Archives for July 2011

I {heart} LA..

July 28, 2011 3 Comments

While the transfer of those perfect 3 embryos was definitely the highlight of our 3rd and final trip to LA (all in 8 weeks!), we also had a lot of fun while there.

They wanted us to fly in Sunday night, transfer Monday afternoon then fly out Tuesday afternoon. BUT.. I’m a little bit of an over achiever and thought, “Hey, why not fly in earlier and spend all day having FUN!!! One last hurrah before taking care of little beans for 10 months!”

SO.. we planned a CRAZY early flight, rented a car and decided to hit up Universal Studios.

But that wasn’t really enough for me, because if you are going to do something shouldn’t you do it ALL THE WAY??

May I introduce you to the “FRONT OF THE LINE PASS!!!!!”

That little tag hanging around our necks meant we simply walked on to any ride. No waiting out in the hot sun, no trying to entertain ourselves for 50, 60 or 70 minutes. We also had reserved seating at every show.

Don’t ask how much it was, just know it was worth every ounce of our sanity. (And kinda made us feel EXTRA special all day.) It was just what I needed..

After almost 10 hours at Universal Studios (and NUMEROUS times on EVERY ride. (The Simpsons ride was AWESOMEEEE!!! beeteedubs..)) We headed back to our car and had NO idea we’d be arriving at this castle of a hotel..

I couldnt think of a better place to have a little R&R after the transfer..

And the transfer was TOMORROW!!! Playing all day had kept my mind off it, but as we settled in late at night, it began to really sink in.

But not nervousness, just anticipations and excitement. I also couldn’t WAIT to see the parents.

We were thankful for late night room service, and also our very first full room service meal! (p.s. I PROMISE I had the salad.. not the pizza!)

We made sure that meal knew who was boss and settled into our castle beds.

The morning held so much for us!

I have already talked about the transfer, but left out the only picture we took at the transfer.. Me and my best friend “My Wandy.”

Man.. I was SO ready for that moment.

I was grateful the doctor didn’t ask me to be on STRICT bedrest. So we made the most of the beautiful California weather and preformed “bedrest” outside!

Anddddd… mayyyybe snuck away for one last city dinner. There is NO way we could go to Pasadena and not visit the Melting Pot. That cheese was calling me.

And really.. I walked no more than about 5 feet the whole night so it was practically bedrest! :)

And we put the hurt on that pot of cheese. (or maybe 2 pots of cheese..) But no one will tell on us. And I think the babies REALLLY liked it too!

And uh.. I probably shouldn’t leave out one itsy bitsy teeny tiny detail of our trip..
Meet our new twins.. :)

Filed Under: Surrogacy, Us

Our Perfect Little Embies..

July 25, 2011 1 Comment

Here they are!!!

Out of 6 eggs, 5 eggs fertilized into Embryos.

“A” was the best of embies. It was 6 celled. “B” and “C” were both 4 celled.

The other two below them had begun to “fragment,” as the doctor put it. This doesnt mean they wont develop. There is just a lower chance.

The doctor gave my IP’s a choice. Implant A, B & C and let the other 2 grow for 2 more days and see if they survive. If they look ok, they could freeze them for a sibling in the future.

Implant all 5 and see what happens.

Some of you may gasp at the thought of all 5, but I have always been the type of girl that puts 100% faith in the doctor (if he’s good, and this guy is GOOD!)

After discussing it, my IP’s decided to just implant the 3 better looking embies and let the other two do their thing for a few days.

Apparently this is on of the best ultrasound pictures most of the nurses had ever seen. They were all commenting to us about how perfect it is.

On the screen you could see the three little dots a little clearer. It is AMAZING to see them sitting there, getting comfy.

I am feeling calm and collected. I am not nervous, or doubtful. I KNOW I’m pregnant. I KNOW these little guys are going to nestle right in and get to work. I just cant WAIT to see how many stick around.

I wonder what kind of food they like?? Maybe I should go have something they’ll like so they decide to hang around with me for another 9 and a half months! :)

Today I am on “bedrest.” Which this doctor takes VERY loosely. Basically he’d prefer if I didn’t go run a marathon. He assures me that “they arent going to just fall out.” So I’m holding on to that truth today.

I get 12 days off from doctors appts, That’s a BIG deal at this point and a VERY welcomed vacation.

My next appt is August 8th. They’ll take blood work and determine the level of HCG in my blood. At that point they’ll know that I’m offically pregnant. (But we already know that, right?) :)

Good thoughts and prayers appreciated for the next 2 weeks, for sticky, strong babies!! (Oh yes, I most certainly did says babIES!!) :)

Filed Under: Surrogacy

Ending of the 1st (of many) medications…

July 22, 2011 2 Comments

It’s funny how the day I received that GIANT box of medication, it felt like Christmas.

Last night was my very last Lupron (Tummy Shot). I have officially ended the era of everyday shots.

Just as soon as it started, it was over.

*THIS medication may be over, but I still have once every 3 days Estrogen shots to my butt, 3x a day estro pills, 3x a day progest suppositories, 3x a day progest lozenges, and a bunch of other pills that I’m not sure what to do with yet…. This is just the FIRST to end..

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My IM had her egg retrieval this morning. I was on pins and needles all morning until I heard from her.
While it’s a fairly easy and uncomplicated procedure, there is always a chance of complication.

She was a champ. She feels better than she ever has after an egg retrieval and is resting comfortably.

The doctor hoped to get a BUNCH of eggs from her. Some for this time and some to freeze for a little baby brother or sister down the road.

He was able to retrieve 6. He was disappointed. I am THRILLED. 6 sounds like a fantastic number to me.

Tonight they fertilize, and we’ll have a fertilzation report in the morning.

I am wracked with nervousness. But my mind is so positive. I am hopeful we’ll hear that all or most fertilized and are doing well.

Maybe I’m not nervous. I haven’t been nervous during these last stages of the process. Maybe nervous isn’t the right word.

I am confident everything will be great, but I am filled with anticipation of the news.

Anticipation. Not nervousness.

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The first night back from Minnesota, I crawled in my bed and it felt foreign.

I woke up in the middle of the night still half in dream land and had some bizarre thoughts about how the blankets were squishing me and my legs didn’t have enough room between the mattress and blankets. (My body takes this preparing for pregnancy thing SERIOUSLY. (Says the girl who ate almost an entire box of HoHo’s before realizing what was going on.))

I have slept 3 nights in my bed.

Last night finally felt normal, and comfortable and like home.

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I’m packing tonight to leave for LA.

Am I allowed to say that I REALLY need this vacation?

Afterall, this will be my 3rd visit to LA in 8 weeks. Not to mention the week I just spent in the midwest.

But, I need this vacation.

We’re making the most out of it.

We rented a car, we bought tickets to Universal Studios and we packed extra comfy pjs for bedrest.

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IM’s eggs were retrieved and fertilized today.

Tomorrow we will have a fertilization report.

Monday morning I will receive a call to tell me if the transfer will happen then (a 3 day transfer)

or if we will do a 5 day transfer on Wednesday.

I am hopeful. I am excited. I am not the least bit scared or nervous.

I am so excited to see my IP’s again.

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I cant wait to get to this hotel, and to meet my surro sister who will either be transferring the day after or the day before me.

I cant wait to start this journey with her.

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Will you continue to keep (mostly) my IM in your thoughts and prayers. This will be a hard time for her and I need her to remain positive and hopeful. I pray a lot of peace and comfort to be with her. I hope you’ll join me.

And of course, me and our sticky eggs.. We could use all the good thoughts and prayers you can spare..

Filed Under: Surrogacy

Oh Minnesota..

July 21, 2011 1 Comment

PHEW.. we survived. There we definitly more than a few moments in our 6 days in the midwest that I wondered what in the WORLD I was thinking traveling 1300 miles across the country with a 2 year old with no help. Solo parenting had a few rough moments.

And other than the SWELTERING heat index of 117 degrees (Thank you, Minnesota for making us prisoners to air conditioning), it was a wonderful break from everyday life filled with even better company of great friends.

My nerves were as high as they could possibly get as we entered the airport. Ready or not, we were there and I was about to take a 2 hour plane ride alone with my toddler who was SERIOUS about not riding on an airplane big in the sky.

So… I just didnt tell him where we were going. We walked down the jetway and he walked with tripdation down the isle of the plane to our seats. Until he saw all the other planes out the window and FINALLY got excited about going on a plane.

He sat nervously… But the “DD” player was going and snacks we close by..

It didnt take him long to get comfy and kick back with his feet up on his tray. He loved every second. No sound, or bump or anything made him nervous. He watched all the clouds go by and even the cars on the road as we prepared to land..

Minnesota took my breath away. I have never really been in any sort of humidity, and Minnesota didn’t mess around with it’s level of humidity. I wasn’t prepared, and probably complained a little more than was necessary.

Miles took advantage and spent a little more time than normal “nakey”… (he also spent WAY more than the normal amount of times watching movies in our room because he couldn’t figure out how to play nicely.. ahem..)

I knew that NO trip to MN would be complete without a trip to the Mall of America. We honestly saw one hallway of stores and half of the amusement park. Miles and I rode on a couple rides, but it was quickly approaching the little’s bedtimes.

That was probably the only regret I have. Not being able to spend more time there. I was secretly hoping our flight home would be oversold and we could spend the evening playing there. I would have loved to visit the museum and look around a little more. It was definitely a cool place! And ample (free) air conditioning!

We attempted a firetruck museum in Minneapolis. I say attempted because this train table was one of the first things in the door, and we lost Miles to it almost the entire time. But considering our goal was just to get out of the house.. we accomplished it!

We attended one of the BEST birthday parties we have ever been too. Miles had an absolute blast. I had a great time talking to mom’s with silly accents. And Miles had an opportunity to boss someone other than OBoy around for a few hours. Win Win all around.

We spent lots of time just relaxing. Anyone with kids knows that sleep and vacation dont mix well. Naps were short, if at all and night we’re late and mornings were early. But we made the best of our tired time and cuddled in bed.

We had an absolute blast at the Children’s Museum. Playing for 5 or 6 hours. That, coincidentally was also the best night of sleep he had.

We ate good food, spent time as a family and enjoyed each other so much. Just when I thought we maybe planned too long of a trip the rest of the time went zooming by and I wasn’t ready to leave..

We are so grateful for the amazing friends we have in the O’s .. and for everything they did for us while we were there.

The best part of the 6 days?????

THIS.. was my view from the time we sat down on the airplane (before we even took off) till 5 minutes before we landed in Salt Lake.
Miles slept the ENTIRE flight. It was glorious, and lonely, and glorious.

Filed Under: Miles, single mom

We’re off to see the O’s..

July 13, 2011 1 Comment

In less than 12 hours I leave on my babymoon.

Babymoon takes on a whole new meaning during the journey.

3 years ago (funny, it was almost EXACTLY 3 years ago) my husband and I took a babymoon before the arrival of Miles. It was one of the best decision we ever made. It was so nice to be away (even if it was less than an hour away from home), it was nice to not worry about things and have someone else clean.

This time, I wont need a break before the baby arrives. My “me time” actually STARTS when the baby is born. So I decided to take a babymoon before the pregnancy.

Part of my contract contains a few sections that limit travel during the pregnancy, so I have exactly 12 days before I become pregnant.
(SIDE BAR: 12 DAYS!!! DID YOU HEAR THAT??? WOW!!!)

It just so happens to be a very special little boys birthday very soon..

And if you remember last year around this time we “fell in love” with our soul couple..

SO much has happened in that year. SO much that I am stumble over my words when people ask me how long I’ve know Allison. Because hasn’t it be F.O.R.E.V.E.R?? (In a good way, of course.)

So.. there was this savings account with money being saved for a vacation, and no vacation in sight.

And here we are. Less than 12 hours before my vacation. Less than 12 hours until I get to hug my Allison. Less than 12 hours until the boys get to play trains together. (because we packed a WHOLE LOTTA TRAINS!)

I will be FLYING SOLO with my 2.5 year old son. Lest you forget, I am TERRIFIED of flying. Terrified of everything having to do with being in a plane. Yet, I am flying alone with my toddler 2 and a half hours away.

Not to mention because of Miles food allergies I basically had to pack as much food as a grocery store carries, and because of my med schedule I had to basically pack as much medicine as a pharmacy carries. We’re going to be a sight to be seen in the security line. God Bless the poor person that ends up behind us.

But uh.. I kinda made them hike STRAIGHT UP A MOUNTAIN in flip flops.. So, I totally got this. Right??

I can not wait for the next 6 days.. Frankly, I dont care if we ever even change out of our pajamas.

I brought 2 boxes of pop tarts. So we never even have to leave the couch..

Let’s do this!

{Me and Allison – June 2010}

Filed Under: food allergies, FPIES, My Thoughts