36 weeks

Today I went in for my 36 week check up. I waited for an hour to be seen with a sheet draped over me. Let me just tell you how bored I was just sitting there looking out the window waiting.
My stomach is now measuring at 34 inches. I am now at 153 lbs! I still am growing day by day. I am actually really shocked I have not got a stretch mark on my stomach yet. I guess we will see in the next few weeks.
Our little girls heart beat was at 121. I was worried with that number since she has always been in the 130 range, but my Doctor assured me that it was a wonderful number. He explained to me that the closer I get to my due date, the bigger in size they get what causes their heart rate to go down slowly. As long as it is above 110, its a great heart beat.
We checked my iron levels again. I was not happy to hear that it only went up a half of a percent since my 34 week check up. I am asked to take two iron supplements a day now. On the bright side, they are going up slowly and have not dropped. They are looking for a significant increase though.
I am not dilated yet, what really surprises me since I feel so much pressure down there all the time and I get braxton hicks contractions almost daily.
My Dr also asked me if I am planning on doing a vaginal delivery. I told him yes because there was no reason to have a C Section unless she was breached or there was other complications. He explained to me that since I did have a previous C Section, there is a high risk with inducing labor and wants me to go into labor on my own. Thankfully I only have 4 weeks left. I am hoping I don’t go over my due date. I have my step mom and older sister who think I will go into labor early and then there is me who thinks I will be a few days past. I guess only time will tell with this one. I just hope everything goes smoothly.

This past weekend was really busy for me with my family in town for Bri’s baptism and my baby shower. It was great spending time with my Dad and having them stay with me and J. Every day we had something else going on. It kept me very busy, so busy all I wanted to do was relax when they left.
Bri’s baptism was beautiful. I am beyond proud of her decision to be baptized as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. My Dad gave a talk on Baptism and my Sister in law gave a talk on the Holy Ghost. I could not be more proud of how the day went. I felt the spirit so strongly. Her Biological Father baptized her and J did the conformation.  We then had a big luncheon at our house for all the friends and family. 
My baby shower was great as well. We had a great turn out. I got a lot of adorable outfits from friends and family. One of my best friends made some wooden letters to hang on the wall that spell out our little one’s name.
The nursery is almost put together. We painted the walls, set up the crib, put the crib bedding all together in the crib, and now we just have to put together the hutch and decorate the room. I also need to pick up my old rocking chair from my little sister and paint it and find some cushions for it that match the bedding. I dont think it will be that hard since we have a mixture of colors in the room. Her bedding is teal and coral with a splash of different colors. It is quilted with different fabrics as well. I have an antique plastic frame that I painted coral that I am hanging above the crib with the letter P to go inside of it, They are both the same color, but the P will be glittery because every girl needs glitter in their life. I just painted the frame and the P today, so they are not quite ready to hang yet. I am getting more and more anxious to have the nursery all put together.

11DP5DT

It has been a busy week for everyone with Christmas and spending time with their families.

6DP5DT I decided to take a HPT, there was no second line. I wanted to lose hope. I told J that I took the test and it was negative. We started to talk about our THIRD fresh cycle. Since it would be a new year, out of pocket expenses would be there. J said no to credit card debt and we would just pay cash. That means putting off our goal of paying off our car. That night I had a dream that I took a HPT and it was positive. It was so vivid. I have never had a dream like that. That next morning (7DP5DT) I decided to take another test. I gave my self a little pep talk to not get discouraged if there was no second line. After sitting there knowing I had to get ready for work, I started to see things. Was a seeing things? No, sure enough there was a very faint second line. I was in shock! I could not believe it. I had to tell J. I found a nice bracelet box and put the test in there. I handed him the box and said “sweetie, I have a early christmas gift for you” He opened it and I said “Do you see it? Do you see that second line? We are pregnant” J just grinned and kissed me. He is a sucker for little emotions.
8DP5DT I took another test, a different brand, sure enough it was positive again. This was Christmas eve I might add. I have been feeling wheezy and have been getting small head aches. We went over to my grandmas house for dinner with my family. My grandma was keep on making comments to me “Maybe you’re pregnant” over and over and it was eating at me. J and I decided that we will tell them. I called out that I needed everyones attention. I told them all that I have been taking HPT and they have been showing up positive. We will not know for sure though till Friday. Everyone was so excited.
That evening we got home and we asked J’s parents to come down to watch Bri open a christmas eve gift. While talking to my mother in las, she asked if I still feel good about this cycle, I told her that I did. She then asked if I have been cheating.
one thing that I can not do is lie. I am the worst liar. I got up and started to walk away. She chased me down screaming “AMBER YOU GET BACK OVER HERE!” it was pretty funny. I grabbed the box with the test in it and told her that I had a gift for them to open first. Her and my father in law opened it up. My mother in laws jaw dropped, speechless. You can tell that she was extremely excited. She told me she knew it was going to happen. She just had this gut feeling it was going to work and she knew I was going to be pregnant. By the way, she thinks it will be a girl.
J and I still had to tell his sister. I told her when she and her boy friend got home, that they needed to down stairs because we had a christmas eve present for her. I wrapped up the box all pretty for her in a gift bag. My mother in law played it off that I got her a bracelet before she opened the present. Jer opened the box and she was just staring at the test. You can tell she was confused, Then she said “Is this real?” I said “Yes” She responded “You’re Pregnant?” my response “yes” and then there was a lot of screaming and hugging. What an amazing night. We called my dad Christmas morning and told him and my step mom what followed by more screaming 😀 I am very thankful for this christmas miracle. It is truly the best gift I could ask for.

Friday morning I went in for my blood test. They check you levels at 10DP5DT. Since it was a half day in their office, they said that they would call me soon with the results. I already had a feeling I was getting the call that says “you’re pregnant”, but I was scared of what my hCG levels were going to be at. Anything over 5 is considered pregnant. The thing is, the lower the number, the higher chance of a miscarriage, ectopic or chemical pregnancy. I was praying for a high number. With research, anything over 50 is good. I was out shopping with my sister in law when i got the call. The store was so crowded (after christmas sells) The RN was on the other line. She said :amber, are you ready for the news?” I told her yes and that I have been cheating. She said “well, you’re pregnant” Ahhhhhhhhhh I am so happy!!!!! My levels were at 109 what is a really really good number. She even talked to my DR and said if I needed to, I can have 1 Diet Coke a day. I have been holding off though.

I am extremely grateful for my family and friends who have given J and I unconditional support through this journey. We have came a long way. This is the biggest Christmas Miracle. We are so blessed. I have so much gratitude to our father in heaven. This baby is one special baby. I just pray for a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.

I have been very tired all the time still. I have noticed, when ever I eat, I just want to nap afterwords. I swear I eat more than J right now. I feel very bloated and my jeans are not wanting to fit because of it. Thankfully I have leggings that will help me out.
I decided to take a look at a IVF Calculator for a due date. Looks like I am 4 weeks and 2 days right now. If we are having twins, my due date will be around August 12th. If it is a singleton, September 3rd. I am anxiously waiting for the day we get to bring this little bean into our world.