That Mother Lode

I'm not a fan of gender reveals, and I've always hated the emphasis that people place on a baby's gender. My dream has always been to be surprised at delivery. Well, I made it 36 weeks without knowing. I always begin my medical appointments by saying I don't want to know just in case someone doesn't read my chart. At the 36 week ultrasound, the tech pointed out the baby's foot, stomach, etc., as usual, and then he said, "and there are the testicles". 😯 I forgot to give my disclaimer and he forgot to ask as he usually does. He was very apologetic and said he's never done that in all his years of experience. I'm disappointed that I found out earlier than I wanted. 

It's 2025! We made it to January just as I believed that we would.  The past year was challenging to say the least.  January  I started 2024 recovering from the egg retrieval surgery. My embryos were frozen and tested.  I celebrated my 43rd birthday with a legendary ladies luncheon and a trip to Bali at the end of the month. February  I returned from Bali. I met with a realtor to discuss selling my house.  I gave myself a deadline of May 1st to decide what I wanted to do concerning the fibroids and pregnancy. March  I started preparing my house for sale. I decided that I was ready to move forward with implantation without a myomectomy. We toured assisted living facilities for my stepdad, and he moved at the end of the month.  April  My house was listed for sale and showings began.  My doctor performed a hysteroscope. I started my last cycle. May I completed a frozen embryo transfer (FET) and received a positive pregnancy test 2 weeks lat...

I got a henna tattoo on my belly today. The lady kept saying how active the baby was while she was doing it. Maybe the pressure tickled my Joy.  😊

A year ago, I self-administered my first hormone shots. I was nervous, scared, and hopeful. Now, I am weeks away from birthing my miracle baby. My birth team is assembled. My bags are packed. My birthing plan is written. The nursery is mostly done.  What a difference a year makes!

We reached 33 weeks today! The baby's estimated weight is 4lbs 12 ozs and is measuring about a week ahead, which is great. My fundal height measured 38in because of the large fibroid distorting my belly. I've gained approximately 25 pounds since the start of my pregnancy. My weight has been steady over the past 2 weeks, which prompted my doctor to tell me to start eating more today. The baby is going to be packing on weight until birth, so I need to consume more calories to keep up. I've followed a pescetarian diet for nearly 10 years, and the pregnancy hasn't changed my appetite. I'll add more snacks to keep My Joy growing. The cooler weather makes me want to hibernate, and I nap whenever I can. Since daylight saving ended, I've stopped walking after work, and I've generally been less active.  My dog used to guilt me into walking after work, but I think she knows how tired I am and doesn't bother anymore.  Our next major milestone is 36 weeks when we wi...

  I remember a conversation with my former PCP in 2016 when I first explored the idea of freezing my eggs. At that time, I decided not to do it. She shared her own story about becoming a mother of twins later in life. She told me that we think there's a straight line to what we want, but our paths could take many unexpected turns to get us to the destination. Dr. B was the best medical professional I ever met, and her words still help me today. I gleaned so many nuggets of wisdom in the past that I didn't know would influence me so much in the present. God put me in places to receive the seeds that I needed, and I'm seeing them grow.  No one is ever prepared to become a parent, no matter how many kids you babysit or how many books you read. However, I believe I am more prepared than many because of life experiences, planning, and formal training. Life experiences Being alive for 43 years, I've had a myriad of experiences, good and bad. I have won, lost, loved, broken up...

27 weeks   My 2nd trimester was very eventful!  I experienced the following: Moved to my new home Anatomy scan revealed fibroid growth and higher risk of preterm labor Moved from midwifery care at a birthing center to obstetrician and MFM specialist at a hospital Baby movement Got a bigger vehicle Reached 24 week milestone for viability Stepfather hospitalized and subsequently died Failed 1st glucose test  Passed 2nd glucose test, so no gestational diabetes  Hired a doula and more Biggest symptoms: fatigue and heartburn, heartburn, heartburn 😫  I believe that my pregnancy is a miracle, and I'm grateful that Baby Joy and I keep progressing. 

I am grateful that my pregnancy has been smooth so far. My 1st trimester symptoms were so mild that I might not have known that I was pregnant if I didn't already know. I also haven't experienced any symptoms associated with the fibroids. I'm exhausted and constantly need to pee. I'm at the beginning of my second trimester, and supposedly, I'm going to get a burst of energy and stop peeing so much. I've officially moved into my new home in Dallas, so I'm looking forward to getting settled and nesting.  I shared my pregnancy news with people closest to me, and I know soon enough most people will know because of my growing belly. I'm grateful for my village. I have received love, support, and a bit of curiosity. For many of the people I know, especially family, I am the only person in their lives who has intentionally pursued pregnancy via IVF, and I chose to do it without a partner, and I'm in my 40s. I break barriers. Hopefully, sharing my journey wi...

Luke 1:28 NKJV‬ [28]... the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one,  the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”   https://bible.com/bible/114/luk.1.28.NKJV ‭Luke 1:34 KJV‬ [34] ...How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?    https://bible.com/bible/1/luk.1.34.KJV  ‭‭Luke 1:36-37 NKJV‬ [36] Now indeed, Elizabeth... has also conceived... in her old age ... [37] For with God nothing will be impossible.”    https://bible.com/bible/114/luk.1.36-37.NKJV ‭Luke 1:65-66 NIV‬ [65] All the neighbors were filled with awe, and... people were talking about all these things. [66] Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, “What then is this child going to be?” For the Lord’s hand was with him.     https://bible.com/bible/111/luk.1.65-66.NIV My first positive home pregnancy test  

Today, my friend gave me this lovely mug.  It's the first acknowledgement of my new status.  I feel like I'm in the final days of pregnancy, and any day now, my child will make their entry into the world.  (This stage is also unlike pregnancy, because there are no obvious signs for the world to know that I'm expecting.)  In the meantime,  I am nesting.  I ordered a bunk bed that will be delivered this week, and I created an Amazon Wish List for other items that I need.  I'm looking forward to putting everything together to welcome my new addition(s).