Hiccups!

I love them! Maluski has started hiccuping over the last couple days. Last night I was laughing as Paul was trying to sleep because my belly kept bouncing - bump, bump, bump! It is adorable and fun and ahhhh. Life!

AND, I just got a call from the Pope Paul VI Institute that my levels have jumped again (finally) and now - no more shots!! Wohooo! Hopefully my blood draw next week will confirm that my body has taken over and is sufficiently producing progesterone to support the baby on it's own.

Quick Update

Updated Belly Shot. 18 weeks.
Tonight we heard the baby's heartbeat. Mom and Paul were with me - it was thrilling. We recorded the heartbeat and have been playing it over and over again since the appointment. All is well, I am growing according to schedule. We got an update from the Institute that my hormone levels are recovering (thank you for your prayers). And, as of the last week or two, I am feeling the baby move - I love the little flutters and kicks. This is so miraculous. We should have updated baby pictures after tomorrow. Stay Tuned!

Is it the baby or just digestion?

(contributed by Paul)
We have now reached week 16 and everyone says this is when you may start feeling the baby. So night after night we are trying to feel if he or she is communicating with us by tapping. It is amazing what you notice when you are silent and just listen or feel. We haven't made first contact yet . Although Elisabeth thought she had felt the baby moving and then again and again and again and again and again and then she asked is there a pulse in your fingers ? Needless to say the baby is still masked to us except by Elisabeth's growing belly.

The Lord has brought much joy to us through this little one. We are greatful for that gift of being able to start a family. Only 5 months to go hard to believe we are almost half way to our first face to face meeting . Kinda makes you excited!

PS: (prayer request from Elisabeth)
Last week we got word from the Institute that my progesterone took a nose dive. From something like 44.8 to 23.6. They were not TOO terribly concerned, but my progesterone shots are increasing substantially. Prayers are greatly appreciated that God will protect our maluski (little one).

Second Trimester!!!!!

So I hit the 2nd trimester on Wed. My anytime sickness seems worse the last two weeks. I was disappointed at my first sickness of the 2nd trimester and thought..."liars." The infamous "they" said you feel better...but NOW i find out it it not necessarily on the same day you hit #2. Now "they" say it may be another week or two, or three. Oh well - being pregnant is just wonderful, so I don't mind. :)

BUT the awesome news - is that my progesterone levels are doing great!! If anyone knows anyone about hormone levels, or would like to compare to this chart from the PPVI...
Here is my synopsis:

1/10/2007				~ 20 DPO			39 Days Past LMP
				4w6d			HCG	10,414
				4w6d			Progesterone	26.3
1/22/2007				6w3d			Progesterone	26.3
2/5/2007				8w5d			Progesterone	27.4
2/21/2007				11 weeks			Progesterone	50?
3/6/2007				12w6d			Progesterone	44.8

We got a call from the institute that my levels were so great (high zone 3) that means my shots go from 200 ml twice a week to 100 ml once a week! Wohooo! Which is very nice since the shots have become more annoying as time goes on. They will let me know after two more levels (~1mo.) if I can discontinue.

As I have said before, I am amazed every step of the way that I get good news. I say in my head "are you sure?" "I am doing that good?" "There is REALLY a baby in there?" :)