And Then There Were 5...
That's right, the newest Holick is underway!
After getting the green light from my doctor in August, we decided we were ready to try again and was shocked to find a light positive pregnancy test on Tuesday, November 14th. After that initial test, I was obsessed with testing and each test got darker each day. I began blood work on Wednesday the 15th. HcG level was 16. Did another draw on Monday the 20th and my HcG level was 325 and my progesterone level was 32. Both levels were increasing well so Dr. Missy didn't feel the need to continue to test and I went ahead and scheduled our first appointment!
Thanksgiving was only a few days after we found out so I found this cute wine bottle label on Etsy and we handed this to my Dad and Mary to break the news.
Because of my history, Dr. Missy saw us at six weeks on Tuesday, December 5th. I was a nervous wreck because of what we went through in July but the teeny tiny pea was there and there was a tiny flicker of a heart beat. We were even able to hear it when I held my breath.
We had an eight week appointment on Wednesday, December 20th and the little raspberry still looks good! He/she got much bigger and had heart rate of 170 bpm.
We broke the news to Eric's family with this picture. It says, "Merry Christmas" and the raspberry is wearing a santa hat. The kids are extremely confused over our new piece of art. Nolan thinks it is a "Christmas fish." :)
We went back two weeks later, on January 4th, and this little cherry actually looked like a real baby and was jumping around on the ultrasound. Heart rate was 167 bpm. I could have watched the little cherry jump around all day.
Our twelve week appointment was on January 16th. No ultrasound pictures to share but we heard the heartbeat (160 bpm). We don't go back for four weeks so I borrowed a doppler from a friend and I've been able to pick the baby's heartbeat up on my own. It's comforting to hear when we don't have an appointment for awhile.
So far so good! I will be 13 weeks tomorrow and I am starting to feel some of my energy returning and I am having less and less nauseous evenings. My lower back is sore and my skin is breaking out around my chin but otherwise, I feel good. I have had some interesting cravings along the way including: cheeseburgers, potatoes (in any form), bagels with cream cheese, lemons, popsicles, cold fruit, iced tea, and jello. I think those were just survival foods during the nausea because I have been able to eat more salads lately and some of the things I usually enjoy. Still can't eat chicken though.
We haven't told the kids yet but plan to tell them when I am 16 weeks along. It happens to fall on my original due date with the baby we lost; which is bittersweet. It will be a sad day but one lined with happiness as we get to share the news of a new sibling with the kids. I think it's the perfect way to both remember and look ahead to a positive future. It's been a rough several months but we are getting through it and cautiously, but happily, preparing to grow out family.
They say a baby after a miscarriage is a "rainbow baby" and it has been amazing how many times rainbows have appeared. I mean SO many times. Whether it be in person, or spoken about they have been little glimpses of hope that have helped to carry us through this as we anxiously wait for the arrival of our rainbow baby.
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