My Last Birth Story

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Well he’s here and he’s perfect :). He was born October 5 on my late grandfather’s birthday. My mom’s dad. A few weeks ago my mother mentioned that she thinks he’ll be born on the 5th. We all laughed but she totally called it. We also ended up naming him what I wanted to name him and I couldn’t be happier. His name is very similar to his brother’s though so we muddle them up sometimes.

He’s already a month old! and I wanted to write his birth story down before I forget all the details. So here we go.

My final ultrasound went as planned. Confirmed that placenta didn’t go anywhere so the doctor said we’ll want to get him out sooner rather than later so we settled on Monday October 5th at 7:30am. I had a few more appointments to take care of first. Consent form signing with the operating surgeon on the Thursday and Pre-op testing and covid testing on Friday. Pre-op testing was just urine and blood and more form signing and they gave me an anti septic body wash for Sunday night and Monday morning. The covid test wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be. It was 5 seconds of awkward pain that made my eyes water. It felt like I snorted water and the burn lasted for about 15minutes but that was all. And I got the negative result later that evening.

Saturday was supposed to be a busy, cleaning the house and making freezer meals kinda day but I couldn’t be bothered with anything except cuddling my little boy all day. The guilt was starting to creep in. He would leave the next evening with his grandmother and I would only see him the following Thursday and his whole world would be upside down. By Sunday I was a weepy mess but I really did have to clean the house so that kept me busy. We took him for a later afternoon walk down to the water and watched him throw rocks in the river for at least an hour. When we got home we spoiled him with some dessert and bags of chips and then Grandma came to get him. He was beside himself. I think he really had the best day. I cried when he left but I had lots to do around the house still so it wasn’t the worst.

Before bed we watched a few episodes of Schitts Creek and tried to soak up our last night as parents of one little boy. It was a quiet night. I woke up at 3 (after a terrible night’s sleep) to get in my last shower and get all the bags ready. N woke up at 4ish. We left the house just before 5 to get a very quiet hospital at 5:30.

The maternity ward was really quiet as well. We learned that we were the first and possibly only c-section that day. We met our first 2 nurses. C would be with us in surgery and the other one was helping. Again we ran through all the millions of questions and then after I suited up, C put in the first IV in my left hand. OUCH. While everyone was hustling and bustling around us and we were chatting we mentioned to the nurses how horrible and traumatic our first c-section was and how scared/nervous we were this time around. They were very kind and answered all our questions and kept assuring us that this time would be better.

We then got to rest and take everything in while waiting for the anesthesiologist and the surgeon to come and talk to us. Eventually the anesthesiologist came in. I’m hitting a blank on his name now which is frustrating because he was the best human being and my hero throughout this whole process. In fact our anesthesiologist with Lucky’s birth was an absolute hero as well. They’re really great. Probably why they get paid the big bucks. Anyway, he was mildly funny at first, cracking cheesy jokes and everything. He told me that he had to put in a second IV. Because of the previa I needed the second one in case I needed blood. The first one really hurt so he mentioned that I could have a lidocaine shot. Nurse C said that she never uses lidocaine and then he said okay we’ll skip it. So I interjected and asked if I get a say because I would very much like to have some lidocaine. They all chuckled and agreed to get me some. I guess the nurses don’t have it on hand so they usually don’t offer it.

So he left to get the good stuff and when he came back his tone had completely changed. He sat on the bed next to me and took my hand and looked me in the eyes and in a low tone said that he’d heard we had a traumatic go around with our son and he was incredibly sorry that that happened to us and he assured me that he personally will take good care of me and will make sure that this birth will be everything I wanted. He said that he will let me know what’s going on every step of the way and if I feel lost at anytime to just let him know.

I felt the tears pricking my eyes and managed to squeak out a tiny thank you before he gave my hand a tiny squeeze and went back to being cheesy, jovial doctor. The lidocaine? Amazing. If you ever need an IV, please ask for lidocaine. It stings going in but it’s just the best. And a good thing I got it too because the first IV spot he tried was a fail. The second was perfect.

We got a few more minutes of rest time before the surgeon came in to say hi and talk about the procedure. We spoke about a gentle c-section before hand and she said that they didn’t have the clear sheet but they would drop the cloth once he was ready to come out so I could see and they would do skin to skin once he was out and all the other fun stuff.

And then at 7:40ish it was time to get the party started. I kissed N and left him behind to put his uniform on and I walked with my two nurses to the OR. That’s when I started to hear my breathing and my heart racing in my ears. I remember asking them to stop because I had another bad cramp. My last cramp. When I walked in, I started freaking out about the spinal but there was a lot going on in the brightly lit room and I started definitely feel dizzy. I was greeted by the anesthesiologist (let’s call him Dr Smiles) and another anesthesiologist who’s first day it was. Two more nurses introduced themselves and one said her name a few times and said that it was okay for me to name the baby after her (I forgot to mention that everyone kept asking us the baby’s name and we had to repeatedly say that he was nameless for now. It’s funny how many people you meet and how many times you have to answer the same questions. Yes we’re nervous… It’s a boy… No, no name yet).

I climbed up onto the OR table. It felt like I was moving in slow motion and everyone else around me was on fast forward. Nurse C stood in front of me and grabbed my arms and started explaining that the spinal was going to happen and he was going to inject me twice. It would feel like a bee sting and then tingling. My breathing started becoming shallow. She was so close to me forcing eye contact. Then she said okay here it comes. It hurt. Not as much as I thought it would but I let out a weird scream and she starting laughing at me. Then I told them that my sister in law said that it’s almost impossible to paralyze a patient from a spinal so that made me feel better. She belly laughed at me again and said I’m so funny while her vice grip on my upper arms got tighter. I don’t know if she was just trying to put me at ease. I hadn’t said anything funny. Is it easy to paralyze a patient? Lordy.

The second bee sting wasn’t as bad but it just lasted long. And then another minute or so while I assume he was doing the actual spinal and then I started feeling pins and needles down my legs. It was strange and not at all fun.

They then laid me down on my back and things started really ramping up. A third anesthesiologist came in (I forgot his name as well). My line of sight was limited and people kept popping their masked faces in front of me to say something then they would disappear. It was really comical. Or it would have been if I wasn’t having such an awful time with the pins and needles. I wanted to get up and walk it off. There was too much going on in the room and too many people talking to me and each other.

Everytime someone did something someone would pop their face in front of me to tell me what was happening and then disappear again. At one point I heard someone say okay we’re sterile then nurse C popped in an said okay they rubbed the sterile solution on my stomach so don’t move. Then I reached over and had to scratch my shoulder then new anesthesiologist popped in and said okay please don’t move you’re sterile.

Then the stars of the show, the 2 surgeons came in Dr C who was my OB and Dr H would I had heard wonderful things about. Both young female surgeons one of whom was a WOC. I loved it. Dr H put some music on and asked me what I would like to listen to. I requested Journey because my friend and I were talking about them the previous week. When Don’t Stop Believing started I felt a teensy bit more relaxed but only a little.

Then the feeling in the room became a bit more clinical and serious and hushed. The surgeons were giving instructions and medical jargon was being thrown around. Dr Smiles popped in and told me that we’re about to begin because they just poked me with a sharp instrument and I didn’t feel anything and the sharp instrument that poked me popped into my line of sight and clicked a few times then both disappeared.

They finally ushered N in and I breathed a sigh of relief. I really felt so much better when he walked in and held my hand because I really was not enjoying being there. It was a lot for my senses and I couldn’t center myself.

Finally they started cutting. It felt like they were cutting just under my boobs which was a really strange sensation. I just tried to focus on the music and tried to get N to talk to me about anything random. The pins and needles in my legs was becoming unbearable. It seemed like they were cutting forever. And then Dr C said “Okay we’re ready. Dad do you have your phone ready?”. She said he should stand up and start recording. So he stood up and started. They didn’t put the curtain down and real talk, I was relieved. I was really over the whole process at this time. I wanted my son out and I wanted to get out of here. I was sick of waiting.

Dr H started pushing on my belly really hard. Dr Smiles said you’ll be feeling a lot of pressure mom. Like no shit dude. Damn. Then there was a big pop and a collective Awww around the room and out he came. N was able to take a picture and then he sat down again. There was maybe 10 seconds and someone brought him over to me for some skin to skin.

Oh my goodness. I remember the heat of his skin on mine. I remember how incredibly soft he felt. He still had a good amount of vernix on him and I remember feeling it while I was rubbing his little calf. It’s an awkward hold. A squishy baby who weighs nothing. I couldn’t get a good hold on him but I just remember that he felt great and he was just beautiful and perfect. I just kept saying hi little guy. hi my little angel. He was perfect.

But then the annoyance crept up again. I wanted to get off this table and take my kid and leave. I asked N or someone to take him. They took him to clean him up a bit more and then she brought him back all swaddled and cute. I held him for a bit longer and tried to enjoy the moment but I couldn’t get a good hold and my legs were irritating me. I know there were pictures of us being taken at some point too. Then I heard a male voice (I think it was Dr Smiles) ask someone for a hemorrhage kit and the nurse quickly came to take the baby and tell me that I was bleeding. I quickly looked over at N and both our eyes widened. But thankfully it didn’t seem like too big of a deal. It was just a tense few seconds.

Eventually N and the baby had to leave and I had to stick around while the sewed me up. This was the worst part. With Lucky this whole thing seemed like it was over quickly. This time it was taking forever and ever and I couldn’t move. Dr Smiles was talking to his colleagues too loudly. Dr H and C were having an equally loud conversation about their kids. The nurses were chatting amongst themselves. I seemed to have disappeared into the distance. I just had Dr Smiles pop his face in and ask how I was doing every few minutes. It felt like an hour I was there before the drape finally came down.

The nurses started cleaning me up and that’s when I started feeling terribly dizzy. Dr Smiles gave me some medicine right before everything ended and I think I had a bad reaction to it. I started feeling really loopy. I remember being moved to the other bed and being wheeled down the hall and wanting to throw up because it was too much.

Back in recovery, I couldn’t really hold the baby. I tried drinking water and throwing up everything.

This part of the birth was a blur because I was so sick. I remember trying skin to skin again and Dandelion actually crawled his way to my nipple and latched but I couldn’t enjoy it because I was so out of it. N held him for most of the day. I was in and out of consciousness all day I don’t remember leaving recovery but I remember being in our room. I tried to stay awake but I just kept throwing up. I was just nervous that Dandelion hadn’t fed and I felt terrible for not trying but eventually a nurse came in and told me to rest and that he didn’t realy need to eat at all the first day. After I heard that I closed my eyes and only woke up around 9pm and started feeling a little more human. I tried some food and a little baby cuddle and then back to sleep.

By breakfast time the following morning I’d started feeling much better. I was in a moderate amount of pain but I stayed up on the pain meds so it was manageable. I just remember wanting all of the tubes out of me. That night the catheter came out and I was able to shuffle around. The following morning the IV port things came out of my hands and I was free! That really was the best feeling.

The rest of the stay was uneventful. Dandy had a tongue-tie which they clipped and he had his circ the morning of the day we left. The nurses and lactation consultants were amazing as always. Breastfeeding was rough. I couldn’t remember anything about it and I feel like I was calling the LC every few hours to help. He was a lazy feeder (still is) and it was just frustrating. But we got it by the time we left, I think.

So all-in-all it was a completely different experience to Lucky’s. I felt way more taken care of but the actual surgery was better last time. Isn’t that interesting? If I were to give anyone advice I wouldn’t recommend either. I feel like I bonded with Dandy quicker this time around but I much prefer not being so compos mentis while someone is cutting you open.

But at the end of the day, here I am. Mom of two. Me. I never in a million years thought it was possible. I never lost hope. Okay, I did a few times, but here I am. And I couldn’t have done it without this blog and without the support of everyone I’ve met on this journey.

I don’t know if this is the end for the blog. It’s an infertility blog and for all intents and purposes, I don’t think we’ll be pursuing anymore treatments. So our IVF journey has for sure come to an end. I’m so thankful that it’s a very happy end. The happiest end.

I’ve made so many friends on this journey so I’ll keep reading blogs and my instagram (@doit4babym) is relatively active and I’m still very much interested in all your lives so I’m not going anywhere. I just won’t be posting as much, if at all.

But oh my gosh, Thank you! Thank you for reading this far, for one. Thank you for being there in the lowest of lows and thank you for crying with us. Thank you for celebrating with us. Thank you for sharing your stories. Thank you for your strength. Thank you for your love.

Thank you!

Maternity Leave

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So my placenta didn’t move enough. Apparently it’s still a bit too close to the edge of my cervix and vaginal delivery is not recommended. They did offer me one last hail mary ultrasound on Wednesday to see if it’s moved but the likelihood is that we’ll do a repeat c-section some time next week (37 weeks).

This all happened at my appointment last Thursday. I’d been silently hoping to be booked off work early because the drive in was becoming unbearable as far as back spasms was concerned. I’ve also not been sleeping well. I was wracked with guilt about being in pain and being weak. I don’t understand why working until your due is a thing. I’d planned on taking leave a week before my due date. But I was hoping the doctor would agree to me stopping 2 weeks early. So, I was really happy when she told me we’d likely be having the baby 3 weeks early and she’s more than happy to have me stop work right away to quarantine before the surgery.

The next day (last Friday) I broke the news to my boss and HR and got all my ducks in a row wrt to short term disability paperwork and wrapping up my work. I had so much other cleaning up stuff to do in our system to help make my boss’s job a bit easier but I didn’t have the time and of course I’m feeling guilty about that too but I keep reminding myself that if my water had broken early I wouldn’t have been able to do any of the wrapping up I did. I got to say goodbye to everyone and tie up loose ends. I think by the time I left, I felt okay. But yes, I did check my work email this morning.

So today is my first day of maternity leave. It’s just me and Lucky over here watching cartoons. I’m making lists of things I need to get done and doing some grocery shopping online.

And guess what?!! We still don’t have a name for Dandelion!!! Well, I have a name. It was the name I chose before our transfer but N isn’t really on board and I’d like for him to not hate his child’s name. We’ve decided to wait until we see what he looks like. My brother took 2 weeks to decide on my nephew’s name after he was born. So, while I’m anxious, I’m not too too worried. I mean he’ll have a name eventually.

So how am I feeling about doing another c-section? I think I’m okay. Everyone who I spoke to who had a 2nd c-section says it’s the best thing they ever did. Sure I’m a little bummed about not getting a shot at vaginal birth again but I’m not as distraught as I was last time. I think the idea of no more back pain is just the icing on the cake. And I’m starting to get really excited to meet this little boy who keeps dancing on my ribs.

I don’t remember my pregnancy with Lucky being this hard in the 3rd tri. I’m sure it was. I remember being in pain while driving to work but not my back, more my left side. I remember cramping because of an irritable uterus. I’m having so many cramps with this one too. round ligament pain. stretching pain. braxton hicks. pressure down below. Just a lot of pain all day.

I feel like this week is going to really drag even though we have loads to do still. I’m trying to come to terms with the fact that we’ll probably be a family of 4 next week. I’m trying to enjoy to painful kicks and rolls because this is the last time I’ll feel them. I’m really finding myself in a different headspace knowing that this pregnancy is almost over and it won’t happen again so even though I’m in pain I’m reveling in it a bit.

This is so strange. He’ll be here soon.

Back to Work

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Welcome third trimester. Welcome restless legs and hemorrhoids. Welcome 🙂

My placenta is moving, just very slowly. The edge of it is just just covering the opening of my cervix. I’m supposed to have another ultrasound in a month but it hasn’t been scheduled yet. But again, everyone is confident that it will move in time. Yay.

They have a new protocol wrt to gestational diabetes testing. I failed the 1hr and then for the 3hr, one of the four readings (the 2nd one) was elevated. Usually if you have 2 elevated readings they diagnose you as having GD and go from there. If you have 1 then you’re all clear. Now, they want me to either repeat the 3hr or get a glucometer and test my levels for 2 weeks as if I was diagnosed with GD. I opted for the glucometer. Even though it was more expensive, I didn’t want to have to take a half day of work off to do another 3hr. I’m on day 5 now of testing. It’s been okay. I have to test 4 times a day. Fasting in the morning. Then after every meal. This means I have to eat 3 times a day now. I usually only eat twice a day and snack in between. I skip breakfast because I only get hungry around noon. Anyway, it’s not been too bad. My dad is pre-diabetic and does the tests 4 times a day as well so he gave me some good tips. The lancing is obviously the worst bit. It has settings on it for how deep you want the lance to go into your finger. I had it set at 4 and Dad said 2 is fine and it’s made a huge difference. I don’t even feel it at 2. 4 was a little traumatic. Yes, yes, I’m a woos. He also said to shake your hand vigorously before and then push down of the tip of your finger with your thumb then lance it. Works beautifully. I think I’m a pro now. Thanks Dad. The readings have been all over the place. My problem areas are fasting and after breakfast. I just have to make better breakfast choices. I usually just have cereal (Special K) and actually do feel sick after. But even then the readings are maybe 2 or 3 over the limit of 120. Or just just under. But I’m not expert. I go back next week and they’ll let me know how I’m doing.

Something new this time around (well I don’t remember it with Lucky) is restless leg syndrome. Ugh it’s the worst. The midwife suggested electrolytes and a massage which I’ve been doing but damn man. It’s no fun.

And lastly, my hemorrhoids are back! I won’t go into detail. It just sucks.

Everything else with Dandelion is good. The 3D scans I got at the placenta check were incredible. I got so so excited. He looks so much like his brother. Incredible. I have to add a Dandelion tab to this site to add the scan pics and bump pics. I’ve tried to stay on top of them weekly.

As for little Lucky, my beautiful boy. After a lot of agonizing and a lot of tears, we made the decision not to send him back to the daycare this school year. There’s just too many unknowns with this virus. My MIL has offered to watch him until I go on maternity leave which is amazing. I’m sad about it, though. I did some reflection on why I was so deeply sad and I just didn’t want him to miss out on the friendships that will be fortified with his group at the daycare. I think some of it comes from (and I realise the absurdity) me missing my friends back home. And I don’t want him to miss opportunities to make friends. But he’s only 2. He’s not going to remember these kids at all. And another part is that I hate being left out. I won’t be receiving anymore daycare emails and I won’t be in the mom click anymore. Not that I really was anyway, they’re all teachers so I was the odd one out anyway but we did have some good chats on the quick walk from the daycare to the school building.

So you see, my sadness was mostly about me and my feelings and I had to put that aside and think about the safety of Lucky and Dandy and myself.

I’m feeling better about it now, I think. Lucky will be in good hands with Grandma. We made the right decision. I feel very relieved that this is one thing off my plate.

My next big project is the hospital bag haha. Thankfully it’s actually almost done. I’m just ordered toiletries and vagina care items and that’ll be that. I bought pj’s for both N and I. I’ll be happy when that’s over with.

I also think I’ve found a photographer for a maternity shoot. I emailed her that I want to move forward but haven’t heard back yet. I’m excited but I’ll be more excited if she returns my email.

I think that’s it for now. We all go back to work full time in the building next week. I still can’t really understand that logic behind it but it is what it is. This is the only time I’m thankful that I work in the basement away from human contact and I believe we won’t be allowing anyone into our office without an appointment. Since I sit in IT we usually get visits from irate teachers and students who need machines fixed asap. It will be a quiet year, thankfully.

Okay. That’s it for now. I’m 30 weeks tomorrow. Let the fun begin I guess.

I hope you’re all taking care of yourselves.

25 Weeks

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It’s dawning on me that this is going to be over soon and I’ve not nearly documented as much as I’d like. I keep trying to draw parallels to this time with Lucky but I don’t remember and I don’t have anything written to go back to. Anyway, it’s my cross to bear. I’ll try to remedy it even though this past week has been a bit rough.

We hit viability on N’s birthday weekend so I took the opportunity to wish N and do an FB announcement. I bought Lucky a t-shirt that had a picture of Biggy on it and underneath it said “Notorious B.I.G. Brother”. As with all announcements, they’re fraught with anxiety but are always well received. So it obviously went off without a hitch and afterwards you wonder what the heck you were so afraid of.

The following week, I had an ultrasound appointment to check Dandelion’s heart and to see if the placenta had moved. It hasn’t but his heart is A-okay. I’ll pause here to ask WHY DON’T DOCTORS READ THE CHART BEFORE THEY WALK INTO THE ROOM??!! This doctor mentioned that Dandelion’s heart looked great and then checked her notes and said that’s he’s in the 99th percentile for size. I nodded but frowned because I’ve never had a 99th percentile measurement. I think she registered my frown and looked at her paper again and said, “Oh, I’m sorry that’s not your baby”. Then why do you have another baby’s notes with you ma’am? Geepers. Anyway, Dandelion is in the 40th percentile, I think. I know this measurement doesn’t really mean anything but this happens all the time. My step father in law was telling us how his oncologists made these mistakes with him as well, which is baffling to me especially when you’re talking about changing dosages on cancer medication. Ugh. But I digress.

So I have to go back to next month for another ultrasound to see if the placenta has moved. It will be a transvaginal ultrasound so that’s going to be fun. In the meantime, I’ll be thinking moving thoughts.

Then last week we were hit with really awful heat all week. I felt fine mostly but on Thursday afternoon as I was leaving work I started feeling braxton hicks. No biggie, I’ll just lie down. My favourite thing to do. Friday I had my day off and had planned on washing my car and doing laundry but the BH was really bad. My belly all along my c-section scar was just tight and painful I could barely stand up straight. I thought maybe some round ligament pain as well. I just drank water and rested. Saturday, same thing. I actually found a bit of strength to sort out Lucky and Dandelion’s clothing. A friend sent over some hand-me-downs and I had to go through them but I became very overwhelmed. Thankfully, my friend B came to help me. She ordered me to sit down and point at things while she folded and sorted. She absolutely saved my life and I love every inch of her.

And Sunday I was drinking so much water and it seemed to subside. I pretty much never left the couch. Yesterday when I woke up things seemed fine but around 9am they were not and I called the OB to see if I should do anything. At first they wanted me to go straight to the hospital but eventually decided I should just go into their office and they would do some tests. They could only fit me in at 2:45 though. No biggie. I just tried not to move. I wasn’t too worried. Dandelion was dancing and kicking like crazy. But while driving there I let my mind wander too much and by the time I got to the OB I was in a bit of a tizzy.

They did a 20 minute non-stress test and found no contractions which was good but all the while my belly kept tightening up. The midwife said it’s probably just a combination of dehydration and the c-section scar stretching and the placenta moving. I felt sheepish for going in and wasting their time but they assured me that I did the right thing and that because of my placenta they want me to call if anything like this happens again especially if I start bleeding. They do not want me to go into labour with the placenta where it is.

And thus ends my first (and hopefully last) teeny tiny little scare. I am doing okay now I guess. Still in a good amount of pain even though I’ve increased my water 3 fold (I’m rushing through this now so that I can go pee again x 100). I’m trying not to exert myself but Lucky is still very clingy and I have to carry and hold him for a good chunk of the day. I’m glad that I’m not contracting though. That shit is stressful!!

Two things are starting to weigh on me now. One is Dandelion’s name. My nephew wasn’t named until a few days after he was born so it’s not tooo much of an issue but we had Lucky’s name before he was even real. It’s my own fault really. I’m insisting on another L name. My middle brother’s kids are all T’s and my eldest brother’s kids are all A’s. My husband’s father and his siblings are all M’s, His brothers on his dad’s side are both J’s and his cousins on dad’s side are M’s as well. Something in the universe is compelling me to continue this tradition and I can’t let it go but we can’t agree on an L name. I have it narrowed down to 2 that I love. One of which I really love because it’s directly related to one of his cousins and it’s also a comic book character like Lucky’s name. The second is a name I found randomly and absolutely fell in love with. But it has no significant meaning to us which is a bummer. I just need N to come to the party. Both names are really out there and uncommon but I love them. N just needs to be convinced. The second names are way more traditional but I love them as well. Both kids will have 3 names total. Lucky is named after our fathers. Dandelion’s second name is N’s brother who passed’s name. His mother was extremely happy we decided to do that and his third name is a family name on my mom’s side. I told her she could choose a third name since all the grandparents have a hand in the names so she chose her father’s name. I know people don’t generally like when kids have a million names but I only have one name and both my brothers have second names so yes, I’m pushing my juvenile issues on to my children. Hopefully, they appreciate the meaning behind it though. Anyway, if you can think of any really strange L names, I’m all ears.

My second more dire concern is that it’s becoming a reality that my parents won’t be here for Dandelion’s birth. And they likely won’t be able to come until who knows when. If at all! That means I’ll pretty much be taking care of these two love bugs on my own after N goes back to work. Sure, his mom will be able to help but I really doubt she will move in with us. Having my parents stay with us when Lucky was born was an absolute godsend. I have no idea how I’m going to do it. I have to start looking into a nanny. I’m also having worrying thoughts about Lucky and daycare. Actually I think this deserves it’s own post. I have to write down and articulate my thoughts. But I think ultimately we’ll be looking into getting a part-time in home nanny to help with Lucky while I’m on maternity leave and then to help with Dandelion when I go back to work. Drama!

Okay, I’ll leave it there for now as I have to pee again and I have to make a dessert because I’m missing some much needed sugar in my diet.

xx

Poop Wars

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Just a little over 20 weeks. Everyone’s been saying that I’m already showing. My immediate first instinct upon hearing that is to suck in my tummy and frown. Why do I do that? I worked so hard for this bump. And let’s face by the time evening rolls around I pretty much waddling. He gets so heavy as the day rolls on. I’m wearing a hoodie and sweatpants to work today (freezing temps in the office and skeleton crew) and you can definitely see the bump even though the hoodie is a size too big.

Our level 2 ultrasound went really well. I do have partial placenta previa but they don’t seem concerned. I have to do a fetal echocardiogram on the 6th and she said they’ll check the previa again to see if it’s moved and if not we have to talk about c-section. Dun dun duuuun. Just kidding. When the tech was doing the ultrasound I was reading her labels and I saw her write “complete previa” so I was prepared for c-section talk. And the more I think about it, the more okay I am with a c-section. Sometimes when I read about 4th degree tears I wonder if we shouldn’t just do it anyway. But I guess the thing that’s keeping me from swinging too much in either direction is fear of the epidural paralysing me in a c-section birth and fear of my asshole exploding during vaginal birth. Neither would be an ideal outcome. That said, I’m trying to stay away from horror stories in both scenarios and I’m just trying to enjoy the day to day.

Dandelion was extremely busy during the ultrasound. There was a lot of tut tutting from the tech every time he moved when she was trying to take a measurement. Especially pulling his little feet away from her. So cute! I wish ultrasounds were more like a tv screen they put over your belly so you can see what they actually look like. Although that might be not as cute.

Anyway, we got a few pics of him. She was so good, I don’t know when she snapped them because he was so fast but she managed to get it all done. She tried a 3D one too but he wasn’t having it. I’ll try for a 3D when I go for the echo.

I still can’t believe how fast all of this is going. I sometimes look at Lucky and feel a tiny bit sad for him. He doesn’t even realise that he’s not going to be an only child anymore. I think what’s makes me sad is his obliviousness to it. He doesn’t know that his world will be turned upside down for a while. All he cares about is sword fighting and eating and literally running up and down for no reason.

I guess you could say we’re fully into potty training now as well. It happened about as organically as it can I suppose. I toyed with the idea at the beginning of quarantine, you’ll remember, but we quickly gave up, like with most things. He was putting himself to sleep successfully a while back and somehow we’re back to staying in bed with him until he falls asleep and we don’t know how. Anyway, when we heard I’d be going back to work and N’s mom would be taking Lucky again she had me buy him a potty for her house and some cool underwear and she would do it. Yay!

The Sunday before I was set to go to work I thought I’d practice. I showed him the undies (superhero) and he was over the moon. He actually peed in the potty all day. He had success with her all the next day too but then we fell off a bit on the Tuesday. He made me put 4 pairs of undies on him at the same time then proceeded to pee on through all 4 so I just put him in diapers the rest of the day.

The rest of the week we flip flopped between diapers and undies. I hope you’re taking notes because this is obviously how potty training should be done :).

This week we have a new thing now. No undies and no diapers. He refuses both so I don’t know if this is a win or not. I hope it’s just a phase. But he has been successfully using the potty like a champ. The only real issue we had was when I was laying on the couch and he walked up to me and said “I’m going to pee on you”. I just laughed and said no please don’t. And this little terrorist proceeded TO PEE DIRECTLY ON ME!!! Thank goodness I was quick and he just got the couch but he got into a lot of trouble for that one with his dad. Yikes! Since then, no threats of urinary harm were leveled against me.

Pooping is a whole other beast. It’s only be a few days of refusing diapers but he also refuses to poop in the potty so I’ll give you 2 guesses as to where he’s been pooping.

$100 if you guessed grandma’s deck and another 100 if you guessed the kitchen floor. Thank goodness only 2 poops and it’s good that he knows he should go in the potty. He just doesn’t want to. It’s okay though. He’ll figure it out. I do worry that he’ll clench up and get really backed up but I’m keeping an eye on it. I have no qualms with abandoning this whole operation so he can poop in his diaper to his heart’s content. I’m also happy for him to poop on all the floors until he gets the hang of it. Thankfully we won’t be visiting anyone anytime soon.

So it’s been quite a fun journey. My son has weaponised his penis and now I have to be on the lookout for poop landmines for the foreseeable future. I highly recommend it if you’re looking for a way to spice up your life.

I’ll have him all to myself for the next 3 days so let’s see what this weekend will bring.

Before I go. Quick question on a totally unrelated topic. It looks like everyone is slowly opening up their states. What is your plan for Independence Day weekend? If you’re not in the US but you are going into summer, do you have any plans for summer weekends?

 

 

 

Ramblings

Posted in Random Tales, TTC drama by

Well my quarantine journey has finally come to an end. We’re going to be going back to work in phases. Our team is going in once a week separately. I’m on Monday’s so next week will be day 1. I’m excited and indignant at the same time. I feel like it’s too soon but on the other hand I need to get out of the house. I don’t think I’ll be seeing anyone while at work so that’s okay. There won’t be students or teachers and each admin department is using this staggered phased approach. It sounds like there’ll maybe be 20-50 people in the entire school at the same time. I sit in the basement alone and no one ever comes in there so if I just don’t move for 8hrs I should be okay lol.

And the midwife has given the all clear to go back to work as well. She said based on how isolated I’ll be she doesn’t see a big risk. She mentioned that they’re recommending P women leave work at 37 weeks and 28 weeks if they’re high risk. I know I fall into the geriatric bucket (rolls eyes) but I don’t think I’m that high of a risk. Hopefully, my office will allow me to wfh from 37 weeks until maternity leave starts. But let’s cross that bridge when we get to it.

I’m indignant and sad because I don’t think daycares will be open next week and word on the street is that if I don’t have someone to watch Lucky, I have to use leave days or perhaps unpaid days. Which doesn’t make sense to me because I could just work from home. We have a meeting with HR on Friday to iron out details and rules but it just doesn’t sit right with me. Lucky will be going to his gran. She’s not immuno-compromised as far as we know but she’s in the high risk group, age wise, for sure so I’m worried about me potentially bringing something home to her but hopefully, me not seeing anyone at work will be okay. I just wish that they’d given us the option to come in or continue to work from home. I understand that we have to learn to live with this virus for now but I think I would have felt better about going in perhaps in July. After this past long weekend, especially, since everyone forgot that there was a pandemic going on.

Anyway, let’s see what the meeting on Friday brings. I’ve already resolved to go back but I am salty about it.

So, about parenting during a pandemic… It’s rough! Lucky is 2yrs 5 months now and it’s been challenging being with him 24/7. God, that sounds like the worst possible thing to say on this blog. But it’s true. In the moments that I’m not getting increasingly frustrated with him, I’m feeling guilty that I’m not giving him everything he needs. A few weeks ago he started throwing real life tantrums. I thought he did them before but wow. Wow! We went through a stint of about 2-3 tantrums a day. And he was getting violent as well. I don’t know what changed. The tantrums have tapered off to about 1 a day and he’s hasn’t thrown anything at my face (knock on wood) in a while but he’s still defiant. I think that’s just a 2yr old’s way though. He doesn’t listen to us at all. His answer to everything is a resounding “No”. He’s just so naughty.

I think he just wants more attention though. Because when he does something we’ve told him repeatedly not to, he gets a rise out of us. And I think he just wants us to pay attention to him even if it’s yelling. So I’ve resolved to give myself more breaks during the work day and to stop yelling. It makes my day longer because I have to make up the hours in the evening but it seems to be working. Every hour, I stop working and check in with him and we play a quick game. It broke my heart once because while we were building a lego house he said “Mom, I’m happy”. I’ve also increased hugs and kisses a million fold, rewarding good behaviour and generally spoiling him as often as I can.

Finding that balance is hard. But I decided that work can actually take a back burner here. I may not be teaching him how to read or write and we naively wanted to start potty training but potty training can fuck right off and I’m seeing to it that his well-being needs are being met.

So it’s been really difficult but we’re surviving. I just had to shift my expectations. It’s still difficult. When I tell you I get no breaks from him, I mean it. Not even weekends because N is working on our bathroom. His dad takes over on weekend mornings to give him breakfast and it’s glorious but the only other breaks I get are when I’m cooking and we all know that’s not a break.

My saving grace is that I’m feeling human again. I get dizzy sometimes when I get hungry and I’ve not been eating as much as I should. I tend to vacillate between being starving and having no appetite and I can’t find a good middle ground. With Lucky I only wanted sweet food so I knew what to eat but now nothing seems appetizing. Especially meat. But at least I’m finishing 80% of all my meals. That’s a win.

I’ve also started feeling movement on the outside. I don’t remember it being this soon with Lucky (18 weeks this past Saturday). And one of the main things pushing me to eat is that the food wakes him up and I can feel loads of kicks after eating.

My level 2 ultrasound is on June 8th. I thought I was okay but the closer it gets the more scared I get. We were too late to do a proper NT scan and we only did the NIPT blood test last week so I won’t get results until the level 2 anyway. I know he’s a PGD normal little guy but I’m still scared as hell. What if they mistook his balanced translocation for unbalanced? I’m sure it will be okay, but what if.

Anyway, I think I’ll leave it there for now. We’re right on time for another cuddle session then I have to start cooking and then we get to do it all over again!

If you’re struggling during this time, you’re not alone. Even Jenny Perfect on Facebook who’s doing crafts with her kids and gardening and fixing her house up. She’s fucking struggling too. My guess is she’s so busy because if she sits still for a second, her thoughts will consume her and she won’t get out of bed. You’re doing great. Whatever you’re dong. Even if you are Jenny Perfect and you just came in from gardening, your garden looks amazing and you’re amazing. But if you’re like me and haven’t washed your hair in a long ass time, you’ll get no judgement here. Rock that messy bun girl. You deserve ice cream :). We all deserve ice cream.

Love you guys,
Hang in there.

I Finished a Meal

Posted in TTC drama by

I think we’ve turned a corner with the morning sickness. It’s like night and day. I still have a mid-day slump and if I sit or lay around for too long I start to get a headache and feel ill. This one seems to like being on the move. So I’ve been drinking a tiny glass of iced coffee every day around 2:30 for an energy bump and to stave off the headache and once I start cooking dinner at 5ish I feel better again.

And last night I made fajitas and actually got through the entire meal! I usually tap out after a few bites. So I’m happy that things are on the up and up.

I’ve been thinking a lot about… Well everything really. But mostly about how I’m to approach this new journey. I remember when we were deep in the throws of the 2nd round of IVF after the chemical. The situation was so dire. Only 2 sent for testing. My AMH rapidly declining with every failed cycle. I was begging and bargaining with the universe to please let this work. I promise I would honor and treasure this pregnancy. I would scream it from the hills. I would take weekly annoying bump pics with size of the baby in cutesy captions. I would do anything in my power to believe that the baby was real and to not be afraid of stupid jinxes.

And here we are, almost 16 weeks in and I’m petrified all over again. Only yesterday did I manage to take a bump picture. I still feel the bile rise up in my throat after we’ve shared the news with someone new. I managed to put in my maternity leave on Monday and was choking back nervous tears through the entire conversation with the HR director.

I’ve been analyzing Lucky’s birth a lot too and I think a lot of the reason that it affected me the way it did was because we weren’t at all prepared. At all. And the reason we weren’t prepared is because I never believed that it was real. That he was real. I didn’t believe and I was afraid of jinxes. You’ll remember that we never packed a hospital bag. Why would I if this was all just a dream? And what if I did and something happened to him?

We went to the doula birthing classes, I downloaded the meditation app, I bought those affirmation cards. Not once did I meditate and as soon as the cards came I packed them away. I was going through the pregnancy motions but never fully committed to the idea and it kills me when I think about it.

But we’ve been given another chance. We’ve even been given (albeit with some caveats) a chance to try to have the birth we’d hoped for. I owe it to Dandelion. I owe it to Lucky.

I owe it to myself to jump into this feet first with arms wide open and just embrace everything. It’s scary to just think of letting go. But I think I can face things and still be afraid seeing as how bravery isn’t the absence of fear and all.

I think I’ll start with more frequent blog posts and weekly bump pics for myself. I realize that that opens my blog up to possibly losing the few followers I have left or exposing readers still in the wait to triggers. Something I was afraid of with Lucky. I don’t want you to think that I’m not cognisant of all of this. I just know that I don’t remember milestones of my pregnancy with Lucky because I didn’t document anything and that makes me sad too. I just want to be prepared and I don’t want to have any regrets, but please know that I do get it. I always try to be sensitive in my posts. But I feel that it’s probably even more unlikely to be possible seeing as how this is my second pregnancy.

My therapist made me aware that I tend to hold back on saying things for fear of hurting other people but she also said that in doing so I’m robbing them of their growth. She made me think of how it felt to see pregnancy announcement and how I navigated those feelings myself and how those feelings helped me grow. And perhaps if I did a pregnancy announcement it would initially sting for someone but it would also likely help them confront and navigate some difficult feelings themselves? There’s no way to know for sure of course. And of course that could also have just been lip service to get me to stop whining about my good fortune. Either way, it made me feel better for a second.

I think I’ll leave it there for today. It’s almost 5 and I’m still powering through a quick project that I’m trying to wrap my head around. And it’s almost food time!

 

 

13 ish Weeks

Posted in TTC drama by

It’s been a truly terrible first trimester this time around. I don’t remember the morning sickness and the exhaustion being this bad with Lucky. It might also be exacerbated by taking care of Lucky by myself all day. I’ve had no energy for anything and the lock down hasn’t been helping either. But I’m starting to feel a bit more like myself and realise that mentally it’s been draining as well. Thankfully, I’ve been able to keep up with my therapy sessions virtually. I’ve still been exercising regularly. I’m doing tap and jazz classes virtually and 2 of my dance friends and I have a personal trainer that we still see virtually twice a week. I’m so glad that I’ve continued the exercising because it helps with the sickness for some reason.

This is just another random update that’s going to be all over the place because I really feel all over the place emotionally and physically.

First, I’ve been agonizing over the birth of this little one. After Lucky was born we both agreed that we would absolutely change hospitals if we were lucky enough to do this again. Changing hospitals would mean finding a new OB practice. Something I’m not too sad about. I like my current OB, Dr L. She is sweet but she doesn’t deliver at the hospital we want to move to so oh well. But I did go see her for our first OB appointment after being released from the clinic because we had Dandelion’s IVF paperwork sent to her. It was good to see her again but again, she blew through the appointment and somewhere in her fast talking she said she’d schedule me for a c-section at 39 weeks. At that point I realized that me wanting a vbac might have to be fought for a little harder than I expected. I didn’t push back or question because I figured I wasn’t going to stay with her anyway so why rock the boat. When I got home I started researching other doctors and midwives who delivered at the hospital we want to switch to. After a few days I settled on an OB who’s practice doesn’t do VBAC’s and a midwife who’s practice does do VBAC’s under certain conditions.

Truth is, I don’t know if I want to do a VBAC. But I would like the option. So I want to talk to the no VBAC OB and see what his thoughts are and how they do planned c-sections. and I want to talk to the midwife to see if I’m even a good candidate for a VBAC. I don’t know what I want yet. All I know is that I’m not afraid of a c-section. I would like to have more information going in. I would like to not have my heart set on anything in case plans change like with Lucky. I don’t want to have my heart set on a VBAC and come 37 weeks and this child is breech as well and my life is turned upside down again. I want to go with the flow.

I have been having sleepless nights about it but I think I’m okay now that I have these appointments set up. I’m meeting the midwife and Thursday and the OB the following Thursday so by next week I should have my life sorted out a bit.

I’m also battling with the usual infertility PTSD. I’ve just written 3 paragraphs about a birth plan but last night when I was laying on my stomach my boobs didn’t hurt so how do I even know that Dandelion is still okay? The constant all day morning sickness was awful but made me feel a bit more secure but now that it’s abating I’m starting to fear the worst. We have a doppler which I’ve used twice successfully but I’m afraid to use it. I’ll try again tonight because I’m feeling too good physically right now.

And lastly… corona. Sigh. I’m so lucky that I can work from home with full pay. But it’s hard. I think it’s been hard because of the all day sickness and watching Lucky by myself because N is still going in to work everyday. I mean I could stay home for the rest of my days as long as I can order take out but emotionally I worry that I’m not doing enough and I miss my friends and family. I’ve fallen into the trap of comparing myself to everyone else. I haven’t had the energy to spring clean my house. I’m too sick and tired to do arts and crafts with Lucky. I have all these projects that I want to do that I’ve just not had the energy for. We planned on potty training Lucky during this time but he’s refusing and I’m tired so fuck it. So I feel like I’ve wasted over a month of “free time”.

My therapy sessions have just been a lot of her reassuring me that I’m doing enough. Lucky is happy (albeit a bit too fond of hitting lately which we’re working on). My family is fed and most importantly, we’re all healthy. I have to remember that I’m still working full time and I don’t actually have loads of free time to catch up on projects and still take care of a toddler and deal with first trimester woes. So in the end I’ve closed the door to the room that needs all the projects done. I put the pile clean laundry that needs folding in that room too. If I don’t see it I don’t feel too guilty. I’ve hidden Lucky’s iPad because that guilt was crushing me. But I got Disney+ and he and I have been watching all the Disney movies in the background while I work and he plays. I’m doing okay. I get waves of guilt and frustration but I’m doing okay.

I think that’s it from me for now. I’ll have more to say once I get through these appointments. I hope everyone is coping well with the situation we find ourselves in. Just remember to take it easy on yourself and you’re definitely doing enough and, yes, the constant dirty dishes fucking suck!!! When will washing dishes end?! So many dishes!!! Fuuuck!

xx

Just A Quick Update

Posted in TTC drama by

So we’re halfway through the 2nd week of lock down. Next week is our last week. I’m not sure if they’ll extend it.

I’m thankful that I’m spending the majority of the first trimester at home where I can take as many breaks as necessary to lay on the bed and feel sorry for myself. But having Lucky home with me has brought it’s own set of challenges. For one, he doesn’t nap. So from around 2pm he’s pretty much impossible. I’ve taken him on snooze cruises in the car but I don’t feel comfortable doing that anymore and he tends to wake up when I take him out of the car anyway. And when he wakes up he’s inconsolable for at least 45 minutes. Naps have been a nightmare in general. Today I’m going to try to just lay with him in a dark room. I don’t know. Part of me just wants to say eff it and let him stay awake. I don’t know.

On the other hand we’ve tried a few new things with him as well. Potty training and sleeping by himself. I’ll give you 2 guesses on which has been a total fail but you’ll only need one. Potty training worked a treat for two days. I was doing the bare butt approach and he was doing really well. But by the time the weekend rolled he just flat out refused and demanded nappies. So we gave in.

Sleeping by himself has been a dream. One night I just put a night light on for him and explained that he should try to go to sleep himself. He said he wasn’t scared and off I went and he was out within minutes. If we lay with him it takes 30 minutes to an hour to get him to fall asleep. It was wearing on us. It’s really been a breeze though. A few hiccups where he cries but it’s just for a little while then he’s out. I love it. I’ll admit that I’m a little sad that I don’t get those nighttime snuggles but this is good. It’s time.

We were talking about how he’s been through a lot this month, though. His schooling has been disrupted so he’s not getting his nap (he naps at school. I don’t know how they do it). He’s being forced to pee by himself and sleep by himself and he has to look at mom’s ugly face all day. Poor guy. So, we’re dropping potty training and just giving lots of extra hugs and not stressing out too much.

I’m also not homeschooling. I don’t know how to home school a two year old anyway. I’m sure there are sensory games we can play and learning things we can do. I was stressing about it last week but I’ve given myself a break. I’m still working full(ish) time and I’ve been terribly ill so I’m just letting him play with his toys and watch cartoons and he has his iPad time. We’re really just surviving here. We’ve gone outside maybe three times but the weather has been trash so that’s not really an option all the time. But all in all, we’re doing okay.

N is home today and right now his sitting on his dad’s lap at the computer play fighting with Cat Boy and Batman. The Secret Life of Pets 2 is on in the background and I’m on the bed with my laptop chomping on Tums and trying to figure out why my damn code isn’t working. I feel like dad is going to tap out soon and hand him over to the iPad. Let’s see how long he lasts.

My first OB appointment is set for next Friday at 10:45. They called to bring it forward from 3pm. I hope the next step isn’t cancellation but I would understand. I have a doppler here so can technically assuage my fears myself so I’m not too too worried. I can’t even be certain that they’ll be doing an ultrasound anyway.

I’m set to end progesterone and estrogen this Friday and I could not be happier. I know it’s going to be bittersweet when we get there but I can’t sit and we can’t find a spot that isn’t bruised so all shots hurts. I’m done for.

The morning sickness is I think the same like with Lucky. All day and not fun. I’ve been trying to not go hungry but I’m struggling to find things to eat. Not much else to say other than I’m trying. It’s hard but I’m trying. Again, I’m glad that I’m home so that I can lay down as often as I need. And I’ll be 11 weeks when (if) we go back to work so hopefully should be coming out of this funk. So I’m just hanging in there for now.

Actually, it’s about snack time now so I’d better wrap this up. I hope everyone is being safe out there. I know people personally who have tested positive and are very sick (not in physical contact with them). This virus is serious. There is no cure. Please stay home if you’re able.

 

Take care of yourselves

xx

 

Dandelion

Posted in TTC drama by

The 5 seconds between putting the cam in and “There’s the heartbeat, Mom” are by far the longest 5 seconds known to man.

I saw the familiar black circle and an funky animal cracker shaped blob in the top right corner of the circle. My mind went blank and my body went numb. Why wasn’t she saying anything. I turned to look away as she said “There’s the heartbeat, Mom. Congratulations.” I said flatly that I couldn’t see it. She was definitely lying. She moved it around a little more and zoomed in and by golly there it was! A flickering white line. I melted. I literally melted, you guys. Everything unclenched and I felt a lightness I haven’t felt in weeks.

I blew hot air into the mask they made me wear (more on that below) and looked up to the ceiling and thanked whoever is out there looking out for me. I couldn’t believe it. This is really happening.

…

I had told my boss that I’d need 2hrs for a midday appointment. I feel like 3hrs would have been a safer bet but I hate asking for time off as it is. When N and I got to the clinic there were signs everywhere about COVID-19. The new policy was to ask 3 questions (paraphrased).

  1. Have you traveled anywhere internationally?
  2. Have you come into contact with anyone who has?
  3. Do you have a fever and/or cough

After I paid the copay they asked me the 3 questions and I said Yes to coughing because I’m coming off a bad cold. She didn’t say anything but before they brought us back the ultrasound tech asked again and when I said Yes to the cough her eyes went wide and she said she’d be right back.

She came out a few seconds later and told us that because of their new protocol we would have to leave and wait in the car until a nurse calls and clears us. WTH!!

I was panicking. Would they cancel the appointment? I told N I should have just lied but he said that’s how these things spread, so I guess he had a point. I feared that we’d be stuck out there for ages so I called my boss to say I’d be late. I left a message for him to call back. 5 minutes later the clinic called. Asked the 3 questions again and we were allowed to come back in after a few apologies. They did give me a mask to wear though. The scene when we walked back in was extremely funny.

The couple ahead of us were signing in on the sheet and the wife said “Honey I don’t think you have to use your sleeve to use the pen. Wouldn’t it be easier to just use the pen normally and then sanitize your hand after?” He mumbled “I guess” but I don’t think he was convinced.

There was a lady who looked rather panicky standing around looking nervously for a place to sit. She had blue sterile gloves on. I felt bad that I was out here coughing around these people. When I went to the front desk they handed me a mask to put on and I swear I heard sterile glove lady’s ass cheeks clam shut. We went to sit close to her (not on purpose!!) and she immediately removed herself and went to sit as far away as she could. it was pretty packed in there. I felt bad for her.

Luckily we weren’t in there for too long. I’m sure everyone was relieved to have Coughy McCougherson gone.

Once we got into the room and I was undressing my boss called again and I had to quickly explain that I would be late because I was being quarantined. Big mistake to use those words. He immediately began blustering but the tech had walked in and was beginning so I had to cut him off and I said, it’s no biggie, I’d call him back. I can just imagine his panic. Since we’re at a school we’re having our own COVID-19 issues so I don’t think I helped much.

After the ultrasound was done and I floated back down to earth we had to go back into gen. pop. where there was all new people looking nervously at my masked face. We plopped ourselves as far away from them as possible. Again we weren’t kept too long.

L who released us last time with Lucky was helping us out again. I could have sworn, last time they gave us mountains of paperwork in a giant envelope. Not this time. This time the envelope only contained the ultrasound pictures and the post-it with the sex written on it.

She went over everything from before. Dandelion measuring 8 weeks. I’ll be 8 weeks tomorrow. 16mm long. Good looking yolk sack. Due date 23 October. Heart rate at 181. Then she said they needed to do another blood test to check my blood type. So we followed her out and she asked one of the nurses to do it. Then she looked at both of us, congratulated us again and left. That was it. I did my last ever (hopefully) blood draw at my beloved clinic and then we just left. There really should be more fan fair when one graduates from an ivf clinic.

Anyway, I’ve told my boss and a few colleagues. My excitement and relief are through the effing roof. I had tap after work but still don’t have the balls to tell them yet for some reason. I think it’ll be too much attention. I like telling one person at a time.

I got home at 9:30 and its way past my bedtime so I’ll wrap it up for now. I think I’m going to have the best sleep I’ve had in weeks. Here’s to a very boring next couple of months.