Really?

It is so weird how this whole "we really are having a baby" thing does not feel real yet. I even forget throughout the day that I am pregnant. I am still starving the majority of the time. Thank goodness no morning sickness yet. I get a little nauseated in the evening for a minute, then it goes away. I also had to go buy some maternity pants because I have already grown out of my clothes. Of course some of that has to do with the fact that all the hormones and medication I was on previously had caused me to gain a couple extra pounds. Even with that this doesn't seem real. We have had negative pregnancy tests for 6 years so it is unreal to me that this is for real. My mind is not wrapping around it. I had someone tell me yesterday that it wasn't real for her until she went into labor. I hope that doesn't happen. I'm sure on Tuesday things will become more clear. We have the ultrasound. Still quite nervous about it but can't wait to see the little munchkin. It is still kind of a blob but I'm sure it will be a cute blob. Anyway just thought I would check-in. I hope people are still reading this and I'm not just writing to myself. Comments are still welcome, that way I know I'm not just talking to myself :)

Week 5: Teeny tiny baby

This is the email I got this morning. I signed up for updates on what is happening with the baby......

The changes to your growing embryo are not quite as drastic this week as they've been in the last few weeks. Growth is now largely focused on their little head, which is starting to develop much more rapidly than the rest of their tiny body. This is because their amazing brain is undergoing some very crucial and rapid development in order to effectively regulate their heart rate, blood circulation, and other vital functions. As for the rest of their miniature body, what were simple limb buds last week are limb flippers this week and the tail is more expressed. Amazingly, within a mere five weeks your little miracle is already developing the rudimentary forms of their liver, pancreas, lungs, stomach and nasal pits while their little heart is already increasing its circulation. Your baby is now a whopping 4-6mm in length.

Thought ya'll might like to read this!!

HCG

I went this morning to have HCG checked again and everything still looks good. It was higher than what they wanted so that is even better for me. It's called "peace of mind". The funny thing is my nurses are even holding their breath before they look at my results. Shea called this morning and said they she and Serena had looked at it and they both breathed a sigh of relief. Great to know they care so much. It makes me feel VERY good.

We have an ultrasound appointment October 2 and we should be able to hear the hear beat!!

Thanks for the prayers. The are definitely working!!!

I need to go find a snack now :)

Oh and I am actually 5 weeks 2 days today. My little counter is a day off. It doesn't know we did IVF ;)

I'M HUNGRY!!!

WOW!! This is still setting in. I'm having some symptoms, mainly fatigue and hunger. I get pretty tired in the afternoons. I'm doing good to stay awake to give myself my shots at 4:30. I also will get insanly hungry and it comes out of nowhere. I mean I'll just be minding my own business and then all of the sudden......I NEED FOOD!!! Today we went to Scholtzsky's and I ordered a LARGE sandwich. The little guy said "um, that feeds two people" I said, "I'm very aware of that, I'm pregnant and hungry." I mean seriously don't mess with a hungry pregnant woman. I'm afraid I may naw my arm off one of these days if for some reason I can't get to some food. Needless to say the hunger thing is my biggest symptom right now. As I write this I am waiting "patiently" for Terry to fix me some eggo waffles. He seems to be taking his sweet time while I feel my stomach eating itself.

Another thing I feel is all kinds of stuff going on in my stomach. I think that little thing is going to wreck havoc on me. Oh well, can't wait to meet the little one. SO LONG to go.

I have another HCG test in the morning. It makes me nervous but we are praying and confident that everything will be fine. I can't wait for that ultrasound in a couple of weeks. HEARTBEAT!!!! So tiny but that little heart should be beating strong.

Well I must go. Terry just brought me waffles. Time to eat!!!!

Well here is the very first picture of our little munchkin. This was taken on transfer day, September 6th. I know it is really hard to see but there is an arrow pointing at a little dot, actually 4 dots, but one shows up better so we will just say that is "the chose one". Everyone's first question to us is "how many"? Well we don't know that yet. My HCG (pregnancy hormone) level is 487. That is supposedly very strong for a singleton but not quite to the multiples range. We will know for sure in two weeks when we have our first ultrasound. I also have another HCG blood test Monday morning to make sure the HCG is aggressively going up. Pray that it continues to rise.

I'm feeling a lot of movement in my belly which I'm told is my uterus expanding. YIKES!! I'm pretty sure it won't be long until I'm showing. So exciting that this is no longer my Infertility Blog and now it is my Pregnancy Blog.

As for us, we are beside ourselves. This morning was crazy. We have been waiting for this for 6 years. To have it finally happen is SO surreal. We were so excited we made a trip to Baby's-R-US just because we could. Oh... and my due date is May 25, 2008. Awesome timing. I won't have to take but a couple of weeks of maternity leave. And then I get the whole summer off. I'm sure going back to school in the Fall will probably be hard. Oh well, just so excited I'm going to have a reason to make it hard.

Well, I am pretty worn out today and must get up for work in the morning. Thank you all so much for your prayers. THEY WORKED!!! Now we just have to pray for a healthy pregnancy and baby. Love you all!!

Pregnancy Test

POSITIVE!!!!! MORE TO COME...... hCG 487.

FET #2

Well this last week we had our second frozen embryo transfer. As far as we know everything went well. Dr. S actually ended up putting 4 embryos back. I say "back" which means back in my uterus where they belong. One of the little guys didn't look all that great so she decided it would be safe to put it back instead of just wasting it. Gotta give the little thing a fighting chance I guess. Two of them looked really good, one mediocre, and the last not so good. We are hopeful at this point, but in all honesty we aren't really giving it much thought. We have some serious defense mechanisms working right now. I actually feel pretty disassociated from all of it. On the way there I told Terry it didn't feel like we were going to the doctor's office, he said "I know, I feel like we are going to breakfast". We haven't really talked about it much this time. Not necessarily because we don't want to, but we just aren't really thinking about it. We are just taking it one day at a time. I am however happy to report that Terry did get his shoe covers on correctly this time around. I of course had to make fun of him about it, but he did it. I did get acupuncture, which I LOVE!! I went in a couple of weeks before the procedure to do a trial run. It was so relaxing I almost fell asleep. Dr. G met us a Dr. S's office and did acupuncture before and after the transfer. So if anyone is considering it for any reason, I say try it!!!

Anyway, we are doing well. Thank goodness for being back at work and extremely busy. Keep the prayers coming. Love you all!!

Happy Anniversary Terry!!

Today Terry and I have been married for 7 years. It's hard to believe that so much time has passed since that scorching hot day in 2000. In honor of our 7th anniversary I thought I would list 7 things I love about Terry. In no particular order...

1. He can always make me laugh, even when I don't want too.
2. His unconditional love for me.
3. His support through all of this Infertility yucky stuff.
4. He is my best friend!
5. He will do anything I ask of him and he NEVER complains.
6. I love, love, love that other people in our lives often say they wish they had a relationship like ours.
7. He is just plain WoNdErFuL!!

Terry, you are a precious gift in my life. I love you more than ever!! Not only do I look forward to the next 7 years but I look forward to the rest of our lives. I have no idea why God put you in my life but you are definitely one of the best gifts He has ever given me. You are my rock and support more than I could ever imagine. I love you all the way to the moon and back!!!!

Here is a flashback to September 2, 2000!!!

Go MUSTANGS Go!!

Last Thursday night we were able to catch Braunsen in action on the football field. He is a freshman at Friendswood High School this year. I was once a freshman there myself, and it was a very loooooong time ago. It was pretty cool to see him playing on the field that I once use to dance on. I'm so proud of him. He started the game and did a GREAT job!!!! Here are some pictures. He is number 60. Put me in coach!!!

On the "front lines".

A couple of unruly Mustang fans!!

Way to go Brauns. We are so proud of you!!!