BUMPIN' 08 - Fall Mommies

[CT_Michele]

rio- we must have posted at the same time last time, cuz I missed your post. I am so jealous of your warm weather. Ella really hasn't seen much of the outside, I can't wait until the spring.

To answer your question- my cycle is progressing. DH had sperm analysis on monday and as we suspected, they found nothing. So we don;t know for sure, but we are pretty sure he will have to go through TESE again. We have our consult tomorrow and will find out all the answers to our questions. I am currently taking bcp's, I have all of my preliminary tests scheduled and if we stay on track, I will start stims on Feb 20 with an expected ER/ET first week of march. So I will make sure to keep you all updated.

I am trying to stay positive, but I just don;t know what will happen. This may be our last chance, this is the last time insurance will pay, and even though they cover most of it, we still will have a lot of out of pocket costs, so it is all stressful. I am trying not to be stressed, so my body will react well to the cycle, but it is hard. I am glad I have all of these ladies here to lean on.

Ok, gotta run, talk to you all soon.

[geckogirl]

Michelle,

Don't think about this being a last chance because you never know how life will work out. You are still very young and if you decided later to have more children you may be in the position at some point to afford to pay out of pocket. Try to think of it as your last chance- for NOW. Look at me - 45 with a new baby. Not that you want to wait that long, but with IVF you have many years ahead to try. I know lots of people who have big gaps in age between sibs. It's all good:) But, of course, I am hoping that this cycle will work like a charm and you will complete your family as planned! Keep us posted.

[CT_Michele]

Gecko- Thank you for your kind words. I know this is not my last chance ever, I know I am young and still have many reproductive years ahead of me, I just feel like this is the way it is supposed to be. The money situation is tough because I have never financed anything in my life (except for mortgage and a minimal amount of student loans), but I have no credit card debt, no car payments, I always have lived within my means. I am sure you understand that as a teacher, since we certainly do not make alot. I know that having another child is the one thing I probably would allow myself to go into debt for. I just know that the relationship between dh and i is strong because we live this way. I see so many relationships struggle because of money and then add infertility to the mx and it is recipe for disaster. I just really really hope we are as fortunate this time as last time, I am just afraid of how I might handle a negative outcome...

But again, thank you so much for your words, it puts everything into perspective for me, and it is because of such wonderful support from great ladies like yourself that I know I can get through this. I have so much love and appreciation for all the women here.

[riogirl71]

CT
it seems like we are on the same boat, I think your DH had chemo also, correct? Did you have any issues or did you get a clean fertility screen? Fortunately my DH still has some swimmers, very few that had to be picked out for the ICSI, I "passed" all my fert tests. It was very emotional for us (as I know it is for everyone for all different reasons) because DH felt really guilty that I had to do all the shots and all the procedures when he was the one with the fertility issues (not that I blame him for anything or ever have since he would do the same for me). Did you ever consider donor sperm as a last resort? I thought about it a lot and I am glad it didn't get to this since I don't know if DH would ever feel like the baby was really his. I desperatly want a sibling and I am nervous that it won't happen the next IVF cause I don't know if I can afford more than one more. Last time I had 10 follies, 7 eggs, 4 mature and the 4 were fertilized, the reason I worry is that we implanted all 4 and one took. I get nervous about my egg quality getting worse (you are still young so that is a big plus). I am the same as you, no debt and no money issues with DH and also worry about the toll of IVF in our finances. I go back and forth if I would use donor sperm if everything else failed. I know some ladies here who have gone through it so many times but I couldn't afford doing it so many times since our insurance does not cover anything. I also read about some miracle conceptions on the board and thought - how nice would it be? Anyway, I have tons of baby dust for you and I hope things go really well and you have another gorgeous baby! It is truly an emotional roller coaster!!!!

[CT_Michele]

Rio- our situations do sound similar, but dh was not due to chemo...we actually do not know what it is caused by, we never really asked or pursued, just knew we needed ivf w/icsi and tese. I don;t think either one of us really wants to consider donor sperm. We discussed it briefly last time, but decided no for us, and we lucked out and were blessed with Ella. I also received a clean fertility report for myself, no issues, past all my tests. I ave read about miracle conceptions too, and it would be nice, but I don;t ever think that will happen to us. I will update you guys after consult tomorrow.

[TwinMommy]

CT: Let us know!!!

The girls are sick with a cold. Kenzie more than Brooke but still. Kenzie was up almost ALL last night. So I got 4 hours the night before last and like 2 last night? I AM EXHAUSTED! I am mean and cranky because of it too. Kenzie coughs all the time, sneezes, watery eyes, stuffy nose, etc. She could not breathe I assume last night. Plus I fed her and she coughed so hard to puked it all up. Then an hour later she was hungry again *sigh* Did I mention I was tired? So she is so off schedule and Brooke is on schedule so they are up at different times so I can not nap! Yes, I cried this morning I was so tired...poor husband.

Anywhoo, I was going to write more but she wants to eat!

[CT_Michele]

suga- so sorry to hear the girls are sick. luckily ella hasn't really gotten sick yet.


Ok guys, I have a favor to ask. Another shameless call for votes. Ella is in the final round of a photo contest. It starts today and goes until the end of the month. You can vote once a day. If you guys have time and don;t mind, would you like to vote? I will put the link here:

http://www.babiesonline.com/babycontest ... ?page=2001

You can copy and paste, she is right in the middle. Thanks!
I will post again later after my consult.
talk to you all soon!

[CT_Michele]

and also...

if you get a chance, check out this really cute youtube video of ella. She started laughing at daddy tonight, so we decided to tape it to share with family and friends. It is so cute and funny. Just copy and paste and it should take you to it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwCCI0OrIjs

[kbear4211]

Hi Everybody,

I thought I would join your thread. I am familiar with you all, as I cycled my first cycle with a lot of you. I have kept up, while pregnant, with your stories. I am on maternity leave until March 2, when unfortunately, I have to return to work.

My daughter, Katie was born on December 4th, on her due date. I had to have a C-section, as she was breech and had no interest in turning. She was 7 lbs 7 oz and 20 1/2 inches long. She is doing just great. I tried to breastfeed, but actually never got my milk. Wierd, but doctor says that happens sometimes. Katie is doing fine on the formula, so it is fine.

We do have an interesting situation, as Katie has a floppy voicebox. She has always made many noises while sleeping and even some while awake. We actually took her to the ER at 9 days old thinking she was having trouble breathing. They said it was normal baby noises. She got her first cold at about 4 weeks, and it seemed the noises were worse. She went to the DR three times during cold, as worried Mom thought she was having trouble breathing. I was finally told it was a "noisy airway". They said some children are born with it and it usually goes away by 2 yrs old. I have been to the pulmonologist to verify, and he says it is a noisy voicebox, not airway. He said we should go to the Pediatric Ear Nose and Throat DR, so they can scope and verify. If so, and there is a 99% chance this is what it is, they will do nothing, she will just be noisy for a while and it will go away. In one way, it is good, because we never have any doubt she is breathing, as we can hear her all night long. (She is in a cradle in our room for now)

I have enjoyed following all of your stories, and I hope I am welcome to join. I don't know how to post pictures to photobucket, and once I conquer that, I willl post a pic of Katie.

Take care Mommies,

Kris

[TwinMommy]

kbear! I remember you!!! Welcome welcome!!! Glad everything is going so well!!! I have never heard of a noisy voice box but then again I have not heard/seen a lot of stuff we have had to go through! Who knew being a mom was this crazy!

Last night was a little better than before. Kenzie coughed all night long and threw up she coughed so hard. However, she did not wake up too bad and went back to sleep so it was nice. She did have to get a bath this morning though as it was everywhere!!! I am going to try Vicks plug ins tonight as I hate to rub anything on her body.

Anyone ever heard that putting peroxide in the ears and letting it sit for a few then taking it out kills bacteria that causes a cold??

[CT_Michele]

kbear- i remember you too...so nice you have joined us. Congrats on Katie! My little ella was also a c-section due to breech position. That is quite an interesting situation with the voicebox, you will have to keep us updated.

Photobucket isn't too hard. You just sign onto our acct (which is username: octmommies2b password: eddoct) after you sign on, you can click upload and it will let you pick the files from your computer.

So fertility update: Consult went ok. RE didn't say anything we didn't expect. He said we don't have to do TESE, but he is highly recommending it. We only have one frozen vial and I guess at last cycle it took the lab 60 minutes to find 8 good sperm to match my egg count. That is not very good. So we are waiting for some bw for dh, but it looks like TESE again. We have sooooo many appts in the next 3 weeks, my calendar is stuffed, no room to write anything else.

RE is optimistic though, cuz we had awesome embryos last time, my eggs are good and we are young and had success. We just have a lot of what if decisions to make, like should we freeze embryos this time in case it doesn't work? (expensive and not covered).

RE did meet ella though and he was delighted when we asked him to take a pic with her. I was happy we got to do that.

Ok, I am taking Ella to the children's museum today with my parents group, should be fun. Can you believe I just burped by accident out loud and it scared the crap out of ella, she started crying so loud....lol

[loopie]

Hi Kbear- welcome and super big congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!
will the voicebox settle in? or is it just a baby thing that goes away after a while?
I'm pretty sure i asked before where in maryland you are (is it frederick?) but here i am asking again... perhaps in the spring we could get together fmr a baby meet and greet- have you been able to get out and about with Katie? I'm sure your xmas was filled with love and family

CT- that's some good laughing Ella has- Pulman does that for a few seconds, then decides to cry i'll be excited when he has a full on belly laugh for sure- mostly i just laugh

suga- how's the new formula holding out? poopin' champs?

I had my art reception last night- was a great turnout, but i probably could have skipped making any work and just put Pulman in the gallery- he's all anyone really looked at!
see you all soon- more pix to come!

xxloopie

[geckogirl]

Kris - Welcome to the thread! Congrats on your new baby daughter. I can't wait to see a picture of her. Wow, I have never heard of a floppy voicebox, but it sounds like they think it will clear up in time. Keep us posted.

Suga - Glad the girls are doing better. I have never heard of the peroxide thing though. Sounds promising if it is true. Our pedi said never to put anything in their ears but I think she meant like a Q-tip or something that could hurt them. Don't know about drops.

Michele - I am sooooo happy that your consult went well. It sounds like your next cycle should go beautifully. I am sorry your DH has to go through TESE again though. Ouch! Is is really bad for him? I guess compared to all the needles we do while cycling and then the actual pregnancy and birth it is nothing, but men can be such babies....

loopie - Congrats on your are reception. Did you post any pics on photobucket?

Well, I am happy to report that this week Declan has been (dare I even say it?).......sleeping through the night! He goes from 8:30 or 9pm all the way until 5 or 6am. One night he needed a 2am feeding, then slept until 7:30am. It is an awesome thing. I hope it keeps up! The trick for us was putting him in his own room in his crib. I think we were waking him up with our moving about, snoring, and getting up to use the restroom. It is pretty quiet in his room. He really isn't napping much in the day though - but I would rather have a full night's sleep. Besides, I am at work and DH is home with him during the day - hee, hee. Declan will start full time daycare on Feb. 2nd and that will tire him out I am sure.

Hope you all have nice weekends planned. Looks like our good weather has come to an end. It's been raining for three days now. It isn't too cold, just damp. No walking for me. Guess I will head back to the gym.

Take care.

[CT_Michele]

gecko- so glad to hear declan is sleeping though the night. Ella sleeps for about the same amount of time, eats around 6 or 7 am and then usually sleeps fir a couple more hrs. It is so nice.

suga- my mom use to clean our ears with peroxide, but when we were older. I don't know about babies...let us know when you find out

loopie- i laugh so hard when ella laughs like that. She did it again today a couple times, once at the childrens museum at a toy that was amusing her, and once at me while we were hanging out tonight. She is such a happy baby! Congrats on your art show, but as you said, I am sure pulman was the star of the night!

[riogirl71]

I posted some pics of my little ham on photobucket!

Kbear - Welcome! So glad you decided to join us! I got your pm and I am so happy for you and Katie and DH. I had a tough recovery form c-sec also. Are you still numb by your incision? Interesting with the voice box, glad to hear it will go away.
CT- is TESE painful? HOw many eggs did you fertilize last time and how many did you implant? Good to hear you are on your way!
Mellie - how are you doing?
Gecko - wow - that is great little Declan is sleeping through the night!!! HOw are you doing with work?
Loopie- wouldn't it be fun if we all could meet for a big baby reunion? cute you said you should have just put pullam on the center of the show, he is your biggest work of art
Suga- hope your girls are feeling better!