8w3d - Happy Veterans Day

I am starting to finally feel like I can breathe.  There, I just jinxed myself.  Damn.  But seriously, my progesterone went from 4 to 24 in 4 days of just being back on my shots, HcG has plateaued and the big man grew to 2cm as of today.  I went to an appointment on Tuesday to check my progesterone and got an 8 week picture of the little nugget

Today he was even bigger and I just can’t get over the rapid change I’m witnessing.  His profile is below and head is down, buns are in the air.  This isn’t even the best view I saw.  On the monitor, I got to see the front (or back?) view and I saw the outline of his head, little nubby arms and legs. It was AMAZING.

So they are going to see me one last time next week, when I am 9w3d, but they said they don’t like anyone to go more than 2 weeks without an ultrasound.  My first OBGYN appointment is scheduled for December 9 (right after I hit 12 weeks, God willing) so hopefully my RE will keep me until 10 weeks then at 12 weeks I’ll have more pictures and peace of mind.  I am still petrified of losing this baby but I have to continue to hide it from certain people in my life.    But every week it does get easier- I don’t even have breakdowns before my appointments anymore.  Although something about putting my feet in stirrups for an internal ultrasound does tense me up right before it happens.

In other news, the fetal doppler that M ordered last week arrived yesterday. The heartbeat thing blows my mind- it starts at about 5 or 6 weeks gestation and if all goes well will continue to beat for 90 years!  God is so GREAT!  Anyway, last night I got lubed up with u/s gel (gross) and prodded for a good half hour while M attempted to locate a heartbeat I'm convinced is too quiet for us to hear yet.  Maybe in another week or so, but I definitely think it is too early.  Of course, I have no choice in the matter and will be subjected to nightly prodding until then.  But, whatever makes the man happy :-)  He's been waiting even longer than I have for these moments.  I suppose we should start to enjoy them.

Lastly, I would like to wish a Happy Veterans Day to those who are serving and have served, including my father. 

You have served your country.
You have returned to tell
Of the bravery and loyalty
Of those you knew so well.
You may have prowled through jungles
Of Borneo, Laos or Vietnam.
You may have encountered other struggles
In Egypt, Iraq or Afghanistan.
May we share with others what we have learned
With those who need to know -
That respect and loyalty are earned
And that citations are not just for show.
We can never thank you for all that you have done.
For we know that some gave all, but all gave some.
So as we pause this day to muse
On all the sordid daily news.
Let us say a prayer and a word of thanks
For those now serving in the ranks.