New update! Things are happening fast!

It's time to update! Last weekend, we met our IP's for the first time. They came to CA just for a visit. It was perfect. They're everything I had imagined, and SO much like us. My family got to meet them, my kids looove them. We went to Pink's hot dog stand, which was super yummy. Then spent the rest of the day at Santa Monica and near by beaches. It gave us the chance to really see who they are. *C and I talked about how excited we are for the pregnancy and what it's going to be like for her to be a mom! I'm beyond excited for them. This venture is going so perfectly. What a blessing!

So, for the good stuff! We had a little set back last month. Some tests came back not so good on their end, and we were all worried that it would postpone things more than we hoped. So that called for more testing just to make sure. Well.... *G and *C just called with great news! All tests came back great! The CA dr. called and gave the 100% green light! Everything is in place we're about to get started! AHHH!

They're coming back to CA next month, probably closer to the end of the month, to do the deposits of sperm specimen. Then after that, we wait for my next ovulation. Which, from what my calendar is showing, is the week of my birthday! March is just around the corner! I can't believe it! I'm going to ask for everyone's prayers and good thoughts. Usually it takes 2-3 transfers to get a positive pregnancy. I'll be taking Clomid before the transfer to up the chances. Meaning chances for a positive will be greater, and chances for twins will be too! It would be so perfect if the transfer takes the first time, so keep us in your prayers! We all would love to see them be new parents by the end of this year<3

I have pictures from the meeting, but I'm not sure I want to share them on here. I prefer to keep things private for them. We've both been told by our families and friends that we look like we could be sisters. So that's really fun!

Ahhh! The excitement is elevating! This is happening so fast, but still feels like it's going by so slowly!!! I can't wait for it all to start.

Our conference call with the Dr.

     *C and I had an early morning call with the Dr. this morning. We talked late last night and both of us were SUPER nervous. Especially since neither one of us really knew what to expect. Combine that with my 2 year old waking up frequently from leg pains (or over dramatizing "I don't want to go to bed" not sure yet...) I didn't sleep very well at all last night, I'm so exhausted!

     Anyhow, *C and I got disconnected just now, I'm waiting on a call back from her. In the meantime, I'll try to relay some of what the Dr. talked about! 

     First, he went over my numbers for all the tests. I'm not going to list them all, but here are the most important:

• FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) The lower the number the better (9 = Normal FSH level. Expect a good response to ovarian stimulation) mine were 6.5
• Egg Quality test - Normal= 45+ Mine=75+
• Folica # - needs to be over 15. Mine were 20 and 30 
• No rubella, Ultra sounds came back normal (woo, no more worries about the cyst!)

     He said that all of my numbers are outstanding and that I'm perfect for a surrogacy pregnancy! I'm very fertile! He sees no issues with TTC. I asked what the expectancy is to be pregnant the first transfer, his answer was that we should expect a positive within the first 3-5 cycles, but can't guarantee that of course. We're still undecided on if I'll take Clomid to up the chances! He sees no need for anything more aggressive like Invetro. Like mentioned before, if I do assist with Clomid, it does up our chances of having multiples! So we'll see how that goes!

    I'm just ecstatic right now! I took lots of notes and feel like I missed half of everything! *C and *G are trying to get here mid January! Once they're here, there will be a lot of things for them to do with the Dr. *G will have to do a semen analyses, and at least 3 deposits. Normally, there is a 6 month waiting period once the deposits are made, but we get to waiver that because we're doing things privately, and not through an agency. 

     Oh my goodness, can it be January already? I cannot wait to finally meet *C and *G in person! I'm so emotional right now it's stupid. Haha! I was going to take a nap after the call since I slept like poo last night, but I have to much excitement fueling my energy! 

     Whew! That's it for now! I can't wait to update with more info! I don't see the Dr. again until it's time for transfers! AHHH!

Today, my uterus will be tortured...

and that's not what I'm nervous about. 

What to know what's more nerve wracking that having your uterus filled with saline, injected through a catheter shimmied in your cervix, then followed by a transvaginal ultrasound? Hmmm...


THIS!

I don't take pain meds. Ever. When I do...things get crazy. I see bunny rabbits, I get dizzy, and my stomach gets terribly upset. Ibuprofen is more than enough pain medication for me. Tonight I take 2 antibiotics, then I take 2 more before the procedure AND a Valium AND an ibuprofen. Screw the bunnies, I'm going to see my fairy godmother, 12 dwarfs, and human sized ants tomorrow. My poor husband and children are going with me. They wont be with me during the procedure, but I need a driver. 

The torture treatment my uterus will undergo tomorrow is called "Hydrosonography". I'm not a doctor, and I'm no good at explaining these things, so I'll just give a small snippit of what I pulled online, and then I'll link ya!

"A hydrosonogram is a procedure where your doctor or a radiologist injects water through your cervix into your uterus while performing a transvaginal ultrasound of the uterus. The water shows up as black on ultrasound against a white endometrial border. This way a defect in the smooth edges of the uterine cavity caused by an endometrial polyp or fibroid may be easily seen.

The hydrosonogram is performed by placing a thin tubular plastic catheter through the cervix into the uterine cavity. Water is injected using a syringe connected to this plastic tube. There may be mild cramping which is occasionally worse when a patient has fallopian tube disease or obstruction. This can be combined with a trial of transfer using an embryo transfer catheter prior to performing an IVF cycle."

*Information found at www.fertilityties.com

Wish me luck, because I'm going to be loopy! If you're in the mood for something hilarious and have my number, you should call me tomorrow and see if I answer ;)

Another visit with the Doctor and snow fun!

Boy was I tired this morning! I missed my alarm going off and was woken up by the hubby calling to make sure I was awake! Thanks David, I would have missed my appointment for sure. Gran Gran (my momma) stayed with the kids while I was down in Valencia for my appointment. Have I ever said how much I love my momma? That lady bends over backwards to help me. I rarely have to ask her, and she refuses anything in return. Seriously. My house was really taking a beating with working so much lately. I don't even want to describe it to you... it's embarrassing. Ewe. I came home today to a clean house, animals taken care of and well fed, bathed kiddos.

Visit with the fertility doctor today

Today I drove down to Beverly hills to meet with the fertility doctor. Made it down there in about an hour and twenty minutes! Woo!

First we talked about how I feel about everything and if I understood all of what's involved through the process. He definitely wants to have me on Clomid which ups the chances for twins 6.9% and triplets less than 1%. *C and *G are open to having twins, as am I. I won't deny that I'm nervous about multiples! Holy big belly!

I had an internal ultrasound today. Umm, uncomfortable! I saw my ovaries, fallopian tubes, folicals, eggs, and very full bladder. My uterus is twisted but it won't cause any trouble. My tubes and folicals look great, perfect for a surrogacy pregnancy. I have to came back in on the first 1-3 days of my next period so my eggs can be tested to make sure they're healthy. From what he could see on the US they look good, but still need to be tested.

We all (David, *C, *G, and I) have to have our psych evaluation done, finish and sign the legal paperwork then everything can get started! Doctor said he would like to do the first transfer during my December cycle, but it's up to *C and *G when they are ready!

It's all flying by now!

Isn't that cute! Ice Cream Sandwiches & Surrogacy

   Today we went to the grocery store to pick up whatever supplies we didn't have so we could make chicken enchiladas. Bradley and Abigail wanted to buy ice cream sandwiches. Which happen to be my very favorite ice cream treats, so we bought them.

   Kids are in bed, hubby is working, and I'm hungry. Ice cream sandwich it is! I open up the box, and this is what I find! (Sorry, picture quality sucks, David has the camera, and all I have is my phone!)

   That thing was a 2x2 inch square! Really? That seems like a waste of wrapper to me :P