to tell them all together!

My running has been pretty rough the last week or so. Wednesday Natallie accidentally turned around too early for our 3 miler but I didn't correct her because I was exhausted, even at a very reasonable pace. Friday I took a few walking breaks on my solo run. Today we decided to skip our planned 6 miler due to rain and the spring ahead time change. Hopefully I'll be up for our 3 miler on Wednesday!

I didn't sleep very well earlier this week but the last couple nights have been much better.

We have our first doctor's appointment on Tuesday. I can't wait to confirm this pregnancy!

And, it's time for another new prayer!

4 Weeks, 4 Days

I was two days late after having some weird light bleeding earlier last week. This wasn't unusual as my period has liked to toy with my emotions a bit these last 6+ months. I've also developed a bit of anxiety around doing pregnancy tests because they've always been negative, no matter what little symptoms of pregnancy I convinced myself I had.

This month, I had that weird light bleeding...then a bit of nausea...and then basically nothing. So, it didn't feel quite normal but it didn't feel pregnant either. I convinced myself to do a pregnancy test yesterday morning and it was positive! I immediately started crying happy tears. Then, I went back to the bedroom and said "John, I'm pregnant." He jumped out of bed faster than I've ever seen him get up and embraced me. Ever the pragmatist, his first words were "It's only one test. Don't get too excited. But it's a good sign."

I sent a message to the nurses at the Fertility and Reproductive Medicine Clinic and they asked me to come in this week for two blood pregnancy tests 48 hours apart. I went in for the first one this morning and the nurse called me back within a few hours confirming that I am indeed pregnant, 4 weeks and 4 days pregnant. My quantitative hCG level is high enough that I don't even have to go back on Thursday. I have an appointment with another doctor in the office next week.

After many, many months of ovulation tests, six rounds of Clomid/Ovidrel, five IUIs, and one IVF registration appointment, we're finally pregnant! And, we did it without any interventions!

Time for a new bedtime prayer (since the one I mentioned here has partially been met)!

IVF Registration

Last week John and I had our IVF registration appointments. We met with one of the IVF nurses at 10:30, a pharmacist from the Northwestern Specialty Pharmacy at 11:00, a psychologist at 1:00, and Dr. Robins at 2:45 (but we actually saw him earlier because he was available). Plus, John had another appointment at 4pm. It was a long day!

The nurse explained our protocol. The medicines include birth control pills, Lupron, Gonal F, Menopur, Ovidrel, doxycycline, and Endometrin for different lengths of time and at different parts of the cycle. There is one period of time when I'll be doing three subcutaneous injections every day. Eesh!

As I said, it was a long and pretty overwhelming day. I found the meeting with the psychologist pretty helpful. She gave me a new mantra: Live the day you're in.

The Northwestern Specialty Pharmacy has been terrific! They had to submit prior authorization paperwork with my insurance and kept me in the loop throughout the process. I heard back today that our copay for all the meds is $183. I'm so thankful that our insurance makes IVF an affordable option for us. I know others aren't so fortunate.

Now we just wait for my next cycle to start to start the protocol. More to come...