I know it's been a long time, but baby Curtis is here! He was born one day before his due date on April 19th, weighing 7 lbs 3 ozs and 20 1/2 inches long. I'll post a full birth story later, just wanted to let all of you know.

Here's a picture of our prince!

Things are good

Things are going well. Had my 28 week appointment last Thursday. I passed my Gd test with flying colors, which wasn't unexpected, but nice to hear. Doctor said that baby and mommmy are happy and healthy.

The weekend after valentine's day we'll (well mostly DH) start changing our computer room into the baby's new home.

That's about it. Not much else to report.

I'm a bad blogger

I know, I know. I haven't been on here in ages. Since I only have three months before I go on leave, I have a huge amount of stuff at work to get done before then.

Curtis John is great (that's the name we chose). He kicks every day. DH finally felt him kick last Saturday (January 3rd) and saw him kick me on Wednesday (January 7th). We went to get a 3D ultrasound on Saturday and were a little disappointed. The pictures were not as clear as we had hoped, but my anterior placenta may be the reason.

DH and I have been getting lots of practice taking care of babies. His cousin had identical twins in September, 12 weeks early. They've been home for awhile and we spent every Saturday at the house, hanging out with the parents and changing diapers, feeding, dressing, and general baby care. I like it...it makes me feel like I might actually know what I'm doing when the time comes.

I will try to be better in updating, as it is getting rather close to the end of this wonderful pregnancy.

We found out...

we're having a BOY! No doubt about it.

I think being a mom has finally hit me. Suddenly I have a son to start thinking about. All the responsibilities, the hurdles and triumphs he will have in his life. The wonderful things his father will be able to teach him. I wonder if he will get his father's wide chest and solid frame. Whose nose will he have? It's so crazy.

Also, I've been feeling the baby move since November 16th, which is freakin' awesome. He is very active most of the time. Now I can't wait until it gets strong enough for DH to feel.

Big U/S on Nov 25

Just before Thanksgiving, which is perfect. I'll be able to let work know just before going on vacation.

We did get a chance to see the baby today. She couldn't find the heartbeat on the doppler, so we got a bonus sono. Baby was kicking! I don't think he/she likes the sonograms so much. It's amazing how much the baby has grown in six weeks.

Now there is just the wait until the 25th...three weeks.

Still living, breathing, and growing

Just a quick update. Things are still great. Outgrew my first set of maternity pants and had to go shopping this weekend for more. I'm at that fat lady stage. Looking forward to the time when I actually look pregnant.

Our next appointment is Nov. 4th and hopefully we will find out the gender of our little one.

I'm here, I swear.

Everything's fine, honest. Just life and work happens...and naps happen. Oh my god the napping that has gone on is insane. It's amazing I'm conscious right now.

Had our third ultrasound about two weeks ago. Baby was bouncing around having a grand time. We saw arms, legs and eye sockets plus a beautiful heartbeat. Also found out my bladder was growing some seriously strange bacteria and went on cipro for 5 days (just did the follow up test today, hopefully it's gone).

On Sunday I had my first dehydration cramps...didn't have any water until lunch and apparently baby does not like that. Everything was fine once I downed two glasses of water at the restaurant.

As far as showing...nothing the general public would notice but I can notice something in the mirror in the evening when I strip down for bed.

Being spoiled by frequent ultrasounds is now driving me nuts. I can't believe I have to wait four more weeks to know that everything is okay in there. I just keep telling myself no bleeding=happy baby. It's freakin' hard!

Also, my parents gave us the money to purchase our dream stroller. Brand new they cost upwards of 800, but we found one on craigslist in practically new condition for 200. They're made in Europe. It starts out as a bassinet and then has a toddler seat that clips on after you remove the bassinet and the seat is good up to 75 lbs. It's freakin' gorgeous. Here's a picture of it with the bassinet.



I will try to update more often.

A much-needed update

Sorry for the long silence. Our internet is down and there is only random times where I can get any signal. I happened to catch it at a good time.

Everything with the baby is great. We graduated from the RE on Wednesday. It was almost sad going around and saying goodbye to everyone, and then leaving, knowing we would not be back until we wanted another child.

DH has been super cute. I did some extra work at work on Saturday, and came home to a completely spotless house, including clean dishes (and he HATES doing dishes)! And, on the way home from work the other day he picked up some baby name books. It's so cute!

Here's the latest pic of the baby. At 8 wks and 2 dys.

Introducing Baby H

We had our first ultrasound today at 7wks 2dys and everything looked wonderful! We have one lovely growing little one in there with a great, strong heartbeat! Our RE is spoiling us with another ultrasound next Wednesday too.

Without further ado, here he or she is! (follow the arrow. Baby is between the two white plus signs)

3rd Beta in

and it's 4,848! Woohoo!

We are so pregnant.

:-)

5 week mark

So, things are going well. I'm anxious for my follow up beta on Thursday (19dp5dt), just because it is nice to have the reassurance that everything is going the way it should.

Symptom wise, each day varies. I've had a fair share of headaches; still broken out like crazy on my chin; and OMG the bloat!! I wore my loosest pair of jeans to dinner with my parents on Saturday and was so bloated by the end that I actually bruised the area above my belly button. My abs are still sore! So I moved onto elastic waiste capris and jogging pants (on vacation, thankfully). I'm still trying to figure out my wardrobe when my month of vaca is over (year round is a wonderful thing).

I'll update on Friday once I get the beta results. First u/s is scheduled for Wed., Sept. 3rd (can't wait!!).

On the puppy front, we did finally name him...Banjo!

New puppy!

He doesn't quite have a name yet, but here he is!

We doubled!

Got the best phone call from one of the nurses today. Our second beta came back at...88! We more than doubled, woohoo!!!

Now that I'm pregnant, all meds are covered, so the clinic is ordering more estradiol and prog. in oil w/ syringes and it's covered under insurance!!

I will have one more beta in ten days and then we get to see our little one (or ones) on September 3rd.

I finally feel just purely happy, without a nagging little voice. I allowed myself to go out and get a pregnancy book (Your Pregnancy, Week by Week).

And, to top everything off, we are getting a new dog tomorrow. A beautiful beagle from our local shelter. He is too precious!

Guess What?

We're pregnant!!!

At 7dp5dt we have a beta of..................41!!!


I can't even describe how wonderful this is...what a blessing!

And thank you to all of you for supporting me and keeping me going.

2 made it to freeze

Which I'm happy with. They only freeze top quality embryos, so the odds of both thawing well are good.

What's killing me is waiting for Saturday and my beta. I know it's only like 3 days away, but right now it's like waiting a year.

Keep everything crossed and pray to whomever you believe in for Saturday to be a good phone call and not a bad phone call.

bedrest city

Well, I'm back from the egg transfer. Dr. Vu told us that we have three Grade 1A blastocysts and a few that may become blastocysts in 24 to 48 hours. We put back two and asked them to culture out the slow starters a few more days.

It was such an emotional moment seeing that little blip of movement on the sonogram as he released the fluid and eggs into my uterus. DH squeezed my hand as I cried. What an amazing moment.

On the ride home I rode reclined, which led to mostly sleeping on the way home too.

DH has been super cute and protective. He rubbed my belly on the way home; wouldn't even let me carry my purse; and has given me a sweet setup in the bedroom complete with laptop and snacks.

I'm so lucky.

Snuggle in embies, we love you so much already.

5 day transfer

That's right. On Saturday at 8:45 am we get to meet our embabies. So excited...so freakin' excited!!

ER and fert report

ER itself went fine. The last thing I remember is them putting my oxygen mask on and then next they were asking me to shimmy my hiney onto the bed. As soon as they wheeled me out, I started cramping. My body was definitely not pleased with getting everything sucked out of it. I was extremely uncomfortable for about 12 hours, but as it came toward bedtime, things got better. Let me tell you though, using the restroom...not fun.

Today is much better. I did stay home again today (which was good, still sore), and just heard my fert report.

Out of 19 eggs, 18 were mature. All 18 were ICSI'd, and 13 are up and growing.

13 embabies...13 babies...13 possible children sitting in a little dish in an incubator, just waiting for their parents.

God, I can't wait.

They will call tomorrow or Thursday morning and tell me if it will be 3 day or a 5 day transfer (right now, it looks like 5).

I can't wait to be a mom.

Last follie scan-ER monday

So we trigger tonight. Dr. Vu has me stim for one more day and we went in this morning. We have nine on the left and 12 on the right all at 18mm or more. I'm excited that we have so many but nervous about ER.

I really trust Dr. Vu and his staff. I know it will work out.

First follie scan

We are happy campers so far. We are on day six of stims and so far I have 12 follicles at 10-11mm on my right side and 13 follicles at 10-11mm on my left side.

Holy follicles, batman!

We're so freakin' excited.

Next scan is Wednesday.