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Thursday, December 30, 2010

time for the over-analyzation of...everything.

Guess what? I'm spotting! This is great, but is causing such much UNanticipated anxiety. I haven't been keeping up with my cycles for the past 4 months, only know that they have been extremely regular. My nurse anticipates my period to start this Sunday, but if I'm already spotting I might start earlier. B/c that's how I've been rolling with pp periods.

THis morning, my neurotic thinking kicked into action as I was thinking about my GREAT prolactin level. I actually thought "I wonder if they got my test mixed up with someone elses? This would mean my prolactin could be really high, and prevent implantation. Should I call to make sure they gave me the right number?" YES, I really pondered calling, but then realized what an absolute freak-squad I was being and let it go...but the thought is still there lingering.

I'm feeling the need to update about Sophie's "un-official stats" before Jan 5. She's doing so much fun stuff right now, and I just don't want to forget it. For the last month or so, she's taken to lying on her belly in the middle of the floor. She'll just roll over on her belly, and lie there, cute as can be. I can also see the start of tantrums. When she's in belly pose, she has recently started to kick her feet on the ground. No screaming yet, but I'm anxiously anticipating.

I know I've mentioned before she points at EVERYTHING. She LOVES pointing at pics of herself on the wall. I assume she doesn't realize it's her, but when I say "where's the pretty baby" she points to her pictures:)

I realized last night that she is off the bottle! We've gradually been eliminating it, and now, suddenly, it's gone. YAY big girl:)

She LOVES straw sippies. She'll tolerate regular sippies, but in her world, the straw rules.

She discovered my nostrils. She broke my headband. SHe likes to rip the paper off of her nesting blocks. She continues to growl/grunt when hungry---very sexy:) She's been hanging out with all three Wubbanubs in tow, lately. She likes to feed Sierra....with people food. She is infatuated with my bathroom. She loves all trashcans, as well as their contents. She likes to "help" Dan empty the dishwasher.

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Merry good Prolactin check to me!!!

With Christmas shopping, planning, etc, my b/w appt yesterday completely snuck up on me. I've been dreading the results of my prolactin level, fearing that my 2 weeks of weaning wouldn't have been enough time to drop the hormone to a sufficient level. BUT, it is at an 8, "within normal range." This means that I can start Estrace with the start of my next period, hopefully in the next 7 days or so. Yee-haw!!!

Christmas came and went in a whirlwind. Sophie wasn't all that in to the gift opening this year. I assume next year will be quite a different story. I, however, was ecstatic to spend the time with her. I was like a kid in a candy store, just loving the fact that I have a daughter to celebrate with.

Christmas Morning how can you resist this face??


Christmas Eve morning. Her first time in the snow.


Christmas Eve

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

and so it begins...



My FET meds arrived yesterday. Granted, they are a far cry (in amount and money) from fresh IVF meds, but it's still a bit daunting. This big 'ole pile of meds includes Estrace, Prednisone, antibiotics, pre-natal vits and progesterone (PIO). Those needles? Yeah, they're big. IM needles. I'm sure Dan can't wait, lol;)

To keep my eye on the prize, and remember why I am doing this...my sweet, sweet baby girl. Oh, how I want her to have a sibling.

Monday, December 20, 2010

Starting to play the moving game...

Dan and I spent the weekend loading two pods with all of our stuff (crap, according to Dan). We successfully filled TWO pods with bookcases, shelves, a dresser and a bazillion boxes of books and other misc stuff that we hope to not need for a few months.

Sunday, our handyman came over and helped us with some minor fixes that need to be done. So, we're *that* much closer to being able to put our condo on the market. I must say, it feels good to de-clutter. We still have a decent amount of painting to do, and some other handyman work that he couldn't get done yesterday. The deadline is January 10, which is when the realtor's photographer will come take pictures.

Thankfully, Sophia was a good girl (as usual), and let us get lots done this weekend. She goes through phases of independent play and thankfully this weekend was one of them.

Weaning is going well. After my last post about the engorgement I was having, I went home and pumped a bit. And then a bit more the next morning. Apparently, that was the trick, b/c I've had no more engorgement since then. I have leaked a bit here and there, but not much. We almost had a set-back though, last night. Sophie and I were in the tub. Yes, I'm back to getting in with her b/c it's the only way she won't throw a fit. All was fine until she turned around in the tub and saw my boobs. And she tried to go for it, lol, and I ALMOST let her, but fought it. We got out of the tub quickly after that.

Her nighttime sleep has also changed since weaning. She's sleeping an hour more in the morning. I'm assuming it's because she's more full from the whole cows milk??

Here are some of the latest pics.



She's learning how to hug and "pat" her baby on the back. I LOVE it:) See all that crap behind her? It's in the pod now...but not her toys!


Love this too...not much longer before that crawl will turn into a walk.

Loving her baby chunk:)

"Helping" me decorate the tree:)

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

updates...

Sophia's first birthday has come and gone. We had a fun party, and lots of our favorite people were able to make it. I'll post pics when I can. For now, I just wanted to catch up with a post, since the time is FLYING.

Sophia's official stats are 22 pounds (60th percentile), 29 inches (40th percentile), and 95th percentile in head, lol. She's been really consistent in all of her measurements for this first year.

She is back to hating bathtime:( She won't even sit down. I have to bathe her, in the bathtub, with her standing up. She's still interested in the bathtub though. I caught her last night, peering over the side...so I put her in, and got in with her, and we played, with no water, lol. I thought I'd try a bit of desensitization. We'll see.

Also, she LOVES to point! It started a few days before her birthday, and she is pointing at everything. I'm also attempting a little bit of basic sign language (milk, water, sleep, eat, etc). She just looks at me like I'm an idiot.

BIG news is that our FET is on the books for January 21st!!!! This is assuming my period will start on Jan 2, so if it doesn't, it could be one week earlier/later. I ordered meds yesterday too, and they should be delivered next week. I can't believe we're doing this again. I found my notes from consult with Dr. K.
In the first half of 2010, there were 7 cycles in which embryos were 1) from an egg of a 30-34 year old, and 2) frozen with the vitrification method. Of those 7 cycles, there were 6 transfers; of those 6 transfers there were 5 pregnancies (83%!!); of those 5 pregnancies, there were 4 sets of twins (80%!!). Those are some darn good odds, so I'm trying to keep myself in check.

We are almost at the point of complete weaning. Sunday was the last night I nursed her at bedtime. So, it's been almost 48 hours total, and my boobs are NOT happy. There was some leaking this morning, but so far nothing else today. I came *this* close to giving in to her last night. She always falls asleep in our bed, and then I transfer her to her crib. I gave her a bottle and she didn't think twice about it, but then after she finished she got really whiny. I don't think it was b/c I didn't nurse her, I think it was more b/c she was so tired. But is was so hard to NOT give in, b/c I knew nursing her would put her right to sleep.

I'm having some pretty serious guilt about this entire thing. I need to remind myself that I had planned to wean at one year anyway.

Friday, December 3, 2010

un-official stats for ONE year!!!

Well, the time is almost here for my baby girl to turn 1!! To be exact, 12:07 pm on December 5. Because I know this weekend is jam-packed, I thought I'd give Sophia's un-official stats a few days early.
1) size 3 diapers
2) 12-18 month clothes
3) EIGHT teeth!
4) SHe has discovered that drawers and cabinets open.
5) She delights in pulling things out of said drawers and cabinets, lol:)
6) She does not find it the least bit fun when the things she pulls out get put back in!
7) Sleeping overnight in her crib (finally!). She might wake up a time or two, but always goes back to sleep. I have NOT gone in to save her.
8) Falls asleep about 8:30, and sleeps until about 7 am.
9) Loves her glo-worm.
10)She gets one bottle of cows milk in the morning (4 oz). Otherwise she is still drinking breastmilk, whether fresh or frozen.
11) We're down to 2 nursing sessions. One when I get home from work and the other before she goes to bed. Next session to go (on Monday) is the one when I get home from work.
12) Loves to sleep on Dan's belly;)
13) Has found my belly button, and will point to it when I say "where is mamma's belly button."
13) Knows the term "wubby"...her Wubbanub (soothie).
14) She is as hot-blooded as her dad. SHe is a sweater, and fleece is not her friend.
15) SHe has my laid back personality. Not too much gets on her nerve.
16) She and Sierra and getting better at coexisting.
17) Stands on her own. I don't think walking is far behind.
18)Loves putting her toes in her mouth at diaper changes, assuming she is willing to stay on her back. I've had to change a few diapers later with her standing up.
19) SHe is intrigued by the fridge, and it's always a rush to get in/out before she can get there.
20) She eats. Alot. All the time.
21) She's starting to give kisses, which is more of an open mouthed saliva bath on my cheek. I adore her kisses:)