thanks, all.
I think I have a list in my head of what to grab for work - Luna bars for sure (probably minis, though - they have them at Target last tine I checked...and at Athleta...I take a lot whenever I'm there!). Also, more veggies to dip in hummus vs using the hummus as my sandwich spread. Carrots, bell peppers, cucumbers. Cheese sticks (sort of sick of baby bell)

I really want to add more leafy greens, but it's difficult - I'm hoping to get a Vitamix for my birthday, which would make it way easier (spinach, blueberry, and pineapple smothies!)

The carrot soup wasn't a link, I just made it up. Here's what I did:

sauteed three trimmed and cleaned leeks in a little EVOO and butter (omit butter if vegan), salt and pepper to taste
Once translucent, add chopped cleaned carrots - about 1 to 1.5lbs. Stir to coat in oil/butter. Add a tsp of cumin, tsp of all spice, tsp of ground ginger or whatever you have on hand.
Add 1 can of rinsed chick peas
add veggie or chicken stock to cover the veggies and cook until carrots are soft (the smaller the pieces, the faster it cooks).

Puree to desired smoothness and reheat. Thin with more stock as desired. Add some cream at the end if you'd like. Fresh orance juice works well at the end, too.

Topped it with a little fat free plain greek yogurt.

I wanted some leftovers because THATS a good lunch to bring to work!

thanks, PP - I should say that I try to avoid beans during the day because so much of our evening means involve beans during the week. Bean overload sometimes!

I do need to do the hardboiled egg thing, though. I made some then left them on the stove for a day before I remembered about them (stove off, of course).

It's very early for me, but I'm still trying to figure out how to feed my pregnant self. We're mostly vegetarian (I eat chicken once a week, husband eats fish once a week), but I've been adding meat here and there (maybe 2-3 times a week vs 1).
My problem comes from what to eat during the day.

I don't have severe morning sickness or anything (I get mild nausea but nothing major). Every morning I have a protein smoothie - vegan protein powder, greek yogurt, almond milk and a blue/red fruit like blueberries or cherries. During the work day, I have a high fiber english muffin with almond butter, some fruit, and snacks like a fiber one bar, raw almonds, greek yogurt, and maybe some oatmeal if I'm hungry. If I crave a mid-day sweet I have a non-fat steamer at the Starbucks at work. Dinners are easy for me as I love to cook, but my husband eats a lot and we rarely have leftovers. I made delicious carrot chickpea soup last night and he ate it all!

I'm trying VERY hard to eat healthy - I lost a lot of weight over the last 2 years and have steadily put more than I wanted to back on during my IVF. I'm a very active person and have had to stop working out besides the treadmill for over a month now. It sucks.

I don't know how to fuel my body for pregnacy. Are there staples I should have at my desk besides oatmeal and almonds? What do you have during the day? What do you pack for lunch? Inspire me. I feel like I'm not doing well on feeding us. It's very early, like I said, and often I'm not hungry enough for a meal so I snack.

I have no advice but I am sorry for your loss and hoping you have a happy, healthy 9 months.

You'd be surprised how many parents pull their children away from our girl because he's large (shelter said Pit/Mastiff mix, but they also said she'd be 60lbs, and she's shy of 100 now). She's about 5 and sees children as just another means of receiving belly rubs. Of course, she doesn't have one in her house full time yet! But, she literally collapses whenever children come pet her so she can get belly rubs. It's pretty adorable.
That said, I'm open to a nanny share and am happy to communicate with folks here about that possibility. I'd want a 1 Feb start date, most likely.
The furlough is going to really hurt us (we aren't high GS folks), but I'm trying to see the silver lining that - god willing - this all works out, I'll have a day a week to rest and have whatever appointments I need without using sick/annual leave.

I was thinking that once we hear the heartbeat, I'll start putting ourselves on lists. I have a spread sheet of all the day cares I'm interested in, so I've done the "leg work", I just have to put our names on. My next ultrasound is Tuesday, so it's not REALLY waiting that much more, and I'd feel more comfortable if I could hear the heartbeat.

That said, I live in Logan Circle and would be interested in a nanny share pending the cost - with the furlough, cost is going to be an issue next year (our savings level will go down, sadly). The only issue I see with that is that I have a large dog, many parents don't want their child around her (even though she's a TOTAL sweetie). But I would be interested - the flexibility interests me. The cost might be prohibitive though.

Yeah, I'm trying not to be worried - sac and yolk sac seem to be normal for 5-6 weeks, especially given by beta (it was 4390, not "almost 5,000").

My most annoying symptom is hot flashes. I get to work and I'm sweating - I got some nice cleavage sweat today! sexay!

ETA: anyone else start signing up for day care yet? I was going to wait until I was released to an OB in order not to jinx it / jump the gun....

It should be fine for how far along I am - my beta was just under 5,000 which is in the normal range and I think if they were worried, I'd be going back in before a week. So, another week of waiting...but my parents will be visiting over the weekend to help pass the time.

Seems like everyone is doing well!

I have no idea on either...I can ask about Katherine when I return next week.

If you're on meds (estrogen/progesterone), supposedly they cause your emotional rollercoaster....so very normal. Plus, you're emotional over what you're going through! Don't be hard on yourself...easier said than done, I know.

You'll make it through!
Best of luck to you! Fingers crossed for you.

I didn't have Melissa enough to know her personality. She DID give me some bad info (when to start my birth control, for example) but it wasn't a huge deal, and I chalked it up to her knowing she was leaving and being a little preoccupied.

That said, the new nurse, Andrea, is SO sweet. She's great at blood draws (I'm not an easy stick) and is an absolute sweetheart. She usually calls me these days, and her calls are before 1PM, which I appreciate!

4th Beta today was at 4,392. We saw one sac with yolk at our ultrasound measuring just under 5 weeks.

Hopefully this continues. It's hard to remain cautiously optimistic yet also be excited. The caution is a defense mechanism, but I am starting to get excited about the possibilities and don't think I'll be as stressed between ultrasounds (next one is in a week). It still feels like a looong week, though!

Good morning, ladies - I hope you are all well.
I've been trying to stay off the internet because I end up going to the "worst case scenario" sites.
Went in for an additional beta and first ultrasound today.

We saw a sac and yolk, no fetal pole and the measure was just under 5 weeks. My egg retrieval was 1 Feb, so I'm moderately concerned about it not measuring 5 weeks yet, but there's nothing I can do about it and they'll tell me more when I get my phone call today. Did anyone see anything this early?

I do get irritated that I can just be a normal pregnant lady and have my 8-10 week ultrasound for the first one and be unaware of what's going on. On the flip side, I have a lot more information than most women do, and information is helpful for long term health prospects, I think, if we do IVF again (for Gummibear's sibling, of course).

I am finding that by 3PM or so, I could use a nap - I can't tell if that's pregnancy or my lack of activity (no hardcore gym time, which was my old life before IVF). I don't have to pee all the time that I notice, but I do notice that I have a low appetite and I get queasy, then have an "empty burp", if that makes sense? I've not thrown up, but I definitely get the "ugh" feeling, especially when I go from sitting down for a while to walking. My sense of smell has always been very good, so I just notice I'm grossed out by more smells than before (mostly smoke and perfume).

How is everyone else?

I believe they sell some funny ones at Pulp on 14th Street, too if you didn't want to deal with online (need it sooner, etc).

Otherwise, Etsy is the best

Katherine is out on maternity leave until May or so, I believe. Her last day was the day of my first beta - Feb 15. I'm hopeful she'll rest and take care of herself. She's one hardworking woman.

I have Christine as my nurse - I've never met her, but she's responsive, friendly, and kind.