Survey!

I stole this from Kaitlin--just throwing that out there! :)

1. When is your “engagement” anniversary:
September 20, 2003! Whoa! That was yesterday and I didn't even realize it.

2. When is your “marriage” anniversary:
March 13, 2004

3. How long have you known your spouse:
10 years! How is that even possible? Where did the time go?

4. How long did you date/court before you were engaged:
For.ev.er. Ok, it was 4 years with the exception of a 3 month hiatus.

5. Where did you meet your spouse for the first time?
Blind date! Set up by our friends who are no longer our friends...haha.

6. What is your spouse’s full name:
James (that's full enough)

7. Do you have any children:
Not yet--1 on the way, hallelujah!

8. How many – boys/girls:
n/a

9. Do you have any house pets:
1 dog and 1 fish in the house, 2 monster dogs in the yard.

10. Do you own a house or rent:
Own

11. Do you live in the country or town/city:
Country

12. What is one of your favorite activities together:
4-wheeling

13. Do you have a favorite vacation spot:
We both love cruises. Can't wait to go on another!!!

14. When did you first kiss?
On like our 3rd or 4th date I think. In the parking lot of a grocery store. haha

15. What church do you attend?
Too much info for the Internet, but it's a Freewill Baptist Church.

16. Is this the church you were married in:
No--we were married in the church that I grew up in. It's tiny and cute.

17. What town is your current address at:
Again with the TMI for Internet....we live in Arkansas.

18. Do you work or stay at home:
Work (BOO!)

19. Where did you go on your honeymoon:
The Bahamas

20. What was the funniest gift you gave when dating?
I can't remember, but a few years ago I got him a pair of Heely's for his bday! It was hard to find them in a size 11 for Men!

21. How long have you been together?
10 years!

22. How long did you know each other before you started dating?
We didn't. Our first meeting was a date.

23. Who asked who out?
Our friends set it up, but he called me to arrange things.

24. How old are each of you?
He is 27 and I am 26.

25. Where do each of you go to school?
I have been attending the University of Arkansas for roughly 400 years. He doesn't go to school.

26. Which situation is the hardest on you as a couple?
Infertility was the kicker. We didn't fight about it, it was just a rough go. Still is.

27. Did you go to the same school?
Nope

28. Are you from the same home town?
Nope

29. Who is smarter?
He would say me, but definitely him. I think it just depends on the subject.

30. Who is more sensitive?
Me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

31. Where do you eat out most as a couple?
Mexican

32. Where is the farthest you two have traveled together as a couple?
The Bahamas or Cozumel. I am honestly not sure which is the farthest...

33. Who has the craziest exes?
I guess me. I don't have any contact with the majority of them though.

34. Who has the worse temper?
I think he does. I think he would say me.

35. Who does the cooking?
Me and not by choice!

36. Who is more social?
Me DEFINITELY!

37. Who is the neat-freak?
Me

38. Who is more stubborn?
Him

39. Who hogs the bed?
Him--he gives me like 2 inches and takes the rest.

40. Who wakes up earlier?
Him

41. Where was your first date?
We ate at El Lorito, went to a movie (can't remember which one) and then hung out at an arcade the rest of the night.

42. Who had more boyfriends/girlfriends?
I did.

43. Do you get flowers often?
I used to get them excessively when we were dating...but they come pretty few and far between anymore. He is still better about it than most husbands that I know.

44. How do you spend the holidays?
Half and half

45. Who is more jealous?
Neither of us really.

46. How long did it take to get serious?
We were babies basically when we started dating--but I spent every waking moment that I could with him, with the exception of sleeping at home and going to high school.

47. Who eats more?
He does, but I look like it!

48. Who does the laundry
Me

49. Who’s better with the computer?
He knows how to fix stuff and I know how to use programs. It's a tie.

50. Leave a piece of advice for the other couples.
Respect and forgiveness (for me) are the most important keys to marriage. Trust, honesty, sometimes even love, --all of that will be questioned from time to time, it's natural, but if you can respect and forgive your spouse you can make it work. That's pretty deep for 8:30 in the morning!!!!

Week 10

How far along: 10 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: I read an article that says to only weigh about once a week because the bloating and etc. will just keep you freaked out therefore...I have not weighed this week.

Maternity clothes: Confession: I wore the one and only pair of maternity jeans that I own the other day with a t-shirt over them. They were too big, but my options are pretty limited right now. I have 2 pairs of normal jeans that I keep rotating with some skirts.

Stretch marks: nope, I don't plan on getting any of those, thanks ;)

Sleep: I took a nap in my car with the air conditioner on at lunch...does that tell you anything? I am sleeping like a rock at night, but still tired from about noon on...

Best moment of the week: STOPPING THE PIO'S AND ESTROGEN PATCHES! WORDS CANNOT EXPRESS....

Food cravings/aversions: A few nights ago, I literally broke down because I thought JT wasn't going to take me for pizza buffet. I'm not really craving anything in particular. It's just that once I think about something sounding good...that's all I can think about. PS--I did get the pizza. :)

Belly button in or out: In

What I miss: I am not complaining, but I did watch my husband and friends tube and water ski at the lake last weekend while I watched from the boat. It's worth it.

What I am looking forward to: My next appointment which, because of scheduling conflicts, is not for 5 WEEKS from now. Just rest assured that I will be having a minimum of 17 full on panic attacks before then.

Weekly wisdom: Random people that you don't even know will corner your husband to talk about their experiences with breast feeding, and he will say something stupid that makes you sound like a bad Mom to a baby that hasn't even been birthed yet.

Symptoms: Queasiness has slowed down. Still haven't thrown up at all. Only symptoms are just being extremely exhausted and emotional.

Oh man...the hormones.

A few months ago, Mom and I were at church and they were discussing their program in which they support adoptions and what we could do to help, etc. Then they showed a slide show that played "What Faith Can Do" by Kutless and it had pictures of different people holding signs and they said things like "We've been trying for 5 years." "We just found out we can't have children." "I think I waited too long...." and other phrases like that. And of course it was SUPER emotional. Mom and I just sat there and bawled because of course that was a situation that hit really close to home. Actually it was dead on....

Fast forward to yesterday...

I was sick, so I left work at 3 to go home and try to just sleep it off basically. I got in the car and I was on the interstate and that song came on and I started bawling uncontrollably. I have heard the song many times with no tears, but this makes the second time that it made me cry and this time it was a completely different situation. The point of this story??? HORMONES are making me crazy. And because the song is fabulous and seriously inspirational, I am going to post it....

Freedom!

Today was my final appointment with my RE. I love him. I wish I could keep him for the whole 9 months, but that's not the way it goes. The good news is....well there's lots of good news, I am now considered a "normal" pregnant woman, NO MORE PIO's, estrogen patches, or baby aspirin. The 2 hour drive to the RE has officially turned into a 20 minute drive to the OB. Today's ultrasound was pretty cool in that he/she was moving all around and we could see hands and legs (after being pointed out to us, haha). Basically everything was fantastic.

We spent the weekend at the lake camping, and now I'm sick with a cold/allergy thing. I am exhausted and I just want to go home and sleep. Work is the LAST place I want to be right now. I need to just get over it.

So there's an update--thanks again for the continued congratulations. I am still super nervous, but it gets a little better with each ultrasound.

Thank you and cheesy stuff.

Thanks to everyone who congratulated us on something that I was pretty sure we'd never accomplish, and also that I am still paranoid that we will not accomplish...I know, I am an absolute nutcase. Anyway to sum it up--thank you. :)
So far everything is great, as you might've concluded from the novel I wrote in the last post. We have had 2 ultrasounds and heard a strong heartbeat both times. We have checked and double checked that there is only one baby in there, and on Monday I will have another ultrasound that will hopefully reassure us of all of those things all over again.
And now I am in a weird blogging state. I feel weird commenting on the pages of those who are still trying, and I feel weird commenting on the pages of those who are pregnant...because oddly I don't feel like I fit in either of these categories at the moment. It's still so early and I am still so paranoid that I am afraid to talk about pregnancy for fear I will "jinx" it--and I don't want to talk as if we are still trying because well that's not the case. I am so happy and at the same time feel as though nothing has changed. Pregnancy announcements still make me cringe. Hoping to get past that for the sanity of myself and others who know me. Sooner than later would be great!

And because I have been waiting a long time to do the cheesy pregnancy blog stuff...here you go...and don't think that for one second I would blame you for not reading:

How far along: 8 weeks, 4 days

Total weight gain/loss: down 2, but so many were gained during the past 2 IVF's...that I am already dealing with the chubby factor.

Maternity clothes: not yet--I bought a bella band and one pair of maternity jeans, but I haven't worn either of them yet.

Stretch marks: nope

Sleep: I'm tired. Wicked tired, but it's not for lack of sleeping. I went to bed at 7:30 two nights ago. It was still daylight outside.

Best moment of the week: My best moments are always the ultrasounds. I dread them up until the moment that they happen and then I am happy to be reassured.

Food cravings/aversions: Craving Mexican food and Grilled Cheese sandwiches this week...maybe just cheese in general. Aversion to sweets, which is way weird. I can't find anything that I want to drink. I am thirsty, so I am drinking liquids like crazy, but none of them seem to be exactly what I want.

Belly button in or out: In

What I miss: Feeling normal, but NO COMPLAINTS here...the sickness is reassurance. I will take it.

What I am looking forward to: Stopping the PIO's!!! Hallelujah! 4 more to go....

Weekly wisdom: I don't have any...I'm still figuring this all out.

Symptoms: Queasiness pretty much on and off all day but ESPECIALLY in the mornings, fatigue, love/hate relationship with food.

Official Pregnancy Announcement

Yep--you read that right, after 4 years and 2 months of trying...we are pregnant. 8 weeks, and 2 days to be exact. Due April 17th.
I have been tracking the whole thing and just not posting, so today...I will post if you are interested in seeing what the past few months have been like. To make a long story short...we didn't tell anyone that we were doing the FET this time around, therefore the pregnancy announcement came as a pretty big shocker to everyone...which made it worthwhile. It's still early...I'm still nervous but here you go....

June 10th--Found out that IVF #1 was a bust.
June 12th--Started period.
June 14th--Called clinic. Was able to squeeze into a July FET schedule, although originally they told me I would have to wait until August at the earliest. Began birth control.
June 27th--Began 10 IU's of Lupron injections to the stomach, once daily.
June 28th--Took last birth control pill.
July 1st--Lupron thoughts: Why do I have to have a headache 24/7 and how fat will I get before I finally stop eating chocolate?
July 2nd--Worst headache yet. Seriously, I still have several days on Lupron, not sure how to get the headache in check. Also I have a staph infection (again) and not sure if I can mix antibiotics with Lupron. Patiently (not at all patiently) waiting for nurse to call me back.
July 6th--Went to work 3 hours late because my headache was making me dizzy. Seriously tired of feeling like crap. Lupron is the devil. Started baby aspirin today and lowered my Lupron dosage by 5 units.
July 7th--Getting fatter by the second. Better grease the doorways so I don't get stuck. BLAH.
July 8th--Started estrogen patches, morning cocktail now consists of patches, Lupron shot, Baby Aspirin, Tylenol, and Prenatals. Try rushing out the door for work...not possible. I am cranky.
July 13th-I never get sick. I never have any sort of health issues--I have a pretty strong immune system, BUT...since I have been on this round of medicine I have had a staph infection (twice) and now a ring worm. GROSS. There is a fungus among us. And I have cut out caffeine again...oh my, my mood is delightful.
July 14th-No headache today so far! But, I woke up 30 minutes before I had to leave my house and so I look like a hot mess and my legs aren't shaved...but I did take the required 10 minutes to drug myself. I'm up to 3 Estrogen Patches now--getting closer to ultrasound day.
July 15th-Oh I have officially lost it. I melted husband's water bottle cap in the dishwasher and cried because I thought he would be mad at me. Felt weepy all day over it. I.am.a.nutcase. Honestly, I think my hatefulness comes from the Lupron but the emotional issues are estrogen patch related. I am about to upgrade to 4 of those suckers. I will probably just sit around and bawl all day. lol
July 16th-No headache. No moodiness. Yay. Must be Friday.
July 21st-Ultrasound and bloodwork today. Everything looks "perfect" (I've heard this before). "Beautiful 3-layer lining"..dun dun dun, Transfer in 1 week. (July 28th) Fingers crossed, but not allowing myself to actually believe it's going to work.
July 26th-Drug cocktail consists of MORNING: 2 prenatals, 1 Doxcycyclene, 1 Medrol, 1 Baby Asprin, 4 Vivelle Patches, NIGHT: 1 Doxy, 1 Medrol, 1 progesterone shot of 2ML (that is a massive amt of progesterone oil) to the butt. Vivelle Patches are a pain in the arss to get removed from your body. Sticky crap everywhere and I am scrubbing my skin raw with baby oil. Despite the whining, I actually feel pretty decent.
July 29th--Transfer was yesterday. Transfer of 3 "great looking" embryos. Doc felt good about it--but different doctor felt good about it last time too. Trying to stay chilled out. At least I will have results before we leave for vacay.
July 30th--2dpET, I feel nothing. Just tired. Like 12 hours of sleep is just not enough. Chalking it up to the PIO's.
July 31st-- 3dpET, Tonight's PIO SUCKED!!!!! I numbed for an hour like usual, but there was nothing numb about that 1 1/2 inches of needle jabbed right in my carcass! Between this FET and the last IVF, I have taken about 25 of these things and this was by far the most horrible. Wah.
And also--I went to bed at midnight last night, woke up at 9 this morning (way late), took a nap from 11-12, another nap from 3-4 and dozed off briefly from about 7:30-8. Also I have eaten at least 7 meals today...not a single healthy one. Here's the thing...if I am not pregnant, I have a LOT of work to do on this formerly in-shape body. I.am.chubby.
Aug 3rd--6dpET. The past 2 days I have woke up sick to my stomach from hunger...not nausea, just extreme hunger. I'm hungry all day long no matter what I eat. And I am oh.so.tired. It's all I can do to make it through the day. The problem is that this could be from progesterone as much as it could be pregnancy. Nothing is sure, except this...my PIO shot made me cry last night. Tears streaming down the face while my hub apologized. It was bad. I can't figure out if I have become immune to the Lidocaine/Prilocaine stuff or what. It's not working and my butt looks like someone used it for a punching bag. It feels that way too.
Aug 4th--7dpET Cramping, lots of it. Not like a normal menstrual cramp, more like a pulling in the lower abdomen...hard to explain. Have I mentioned that I absolutely will not POAS this time around. Last time, it just added more time of being sad and confused and trying to make myself believe a pee stick was wrong..well it wasn't.
Aug 5th--8dpET. STILL CRAMPING wicked bad. I'm not sure what to think and I have Googled myself stupid.
Aug 9th-- Also known as 8-9-10. MY FIRST BETA: 683, HOLY CRAP I AM PREGNANT!!!!! (12dp transfer)
Aug 10th--It's all very surreal right now. If I think about it I am very excited but then also scared because I am afraid I will jinx it. lol
I finally POAS just so I could once in my life look at a positive test...and there was a VERY dark second line. Yay! Hub and I have decided to wait until next month to tell anyone. I have a feeling this is going to be tough....
Aug 16th--Beta #2 7553 (19dp transfer)
Aug 17th--MY BUTT HURTS. Cannot wait to stop the PIO's. Holy cow!
Aug 25th--First ultrasound. We have one healthy baby with one healthy heartbeat. I was so nervous about this appointment. Had some spotting while on vacation, but doc says everything looks great. 3 more weeks of PIO's, 2 more visits to TFC, and I am released to my regular OB. Wow...everything is still surreal. Trying to figure out a cool way to announce to my family.
Sept 3--Ultrasound #2, everything still looks great. One more appointment before I am released to my OB and until I can stop the PIO's....I'm super excited about that part.
Sept 7--I have felt sick from the moment I opened my eyes this morning. Still not throwing up, but I think I would if I would just give in...haha.

I'd forgotten how much I love this song.....