Day by Day

I am so happy today is Friday!!! This week I've felt exhausted! It's been a long week and every day I can't wait to go home and sleep! Wednesday's blood work was successful as my HCG level rose to 3,664. This was an 85% increase, which the nurse said was normal- as they look for the level to double about every 48 hours. I was nervous that I hadn't quite doubled- so I looked online and found that for both singletons and twins- levels double at various rates. This information makes me feel a little better- but I was honestly hoping for off-the-chart numbers again! There was only a two-day lapse between the last two tests as opposed to the three-day lapse between the first two- so maybe that is what made the difference? Part of me wishes I could have blood work done every other day until the first trimester is over- just to make sure I am still pregnant. My guess is that this fear will not go away the entire pregnancy. I am hoping that I am able to worry less after the first trimester- but after all we've been through, I can't imagine all of the worry going away completely! Only time will tell. I am really just trying to take things day by day right now!

I scheduled our first ultrasound for next Friday, February 13th at 9:00 a.m. I could have gone in as early as Monday, the 12th but I decided not to. Part of me keeps telling myself I am crazy for waiting an extra 4 days... as I'm not sure how I am going to last another week without some pregnancy interaction...but the other part can rationalize it pretty well. 1) Dr. Timmerick is only performing ultrasounds on Thursday and Friday of next week. On Monday - Wednesday, I would have been seen by the male doctor who examined me once before. Since Dr. T. is my doctor, I'd like for her to perform the ultrasound. 2) I've been told that sometimes right at week 6, there isn't too much to see. With our last pregnancy, the embryo never implanted, therefore, we never saw anything on the ultrasound (which occurred early- week 5). I want to give the baby/babies time to develop as much as possible so when Dr. Timmerick looks- she is able to tell us, with as much certainty as possible, that all is well! 3) On Friday we are having an honor roll assembly during 1st period. This leaves me less to have to plan for a sub (I am taking a half day!)! This reason, in itself, will make the wait worth it. I hate writing sub plans!!!

I'm not too sure how I am going to make it through the week. I guess I am going to have to rely on symptoms alone. So far this week I haven't really felt any nausea. I felt a little off this morning- but I may not have noticed if I wasn't looking for it. I am having a hard time deciding what to eat. 1. I know there are restrictions and have been good about cutting many things out... but 2. I am not in the mood for foods I normally eat. I've been craving a lot of fruit and salad. This is wonderful- but doesn't leave me very full. Oh well, I guess I'll eventually figure something out. My boobs continue to hurt- and unfortunately, they are already growing. I have always been pretty vascular in my chest area (above the boobs)- but now I am able to see veins over the entire area! When I stand up (from laying down) in the morning, my chest feels the same way that an elevated sprained ankle feels when it is brought down to the ground for the first time. OUCH!!! I already mentioned that I am tired... last night, I was asleep around 8 p.m. Thank goodness for DVR as I'll have to catch up on Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice this weekend. I am nervous to do so though because the previews make me believe Derrick and Addison kiss... which means more drama for Meredith and Derrick (I am over their drama)! Finally- I know this is going to sound crazy- but my stomach is already sticking out. I mean- one can easily mistake me for just being overly bloated... and maybe that is all it is... but my pants are getting tighter and I'm not sure how much longer I'll be able to go without buying a bigger size. I am way too nervous to buy maternity clothes at this point... I don't even want to buy a book on pregnancy... I am too afraid of jinxing anything! Hopefully next Friday will bring me some peace of mind- then I'll be able to come up with a plan!

James and I don't really have plans for this weekend. We are kind of restricted to night time activities due to nightly injections. My goal is to make some good progress on my National Board Certification... I really have to because I don't have too much more time!!! Should anything interesting come up, I'll be sure to post. If not... think lots of baby/babies thoughts for us! Keep the prayers coming for a successful ultrasound next week! Hopefully we'll have some great news to share!

Until next time...