Dominic discovered 2 babies when they got home this evening! The boys have said, "Mom, the baby birds are NAKED!" Only one egg left - maybe tomorrow.Friday, April 30, 2010
Happy Birthday to 2 babies!
Dominic discovered 2 babies when they got home this evening! The boys have said, "Mom, the baby birds are NAKED!" Only one egg left - maybe tomorrow.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Awesome Orientation!
We had Dominic's orientation for K tonight He did awesome! When his group was called to go with the teachers (away from parents) he hopped right up and didn't even look back. There were several "criers" in the group but big D was not one of them! When we were reunited, the teacher came up to us and said, "That is one smart boy. He is definitely NOT shy." I think my eyes were as big as Mark's ------ not shy, are you kidding me?!?!? But we think it is great. He is going to do great and have so much fun next fall.
Hatching
Late this afternoon, we discovered that one egg is beginning to hatch. We should have one baby by tomorrow morning.Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Silly Luke
Luke's new favorite bath time game - he likes to make a bubble beard and say "ho, ho, ho......I'm going to bring you presents!"
No babies yet...
As of this afternoon, no baby robins yet. But you can see from these pictures that the mama does turn and rearrange the eggs. We think we will have babies some time this week.
Celebrating Mom's Birthday
The boys made and decorated my birthday cake. While there were not 37 candles on the cake, they put all the candles they could find! I think it is the best cake I have ever gotten! Made with love from my 3 favorite boys!
Monday, April 26, 2010
Dominic's BIG news
Dominic discovered his very first loose tooth last night. He was brushing his teeth and called me in to check out a tooth he thought "has a cavity". Since he pointed to the bottom middle tooth, I explained that it might just be loose - sure is. We can't see a big tooth yet but I'm sure it won't be long.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
FET Dates Set!
We are on a roll for June. I start Lurpon May 17, Estrace May 28, PIO on June 10, and the FET is June 14. Here is hoping for another Feb baby!
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Infertility Marathon.....
We are cruising now....relaxed.....feeling confident.....well hydrated and in "the zone". We are waiting....holding back just a bit.....for the sprint to the end.
We have been asked thousands of times why we continue to build our family with "all we have been through". My typical response has been, "We always wanted a large family. So we roll with the emotional waves of IF and find ourselves back in the RE office."
As I was driving to and from St. Louis to the doctor appointments, I had many quiet hours to re-think why we continue. I decided it is like running a marathon.
I asked a scared looking couple in the radiology waiting room, "Is this your first IVF cycle?"
"Yes, this is our first and hopefully last."
"You say that now......" I replied and smiled to myself as my named was called. While getting the ultrasound of my ovaries, I remembered how I felt to know I was finally pregnant with Dominic. We had won the war on IF! Then Dominic was born.....we were a family! But having one child made us long for more........and the "training" had to begin again because the next race day was drawing near.
Holding the miracle baby that was never to be makes you forget some of the pain - you just look back and remember the good things along the way. It is so amazing when you "cross the finish line" that you will want another one.......just wait and see.
Mark and I have done "several " (we really try not to think about the truth) IF marathons and the boys have come along on most of them. After all, we are a family trying to grow our family - so each marathon we successfully complete brings along more buddies to share the road.
Miles 1-7 (gearing up for a cycle)
In the beginning you are a ball of nerves and "what ifs". This is the planning phase.....you are full of optimism and energy. You are conscious of every part of your body. What was that? Why does that hurt? I hope that is ok? You are nervous and jittery. You haven't settled into a pace. Your mind is everywhere and you are so excited just to finally be IN the race that everyone else has been talking about.
Miles 8-15 (stimming)
You are finding your groove. Things are falling into place - sure the needles and the medication burn - but you are tough and can take it. With each monitoring appointment your optimism still shines through.
Miles 16-19 (late stimming)
Your ovaries are aching now. Why don't they make a bra for ovaries? I swear they are at least as big as my boobs right now! Time to get serious and focus. You are no longer lighthearted when talking about this journey. Why are others so bothersome at this stage? You are wondering what you signed up for....can you see it to the end? Don't allow yourself to even think you won't succeed -that is a dangerous mental path of self doubt - DON'T DO IT!
Miles 20-22 (Egg Retrieval and Embryo Transfer)
You are trying so hard to stay positive. Your support group is amazing - cheering you on from the sidelines. They can read your face and help push you through the low times. You want to believe you can do this, but if one more person tells you "I know you will get pregnant this time!" you might just kick their a**.
Miles 23-25 (Dreaded 2 Week Wait)
This is the hardest thing you have done in your life....and you know it's probably going to get worse before it gets better. You wish the race was over - you want to quit. You just want the results so you can either be happy or sad - but at least you would know and could deal with it. You are so close......but "I beg of you God, don't let me run into one more pregnant belly this week! I can't take it anymore." You loathe all women that can get pregnant so easily. You have to force yourself not to stop at Walmart or the Dollar Store for HPTs.
Miles 25-26 (the end)
You made it. Today is the day that will change your life - maybe. You stand in your bathroom holding a HPT with shaky hands and a full bladder. Should I POAS (pee on a stick for non IFers) or just wait for the office to call with the blood test results? Will "I'm sorry. But your test is negative." be easier to hear if you already know there are not 2 lines on the HPT? No it will not.....it will devastate you know matter how that news is delivered. Why does the phone always have to ring at a moment like this?!??!?!
"This is the nurse from the doctor's office. We have your test results. Congratulations!!!! You are pregnant."
You collapse. You have an "ugly" cry for a beautiful moment. You can hardly remember the race. You are so amazed...so proud...it was so worth it.
But that doesn't mean you will ever do that again! It was almost too hard to bare. You will be happy enough with your first and only experience at being a mommy.
And then, one day in the future, you will look into that tiny face and the longing begins again. You will remember just how strong you really can be. You will remember the pride, the joy, and the ultimate, most amazing reward.
And you will think to yourself, "Well, maybe just one more.........."
We have been asked thousands of times why we continue to build our family with "all we have been through". My typical response has been, "We always wanted a large family. So we roll with the emotional waves of IF and find ourselves back in the RE office."
As I was driving to and from St. Louis to the doctor appointments, I had many quiet hours to re-think why we continue. I decided it is like running a marathon.
I asked a scared looking couple in the radiology waiting room, "Is this your first IVF cycle?"
"Yes, this is our first and hopefully last."
"You say that now......" I replied and smiled to myself as my named was called. While getting the ultrasound of my ovaries, I remembered how I felt to know I was finally pregnant with Dominic. We had won the war on IF! Then Dominic was born.....we were a family! But having one child made us long for more........and the "training" had to begin again because the next race day was drawing near.
Holding the miracle baby that was never to be makes you forget some of the pain - you just look back and remember the good things along the way. It is so amazing when you "cross the finish line" that you will want another one.......just wait and see.
Mark and I have done "several " (we really try not to think about the truth) IF marathons and the boys have come along on most of them. After all, we are a family trying to grow our family - so each marathon we successfully complete brings along more buddies to share the road.
Miles 1-7 (gearing up for a cycle)
In the beginning you are a ball of nerves and "what ifs". This is the planning phase.....you are full of optimism and energy. You are conscious of every part of your body. What was that? Why does that hurt? I hope that is ok? You are nervous and jittery. You haven't settled into a pace. Your mind is everywhere and you are so excited just to finally be IN the race that everyone else has been talking about.
Miles 8-15 (stimming)
You are finding your groove. Things are falling into place - sure the needles and the medication burn - but you are tough and can take it. With each monitoring appointment your optimism still shines through.
Miles 16-19 (late stimming)
Your ovaries are aching now. Why don't they make a bra for ovaries? I swear they are at least as big as my boobs right now! Time to get serious and focus. You are no longer lighthearted when talking about this journey. Why are others so bothersome at this stage? You are wondering what you signed up for....can you see it to the end? Don't allow yourself to even think you won't succeed -that is a dangerous mental path of self doubt - DON'T DO IT!
Miles 20-22 (Egg Retrieval and Embryo Transfer)
You are trying so hard to stay positive. Your support group is amazing - cheering you on from the sidelines. They can read your face and help push you through the low times. You want to believe you can do this, but if one more person tells you "I know you will get pregnant this time!" you might just kick their a**.
Miles 23-25 (Dreaded 2 Week Wait)
This is the hardest thing you have done in your life....and you know it's probably going to get worse before it gets better. You wish the race was over - you want to quit. You just want the results so you can either be happy or sad - but at least you would know and could deal with it. You are so close......but "I beg of you God, don't let me run into one more pregnant belly this week! I can't take it anymore." You loathe all women that can get pregnant so easily. You have to force yourself not to stop at Walmart or the Dollar Store for HPTs.
Miles 25-26 (the end)
You made it. Today is the day that will change your life - maybe. You stand in your bathroom holding a HPT with shaky hands and a full bladder. Should I POAS (pee on a stick for non IFers) or just wait for the office to call with the blood test results? Will "I'm sorry. But your test is negative." be easier to hear if you already know there are not 2 lines on the HPT? No it will not.....it will devastate you know matter how that news is delivered. Why does the phone always have to ring at a moment like this?!??!?!
"This is the nurse from the doctor's office. We have your test results. Congratulations!!!! You are pregnant."
You collapse. You have an "ugly" cry for a beautiful moment. You can hardly remember the race. You are so amazed...so proud...it was so worth it.
But that doesn't mean you will ever do that again! It was almost too hard to bare. You will be happy enough with your first and only experience at being a mommy.
And then, one day in the future, you will look into that tiny face and the longing begins again. You will remember just how strong you really can be. You will remember the pride, the joy, and the ultimate, most amazing reward.
And you will think to yourself, "Well, maybe just one more.........."
Cool Dudes in Car Seats!
The boys just LOVE riding in the new truck. They can see so much since they sit up high! Here is Luke enjoying some Easter candy on our way to visit Addison.
Is that a smile? It sure is.....Dominic cooperated with a great picture!Saturday, April 17, 2010
Now there were Three....
The mama Robin did lay her 4th egg on Tax Day!
Look how close she allows me to get before she flys away! She flys away immediately with Luke around. We think it is because he is loud!
Unfortuntately......the boys discovered a crushed egg in her nest yesterday. We think mama accidentally crushed one. But she is a good house keeper and you can barely tell there were 4 eggs.
Here she is.....chirping at me from the swing set because I was too close to her nest.Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Our Robin Journey
A very confused robin built her nest on our deck steps this year. Last year she built it on our deck chair! So we decided to take pictures this year of the life cycle of a baby robin. This was on April 12 - she laid one egg this day.
The boys discovered the second egg on the afternoon of April 13. It is a challenge to keep Luke off the deck so the mama robin can do her job!
Now today - April 14 - the boys discovered the 3rd egg when Dominic got home from school. We think she may lay one more because she did lay 4 eggs last year. The boys are excited to see if there will be a 4th egg tomorrow.
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