The Long and Winding Road

OB Appointment (25 Weeks)

Today I saw Dr. Beadia for a regular OB appointment.  This was the first time I'd seen a doctor since the ultrasound at 24 weeks, but everything looked normal and there wasn't much to talk about concerning the ultrasound results. I gained 4 pounds in 4 weeks, am measuring on

25 Weeks

This week Chocolate Chip is the size of a head of cauliflower (13.5 inches and 1.5 pounds).  The baby is moving around a lot and growing more hair.  He or she can be startled by loud noises, can get the hiccups, and is working on opening his or

Echo Ultrasound

We had an echo ultrasound scheduled for exactly 4 weeks after our anatomy scan.  The purpose of this ultrasound was to look closely at the baby's heart and track growth from 20 weeks to 24 weeks to make sure Chocolate Chip is growing appropriately.  Since the last ultrasound showed a

24 Weeks

At 24 weeks gestation, the baby is the size of a cantaloupe or a pomegranate (those seem to be different sizes to me, but that's what the apps say)!  Chocolate Chip is almost 12 inches long and weighs over one pound.  His or her face is fully formed, including eyebrows,

23 Weeks

This week Chocolate Chip is the size of a grapefruit (11 inches and 1.2 pounds).  The non-food comparison was a Furby, which is very strange to imagine.  The baby's face is fully formed, just working on filling out.  He or she can hear my voice and heartbeat, and even

22 Weeks

This week the baby is the size of a red bell pepper or a coconut.  Those don't seem to be equivalent sizes to me, but that's what the apps say!  Chocolate Chip measures around 11 inches in length and is approaching one pound in weight. The baby can now perceive

OB Appointment (21+5)

We had our anatomy scan last week, but my follow-up appointment with an OB was today.  I saw Dr. Gabel, who was working when we were admitted with Elsie. The routine parts of the appointment went well.  I gained 6 pounds in the last 4 weeks and my blood pressure

21 Weeks

This week the baby is as big as an endive (or banana, for those of us who only eat common foods).  The baby is now measured crown-to-heel instead of crown-to-rump and is probably around 10.5 inches.  The Bump and What to Expect estimate the baby's weight to be 13-ish

Anatomy Scan (20 Weeks)

This afternoon Eric and I went to the Perinatal Center for our anatomy scan.  It is standard procedure for my OB group to send IVF patients to the Perinatal Center for this ultrasound at 20 weeks and again for another ultrasound at 24 weeks.  We got to see Chocolate Chip's

20 Weeks

Halfway!  Already!  This pregnancy has seemed to go fast, but at 20 weeks I'm feeling like I'm actually pregnant and we will soon have another baby to snuggle.  For some reason things are seeming a lot more "real" this week. At 20 weeks the baby is the size of a

19 Weeks

This week the baby is the size of a mango (6 inches and 8 ounces).  This week the nerve cells for the baby's five senses are developing in Chocolate Chip's brain.  The white coating called vernix caseosa is beginning to cover his or her skin.  And a thin dusting of

18 Weeks

At 18 weeks, the baby is the size of an artichoke or a cucumber, depending who you ask (5.5 inches long and 6.5 ounces in weight).  The baby is yawning, hiccuping, sucking, swallowing, twisting, rolling, punching, and kicking.   The nervous system is continuing to develop, and he or

OB Appointment (17+4)

Since my first OB appointment was at almost 14 weeks, I won't go on the traditional schedule (8, 12, 16, 20, etc.).  Today was my second appointment with the OB office and I am 17+4 today.  I saw Dr. Bedia, which is who I saw for the majority of

17 Weeks

As of today, Chocolate Chip is the size of a pomegranate (or a large onion, depending who you ask).  He or she is measuring 5 inches from crown to rump and approximately 6 ounces.  The baby is starting to suck or swallow, is developing fingerprints, and is moving around a

16 Weeks

This week the baby is the size of an avocado (4.6 inches and 3.5 ounces).  His or her eyes are perceiving light, but the eyelids are still fused shut.  Tiny bones in the ears are forming and the ability to hear in the womb will be developed by

15 Weeks

Well, we embark on the second trimester, which is supposed to be the "sweet spot" of pregnancy.  You are past morning sickness and the extreme exhaustion that comes with the first trimester.  And you are not yet so large and uncomfortable that sleep and relaxation are hard to come by.

14 Weeks

We've made it to the second trimester!  It's crazy to think that we are more than 1/3 of the way through this pregnancy.  I'm 14 weeks today and there's no way I'll go to 42 weeks.  It has gone so quickly, despite starting the early steps of the process

First OB Appointment

I was seen at Mid-Iowa for ultrasounds at 7 weeks and 9 weeks, but this week was my first appointment with my OB group.  I knew there would be a urine test, blood test, and we would get to have an ultrasound.  There is a visitor restriction right now, but

13 Weeks

Only one week left in the first trimester!  Eric's running out of time to do a first trimester HasFit workout with me!  (He did half of one, so that might have to count.) This week the baby is the size of a lemon.  Approximately 2.9 inches long and 0.

More Announcements

After we shared the news with Gavin and Elsie on Monday, we let Gavin make some phone calls to share the news with family.  He called Grandma and Grandpa (Rob and Jule), Grandma Jo, and Grandma Harding.  We also let Grandpa Lutz know about the anticipated arrival of another great-grandchild.

12 Weeks

This is a ceremonious week because it marks the end of Progesterone in oil injections, oral Estrogen, and baby Aspirin.  This week Chocolate Chip is the size of a plum (2 inches long and half an ounce).  The baby's brain is developing, he or she can open and close his

No More Shots!

Today marks 12 weeks and we get to finish the IVF medications!  I have been taking oral Estrogen and baby Aspirin and we've been doing a Progesterone in oil shot every evening since the last week of June.  Tonight was the last night for all of that!  I have never

We Spilled the Beans

We were planning to tell Elsie and Gavin the news sometime this week (approaching 12 weeks pregnant) and had identified Tuesday as the ideal night.  But I got antsy and just wanted to tell them (Gavin in particular) and we were home early and had dinner cleaned up by 5:

11 Weeks

At 11 weeks pregnant, the baby is the size of a lime (1.6 inches long and 0.25 ounces).  Right now he or she still has a 1:1 head-to-body ratio. But his or her fingers and toes are no longer webbed.  Tooth buds, hair follicles, and nail beds

10 Weeks

We've reached double digits!  Today I am 10 weeks pregnant.  The baby is the size of a strawberry (1.2 inches long and 0.14 ounces).  His or her body length will almost double in the next three weeks.  The baby is now considered a fetus rather than an embryo.