Baby Braham #2 - Ultrasound & Belly Pictures at 12 Weeks

We went to Goldenview Ultrasound to record the heartbeat of Baby Braham and of course to see the little guy.  He was moving around like crazy so it was a little hard at first.  He was also sucking his thumb.  It was so amazing to see him move around.  We did the HD ultrasound so we were able to see the baby in true form, which was a little strange as he still looks so little.  My belly is getting big and started showing very early again.  We can't wait to meet our little guy!  

Marco Island & Baby Braham #2 Announcement

 Craig, Grayson and I went to visit our good friends the Sergi's in Marco Island.  The weather was a little chilly the first day so we had to our wear coats.  The next few days were nicer so we had fun at playing at the beach.  Grayson had a blast hanging out with Uncle Dominic and Aunt JoAnn and they adored him.  We had a wonderful time relaxing and enjoying the nice weather.  

During our trip we decided to reveal our exciting news that we are expecting a baby BOY on September 6, 2015.  Grayson will be a BIG BROTHER!  We know he will be such a great big bro and we can't wait to expand our family.  We got him the cutest shirt on Etsy that says

 I'M GOING

TO BE

A BIG

BRO

THER.  

We wrote BIG BRO in the sand and took pictures of Grayson with his adorable shirt.  We also took a few family pictures and of course some of my belly.  It's already big.  What an exciting time for our family.  It's truly another miracle baby and we feel so blessed.

Baby Braham #2 - Maternity21 Results & Doctor Appointment at 12 Weeks

Today we had my 12 week doctor appointment.  The main goal was hear the heartbeat with the stethoscope, but if not, they would do a quick ultrasound.  She heard the baby's heartbeat (140) right away.  I told Craig I think it's going to be a boy based on that heart rate as boys have a lower heart rate.

The doctor's office that did the Maternity21 test called around lunch to let me know the test came back negative.  We were so happy to hear this great news.  She also told me the baby is a...

B - O - Y! 

We are so excited Grayson will have a little brother and they will (hopefully) be best buds. 


What BabyCenter says about 12 weeks:

Your new resident is nearly an inch long — about the size of a grape — and weighs just a fraction of an ounce. She's starting to look more and more human. Her essential body parts are accounted for, though they'll go through plenty of fine-tuning in the coming months. Other changes abound: Your baby's heart finishes dividing into four chambers, and the valves start to form — as do her tiny teeth. The embryonic "tail" is completely gone. Your baby's organs, muscles, and nerves are kicking into gear. The external sex organs are there but won't be distinguishable as male or female for another few weeks. Her eyes are fully formed, but her eyelids are fused shut and won't open until 27 weeks. She has tiny earlobes, and her mouth, nose, and nostrils are more distinct. The placenta is developed enough now to take over most of the critical job of producing hormones. Now that your baby's basic physiology is in place, she's poised for rapid weight gain.
     

Baby Braham #2 - Ultrasound & Belly Pictures at 8 weeks 5 days

We had our second ultrasound on Thursday, January 29th.  It was a very quick ultrasound, but so nice to see the baby.  The heart rate was 174.  I go in for the Maternity21 test on February 11th.  This test will give us a 99% accuracy for genetic issues such as Downs and will also tell us the sex of the baby.  We are very anxious and nervous, but will hopefully get negative results.  As far as the sex, I always saw myself with all boys.  I would love either one as long as it's healthy.  

Here's what BabyCenter says about 9 weeks:

Your new resident is nearly an inch long — about the size of a grape — and weighs just a fraction of an ounce. She's starting to look more and more human. Her essential body parts are accounted for, though they'll go through plenty of fine-tuning in the coming months. Other changes abound: Your baby's heart finishes dividing into four chambers, and the valves start to form — as do her tiny teeth. The embryonic "tail" is completely gone. Your baby's organs, muscles, and nerves are kicking into gear. The external sex organs are there but won't be distinguishable as male or female for another few weeks. Her eyes are fully formed, but her eyelids are fused shut and won't open until 27 weeks. She has tiny earlobes, and her mouth, nose, and nostrils are more distinct. The placenta is developed enough now to take over most of the critical job of producing hormones. Now that your baby's basic physiology is in place, she's poised for rapid weight gain.

Baby Braham #2 - Ultrasound & Belly Pictures at 6 weeks 5 days

We had our first ultrasound on Friday, January 16th.  I was so nervous my heart was racing out of my chest.  I have been in this situation 5 other times and the anticipation of finding out the results is awful.  This time however it was the best news...we see a baby and a heartbeat!  They took two pictures of the baby. (one baby, two pictures)  The heart rate was 120, which is normal for the age of the baby.  They gave me my due date, September 6, 2015 (one day after Grayson's birthday).  It took us over 6 years to get pregnant with Grayson after multiple attempts of IVF and this time we got pregnant all on our own.  It's amazing how powerful the mind is and what can happen when you are not thinking about it or stressing out.  We are so blessed and happy!  This was truly another miracle.         

Here's what BabyCenter says at 7 weeks:

The big news this week: Your baby’s hands and feet are emerging from developing arms and legs — although they look more like paddles at this point than the tiny baby fingers and toes you're daydreaming about holding and tickling. Technically, your baby is still considered an embryo and has something of a small tail, which is an extension of her tailbone. The tail will disappear within a few weeks, but that's the only thing getting smaller. Your baby has doubled in size since last week and now measures half an inch long, about the size of a blueberry.  If you could see inside your womb, you'd spot eyelid folds partially covering her peepers, which already have some color, as well as the tip of her nose and tiny veins beneath parchment-thin skin. Both hemispheres of your baby's brain are growing, and her liver is churning out red blood cells until her bone marrow forms and takes over this role. She also has an appendix and a pancreas, which will eventually produce the hormone insulin to aid in digestion. A loop in your baby's growing intestines is bulging into her umbilical cord, which now has distinct blood vessels to carry oxygen and nutrients to and from her tiny body.

Positive Pregnancy Test

We have some exciting news to share...

We are PREGNANT!  

Pregnancy Story:

December 25, 2014

After Grayson I had 3 cycles and we got pregnant on our own in August, but sadly had a miscarriage in September at 7 weeks.  At first my hcg levels were good, but when we got to the first ultrasound there was a gestational sac, but no baby.  They had me come back a week later and there was no progress so I had to have a D&C.  On one hand I was so excited that it happened all on our own without IVF, but of course so devastated that is was another miscarriage, my 6th one.  I know everything happens for a reason and I would soon understand why.  After the D&C I had one cycle and then got pregnant on our own again in December.  I had night sweats 4-5 nights in a row and had a feeling I might be pregnant, but thought there was no way possible.  I woke up Christmas morning and took a pregnancy test and it was negative at first.  I waited a little while, but only saw one line so I threw the test away.  I went back to sleep for about 15 minutes and then had a strange feeling so I got the test out of the trash can and it was POSITIVE!  It was a very faint line so I still didn't believe it.  I went downstairs and shared the amazing news with Craig and my mom.  They were so excited and couldn't believe it either.  That was the BEST Christmas present ever.  

December 26, 2014

The next day I took another test and there was still a very faint line so I had Craig go to the store to get a digital pregnancy test.  The test came back pregnant right away so we were thrilled.  

December 27, 2014

I took the third test from the box of original ones and it was positive right away.  

December 29, 2014

I went to my doctor's office and my hcg level was 382.  If the number is above 5 you are pregnant and this number should double every 48-72 hours.

December 31, 2014

My hcg was 953 and they were very happy with this number so I do not need to come back until the ultrasound on Friday, January 16th.

January 6, 2014

Terrible moodiness. :)

January 10, 2014

We went to Sarah and Stu's engagement party in Plainfield and had a great time.  On our way there I had some pain and remembered exactly what is was from my first pregnancy.  It was my uterus stretching, which is a good sign.  

Here are the positive pregnancy tests: