A Change of Luck

Looking back at my previous posts I realized I write a lot about my bad luck! So, here's an uplifting post about my recent good luck.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words but I feel like elaborating anyway. I was/am hesitant to announce it... I was going to wait for my first ultrasound which is in 3 weeks, but have been overwhelmed by the number of people who have asked for an update and by the love and support that we've felt over the last few months.

For those of you who don't know this has been a long journey for us. There have been many who've had to wait much longer and been through even more than we have and I feel and pray for those families. Our struggle was, however, very much just that - a struggle. We've been trying to start a family for 3 years now, with an early miscarriage about 3 years ago. Hence my hesitation on announcing the good news. It has taken a few days for it to sink in and I'm still just as terrified that it will end the same way my last pregnancy did. Too aware of every twinge and cramp I find myself praying almost hourly. Among those prayers is the desire not to let my joy be overwhelmed by the fear that I feel.

So, with 3 good eggs at the time of insemination many are convinced that I'm carrying twins, my mother even said "you could have four with a set of identical twins" (thanks for your positivity Mom) Whether we're growing our family by 1 or 3 or more, I'm still just as thrilled and excited about the possibilities.

I promise I won't be as lax in my next update... as long as everything is ok don't plan on there being a pregnancy update until 7/11... the next 3 weeks are going to be long ones.

Thank you to all who have prayed for us, fasted for us and kept us in their hearts. It has meant and continues to mean so much to us. We are thankful. Please don't stop now, I think we need it more than ever. Even though it was difficult at first to talk about we feel even more strongly that "Shared joy is a double joy, shared sorrow is half a sorrow."

One of those days

You know what I'm talking about right? One of those days.

I went out yesterday morning with a few errands I had to run, and some birthday money to spend on myself!!!

First stop: Walmart. Had to get a few groceries, some notebooks for Adam's summer classes, and most importantly--the one thing I had to do was get Adam's allergy medication. I walk up to the pharmacy and have to hand over my driver's license in order to get the medication. She takes one quick look at it and says "It's expired" Then gives me that look. You know, the one that makes you want to crawl in a corner? I'm pretty sure it made me flush. So, embarrassedly I pay for my other things, and head out of the store. If my birthday is in early May, then I've been driving around for the last month with an expired license.

So, all other errands are put on hold until I can acquire a new license. I head down to the DMV on Chinden only to find out they don't do licenses there. So, I stop by home to drop off my chocolate chips (don't want them to melt in the warm car while I wait forever in line at the DMV) and to have some lunch. Thinking if I wait until after 1:00 the line won't be so bad. No such luck. I get to the licensing department on Barrister. There must be at least 50 people in the large waiting room. I get my ticket. #244. Look at the number board, they are on #186. Seriously? So, I settle in for a long wait realizing I didn't bring anything to read, or knit or keep me busy in any fashion, so I started texting Adam to keep me sane. It only took about 15 minutes for a seat to open up for me and about an hour later my number is finally called!!!

I then rushed to buy Adam and myself some new running shoes. And to purchase my brother's graduation present, only to find out when I got home that I got the wrong thing.

By that time I was broke and spent. But, I think my picture turned out pretty good :) What do you think?The nice thing about Idaho is you can get an 8 year license. However, I think it's only fair they should ask you that question after you view your picture.

Milestones

I've been hesitant to blog again today. Mostly because that would be the 3rd time in a week, and two days in a row. I think that officially makes me a blogger. I'm ok with that. The problem I have is I am just beginning to realize that I have opened up the most private parts of my life to the whole world... Ok, maybe the "WHOLE WORLD" is a little drastic--I'm pretty sure I know everyone who actually reads this! If not, drop me a note--then you can confirm my "Whole World" theory. So I consider the consistency with which I have been blogging recently to be a milestone.


Other recent milestones:

Moose's obedience class graduation

He hates the hat!

This marks the end of a 10 week class and free Monday nights again. I think all 3 of us learned a lot and Moose's behavior has markedly improved. Although training class is over, the real training has only just begun!

Jordan's graduation
My "little" (6'6") brother graduated. I don't put this after Moose's post because it's less important, only because it happened the day after :).
This marks the end of an era. The last child in my family to graduate high school, start college, and go on a mission within the next year. It's still weirding me out a little.

Ammon's graduation
My 6 year old nephew graduates from Kindergarten today. I don't have a picture to post but I'm sure he looks handsome.

That's a lot of graduations.

Mid-night Madness

Had my pre-ovulation Ultrasound yesterday and the doc said there are 3, good-sized, healthy follicles!!! We were shooting for 2. She also said the lining of my uterus was a nice and thick 11mm. Kind of reminds me of the time the doctor who screened me for lasik eye surgery said I had "nice, beefy corneas." *flex*

So, everything is looking good and the doctor said that as long as I understood and was comfortable with the risks of going forward with 3 follicles, we are good to go. I wouldn't say I feel "comfortable".... but I have always been a risk taker I suppose. Besides, then I wouldn't have to narrow down name choices to just 1 :)

I wasn't planning on having to do the HCG shots, I was under the impression that we were going to wait for me to naturally ovulate. I imagine we're doing it for the convenience of being able to schedule the IUI procedure. So, while I wasn't stoked at the idea of sticking a needle in my stomach, I am prepared to do what it takes.

I think the only thing worse then having to give myself (ok, making Adam give me) a shot in the stomach, is having to wake up at 2:30 in the morning to do it. That's right, 2:30 A.M. I set my alarm for 2:15 (I have never actually used my cell phone alarm) I figure that will give us 15 minutes to sleepily do something that should only take 1 minute. Convinced I was going to miss the alarm it takes me longer than normal to fall asleep, and I wake up 2-3 times an hour. So, 2:15 rolls around and I'm handing a half-awake Adam a long fat needle that he says "makes him feel a little queasy."

If the size of that needle doesn't have you all a little worried, you are not my friends! No, actually the large needle is used to mix the Bacteriostatic water with the HCG which comes in a powder form. Then the smaller needle, shown below, is what is used to inject the hormone. The nurse who walked us through the procedure said "as long as you have some fat, it's not difficult" Then proceeded to laugh at girls who are too skinny and complain about the pain of the injection because they have no fat to protect their stomach muscles.
It honestly wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be, but if I never have to do it again I will be a happy girl.