Infertility and Me

Yesterday, Jess, Myself, and some of the family took a little trip to View A Miracle.  We decided we wanted to do this from the beginning, but had to wait for the optimal time for Choochie (26-34wks).  This is the same place Jess went for the surprise gender determination.  I have to say it was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen, and I am so glad we were able to share it with family!  Check out the video of our little miracle!

Here is a couple stills from the session 

 That is definitely a experience I will never forget.  It will be pretty cool to show Choochie when she gets older too!!

The last couple weeks have been pretty quiet.  I had some ups and downs and a little (another) injury, but I will live.  As for Jess, she’s doing good.  She is totally tired all the time, but trucks right along!!  She’s a trooper!!

Now on to Choochie!

How far along? 27 weeks 2 Days!

How Big Is Choochie? Choochie is about the size of a head of cauliflower, fifteen inches, and more than two pounds!  Choochie can recognize our voices now!  Her muscle tone is gradually improving, and her lungs are capable of breathing air but if the Choochie was born now, she would need medical assistance to breathe!

Maternity clothes?  Everything Maternity!!

Sleep?  Jess dreads the time at night when we go to bed!!

Movement? Sometimes Choochie is out of control, and others she just rolls around.  She has taken an affinity to kicking me in the face.  She won’t move when my hands are there, but as soon as i put my face there, POW!!!!

Food cravings? Bagels, Grilled Cheese, Tomato soup noodles, Gatorade (red), Pink Lemonade, Water, any type of sweets!!!!

Gender – confirmed again this week.  I thinks it safe to paint the nursery now!

Milestones? Choochie has moved on to a whole new growth chart this week.  No more crown to rump, it’s head to toes!! I think Jess is definitely getting the Braxton Hicks contractions now as well!!

Emotions: Not too bad this week, we did have one minor episode yesterday, but the problem was solved, and all is well!!

Last week we had another checkup with the super cervix measuring doc.  Everything stayed the same again with 2.68cm measurement.  The doc seems to think this will be the norm for the rest of the rest of the pregnancy, and has decided to space Jess’ visit out a little more. The next one will be in 3 weeks.  We got a little special treat during this visit.  The doc said the baby was hanging out in the perfect position for a face shot, so he surprised us with a 3D picture.

She’s beautiful, isn’t she? I have to say, it’s the most amazing thing I have ever seen! Jess and I love her so much.  Every day that goes by, is another day closer to meeting her. 

On to the stats

How far along? 26 weeks 3 Days!

How Big Is Choochie? Choochie is as tall as an English hothouse cucumber (yeah, I have no clue what that is either!), weighs a full two pounds and measures 14 plus inches.  This week, her eyes, which until now were developing under fused eyelids, start to open. She might even be able to see bright lights placed by Jess’ belly.  She definitely jumps for loud noises!

Maternity clothes?  Everything Maternity!!

Sleep?  Jess dreads the time at night when we go to bed!!

Movement? Movement is getting stronger, and we can even stimulate movement with sounds and touching!

Food cravings? Grilled Cheese, Tomato soup noodles, Gatorade (red), Pink Lemonade, Water, any type of sweets!!!!

Gender

Milestones? 

Emotions: Been a rough week, but we are getting through it together!!

How far along? 25 weeks!

How Big Is Choochie? Choochie  is growing by leaps and bounds, reaching 13 inches in length and passing the pound and a half mark. Under her skin, capillaries are forming and filling with blood and by week’s end, air sacs (also lined with capillaries) will develop in her lungs.  The lungs are developing surfactant, a substance that will help them expand after birth. Choochies nostrils, which have been plugged up until now, are starting to open, and her vocal chords are getting ready to roar.

Maternity clothes?  Everything Maternity!!

Sleep?  Sleep sucks this week!

Movement? Lots!!! 

Food cravings? French Toast (apparently I make good french toast), Gatorade (red), Pink Lemonade, Water, any type of sweets!!!!

Gender

Milestones? 6 months in!!

Emotions: Emotional roller coaster!!

It’s been pretty quiet the last two weeks.  We had our appointment with cervical measuring doc (a week and a half ago), and everything stayed the same.  Her measurement was 2.7cm, and the doc seemed comfortable waiting 2 weeks (this coming Friday) for another one.  We went a whole week without an appointment!!  That’s a first for us.  Our next appointment is this coming Friday (Friday the 13th!) and it’s another cervical measurement.  Hopefully everything has remained the same. 

How far along? 24 weeks 5 Days!

How Big Is Choochie?  Choochie is about 12 inches long and weighs one and a one quarter pounds, gaining steadily at a rate of six ounces per week. Much of that weight comes from accumulating baby fat, as well as from growing organs, bones, and muscle. Those little ears of hers are getting sharper and can hear very loud sounds, from a yapping dog (Keena loves to bark!) to a jackhammer. Also by now, Choochies face is almost fully formed, complete with eyelashes, eyebrows, and hair.

Maternity clothes?  Everything Maternity!!

Sleep?  Had a couple of good nights in a row (except for last night) !

Movement? This little one is a kicker, she even kicked me in the face a couple days ago!! 

Food cravings? Gatorade (red), Pink Lemonade, Water, any type of sweets!!!!

Gender

Milestones? Started putting paint samples on the wall!!

Emotions: A couple breakdowns this past week.  Mostly minor, but the hormones are raging!!

Yesterday, Jess and I had her (2nd) followup for the short cervix thingy.  We went in good spirits, because we got some good numbers this past Monday.  We should have known something was up with the first followup, because number one, it wasn’t the specialty cervix measuring doc, it was a tech from her regular office.  Now normally, the specialty doc takes anywhere from 10 -15 measurements and averages them out.  The tech from her regular docs office, took 2 measurements 2.89, and 3.60cm and then immediately decided 3.60 was the number she would put on the file.  Anyways, we went back to the super cervix measurer doc and got pretty much the same number as the last time he did it – 2.58cm.  He spent a real long time discussing the issue with us and making us feel a bunch better.  We are still just out of the danger zone, but the fact that it has not changed is what really matters.  He wants to continue monitoring her and have us come back every week for awhile.  We really don’t mind, because everytime we go there they give us a sneak peek of Choochie  and some photos to share with you all!!

Jess’ regular OB also completely pulled her from work (indefinitely) and put her back on modified bed rest.  I think the docs are just taking precautions until we get into a safe zone (sometime after 30 weeks). 

Now, on to our baby girl!!

How far along? 22 weeks!

How Big Is Choochie?  Choochie is about the size of a Spaghetti Squash!!  This week, Choochie weighs in at a whole pound and measures nearly 10 inches, about the size of a small doll.  She now has eyebrows, eyelashes and maybe even some hair on that little head of hers!  She can now perceive light and dark. She can also hear our voices, Jess’  heartbeat,  gurgling stomach and the whoosh-whoosh of blood circulating throughout Jess’ body.  And as Choochie’s brain and nerve endings develop, she may reach for her face  just to experiment with her new found sense of touch.

Maternity clothes?  Cant seem to find the perfect comfy T-shirt for lying around!!

Sleep?  Crappy at best!!

Movement? This little one is a kicker!! 

Food cravings? Fruit Punch, Pink Lemonade, Water, Cookies, French Fries with cheese sauce and Pizza!!!!

Gender

Milestones? I don’t know if this qualifies as a milestone, but little Choochies size is beginning to impact the lungs.  Breathing is definitely not as easy as it was!

Emotions: A bit of a mess after our Level 2 scan, but we are keeping the faith!! (Same as last week)