7 weeks + 1 day: A special milestone

As we pass this point in our pregnancy, I want to celebrate and honor the spirit of the baby that didn't make it in our previous pregnancy.  On July 15, 2012 -  when we were in the emergency room and learning we had a life-threatening ectopic (tubal) pregnancy, we were at 7 weeks.  We didn't know we were still pregnant, because we thought I had had a miscarriage 2 weeks prior.  When the emergency ultrasound tech did an examination, they couldn't see through all of the internal bleeding to know for sure it was a ruptured ectopic pregnancy.  They wouldn't know for certain until they were doing emergency laparoscopic surgery and removing what we were later told was "a very large ectopic pregnancy".

For all of the fear and physical pain leading up to the surgery, we had been doing our best to think scientifically about the loss of our pregnancy while still thinking it was a miscarriage:  "It's was nature's decision." or "This is very common."  So, part of the recovery from the surgery was emotional for me.  It was the acknowledgement that there still was a baby in there - it just didn't find it's way to the right place.  Learning it still had a heartbeat, was continuing to develop, and was so determined to make it even under the circumstances was really, very sad for me.  It took quite a few months to realize that and it was part of my complete recovery after the surgery.  Now, I accept that there is a spirit out there that was created by Jerry and I, and that we might be able to meet in paradise someday.

So - as we celebrate this moment in our current pregnancy, I also honor what was the possibility of the one that didn't make it.  It has left it's mark in our lives and is still special to us.

7 weeks + 0 Days: Now is the Time (to get the bathroom done!)

As most of our loved ones know, a good part of our master bathroom has been torn down to the studs for a long time now.  What started as an innocent DIY project became an "oh, crap" project.  So, we got a little repair money from my car accident, and we decided to put it towards getting the bathroom done.  This meant getting the partition wall removed (which separated the vanity area from the toilet/shower area) and then framing a doorway between the bathroom and master bedroom (which was just a giant opening in the wall with no way to close the bathroom off from the bedroom).  Since the shower was torn down to the studs, we need the shower surround waterproofed and then tiled.  So - the work is well underway and I could not be happier!!!  The only remaining DIY will be removing and replacing the toilet, and painting; both well within our wheelhouse(s).  Sounds about right for us right now!

There's no better motivation to get a bathroom fixed than a pregnant lady just getting more pregnant!

 

This view is now unimpeded by the partition wall, which would be obsuring the toilet and inducing my claustrophobia if it was still there:

 

 

 

This is the reflection in the mirror - of our whole bathroom as one big, open space (it kinda echos now!):

 

6 weeks + 1 day

We found and heard a heartbeat! Just one. :o) Everything looks great!

5 Weeks + 3 Days

Away we go!

It's early - we're only 5.5 weeks along.  That's not that long.  It means we've only known we are pregnant for a week and a half.  Considering all that has gone on in our heads, in our hearts, in our imaginations in the past week and a half, it feels like it's been longer than that.

This pregnancy has been very carefully monitored so far because of the traumatic experience we had last year with an ectopic (ruptured tubal) pregnancy.:

Last week, we did a blood test every other day to be sure my HcG hormone level was raising as it should - at least doubling every other day - and it did!

This week, we did our first ultrasound to be sure the baby sac made it to the right place.  It did!  Although it's still early, we were able to find it in the ultrasound!  And then, the practitioner found what very well may be a second one.  The second spot may be a blood clot caused by implantation which will be monitored to be sure it absorbs back into my tissues.  But, it very well could be a second baby sac!  We have another ultrasound scheduled for next week.  At that appointment, we should be able to see the flicker of a heartbeat.  And maybe two!

I told my husband Jerry that I can't say I don't want twins... But it sure would be nice if they came one at a time!  I know that we will be blessed either way.  And we will love the double challenge, too!  Then, the house will have 2 dogs, 2 cats, 2 grown-ups, and 2 babies.  Oh, my!

More next week - or whenever something new happens!!