first ultrasound!

we went for the first ultrasound this morning and everything looks great!!! AND -- there's only one baby! of course i would have been excited for twins in some ways, but in other ways... i am really relieved to not be having two babies. both in terms of pregnancy and the reality of early parenthood. but overall i was just so, so, so happy to see the beginnings of a baby in there, in the right place, looking the right way. here's what it looks like right now:



it's the round-ish black spot near the center. in case that wasn't clear, since it actually is just a ball of cells right now. the internet tells me it's about the size of a sesame seed, and is comprised of three layers: the ectoderm, the mesoderm, and the endoderm, which will eventually form the organs and tissues. crazytown.

on the top right you can see that one of my ovaries is still freaking out from the hormones. the doctor said it's ok, but it's the big reason why he still doesn't want me doing anything strenuous or having sex right now. (it has been so long since i've been allowed/able to have sex. egads.) but otherwise everything looks fine.

i go back a week from today for another ultrasound and then we're hoping to see the heartbeat. i feel like that's the last big thing before i can breathe a sigh of relief and start operating on the assumption that this pregnancy will be ok. of course i'm optimistic right now, but... i just want to see the little heart flickering in there and then i will really feel like it's real.

as if this nausea isn't enough to remind me that it's real. good grief, it does not let up. i think it's actually getting worse. but again, all for a good cause...