My doctor appt #2 went wonderfully! My Mom and friend, Kristy, went with me. The sonogram looked perfect and my blood work came back normal. The nurse showed me how to administer the Lupron shots and was quite impressed with my shot training with my Granma (at least that is what I tell myself)... I had a great time in Texas and look forward to going back. Truthfully though, I was ready to get home to Chip and our girls!
While in Texas, I was able to go bowling with Aaron, Alicia and Chip. We ate at Chan's with Mary, the girls, my Mom and the Garrett's. We had TONS of Mexican food and I had LOTS and LOTS of sweet tea. YUM! My Dad and I went to Cavender's (I love the smell of leather that hits you as you walk in). We spent quality time with my brother and sister in law, Elesha, and our sweet nephew, Nathan. Nathan totally loves me best! Okay - and my parent's youngest dog, B.B. I think he just likes her because her name is easy to say... Of course, no trip would be complete without Babe's with the Baker's (Nathan loved Babe's too) and going to a 3D Disney movie (this time - Jonas Brothers). I was super excited at the end of the trip because my cousin Darra met us at Mexican Inn with her three boys and her niece, Haley. Love those boys! They are a mess!! And Haley is in 7th grade - wow! She needs to not date for a VERY long time - she is just too pretty for stinky boys.
Thank you for the prayers - they definitely helped me as I had to give myself my first shot in an airplane (yes plane - not airport) bathroom during turbulence. I have to have the shot at the same time each day, hence the giving myself a shot in such an unusual location. BONUS: it makes for a great story. Honestly, the first shot wasn't TOO bad. However, last night (after yoga - I missed that while I was in Texas too. The studio I tried in Texas with my Dad was not the same as Alex in PA.) I was nervous to give myself my shot. I think because I had been thinking about it all day, I had scared myself and couldn't fathom the thought of sticking a needle into my skin KNOWING it would not feel good. Chip hates to see me hurt (and with my clumsiness, happens quite often) and didn't know if he could do it. However, he saw how nervous I was and gave me the shot. I didn't even hurt! He did a great job and has now earned the title of Official Shot Giver! Thank you, sweetheart, for being so wonderful!
Through this journey, I have received so much support and prayer. This makes me realize that yes - it was definitely the right thing to let down my guard and share what we are going through. This will work - we will be pregnant and I am praying to let go of all of my anxieties so that I can truly ENJOY being pregnant without being worried. I want to just enjoy every moment (even the icky stuff).
Let's cross our fingers that everything continues to go wonderfully and that the medicine I'm on doesn't make me a crazy person. :)
God bless you all on this wonderful first day of Spring. What a gift God has given us with the promise of things to come - new things - that will bloom, grow and be a testament to Him. Like a baby.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
Let the Countdown Begin...
The countdown to the babies has officially begun! Chip and I had our first visit to the doctor and it went so wonderfully. We signed all of the secret study paperwork, I had blood drawn and the doctor was able to move up our calendar by 2 weeks! He went ahead and did the mock transfer and it went very smoothly with minimal discomfort (for which I am so grateful - the books I have read scared the heck out of me). Due to moving up the calendar, I have to stay in Texas until Wednesday so I can have another sono and start my shots (Lupron). The shots arrive tomorrow (Tuesday) and have to stay cold. Please pray for me as I am a *tad* bit nervous about administering shots to myself, as well as traveling with drugs that have to stay at a certain temperature. Sure - I gave my Granma Water her insulin shots all the time since I was eight - it is much different to actually inject a needle into your own skin! It will be okay... it will be okay... the end result is SO worth it!
It feels so real - a month from now the embryos will be transferred to me and WOW! I will be pregnant (hopefully with twins)! I can't believe it - it is SUCH an answered prayer.
So - several people have asked me what happens and when it happens, so here is the lowdown (i.e., very important calendar or countdown to babies 2009 edition):
Wed., 3/18 - doctor appt #2 for sono and begin Lupron - go back home to PA to see sweet husband and our girls
Thurs., 3/19 - Thurs., 3/26 - Lupron shots continue in PA
Fri., 3/27 - back to Texas for doctor appt #3 for sono and E2 blood test, continue Lupron shots
Sat., 3/28 - add Follistim and Menopur shots and continue Lupron shots
Sun., 3/29 - Mon., 3/30 - Follistim, Menopur and Lupron shots
Tues., 3/31 - doctor appt #4 for E2 blood test and continue all shots
Wed., 4/1 - Happy April Fools Day! Continue all shots (no joke)
Thurs., 4/2 - doctor appt #5 for sono, E2 blood test and continue all shots
Fri., 4/3 - continue all shots
Sat., 4/4 - doctor appt #6 for sono, E2 blood test and continue all shots
from here - the schedule will depend on how my body (read: folliciles) are responding to the shots. I will continue all shots and the egg retrieval window will most likely be somewhere between 4/8 - 4/10. After the retrieval, the embryos will grow for five days and then be transferred to me for the next nine months! WOO HOO!! After the transfer, it will be two days of bed rest and back to PA to my wonderful husband, girls, friends and job! :)
I have the best job and bosses ever for being SO flexible with me and the ever changing IVF calendar! I am oh so grateful and thankful for the incredible support that my coworkers (read: friends) have shown me! And no - I will NOT be sharing the place I work on this blog.
I must say - Chip and I both are so thankful - for so much! We are excited to be parents to however many babies God decides we should have. Thank you for the continued support and prayers - it truly means so much to us both!
It feels so real - a month from now the embryos will be transferred to me and WOW! I will be pregnant (hopefully with twins)! I can't believe it - it is SUCH an answered prayer.
So - several people have asked me what happens and when it happens, so here is the lowdown (i.e., very important calendar or countdown to babies 2009 edition):
Wed., 3/18 - doctor appt #2 for sono and begin Lupron - go back home to PA to see sweet husband and our girls
Thurs., 3/19 - Thurs., 3/26 - Lupron shots continue in PA
Fri., 3/27 - back to Texas for doctor appt #3 for sono and E2 blood test, continue Lupron shots
Sat., 3/28 - add Follistim and Menopur shots and continue Lupron shots
Sun., 3/29 - Mon., 3/30 - Follistim, Menopur and Lupron shots
Tues., 3/31 - doctor appt #4 for E2 blood test and continue all shots
Wed., 4/1 - Happy April Fools Day! Continue all shots (no joke)
Thurs., 4/2 - doctor appt #5 for sono, E2 blood test and continue all shots
Fri., 4/3 - continue all shots
Sat., 4/4 - doctor appt #6 for sono, E2 blood test and continue all shots
from here - the schedule will depend on how my body (read: folliciles) are responding to the shots. I will continue all shots and the egg retrieval window will most likely be somewhere between 4/8 - 4/10. After the retrieval, the embryos will grow for five days and then be transferred to me for the next nine months! WOO HOO!! After the transfer, it will be two days of bed rest and back to PA to my wonderful husband, girls, friends and job! :)
I have the best job and bosses ever for being SO flexible with me and the ever changing IVF calendar! I am oh so grateful and thankful for the incredible support that my coworkers (read: friends) have shown me! And no - I will NOT be sharing the place I work on this blog.
I must say - Chip and I both are so thankful - for so much! We are excited to be parents to however many babies God decides we should have. Thank you for the continued support and prayers - it truly means so much to us both!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Clean Slate
This morning as I walked out the door to go to work, I took a moment to pause and just be in the moment. I heard the birds chirping - a sure sign that spring is just around the corner. I could smell the cleansing rain that had fallen overnight and made the earth fresh and new again. The air felt crisp and clean. I enjoyed the few seconds it took for me to walk to my car and just sat for a moment in my car before closing the door. Given the big adventure that will overtake our thoughts for next year (and more), I felt incredibly at peace. God has this handled - He knew this moment was coming - He knew what was in store for us - His hand has been in this all along. I could feel Him talking to me - telling me that it would work, this will work. We will have the family we have dreamed of and so much more - because of Him.
I haven't been ready to share the details of what we are about to embark on. I have been holding it oh so close to the vest. The reason for this is because of the loss we have suffered before when we lost our precious baby in January of 2007 - I was barely 5 weeks pregnant. I could never have gotten through it without God, my husband and our amazing friends and family. Since then, we have been actively trying (just about everything) to see those two pink lines. Now, it has come to the point where the "basic" infertility treatments have not been enough. The Clomid, the IUI's - nothing. IVF (actually ICSI in our case) is the journey we are on now.
We leave tomorrow to see our doctor in Texas (he's one of the best - for many reasons, the most important being his faith) for the blood tests, analysis and mock transfer (a test run - to see the lay of the land, if you will). I go back in April for two and half weeks for injections, every other day sonograms to see the development of my follicles, egg retrieval (at which point Chip will come for his part), the five day wait as the babies grow in their petri dish hotel, the egg transfer (when they transfer the best two babies) and the rest. We will have our blood test 11 days after the transfer - it will be positive. We will find out after our family vacation to Alaska how many babies are in the oven - two is our prayer. This will work - God has placed peace on my heart and I am giving all of my worries to him. I am not going to be anxious - I am going to enjoy this time and be thankful for the time with my family and friends in Texas.
Next December/January we will have two new additions to our family. Two precious, prayed and hoped for babies. They are already loved and God knows their every breath and every hair on their heads.
There - it is all out there now. This is a good thing - I never have been very good at keeping secrets about what's going on in my life. If our story helps even one person to understand the road we're on or to help them in the road they're on - then this blog has done more than I ever could have hoped for. It has helped me immensely. Say a prayer for us - we appreciate it and we know God hears every word.
I haven't been ready to share the details of what we are about to embark on. I have been holding it oh so close to the vest. The reason for this is because of the loss we have suffered before when we lost our precious baby in January of 2007 - I was barely 5 weeks pregnant. I could never have gotten through it without God, my husband and our amazing friends and family. Since then, we have been actively trying (just about everything) to see those two pink lines. Now, it has come to the point where the "basic" infertility treatments have not been enough. The Clomid, the IUI's - nothing. IVF (actually ICSI in our case) is the journey we are on now.
We leave tomorrow to see our doctor in Texas (he's one of the best - for many reasons, the most important being his faith) for the blood tests, analysis and mock transfer (a test run - to see the lay of the land, if you will). I go back in April for two and half weeks for injections, every other day sonograms to see the development of my follicles, egg retrieval (at which point Chip will come for his part), the five day wait as the babies grow in their petri dish hotel, the egg transfer (when they transfer the best two babies) and the rest. We will have our blood test 11 days after the transfer - it will be positive. We will find out after our family vacation to Alaska how many babies are in the oven - two is our prayer. This will work - God has placed peace on my heart and I am giving all of my worries to him. I am not going to be anxious - I am going to enjoy this time and be thankful for the time with my family and friends in Texas.
Next December/January we will have two new additions to our family. Two precious, prayed and hoped for babies. They are already loved and God knows their every breath and every hair on their heads.
There - it is all out there now. This is a good thing - I never have been very good at keeping secrets about what's going on in my life. If our story helps even one person to understand the road we're on or to help them in the road they're on - then this blog has done more than I ever could have hoped for. It has helped me immensely. Say a prayer for us - we appreciate it and we know God hears every word.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Ch-Ch-Changes
The last few weeks have brought about some exciting changes in our life.
For starters, I got a new job with the same company that Chip works for. I work at a different office doing some analyist stuff - perfect for my OCD personality. I work with some great people and I get to dress cute! What is better than that? I hated to say goodbye to the little ones i worked with, however, my new job is better for our life and gives more stability, better benefits, etc. Plus - the people are AMAZING!
Secondly, we started house hunting. I have found some great contenders. My Dad came to visit this week (just in time for more snow) and went house hunting with me while Chip was at work. We did receive news of something that will require me to go to Texas for a couple of weeks in the next month or so. This means that the house hunting is on the back burner for a bit. The news - I'm not ready to share with the entire world yet, so I'm holding it close to the vest. :)
The girls - are great! My Dad enjoyed Pennsylvania and it was great to spend some one-on-one quality time with my Dad. I have the most amazing family (in laws included - they rock) and incredible friends. I am so grateful to God for how much He has blessed us with a wonderful support system.
In other news - CONGRATULATIONS TO AARON AND ALICIA! They are engaged and we are so thrilled for them! Their puppy also had surgery and did awesome! YIPPEE!
For starters, I got a new job with the same company that Chip works for. I work at a different office doing some analyist stuff - perfect for my OCD personality. I work with some great people and I get to dress cute! What is better than that? I hated to say goodbye to the little ones i worked with, however, my new job is better for our life and gives more stability, better benefits, etc. Plus - the people are AMAZING!
Secondly, we started house hunting. I have found some great contenders. My Dad came to visit this week (just in time for more snow) and went house hunting with me while Chip was at work. We did receive news of something that will require me to go to Texas for a couple of weeks in the next month or so. This means that the house hunting is on the back burner for a bit. The news - I'm not ready to share with the entire world yet, so I'm holding it close to the vest. :)
The girls - are great! My Dad enjoyed Pennsylvania and it was great to spend some one-on-one quality time with my Dad. I have the most amazing family (in laws included - they rock) and incredible friends. I am so grateful to God for how much He has blessed us with a wonderful support system.
In other news - CONGRATULATIONS TO AARON AND ALICIA! They are engaged and we are so thrilled for them! Their puppy also had surgery and did awesome! YIPPEE!
Monday, February 9, 2009
K9 Kingdom
This past Saturday we ventured out to K9 Kingdom for a dog meetup. It was held at a place called K9 Kingdom - an indoor dog park, kennel, dog wash place. Our friends Dino & Elizabeth with their dogs, Zeus & Achilles, joined us, as well as our friends Katherine & Lorenzo, who don't have any dogs YET but are total dog lovers! We had a good time, but the girls didn't really like the concrete floors (they had some kind of gritty material on them).
Chip toured the kennel part and it wouldn't be a place we would want our girls to stay. We weren't a fan of the kennel sizes and the fact they kennels were a couple of feet off of the ground and slick. Also, they have no outdoor play space for the dogs. I did like the self-service wash stations though! Overall, we would rate it a 6 out of 10. Clean, but not the right venue for our outdoor loving dogs...
Achilles and Addison playing with Chip 
Chip went to the bathroom, so the girls waited by the gate until he came back.
Chip toured the kennel part and it wouldn't be a place we would want our girls to stay. We weren't a fan of the kennel sizes and the fact they kennels were a couple of feet off of the ground and slick. Also, they have no outdoor play space for the dogs. I did like the self-service wash stations though! Overall, we would rate it a 6 out of 10. Clean, but not the right venue for our outdoor loving dogs...
Achilles and Addison playing with Chip (in the background is a beagle/german shepherd mix)
Chip went to the bathroom, so the girls waited by the gate until he came back. I wonder if they love their daddy?
Izzie and Addison playing
(notice the lobby in the background)
Izzie and Addison playing(notice the lobby in the background)
Beer, Bowling and Snow
Two weeks ago, we had a snow storm. 6-8 inches. It was a white wonderland. The moonlight reflecting off of the snow was absolutely amazing. I took the picture below at dusk - notice the icicles on the edges of the picnic table. So peaceful. I have seen the mountain in the background alive with color in the fall and now I see it covered in snow and ice. I am excited to see how it will look in the spring!
Of course, when it snows, outside activities tend to make you look like a snowman and you can't stay out for too long. We headed indoors with our friends Gabe, Doug, Dino and Elizabeth for some bowling. I actually broke 100 at REAL bowling (versus Wii bowling)!
Chip, Gabe and Doug
This is for my Mom. I promise that we won't join a bowling league and drink beer ALL THE TIME. :) I actually don't like beer so you are safe there. LOVE YOU MOM!
Of course, when it snows, outside activities tend to make you look like a snowman and you can't stay out for too long. We headed indoors with our friends Gabe, Doug, Dino and Elizabeth for some bowling. I actually broke 100 at REAL bowling (versus Wii bowling)!
Chip, Gabe and DougThis is for my Mom. I promise that we won't join a bowling league and drink beer ALL THE TIME. :) I actually don't like beer so you are safe there. LOVE YOU MOM!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
For Those Who Don't Facebook...
1. I am OCD about so many things.
2. I cannot wait to become a mom - having two miscarriages is almost more than any person can endure.
3. I would not have been able to get through the miscarriages and have a heart that still believes I will have a baby without my incredible husband, amazing family, and awesome friends.
4. I cannot believe how much God has blessed my life - in ways I never would have expected.
5. I am amazed every day by my wonderful husband - he is more than I ever dreamed of.
6. I miss the days of not having so many worries - but am also so glad that I am a grown up.
7. I so wish that I could have a do over of the mistakes I made in high school and that I could go back and tell myself to let go of what happened to me that caused me to think badly of myself and make those mistakes.
8. I believe that I have become a better, happier and stronger person as I have gotten older.
9. I am really excited for all of my friends who have had and are having precious babies. What a blessing and a gift!
10. I never thought I would be able to leave Texas and move across the country. I have and I am so glad I did.
11. I miss my girls in Texas. I love ya'll!
12. I love Texas country music.
13. I miss being a teacher, however, I am grateful and like the job I have now.
14. I love my precious dogs more than I thought a person could love a dog.
15. I am so grateful forthe sacrifices my parents made for my brother and me. They are amazing people and I look up to them so much!
16. I miss my Grandma Water - because of her, I believe that true love is kissin' in the kitchen.
17. Someday I want to live in Colorado and have a view of the mountains.
18. I'm worried about not being able to get pregnant and have a baby.
19. I realize I should not worry about having a baby - God will provide and maybe we are meant to be parents through adoption...
20. I realized after moving to Pennsylvania that I like having seasons.
21. I miss Mexican food.
22. I wish my family could visit more often.
23. I am so grateful for my wonderful in laws. They are so amazing!
24. I am so thankful that I was a Tri Delta in college - I can thank Tri Delta for my husband, my job, my life and for making it possible to have a connection in a farway place.
25. I love to shop, read and do all things girly. Of course, I also love being outdoors and having new adventures with my hot husband.
2. I cannot wait to become a mom - having two miscarriages is almost more than any person can endure.
3. I would not have been able to get through the miscarriages and have a heart that still believes I will have a baby without my incredible husband, amazing family, and awesome friends.
4. I cannot believe how much God has blessed my life - in ways I never would have expected.
5. I am amazed every day by my wonderful husband - he is more than I ever dreamed of.
6. I miss the days of not having so many worries - but am also so glad that I am a grown up.
7. I so wish that I could have a do over of the mistakes I made in high school and that I could go back and tell myself to let go of what happened to me that caused me to think badly of myself and make those mistakes.
8. I believe that I have become a better, happier and stronger person as I have gotten older.
9. I am really excited for all of my friends who have had and are having precious babies. What a blessing and a gift!
10. I never thought I would be able to leave Texas and move across the country. I have and I am so glad I did.
11. I miss my girls in Texas. I love ya'll!
12. I love Texas country music.
13. I miss being a teacher, however, I am grateful and like the job I have now.
14. I love my precious dogs more than I thought a person could love a dog.
15. I am so grateful forthe sacrifices my parents made for my brother and me. They are amazing people and I look up to them so much!
16. I miss my Grandma Water - because of her, I believe that true love is kissin' in the kitchen.
17. Someday I want to live in Colorado and have a view of the mountains.
18. I'm worried about not being able to get pregnant and have a baby.
19. I realize I should not worry about having a baby - God will provide and maybe we are meant to be parents through adoption...
20. I realized after moving to Pennsylvania that I like having seasons.
21. I miss Mexican food.
22. I wish my family could visit more often.
23. I am so grateful for my wonderful in laws. They are so amazing!
24. I am so thankful that I was a Tri Delta in college - I can thank Tri Delta for my husband, my job, my life and for making it possible to have a connection in a farway place.
25. I love to shop, read and do all things girly. Of course, I also love being outdoors and having new adventures with my hot husband.
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