5 Week Beta

Today I am 5 weeks pregnant. And today I got my 3rd beta draw. I told myself if the number was anything over 3700 I would be happy (3700 would be a healthy 48 hr doubling time from last week's 419). I could not WAIT for the nurse to call- a mix or nervousness and excitement brewing...

And.... my 5 week beta is:

8,398!! Progesterone 30. This little miracle bean continues to be a healthy fighter!! I pray that the growth continues toward seeing the little heartbeat in another 2 1/2 weeks. I am pretty nervous for that appointment, and working to stay hopeful that the miraculous nature of this pregnancy means this one is here to stay.

As far as symptoms go, more noticable fatigue set in yesterday... and my boobs are still extremely sore (though still not any bigger). I've also been voraciously hungry in the evenings. Despite the hunger, I have actually lost around 1.5lbs in the last week! I think the weight loss can be attributed to a mix between my body having a ramped up metabolism and the fact that I am no longer having cocktails (eliminating a lot of weekly calories).

And also? I am scared to have sex. Poor, poor BC.  Dr. Vaughn says it is fine to stay healthy in that department, but I am so worried it will cause spotting or cramping or other detriment to the little one. Sex can also trigger my migraines (which SUCKS)- and b/c I am not allowed to take anything for migraines right now, makes me even MORE hesitant. Boo. I don't think I can hold out too much longer though, and sooner or later will have to risk a splitting headache to keep that oh so important connection to BC. So next time you talk to me, if I mention I have a migraine you might just know why. ; )

8,398!!!!!

These are the weeks of our lives

I always thought it was confusing when pregnant women spoke about how far along they were in terms of weeks.

"Oh you're pregnant! How far along are you?"

"14 weeks."

Cue me doing some really fast mental math-

"So you're 3 months?"

"Well, yes- but 3 months and two WEEKS."

I get it now. And because I am still so early in the journey, the weeks AND days make a big difference! Today I am considered 4 weeks, 5 days pregnant (if my conception date of March 8th is accurate. During the full moon- woot!) Every single week marks amazing development- especially in this early phase. For example, at week 4, the embryo looks a bit like this picture:

No bigger than the size of a poppy seed, this little one is going through incredible changes.

Then, just a week later, the embryo starts looking like a primitive shrimp- a fetus!

It is now the size of an orange seed, and it's little heart can be seen developing

 (though likely not heard yet).

It is still hard to fathom that I am really pregnant. I.AM.PREGNANT. My boobs are definitely telling me something is up (so sore- but no larger than normal yet- sorry BC!). I also have a constant feeling of pressure down on my lower left abdomen, and have definitely been making more trips to the bathroom & refrigerator.

I have another beta draw on Thursday to see my numbers, and I think in another 2 weeks (at 7 weeks gestation) I will get to have my first sonogram, where we pray to see a strong heartbeat! Can't wait for that appointment. Another 'two week wait,' but a much more fun one this round.

And for those of you who enjoy my "frou-frou" postings, here's one for you.

On Sunday afternoon I decided to take a brisk walk along the water in the spring sunshine. It was much warmer than I expected it to be, and at the end of the walk I sat down under a tree to stretch and mop the sweat from my brow. I did a brief meditation, and asked to connect to the energy of the little ones coming to us (I sense two of them- not necessarily both coming at the same time- now wouldn't THAT be a shock?!- but a 2nd one coming eventually).

I always feel the first little one's energy on my left side. I strongly suspect she is a girl, but time will tell! I felt her energy- and with it got an immediate wave of nausea. Awesome. That one has some powerful mojo! I would not be surprised at all if he/she came a little early & was a feisty Scorpio.

When I called in the energy of the other little one- always to my right, it was like a cool, calm, soothing blue/purple energy to balance out the fiery spiraling energy of the left. I then sensed them both dancing merrily around me- and immediately got an ocular migraine. So strange- often when I see my psychic friend Cristy I'll get an immediate ocular migraine, so not sure if that has to do with the strong psychic energy around? Or maybe I just overheated on my walk.

Note to self: no more calling in baby energy when overheated. Bad combo.


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And here are my March Photos for days 25-27:

Day #25, "SPARKLE"

I dug out this necklace at the beginning of the month and have been wearing it ever since. I now consider it an absolute lucky charm! BC purchased it for me on a trip to Madison years ago, and if you look closely, you'll see a little fairy figure saddling 2 stone "eggs." I love it.

Day #26- "DRINK"

We started our first garden last Saturday! Here's BC giving our little baby plants a drink of water. Grow little ones, grow! Hoping they survive and thrive. We are total novices, and were just so excited the next day to see that the plants were actually still there. 

And lastly, Day #27- "FRESH"

I was driving through a residential Austin neighborhood the other day, and came upon an entire vacant lot filled with these gorgeous wildflowers! The first sign that spring is definitely here. The air was crisp and fresh with the smell of honeysuckle.