8 weeks

I wish I knew how to eliminate the shadow by my face :(

We had our 8 week ultrasound yesterday.  It's amazing to see how much you've grown in only 2 weeks, little one!  You look less like a lima bean and more like a teddy graham or gummy bear.  Daddy says you look like a boy.

What a blessing to be able to see your flickering heart and to hear it's strong beat...Music to our ears.  This appointment was strictly for an u/s, which was at the request of my RE back in NJ, since IVF mamas generally aren't released to regular OB/GYNS so soon.  Our ultrasound tech was so friendly...seems to be the trend out here in the mid-west.  I'm not complaining.   She was actually the one who suggested we take a video of the heartbeat.

I also had one of the nurses, who was equally as sweet, take a look at my backside since my injection sites are recently super sore, bruised, and even swollen.  My hypochondriac self was fearing I had an abscess or something and was going to go into septic shock.  I know, I know.  I can be a little dramatic sometimes.  I'm pretty sure giving myself the injections last week since Paul was away was the cause for my hurting hiney.  The nurse said I was more than welcome to come in every morning and have one of them administer the shot.  Seriously?  So sweet.  And considering Paul is gone Monday-Thursday, I may just take them up on that offer!

I'm feeling pretty much the same as I've felt since week 6.  Nauseous, but not terribly.  Just a queasy, nothing sounds appealing sort of upset stomach.  I've learned that if I stay on top of eating, it isn't as bad.  The only problem is finding something that sounds appetizing.  Just like with Elena, I have no desire for my once beloved morning coffee.  The thought of it actually repulses me.  Instead, I have to have a nice cold glass of OJ.  I've been surviving on carbs for the most part and anything that I used to eat as a twelve year old.  Think bagel bites, Apple Jacks, Sour Patch Kids, and Pop Tarts. I'm praying that I start craving salads or protein soon.  I gained 37 lbs with Elena, and would like to aim for 25-30lbs with this pregnancy, which is the recommendation for my BMI.  Gulp. 

Unlike my pregnancy with Elena, this time I am extremely exhausted.  Like no energy whatsoever.  Sloth.  Waste of space.  Lazy piece of shit, basically.  It's a chore to do most anything. I thank my lucky stars my child sleeps through the nighT, generally until 8:30.  I'm not dealing well with the lack of ambition and motivation.  Maybe it's having a toddler to keep up with?  I don't know.  I'm hoping that burst of energy meets up with me at the start of my 2nd trimester! At least it's the winter so I don't feel as guilty doing nothing but staying in the house and playing all day. 

Overall, I am just feeling incredibly blessed and thankful.  So grateful that this FET worked and so beyond excited that Elena is going to be a big sister.  All of our immediate family and close friends know, and of course you all...my favorite internet strangers!  We look forward to 12 weeks when we'll share our news with the rest of our extended family and friends.  Paul has been dying to tell some of his work peeps.  He is so excited.

Really excited to be able to document and share this pregnancy on my blog.  It makes me sad that I didn't do the same for Elena, but my heart and mind were a lot more fragile and fearful at that time, as I shared in this post about how we make babies.  

That's all for now.  I'll get to meet my OB for the first time on the 24th at my 10 week appointment. 
Looking forward to it...so far, I'm really liking the practice that I chose.