Tuesday, December 30, 2008

So far things are looking good!!!  I went in for my blood redraw yesterday and got my HCG results from the doctor.  Before I even got the results, this is how it all unfolded.....

Where it all started... Jim's parents, Jim and I are unloading from the truck to head into Target for the after Christmas clearance.  The nurse from my doctor's office called and said, "I'm not sure why, I don't have your chart in front of me, but Dr. Towsley wants you to come in today for a redraw.  He says your numbers are only at 62."  Well, I immediately freak out and think something is wrong because that number sounds super low for the second blood draw.  The whole gang then travels to my doctors office, where I head right in thinking the worst.  

I get into this little room, where I have spent A LOT of time getting blood work done since the miscarriage and I start to cry.  The nurse was like, "It's okay... have you been spotting? Anything out of the ordinary?" This hit me like a ton of bricks.  I didn't even know what in the world was going on.  I was fine!  Come to find out, the nurse simply FORGOT that I had already gone to Quest that morning.  They had the results and numbers were great!  Then a flood of happy tears came over me... it was all too crazy!  

My HCG levels were 62 on Friday and 318 on Monday.  These numbers are supposed to double every 48-72 hours, so we are looking good so far!! Dr. Towsley seemed very happy with these numbers.  YAY! I scheduled my first appointment on January 13, which will put me at close to 7 weeks.  We should be able to see a heartbeat then so we are looking forward to our first ultrasound.  It will be so different this time around.  

So what started off as quite a scare turned into some great news... and we still made it to the Target Clearance Sale!




Saturday, December 27, 2008

Dear Baby Poppyseed.....



Dear Baby,
   Right now you are just the size of a poppyseed and have made your home a safe place to be for the next nine months.  Not much is going on right now, but a lot will be changing when next week rolls around.  You have already made Mommy get sick a little and feel nauseous at random times.  I'm drinking a lot of water for you and trying to eat a bit healthier.  Your Daddy and I are so happy that you are our little Christmas Miracle.  We love you!
                       Love, 
                        Mommy

Still can't believe it...

I am still in shock that I am actually   Pregrnbw.gif  again!!  After the miscarriage, my doctor told me to call back right away when we become pregnant again.  So I called first thing yesterday morning hoping that they would be open because of the holidays.  Sure enough they were and the nurse was so excited and happy for us!  I went to Quest yesterday morning for blood work and will go again on Monday for a redraw.  That way the doctor can compare betas (HCG) and progesterone levels.  We will go from there and set up our first appointment, which is likely to fall within the next two weeks! YAY!!!!!

Last night Jim and I went to the outlet mall and couldn't pass up Carter's.  We went in and looked at all the cute newborn outfits.  We both must have been smiling from ear to ear the whole time.  It was fun but we didn't buy anything yet, only clothes for Carol's baby on the way. 

Keep checking back...  Soon I will start posting how big the baby is and what is happening to the baby and me each week!

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Miracles do happen...

     It all started about a week ago when I started to feel kinda icky.  I was feeling nauseous off and on, had minor cramping, and a bit of dizziness.  All of these symptoms were all too familiar and I kept thinking, "Could this be it?"  I didn't want to get my hopes up, but I prayed every night and was hoping for a Christmas Miracle.  So, Jim and I decided we would test on Christmas morning, if my period hadn't shown up yet.  
     So Christmas Eve, I was up bright and early not feeling too great.  Then the feeling passed within an hour and I really started to think about maybe being pregnant.  So here we are Christmas Day, and I woke up around 2 am, feeling sick.... went back to bed... woke up at 4 am, ugh.. still feeling sick.... finally at 7 am, I woke up and took a test.  TWO LINES!!!!!! Faint lines, but it's still early.... and any two lines, whether light or dark is a BEAUTIFUL thing!!  
It took me a minute for it to sink in, so I continued to sit on the toilet and enjoyed a few silent tears of happiness.   I then walked into the bedroom and woke Jim up to tell him our good news.  It was so exciting... even though Jim had to be up so early! 

      I truly believe in miracles and my prayers were answered.  Christmas 2008 will never be forgotten since we got the best gift anyone could wish for... our Christmas Miracle!

Sunday, December 14, 2008

The waiting game starts today!

This cycle I decided to try OPK's (ovulation predictor kit).  My doctor told me that my cycles may vary each month after my miscarriage and this would make it difficult to really pinpoint the day I ovulate.  So... I decided to not only pay close attention to my body signs but to try OPK's.  I was happy to see that I got a positive OPK on Friday, which meant I would probably ovulate on Saturday.  This was actually pretty normal for me I think.  Yesterday, I had some cramping so that verified it even more!  We are officially now just playing the waiting game and hopefully we will have our BFP this cycle!! Say your prayers for us!

Monday, December 1, 2008

My Christmas Wish

I found this cute blinkie today.  For those of you that aren't up to date with pregnancy lingo, BFP stands for BIG FAT PREGNANT!
 
bfp blinkie Pictures, Images and Photos

On Thanksgiving Day, AF made her appearance after only 27 days.  I was secretly wishing she stayed away and I would later find out I was pregnant.  Oh well.... I am lucky I had a "normal" cycle after my miscarriage.  There are A LOT of women who wait several weeks before any sign of their period.  

I am praying every night that we have good luck this cycle and have a Christmas BFP to celebrate with our family and friends! 

Saturday, November 22, 2008

In the clear.. and ready to go!

Yay for more good news! The nurse called on Friday with my last series of blood results.  My hormone levels are in the negatives after almost 4 weeks.  With levels like this, my body has found it's way back to how it was before getting pregnant.  (other than the few pounds I put on from eating everything in sight!)  It's hard to believe it's already been almost 4 weeks since I miscarried.   Jim and I are excited to move forward and hopefully have baby news soon! :)

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

I miss you little baby ...

Yesterday was a pretty good day, if you don't count the phantom pregnancy symptoms or a waiting room full of cute little pregnant ladies!  

It all started when I brushed my teeth before school and I started to gag. UGH... it continues.  All morning, I felt like I needed to throw up and kept going into the bathroom just in case it really happened.  This was all way too familiar and it made me sad.  I know they are just symptoms of a stomach bug or something, but enough to remind me of what I miss.  I never thought I would miss morning sickness!!! Then, at the doctors, I had to wait a long time in a waiting room full of cute pregnant women and didn't even get my blood drawn.  Now I have to go back again today... but it's my last visit for the miscarriage.  My next visit will be for a new little joy!  

I miss you little baby.... and there isn't a second I don't think of you.  God, please bless us with a healthy baby soon. 

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Had to come back ...

With all that has happened in the last few weeks, we had some positive news from the doctor on Thursday!  My hormone levels have dropped from 2,425 to 476... all the way to 18.  So basically, my body has recovered from the miscarriage quickly and is ready to move onward!!  It takes a lot longer for several women and I feel lucky to get through such a hard time a bit faster.  There's not a day that I don't think about it, but at least we are on our way to more good news soon. :)

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Today was supposed to be our first appointment...

So today was the day we were anxiously waiting for... our first visit to the doctor.  It was our first visit, however, not the visit we wanted.  Last night, I knew something was wrong when I passed some tissue.  At that moment, I knew in my heart that my body rejected my Baby.  When I stop and think about it, this is a blessing because Mother Nature knew that something wasn't right with our Baby.  Today, the ultrasound showed that I did have a natural miscarriage.  The doctor seemed to think that our Baby stopped growing at about five weeks.

Our doctor is wonderful and I am so happy that I had friends refer me to him.  He really helped us see the bright side of this sad time.   We are lucky that we are able to conceive a child and will again, and soon!  

Jim and I are also lucky to have such wonderful family and friends.  It's great to know that we have a huge support system... and together we will get through our loss.

I'm going to take a break from the posts... but you will see me back on here SOON and I am looking forward to it! :)

Monday, November 3, 2008

Not the weekend I had expected ...

On Saturday afternoon, Jim and I went to the emergency room.  I had some light spotting that freaked me out, so I wanted to get checked out.  My hormone levels were high, which was a good sign but the ultrasound measured me back at 5 weeks, 2 days, which could go either way.  The doctor told us it was a "threatened miscarriage" but apparently they give every pregnant woman that diagnosis if there is any spotting involved.  

Yesterday, I had more bleeding and cramps, so it was an emotional day for me.  Tomorrow at our doctor's appointment, I will have another ultrasound done and of course more blood work.  Hopefully those hormone levels go up!!! We really want this little Johnson Baby.  Grow Baby grow!! Keep us in your prayers today and I'll keep everyone updated :)

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Baby names ... already?!

So while I was at work yesterday, Jim decided to create his own list of baby names.  Not surprisingly, he had way more boy names than girl names.  

Remember, this is HIS list.... 

Boy - Colton, Walter, Alexander, Ethan, Henrik, Reese, Parker, Micah, Nash, Maynard, Wade, Dean, Elliot, Wyatt

Girl - Abigail, Mika, Paige, June, Lily, Summer, Willow

Out of these names, there are a few that I do like.... Alexander, Reese, Parker, Micah, Wade, Elliot, Wyatt, Abigail, Paige, and Colton is growing on me.... However, we have said the name Nolan for a boy for soooo long and I love Nolan Alexander.  Jim thinks it's too common now, but I still think it's a possibility... if it's a boy.  Better than Maynard, Henrik, and Dean!?!?! What was he thinking?!

Together we came up with Jett... any other ideas out there?

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Ready for Tuesday to be here....

Finally... Tuesday is almost here!  Jim and I have our first prenatal doctor's appointment.  We should get to hear Baby's heartbeat and have an ultrasound done.  It will feel so real to finally see our new addition to our family.  This has been the longest countdown EVER..... 

At about 8 weeks, give or take a few days, I'm still feeling okay.  I have been exhausted by the end of each day and feeling worn down.  I went to the gym on Monday and it felt good... I just need the motivation to go back.  I bought a heart rate monitor so I can make sure I'm exercising safely.  For the past few weeks I've been feeling nauseous, mostly in the afternoon.  I usually just eat and feel a lot better.  Disappointing news.... Baby does NOT like Chipotle.  I will miss that!