Update on #2:

I’m not sure where to start because my mind is in so many places, but here are the facts that we’re currently aware of.  On December 10th, our 1st blood test confirmed pregnancy with an HCG pregnancy hormone level of 185.  This was a pretty good start (they're looking for anything between 50 & 100).  We are cautiously optimistic at this point.  The HCG level is to double every 2-3 days, so I was scheduled for another blood test on Wednesday the 12th, with results of the HCG at 323.  That’s a 74.6% increase, doubling every 2 days & 11.7 hrs which is considered normal.  Our feelings were very happy with this result!  Our 3rd blood test was on Friday the 14th, with results of the HCG at 500.  That’s only a 54.8% increase, doubling every 3 days 4.14 hrs, and considered lower than normal.  Learning this news, I was devastated that something was wrong and immediately started to think the worse.  They scheduled us for a 4th blood test Monday the 17th, with results of the HCG at 922.  The increase is good at 84.4%, but it’s taking 3 days 9.56 hrs to double and is considered lower than normal still.  So where do we go from here?  We are scheduled for an ultrasound for tomorrow the 19th, where they will check for the yolk sac.  The yolk sac is the first thing to become visible inside the gestational sac and appears 5.5 to 6 weeks gestational age (I’ll be 5 weeks 4 days).  So, basically at this point we wait.  If all looks good tomorrow, we wait some more, until December 27th for another ultrasound to check for a heartbeat.  It may not seem like a lot of waiting, but it feels like eternity.  Not having control or immediate answers is by far one of the hardest parts.  So that’s where we are at currently.  Hopefully I have good news to update soon.  Merry Christmas!