Merry Christmas!

Hope everyone is having a joyous holiday! I have a feeling that tomorrow morning is going to be a lot of fun around here! He is SO into presents from just having his birthday and he loves Santa, so I think that makes a wonderful combination for Christmas morning! I can hardly wait:)

Also, wanted to share the Christmas photos we had done of Owen:)

Merry Christmas to all......and to all a good night!

Transfer

I got the call on Tuesday morning that transfer was still on for later that afternoon. I asked the nurse about my embryos but she said I had to wait until I got there. This made me a little frustrated because Tony was not going to be able to come with me due to his new job, so we wanted a little bit of time to discuss what we wanted to do beforehand...but no such luck.

My mom took me for transfer...her first experience....and when we got there they were waiting for us. I took my valium and then went to the room. We found out that they were doing 3 transfers all about the same time, so it took a while before someone from the lab came in to talk to me. Finally they did...and this is what he said I had:
1 grade 2 6-cell
3 grade 3 4-cells
Yep...if you are keeping track that is one more than they originally told me. Apparently one fertilized late....normal embryos should be between 7-10 cells on day 3, so none of them were really stellar. The grade 2 was probably the best one.....and then he said that the Dr suggested that we put them all in! Tony and I were kind of thinking maybe just the best one...a little more conservative since we already have 1.....so this took me a little by surprise. He said that they didn't think the grade 3's would turn into a pregnancy but that the literature suggests that they might help the body know that there was something there that might be worth holding onto. I said I needed to call Tony before I could say yes. They were fine with that, except I had to get redressed and go out into the waiting room to get a signal. It took me a minute to convey all the info to Tony and then we decided to just go ahead with the Dr's suggestion. So we transferred all 4!

So, I have been a bum for the past 36 hours, thanks to my mom who kept Owen overnight. It is weird to think that I could maybe be pregnant again. To be honest I'm not very optimistic, but I'm trying to stay positive:) My blood tests aren't until 12/30 and 1/3....so it will be 2012 before we know for sure. I've never been one to take a home pregnancy test beforehand...just adds extra worries to the whole process in my opinion. Plus, when I did get pregnant with Owen, the numbers would not have shown positive on a pregnancy test......who knows though;)

Now the hardest part will be the 10 pound lifting restriction....not gonna happen with a 2 year old who doesn't think daddy can do anything as well as mommy, but I will try my best.

ER and Fertilization Report

Yesterday was Egg Retrieval. It went well, no hiccups. We dropped Owen off with a set of grandparents and were on our way. Got to the office a few mins early and waited to be called back. Once back there, I got changed and signed more paperwork. Tony went off to do his "thing" while the nurse started my IV. I walked into the surgery room and got all strapped in. The anesthesiologist came in and said he would give me something to relax, the nurses started dancing to Jimmy Buffet, and then the next thing I knew I was waking up in the pre-op area:) Tony told me that they got 6 eggs, but before we left the nurse came in and said that it was 7. When I was aware enough, I was allowed to leave. Tony took me to get a shake and cheese fries (comfort food!!) and we went home. I took a nice long nap and really felt pretty well the rest of the evening.

This morning they called with my fertilization report. Of the 7 eggs, 5 were mature and 3 fertilized. I am scheduled for transfer at 1:15 on Tuesday (3 day transfer). They will call me that morning to let me know if it is still on or if they will push me back to Thursday (5 day transfer). I do not expect to be pushed back...so I'm planning on Tuesday afternoon.....until then:)

Retrieval Has Been Set!

Got the call this afternoon that Egg Retrieval will be Saturday at 11:00. This means that I take my trigger shot at 12:30 AM tonight....thinking I am just going to stay up instead of going to bed for a short time and then getting up and oriented enough to mix the shot. Tony has to give this one...it goes in the back of my arm. Think he is going to go to sleep though:)

I'll update after retrieval!

CD11 Appt

I had my CD11 appt today. Only an ultrasound today since they were no longer going to be monitoring my E2 levels. Here is the update:

Lining-9mm a little less than yesterday, but it could all just be due to where he measured from Monday vs today...so not worried about that.

5 good sized follicles....4 on my right and 1 on my left. I have to admit I was a little discouraged by this news. I had been hoping for more...it would just mean more to work with in the end. I know that it only takes one and I've tried to be positive...but the pessimism seems to be creeping in a little.

Anyways...my egg retrieval is scheduled for Saturday. Little sad about this because we have a holiday get together scheduled for that evening...so it looks like Tony might be going solo depending on how I feel. They will call me tomorrow with the time to give my "trigger shot" or starter fluid as Tony referred to it tonight! That lets my body know that it is time to release the eggs, so they are ready when the Dr goes in for them. Lets just hope we don't have to get up in the middle of the night....very time sensitive shot....because that is not the funnest of things to do!

CD9 Appt

Today was my CD9 appt....which basically means that I have been on drugs for 9 days, so lets see what's cookin'! It is always busy on CD9 and then kind of thins out as the week goes on because not everyone has to come back everyday. I was prepared with a book (actually 2!). Overall they weren't running too far behind, which was nice:)

Here are the details:

Uterine lining was 10mm (which is good)

Had 8 follicles, ranging in size from 10-14

So, I'm making more eggs this time, which is good. I don't know what my E2 level was, but the Dr said that with the new protocol that I'm on, he won't rely too much on those numbers since I have been getting extra of that through meds. So...I continue with 2 more nights of meds and go back on Wed for a sono to see how things are going then. I'm guessing that my retrieval will be on Friday...but I can't be sure. Will update after my appt on Wed.

Cycle Update

I wanted to give an update on how the current cycle is going....First and foremost...I am hugely bloated! Since this is the biggest dose of Follistim I've ever been on, I kind of figured I would feel this way, but I feel extremely large! This is probably coupled by the fact that I can't work out and the dex makes me eat everything in site:( Needless to say, I'm feeling large! The new shots are going well. I've kind of gotten into a routine with how to prepare them, so that has been nice. The new E2V shots (booty shots) have gone well too. I've only needed two of them so far and Tony has done a great job of giving them. In fact, I didn't even feel the second one go in! Tony joked that he hoped that he did it right:) I have my first monitoring appt tomorrow, so I will know more then. I'm a little nervous because I felt bloated last time and then learned that I really wasn't responding to the meds, so I'm hoping for a better report tomorrow.

One other change for this cycle is that Tony is starting a new job tomorrow (YEA!!!)....which means that I had to change insurance in the middle of a cycle (BOO)! It always seems to happen this way! I'm very excited for Tony and this new opportunity, but changing insurances overall is always a pain....but especially during the middle of a cycle. Also, since his new job's insurance does not cover infertility (even though IL is a mandated coverage state!!) it means that I will go back on my works insurance and he and Owen will go on his new plan. I don't like us being on different plans, such a hassle at times, but we wouldn't have the opportunity to continue with the IVF if I didn't. So, hopefully I have everything squared away and I don't have to make a million phone calls in a couple of weeks when all the charges start going through!

So, there is the update for now.....hope to have more to post about tomorrow:)

2 Year Stats and Pics

Owen had his 2-year (sniff, sniff) well-baby check-up on Wednesday of last week. The doctor said he is doing amazing and is right on track developmentally....which is always nice to hear:)

Here are the stats:

weight: 27.2 lbs (25 %)

height: 35 inches (50-75 %)

So, he is still tall and skinny....just like his daddy was at this age:) He is talking up a storm! I love hearing his little voice and so far (knock on wood) he has not picked up any bad words. We have to remind other people when they are around to watch what they say! Owen is still a great eater, although he's still not a huge fan of meat. He has finally found the joys of M & M's and other small pieces of chocolate, but overall is still not a huge sweets eater. In fact, on his birthday he said that ice cream was "ack!" Made me laugh:) He loves anything with wheels, but his favorite is still trains....especially Chuggington! He got some of the trains for his birthday, so he has had a good time playing with them the past week. He has also really gotten into watching Elmo's World on Sesame Street. Other than that, TV is on the bottom of his "to do" list, which is perfectly fine with me!

Here are some of the pics from his 2-year photo session. We think he's a pretty cute little boy:)

A 2nd Letter

Dear Owen,

I can't believe that you will be 2 tomorrow! Where has the time gone? You amaze me everyday with the new things that you are learning and I can't wait to see what you learn to do next! I want you to know that I am so happy that you came into my life. I had to wait such a long time for you to come, but you were SO worth it in the end! I can't imagine my life without you! Even during those times when you make me crazy, I couldn't imagine it any other way:) You make my life complete....you are everything I could have ever hoped, wished and dreamed for....and then some! You are a special little boy who will always have a huge part of my heart reserved just for you! Mommy loves you more than you will probably ever know, but I promise to try and show you every day. I can't wait to see what your next year of life brings.....and I'm ready for the journey that will take us there.

Until next year my sweet boy.....

Love,

Mommy

Hello Hot Flashes!

One of the side-effects of my medicines is hot flashes. I slightly remember them when I've gone through treatment before, but the ones I've been having lately are taking the cake. They are worse at night when I am sleeping. I literally wake up dripping...it really grosses me out! I switched from the Lupron to Ganirelix today, so maybe that will help a little....but I had a few during the day today so I'm not holding out too much hope:( They are supposed to subside when I start my stim meds, but that isn't until Monday....hopefully I survive until then!

On a brighter note....we start Owen's 2nd birthday celebrations tomorrow night with a party at my mom and dad's house. I CANNOT believe that he is going to be two on Monday! Time really does fly.