Sunday, December 21, 2008

Hanging in there

Not much new to post. I had another U/S and the baby is looking good. The Dr. said he's got a big head which worries me a little though. My appointment was on Friday at which I was 32 weeks and the baby was measuring 31 weeks 5 days so now the estimated due date is Feb. 15. I am thinking that most likely I will end up being induced so the due date doesn't really concern me too much. I am kind of excited to know that this baby will be born really soon. I can't wait to meet him. I also can't wait to not be pregnant anymore. Things are getting harder and harder and so much more uncomfortable. I have started tossing and turning at night so sleep isn't what it used to be. I am thankful that once the baby is born I will have much needed time to sleep and recoup (a thing I wouldn't have if I was bringing a baby home with me). I have already gained 30 lbs. so I will definately reach my max. I plan on focusing on my health intensely after the baby is born. That's it for now!

Monday, December 8, 2008

Hospital Tour

Tonight B flew in and we went and toured the hospital. It is really nice! It's pretty new at just about 1.5 years old. It's looking like the IF's will (hopefully) get their own room - of course it just depends on how busy it is at the time. We brought a few questions to the table. One being how I feel about being induced. I think they are worried that there is the possibility that they would miss the birth. While I wouldn't want that to happen, I feel pretty strongly (at least right now) that I don't want to be induced. I was induced with my son and I don't think it was the most pleasant experience and he had to be suctioned out. I just feel that inductions can carry a higher risk of possible complications than a normal labor. I haven't looked at statistics so I don't know the facts, but I watch A LOT of shows about birthing and that seems to be the case. I said I would prefer to wait and see what happens as the baby progresses.

Second is whether or not I would breastfeed. It looks like it would only be for the time I was in the hospital so I don't even know if it would be worth it. We'll see what happens a little down the line and just go from there.

Afterwards B took us to dinner and it was great! We got to see pics from his "world tour" vacation - pretty spectacular.

10 more weeks and life is going to change - for everyone involved. I am looking forward to it but at the same time, it will be somewhat sad to be done.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Nearing 30...

Weeks that is. Here is my belly at almost 30 weeks.




Pilates is going good. I am so glad I am able to do that. B is flying out on Monday so we can tour the hospital. I'm really starting to get nervous about the labor. If only it could be easy this time (yeah right). It's so crazy to think that this is coming so near to the end (I hope I haven't said that already). I just can't believe there are only 10 weeks left to go (or knowing me - 11 weeks).

B got us a hotel room (a suite) in downtown Denver this weekend. My mom watched the kids so my husband and I had a nice time to ourselves. We got nearly all of our Christmas shopping done. It was a lot of fun. Thanks again! They wanted to be able to come out here and have dinner with us but times are busy. Soon enough, soon enough.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

I am 28 weeks now and had an appt. with my GTT yesterday. Really nothing to report - things are somewhat boring right now. Just the way I like it. My OB did say that he wants to do another U/S in 3 weeks. I am assuming it is just to check on the other sac.
A couple of weeks ago, some surros from SMO got together at a local restaurant and it was wonderful to meet them and have some great discussions. A few had given birth recently. Thanks girls, I hope we can make it happen again!
My wonderful IF's arranged for my husband and I to stay in a suite downtown at the Hotel Monoco while my parents watch the kids this Saturday night. I am looking forward to it as we never have a night away from the kids. We may try to go see a movie or something fun.
Tonight I start prenatal pilates at the hospital. I need to start getting some more exercise as I have already put on 26 whopping pounds (crap!) Hopefully it will help with the birth and recovery.
So Christmas is right around the corner and once that passes, this baby will be here before I know it. I can't believe that this journey is on it's last leg. I can't wait to meet little Trevor and let his parents begin a new beautiful phase of their life. I can't imagine life without my kids and am so happy to be able to provide a little of what I feel for somebody else!!
Lastly, I recently had a 4D U/S and it was great. We got some great shots - here are my favorites...

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Time is Creeping By

Well, I'm almost 27 weeks and I feel as though time is just creeping by. I am already so uncomfortable - my back hurts like crazy. I recently bought a maternity support belt and so far it is helping (I've actually bought 2 but I'm going to return 1). On Saturday I have the 3D U/S but neither of the guys will even be here so I'm going with my mom. I really hope we can get a face shot. On Sunday is the SMO get together - I am looking forward to that. I hope to make some new friends.

I can't believe February is still 3 months away. I know it won't get any easier, but I hope it doesn't get too much harder. It probably doesn't help that I've already gained 21 lbs. I need to get my but moving... I will try to post pics when I get them - if I can figure it out.

Friday, October 24, 2008

24 Weeks!

I hit 24 weeks today. The baby is moving constantly which puts me at ease. My back has been spasming for the past week. Thank God I have a Dr. appt. next Thurs. because life has been extremely hard the past week as I have been in so much pain. We scheduled a 3D/4D U/S for Nov. 15 so we are all looking forward to that. I can't believe that I am already starting to worry about the birth. With my back hurting so much, I compared it to having contractions in my back - that's exactly what it feels like. And so I am starting to get nervous. Part of me wants to have an epidural and part of me doesn't - I'm so torn. I'm truly contemplating IV drugs or something along those lines. Of course it all depends on if I go into labor naturally or (heaven forbid) I have to be induced. If I do go on my own I thank God I only live 3 minutes from the hospital. I don't know what we will do if it is the middle of the night though because I really don't want to take the kids with me again.

On a lighter note, there is a SMO get together planned for Nov. 16 so I am really looking forward to that. I think it will be great to meet some other surrogates that live in Colorado!

Until next week...

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Halfway - At last

I have to say that I just haven't been much into blogging lately. I was never good at keeping a diary and just the same not good at keeping up to date on my blog.

Things with the surrogacy have quieted quite a bit. Last Thursday I had my 20 week U/S and the Dr. said everything looks great. I hope that my IF's are at ease knowing this after everything we have gone through. The baby is moving like crazy which is good. I've already gained 14 lbs. which I hope will slow down a bit over the next few months. I figure I'm halfway there and gained half of what I need to gain sooooo...hopefully I'm right on track (I'm pretty sure this is how it was with my daughter as well). My IF's are thinking they want me to meet with a new Dr. just to see how he is and still keep our options open. I'm okay with it, I am nervous about how far away it is though. With my daughter I was only in labor from first contraction to delivery for 2 hours and 44 minutes and had I stayed home any longer I probably would have had her at home. Thank God that the hopspital was only 5 minutes away. This new hospital is about 30-40 minutes away depending on traffic. I really don't want to be induced unless medically necessary.

I know my IF's want to do a 3D or 4D U/S so we may be doing that soon. They are also planning a trip out to take my husband and I downtown to stay in a hotel and have dinner. That will be really nice - a night away from the kids. It's been a long time.

This has been a super busy month so far and I don't see it lettin up in the near future. If anything happens I will post.

Lastly, here's a pic of my 20 week belly.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Sweet sweet love

On a completely surrogacy unrelated note, I wanted to post something that has made me extremely happy the past few days. Once you see what I'm talking about, you'll know why.

Meet the newest member of our family... Gobo is his name and he's 8 weeks old.


Is this the cutest picture or what?

BTW, I am still waiting to hear about what is going to happen due to the high AFP results. I'm not positive but I think the most that will happen will be a high-resolution U/S (knock on wood) vs. the dreaded amnio. I am just waiting patiently in the sidelines...

Thursday, September 4, 2008

What next?

Just when I thought things were calming down and beginning to go smoothly, BAM, I get another thing thrown at me that I have to deal with. I spoke with my OB this morning and he told me my AFP results came back abnormal. After reading a lot on SMO, I've learned that that test usually does come back abnormal if you are or have been pregnant with multiples at some point. I let my IF's know and my coordinator know and they want to proceed with whatever is necessary. Now, I'm just waiting for my Dr. to call me back after he speaks with someone at the genetics counseling place to see what they recommend we do. I really hope nothing comes of it because I don't want to have to go through an amnio after having gone through the reduction.

I know I shouldn't have any expectations of what this pregnancy should be but this isn't turning out to be like imagined for sure and it really makes me question if I would ever have what it takes to do this again in the future (not that I'm even thinking about that right now). I guess it is just so weird how different every pregnancy can be - some better than others. I suppose I should never expect this pregnancy to be "normal" because it isn't. With everything that has happened so far I just hope we aren't in for even more surprises like early labor or whatever else can go wrong.

P.S. Sorry I keep chaning the look of this blog but I needed something softer. Also, as I've been sitting here typing - I think I've been feeling the baby moving around. Of course, I still can't be positive.

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Baby update

It's been awhile since my last post because the last time I had a whole post typed out and then my daughter came and erased the whole thing with the press of one button. Nevertheless, I didn't feel like retyping the whole thing so I just forgot about it.
I had my OB appt. today and they did yet another U/S. She said that there was an enlarged area in the peritoneal cavity - like maybe an enlarged kidney or something. When the Dr. came in, he didn't seem too concerned about it though so I'm not really worried. He told me to schedule my next appt. for one month and at that time we would do the measuring U/S and see if anything looks abnormal then.
The Dr.s office that I use has only the Dr. and a PA. The PA decided to quit and move on so now they will have to hire somebody new. That kind of sucks to have to get used to someone new now. Today was the first time I even saw the Dr. (I know who he is because he was the Dr. on call when I went into labor with my daughter so he delivered her.)
I hope everything ends up okay and I'm sure it will. I do know that it is for sure a boy! That will make B & B happy. I won't have any news to update until after October starts because I scheduled the appt. for after my vacation. I will try to post something in the meantime but hopefully nothing happens before then.

Friday, August 15, 2008

2nd OB visit

I had my second OB visit yesterday and the remaining baby is doing fine. The other two are still there - fully, they just aren't alive anymore. That is so weird to think about. The sacs are supposed to shrink but I learned that it won't happen right away. I feel huge - and that is why. For now my OB visits are pretty close together and for awhile at least, I will have an U/S each time I go in. She saw a pocket of blood and we need to watch it to make sure it doesn't grow. I had a babysitter this whole week since I wasn't supposed to lift more than 10 lbs. or stand for more than 30 min. at a time. She left a little while ago and I am excited to be able to hold my kids again. While it was nice having her here, at the same time I am happy to be on my own again. We are going camping this weekend so I am also looking forward to being able to go on a walk (provided it stops raining). Therefore, I am hoping I won't start bleeding or anything crazy while I am out in the middle of nowhere (lol). Two more weeks until my next appt. and then around 20 weeks when they do the U/S to measure the baby, B&B should be coming out for that appt. They want to meet the Dr. but even I haven't met him yet so I hope they won't be disappointed. (I have only seen the PA but I like her). Until next time...

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Moving on (Sad post)

Yesterday was definately one of the hardest days of my life. It was something I make a conscious decision never to have to go through again. After we got to the Dr.s office, she took us back to "talk". She just wanted to discuss the complications of carrying triplets and twins. She was discussing how hard it can be for the babies as most are born very prematurely - this didn't make it any easier for me. I just sat there thinking to myself "Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry". I could feel it building up but I was able to hold it in for the most part. When we moved on to the procedure room, it was just me, my husband, and one IF. The other IF couldn't be in the room. She was to do a full U/S first before proceding. I didn't want to hear or see anything as I had seen all three babies on Tues. when I went to my OB appt. Soon after I laid on the table I broke down and burst out crying - I couldn't hold it in any longer. After she did the U/S she got prepared for the procedure. I closed my eyes as I didn't want to see anything. She gave me a shot of numbing medicine and in went the needle. It hurt so bad I think I was just crying out in pain. I just kept praying over and over for those babies as I was crying. The second time wasn't quite as bad as the first but it was not pleasant. All I can say is it was extremely painful - both physically and emotionally.

I am glad that it is past me now and we can move on and focus on the good things. I know this will be with me for a long time but I will heal with that time. I don't have any hard feelings in the end. Having gone through this once, I choose never to do it again - that's just the way it has to be. It's too hard. Physically I feel good today and I now know that I am carrying a really healthy baby (measuring 14 weeks yesterday) (boy-we're pretty sure) and I will just celebrate the good that is left to come. I have another OB appt. on Thursday in which they will do another U/S to check how everything is going. This week I have to hire a babysitter to come over to take care of my kids. I can't lift more than 10 lbs. or stand for more than 30 min. at a time. I meet with her tomorrow. It will be weird because I won't know what to do with myself.

I want to post a pic. of my belly while I was still carrying triplets because I don't think it will ever happen again.

Monday, August 4, 2008

The Big Week

I have a lot going on this week. I have my first OB appt. tomorrow which I am glad, but I think it will be weird as well. I need to tell them about these awful headaches I have been having. I am having them all the time. Migraines and just regular (painful) headaches. The weird part will be telling them that I am a surrogate, pregnant with three babies, but the next time they see me, I will only be pregnant with one. My husband and I leave on Thursday afternoon to fly out to LA and the procedure will be performed on Friday morning. One thing that really helped was that I found a forum that had posts from ladies that had fertility problems and had undergone IVF. They were either facing a reduction or had already gone through the procedure. I can only imagine how much more tough a decision it was for these ladies because these were their own children. I just want to say that I don't feel as guilty as I have recently. I truly am looking forward to moving on. I got to hold a sweet sweet baby at a friends baby shower yesterday and I can't wait until I can provide this baby to his/her new parents. And I also can't wait to hold the little one. I am so glad that I won't be taking the baby home and having to breastfeed and wake up at all hours of the night to feed him/her. Exciting times!!!

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

New Ticker

Okay, so I know that I am not really going to give birth to triplets but I have to be technically correct for now right? This is the cutest ticker I have seen yet! So the wierdest thing happened yesterday. The psychologist from my agency called, as she knows what is going on, and at one point she asked how I was doing in regards to having some negativity on the SMO boards. I was shocked! How did she know? I had read earlier about people from certain agencies reading posts there but I'm thinking maybe everyone from my agency does (unless she happens to be a current or past surrogate herself). Anyway the point is, I never told her anything. Or anybody else from my agency. Whatever, big deal. At least I have never said anything bad about anybody (and I don't plan to). Are they reading my blog too? Kind of reminds me of Big Brother... J/K

And by the way, I will change the ticker when it is appropriate.

Sunday, July 27, 2008

I can't sleep

I should be asleep right now, but I can't until I get my thoughts off my mind. I was on SMO today and found somebody who was offering to make people new siggy's. After I thought about it for awhile I thought that it would be cool. I checked to see if she would and it turned out adorable. When I was lying in bed I was thinking about and I thought, "oh no, it has three little babies on it". It was three little babies (Anne Geddes picture) in bee outfits inside little flower pots. Totally cute. I got to thinking that maybe it would be more appropriate if I had a picture of only one baby instead. I e-mailed her and tried to go back to sleep. Then (of course) I got to thinking about the procedure and began to cry. I've always been pro-choice. I feel if a woman decides that they need to go through with an abortion, it should be her choice and she should do what she needs to do. With that in mind - I would never go through that myself. Well... here I am and I am practically in that situation and it is so hard to face. I feel so guilty. I know that they are not my babies but that doesn't make it any easier. I'm a person who can't even kill a bug (even though I don't like them). And now I feel like I am personally killing two babies. I kept telling myself once it is over it will be easier. Whatever! Then I will probably feel even worse. People always tell me if I need/want to talk about it then they are there but I'm not good at talking about my feelings - even to a professional. That's just the way I am. This is somewhat of a journal of my journey, so since I am not speaking to an actual person, it is easier for me to express my thoughts. Most of the time I just try not to think about it, but when I do it is soooo hard. I will try contacting someone else who has had to go through this before and maybe I will be able to get through this better.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Raging hormones

Let me tell you that I have never been so negatively affected by hormones. Forget about making me moody. I have never had so many headaches in my life - especially migraines. Yesterday, I had one of the worst headaches I have ever had and on top of that I could not keep anything down. I ate three times yesterday and threw up three times yesterday. It was awful. The Dr. called in a prescription of Vicoden and that did help. Fortunately, everything is better today. I can eat and I have not even a hint of a headache. I am assuming that my body is just trying to regulate after I stopped taking all of my meds. So far this pregnancy has not been good - it really makes me question whether or not I would ever want to do this again. I'm hoping things will start getting better. I fly out to LA on 8/7, have the procedure scheduled for 8/8, and will be back home on 8/9. After that I truly hope this pregnancy will improve. Only time will tell...

Thursday, July 17, 2008

10-week (and final) U/S

I had my last U/S before I am to be released to my OB this morning. The U/S went well. Nothing has changed except the babies have grown. They are all more distinguished and were moving around. I was 10 minutes late (I'm usually never late) but fortunately they still saw me. I had to drive out to the appt. (45 min.) hardly able to see due to a migraine headache that started right as I dropped Evan off for school. Now that the last U/S is done, it will be time to schedule the reduction. I am completely not looking forward to it in any way, shape, or form, but I cannot wait until everything will be the way it's going to be and this pregnancy can just progress with (hopefully) no complications. The IF that was at the U/S today expressed his sadness for the upcoming reduction. It is really sad to think about after seeing them all dancing around in there today. I tried to take a nap today but I couldn't stop thinking about the procedure. I ended up doing a search online to see at what stage fetuses could feel pain. While it doesn't make me feel any better, it looks like fetuses don't feel anything until the third trimester at the earliest. I just can't wait until this is over. If I ever pursue surrogacy again, I will never allow this to happen again.

My morning sickness is like a roller coaster. Yesterday it was horrible (although I've only actually thrown up once thus far). Today it is not bad (I say that now). Fortunately I get to stop my meds tomorrow. That makes me so happy. I will post when I find out what is going on because I don't even know. Til then... here is a pic of the U/S today.



Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Oh so sad news

I just got off the phone with my case coordinator and she said she received an e-mail from the IF's today saying that they are 95% positive they will reduce to one fetus. I knew that this was going to happen but to hear it makes so much more sad. I (think I) have mentally prepared myself for this but I know when the time comes it is going to hit me like a ton of bricks. I just can't wait for all of this to be over with and to just be able to go on with a (hopefully) normal pregnancy. That's all I can say because I can't say what my feelings are towards my IP's.

Thursday, July 3, 2008

8 week U/S update

I went in for my 8 week U/S (with Lily) today and not much has changed except the size of the babies. There are still 3 in there and the tech said that all 3 have very strong heartbeats. I have been trying hard to not think about the impending future. We are all going camping this weekend with some friends so hopefully it will keep my mind off of it. I did talk to B today but he didn't really say much. It will be very hard for me to talk about having to go through the reduction. It still just makes me so sad to think of not only the people who go through heartbreaking infertility troubles but also even the surrogates who have to go through the failed transfers. I got lucky, in a sense, I only wish it would have been somebody else who would have been able to carry all 3 babies. Two more weeks until my next U/S. B & B will be there for that one. The babies will look more like babies by then. I was able to stop one of my medications today. Yea! Two weeks until I can stop all meds - I can't wait, seriously.

Monday, June 23, 2008

The Big (and I mean BIG) results

Alright, so Friday came and went and I am just now writing my results. Let me first say that I have gone through every emotion possible. The results of the the U/S were not what I expected and I can't say I'm thrilled with the results. Okay, so of the 3 embryos we transferred, all 3 of them stuck. Therefore, for the time being, I am pregnant with triplets. Yes, I will admit I think that is pretty cool but, according to the agency I work with (and I knew this when I started) I am not allowed to carry more than 2 babies. And to top things off, my IP's only want 1 baby so yes, I am going to have to do the unthinkable and reduce. Unless I am blessed with a miracle, this is what is going to have to happen. It is unfortunate that I have to learn the hard way, but I would never take this path again. I still have another U/S on 7/3 and then another 2 weeks after that. Once that is done, I will be going back to LA between 12 and 15 weeks and we will see what happens from there.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

The Countdown is on!

Two more days until my U/S. I heard from B today and found out that they are flying in at 11:30am, the U/S is at 1pm, and they are flying back home (SF) at 4pm. I hate to say it but after reading a lot that has been posted on the SMO boards, it looks like this U/S might be pretty uneventful - especially since I don't even think I will be a full six weeks. Most other GS's say that they never saw a heartbeat at the 6-week U/S. I guess I would just hate for them to fly all the way out here for nothing. We'll see what happens and I'm hoping for the best. I will update as soon as I find out.

Friday, June 13, 2008

Early Signs

So I'm finally starting to feel some signs that I am pregnant and those are 1. very tired (actually extremely exhausted) and 2. very hormonal - almost like I am bipolar. One minute I'm okay and the next I am crying. At least I'm not sick - yet anyway. One week 'til the U/S. If time goes by as slow as it has been the last few weeks, I don't know how I am going to make it through this pregnancy. I'm actually pretty nervous about next week because I'm pretty sure I am carrying twins at this point. The problem is my IP's don't want more than one child. While I know it's not my place to say anything, the thought of reducing still makes me very sad. It is so hard for me to not think about this constantly. I haven't talked to them for a week and there is always the possibility they could change their mind... I know I shouldn't speculate about something that hasn't happened yet but it's hard.

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Everything is Good

So that scare that I had yesterday, it really was just an upset stomach (thank God). I felt much better today. I talked to one of my friends today and she told me she thought she had a miscarriage on Memorial Day weekend. She said she began bleeding and then passed a large mass. Seeing that she is around 3 months, you can imagine she was very depressed - so she indulged in a whole bottle of wine (I'd have probably done the same). When she went to the Dr. that Tuesday, her baby was just fine. The thought was that maybe she was carrying twins and one didn't make it, although the U/S never revealed anything like that. I'm just relieved that the baby is okay.

On a lighter note, my backside still itches like crazy and I do have to do a shot tonight but I am hopeful that everything will heal soon. I don't expect anything really exciting to happen until next Friday when the U/S is scheduled. I haven't even spoken with B & B since last week sometime. I am beginning to get more and more tired - a symptom of the pregnancy? I hope so.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

A Little Scare

So today I started getting this weird feeling in my stomach. It just felt like stomach cramps but throughout the day they were almost rhythmic. And the even weirder thing is that the cramps are the only symptom I've had today - nothing else. Well of course my mind started wandering and then I kind of started freaking out thinking maybe I was starting to have a miscarriage. I thought that there should be at least one other symptom if it was truly my stomach - right? Now at almost 8pm it's not as bad as it was earlier but I still worry a bit. I've had a miscarriage before and it hurt so bad that I had to go to the ER. That's what made me think those thoughts again. And I forgot to say that last night after a wonderfully healthy dinner of salmon and asparagus, I picked up shakes and onion rings from Sonic after my sewing class. It's only the second time I've eaten anything from there because it is probably the worst food you could possibly eat but whatever, learn from your mistakes.

I received my Prometrium today so no more Progesterone shots. Yea! I didn't know what I was going to do. My backside looks and feels like I have 20 mosquito bites on both sides. I still have to take the Estrogen shots but at least that is only every 3 days. 4 days until Lily's birthday and 10 more days until the U/S. I pray everything goes smoothly until then. I have been reading so many stories of unsuccessful transfers and chemical pregnancies, etc. that it definitely makes me nervous. I still don't feel pregnant but I have always been lucky like that.

Monday, June 9, 2008

In the Beginning...

So this whole journey started in December of 2007. I don't know what made me think that I wanted to become a surrogate, but once I got the idea into my mind, there was no changing it. I knew from the beginning, after doing a little research of course, that I was going to work with an agency. I would be too scared to do this thing by myself. So I began to look at all of the different agencies...there are many. So how do I know which is the right one? I filled out a couple of applications and kept doing more research. I found a surrogacy forum somewhere and one night I read about Growing Generations. I went to their website and read everything. They seemed to be very professional (most agencies did though), but there was one thing that stood out. This was the fact that maternity insurance is paid for. That really helped to make up my mind. I didn't know at the time, but my insurance policy through Kaiser did have a surrogacy exclusion. So I filled out the application on Dec. 14th and thus began my journey.I won't lie, it took my husband, Mark, some convincing.

After a lot of discussion, he was okay with it. Next, I had to tell my parents. I was worried about what they would think. Turns out they were very supportive...and everybody else has been also. Yea! Thanks everybody. So now begins the real application process. I had my telephone interview on Dec. 17, 07. That was easy, just answer more of the same questions as before. Then, after a lot of e-mails, gathering information, filling out paperwork, we received our intended parent profile on Feb. 6, 08. Not long after was our first trip out to LA for the screening process on Feb. 22, 08. This wasn't a very good trip because our flight out was delayed for at least 2 hours so we didn't arrive to our hotel until around 1am and to top it off, our room was right above a nightclub. In the morning, we woke to the loud sound of traffic on Sunset Blvd. So you can imagine we didn't get the best sleep. But whatever - we were in LA. The screening was talking to a psychologist and answering yet more of the same questions and taking the MMPI test which took like 2 hours or something crazy like that. (And just in case your wondering, no I don't have thoughts about killing people). Yeah, there were a lot of crazy questions like that. Anyway, after we were "cleared", it would be time for the match meeting.


The match meeting was scheduled for Mar. 21, 08. This trip was much better than our last. We met the intended parents (B & B) and they were wonderful. They treated us to a very fun day and the best part was that we got to go to the beach. I haven't been there in many years so it was great. Nevertheless, the match meeting went perfect. On the plane ride there I was soooo nervous but everything turned out better than I could have imagined. Now that we both decided to continue on, it would be time for the contract next. I began BCP's and then once the contract was signed, I went in for a baseline ultrasound and began injections!!! At first the injections were just every three days until right before the transfer when I started progesterone injections every day.

The transfer date was set for May 26th (Memorial Day). This time I went all by myself. I stayed in a magnificent hotel and waiting for me when I got there were 2 beers and a note that said these might be your last for awhile...enjoy. And I did, after dinner. The transfer was superfast, like 5 minutes. But then of course, I had to lay there for what seemed like forever while practically upside down. Whatever, this trip was great. After the transfer I got to lay in bed in my sweet hotel room and do whatever I wanted. I haven't been able to relax like that for what feels like almost three years (yes, since Evan was born). I have to admit though, by Tuesday I was ready to go home...and so I did. I was glad to see my kids, and they were glad to see me. Next comes the pregnancy test. That Friday I received a huge package from B & B and in the box was a smaller box containing 2 pregnancy tests (along with some other most wonderful gifts, thank you again!) Well you can only imagine what's going to happen with a girl who thinks she might be pregnant that has a box of pregnancy tests. So of course, I took one that night and what do you think? Negative of course. And while I was discouraged, I bought some more (not digital) the next day. I couldn't stand it and did another that afternoon and low and behold...a faint (really faint) line. Yea! I took the other one the following day and it was even more positive, see below.





So now that I know it's positive, I still have to wait for the true test on Jun. 5, 08. Okay, so I go take that test and then just wait, what's the big deal, I already know I'm pregnant! Hours later my case coordinator calls me and says congrats! your pregnant and your level was 180. Yea! again. A little later that afternoon, B calls and the only words I could hear out of the conversation were Sahakian, Carol and twins. Okay, what is that supposed to mean? That evening he called back and said that my levels were 484. What? And that I was most likely pregnant with twins. Whoa. We won't know anything until Jun. 20, 08 at 1pm which is when my ultrasound is scheduled.

Okay, so here we arrive to today, Jun 9, 08. This morning I called my Dr. (Dr. Sahakian back in LA) and told the nurse that my injection sites are red, a little swollen and itch like crazy. Now they are going to send oral pills to take instead of the daily progesterone injections - it appears I'm having a reaction to the progesterone. Another Yea! I didn't think I was going to be able to take it anymore.

That's it for "the beginning". Hopefully from here on out the posts will be short and sweet but I just had to play catch up. I will try to post as often as I can, as long as I have something interesting to say.