Winter Cycle Friends 2009/2010 - Everyone Welcome!

[karenthescorpio]

Hi, ladies. It's me, Karen. I was thinking of my old cycle buddies and hoping your pregnancies are still going well. I miss you guys. I'm starting to feel more normal every day...although today I feel a bit deflated. So I thought checking-in with my old buddies would lift my spirits. I'm happy to see everyone is still pregnant! And I see new names and people. That's wonderful!

I'll be having a surgery next month. I'm having a transabdominal cerclage (TAC) put on. It's more involved than having the vaginal one put on when I was pregnant....and this one I can do pre-pregnancy. And it doesn't ever have to come off. They have to make an incision similar to a c-section to get at the top of the cervix...which is where they put this band around the cervix to make it super bionic! Ha! That is the only way I will be able to carry another pregnancy since the tear I had to my cervix during delivery caused so much damage. Not to mention that before the tear I apparently had a weak cervix...thus resulting in the early delivery of my twin baby girls. After my surgery the doc says I just have to wait one menstrual cycle before starting IVF. I see my RE next week to make a plan, get his opinion, etc. So who knows...depending on the timing of things, maybe I could cycle in November. If not, I'll do it in January for sure. We have one excellent quality embie left from the cycle that the twins came from...but I think I might just do another fresh cycle. But I"m not sure. So much to consider. Being that I"ll be 40 in November, I'm a bit concerned that I need not waste any time to make embies. Even though my last cycle went great and I had a good response to stims...I'm just worried something might have changed. ugh. Why can't we all just get knocked-up and be done with it!

I'm sending you all a huge hug. Take care of those babies...be mindful if you don't feel well. I'm so paranoid now that I had PTL. xoxo Karen

[babyluv]

Karen it is really great to hear from you! I'm so glad you are doing better, though sorry today has been rough We think about you all the time, and I know you are in my thoughts pretty much daily. The surgery sounds like it could be a really great answer and please let us know what your RE says and how everything goes. I think another fresh cycle is a great idea.

[katie99]

Karen - Its great to hear from you honey. I'm so happy to hear that you're feeling better and have what sounds like a great plan of action.
This different cerclage sounds like just the thing "bionic cervix" - you made me laugh with that one! Whatever will help us get where we're going, right?
I wish you a easy recovery and will be looking out for you when you're ready to cycle again, or FET whichever you decide to go with. - xoxoxo

Steph - aw, honey dont pay any attention to that bad dream at all! I'm with Hazel- only good dreams from now on
Those babies need to just hold on and stay in there a while longer now. I think that painting just 2 accent walls in the nursery is a great way to perk up white walls. And think of how easy it will be to repaint just the 2 walls when you need to. heck, I could paint just 2 walls in about an hour. Now does Andrew have the time to do it? I guess that would be can he make time to do it? Ooohh, I love the pics you posted! You and Alex look so beautiful and she looks so happy in them! I think you look great for being pg with twins! you dont look awkward at all. I cant believe that you're still wearing makeup - i seem to have went from the type that had to have makeup on to run out quick to the store and now somehow I cant be bothered most days. Maybe if I had some more energy?... xoxo

Angela - Whew! With the way your in laws have been acting lately with the boy obsession - I think a vacation away is a wonderful idea! UGH! For having some idiot waste your time and effort with getting the car fixed! I try to stick Chris with all things car related because I swear its just more difficult for a female to communicate with mechanics - and I dont get why that is. They must sense that I'm clueless about cars and dont really care to learn either. Hopefully it all gets fixed quickly for you. When are you going on vaca?

Hazel - You are getting so close now! I cant wait to hear how much Zorba is weighing at your next scan. And more importantly, what position him/her is in now. Eeeek! This is really happening! after all that waiting, hoping praying, cycling, and trying again. i know its time to get excited, but my nervousness has kicked in instead! Did you find the antenatal classes informative? I thought the one I went to at my hospital was so basic, that I learned not a thing. I was disappointed that it wasnt more in depth. Happy early 6th Anniversary! Dont worry about romantic right now, I m sure he doesnt care what you get or dont get him. besides you're too far along to be running all over trying to shop. And i sort of believe that Zorba is the best gift anyway... xoxo

Babyluv - OMG, Scarlett had open heart surgery? Aw, the poor thing, i cannot imagine how scary that must have been for everyone! Glad that you enjoyed your massage - now that sounds like a good idea. I love Amelia & Juliette both are such beautiful names! It is hard to decide before meeting them first isnt it? But you have to have some in mind, I wouldnt want to go to the hopspital, cold on names and maybe think what sounds good while you're still drugged up, and hate it the next day either! Is your mom still there to help you out? Bless her heart for that, right? take it easy twin mama - xoxo

Natasha - Yay for finally getting your results, but wow did that take a long time. I'm with Angela, that was totally unacceptable on their part. How are you feeling now that you're in your 2nd trimester? Enjoy it, this is the most comfortable of them all.

AFM - A friend of mine stopped over today and the firsst thing she said when she saw the nusery for the first time was " its too cartoon like" UGH this is exactly what I was worried about myself. But it is for a baby, right? She's one of those that doesnt filter her thoughts and usually I love her for that, so I dont know if I'm feelinh hormonal or what, but I was like 'umm, great to hear that" grrrr. I'm going to take pics right now and post them. - xoxo

[katie99]

http://registryforwintercyclethread.webs.com/


Hazel -Scan on 8/25 @38weeks! EDD is Sept 7-
Riley -EDD is on Oct 5
Katie - OB appt 9/1 -EDD is Oct 24 -
KTelise-EDD is on Nov 3
Hope -EDD is on Nov 7 -
Gi - EDD is on Nov 14-
Claudia - OB appt w/ GTT on 8/27 - 28 week scan on 9/7 - EDD is on Nov28 - Thanksgiving weekend! -
Emerald - EDD is on Dec 7 -
Angela- EDD is on Dec 22 - A Christmas baby! -
Natasha next OB on 8/25 - EDD is on Feb 7
Franca- need update
PA -FA -next OB w/ u/s on 8/23 - EDD is on 2/15/2011 a Valentine's baby!






Stephanie - OB on 8/24 - EDD is on Sept 30 - - AND
Sara - EDD is Nov 22 - AND
Babyluv - EDD is on Nov 28 - AND
Bei - Twins! - EDD is Feb 15 - Valentine's Day babies





Tammy - m/c - 1 angel looking over her -
DrBoots (Ryan) - m/c - 1 angel watching over her -
Lou - m/c 11wks - We all grieve with you.. -
Malya - premature labor @ 20wks - 1 angel watching over you -
Natakia - m/c - 1 angel watching over you -
Ronda - m/c 17wks - we all grieve with you -
Karen- premature labor @ 23.5 wks -We all grieve with you -

[katie99]

Why does my internet go out every time I try to post something???? grrrr
Ok bear with me... I think I figured it out now...
ARGGGHHHHH!!!! no matter how many times I resize it, it keeps putting these giant pics!!! I give up now - sorry I know they're huge!

[katie99]

Sorry that they ended up so big!!

[angelaezra]

PA_FA – I must have missed the comment about your co-worker. I agree with the ladies and your DH; don’t pay attention to ignorant comments. But, look at it this way, she isn’t actually talking about you, she is talking about what is needed to carry your baby to make sure he or she is healthy. I am sure you still look fabulous but now with a pregnancy glow!

Hazel – I am so glad that your doctor’s appointment went well and yeah for Zorba starting to engage!!!

I hope your parents had a good time on their cruise. I am trying to talk my parents into taking a cruise next summer. We took a cruise as a family last November-it was their first and our forth and we had a great time. My parents also celebrated 50 years of marriage and it also was my mom’s 50th class reunion cruise also. My dad is reluctant to go on anther cruise because he was upset because we got caught in a hurricane and the first 3 nights on the ship were a nightmare but the last 2 days were great. So we will see …

Babyluv – I hope you and your DH have a great time at dinner tonight! I am glad the bed rest hasn’t been too bad and I am thrilled that you and the babies are doing well.

Natasha – Well it is about time they finally got back to you regarding your results. It has only been a year since you heard from them last … lol. Ok, well it seems like a year. I am happy you get to stop your injections. Unfortunately for me, I have to continue my weekly painful, painful injections until 36 weeks. My progesterone level is fine; my high risk OB just wants some extra protection and I actually think it is making my cervix length longer. Every since I have been doing the injections my cervix length has actually increased in length instead of shortening.

Karen – Oh, you don’t know how happy I am to hear from you! I am thrilled that you have made plans for the surgery so you can have another transfer later this year!!!!! I will be here cheering you on all the way! Please don’t worry about your age; I think you will be just fine. Just concentrate on healing after your surgery.

Katie – I don’t know what your friend is talking about, your nursery looks great! I just love it!

We leave for vacation on Tuesday morning because I have my weekly u/s on Monday, so we will leave the next day.

AFM – Well, I am glad that this week is almost over. Actually, today wasn’t too bad but I am ready for my car to return because this rental is slower than a turtle … lol. I hope everyone else is doing great.

Angela

[Franca]

Hey my sexy mammas

Sorry i havent been on here but to be honest i'v been scared to. I kept seeing horrible things happening on forums and i did'nt want to see it. Angela thankyou for caring and mailing me really sweet of you. My update:

I'm now 14 weeks pregnant (tomorrow) i had my scan on monday and my little monkey would'nt stop dancing so it took ages for measurememnts lol!! I also had the Downs blood test so waiting for results from that. My husband and i descussed if there was a possiblily of us having downs, but we both don't care we love our child no matter
As you all know my husband is a Dr a GP so yesterday i went to his surgury and heard my babys heartbeat. I'm so lucky to have that on tap
I see all you girls are doing so well and that makes me sooooooo happy. Our children are going to be so spoilt. Who cares eh?

Take care ladies
Franca
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[hjw]

babyluv - loving your choice of names for the girls. Now just keeping my fingers crossed that DH plays ball and doesn't keep coming up with alternative names every time you think you've decided, like katie's DH did! Looking forward to reading the update from your HR appointment today - is there any chance that he'll relax the bed rest orders?

natasha - great news about the shots.

karen - sweetie, it's so nice to see you again and I'm so happy that you and DH have a plan and a way forward. The operation sounds like just the job and I know that you'll get there next time. A fresh cycle sounds good to me - just from my personal experience of my cancelled FET when my two frosties failed to thaw on transfer day, I'd rather do a fresh cycle than go through the cycle relying on one frostie. And that way you'll hopefully build up more frosties for any future FET when you decide to add a little brother/sister to the family... But that's just my personal opinion.

angela - the bump was soooo uncomfortable overnight last night, I think Zorba's head must be even more engaged now than on Wednesday, it's exciting but scary at the same time! Oooh, only 4 sleeps until your vacation, I bet you can't wait!

Franca - so happy that things are going well, yippee for hitting the 2nd trimester!

katie - I can't wait to find out what Zorba weighs either, but I already know the position because he/she has been in EXACTLY the same place since week 25 and was still in it as at Wednesday's appointment with the doctor (head down, spine up my left hand side, bum right at the top under my boobs, and legs and arms down the right part of my stomach, where I therefore get 90% of the movement) - the lazy little sod can't ever be bothered to shift position... Just as long as he/she decides to come out when it's time, huh? On the subject of the antenatal classes, they were partly helpful and partly a waste of time. I did pick up some stuff about the labour and delivery (and breastfeeding, now that I come to think about it) that I didn't know before, but the focus is largely on giving birth and not how the hell you look after the baby once it's here! So we went out and bought "What to Expect...the First Year" (which I think is a US book) which was really helpful for the more practical information about what's going to happen in the first few weeks/months. If you've got any specific questions that your classes don't cover, do shout, because if mine didn't cover the answer there's bound to be someone on here who will know! p.s. You're exactly right about Zorba being the best anniversary gift! My 35th birthday last December fell on transfer day, so I got given him/her as a birthday gift too! Finally, I absolutely LOVE your nursery, particularly your wall decal which is fantastic. I don't know what your friend is talking about - if it's too cartoonish then ours is too, as we've gone for a bit of an animal theme (both DH and I are animal people!). I've run up and taken a few pictures of ours so that you can see what I mean - it looks a bit more drab than it actually is as it's a rubbish morning for good daylight, but you get the idea (the final photo is of the crib, which is now at the end of our bed so that the dogs can get used to it being in our room). Sadly as we only rent our house, we're not allowed to paint walls, so we've gone for bright colours instead. The cotbed looks a little odd because I haven't taken the plastic sheet off the mattress yet (on the basis that Zorba's going to be in the crib in our bedroom for the first few months) nor have we got around to putting the mobile up in case we decide to switch the furniture around for practical reasons once we start actually using the room for changing the baby etc.

H x

[natasha10]

angela-your rental car u got isnt too great huh hopefully you get your car back soon. i seen your going on vacation soon. thats sounds great. i swear that office kept me waiting forever. im disappointed in that and still mad but i will definitely make sure any other labs i do are stat. lesson learned. you hang in there with those shots. i no even once a week those shots all the feel the same and just as bad. but look at it the best way your doing great with them shots and i hope it gets better your almost done and will have your precious gabriella.

AFM- i have nothing to complain about. just trying to relax and take it easy. i've been going to the gym here and there and walking and working my chest muscles a bit. i was thinking of starting a prenatal yoga class. we'll see but it sounds good.

[katie99]

Angela - yippee for a nice well deserved vacation soon! Hope you have a ball and get to finally rest & relax. And of course get your own car back soon, ugh I dislike driving a car that i'm not familar with, its distracting isnt it?

Franca - Hooray for being in your 2nd trimester now! enjoy it, its the most comfortable one! And wow, I'm jealous, how awesome is it to have a DH thats a Dr - instant medical care 24/7 - yay!

Hazel - Oh, I love your nusery! That lion rug is beyond adorable! And I love the baby furniture that you chose! So are you very uncomfortable now? I guess thats a silly question, isnt it? if Zorba"s legs and feet are right by your stomach I guess that your getting some really interesting kicks to the organs?
I'll bet that just gets your attention right away, doesnt it? Ah, me too, the light in the nursery is really sunny in the morning only, its still bright all day, but pictures seem to come out so dark of the window, which i dont get and I even used a flash to see if that would help - sigh. Yes I do have that book and another one that was suggested called Baby 411 by a pediatrician named Ari Brown, i like that one a lot also - it has lots of charts such as how many wet / soiled diapers you should see the first day/ week/ month and theres alot of info for us clueless moms to be, and dads too. so far I read through it quick and had to hand it over to Chris to read. Its written in really plain english so its easy to forget its written by a Dr. you laugh if you saw how many pages i have marked for reference! haha. OK so you were the last to go on the cycling threads, and now you'll be our first one on the pg thread - our fearless leader! Theres got to be some irony there, no? much love mama - xoxo

Steph - Where are you honey? I get to wondering when you're quiet... hoping you're just taking it easy - xoxoxo

Claudia - Are you out buying out the baby stores? hee hee miss you - xoxo

[babyluv]

Katie - Wow, that was just a wee bit rude what your friend said! What does she expect you to do about it? Change it to her specifications? I say you make it the way YOU want! Savannah will just want it changed when she's older anyway! LOVE the decal I took pics of Scarlett's room (also has a tree decal) that I'll have to post. I'm wondering if we got it from the same place. Janey Mac?

Hazel - Your nursery is cute too! My kids' bathroom has animals in it. We originally wanted to do a jungle theme for Alex's room, but once we met him in Russia we realized he LOVED all things balls...so we did a sports theme instead. Now it's a beach theme and I don't think he could have cared less about ANY of the decorations!

Angela - It's Friday!

Franca - Welcome to the second tri!! So good to hear from you.

AFM - I had a great HR appt this morning. Had a nice tech who actually let me SEE the machine the whole time and I absolutely loved the doctor. I have a different one every time, but I would be happy seeing her from now on. She said I'm growing super babies because Amelia is on target for a singleton at 1lb 12 oz, and Juliette is already at 2lbs! She said they apparently don't know they are twins Of course that made me feel better because last time they were both on the small side, but nothing alarming (and they have more than doubled in weight in 4 weeks...I just think it's crazy). I think the bed rest has helped them play a little catch up. The doctor was very happy with my weight gain and said it will start slowing (I really haven't gained any in the last two weeks), but I should end up in the 45-50 pound range, try not to go over. That's pretty much what I was shooting for.

The OTHER good news is that my cervix is really long, I think even a little longer than before. It's at 4.9cm, 4.83cm with pressure. I asked if my OB might take me off bed rest when I see him Monday, and she said it was up to him...and that he's VERY conservative, so she wasn't sure. He's the best OB in Central Florida and on the board of the hospital, so no one likes to really step on his toes I personally think he will, but I am going to pretty much stick to resting as much as possible...I think it's really helping.

[Stephanieford78]

Babyluv - Great news about your cervix and the growth of the girls! I think we both have super babies because I am guessing mine is around the 3lb mark by now. lol Alex starts school Monday too. She is all kinds of nervous and excited. She gets so nervous that she throws up each year. We had meet the teacher yesterday and when she went to bed, she got sick. Fun fun! lol She is fine, just nervous. She is such a big help that I am going to miss her when she goes to school. lol She looks at the end table and if I don't have a water, she goes and gets me one. She will ask me if I want a snack or something and make mac n cheese. She truly is a sweetheart and so glad I have such a great kid! She even helps me get up when she sees I am struggling. lol

Hazel - The nursery is adorable! I love the sloped walls, brings so much character to the room! I think you did a great job in staying cute and neutral. Have you been having much pressure lately? I have noticed that today is much worse than any day before now. Lots of pressure that I would assume if I had one baby that the baby was dropping into position. Though because there are two in there, I have no idea if that is really possible or not?

Franca - Good to know everything is going great! Keep up the good work baby mama!

Angela - I hope those bad days are over and you can relax and enjoy. Did you get your car back? I hope someone set your inlaws straight. I would hate to hear about another ignorant outbust from the FIL.

Katie - Your nursery is gorgeous! The pictures didn't turn out big on my computer. I am thinking that the site might be screwing it up because I had the same issues with my last two picture posts. There was always one that was huge. Anyway, back to your nursery. LOVE IT! NOT too cartoon like at all! It is a nursery for f*ck sake. lol I know she is your friend but does she even have children? lol I think my nursery is too bland so I am trying to add color the best I can. I think the tree and averything looks perfect for a little girl's room. Something for her to look at and help her little eyes focus as well as something she can grow into. Thanks for the compliment about the pics. Alex really showed her little divalicious personality in the rock horns pic. lol I gt told a lot that I look good for carrying twins, but I feel like crap. lol At least I look good I suppose? Oh and the make up... I usually NEVER wear my make up like that. I was playing around because one of my neighbors agreed to take some artistic photos. If she actually does them that is. In professional pictures that are to be more artistic, I thought I would try a smokey eye. Alex then wantd me to put some on her so I did and that went from doing make up to taking pics of my belly, to pics of her, to pics of us. lol

Karen - So awesome you popped in and haven't forgotten us. You know there is no way in hell we could ever forget about you. As you know, you inspired me in a few ways along this journey. I am glad to hear that your bionic cervix surgery is in place and going to happen. I think if you can go through a fresh cycle that it would be a more iron clad thing to do. I did the transfer of one embie thing before and it is so hard to have all your hopes in just one. Even though it was a beatiful hatching embie and they told me that I shouldn't need more than one since I was so healthy, it didn't work out for us that time. Of course it was different for us, it was a rescue ICSI embie and those all have less than 1% chance of working. Your one frosty would have a better chance. A fresh cycle would also leave you likely with more frosties which means possibly a future brother or sister for the baby(ies) you will get from the fresh cycle. Yes, I am thinking very positive because it will work and you will be here again with your super duty cervix telling us you are preggers and 9 months from that you will be telling us that you had a gorgeous healthy baby! This is me visualizing. You may have heard me say before that my moto is... Believe it into existance! I think the mind is a powerful tool. Much love dear friend! Keep in touch!

AFM - UGH! Today has been a bad day as far as pain goes. It was about the worst night's sleep that I have ever had. My stomach has just been in pain most of the day now too. I woke up this morning on my back and was in such pain but had to turn over. I just couldn't so I had to get Andrew to push me to my side which still caused pain. My belly is so heavy now that no matter which way I lay, it hurts. I almost thought I was having some real contractions this morning because of the pain. If it was, they stopped. If it wasn't, it was just the pain combined with a few braxton hicks. Lovely huh? I don't want to complain but I think I officially hit miserable. lol I will manage of course... anything for these babies. I just wish I could find a way to sleep at night and hope this pain and pressure goes away. Still not sure that my body will cooperate for the next 6 weeks. Other than that crappy news... Andrew starts his first days off today at close of business!! His leave doesn't officially start till midnight Sunday but we are hoping that all is well. Alex starts school Monday and her name should be changed within the next 2 weeks or so. The teacher has agreed that she can use her new name starting the first day of school so that it will be easier on her. She is so excited! On to the nursery. That will be more of a project than originally planned. Because of all the brown as you know I have decided to add color. I went to home depot and bought pink and blue paint. I decided the individual accent walls behind their cribs would be cute and easy to paint over when we move. Also was looking for block letters online to add to their shelves. All the letters I would need, yeah.. way too expensive. Nothing less than $130 for letters!! So... I brainstormed. lol Andrew was given some word working tools that I have been begging him to get rid of but he hasn't yet. Well, they say averything happens for a reason. So I asked him if he can use the lathe and stuff to cut out letters to spell their names. He agreed so I also got an 8ft piece of 1x4 pine. This way the letters will be special because daddy made them and mom and big sis helped paint and decorate them. That should be a project for this weekend. Now that will be fun! After that, the room should be done... that is unless I decide to trade out the new brown panels for pink. Which I might very well do! I thought it would be good to match and stay neutral with them, but it really brings the room down. Might have to convince Andrew to go pink on that. Oh and I am still looking for a cute rug. That might take a while. Hope everyone is well! Take care all you sexy baby mama's!

[Franca]

Hey Girls

Got results back from downs test and i have a 1 in 45 chance of having a downs baby...

x

[Hope644]

just a quick note to say hi.

I'm lovin' all the nursery pics! you girls are rockin' the PINK! My DH still freaking out a little over the pink pepto flood that is coming in the doors at our house. People are buying clothes left and right. it's nuts. we're not having a shower, since we already had one with little man, but she will have no shortage of pink things when she arrives. Curious about everyone's thoughts on a second shower... i saw an online thing the other day asking if people thought it was ok or bad form to have a 2nd shower. I was surprised to see it was 75% thought it was fine. I don't know what I think really, part of me feels like I'm not celebrating her like I did my son if I don't, but part of me is, like, but, I don't need anything! People are going to buy clothes anyway - and that's all I don't have... what do u all think? Just curious.

Oh, and Franca - I saw your post on 1 in 45 chance of having a Downs baby. Praying for a healthy baby for you, but remember that's still only about a 2% chance... my son's risk of DS went up after my NS, it was 1 in 115. My OB (male) said 3 of his 4 kids had increased risk as well, but all are fine. Are you going to have the amnio to find out for sure? It's a big personal decision. We opted not - but some people need to know to prepare. Thinking of you, dear.

Hugs and love to you all. Wish I had more time to keep caught up, but no such luck.