12/27/2010

Sorry everyone, I have sort of led you on......but now the cat is outta the bag!!!

We're PREGNANT!!! YAY!! :) 8 weeks 0 days today by ultrasound. I am being released to my regular OB and go in for my first OB appt 1/6/11 :)

I do have a subchorionic bleed which was found on an unscheduled u/s (due to a gush of blood) on 12/20/10. Just taking it easy. No official bedrest but not doing anything crazy, pelvic rest and no working at the hospital until it has resolved, even though it can last the whole pregnancy!!

But we are optimistic and are praying for a healthy 9 months :)

We kept it quiet for obvious reasons, and while 8 weeks is still early, our progress is much better than it ever has been, so praying this is the one :)

Any and all positive thoughts/prayers are much appreciated :)

Nothing new

Sorry followers, I've got nothing new to post. Believe today is AF day or tomorrow. Will keep you posted. Still positive though, I've got great doctors on my side and great support and this is only the first month so no worries! :) Figured you followers of mine would like some updated info, sorry I don't have anything for you! Stay tuned for more details.

CD19 & anxious

Ugh, I don't know what my problem is today. Just feeling very anxious to know what this cycle will bring....either AF or a +. I am forcing myself to wait until AF is due (12/1/10) to test because of the HCG shot I received. I don't want it to be a false positive from the hormones. Really, I just want to know either way. Obviously + would be the best option here, but knowing either way would help at this point. Praying for release of the anxiety of the 2ww and also comfort & peace in knowing I'm not in control of it anyway regardless. Thank you all for following/listening. Stay tuned, 9 more days for details, or sooner or later depending on what may come of this month!!

Well....11/17/10

I had my CD14 u/s today which showed only 1 follicle up to par on my left ovary and it measured 22mm. While I was disappointed there was only 1, the tech reassured me that it only takes one to make a baby (good point Francie)!! She said my uterine lining looked perfect and since I had one good follicle, I received 250mcg Ovidrel injected subcutaneous to release that follicle. Now onto the next 3 days of BD and then the 2ww. Good thoughts, hopes, prayers, anything will help from anyone at this point and I greatly appreciate it ahead of time!! I am happy for what may come of this yet sad for a dear friend who will be officially not pregnant as of tomorrow morning. I got to see her at the RE's office though as our appts allowed us to cross paths which made my heart smile even on her sad day!

God is good and I am starting to realize a small part of the purpose this infertility is serving. I have gone out of my comfort zone to attend Tiny Purpose's monthly meetings with another friend who has suffered great loss and have met and become close to many girls from that group. God is expanding my horizons, now I hope he moves on to expanding my household!! :) December 1st is the day to keep on your minds, that will either be the day AF shows her ugly face or the day I call the office to get my pregnancy test done!! Either way, I'm excited, hopeful and trying to keep positive!! :)

Back to reality

Well, we got home late last night from Mexico. Kinda bittersweet! We had a great time with awesome friends and I loved every minute of it, but it's always nice to be back home. And the fact that it's not snowing and freezing helps too :)

Today is CD6 and day 4 of the femara, I'm calling to schedule my day 14 u/s and hopefully that day things will look good and I'll get my injection and move forward. We'll see. Busy couple months with activities coming up, which will be good to keep us sidetracked.

Looking forward to lots of family and friends and fun!!

Hopefully only good news to share next month!

11/4/10

Happy 30th Birthday to my hubby today!! And Congratulations to Justin & Michelle VanAndel as we were witnesses to a beautiful beach ceremony in Riviera Maya, Mexico today!!

Tomorrow we are doing a multi-adventure for 8 hrs which includes repelling, zip line, and snorkeling....a little nervous but really excited, should be a great time! :)

I unfortunately hate today in a different way because AF showed her ugly face, so it was a sad start to the day, but thankfully many other happy things going on to distract me. So saturday (day 3) i will be starting my first cycle of femara. Will call when we get back to the US to schedule my day 14 u/s and hopefully will get my Ovidrel shot that same day & BD in hopes of a successful cycle!!

Right now, cramping in front and back, and feeling irritated and sad. But thankfully I have the best hubby to keep me focused in the right direction and offer me unconditional support and love!!

Stay tuned.....

10/30/10

Well today Brayden is 2 weeks old! He is so adorable!! Got to hold him and get my picture with him the other day. Can't wait to see it!

Today is CD23, so 5 more days til AF or testing, which I will be in Mexico for either, so I will have to pack both a pregnancy test and tampons....how funny!! Probably should test tomorrow so I will know before I have my fun in Mexico, but I only have 1 test left right now, so guess I will wait til AF or test day!!

Can't wait for either (AF or BFP) so we can get this party started in one way or the other! The next week or show will determine what the next step is, so guess I'm just gonna let go and relax for the week. CD28 lands on Tim's 30th birthday, so that'd be cool!! We'll just have to wait and see!! I won't be too heartbroken if AF shows, because I know at least my system works on its own. We'll get it figured out eventually, only time will tell!! :)

Stay tuned.....

LH Surge

Well, after giving up on ovulation predictor kits (because I've known I ovulate on my own), I decided to test on one today and surprise....it's day 14 this month...OMG, have I been missing it by a day each month? Well, guess we'll just have to see if it makes a difference this month. Last month on our own before starting meds. Who knows maybe we won't need the meds. Fingers crossed!!

10/16/2010

BRAYDEN GREGORY WINSTED made his appearance today at 9:53am weighing in at 7#1oz 21 1/2" long. Can't wait to meet him. Both Mom and baby are doing great! :) WAHOOOO!! :)

My Sonohystogram on 10/14 came out great. So, according to the dr, all my labs including the sonohystogram are within normal limits which is a good sign. I had 25 antral follicles (look it up....too hard to explain) which is an excellent number showing that I should respond beautifully to meds. So........this month is on our own cuz it's too late in the cycle to start anything.

Next month, I call the office on day 1 to schedule a 14 day u/s. I will start Femara on days 3-7, then have an u/s on day 14 to see how it affected eggs & if all looks well, they will give me a shot of Ovidrel to release them, then BD that day and the next 2 days, then hope and pray for the best! I'm excited!! At least someone's on my side thinking positive from a dr's perspective. I love Dr. Fisseha and their office staff! :)

Mexico bound 11/1-11/8 for a friends wedding in Riviera Maya (Playa del Carmen)...so, can't wait for that obviously. Never been to an all inclusive resort before!! :)

10/13/2010

Well, lots going on. So far all my labs are all normal, or at most "a little low". Sonohystogram tomorrow, and that will be it. Follow up appt next thursday in Ann Arbor to discuss everything and come up with a plan. Excited and very anxious to get going. We go to Mexico from November 1st-8th and unfortunately during that time would include my day 3 to have an u/s before meds start. Um, not gonna be able to do that while in Mexico, so either we get pregnant this month on our own, or we wait til December to start meds, or I ask for Progesterone to delay my cycle a few days so I can be back in the states for my u/s and meds this next month. It will happen how it should, I suppose, so we'll see.

Shawn is 38.2 weeks pregnant today :) We went to dinner with them last night (way overdue), and she looked awesome, really!! :) She says she doesn't think Brayden will arrive this weekend, but maybe next weekend!! YAY!! :)

Sunshine is 4.2 weeks pregnant and hopefully all will continue well for mom and baby for the next 8 months!! That is so promising and exciting!! :)

God is good ALL THE TIME!!!

~L2

10/6/10

Shawn is 37.2 wks today and has an appt today for an u/s to check his size and determine the next step! SOOOO pumped. Can't wait to meet Brayden! :)

Me? Just waiting for AF, she should come tomorrow full bore as today is day 28, making tomorrow day 1!! Good thing is 2nd month in a row of being exactly 28 day cycle, it's been between 24-30 days, so this is a good sign!!

Sonohystogram next thursday 10/14/10 along with hubby's test, then waiting....AAAAAAAAAGAIN!!! If this month doesn't work....Femara starting November's cycle. Gonna allow that 3 months to work on it's own. If nothing by the end of 3 months, will add injections starting February 2011. By then, I'd be lucky to have a 2011 baby, but eventually it will happen....that's what they keep telling me! ;)

Hoping to hear good news from other friends TTC as well as meeting all my new "nephews" :) 2 out of 3 are here, and I have yet to see any of them, hope to see them all soon! :)

9/20/2010

Shawn is 35 weeks pregnant, she is getting uncomfortable and Baby Brayden is getting big. Dr is looking to see how big he is in a couple more weeks and may induce early so she doesn't birth a toddler!! ;) I just cannot wait to meet him at all, SO excited! :)

My brother and sister in law fly in from CA on Wednesday and will be here through Sunday morning, can't wait!! Miss and love them SO much.

Thursday 9/23 is my meeting with Dr. Fisseha @ U of M Center for Reproductive Medicine!! I am really excited about this appt to see what the future hold for our family!! I just hope to not be let down again as I was in Toledo. After that appt we're having family dinner with the WHOLE fam in Toledo @ El Vacaro....YUM-O!! :)

Friday 9/24 I'm getting hair extensions put in at 10am (sooooo pumpmed).....I figure I'm all about making my self feel and look better at this point, I'm allowed, right?! Then we have family pics (the last ones we had taken were in 1997) in Adrian taken by Ronda & Jesse Winans....LOVE them!! So, I guess I hope the hair turns out!! :)

Today 9/20 I had a Gastroscopy in hopes of finding out why I keep having this intermittent abd pain, constant nausea, intermittent low grade temps, fatigue, and just feeling like crap. Of course everything has turned out normal which does not help. He took biopsies too to check for H. Pylori and who knows what else. I should find out those results by Thursday 9/23. I guess now my focus will be on starting a family and making myself healthier!!

A lot going on in the next few weeks, lots of babies to be born and can't wait to meet them all. At least now I have more of a peace meeting all these new babies even though I haven't gotten to meet my own, I still get to be a part of so many little one's lives!! :)

God Bless!! :)

September 2010

Well, my bestie Shawn is 33 weeks now...wow that flew by...I am SO excited to meet Brayden and become an "Aunt" again! :)

On another note, loving this weather and the way it makes me feel. I hope the next few months are productive for us...we shall see!! Thanks for prayers, thoughts, comments!!! My niece Toree (2 1/2 years old) needs a new baby cousin!! ;)

August 2010

Well, here it is August already. My bestie Shawn is 29 weeks pregnant now, wow that went fast!! Hopefully this month is it. Today is day 28 of this cycle and usually by now there would be signs of Aunt Flo or PG and Aunt Flo hasn't shown any signs of her face, so we shall see. Hoping it's it this time! We shall see. Time will tell. My cycles aren't consistently 28 day cycles or 30 day cycles, they range from 24 to 30 days, so still a couple of days to think this month might be the month. I should think by Wednesday or Thursday I'll probably be testing if nothing's showed up. And if it happens to be +, I'll be calling my doc ASAP to start progesterone just in case that may be in an issue, can't hurt!! I'll keep ya posted! Thanks for following! :)

July 13, 2010

July 13, 2010

0 Weeks

Well, started today, which makes last month a 25 day cycle :( The shorter the days is not a good thing on the whole pregnancy achievement process, but ah well I guess. Saw Dr. Murphy (Karnitis' partner) on 7/2/10. I personally didn't like him or his way of doing things, but maybe because we're actually having to come up with a plan of our own and he didn't just tell us what to do. Had 12 tubes of blood drawn yesterday to see if there is a minute possibility that some small clotting factor may still be the reason for no baby. Murphy thinks it's just not the right timing. I'm not messing around this time though. I'd like to start Femara this month and see what that does and see what his plan is with that. Went to my first Tiny Purpose meeting last night with Casey and never thought the tears would flow as they did. But it was good, can't wait til next month! I like to talk about this with people who've been there and are there!! Shawn is 25 weeks along, almost 26 weeks and showing....adorable! :) I feel awful with my monthly cycles lately and it sucks....ugh!! Hopefully this works soon so the only reason I feel crappy is from morning sickness!! We shall see! :)

June 18, 2010

Well, Aunt Flo showed her face today, making last month a 29 day cycle.....AND I actually started without having spotted a couple of days before, maybe things are finally normalizing. Who knows. Shawnee and I both had appts with Dr. Bishop today. Hers was for an u/s and a 22 week appt. Mine was for a new pt visit with an annual exam (YAY ;)). Dr. Bishop was very nice and to the point and I love that. He thinks it's a good idea I started the baby aspirin and folic acid in April, wants me to continue that right now. He drew a bunch of labs for the recurring miscarriages that I have to have drawn tomorrow. Best part of the day??? (Insert sarcasm here) I thought I was just spotting today, but when I went in the bathroom to give the a urine sample to dip, the blood just poured out. Nice! Poor Dr. Bishop. But he wasn't too concerned. He is referring me to Dr. Karnitis at The Feritility Center of Northwest Ohio at Toledo Hospital. He is an RE (the chief one at that) and Dr. Bishop says "He will get you pregnant, then you can come back and see us and we will take great care of you." I'm sure they tell that to everyone, but it gave me a sense of confidence that it's gonna happen this time. Just have to see what the labs show and go from there. Will make the Dr. Karnitis appt today hopefully. So, hopefully a little relaxation this week. Work at the hospital 'til 3pm tomorrow then we're headed to Bath/Lansing for Jess' Mom's Celebration of Life gathering. Big day sunday with Father's Day, then M-W next week at the office. Also started PT yesterday for my ribs/etc. Thinks it may all be related from everything I've been through from surgeries, stance, etc. So, hopefully I'll get all put back together soon in time to get torn apart by a baby (hahahaha).

Another month

Well, so Aunt Flo showed her ugly face. Ah well, kinda used to it now. At least that part of the system is working I supposed. Started on potassium pills yesterday per my cardiologist Dr. McClure. My labs from the other day showed my potassium was low. Hoping this helps my dizziness, lightheadedness, palpitations, slow heart rate and fatigue. Will recheck with him next month.

If this month works, we would be due on my 31st birthday...weird. Who knows...we shall see!!

On another note, Brayden Gregory Winsted has been named!! WAHOO!! So excited for Shawn & Dave...it's getting more real, and I can't wait to meet him. He is 17.4 weeks today, and his momma told me yesterday she tried on her first pair of capris that did not button which mean him and his momma are both growing!! :)

Can't wait to chillax at the lake with some real lifetime besties!! 2 more weekends (including this one) at Lowe's then my summer is free!! :)

June 2010

Well, Shawn is now 14 weeks along and everything looks fantastic!! :) That is awesome news! She thinks it is a boy, not sure if they told her or if she is just guessing, we shall see! I started taking Baby Aspririn & 800 mcg of additional folic acid in addition to my prenatal vitamins. I started this in case I happened to have the same stuff as Shawnee (I've never been tested). I figured it couldn't hurt! We shall see, hopefully this is the month. If not, it's not, but one can hope & pray it is. Have an appt with Dr. Bishop (Shawn's Ob/gyn) in toledo on 6/18/10. It is only for an annual, but that will be the first step. Hopefully we can talk about some other things that day! I was thrilled to get into him. Sammarco is leaving July 1st to go to Chicago (he was my last hope before going to toledo or ann arbor). I know they are great people in toledo and deal with a lot of things. So hope and pray something will come out of this! Time will tell!

April 2010

Baby Winsted is doing great and I am thrilled!! :) 9 weeks tomorrow and coming along wonderful, so is their mama! :)

On another note, I started my period today, not sure why my cycle was 30 days this month, and last month was only 24, ugh!! Well, anyway, moving on. I suppose yet again that I will move on and enjoy the other 800 women who are pregnant around me!! Someday it will be my turn, hoping in the next couple of months, so I can be amongst the crowd and not by myself. Those other babies need besties to play with!! We'll see what next month will bring.

Family trip to Cali to look forward to from 4/6/10-4/13/10, so that will help chill me out, will be during the peak time right before we leave to come back to Michigan, so perfect timing maybe?

Happy for friends...

Well, we found out a few days ago that Dave & Shawn are expecting baby due November 1, 2010!! YAY!! How exciting! Prayers up for all to continue well and for a healthy, happy mom and baby! Gosh they deserve it so much!! Now I/we're hoping to be able to have for baby winsted a playmate best friend. Ovulation kit was positive yesterday and we have been actively trying this month, so we shall see. If all goes well and it takes, we would have a little one exactly 1 month after baby winsted!! Fingers crossed and prayers up!! :)