Little G's Room.

We decided to get a move on it and order little G's nursery furniture. We were going to go the less expensive route and order from Buy Buy Baby. I found a set I loved, but we are not into getting boxes of pieces of furniture delivered to our door. Who has time to sit and patiently put furniture together? NOT US! Mario works 7 days a week and I don't have the head to scre bolts into frames. Sorry.

We DID however get her fabulous furniture and most of it on sale... From Pottery Barn. We decided on a crisp white for her room. Her walls are a Lavendar. One great thing about her room is that the sun rises through her window in the morning, and when it does, the lavender walls lighten up about 3 shades. It's the coolest thing! Once the sun moves around the house, Her walls deepen again. Here are some pieces we purchased yesterday as a start to her project.

I want her room to be bright, yet calm and peaceful, happy and a place she will love to be in. All we have in  there now are two gorgeous prints and lavender walls, and I LOVE to be in there. I can't wait to see it filled with HER stuff.

Catalina crib.

Catalina dresser and changing table

Catalina night stand.

The green Dot lamp shade

Madison Lamp Base

Gabrielle Nursery bedding

If you look at the color of the wall in this pic, ours is a little brighter and more lavender... but this is kinda close, so you get an idea. It's going to look BEAUTIFUL! We still have to order the Gabrille rug. We still also have to order her tall dresser and her window treatments. 

This was a great start though. We should have the stuff we ordered in about 2-3 weeks, and the other stuff sometime in June or July... No rush... we aren't EXPECTING her until November. 

A MUCH needed pedicure and a smoothie to drool over!

In the fitness world (my world), having protein smoothies and shakes are a "STAPLE" in your diet. So I know it may sound like a long time to YOU, but I have been drinking protein shake for 20+ years now! They are a GREAT way to get QUICK protein back into your body to replenish your muscles after working out. Protein replenishes, repairs and recovers your muscles for growth. 

Being pregnant, especially having to go through my first trimester in the winter, SUCKS! I'm ALWAYS cold, no matter what I have on and no matter how high I pump the heat! Having an ice cold shake in the winter doesn't work very well for me, as I would SHIVER for hours after I was done drinking it.  So, I have been longing for my amazing smoothies for weeks!!! 

Today was a PERFECT day! My house is warm, because it's hot out today, and while I didn't work out, having extra protein and greens with some frozen berries was JUST WHAT I NEEDED!

Having organic fruits and greens in my smoothies along with some protein is a great way to make both Momma and Baby happy!  Are you pregnant? Trying to get pregnant?? Start having smoothies and try my recipe!

Pregnant Goddess Smoothie:

• 1/2 banana (small)
• 1 cup organic wild frozen blueberries
• 1 cup organic frozen strawberries
• 2 tbsp. bee pollen
• 1 scoop Green Vibrance
• 9 oz. water
• ice (optional)

Blend for 30 seconds until frothy and smooth.

With my hair skin and nails growing like WEEDS lately, if I didn't get a pedicure today, my sneakers would all need to be cut open at the toes, because my toe nails were that long! I love soaking my feet in the super hot water with the jets going on my tired feet! They are not super swollen yet, but I know it's coming, I can feel it! 

Years ago I used to get red toe polish with little white dots only on the big toes, it was my trademark in the summer... This summer, it's a FUSCHIA color with white dots. The lady looked at me like I had three heads, so I looked back at her! PA-LEASE! Do NOT mess with a pregnant hormonal woman! Sheesh! Give me what I want! SO, what do ya think? I'm also in LOVE with my $5 flops from Old Navy! THEY ROCK!

Have a FABULOUS weekend and Mother's Day! Can't wait to report back to you on Monday. I'm sure my lovie will plan something super nice! 

Just incase you had your baby or you aren't pregnant yet, you should take a gander at my crazy blog (the other one) workouts and recipes galore! Staying Fit & Lean

15 weeks and growing!

This was just a few days before yesterday- which I am now 15 weeks pregnant! Not bad... I mean I'm actually starting to LOVE this belly and not care so much about my 8 pack. I mean, seriously, is there anything more beautiful? Not me, but a pregnant woman? I know before I was pregnant when I would see a pregnant woman, I would melt. Didn't matter how big or small she was, just to KNOW there is a baby growing inside, I would die. Now it's ME..... again after all these years, and I am loving life. I must also say that I am confident enough to say I had one of the best physiques in the gym and by far the best abs.... still, my husband LOVES my body right now, and tells me I am so sexy. He loves my PLUMP tush which I say is my Aunt Jemima ASS, and he grabs it and hopes I keep it.... Well, I will say (shh, don't tell him)... I'm already planning all the half marathons I will be running. I may even do ONE LAST figure comp just to give myself a goal to fight for. 

So the 14th week, I think was my busiest week since I've had this little peanut inside of me. We picked her paint, had the painters come and paint it. I went shopping for prints for her room, and ended up leaving with two GIANT prints, that I couldn't leave the store without! I also spotted a little stool which was the same color as her room, and fairy princess detailed. Um, yea, Got that too! Three of my clients, Mary, Priscilla and Robin are planning a baby shower for me which will include Mario's and my clients from Greenwich.... Which means, I think I may have to do another shower for family and friends.. I wouldn't want to exclude anyone!! 

So things are coming along now.... 

I am now 15 weeks.. and this past week gained only .6 oz. I think because I have stepped up my cardio by getting to the track, and also because my appetite has changed. I'm hungry but not starving. 

I'm still wearing all my regular gym clothes, but NONE of my regular jeans and stuff..... Those are packed away until little one comes along. 

I'm not sleeping like a rock.... I get to bed by 9:00 and out like a light by 9:10, but wide awake at 3:30, get some water and pee, and stay awake tossing until about 5:00, when I am out cold until 6:00... Please tell me this won't be until she comes. I need sleep NOW! I know the drill once she comes! NO SLEEP!

My favorite moment this week was watching Mario's face when he walked in her room and saw the prints I picked out for her. He melts every time he goes in her room, and THAT warms my heart.

When I think about what I miss for this week as far as pre-pregnancy, it's my MOJO for working out. I could care less right now if I make it to the gym, I'm so happy at home prepping baby's room, and filling her closet with little onsies that i pick up everywhere I see cute ones. 

I had a strange craving for ONE chocolate chip cookie. I saw a three pack of Tate's at the food store. Never had them and haven't had REAL cookies in so many years, that I was so excited to get my FIX and be done with it only to find that I HATE TATE'S cookies! What a bummer! I'm over the cookie craving! My friend Mary tells me if I am going to have a cookie, I should do it right. She is going to make me her homemade cookies, with the exception that I ONLY WANT TWO!

I'm more round this week and looking like a 6 pound medicine ball at the gym.... perfect description.

Ive been napping again for the past 3 days, maybe it's allergies, maybe it's the rain, or maybe it's because I'm KNOCKED UP! HA!

See you in a week for more updates.

XO

Happy 14 weeks!

 Oh yea! Little belly is poppin'! So I am now 14 weeks, and since I found out I was pregnant I have gained 7 pounds. I was 117 on the day it was confirmed I was pregnant and I am now 124. Before the IVF meds, I was 114. SO I really never lost the water weight and bloating from the drugs. I have purchased lots of maxi dresses, in a size small, because I was REALLY TEENY before. I purchased one Maternity dress, a maternity tank and a pair of maternity jeans so far... Not yet wearing but I feel like I will be SOON!

Sleep is my best friend. I lay my head down and I am OUT in 2 minutes flat! I do get up more often to pee at night, but I think I do it in my sleep. I have to say my favorite moment is picking her nursery paint color, bedding and furniture. I am going with the Lavenders and super light greens. Very soft, and calming. 

To date, everyone knows we are having a baby, and to be honest, YOU CAN TELL! I was small than a double zero before with super ripped abs and definition everywhere. Now, it's natural to lose muscle definition and be covered in water and extra body fat. I am sure my body is really happy. I haven't been this calm or relaxed in over 20 years. I am only in the gym every other day or 35-40 minutes, lifting weight and doing light cardio. For the past 5 years I have been going HARD On my physique with running half marathons and weight lifting like a soldier, that for this pregnancy, I just want to enjoy it and be calm. 

If there are a few things I miss, I would have to say running and my clothes. I can't fit into anything and I WON'T run.  As far as food cravings, I think I'm over turkey and watermelon. Now all I keep thinking about is real homemade pop corn and cheeseburgers! But this here is more like how I eat everyday. 

When people ask if I can feel her move, it's not like YES I can definitley feel her, but if I am laying still for a good 20 minutes, I can feel little flutters, which is pretty much her doing flips. her limbs are way to small to feel. But yes, I DO feel her. Not as often as I would like, but yes, she is there.

As far as my mood swings, I would say I am SUPER happy MOST of the time except the morning. Between allergies and NOT being a morning person, it's rough to be all sunshine and rainbows. GRRR!

I am loving this experience and I am LOVING how amazing Mario has been so far. He is truly the best! 
XO Tina

Getting my Registry DONE!

I feel like the earlier I start this... the better. I know I will probably make several changes along the way until I am closer to the arrival of this little one, so I started late last week. I decided to register at Buy Buy Baby, Target and Giggles. I think Buy Buy Baby has almost everything I needed and Target has stuff that I couldn't find at Buy Buy Baby. I registered at Giggles in Greenwich CT, because almost ALL of my clients are here in Greenwich, and because I LOVE their things.  It's definitely NOT an easy thing to do, and it takes up a lot of time, especially when you want the BEST for your baby.
From bibs to cloth diapers, and from changing tables to bouncy seats, I think I pretty much got it all. I'll keep looking as I think of things or get suggestions from friends. 

My main focus right now is getting her room painted. I am going with a super light lavender to match the bedding I picked for her which is lavender and light greens..... ya know, all the softer pastel colors. I didn't want to go with the typical pink- BORING!

I am NOT going with WHITE furniture, more of a driftwood, which I think will look more beautiful. I just LOVE the look of the tree too... Maybe I can find some decals that would match..... If not, I am sure I will find some beautiful pictures for her wall. 

Here is the furniture I am thinking:

I can't wait to get it all done. I am doing this whole project step by step... I still have such a long time away before her arrival. Until then, I'm just enjoying the journey.

Momma G

Our Little Peach...

yep! She is the size of a peach at 13 weeks in my belly~ Let me just state it now... She is going to be like mommy and daddy with ants in her pants! I went for a NT Scan, which is a prenatal Nuchal Fold Scan which can detect down syndrome and other abnormalities as well as heart problems. It's non- invasive. A technician does this test by sonogram. She or he will measure the clear space in the tissue at the back of the babies neck.

This was such an amazing experience! Getting a sonogram at the doctor, I think it's it's not the same. This Sonogram done yesterday was INCREDIBLY clear and precise! She was moving around like crazy! The technician was having such a great time with her. I will say that Greenwich Hospital is the RITZ CARLTON of hospitals! NO JOKE! The technician was giggling and smiling and so happy with our little G. She said little miss was healthy looking and every body part is developing nicely! I got to see the  4 chambers of her heart, her perfect stomach, her spine, and most amazingly her brain! I happen to think she is camera shy because she kept putting her hand over her face! LOL! I was melting! her belly is so round and I can't wait to smother my face in it!

November can't come soon enough!

It's a GIRL!

WOW! I can't believe we already KNOW what we are having.... Now it seems as though time is picking up and going by faster and faster. We were waiting for the results from the 21 Chromosome test last week, and the Dr. told us that at that time he would know based on my blood what the sex was....

The past two weeks went by really slow waiting for the results, and because I am 41 years old, I have been nervous that maybe the baby would have down syndrome or some other abnormality. When it came time to call the Dr. for the results, I asked Mario to call. So he called yesterday and Dr. Reiss told him I was fine, the baby was GREAT and then he asked if Mario wanted to know what we were having and of course, Mario said yes....Dr. Reiss said in a calm sweet voice... "It's a girl." 

I was SO happy when Mario told me the baby was healthy. Whether we have a girl or a boy, it didn't matter as long as the baby was in good health. Having a girl is the ICING on the cake! That's for sure! I was a little worried about Mario. He had high hopes for a boy, BUT.... He is going to be the most AMAZING father and daddy and this little girl will have her daddy wrapped around her finger! 

We are so thrilled! Mario & I kept texting eachother yesterday after that and he told me he wished "SHE" was here already! ....ME TOO! I can't wait to meet her, hold her, smell her, and look in her little eyes.

My Baby Is A Chicken Nugget!

We went for an ultrasound on Tuesday April 9th.... and I wanted to cry tears of happiness! The baby is getting so big inside of me and looking MORE like a little chicken nugget! Baby G has hands feet a nose and a tongue! Baby G is 11 weeks!!

For the past week I noticed I have LESS nausea. There are times if I eat a little too much in a meal, I will feel queezy for a few hours, but nothing like I used to feel. I can go a whole day without a nap because I sleep SO DEEP at night. I'm getting a great 8-10 hours of sleep. There are days like yesterday where I HAD to lay down, and slept for a nice solid hour! I LOVE sleeping, can you tell!?!?

Still not ready for maternity clothes, but I know the time is coming. RIght now I am rocking my LULULEMON'S everyday to work, with my same tanks and sports bras. I DID buy a new regular bra.... I went up a whole size! I WAS a 34D and now I am a 34DD. I feel TREMEDOUS! I just went to a boutique in Rye and purchased a GORGEOUS black with thin white stripes Maxi Dress, along with a GORGEOUS very detailed torquise Tunic (dress). I can't wait to wear them and rock my little baby bump.

On my fridge is a dry erase board as you can see... Each week I write a love letter to our little baby... so I can take a picture of it and print it out for a baby scrap book. Nothing like your little one growing up to see what you & daddy went through to creat this little angel!

XO Tina.

Really POPPED today!

I woke up this morning and didn't realize it right away but when I got to work, EVERYONE of my clients suddenly realized that I am showing! OH MY! I looked down and yup- they were right! I am really showing! It's amazing how in just a few days I went from no one noticing to EVERYONE noticing! I am going into my third month soon, so I guess it should be happening! :O) I'm happy!

Yesterday, I took a marathon nap! 2.5 hours! Seriously?! Can't remember the LAST time I did that! Wow! It felt great, but I was foggy and moody for the rest of the evening. Poor Mario.

I am still moody. When I read about this part of my pregnancy, it's supposedly normal, but I feel bad. I can't even control the snippiness or fresh tongue. I hope this goes away soon. 

Today, here is what I ate:
meal one: oat bran with a banana and Beverly Muscle Provider protein powder.

meal two: a Kind Bar

meal three: 2 whole eggs and 2 egg whites with tomatoes and baby kale served over 2 Wasa Crackers.

meal four: Kamut puff cereal (no sugar, or preservatives) with almond milk. I sprinkled Vitol vanilla egg white protein on top.

meal five: dinner with going to be a fabulous Turkey Meatloaf with a side of broccoli rage- looking forward to this one!

I have some new ideas for meals that are super healthy for me right now. When I make them, I will take pics and post.

Can't believe it, but I haven't worked out since Saturday, and to be honest, I could care less right now. I just want to be HOME, nesting and organizing- I know I am so annoying... But I figure, I can workout tomorrow, Friday & Saturday again. three times a week is fine right now until the weather breaks, and when that time comes, this girl will be walking all over God's Creation!

Baby G wants Watermelon!

This little baby wants watermelon. I can seriously NOT get enough! I remember craving it with Heather as well (21 years ago). The sweetness the juiciness and the color! I can't get it in my mouth fast enough, it's insane!
Turns out, there are so many benefits of eating watermelon while pregnant! I didn't know this but it makes sense that watermelon reduces swelling... of course! It's loaded with water- 92%! It's also an aid in morning sickness and dehydration. One serving of watermelon has triple the amount of lycopene than tomatoes. Let's also remember the potassium! You don't ALWAYS have to eat bananas! 

For the baby's brain, eyes and nervous system to develop, certain vitamins and minerals are necessary, such as Vitamin A, C, B6 magnesium and postassium.

I eat it at least 4 times a week! I can't imagine what I will do this summer when it's REALLY in season! I may turn into a watermelon!!!!!!

Have a great day! Spring WEATHER is on it's way!

Working this little belly!

It's been years since I did the typical bodybuilder workout. To be honest, Once i started wearing a heart rate monitor going back to like 2008, I realized that I could gain lean muscle AND burn LOTS of calories, but keeping my heart rate up- Circuit training. 

Even now that I am pregnant, I refuse to workout like a bodybuilder. 3 sets of one exercise, before you move on to the next- THAT is BORING. I'm way too hyper to workout like that. I also have gotten the BEST results training my body the way I like, and NOT how "everyone else" does it. 

I have been creating some very efficient workouts for myself for this first trimester. I may not be able to do my box jumps and my sprints, jumping rope like Rocky and burps, but I don't need to right now. 

This pregnancy is so special to me, I don't want to risk or worry about this little "olive" (the size of the baby now). I am smart about listening to my body. RIght now this baby is making me so tired, that I am lucky if I can push through 45 minutes of working out, so in that 45 minutes, I need to get as much in as possible. I try to workout at least 3-4 days a week. Some days I don't want to do a thing except for sleep. If I take one day off, I make sure the next day I do SOMETHING.

Yesterday I worked out for 35 minutes and today I lasted 37 minutes. Sounds kinda pathetic for a normal NON-pregnant woman, but for a woman in her first trimester who went through IVF, I could care less what ANYONE says. Each woman is different. I consider myself an athlete. I train for 1/2 marathons and am used to being in the gym 6-7 days a week. I have to say it's honestly nice right now to be able to rest, take it easy and also give my hard worked body a break.

The foods I eat are amazing for me. I try to eat 5-7 small meals, because if I eat large meals, I get super nauseous. I really don't want to yak, so I (again) listen to what my body wants and needs.

We went for an ultrasound with my OBGYN yesterday, and it went GREAT. I will be seeing Dr. Reiss in Rye, NY. He is super cool, very professional and guess what! His practice is just him! So I will always see him and no one else. NOT a fan of big practices. I want one-on-one attention for this baby. We are 9 weeks and 1 day pregnant. the baby was moving like crazy on the ultrasound. It's sooo cool that this olive sized baby is already going nuts in my belly! The heart beat was nice and strong and loud! It was beating 188 BPM when we were there. 

I will go back in 2 weeks for the 21 Chromosome testing... It's a little nerve racking, but staying postive will get us through it. 

Off to make a hot chocolate protein almond milk... Snack time! :O)

PS.  I will be posting my first trimester workouts very soon! :O)

A day of FATIGUE at it's highest

Well, so far in the last 9 weeks, today marks the most INTENSE fatigue I have felt. I got almost 10 hours sleep last night. I didn't even get up for water or to pee. SERIOUSLY, no joke, deep REM sleep!! I came home from work at 11:30 this morning and wanted to sleep since then. I laid down for about 20 minutes until Mario brought me a turkey, avocado, tomato, lettuce on a whole gran wrap, which um, was TO DIE FOR.  After I ate it, I laid down again and really tried to sleep. It lasted for about 20 minutes until I got the sudden URGE to nest and clean and organize. WTH!!!

I didn't go to the gym today although I wanted to, my body and this little baby wants no part of any physical activity right now. HOPEFULLY that will change soon. I am starting to feel like a lazy slob. 

I was at Target this morning before I came home, and bought my first official maternity Maxi dress. UGH! I also bought the belly band, which I am kinda excited to try. I figured why pay a lot of money since this is the last time I will be pregnant. I will splurge on a good pair of jeans soon, just not sure when to make that purchase. I plan on wearing little dresses and shorts all summer along with flowing tank tops. 

I am going to my OBGYN tomorrow- GOSH I am going to miss Dr. Miller so much. I cried my eyes out the other day when she told me I was discharged. I LOVE her and the girls who work there. They are sooooo incredible, caring and supportive. She has a GREAT team. My OBGYN has some BIG shoes to fill!

My meals today:

Meal One: Breakfast: 6:45am
6 egg whites
1 Nature's Path Chia waffle
1 tbsp peanut butter
1 sliced banana

Meal two: 11:45
coconut yogurt
1/2 scoop Vitol -Egg white protein
handful honey nut cheerios (DON'T ask!)

Meal three: Lunch- 1:30
slices fresh turkey off the bird
sliced avocado
lettuce
tomato
on a whole grain wrap

Meal four: 4:30
Smooze- It's a sugar free, gluten free, dairy free ice pop- it's so delicious! this one was coconut & papaya

Meal five: dinner- 6:45
1 turkey burger
very big salad

Phew!!! 9 weeks...in 2 more days!

Seeing Dr. Miller puts my mind at ease. Seeing my baby on the ultrasound makes my heart sing with joy! I actually have a FETUS now or as I can call her / him this week a green OLIVE! This Thursday we get to hear the baby's heartbeat. When I saw Dr. Miller on Monday, it's heart was beating 166 beats per minute! I saw the little buds that will form arms and legs. Dr. Miller is so happy with how the baby looks..... I am ecstatic! 
My appetite has increased like crazy in the past few days! I can't eat fast enough, yet I am nauseous as well ALL DAY. Thankfully haven't gotten morning sickness. 

I have been eating mindlessly at times and today I recognized it and today I put a stop to it. I eat about 6-7 times a day, but seriously, I don't need a giant bowl of Nature's Path Bran cereal! I should be eating more egg whites and protein. 

Here is my new eating plan as of tomorrow:

Meal one: 1/2 cup steel cut oats made with almond milk, 1/2 banana and protein powder with water poured on top.

Meal two: Kind Bar or Lara Bar at work

Meal three: 6 egg whites & whatever veggies I have along with a yam

Meal four: piece of fruit with nuts or almond butter

Meal five: dinner is usually, ground turkey, ground buffalo, tons of veggies or a big salad and sometimes I have black rice, quinoa brown rice pasta or no carbs- depending on how I feel.

I started to workout regularly now... NOT like the FIT GREEN GODDESS, but the PREGNANT FIT GREEN GODDESS! :O)
I plan on going to the gym for cardio and total body workouts on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Friday. I usually last about 45 minutes to an hour, and then the fatigue sets in. It's fine. I make sure I go heavy, because I definitely don't want to gain a lot of FAT, and I would like to maintain the muscle I do have. I keep my heart rate around 130 and below. Anytime it gets higher, I stop, drink lots of water and watch my heart rate drop to about 85-90 BPM. I used to burn anywhere from 500-800 calories in a single workout, now I burn about 160-180 calories. All good. I'm really not concerned with my PHYSIQUE as I just want this baby to be healthy, strong and happy when it comes into this world!

XO

Nausea OH! Nausea!

It's set in BIG TIME! I wake up starving but nauseous at the same time- It stinks! Usually I need to have big meals around 5-5 times a day. Since I am pregnant, I have been eating super small meals, and more on the bland side. I notice some things I LOVE, I can't eat right now. I usually LOVE the smell of fresh Basil. and now I want to vomit when I smell it. The sight of lentils makes me get quezzy in my belly too. I try to stick to Ezekiel toast, plain oatmeal, quinoa (although the smell is starting to bother me) and brown rice pasta.

I love drinking ginger, lemon water made at home or from a place called Meli-Melo. I boil water with about an inch of fresh diced ginger. Once it's boiled, I shut the heat, cover it and and let the ginger steep. Once I am ready to drink it, I squeeze 1/2 a lemon in a mug, pour in the hot ginger water, and add a teaspoon of honey. YUM. The ginger SORT of helps with the nausea, but I'm getting to the point where I may need a prescription from my Dr. . 

Haven't gained anything and in the first trimester, I think they say you should gain up to 4 pounds. I think I am still holding on to the IVF water retention. I weighed in at 117lbs. I do feel softer compared to where I was before all of this. I was super defined and now, I still have shape but not as hard. I haven't worked out since the day before my egg transfer back in the begining of February.  I mess around here and there with the weights when I am at work or at home, but nothing to really brag about.  I think because I eat so clean, I am able to maintain what I have.

This morning I made a shake:

• 1 cup frozen banana
• 1/2 cup frozen pineapple
• 1 scoop Vitol (egg white) Protein powder
• 1 tbsp bee pollen
• 1 tbsp. peanut butter (craving it)
• 8 oz. almond milk

It's DELISH!

8 weeks and 2 days!

We have been in Miami from Monday until yesterday- Friday March 22nd. What a difference in me from last spring vacation till now. I was walking around with my teeny bikini more confident than ANYONE, and so proud of how great I looked, after all, I work my ass off, so I earned it! This vacation, I still wore a bikini, but the obvious things were busting out, such as my boobs which are now bigger and heavier than most grapefruits! my abs are a distant memory, because my uterus is now the size of a grapefruit but shaped like a papaya.

The baby now has webbed fingers and toes, and is already moving, although I would be lying if I said I can feel it. it's also the size of a jelly bean!  I feel as though I gained 20 pounds already, just so bloated, but the truth is, I only gained 1 pound in 8 weeks.

The entire time we were in Miami, I felt as if I had no pregnancy symptoms other than being tired. The sun was so amazing and really helped with the nausea. My boobs were sore too, but I truly think being in the sun and walking so much really helped with all the side effects.

I did get a little fussy about the fact that none of my clothes are fitting as they once did, only because I have some really beautiful things that I can't wear- right now. I am kind of exited about getting some maternity jeans and cute summer dresses, I can't deny it! I am happy about about sporting a baby bump- which is there, and noticeable to those who knew me before this little bean.

As soon as we got back to NY, ALL my symptoms returned! SORE boobs, NAUSEA like crazy, loss of appetite, back aches and headaches. WE (me and my bean) don't like the WINTER! We need sun, sand and summer.

Going to nap now, It's about that time. :O)

 

Another little Scare!

I am getting a little tired of getting these little scares and wish the first trimester was done and I was in the clear already! This past weekend, again on a Sunday, I came home from a brunch with my girlfriend when I went to use the bathroom and noticed brown when I wiped. I was so used to seeing thick white stuff from the progesterone inserts, that when I saw the brown, I instantly thought something was wrong! I immediately wrote Dr. Miller an email and waited for her to get back to me all afternoon. 

When Mario came home, I showed him. He tried to keep me distracted all afternoon and night, but it just didn't work. I was nervous.

Yesterday (Monday, March 10th), I went to see Dr. Miller for an ultrasound and blood work. Mario and I were in the room together. Dr. Miller told us we probably wouldn't see the heart of the baby flickering becasue it was too soon....BUT!!!!!!!!!! There it was!! We saw the baby's heart flickering, the baby has grown, the sac looks great! We were both soooo emotional! Crying our eyes out in happiness and relief. Dr. Miller sais everything looks GREAT! 
She called later to tell me my HCG (Beta) levels were over 160,000!!! My progesterone was 65, nice and high! 

AHHHH!!! Wow! It's starting to feel so real now! On Thursday March 14th, I will be 7 weeks. We leave for Miami this Monday and I can't tell you how excited I am to decompress, get some sun and just catch up on some (WE) time... for me and Mario....

Nausea has REALLY set in and only small meals will do, I mean SUPER small! Smells are starting to effect me as well. I am loving every second of this!

Growing like crazy now!

I am now going into my 7th week (Thursday). My abs are completely non-existent at this point, and I can totally see a baby bump. It's actually pretty cool, how quickly the body responds and preps for the life about to begin inside of me. My embryo resembles a tadpole, but at the end of this week, it starts to ALMOST look like a human. Also, at the end of this week, we will see the heart beat on the ultrasound. I can't even imagine that the baby will already form a digestive system, liver kidneys spleen.

I'm really tired, and not sure- again- if it's because of my lack of movement in the gym, ore because this little Blueberry (the size of my baby). I notice if I take a 20 minute DEEP power nap, I am good. My meals right now are small and frequent because I get FULL really fast, and nauseous. I have not had morning sickness yet, and quite frankly don't want it, but I am open to EVERY part of pregnancy that come my way, and hope all is AMAZING for the next 7 months.

A typical diet for me right now is:
Breakfast: 1 packet Gluten Free Oats, egg white protein, blueberries
or: coconut yogurt with Kashi cereal on top and egg white protein mixed in.

Meal two: 2 egg whites & one whole egg fried with coconut oil spray & 2 slices Ezekiel toast with coconut oil on top.
OR: same as above with 1/2 avocado smeared on top with tomato.

Meal three: this is where I am usually nauseous  so I either have a little fruit, some tea. Just something light to hold me over until dinner.

Dinner: I will ALWAYS have a TON of greens like salad, kale, broccoli, etc. I can NEVER eat enough greens. I will add either Turkey or Buffalo in there, and sometimes keep my diner Vegan. Some days I am more hungry than others, and some days I just eat enough to keep calories in my body to feed my baby.


After dinner: usually chamomile tea and OR: 1/2 grapefruit.

I'm starting to get a little FED up being HOME ALL THE TIME... I'm getting the itch to walk and feel the sun on my body, so I am looking forward to going to Miami with Mario for a few days to soak up the sun! I have been really good the past 7 weeks and NOT over doing ANYTHING, and feel it's time to listen to my body and if I want to workout, I will and if I want to sleep, I will. Either way, I need to FEEL good, otherwise mentally I won't be in a good place. I am very cautious about what I eat, drink, breathe in and how I move around....I'll do what's best for the baby first, and then for me.

Thoughts dreams and hopes

Today is March 6th, 2013.

I am around 117 pounds. When I started the IVF process I weighed in at 112lbs... So, I am still holding the retention from then. Since I have been pregnant, I haven't gained anything. I am LOSING my lean muscle, since I can't workout right now, but it's all good.

I'm not having any cravings yet, as I think it may be too soon, however, I amobsessed with eggs on Ezekiel toast everyday with avocado and sliced tomato. It drives my taste buds into overdrive!

I'm feeling super excited, hopeful and ready to begin this beautiful journey towards being a mother all over again. Physically I am tired. I try to take naps everyday, and find even if I nap for 25 minutes, I feel refreshed! I also feel sluggish because I went from 200 MPH each day to basically 0, due to the first trimester being the most scary part. I want to make sure this little baby stays put!

Some of my dreams so far:

1. 2 very sexual dreams with me & Mario- Had my blushing the next morning!

2. The other dream was Mario and I were sleeping and heard the babies drying, so we got up to get them, and looked in the crib and saw 5 little newborns! MY oh MY!

3. The scariest dream was that I got up to go pee and I was gushing blood... This one had me sweating and literally had to get up and shower!

4. My friend Vanessa and I were in Rome, Italy at a flea market outdoors, and all they were selling were baby clothes..... I kept holding up little teeny outfits...

I am already in love. I already feel attached, and I am already protective and my motherly instincts have set in....

The best part about this pregnancy is Mario. He has been so supportive, caring understanding and so loving. He needs to be a teacher to EVERY MAN who has a woman expecting his child. Mario has exceeded my expectations. He's so sweet and thoughtful and just does everything to make sure I am comfortable. He is a little overbearing already too (but it's so cute). He always wants to know what I ate each day, if I napped and now I am feeling.

I kinda feel bad, because since the transfer, I have been afraid of intimacy, and the poor guy is a champ! He wants me to be comfortable, and so right now, I just feel like we should wait. He's fine... He is so tired from work, I'm sure he doesn't even think about it. I sure do miss it and him and that part of us... but soon enough.

 

We DID IT!

Well..... On February 11th, We did the Transfer, as I am sure you read by now, and if not, you can read that experience right here... My Two Embryos.

I went to Dr. Miller for my first HCG test two weeks later, and it was 221! We were expecting it to be between 50-100. DAMN! This is GREAT, right? That was on a Monday, then on Thursday is soared to 1,581, which I didn't think I heard Dr. Miller right when she said such a HIGH number! Twins? Oh man! TWINS would be a DREAM come true...One baby will be a dream come true, but TWINS!?!?! WOW! So I went back for my third Beta test on the following Monday....and it was 8,488! For SURE it's got to be TWINS! How could I have such HIGH Beta numbers? Mario and I were SOOO thrilled, so emotional and SO MORE THAN READY for this new journey we are about to embark on! I think Mario is so fascinated with the whole science part of this whole thing. Fertility is a STRESSFUL thing to go through, but it's also so beautiful and so amazing!

The last Beta test was on Friday. On Saturday morning I woke up with such BAD cramps. So bad that I got up to get ready to go train my client, but then got back into bed thinking if I just lay down for a few more minutes the cramps would go away.  I am fully aware of the cysts on my ovaries and kept thinking that's what it was. I went to train my client, but the cramps kept getting worse. Running to the bathroom, I checked for blood or spotting and there was none. My client told me to go home, so I did. I called my Dr.. Dr. Miller told me to lay down and do not do a thing, take some Tylenol and just rest. I stayed glued to my bed from 9:30 until 4:00, when Mario got home. I decided to get up and go to Whole foods with him. I felt fine from the Tylenol, but it must have worn off when we were almost done. I got the chills, sweats and severe cramping again, so I left Mario to finish and I went to my car to wait for him. When I got home, I put hot water in a compress and got back into bed. WOW! It worked wonders. NO pain. I woke up on Sunday a brand new person! Was is my cysts? I couldn't tell, so I emailed Dr. Miller just following up. she wrote back saying what I did was great but she was concerned about an ectopic pregnancy due to my tubal reversal and age. From that second on until I got to see her on TUESDAY, I was an emotional BASKETCASE thinking the worst and just uncontrollably crying like crazy. Mario was a mess too, because he didn't know what to do for me to calm me down. I wouldn't leave the house, wouldn't smile, wouldn't take my mind off of the whole thing.

I called Dr. Miller on Monday almost begging to get in, but just couldn't. SO I decided to put my hands up and give it to God. If we are meant to be pregnant we will be, and if not, we won't. Monday was the longest day of my life! Monday night I had the scariest dream- I had a dream I woke up to use the bathroom and I was gushing blood! SERIOUSLY!?!?! I woke up with the sweats and had to shower! I was just a mess.

Tuesday, March 5th, Mario & I went to Dr. Miller for our first ultrasound. LOOKS AMAZING!!!!!! We saw one sac with the fetus in it! Not sure if there was ever another one or if it's hiding or if it dissolved. Right now, as badly as I wanted twins, I am FINE with one baby! I couldn't stop thanking God for all of my answered prayers! Mario & I were so emotional during the ultrasound and so "WOW-ed" by what is growing inside of me. Dr. Miller is THRILLED with how it looks!

It's amazing how I went from scared out of my mind to instantly put at ease when we got such a GREAT ultrasound outcome. Dr. Miller also checked my tubes for an ectopic, but NOTHING. She did find MANY cysts, but right now we need them for transporting progesterone to my uterus... I just have to LAY LOW, which we all know is SUPER hard for me, but I am desperate to ROCK this pregnancy and have a HEALTHY baby!

5 weeks 5 days!

I am 5 weeks and 6 days pregnant. It's too soon to tell the world, SO I am keeping this in my drafts as my journal until I reach at least 7 weeks weeks. Once at 7 weeks, I may explode if I can't share my happiness with the world!

And you can see the difference.... My abs were shredded in the hot pink sports bra, and here I am more bloated between the IVF meds and the pregnancy, already. Since I have had two kids, my body will respond quicker than a woman who hasn't. Also because I was EXTREMELY lean with little body fat, by body will naturally gain weight quick. All great! I can't wait to have a belly and not have to focus on my definition, abs, and body! I am ALL over this pregnancy!

Gave it to God.

Ok, so I didn't want to blog everyday about injecting myself, so I figured I would wait until I had something to blog about.. If you see the schedule below, I was right on track up until this past Wednesday December 5th.

 

Went in to the office for my follicle monitoring and blood work, only to find that the 3 follicles we saw on Monday, were the same ones on Wednesday. Nothing new, nothing exciting and actually I was a disaster. We decided (dr. Miller, Mario and I) to hold off  on the retrieval because with only one follicle measuring 18mm and the other two not even growing, we didn't want to risk the one follicle not fertilizing. I was so upset. All the shots, all the bruising on my body, all the sacrificing and all the excitement, and NO follicles. My body didn't respond well to the Menopur and the Gonal F. I was able to hold back the tears in Dr. Miller's office, but as soon as one foot was out the door, my tears gushed out of my eyes. I called Mario and was in complete hysterics. I guess I was so excited about the medication doing its thing and thinking the whole time that "of course, it will work", why wouldn't it? UGH!

 

I had an acupuncture session schedule for that afternoon and almost canceled, but after talking to Mario, he told me to go, that it just might make me feel better. I went. It did. At the end, it was hard to lie there with intention, but I tried my hardest.

 

So Thursday I had my last cry, and when reminded from a friend that ME of all people should KNOW exactly what to do right now (GIVE IT TO GOD), I thought to myself: "Yep, The big man upstairs can handle this". I cupped my hands together, looked up and pushed my hands up to him. I smiled and said :"thank you:. The Big man upstairs will get me through this, and with a positive and happy cleansed mind and soul, everything will workout just the way God intends for it to.

 

IVF

 

Nov. 2             Baseline blood work and ultrasound exam. 

 

Nov. 4             Start taking birth control pills today and take one tablet daily.   

 

Nov. 24           Take your last birth control pill today.

 

Nov. 27           Return for suppression check (blood test and ultrasound exam).

 

Nov. 29           Start the following medications today:

Gonal F 300 units every evening

Menopur 150 units (2 vials in 0.5 ml saline) every evening

 

Dec.3 Return to the office for follicle monitoring (blood work and ultrasound exam) to assess your response to the medication.,

 

Dec 5. Return to the office for follicle monitoring (blood work and ultrasound exam) to assess your response to the medication.

 

Didn't respond so We stopped all medications today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next steps are these:

 

1. Ovulation will be occurring this up coming week.

2. My period will come after that (less than a week)

3. Day one of period,  I will see Dr. Miller for Ultrasound and blood work

4. Day three of period, start birth control again to suppress estrogen

5. two weeks on birth control- then stop

6. return for suppression check- blood and ultrasound

7. start new combination of medications.

8. Lots of praying, meditating and acupuncture