Our last little embryo :)

August 9th:
This was the day before my 1st day of school with my new students! The timing couldn't have worked out better. Mario picked me up at 11 from my school and we headed to our 12 o'clock appointment in Irving. The process was the same as all of our other embryo's that we transferred except now they do a sonogram while they implant the embryo so you can see the whole thing on screen! Such a cool experience. As always, after implanted, they lean you back for a half hour and then we were free to go. Mario took me to In and Out Burger for lunch before taking me home to relax before I had to start school the next day.

Day 11 after implantation:
I went in for blood work which showed revealed my beta number was 641! This was a very HIGH number, so high, I asked if there was any way this embryo split and I was pregnant with two?! The nurse did say this was a very high number for a singleton embryo and that they would see me at five weeks to check it out! Two days later I went in for more blood work to make sure my numbers doubled. Sure enough, my number went up to 1740. I am Pregnant!

August 29th:
Went in for my first sonogram, which revealed a healthy little sac and a little fetal pole. After this appointment, I had a few scares the following week, but it turned out to be fluid sacs in my uterus and nothing else. Baby is still healthy.

Week 6-20
Already super sick ;(. Week 6-15 were rough rough rough! I threw up ALL the time, ALL day long. I am so thankful for Mario during this time. He had to cook, clean, take care of the kids, and pretty much run the household by himself because I was in bed by 6:30-7:00 every night. I feel like I lived in bed when I wasn't at school because laying flat and sleeping was the only thing that gave me relief. At week 15, my insurance FINALLY approved this medicine that helped tremendously!

I am so thankful for this pregnancy, as it will more than likely be my last unless Jesus has other plans for us. Annalise and Cadel are really excited. Annalise hugs and kisses the baby all the time and really wants a sister. Cadel will kiss the baby too but I don't think he really understands what is coming!

Oh, and we are NOT finding out the gender :).

First pictures of Cadel

 

 

 

Cadel's entrance into the world!

Friday May 23rd, we finished our last day of school. Saturday, May 24th, I was scheduled to be at the hospital at 6 a.m. to be induced. So what did I do when I got out of school on Friday? I came home to clean the house, I packed my hospital bag, and then went to pick Annalise up from daycare. I didn't want to get her earlier because it would have interrupted her nap time which is a big "no-no" for us! I don't know why I felt as though EVERY room (including pantry) in the house had to spotless but that's just how it was...I should have been doing it throughout the month of May but due to the last month of school and spending time with Mario and Annalise, cleaning was not on the top of my list! So of course the day before I was scheduled to have this baby, I went crazy cleaning!

Friday night around 10, my mom and step-dad arrived at our house...yes, I was still cleaning! I finally decided to give them a to-do list for the next day and decided it was time to wind down. Saturday morning at 5:30 my alarm clock was schedule to go off so I could enjoy a nice hot shower and wash/dry my hair. So at 5:30 I turned off my alarm and noticed I had a missed call and voicemail. I thought " who in the world is calling me at 5:00 a.m.?". I checked the voicemail and it was a nurse from the Labor and Delivery asking me to call her as soon as I got her message. I called back in my closet because I didn't want to awake Mario. The nurse informed me that at this time, they had no rooms available for me and that I needed to go back to bed and wait for her to call me back in a couple of hours with hopefully good news that they were ready for me! Perfect I thought...more sleep! Well of course I couldn't go back to sleep so I took my hot shower and did my hair and make-up and waited for the call. At 7:30 I got a call from Dr. Morehead saying that he called the hospital to check on me and found out that they had no rooms. He asked me if I wanted to wait around or just re-schedule for Sunday. My question for him was "what if I schedule for tomorrow and the same thing happens!". Long story short, I made the decision later that morning after talking to another nurse that we would go in Sunday morning at 7. This ended up being really good because I was able to finish my last minute to-do's and spend time with everyone. It was a really good day of hanging out, cleaning, and then grilling out (my favorite summer time activity) while jamming to good music! As we sat on the couch Saturday night I told Mario that I had a bad feeling that the same thing was going to happen again and he said he felt the same way. I was nervous! I was ready to have this baby! We tucked our sweet girl in bed that night and told her that tomorrow she was going to be a big sister! We also told her that we would be gone for a couple of days and that she'd be staying with Abuelo and Abuela. Her response was "okay", although we knew she had no idea what was about to happen. This honestly broke my heart even thinking about it. When I though about Annalise at home with her grandparents, I knew she was going to be taken care of but I knew that at her young age, she wouldn't understand why we were gone. I think I cried every time I thought about her and what the transition was going to look like.

Sunday morning my alarm went off and the first thing I noticed was NO ONE CALLED! Yah, we were going to have a baby today! Mario and I got in the car and headed to Starbucks to pick up some coffee/breakfast for him. When he got back in the car the lid to his drink read "boy? or girl?". I asked him what his last guess was and he said that at this point he didn't know and didn't care! Mario was just ready to find out! He also told me about an older man that was in line with him that said this was a good day to have a baby because it was his and his wife's 50th wedding anniversary. How sweet is that! What a cool story! We also pulled up my blogs from the pregnancy to look at the gender predictions. I thought it was going to be a boy the entire pregnancy, my mind never changed! Mario on the other hand thought boy up until around 24 weeks and then he was sure it was a girl. It was such a Fun conversation and sweet car ride up to the hospital!

When we arrived at the hospital, we were escorted to room 5 where the check in process started taking place. A sweet lady named Debbie (Deb) came in the room and said she'd be my nurse for the day. I loved her already! The papers started, the IV was administered, and the 100 questions were asked. By 8:45 it was time to check me and start the penicillin and Pitocin. They were going to start the Pitocin super  slow because I was already dilated to a 3 and I needed to get in at least 3 rounds of penicillin before push time since I had Group B Strep (a bacterial infection that can be dangerous if passed to baby). I told the nurse that I didn't want to get past a 3 on the pain scale before the epidural was administered. I was ready for an easy day of hopefully no pain! I also told Deb that the last time I was sick most of the day with nausea and vomiting and that I wanted to have little/none of that if we could help it. She was so supportive and said she'd watch my blood pressure super close to make sure it didn't drop! At 11:00 am I started feeling more pain than I wanted to (which was barely nothing) and so the anesthesiologist came in and game me the epidural. This experience was not as fun as the last go around. The doctor put the epidural in a blood vessel which caused a very weird, scary experience for me. I started shaking suddenly and told him it felt as though my heart was racing extremely fast. He took it out and put another one in. This time it worked like a charm! Sometime after the epidural, Dr. Morehead came in and broke my water. Water was clear, meaning baby did not have a bowel movement inside..yah, great news!

Throughout the morning I ate several popsicles and just relaxed. At one point I started getting nauseous, but with some Zofran, it went away quickly! Annalise came up around lunch with my mom and Tracy but she freaked out with all my cords and I couldn't sit up because I had just had the epidural, so they had to leave. Around 1:00 Mario laid down to take a nap and I caught up on watching the premier of the Bachelorette that I missed the week before!

At around 3:00 I was checked again but was only at a 6. My cervix was being quite stubborn in a few spots and so Deb worked on it some and had me try lying in some different positions. They say that when you get to be a 6, it will be about 1 hour for every centimeter dilated. This was going a lot slower than expected! Although, at around 3:45, I had finished all 3 rounds of penicillin and so they were going to up my Pitocin to hurry things along! This made me SICK and this time Zofran was NOT working.

At 5:30 the doctor came in and said I was a 9.5 but the baby needed to drop just a little more. I was not ready to push, I was so nauseous! Dr. Morehead had Deb give me some additional meds to take with the Zofran to help. I texted my friend Ashley and told her to head this way because she was going to take pictures for us! At this time, I laid down and fell asleep although I was feeling the pressure to start pushing! I think I slept for a good 45 minutes! This helped so much!

I'm not sure what time I started pushing, but we had CADEL ELISHA ARROYAVE at 6:47 pm. He was 7 pounds, 5.5 ounces and 20.5 inches long. I'm so thankful that I had Ashley in there taking pictures for us because it's always such a blur with all the adrenaline and you forget so many things! I do remember thinking, we just had a BOY, and he looks NOTHING like Annalise. I can't wait to post pictures of this day I'll never forget. May 25th, 2014. Cadel, we love you so much!

Pictures from the last 5 weeks

Words can not express how grateful I am that God has given us another child. After struggling with infertility for so long, and longing to be pregnant...here I am about to deliver our 2nd child. Thank you Jesus for hearing our prayers and blessing us with not only 1 child but 2 children!

 

 

 

35 weeks....5 to go

 

37 weeks...3 to go

 

38 weeks...2 to go

 

Last week of school, last week of pregnancy! My L is backwards :)

 

39 weeks 1 day...0 days to go...heading to the hospital!

 

 

 

 

38 weeks....6 days to go!

It's funny how some people  look at me and say, "you're having a girl", and then others look at me and say "oh, you're having a boy". People think that by how I'm carrying the baby, they know they gender...hahaha it makes me smile, because it's 50/50. We will soon, very soon, find out! 

What am I scared/nervous about:

One thing, how Annalise is going to handle not being the only child. When I serve in the 1's at church with A, I can't even change another baby's diaper or hold another kid without her screaming at my legs. I mean, obviously I do it, but it's not easy! I know that eventually she will get used to having a brother or sister but I know the first few weeks to a month could be really rough in our house. We're already going through a super "clingy" phase with mommy so I having a feeling that this will be tough. We shall see... :) 

Nesting?

Oh yeah! I don't think you'll find any dust around any of the baseboards in our house. Unfortunately, Wade's hair is always going to be around but it's something I'm used to. Little stinker sheds so bad! Today we had the carpet cleaned and my sweet friend Ashley took some pictures of the three of us,  so I'm feeling  little more ready to have this baby! Things that I would still like to see accomplished by the end of the week:

-pantry cleaned and organized

-still need to buy a new mattress for our guest bedroom (Abuelo and Abuela are coming for a couple of weeks)

-finish what I can in the nursery (some things will just have to wait until I know gender)

-pack a hospital bag

-wash the infant car seat

-spend sweet time with Mario and Annalise

-get through my LAST week of school :) 

Appointments

I have been going weekly now for a couple of weeks and everything is looking good. I'm dilated to a 1 and about 30% effaced. If I don't make any progress by tomorrow's appointment, then I will more than likely have to go in Friday night instead of Saturday morning. I will know more tomorrow!  

We are so excited about meeting our son/daughter this week! We are also so thankful that God is once again entrusting us with another child. What a blessing! 

ANNALISE

How far along? 38 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: 25 pounds 

Maternity clothes? Yes
Stretch marks? No...yah I made it without stretch marks!!!!! 
Sleep: Prettty uncomfortable...can't wait to sleep on my stomach! Best moment this week:  Finding out that Annalise will be here JUNE 11...MONDAY!

Have you told family and friends: Yes

Miss Anything? being able to just bend over, sleeping on stomach, regular clothes, working out

Movement: ALL the time! She is Ready!

Symptoms: HUNGRY!! 

Food cravings: No
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope

Have you started to show yet: Yes
Gender prediction: ANNALISE

Labor Signs: No, not dialated but 50% effaced
Belly Button in or out? OUT
Wedding rings on or off? On...no swelling :)
Happy or Moody most of the time: HAPPY

Looking forward to: meeting this little rascal on Monday!

BRIELLE/CADEL
How far along? 38 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: 16 pounds 

Maternity clothes? Yes
Stretch marks? I can't tell, I'm definitely bigger this go around and so maybe?
Sleep: Some nights I sleep like a baby and then other nights I suffer from insomnia Best moment this week:  Spending Saturday with M and A in Cedar Hill. 

Have you told family and friends: Yes

Miss Anything? being able to just bend over, sleeping on stomach, regular clothes, working out

Movement: Crazy hard movements, I don't remember Annalise being this strong. Hiccups all the time. This baby loves HOT showers, the belly doesn't stop moving when I'm in water. 

Symptoms: heart burn has come back a little, gas pains have increased, I'm ready! 

Food cravings: No, can't eat very much at this point 
Anything making you queasy or sick: Had to go back on zofran this week bc of nausea 

Have you started to show yet: Yes

Gender prediction: I still think boy and NOW...get ready....Mario thinks boy. Cadel Evans is winning the giro de Italia (a bike race) and so he thinks it's a sign.....hahahahahahhaa

Labor Signs: Have had some this past week 
Belly Button in or out? OUT
Wedding rings on or off? On...no swelling :)
Happy or Moody most of the time: HAPPY 

Looking forward to: Holding this sweet baby on Saturday, Annalise becoming a big sister, family coming in, last week of school!!

I'll post pics of my growing belly tomorrow....night night ;) 

The Shift- Daddy Post

Before I started putting in my base miles, we knew we were pregnant and so it was the plan all along for me to race until about the beginning of May and then shut it down.  On paper it worked.  The plan made perfect sense and would be easy to implement.  On several occasions that was not the case at all.  I can say with absolute certainty however that I was able to train more than I ever have this past winter in preparation for my half season.  If you are wondering how that was possible, look no further than Christen.  The amount of sacrifice that Christen has shown the last 8 months to allow me to race at the highest level I ever have is mind blowing.  I cannot thank her enough for allowing me to experience some great things this season, including participating in my first Pro/1 NRC (National Race Calendar) event which lined me up with real pros who ride their bikes for a living.  And so now that the racing is over, a shift needs to be made.  Not that I was not helpful or always absent (I was out of town and training a lot however), but it's really time to hunker down and get ready for baby #2.  I am glad I got to race and train, but there is a level of stress that comes with all of that I am also to be rid of for now.  The weather is awesome out and I want to play with Annalise and go on walks with Christen so we can spend some quality time together as a family of three... because our days are numbered!  I have some special things planned for Christen this coming weekend and cannot wait to hang out with her!  Driving home from my last race in Mississippi this past weekend all I could think about was my family.  God has blessed me tremendously and I am becoming ever more excited for the surprise that could be on it's way any day now.

6 Weeks to go!

Things that I haven't posted that I don't want to forget!!!
-at 28 weeks (spring break), Mario and I both got to feel our baby hiccup for the first time!
-already forgot the 2nd thing! :)

I didn't post anything from my last doctors appointment but I went from measuring 29 weeks at 28 weeks to still measuring 29 weeks at 31 weeks which was the trend we started seeing with Annalise which is why I was induced early.

Thankfully though, after another sonogram today, I'm now measuring 33 weeks 4 days! The baby is already 5 pounds and is expected to weight between 6.5-7.5 pounds if I reach full term. My placenta is no longer even low lying but has moved all the way up! So all around, great news today. As I was looking at sweet baby today on the screen, I got to see TONS of hair that was sticking straight up. This is weird but when they did an internal sonogram immediately following, you could see the hair through my cervix...crazy! So what I know about the baby so far is...lots of hair and a huge mouth! When the baby yawned today, the sono tech and I were like, "whoa, that's a big mouth!". I'm ready to find out if this rascal is a BOY or GIRL!!!

NURSERY::My mom came in town this weekend and so I was finally able to start working on the nursery. I still have lots to do though!  I still have not finished refinishing the dresser. I did buy the paint and cleared the room to start working. Hopefully I'll start painting after Annalise goes to bed each night.

ANNALISE:: Annalise loves babies and when we ask her where the baby is, she lifts my shirt up and rubs my belly. The sweetest thing ever! But, it doesn't stop there, then she lifts her shirt up and rubs her belly and THEN runs to Mario and rubs his belly. I love it! However, she does NOT like it when I'm holding a baby or another child for ANY reason. It has been very difficult in church on the Sunday's that I serve in her class. I know this is going to be a big transition for her and for us! I'm getting really nervous thinking about it and so your prayers are greatly appreciated! :)

Okay, off to bed! I'll post about Annalise and her new "big girl room" next time! My baby is growing up!











ANNALISE:
How far along?   33 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: 23 pounds 
Maternity clothes? Pants
Stretch marks? No 
Sleep: Really good this week!

Best moment this week:  My best friend from Austin came into town this last














weekend for the baby shower and we had a great time shopping and hanging out...and of course the baby shower!

Have you told family and friends: Yes

Miss Anything? Being able to bend over, breathing without the world hearing me, being spontaneous and running around rough playing with the dogs, being able to do the dishes without my stomach constantly hitting the counter, laying on my stomach...bring on pool weather so I can lay on my tummy in the water:)

Movement: ALL the time! Getting stronger and stronger!

Food cravings: No
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope

Have you started to show yet:  Yes, everyone tells me how small I am though..still measuring behind so maybe that's why? 

Gender prediction: ANNALISE

Labor Signs: No...although last night I had my first round of cramping since early pregnancy. 
Belly Button in or out? Out when standing...in when sitting. You can see it though my clothes now. 
Wedding rings on or off? On 
Happy or Moody most of the time: Both...I can tell at school and I'm sure my kiddos can too that my patience is pretty much gone! I'm trying!

Looking forward to: SUMMER... this week: showers, kids performance, getting my dogs back, getting my thank you notes out, spending the weekend with my mom who's coming up and my family, my time with Mario and being diligent in our prayer life. 

BRIELLE/CADEL:
How far along?   34 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: 16 pounds 
Maternity clothes? Yes
Stretch marks? No 
Sleep: Okay as long as I don't drink caffeine close to bed time

Best moment this week:  On Friday night, my homegroup girls threw me a sweet baby shower! I also got to see baby's sweet face today!

Have you told family and friends: Yes

Miss Anything? I'm so thankful for this pregnancy and this sweet baby that will be here soon, but I'm so over being uncomfortable. I also miss my non-maternity clothes, working out, being able to bend over, and the list goes on...

Movement: ALL the time! This baby seems a lot stronger than I remember with Annalise. Hiccups, ALL the time.

 

Symptoms: Rib pain, and NO heart burn. Thankfully heartburn only lasted a week, weird!

Food cravings: No
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope

Have you started to show yet:  Yes.

Gender prediction: I still think Boy, Mario still thinks Girl. If you ask any kid, they say girl. Most adults say boy.

Labor Signs: Braxton Hicks for sure! Cramping quite a bit.
Belly Button in or out? OUT, my students are like "Mrs. A, we can see your belly button through your shirt". yes, yes you can.
Wedding rings on or off? On 
Happy or Moody most of the time: Both...I can tell at school and I'm sure my kiddos can too that my patience is pretty much gone! I'm trying!

Looking forward to: Getting to work on the nursery....and SUMMER!!! 5 weeks baby!