Blah.

I started the Estrace doses yesterday 2mg 2 times day. One of the side effects is nausea and vomiting-- and guess who's been nauseous and on the verge of vomiting for the last 24+ hours. I'm not really complaining per say- just wasn't expecting it. At first I thought I had succumbed to the stomach bug that seems to be making rounds, but I thought that was strange since I really haven't seen much of the outside world. 

Then the feeling past --and then came back with a vengeance this morning- right after I took my Estrace. I went in for my Estradial level check today and sure enough I am probably dealing with the side effects of the Estrace and my body should adjust to the hormones in time. 

Yesterday was interesting- the lab called and told us about our embryos that were frozen. It was the very nice lady who called and she said that two were frozen on transfer day and two more were frozen yesterday. 

Wait. What. 

The Stick told us there were only 4 left and they were waiting until yesterday to freeze whatever wasn't transferred. 

So I repeat- what? What in the what? 

She told me that what he meant to say was that 2 were being frozen after transfer and they were going to watch 2 more and see if they would be able to freeze them the next day. 

Which they did. 

I was going to go bonkers on the phone. After all I was on the verge of throwing up and annoyed with this oversight. But instead I chose to be thankful. 

Thankful that there were more --not less. Even if I have no idea how someone can look over something like that. 

Thankful that God was watching over our embryos and that we now have 4 frozen plus the 2 that are hopefully nestling in tight. 

So thats really all here. Some have asked when I plan to test and like normal- I don't know. I may not test at all and just wait for my Beta or I may just test on a whim if I get a feeling. 

I also think that I won't be announcing my Beta right away on the blog no matter what the outcome- I think I will wait the weekend.. but yea that could totally change too. 

I'm going to eat some ginger and hope the current wave of nausea passes and fill out some cards and goodies to send to some of my lovies <3 

Hope today finds you well! 

Transfer Date Set & 90 Day Bible Challenge

Last night Rob and I had a lovely date night. We went off to Church to listen to a beautiful sermon- but more than that our wonderful friend and her daughter sang last night. There is no doubt that they a so truly blessed. When they sing together I can't help but to fill with emotion. Normally I sing along at Church-- but I never want to miss the sound of their voices so I stay silent when they are up there and just drink them in as they worship together. 

I can only hope to raise children as our dear friend Kim as raised her daughter and son. To watch them stand and worship and sing together- its beautiful and its so very rare. It was the perfect way for us to pray over our 9 little embryo's. 

We went to dinner afterwards at a restaurant in Margate called Steven & Cookies- its right on the bay. If you live near South Jersey or ever come to visit- its a beautiful place with fresh food and a wonderful bartender if I do say so. You see my Uncle Bruce has been a bartender there for 17 years- so we sat at the bar and had a wonderful meal and chatted with my Uncle. It truly was a lovely date night out. 

This morning I received another wonderful update from the embryologist that all 9 of our embryos are still growing and dividing normally. I feel like we are just so blessed. I know how lucky we are -- I have seen a lot of pain in the blogosphere lately and it further cements that we want to donate any of the left over embryo's so women who want to be mothers more than anything in the world can do so through the miracle of embryo adoption. I wish I could send some of my embryo's off to some of you in this moment. I know that they won't be children of your own DNA-- but I do know that they will be YOUR children and loved and cherished more that I could ever imagine. I am going to make EA a platform of mine through this journey and spread the word as far as I can about the miracle that it truly is.

Our transfer date has been set for Tuesday - which will be day 5. We don't have a time just yet. They said they would call tomorrow with my instructions and time of transfer. We are so excited to have made it this far. A lot of people have asked us how many we plan to transfer- the true answer is - We just don't truly know yet. Its so hard to say 1 or 2 . I think when we are there and we have to answer that the answer will come to us. I thank so many for you for your stories and input and advise on the matter- please know that I have taken them all to heart, but I just can't reveal our choice yet, because I just don't know for sure. 

Our Church is doing a B90X Challenge- you can take part of all 3 parts of the challenge or just a single part-- or 2 parts of it.. its up to you. 

The 3 Challenges- 

90 Day Bible Reading Challenge- We'll be reading through the entire New Testament in 90 days

90 Day Serve Challenge- Commit to serving 90 days at the Church

90 Day Tithe Challenge- Commit to give your tithe (10%) for 90 days

I am doing the 90 Day Bible Reading Challenge. I am going to be sharing some verses as I read through the challenge. 

Day 1- Matthew 1-3, I chose a few verses from each chapter that either touched my heart or that I felt compelled to share with you. 

Matthew 1:20-21 

20But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

21And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Can you imagine a dream like the one Joseph had? That your wife is carrying the Holy Ghost. What the name of your son is? And even more so what he will do with his life- I have had dreams where I feel like Jesus is sending me a message, but never have I had a dream like Joseph's. 

Matthew 2:13-16

13And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

14When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:

15And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

16Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.

This verse once again shows Joseph dreaming and listening. I hope that anytime I feel like Jesus is speaking to me in a dream I can be as obedient and trusting as Joseph. If Joseph wouldn't have listened then Herod would have came and killed Jesus in Bethlehem. This verse truly speaks to me- that I should listen when Jesus speaks to me and follow what he is saying. 

Matthew 3:16-17

13Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.

14But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?

15And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.

16And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

17And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

I just loved this verse. Especially how Matthew describes the Spirit of God descending like a dove and light upon him. "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." 

If reading through the New Testament with me isn't your thing I understand, but if you want to take part feel free to journal along and share what touched you in the verses. Todays Chapters were Matthew 1-3- Tomorrow is Matthew 4-6. 

Don't worry I will still be blogging about of journey as well, but part of the challenge is sharing it and journaling it and seeing what God does in our lives as we move through the challenge. I hope you read along with me and please feel free to share what you take away as we read together and how God is changing or working in your life during the 90 days. 

Continued Good News!

I just hung up the phone with the embryologist- ALL 9 are dividing and growing normally!! 

I truly was bracing myself to hear that a few weren't going to make it through the night, so I am just over the moon that we still have all 9 with us now! 

Tomorrow would be the earliest transfer day and they told me they are looking good so we will be waiting. We should know more tomorrow! 

I feel pretty good- yesterday I was very fatigued and a bit sore. Today I only feel a little pressure in the lower abdomen and the fatigue has eased some. I wouldn't go climbing mountains or trekking all over the place today, but I am ready to get some fresh air. 

I started the Crinonine and Medrol pack today. Crinonine is a form of progesterone and its like a gooey gel. So far I think its going to be messy, but that's why they invented panty liners. 

Tonight Rob and I are going to have a dinner date. We just haven't decided if our dinner date will be out of the house or in the house. 

So yay for our 9<3 

I also received some lovely gifts in the mail- Elisha from Waiting For Baby Bird sent me a note pad and a beautiful scriptures- 

Ecclesiastes 3:11 kiv - "He hat made every thing beautiful in His time."  

Numbers 23:19 - "God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?" 

Thank you so much for thinking of me Elisha! Stand by your mail box my dear- I have something on the way to you as well <3 

"We live by faith, not by sight." II Corinthians 5:7 

I also ordered something from Etsy - from Soul Cyster Creations- I ordered some extras to send out to a few of you women as well and one for me to wear. 

Right now I am holding it extra close to my heart as I wait for continued news on my 9 little ones <3 <3 

We Have Embryo's!

Yesterday went so very well- they were able to retrieve 14 follicles. 

Out of the 14 - 12 were mature. 

Our 12 were split 5 and 7-

5 were ICSI'ed- and out of the 5 -4 fertilized normally. 

7 were left to fertilize on their own- 5 fertilized normally. 

That means we have 9 embryo's this morning!! 9 little ones that are thriving as of today :) 

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 

I feel pretty good today. My abdomen is sore, but not awful. The bloating is going away- I've been drinking plenty of Gatorade and Water (I mix them 1/2 and 1/2 I don't like the taste of 100% Gatorade). 

Yesterday went so smoothly- we arrived at 10:30 and signed in. They took me right back and I changed into a gown in a small room. They provided me with a fleece blanket which I got to keep and take home with me. 

Then the anesthesiologist came in and started my line. They escorted me to the bathroom to empty my bladder completely and then the embryologist came in. 

She told us that she would be handling our embryo's and was available at anytime. She was super sweet and I was so glad she came in to meet us beforehand. Then the doctor came in and went over the plan. 

Then they escorted me to the surgery room where I was assisted into the stirrups and then given the medication to go to sleep. I remember telling the anesthesiologist that I wish I could have a hit of that medication every night so I could sleep soundly. 

Then the next thing I knew I was in a recovery room and Rob was there with me. The first thing I remember him saying was that I have morning breath. How sweet LOL. 

Then I asked how many they retrieved and he told me I must still be out of it because I had already had a conversation with the doctors and nurses a few times about it. Then he told me 14 and that the doctor said that was the best for the day so far. 

A nurse came in to check my vitals and gave me another blanket because I was freezing. They gave me Zofran to help ease the nausea and then apple juice and crackers. Then I had to void my bladder and the doctor came in again to let me know that they would call me today with the fertilization rate. 

The ride home was a bit iffy- we live about an hour away and during the ride I felt very nauseous and dizzy so I just laid back. When I got home I went upstairs and cuddled into bed for a few hour nap.

My best friend brought us dinner and my God son made me cookies with Mickey Mouse on them because he knows how much I love Mickey <3 ((Sooooo stinking sweet)) 

I was given more Zofran and Percocet for the pain. I took one last night before bed and woke up this morning feeling pretty good. Right now I just have some mild pain and I feel pretty tired. I think its a wonderful day to nap and do nothing. 

Tomorrow I will start the Crinonine and Medrol pack. 

Thank you all for your prayers and for checking in on me <3 I can't wait to hear how our 9 make out through the night! For now I'm off to nap-- because that's what my body is saying it needs right now and I'm going to listen to it <3