Phew...I went in Monday to get my P4 drawn to make sure I wasn't close to O'ing. I forgot my purse at home, and then had some serious anxiety when I pulled into the parking lot. I got the call that my P4 was where it should be for the cycle day, so we went in yesterday to talk to Dr. K.
She did the SHG and TET first. When she walked in to the u/s room, she looked dissapointed that Sophia wasn't there, lol. I told her she was in the waiting room with Dan and she was happy again:) She asked if Sophie had learned how to say "Aunt Sarah" yet (her name). I told her no, but she would:) The procedures hurt like a mo-fo...and the dildo-cam...what more can I say about that??!
The good news is that everything looked fine. Next up was the consult. She and the rest of the staff oohed and aahhed over our sweet girl for a few minutes, and then we got down to business. Turns out that we have three embies, not two. The third one is necrotic, so obviously not the best option, but it looked good enough that the very picky lab had decided to freeze it in the first place.
The GREAT news is that in Jan 2009 the lab switched to a new freezing technique, vitrification. Apparently, this is a stellar method:) In the first 1/2 of 2010, for FETs where the embies were frozen using this method (and in my age range when embies were retrieved), the stats are as follows...7 FETs resulted in 5 pregnancies; 5 pregnancies resulted in 4 sets of twins. Holy cannoli. Essentially, if we can get pregnant, there's an 80% chance of twins.
She never gave us a percentage for us, but bottom line, our chances are MUCH better this time around than they were with FET #1.
The plan is for me to wrap up bfing by the end of the year. I'll start Estrace with my January cycle (most likely early in the month), with FET planned for a Friday in late January or early Feb.
I'm a bit intimidated by the likelihood of twins, but we're just as likely to be one of the two couples for whom this doesn't work. So we'll see. We're going with it. Dan was completely freaked out, but when I asked if he wanted to postpone/not do it at all, he said absolutely not.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
11 months!!!
Friday was Sophia's 11 month birthday. Just one more month until the big one, but for now...the unofficial stats.
1) red hair/blue eyes
2) wearing 12 and 18 month clothes
3) SEVEN teeth!!! 4 bottom and 3 top
4) no more baby food for her. If you stick a spoon by her mouth she'll smack it away. She's all about self-feeding, so we're into cheese (shredded and cubed), diced pickles and tomatos, peas, carrots, corn. So far, the only thing she hasn't eaten is steamed brocolli. I think it just wasn't the right texture for her. She didn't mind the taste, just couldn't chew it.
5) Is very into electrical outlets and wall vents:(
6) 2nd haircut
7) loves to play with (unused) diapers
8) growls (yes, growls) when she is hungry. It's at those times that Dan calls her "your daughter"
9) size 3 diapers, and size 4 overnight for bedtime
10) does not dig people that she doesn't know well, or only sees rarely
11) the only toy she plays with on a daily basis is her box of letter/number blocks. She contantly takes the blocks out...puts the blocks in...lather, rinse, repeat.
12) She sings to us. We call it her "Mariah."
13) She'd much rather be standing than sitting.
14) She's cruising, and I expect walking will be here very soon.
15) So far, she has no problem with car rides. I'm worried she's going to start fussing soon, but I'm trying hard to keep her rear facing until she's 2.
16) Seems to finally have more of an interest in books than just chewing on them.
1) red hair/blue eyes
2) wearing 12 and 18 month clothes
3) SEVEN teeth!!! 4 bottom and 3 top
4) no more baby food for her. If you stick a spoon by her mouth she'll smack it away. She's all about self-feeding, so we're into cheese (shredded and cubed), diced pickles and tomatos, peas, carrots, corn. So far, the only thing she hasn't eaten is steamed brocolli. I think it just wasn't the right texture for her. She didn't mind the taste, just couldn't chew it.
5) Is very into electrical outlets and wall vents:(
6) 2nd haircut
7) loves to play with (unused) diapers
8) growls (yes, growls) when she is hungry. It's at those times that Dan calls her "your daughter"
9) size 3 diapers, and size 4 overnight for bedtime
10) does not dig people that she doesn't know well, or only sees rarely
11) the only toy she plays with on a daily basis is her box of letter/number blocks. She contantly takes the blocks out...puts the blocks in...lather, rinse, repeat.
12) She sings to us. We call it her "Mariah."
13) She'd much rather be standing than sitting.
14) She's cruising, and I expect walking will be here very soon.
15) So far, she has no problem with car rides. I'm worried she's going to start fussing soon, but I'm trying hard to keep her rear facing until she's 2.
16) Seems to finally have more of an interest in books than just chewing on them.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
the beginnings of a FET plan...
After numerous messages to/from Dr. K's secretary, I have an appt on Nov 9 to see Dr. K for a consult. At that time, she will also do the SHG, to make sure my uterus is nice and smooth and the trial embryo transfer. The TET is done to "map" the path to my uterus, in preparation for the actual transfer. At first, I was told I couldn't schedule these b/c I am still bfing, but after further investigation, aka annoying pushing from me, I was told that these two procedures can be done. I just have to get my p4 drawn the day before to make sure I am not Oing.
It's hard for me to believe that I'm back to talking in acronyms.
The FET plan, in my head, goes something like this...I will start weaning Sophie mid-November with the plan to be completely done bfing by the end of the year. At that point, I can start Estrace for the FET cycle. If I remember correctly, I was on it for several weeks with FET #1. FET would actually take place late January to mid-February.
I'm curious how Dr. K's plan will differ from that. I can't imagine it will be much different. In my mind, my main concern is that I want her to do the FET (as opposed to one of the other 2 RE's there). Plus, unless it's changed, FETs are only done on Fridays, just b/c they are so much more predictable and easier to plan for than a fresh transfer.
We have two frozen embryos and we'll transfer them both, should they both thaw. Thaw rate at Dr, K's office is 75%, but all three of ours thawed for FET #1.
Honestly, I'm not holding out much hope that it will work, but I have to give them a shot. I desparately WANT it to work, but I'm trying to be realistic. And the reality is, it took 8 tranferred embryos to get Sophia, so the likelihood of one of these 2 thawing and sticking around is not great.
I'm not too emotional about it at this point, but I know that will come. I just want it done so it's...well..done. This will most likely be the end of the line for us. I can't put forth the mental effort to go through another fresh cycle. Sophia is plenty for both of us, and we are absolutely content with her. That said, I would love for her to have a sibling. I feel like we owe it to her to try.
It's hard for me to believe that I'm back to talking in acronyms.
The FET plan, in my head, goes something like this...I will start weaning Sophie mid-November with the plan to be completely done bfing by the end of the year. At that point, I can start Estrace for the FET cycle. If I remember correctly, I was on it for several weeks with FET #1. FET would actually take place late January to mid-February.
I'm curious how Dr. K's plan will differ from that. I can't imagine it will be much different. In my mind, my main concern is that I want her to do the FET (as opposed to one of the other 2 RE's there). Plus, unless it's changed, FETs are only done on Fridays, just b/c they are so much more predictable and easier to plan for than a fresh transfer.
We have two frozen embryos and we'll transfer them both, should they both thaw. Thaw rate at Dr, K's office is 75%, but all three of ours thawed for FET #1.
Honestly, I'm not holding out much hope that it will work, but I have to give them a shot. I desparately WANT it to work, but I'm trying to be realistic. And the reality is, it took 8 tranferred embryos to get Sophia, so the likelihood of one of these 2 thawing and sticking around is not great.
I'm not too emotional about it at this point, but I know that will come. I just want it done so it's...well..done. This will most likely be the end of the line for us. I can't put forth the mental effort to go through another fresh cycle. Sophia is plenty for both of us, and we are absolutely content with her. That said, I would love for her to have a sibling. I feel like we owe it to her to try.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
10 months (much delayed)
I'm forcing myself to sit down and write this now, before I think about it again and then get too busy. My work is swamped, I'm working way more than normal. At home, it's Sophie, and a very clingy, in-need-of-attention Sierra. We're getting ready to put our condo on the market, so in the bit of down-time, if I can really call it that, we are painting, cleaning, buying out Home Depot for various home beautification products.
This all means that I didn't post Sophie's 10 month un-offical stats. I think about it every day (yes, I'm serious), but there is literally no.time.at.all.
So here we go:)
1) red hair and blue eyes
2) Her hair grows so fast, she's already in need of another haircut. Perhaps before her first b-day party?
3) She is getting quite the personality.
4) When she doesn't want the food you are offering her, she will either a) clamp her mouth down and turnd away or b) push the spoon away, forcefully.
5) If she doesn't want her Wubbanub, she now THROWS it. Again, forcefully.
6) She doesn't have a favorite toy right now, really. She's more into exploring, and digging rocks and bits of tissue out of our rugs:)
7) Pulling up really well, and able to bear weight on her legs for a minute or two.
8) 12-18 month clothes are most comfy for her.
9) Size 3 diapers.
10) She's getting ready to outgrow the changing table. She finds it funny to kick all the lotions, creams, diapers off the end of the table!
11) We spent a few days away from Sierra and Sophie SQUEELED when she saw her again:)
12) Much to Dan's dismay, her favorite room in the condo is the kitchen.
13) As of 10 months, she had 3 teeth. Well, really 2.5, as her upper was still not all the way in. Two days ago, she got her 4th! So now, she has two middle bottom and two middle top.
14) Not in the 10 month timeline, but last night she learned (and got) how to give us "5." It's WAY cute and she laughs each time.
15) She uses us as her jungle gym, climbing all over us...paying no attention to eyes, mouth, hair etc.
16) She has a sick infatuation with pulling my hair. SO not fun:(
17) She had her first swing experience this weekend. She seemed to like it. (pic below)
18) She prefers table food or infant finger food to jarred foods. She loves chicken, and cheese:)
19) She was in her first wedding (my sister's) at the ripe old age of 10 months (pic below)
20)She continues to be the light of our lives. Each day, I am so thankful that I hung in for so long, and was blessed with such a perfect child:)
This all means that I didn't post Sophie's 10 month un-offical stats. I think about it every day (yes, I'm serious), but there is literally no.time.at.all.
So here we go:)
1) red hair and blue eyes
2) Her hair grows so fast, she's already in need of another haircut. Perhaps before her first b-day party?
3) She is getting quite the personality.
4) When she doesn't want the food you are offering her, she will either a) clamp her mouth down and turnd away or b) push the spoon away, forcefully.
5) If she doesn't want her Wubbanub, she now THROWS it. Again, forcefully.
6) She doesn't have a favorite toy right now, really. She's more into exploring, and digging rocks and bits of tissue out of our rugs:)
7) Pulling up really well, and able to bear weight on her legs for a minute or two.
8) 12-18 month clothes are most comfy for her.
9) Size 3 diapers.
10) She's getting ready to outgrow the changing table. She finds it funny to kick all the lotions, creams, diapers off the end of the table!
11) We spent a few days away from Sierra and Sophie SQUEELED when she saw her again:)
12) Much to Dan's dismay, her favorite room in the condo is the kitchen.
13) As of 10 months, she had 3 teeth. Well, really 2.5, as her upper was still not all the way in. Two days ago, she got her 4th! So now, she has two middle bottom and two middle top.
14) Not in the 10 month timeline, but last night she learned (and got) how to give us "5." It's WAY cute and she laughs each time.
15) She uses us as her jungle gym, climbing all over us...paying no attention to eyes, mouth, hair etc.
16) She has a sick infatuation with pulling my hair. SO not fun:(
17) She had her first swing experience this weekend. She seemed to like it. (pic below)
18) She prefers table food or infant finger food to jarred foods. She loves chicken, and cheese:)
19) She was in her first wedding (my sister's) at the ripe old age of 10 months (pic below)
20)She continues to be the light of our lives. Each day, I am so thankful that I hung in for so long, and was blessed with such a perfect child:)
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Deficiencies
I found out yesterday I have B12 and Vitamin D deficiencies. For a few months now, I have just been dragging. I haven't really complained about it, just figured it was something I signed up for as a working mom. I've been tossing around going to the dr, but kept putting it off. Finally, when I woke up the Tues morning after Labor Day and felt as tired as I did before the 3 day weekend even started, I decided to make an appt. The main issue, other than complete exhaustion is that I've had alot of trouble concentrating, making connections, and just generally having this feeling of "foggy brain." If someone were to ask me what happened in the meeting yesterday, I couldn't answer immediately. I'd have to stop and think of what day it is today, what that would make yesterday, and then work my way mentally through the day to get to the meeting. I feel like it's starting to affect my job a bit, and that's not good.
So, I made an appt with a new dr. I hate my old PCP, and my gyno wouldn't do the b/w for me. He called last night to say I have both Vit D and B12 deficiencies. I'm going to start taking an IM injection for the B12 and a pill for the Vit D. He was surprised that both were low, especially the Vit D, since it's summer time. I think he said I'll take 3 injections once a week and then get tested again.
So, that's my latest story. Oh, and the bigger news that I will post about later (once I have more to report) is that I made the call to Dr. K to get my FET consult scheduled. Sandy (secretary) and I are in conversations to figure out what is going to work schedule-wise. I didn't realize that I need to have a period before getting my SHG and TET done again. BUT, she is checking with Dr K to see if that is absolutely necessary.
Now, two of my favorite new pics:)
So, I made an appt with a new dr. I hate my old PCP, and my gyno wouldn't do the b/w for me. He called last night to say I have both Vit D and B12 deficiencies. I'm going to start taking an IM injection for the B12 and a pill for the Vit D. He was surprised that both were low, especially the Vit D, since it's summer time. I think he said I'll take 3 injections once a week and then get tested again.
So, that's my latest story. Oh, and the bigger news that I will post about later (once I have more to report) is that I made the call to Dr. K to get my FET consult scheduled. Sandy (secretary) and I are in conversations to figure out what is going to work schedule-wise. I didn't realize that I need to have a period before getting my SHG and TET done again. BUT, she is checking with Dr K to see if that is absolutely necessary.
Now, two of my favorite new pics:)
Friday, September 17, 2010
graduation!!!!!!!
Sophia graduated from PT yesterday!!! I was shocked! Dan went into the appt thinking it would be her last, but I didn't. I still thought I was seeing a bit of a tilt, but I guess not. Beth (PT) said "she looks great, I don't see any tilt at all." We watched her play for about 45 minutes and Beth was able to see Sophie reaching with both hands, rotating her kneck to the right, pulling herself up to stand, and crawling. She said that she usually schedules a follow-up once the neck is fixed, but the infant can't stand yet, but b/c Sophie CAN and DID in front of her, we are good to go:) The only thing we need to keep an eye on is her hip position while crawling. She tends to be a bit "wide" and in an perfect world she needs to bring her legs up under her hips when she crawls. Since she only started crawling a few weeks ago, Beth suggested giving it a bit more time and see if she self-corrects as she gets more used to crawling. So YAY! No more appts, not more co-pays, lol:) And, Sophie gave Beth the biggest smile as we were leaving:)
In other news, we have a definate "mamamamama" now. I thought I heard it a few days ago, but just once so I wasn't sure if I imagined it. Last night though, at 4 in morning, I heard it loud and clear. When I went it to get her she was standing in her crib yelling "mamamamamama." Now, how could I be upset about that?!?!?!
She's also discovered her fingers. She will spend minutes at a time just waving to herself, staring at her fingers.
In other news, we have a definate "mamamamama" now. I thought I heard it a few days ago, but just once so I wasn't sure if I imagined it. Last night though, at 4 in morning, I heard it loud and clear. When I went it to get her she was standing in her crib yelling "mamamamamama." Now, how could I be upset about that?!?!?!
She's also discovered her fingers. She will spend minutes at a time just waving to herself, staring at her fingers.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
9 months
Sophie is officially 9 months old. It is so hard to believe, but true. Where is my baby??!!! Her unofficial stats...
1) red hair and blue eyes
2) size 3 diapers
3) size 4 diapers at night (yes, this is working for us!!)
4) I can still squeeze her into some 6 month clothes, but she is solidly in 9-12 months.
5) She claps with her fists:)
6) Crawling forwards and backwards
7) Pulling to stand, on me and other objects
8) Understands "no" and usually listens!
9) Loves to pick up the most minute things off the floor! And then, she just stares at them:)
10) She had her first pickle last night and it went over well.
11) Lies her head on our shoulder when she gets really sleepy
12) Loves toys that play music
13) Not interested in Baby Einstein or Jumparoo at all, mobile is a thing of the past also
14) Loves to look at her picture (although I'm not sure if she knows it's her, or just a baby?)
15) says dadadadadadada, babababababababa
16) starting on her K/hard C sounds
17) She has my nose crinkle:) Finally, I can see myself in her!
18) 4 teeth coming in on top. God help us!
19) moved into big girl car seat
20) Got her first hair cut last night!
Official stats, per her pedi visit on Wed
19.9 pounds (50-75th percentile), 27 inches long (25 percentile), 90% percentile head size. Hey, at least she's consistant:)
Dr. R said in so many words that she needs to be drinking more milk. She thinks that her frequency of eating cannot possibly be enough to get her to to the 25+ ounces she needs. I was attempting to eliminate the nighttime feeding, but not for awhile I guess. She also wants us to start feeding her 3 solid meals a day. We are really lazy with this, I admit it. We both need to work harder at it. I think at this point it's more about getting her into a routine.
I was glad for Dan to hear that table foods are fine. He didn't believe me!
Here are a few of my favorite pics from the last few weeks.
Hello, can they LOOK any more alike?
Her first Rams game
I just love this one:)
This was taken at our block party. I LOVE the expression on her face:)
What can I say, she's cute!
1) red hair and blue eyes
2) size 3 diapers
3) size 4 diapers at night (yes, this is working for us!!)
4) I can still squeeze her into some 6 month clothes, but she is solidly in 9-12 months.
5) She claps with her fists:)
6) Crawling forwards and backwards
7) Pulling to stand, on me and other objects
8) Understands "no" and usually listens!
9) Loves to pick up the most minute things off the floor! And then, she just stares at them:)
10) She had her first pickle last night and it went over well.
11) Lies her head on our shoulder when she gets really sleepy
12) Loves toys that play music
13) Not interested in Baby Einstein or Jumparoo at all, mobile is a thing of the past also
14) Loves to look at her picture (although I'm not sure if she knows it's her, or just a baby?)
15) says dadadadadadada, babababababababa
16) starting on her K/hard C sounds
17) She has my nose crinkle:) Finally, I can see myself in her!
18) 4 teeth coming in on top. God help us!
19) moved into big girl car seat
20) Got her first hair cut last night!
Official stats, per her pedi visit on Wed
19.9 pounds (50-75th percentile), 27 inches long (25 percentile), 90% percentile head size. Hey, at least she's consistant:)
Dr. R said in so many words that she needs to be drinking more milk. She thinks that her frequency of eating cannot possibly be enough to get her to to the 25+ ounces she needs. I was attempting to eliminate the nighttime feeding, but not for awhile I guess. She also wants us to start feeding her 3 solid meals a day. We are really lazy with this, I admit it. We both need to work harder at it. I think at this point it's more about getting her into a routine.
I was glad for Dan to hear that table foods are fine. He didn't believe me!
Here are a few of my favorite pics from the last few weeks.
Hello, can they LOOK any more alike?
Her first Rams game
I just love this one:)
This was taken at our block party. I LOVE the expression on her face:)
What can I say, she's cute!
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