BFN!

Well, I've put this post off long enough.......our transfer did not work. We never got a "definate" positive and all of our betas were negative. I had two betas done, one at 8dp3dt and another at 12dp3dt. My period finally started last wednesday and finished yesterday. Jon and I have talked and agree that we'd like to try again after the first of the year. I contacted Cooper Center and we are back on the donor embryo list again. Hopefully the new year will bring a new baby.

Should I be concerned?

Ok, so i'm quickly approaching 3dp3dt and yesterday and early this morning (230am ish) I've seen what I think is a "ghost line". I can see where the dark pink line should be on the pregnancy test. I don't know if this indicates anything or not. The line appears as a light shadow when held up to light and if you squint really hard laying down on a piece of paper you can see it. I didn't have to squint too hard yesterday and Jon even saw it. So you know if a GUY can see it, it's fairly obvious.

I made this ticker this morning and thought it was cute.



So far, these are the symptoms that I've been having:
HEARTBURN!!!! (after brushing my teeth, all day, wake up at night with it) (i've had problems with heartburn before but the part about having it after brushing my teeth and a lot during the day is new. I usually just get it at night.)

Frequent urination (of course all the meds i'm taking mocks pregnancy, so you decide.)

Food cravings...the last two days i've had cravings. I had a major craving for Thai food Monday night and yesterday was a bagel with cream cheese! I felt so good after I got what I wanted. :D

Cramping/pressure..... Yesterday I had some cramping and pressure feeling low in my abdomen. I know I had "twinges" in the days following transfer with my surro daughter. So maybe this means something or maybe its just gas!

Tired.....I got tired a lot earlier last night than what is usual for me.....but it could also be all my recent travelling checking up with me.

Pregnant till proven otherwise!

Well, we transferred 3 embryos yesterday at 10:05 EST. Two Thai embryos and one Italian. We had a morula (thai embryo), a 7 cell and an 8 cell. All were graded 2B with some fragmentation. The RE said that all looked good. I was disappointed the Chinese embryo didn't make it, but relieved we had 3 to transfer. I was hoping for 4 but that wasn't in the cards with the doctor. Jenn and I ate Thai food yesterday and got some Mint Milano cookies for our Italian baby. I got home late this afternoon and took Jon and the boys out for Thai food. ( I had a craving for it.) I got Pineapple Chicken Curry and had some Kai Satay for an appetizer. Yummmmmmmie! I'm full and ready for bed. It's been a long day of travelling. I gave the boys all of their souvenirs from New York. They were pleased with their gifts. I stopped at a Dollar General on the way home from Dallas and bought five $1 HPT's. I of course peed on one already at 1dpt3dt and it was snow white as to be expected. I'm hoping to see a positive by Sunday.

Transfer is tomorrow!

I'm so excited! Tomorrow is the big day! I got a call from the embryologist this morning with a report on the embryos. Here is the latest: Batch 472 all made the thaw. The 5 cell 2B stayed the same (no cells lost), the 6 cell 2B went down to a 3 cell 2B, the 4 cell 2B stayed the same. This is the Italian/slovaic/Polish batch. Batch 334 the 4 cell 2B stayed the same and so did the 6 cell 2B. This is the Thai/Loatian batch. Batch 88 the single embryo did not make it. It went from a 5cell 2B to a 1 cell. This was the Chinese embryo and one that I REALLY was hoping to make the thaw. Batch 475 the 6 cell 2B remained the same. This is the English mix batch. Transfer is tomorrow at 9:45 EST and we need to be there by 9:15 with a full bladder (at least I need the full bladder that is).

Jenn and I spent the day today in New York City. We had fun trying to figure out how to drive the rental car which is a Hybrid Toyota Prius. It was an adventure to say the least! LOL. We drove up to Staten Island and took the ferry across to New York City. We than took the subway and went to Manhattan and visted the St. Patrick's Cathedral and light a couple of candles for our embryos. The cathedral was absolutely stunning! Lots of fine details. We than walked around and went to the shops. It rained off and on while we were there. We made our way to Broadway and saw where the Late Show with David Letterman is and saw where the play Mama Mia was playing. We weren't able to cross a street while we were there because they were filming a movie......"the other guy" with Will Ferrell, Duane Johnson "the rock" and Samuel Jackson. We ate some great food while we were in New York. Overall it's been a great trip down memory lane with Jenn and a very relaxing get away.

Say a little prayer that our remaining 6 embryos continue to thrive and grow and are ready for a full term pregnancy.

Tomorrow we leave!

I spoke with the embryologist this morning. She said that the embryos will be thawed on saturday for a sunday transfer. We talked about transferring 4 embryos. They will take a picture of each embryo and write the batch number it is from on the picture. This way i'll know and have a keepsake for the baby or babies. I'm so excited!! I start my progesterone injections today plus doxycycline and medrol. I'm nervous about the shots. I don't know why, I've done them before. Maybe it's because I remember how much they hurt! My flight leaves tomorrow morning at 9am. I'll arrive in Philadelphia around 2pm and meet Jenn there. I'm doing housework today to get ready to leave. Have to pack my clothes and such. Jon and I talked last night and we found a girl's name that we both like....."Zuri". I told jon ....hey do you want to go to "zuri" LOL get it.....like Missouri! LOL haa haa, I kill me!

A small step back

Well, it took my lab too long to fax the results to Cooper so our transfer has been pushed back a day to Sunday, Oct 25th. Which if that is all, i'm ok with it. I was just worried that it'd be pushed back more than that because I've already bought airline tickets and booked hotel rooms. I start my progesterone, doxycycline, and medrol tomorrow. The embryologist is still supposed to call tomorrow. I had my ob/gyn visit today with Dr. Godfrey. Dr. Godfrey was extremely nice and very interested in the whole donor embryo/ivf thing. He said I taught him some things today!

Almost there!

Well, I had my lining check today and I'm at 12mm with triple layer pattern! I get my lab results tomorrow and should be starting my progesterone, doxycycline and dexamethasone. I should hear something from the embryologist on thursday and transfer is set for saturday. Jenn and I fly out to Philadelphia Friday morning and will fly home Monday morning. I'm so FREAKING excited! I've been telling everyone that I know and anyone that will listen! LOL

Finally!

Finally! We get to move forward! Woohoo! I started my period Oct 4th. Had my blood work and baseline u/s done Oct 6th. I got my med schedule today and start Estrace tonight. Transfer is scheduled for Oct 24th. I was able to rearrange my work schedule to be off Oct 21st-27th. My friend Jennifer is going to go with me to New Jersery for the transfer. I'm so excited!! I can't believe it's finally happening!! Just a matter of a couple of weeks and we'll find out if we're having a baby or not.

Well I was finally able to locate someone to do my lining u/s last minute this morning. I had to drive to Ft. Worth to Dr Kaufman's office. I had my labwork done here in town and it was ordered stat so it'd be ready and faxed to Cooper today. My u/s was scheduled for 2:15pm. I made it down there in time and found out that my fibroid has grown since my u/s in July. In July I was told the fibroid is very small and not interferring with my lining. Which was good. Today on the other hand showed that the fibroid is close to my lining and could possibly interfere. So not sure what is going to happen now. I'm upset because my labwork was not faxed to Cooper. The lab had to send out my progesterone and estradiol to the Mayo Clinic! URGH! It was ordered STAT. I don't understand why they didnt' bother saying something to me when I was in there about that. So I may have to have my bloodwork redrawn tomorrow.

My period finally started yesterday. I contacted Cooper on Friday to let them know that I was spotting and they are going to fax me orders on monday so I can get more labwork and an u/s done. We're on our way to transferring! Yeah!! We could be transferring as early as the end of this month. Mine seems like it has been forever to get to this point.

Test results are in and sent to Cooper! Woohoo! Now if my period would only start.

I've had the toxoplasmosis test done last week, now I'm just waiting on the results. They weren't in yesterday. I'll see if they're later today.

Well, I got my culture results today and emailed them to Cooper IVF and had my blood drawn for toxoplasmosis. I guess that lab was skipped before. Now we just wait on AF to show! Woohoo! Today was the boys first day of school. Adam started the 8th grade and Cory 3rd grade. Cory also started Football practice. Adam wants to join a swimming team. Not sure if they have one for middle school or not, but I'll see what I can find for him.

Almost there

I can't believe how close we are to transfer. All I need now is to pick up my culture results from the OB, which will be done on Monday and wait for my period to start. My period "should" of started back around the 10th but has not showed its face yet. I guess I'll have to start my birth control pills to get things rolling. Once my period starts we can get a schedule for our transfer! Woohoo! The boys are home now. They came home on the 17th. Adam and Cory both have grown. Adam is now wearing a size men's 12! Cory is wearing a size men's 8.5 in shoes. They are diffently not "little" boys anymore. They are growing men.

Labwork completed

Well, our labwork has been done and sent to Cooper Center. I scanned and emailed the results today to Barbara. I also paid for the transfer today also. Making big steps to getting closer to a transfer. I went to see my family doctor today to have a pap smear done. He suggested that I see an OB since he doesn't have the things needed to do a "mock transfer" or a sonohystogram. He set up an appointment with a Dr Frischer for July 23rd. Tomorrow Cody flys home. So after we take him to the airport in Dallas, Jon and I will get our consent forms signed and notorized and sent back to Cooper. I was up at my Dad's house the week of June 10th-17th. While I was there I told my dad and stepmom about our plans for another baby. They were shocked but happy for us. I also saw my pyshic friend that I also pay a visit to when I'm there. She said that we'd get pregnant and thinks it'll be twins, a boy and a girl. We'll see what happens! :D

Getting anxious

Well, I started my new job Monday the 11th. I got to "shadow" on thursday and saw a lot of interesting scenarios. One scenario in particular made my "baby" urges really come out. I so wanted to adopt the baby and take her home with me. Hopefully we'll be getting the paperwork soon from Cooper to start our testing. I wish they'd hurry up!

More embryos

I got a call from Carrie about Cooper Center today and we have now added 3 more embryos to our 4 for a total of 7 embryos! We were able to add batch 472 which is Italian/Polish/Slovak. These embryos are at a 5cell, 6cell and a 4 cell and none of these embryos are refrozen. Carrie is supposed to send another consent form for this batch which we'll have to have signed and notarized and mail back. Than we can move forward and start our testing!

Well, we got the forms all notarized and mailed out today! Woohoo! Very very exciting! Tomorrow is Adam's 13th birthday! His dad sent him a Nintendo DSi and a Ipod for his birthday. He is one very excited boy!

Today we received the consent forms for the embryo batches that need to be notarized and mailed back. The reservation fee for the embryos has been paid now also. Next step is to mail back the forms and contact the nurse coordinator to get the list of testing that Jon and I will need to have done.

Here's our list of baby names that we like so far:

Adalynn

Madelynn

Irelynn

Sydney

Caden

Jonah

Jailynn or Jaylin

Adeline

Ameleah

Abigale

Olevia Olivia

Nadia

Magdalyn

Aya

Maggie

Madalyn

Schuyler

Railyn (raylynn, raelynn)

Hayden

Chloe

Amaya

Onyah (Anya, Anja)

Keegan

Kennedy

Cassia

Nora

Ayana

Juliana

Braylin

Brannon

Lucas

Luke

Luca

Seth

Tyrus

Ackerly

Adannya

Hagan, Hagen

Sadie

Bryley,Briley

Cavan

Mckenna

Bryson

Cleo

Adera

Amaya or Amya

Lydia

Madalena

Rena or Renna

Brenna

I needed a picture of something "cool" to help cool me down. It's 101 degrees outside! ICE! I need ICE!

I received my new medela pump in style advanced today. Yeah!!! On a different note, Jon found out that his position has been "rifted". Luckily, he'll be able to go work at the base pharmacy. The position change won't take effect until the end of July. He'll still get his same pay for 2 yrs which is great. I on the other hand was able to extend my resignation notice by 2 weeks. ( i was offered a position before it was technically approved, and well, it didn't get approved). But, I have a back up plan and will do contract nursing after my two weeks is up. To top it all off, we had to buy 4 new tires for my car! Oh, glorious day!

The Great Wall

China's Night Life

Getting Started

It's official, we have EMBRYOS! We received a call from Cooper Clinic that we got batches #88, 334 and 475! Batch 88 is Chinese, Batch 334 is Thai/loatian and Batch 475 is English/German/Italian. The three batches combined will give us a total of 4 embryos. We would of liked to have at least 6 embryos to help ensure that we'd have at least 3 embryos for transfer. We are very excited about all of this! This will be our 2nd time to reserve embryos. We had to let our first batch go back last year because we weren't ready and it just didn't seem to be the right time.

We seem to have a very special attachment to batch 88. That was the same batch we chose before, except then there were alot more embryos in the batch. But those embryos have now been made into BABIES! The donor parents had boy/girl twins, another couple is currently pregnant and another couple had a boy! So hopefully this strong embryo will thrive and turn into a little boy or girl!

I'm hoping to keep a blog of all that's going on, so I can show our baby/babies how they came about. Donor embryo adoption is such a unique concept and really wonderful!