Well, I went in this morning for another blood test and my numbers came back really strong again! Today they more than doubled, they were at 441! :) that definitely means something is growing in there! :)
I go in on Monday March 4th for my first ultrasound! I will get to hear the baby's heartbeat!!! I can't wait!
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Calvin's Valentines
Calvin had a fun Valentines day too, I wasn't able to attend his Valentine tea, but I did snap a few quick photos! :) Enjoy...
The News!!!
We received such happy wonderful news today! .......Drum roll.....I'm pregnant!!
We are so excited, relieved, thankful, in awe, and marveling that this miracle is gracing our lives! We feel so blessed that our first IVF attempt (and probably our last) has worked! (ok, maybe I cheated and took like 4 at home pregnancy tests. I just couldn't help it! Plus I worried that it might be my last chance ever to pee on one of those sticks! They were all positive!)
Jeff and I are just overwhelmed with joy! I am personally filled with gratitude towards my Heavenly Father. I don't know why He has chosen to bless our family in this way especially when I know of so many of the best people who are trying so hard to have children. My heart aches for you, my prayers continually petition for you.
We went to the clinic early this morning for my blood test and my beta HCG number came back at 175. This is a good strong number for 12 days following a five day transfer. The nurse said the average is between 100-200. The numbers can be very different for each woman and each pregnancy and don't necessarily mean a singleton vs. multiples. She did say however, that usually if you're carrying multiples the first Beta numbers are more in the 500's.
So it looks like a singleton for us for now which is wonderful! I go back in on Tuesday morning where they hope to see my numbers double or increase by 50-60%. Then I'm scheduled for a viability ultrasound on Sunday March 3rd.
I will continue my progesterone shots everyday up until March 28th, and set up my first appointment with my ob. Our baby's due date is October 24th! That's my little sister Hailey's birthday! :)
Thank you, thank you, friends and family!! We have used and abused you during this process and are wholeheartedly grateful for all your help, prayers and kindnesses! The brothers (Calvin, Ben, and Tommy) are so happy too and can't wait to help change diapers! ;) haha
We have truly learned so much and have felt guided along this path, we are enjoying the journey and smiling extra big today!
Loves and ((hugs))! :)
We are so excited, relieved, thankful, in awe, and marveling that this miracle is gracing our lives! We feel so blessed that our first IVF attempt (and probably our last) has worked! (ok, maybe I cheated and took like 4 at home pregnancy tests. I just couldn't help it! Plus I worried that it might be my last chance ever to pee on one of those sticks! They were all positive!)
Jeff and I are just overwhelmed with joy! I am personally filled with gratitude towards my Heavenly Father. I don't know why He has chosen to bless our family in this way especially when I know of so many of the best people who are trying so hard to have children. My heart aches for you, my prayers continually petition for you.
We went to the clinic early this morning for my blood test and my beta HCG number came back at 175. This is a good strong number for 12 days following a five day transfer. The nurse said the average is between 100-200. The numbers can be very different for each woman and each pregnancy and don't necessarily mean a singleton vs. multiples. She did say however, that usually if you're carrying multiples the first Beta numbers are more in the 500's.
So it looks like a singleton for us for now which is wonderful! I go back in on Tuesday morning where they hope to see my numbers double or increase by 50-60%. Then I'm scheduled for a viability ultrasound on Sunday March 3rd.
I will continue my progesterone shots everyday up until March 28th, and set up my first appointment with my ob. Our baby's due date is October 24th! That's my little sister Hailey's birthday! :)
Thank you, thank you, friends and family!! We have used and abused you during this process and are wholeheartedly grateful for all your help, prayers and kindnesses! The brothers (Calvin, Ben, and Tommy) are so happy too and can't wait to help change diapers! ;) haha
We have truly learned so much and have felt guided along this path, we are enjoying the journey and smiling extra big today!
Loves and ((hugs))! :)
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Ben's Valentine Party
Ben's kindergarten class had little celebration for Valentines day today and here are a few pictures. Ben was cracking me up trying to be Mr. Suave. He gave out pink and red sparkly valentines and just knew he would win the girls' hearts. :)
Monday, February 11, 2013
Happy Birthday Tommy! 3!!!
Today was a great day to celebrate a birthday! It was cold out, but the sun was shining so brightly! Tommy woke up early this morning and immediately began enthusiastically exclaiming to us all "Happy Birthday! Happy Birthday to Tommy!"and, "I'm so excited!"
Benny helped Tommy and I decorate the house with all kinds of balloons and colorful streamers. We kind of tried to go with a "Winnie the Pooh" bear theme. Tommy has loved Pooh bear ever since he got one on his first birthday from grandma and grandpa Oldham.
Tonight when Jeff got home we had cake and ice cream with the Oldhams and opened presents. Tommy Loved the new large stuffed Pooh bear and Tigger he got, and loved getting a Thomas the train engine, along with some clothes, a safari truck with animals and a glowing soccer ball.
Tommy is such a special part of our family. He is often the peacemaker between Calvin and Ben and always a willing playmate. He enjoys painting, playing play dough, toy trains, cars, tractors, games, super heroes, blocks, reading books, trips to the library, working with dad, going for walks and helping people. He says he's going to be a doctor or a policeman so he can,"help people".
He truly is a sweetheart, I love that he still snuggles with me and is so loving, innocent and kind.
Lately he thinks he's so funny it cracks us up. He'll ask, "guess what?" what? "chicken butt!" then laughs so hard! Or "knock knock" who's there? "orange " orange who? "you glad it's me?"
I love the way he snorts when he laughs and I tickle him! He loves to rub a little mole on my neck when we snuggle, he likes to put his feet up on me if he falls asleep in my bed, he comes out of any time out saying in the sweetest voice, "I'm sorry mama, I'm a good boy now." he gets really worked up watching movies and hates them if they're sad or scary. He loves to wrestle his daddy and is very fierce! He loves the cartoon Max and Ruby and gets a kick out of it when I pretend he is Max and I'm Ruby! :) I miss when he sucked his thumb, but I'm glad he could break the habit so easily. I love the way he says, "I miss my Brudders" as soon as as we drop them off at school.
We couldn't love this darling little boy more! Happy Birthday Tommy! I can't believe you're 3!
Benny helped Tommy and I decorate the house with all kinds of balloons and colorful streamers. We kind of tried to go with a "Winnie the Pooh" bear theme. Tommy has loved Pooh bear ever since he got one on his first birthday from grandma and grandpa Oldham.
Tonight when Jeff got home we had cake and ice cream with the Oldhams and opened presents. Tommy Loved the new large stuffed Pooh bear and Tigger he got, and loved getting a Thomas the train engine, along with some clothes, a safari truck with animals and a glowing soccer ball.
Tommy is such a special part of our family. He is often the peacemaker between Calvin and Ben and always a willing playmate. He enjoys painting, playing play dough, toy trains, cars, tractors, games, super heroes, blocks, reading books, trips to the library, working with dad, going for walks and helping people. He says he's going to be a doctor or a policeman so he can,"help people".
He truly is a sweetheart, I love that he still snuggles with me and is so loving, innocent and kind.
Lately he thinks he's so funny it cracks us up. He'll ask, "guess what?" what? "chicken butt!" then laughs so hard! Or "knock knock" who's there? "orange " orange who? "you glad it's me?"
I love the way he snorts when he laughs and I tickle him! He loves to rub a little mole on my neck when we snuggle, he likes to put his feet up on me if he falls asleep in my bed, he comes out of any time out saying in the sweetest voice, "I'm sorry mama, I'm a good boy now." he gets really worked up watching movies and hates them if they're sad or scary. He loves to wrestle his daddy and is very fierce! He loves the cartoon Max and Ruby and gets a kick out of it when I pretend he is Max and I'm Ruby! :) I miss when he sucked his thumb, but I'm glad he could break the habit so easily. I love the way he says, "I miss my Brudders" as soon as as we drop them off at school.
We couldn't love this darling little boy more! Happy Birthday Tommy! I can't believe you're 3!
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Embryo update
I just received a call this morning from the embryologist about our 4 remaining embryos. 2 continued to grow to the blastocyst stage and will be frozen today!! :) :)
The other two depending on their quality will most likely be donated for research in reproductive medicine.
For some reason I feel such relief that if our plan A fails, we at least have the hope for a plan B. Not all frozen embryos survive the process, so we can't bank (pun not intended) on that being a for sure thing, but it's worth a try if nothing else! :)
So happy, and trying to stay in bed! ;)
The other two depending on their quality will most likely be donated for research in reproductive medicine.
For some reason I feel such relief that if our plan A fails, we at least have the hope for a plan B. Not all frozen embryos survive the process, so we can't bank (pun not intended) on that being a for sure thing, but it's worth a try if nothing else! :)
So happy, and trying to stay in bed! ;)
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
IVF Part V (Transfer Day)
Today was an exciting day! Embryo transfer day! I had to keep telling myself to calm down, I was so beside myself with eagerness this morning!
We arrived for our appointment at 10:45am and were briefed by our doctor. He talked about the original number of eggs (11) and of those eleven that fertilized (8) said they were way above the average number. Today we were down to 6 still growing and dividing, (the other two had just slowed down a bit and were behind the others) he said 6 was still a very high number, in fact, he said things couldn't be better! Our Embryos were of very high quality too, not perfect which none usually are, but right up there. Typically at this point most people would have 3 or less left, at least as far as the statistics show for this clinic.
Jeff and I are feeling so positive about this whole process! We decided, with the advice of our doctor to transfer 2 embryos at the "morula" stage back to my uterus.
Dr. gave me some Valium to calm my nerves and relax me and we went in to the procedure room.
Even with my eyes trying to close and drugs making me sleepy, I watched intently the process of embryo transfer. And I tell you what, if you know how neat and special it is to hear your baby's heartbeat and see their little gummy bear shape for the first time, I think this maybe even cooler! For me at least!
Jeff and I watched on a flat screen T.V. and on the ultrasound screen got to see our perfectly round little embryos as the Dr. transferred them to my body from a petri dish (really a petri dish!) using a teeny tiny catheter! It was amazing! It was magical, it was miraculous! I can't believe this process is even possible and that I got to take part in it! Wow! It brought me to tears, tears of joy, tears of hope and fear, tears of love and excitement! What an experience to see LIFE in its beginning stages! 5 days old! And to actually watch and feel as this new little life is placed in you to care and nurture! It's just so cool!
Afterwards, the Dr. showed us on the ultrasound the little spot of white in my uterus that contains our "babies". He told us there is about a 35% chance of us having twins. And a 68-70% success rate of pregnancy!!!
My instructions for returning home were very straight forward and simple. The first 5 days are most important and I should rest and lay in bed or on the couch getting up only for a shower or bathroom break. Then for the next 12 days he told me to be really lazy, read books, watch movies, no housework, no walking about, no shopping, not even crab walking!(bwahaha) :) ;) That may be difficult to be so lazy with 3 little kids, but it will be very worth it!
I return to the clinic on Sunday the 17th for a blood draw and pregnancy test! :)
Thank you again to our dear family and friends for helping our family through this! We couldn't have done it alone and have relied on you so much! It has been even more special to share our journey with you! We love you!
All drugged up as I was, my honey still took me to my favorite restaurant. P.F. Chang's (with special permission from the doctor of course) to celebrate our halfway to pregnant status! :)
We arrived for our appointment at 10:45am and were briefed by our doctor. He talked about the original number of eggs (11) and of those eleven that fertilized (8) said they were way above the average number. Today we were down to 6 still growing and dividing, (the other two had just slowed down a bit and were behind the others) he said 6 was still a very high number, in fact, he said things couldn't be better! Our Embryos were of very high quality too, not perfect which none usually are, but right up there. Typically at this point most people would have 3 or less left, at least as far as the statistics show for this clinic.
Jeff and I are feeling so positive about this whole process! We decided, with the advice of our doctor to transfer 2 embryos at the "morula" stage back to my uterus.
Dr. gave me some Valium to calm my nerves and relax me and we went in to the procedure room.
Even with my eyes trying to close and drugs making me sleepy, I watched intently the process of embryo transfer. And I tell you what, if you know how neat and special it is to hear your baby's heartbeat and see their little gummy bear shape for the first time, I think this maybe even cooler! For me at least!
Jeff and I watched on a flat screen T.V. and on the ultrasound screen got to see our perfectly round little embryos as the Dr. transferred them to my body from a petri dish (really a petri dish!) using a teeny tiny catheter! It was amazing! It was magical, it was miraculous! I can't believe this process is even possible and that I got to take part in it! Wow! It brought me to tears, tears of joy, tears of hope and fear, tears of love and excitement! What an experience to see LIFE in its beginning stages! 5 days old! And to actually watch and feel as this new little life is placed in you to care and nurture! It's just so cool!
Afterwards, the Dr. showed us on the ultrasound the little spot of white in my uterus that contains our "babies". He told us there is about a 35% chance of us having twins. And a 68-70% success rate of pregnancy!!!
My instructions for returning home were very straight forward and simple. The first 5 days are most important and I should rest and lay in bed or on the couch getting up only for a shower or bathroom break. Then for the next 12 days he told me to be really lazy, read books, watch movies, no housework, no walking about, no shopping, not even crab walking!(bwahaha) :) ;) That may be difficult to be so lazy with 3 little kids, but it will be very worth it!
I return to the clinic on Sunday the 17th for a blood draw and pregnancy test! :)
Thank you again to our dear family and friends for helping our family through this! We couldn't have done it alone and have relied on you so much! It has been even more special to share our journey with you! We love you!
All drugged up as I was, my honey still took me to my favorite restaurant. P.F. Chang's (with special permission from the doctor of course) to celebrate our halfway to pregnant status! :)
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Phone call!
We just got the long anticipated phone call! I was practically hovering over my phone all morning. We went and got some groceries, then took our car through the car wash. While we were vacuuming out the car....the embryologist called! And yes, I missed the call and he had to leave a message!
Are you ready for the news????
Of the 11 eggs they got, 9 were mature. Of the 9 mature eggs they performed fertilization via ICSI and 8 of the 9 fertilized! He then said all 8 are dividing and growing just the way they should! :) With this good news, Tuesday is going to be the day for embryo transfer!
They will call us on Monday to let us know what time to come on Tuesday!
I really hope this works! It's a strange feeling having all our eggs in one basket! :)
Are you ready for the news????
Of the 11 eggs they got, 9 were mature. Of the 9 mature eggs they performed fertilization via ICSI and 8 of the 9 fertilized! He then said all 8 are dividing and growing just the way they should! :) With this good news, Tuesday is going to be the day for embryo transfer!
They will call us on Monday to let us know what time to come on Tuesday!
I really hope this works! It's a strange feeling having all our eggs in one basket! :)
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