shot + shot = vaccinated

So thankful that Dr. C permitted me to get the COVID vaccine.  I drove down to Providence Forge today and the same lovely people were at the Walgreens to check me in and administer the shot.  They remembered me and were so helpful!  So far, so good.  No issues other than fatigue, but that's pretty normal these days. 

I know the literature states that one is not fully vaccinated until two weeks after the second dose, but I am making it count now!  I will not forego wearing masks or being careful, that's for sure, but I will revel in this state of protection!!

rough cough

Last night, I started having an awful dry cough.  I didn't think much of it, but because of the nature, I reached out to the OB just in case.  That is what every expecting mom does.  One can sneeze differently and want some assurance that everything is okay.  I spoke to the nurse and let them know that I am not having trouble breathing and there is no discomfort, but it feels like there is an elephant on my chest, from the perspective of tightness.  Dr. C. wrote back and said that she is not concerned but I could consult with my PCP and potentially get a COVID test.  

I'm not at all worried about COVID, plus I have my second vaccine tomorrow.  The cough has gotten a little worse during the day but nothing I can't handle.  Can't wait to be fully vaccinated tomorrow!

mother's day

Mother's Day has a whole new meaning for me these days.  I realize that there are so many mothers, or those desiring to be mothers that find this day to be a huge heartache.  That is not fair.  Yeah, life isn't fair - I know.  I wish I could take away all of that pain.  While I am working to relieve this hurt for Bethany, I wish I could do more.  

When I first offered to this opportunity to Bethany, she was very transparent and allowed me to read an essay she had written about Mother's Day.  It pulled at every heart string I had.  I had seen people struggle with infertility or pregnancy loss, but it never hit home.  This beautiful, yet awfully eye-opening read was something that hit me like a ton of bricks.  How could I be so naïve to not even try to understand what others go through in this regard?  Through this journey, I have shared in the heartache these wishful parents experience and this Mother's Day is so very beautiful because of the baby I am carrying, but also very blue because of all of the friends I have made that continue to struggle.

I'm not sure if it is the craziness of the pregnancy, the poignancy of the day, or what, but I am beat.  My parents came here for an early lunch and I fell asleep right after eating.  I could barely function.  Plus, Jacob and I were arguing, which never makes it easy.  (Hey, there isn't a normal married couple that doesn't have their tiffs!)  I felt awful when my parents left when I was asleep but they tried to make me feel okay and asked me to get more rest.  

Happy Mother's Day to all of those out there that are able to share in the celebrations of the day.  I wish those that want to celebrate the day peace and comfort as they navigate the unfortunate reminders of this day.  

it's a...

...secret for now as far as the blog goes.

It is hard to believe but everyone was greatly surprised that we were there and the supper was to reveal the gender.  We all shared tears and so much joy with one another!  While Jacob and I were also hoping to get news of an accepted house offer, that didn't happen, but it never took away from the purpose in which we were all gathered.  

There was even discussion (that I was not privy to) for a potential name, too.  The pizza was amazing, the cupcakes pretty good, and the fellowship hard to beat!  My heart is so very happy to be on this journey with continuing good news!

reveal prototyple

A little teaser here!  All of the supplies have come in and this is what the box will look like, housing the cupcake that will give away the gender of this sweet baby!  Instead of the white tie, though, I am going to use twine - Bethany liked that better.  Ah, this is so exciting!  

party prep

When I say I live for this stuff, it is beyond true!  I have had ideas about a reveal for a while, but I only want to do what Bethany is comfortable with me doing.  I also don't ever want her to feel like I (we) need to be invited to anything.  She was on board with me making cupcakes to give away the gender!  I scoured amazon for the perfect boxes to put them in with a few other little details and sent her what I had in mind.  She liked my ideas and returned some of hers so we could together make it all work.  

This little supper is going to be awesome!   I won't bake until Friday, but I am so darned excited already.  I have a feeling that their families have an idea of why we are getting together (they don't know we will be there), but who cares - it is going to be fun and and a surprise gender regardless!  

On top of it all, I am so impressed with Bethany!  Her parents went to Northern Virginia this past weekend and she was able to keep the gender a secret still!  I just knew that she would spill the beans and I couldn't blame her. This has been such a long time coming that I would want to, too.  But, she didn't!  She held out and we will all get together Saturday to start spoiling this little baby!

13 and counting

It is amazing we have made it this far and although the road ahead is long, the first trimester is almost behind us.  On top of the wonderful news we got this week, we also were told the gender.  We did not realize that we would find out the sex until the anatomy scan at 20 weeks, but Dr. C offered to tell us, thinking that we already knew due to the IVF.  Since Bethany and Phillip's embryos were not tested, we did not know what the gender of this little one (or the others that didn't make it) was.  I called Bethany to make sure they wanted to know and we were all on pins and needles until we got the message back on the portal.  

I knew that Bethany had clients starting and that she would really only be available the last ten minutes of each hour.  I constantly checked the portal awaiting a response.  Then, there it was - a totally new message with the subject "gender."  I was nervous to open it but I did and was delighted!  I am not going to share on here yet until after others are told, but I started texting Bethany and Phillip and tried to add a little bit of suspense.  Phillip wasn't having it and frankly it was a little cruel.  All that said, we had a quick facetime celebration and all went back on to complete our days.  

Now to plan a surprise gender reveal - woohoo!  I live for this type of stuff!