Tomorrow Is The Big Day!!!!

Well, its finally here...the big day is upon us. I never thought it would go by so quickly. I remember being in the Doctor's procedure room waiting on him to arrive and implant our final embryo inside Heather. He was running behind that morning and all I could do was pray to our All Loving God to fill that room with his love. While Heather was laying on the table I prayed so hard for God to fill that room with his Spirit. I prayed that he would fill that room with his love and then I promised God that I would teach our child about him and his son Jesus. Well, I know God was listening because he has blessed us with a son and soon I will start fulfilling my promise by teaching him about our Lord and Saviour.

Heather and I will check into the hospital between 5 and 6 o'clock tonight. They will give her some medicine to help her cervix dilate. The doctor said, he would come in early Friday morning and break her water. Then we will hopefully get the party started.....

Also, I would like to take time to think everybody again for all their thoughts and prayers. I know in my heart that y'all played an important role in the Lord blessing us with this child. He has heard yours and our prayers and granted us this wonderful blessing....Thank you, Lord!

35 Weeks and Counting....

Heather and I went to Birmingham this past Friday to see Dr. Gonzalez and his wonderful staff. They checked out baby Dawson's heart and everything looked good. Our last visit with Dr. Gonzalez will be this coming Friday. Heather and I are very very sad about this because he has been a wonderful part of Heather's pregnancy. Dr. Gonzalez predicted that our baby would be a boy before we actually found out what it was and he also told us that he thought Dawson would be a big boy. Of course, he was right again. Dawson is measuring in the 99 percentile. He is going to be a big boy alright. I thought Heather was going to faint when they told us their was one other baby that was bigger than ours at this stage of her pregnancy. All I could do was laugh. I said, well there goes my quarterback. Looks like he might be a defensive end or defensive tackle instead. Heather and I also got to see baby Dawson's face and profile during our visit. Heather thinks he looks just like me. I hate to say it but I think he does too. Of course, we will not know until he actually gets here but he does look like he has some of my same facial features. Lord help him!

Heather and I have the nursery all ready to go. We have such wonderful family and friends. They provided us with so much stuff that we have not had to buy hardly anything for the nursery. We really appreciate all of you. We are so blessed to have family and friends like you. Heather worked on washing all of baby Dawson's clothes and linen's this weekend. Plus she worked on organizing everything in his nursery. So, all we are waiting on now is baby Dawson's arrival. Heather hopes it will be soon. LOL! She has been such a good sport. I know she is uncomfortable most of the time but she is hanging in there.

I have posted a poll on how much do you think baby Dawson is going to weight. Feel free to take a guess. We will see how close everybody will get before he is born.

22 Weeks

I had a Dr visit on Friday that showed everything was still proceeding nicely. On my next appointment I will have the glucose test and the RH negative shot. I am having some swelling which is normal but keeping a watch on it.

21 Weeks

David and I went to the Dr in Birmingham today to recheck Dawson's heart valve. They are very thorough and rechecked him again from head to toe. The heart has improved but there is still some leakage. He wants us to come back in one month to take another look.

Dawson measured in the 84 percentile, as I was laying there my wheels were turning and asked Dr Gonzales so approximatley how much will he weigh? He said high eights or low nines. WHAT?!?!?!? It took me a minute to digest that. I had in my head that I would have a small baby being that I weighed six pounds and Dave weighed five pounds. If the Dr is right about the weight go ahead and set me up for a C-section.

Thank you for the prayers. I know I have alot of prayer warriors out there and I am going to ask for prayer for a friend that has been dignosed with breast cancer. Please pray for Heather Watts. Thank you!!!

Love ~ Heather

IT'S A BOY!!!!!!!!!!

Heather and I went to the Doctor's office this morning to find out what we were having and it's official. It's a BOY!!! I knew it the whole time! HA! I think the Lord gave me some special insight into this matter. Heather said, yeah right Dave, you were just lucky. Okay, maybe I was. But never the less, I was right. Anyway, Heather and I are so excited. We are grinning ear to ear still. Now, it's time to nail down a name and get to decorating.

Also, we would like to thank everybody that has continued to pray for us. This is such a miracle and the Lord has blessed us so much with this child. The Doctor said, the baby measurements were right on track and he looked great. Heather and I will return to Birmingham on June 18th to check the little ones leaky heart valve. We just pray that it has healed itself.

17 Weeks

We are getting closer and closer to the half way mark. It seems to be going by a little faster now. David and I are looking forward to Friday, we will find out if its a boy or a girl. Dave still feels like its a boy. I felt it was a boy in the beginning but after being sick for so long I started to feel like it was a girl. So one of us is right but we will have to wait a few more days to know for sure.

Check back on Friday afternoon to see the results.

Prego Sisters

14 Weeks

I have been feeling a little better this week. Thank Goodness!!! David and I went to the Dr today and there was a wait to see Dr Kouri so they gave me the option of waiting on him or seeing Dr Gentry. I was already a little bummed because this would be my first Dr visit without an ultrasound. (I know I am very spoiled) and I really wasn't sure about seeing someone other than Dr Kouri but I didn't want to sit and wait all morning,I was hungry and ready to get something to eat. David and I saw Dr Gentry and he was great. Dr gentry said the baby was very active, it took a minute or so to find the baby's heartbeat. We have an appointment in three weeks to have a anatomy ultrasound and to see if its a boy or a girl. Yeah!!! I can't wait.....

12 Weeks

The last few weeks have been a little tough with the nausea, being sick, and just tired. All these years that we have tried to get pregnant I had in my head how glamorous it was going to be and how I would just love being pregnant. The last few weeks have not been glamorous at all, but I survived with a little help of coarse. My mother in law came four weeks ago to help. I haven't been able to get in the kitchen without getting sick so needless to say I haven't cooked a meal since shortly after I found out I was pregnant. Last week David told me his mom would be leaving this week and I started to cry. He was like are you crying I couldn't help myself she has been a BIG help. Thanks Glo for all your help!!!!

I went to see Dr Kouri after my last appointment with the ART he will be my OB. We got to see another ultra sound. When the tech had me go in the room she said she would be right back I just stood there thinking uhhh am I suppose to get undressed cause up until that point I had always had vaginal ultrasounds but it looked a little different. So, I found the tech and asked and she laughed and said no honey you have graduated no more getting undressed. YEAH!!!! After my exam David and I talked with Dr Kouri and he recommended I stay on the progesterone shots and other meds until my 13Th week. He asked about testing for Downs and Trisomy. The ART had already set up an appointment in Birmingham with Dr Gonzalez at Brookwood.

We went to Birmingham to see Dr Gonzalez for testing. He and his staff were so friendly. During the ultrasound the tech did alot of measurements then she had the Dr to come in and he did some more. After the exam he said the baby had a heart valve that had some leakage. He told us not to worry that it may correct itself. He will recheck in June and if it hasn't corrected itself he will get us lined up with the Drs that will need to be there during the delivery.I also had some bloodwork and those results will be back in about a week. I also asked if he could tell what the sex of the baby was and he looked and he said if he was a betting man he would say a boy but it is still early so we will have to wait just a few more weeks to see if he is right.

Our next Dr visit is next Friday......

Goodbye ART

We had to say goodbye to the ART on Tuesday. It was a bitter sweet moment. I started with them a year and a half ago. After several IUI's, two fresh cycles of IVF and one frozen transfer we finally got what we had longed for. I used the satellite office here and only went to Birmingham for the big stuff or if something fell on a weekend that needed to be monitored.

Here in the Montgomery office, Ashley would greet us at the front door and take care of all our insurance. I remember at our first visit thinking I wonder if she is always that bubbly. She is, every time I walked through that door no matter how I felt she would put a smile on my face. Ms Lynn, she worked in the lab and took my blood every week was a little ball of sunshine too. She would encourage me and the thing that still sticks out most is that she prayed for me, over my blood. They are awesome and know so much about medicine but also know God has to have His hand in it. Then there is Ms Sara, the nurse practitioner, she did our ultrasounds. She taught David alot about ultrasounds I think he enjoyed learning. Tuesday, David wanted to know if I wanted him to go ahead with the ultrasound before Ms Sara got in the room I told him that was ok we would wait on Ms Sara. Seriously, I would ask what something is and Dave would answer oh that's such and such. I just love him!!!

David's mom, Gloria, got to go with us to see the ultrasound. It measured 3.10 cm which is a little over an inch. He was moving alot it looked like he was dancing. At the end it looked like he was waving. Ms Sara said he is waving bye to you. Gloria said with all smiles, it was amazing especially to see him move.

We will go see my OB Doctor on Friday. I am hoping we get to hear the heartbeat.

9 Weeks

I am a little late with this post but better late than never. We went to the Dr on last Tuesday for ultrasound and to talk with Dr Allemand. The baby measured 2.12 cm and you could see its legs and arms. It moved which was so amazing to us.

I knew that this could be my last visit with the ART and I was not ready to leave them just yet. They are an awesome group and I have to say I am a little spoiled being able to see the ultrasound every week. When we sat down with Dr Allemand we talked about my meds and he told me I would continue the progesterone shots and the estrace til week twelve. He wanted to know if I had an appointment with my OB, I said yes and started shaking my head no...I told him I didn't want to tell him cause he wouldn't let me stay. He asked if it was next week and I said yes that it was on Friday. He laughed and said he would let me come one more time. So, I will see them for the last time this Tuesday. =(

8 Weeks

David and I went in for the ultrasound and it is amazing at the growth in just a week. This week it had legs and arm buds.Last week it measured .9 cm and this week it was 1.57 cm. My progesterone level was 91.6 and I am still taking the progesterone shots every night.

I have been really tired, I try to get a nap in at lunch. One of the perks of working in a dental office we have comfy chairs that recline. In the afternoons I get home and usually head to the couch. Dave has been taking care of the house and dinner. I have been nauseated a good bit but only gotten sick once.

We will met with Dr Allemand on Tuesday. I hope he lets me stay with them at least another week. I love seeing the ultrasound, it just makes me feel better knowing everything is ok. I have an appointment with my regular OB ~ Dr Kouri on April 2nd. So once I start with his office I probably won't get ultrasounds but every so often. =(

So until next week......

7 Weeks

I was seven weeks yesterday. I had to move my appointment back a day due to getting my braces off. David and I went in this morning for blood work and ultrasound. The ultrasound showed the embryo and it measured .9 cm and you could see how the chambers of the heart were starting to form. Last week it was the size of a piece of rice this week it is the size of a butter bean. It is so amazing the growth in just a week.

I have been a little queasy so I was given a RX for Zofran. I haven't cooked in a month, at first my mother in law was here and she cooked for us and after she left I couldn't handle the smells. Its the weirdest thing, even things I usually like to smell make me feel blah. David has been great, as always. He fixes dinner every night and just waits on me hand and foot.

We already have predictions on what I am having. All of my co-workers with the exception of one says it a girl. My aunt is also saying girl. I don't care either way as long as its healthy but it is fun to hear what everybody thinks and why. Some of the girls at work say girl because I am spreading and my aunt says since I am feeling sick already. Dave is thinking boy. Melissa had a dream last night that it was a boy but one of her friends told her its the opposite so I guess she is saying girl.

I'm Hungry

I have to say I have never ever gone into a restuarant and ate by myself until now. I was starving and craving Pizza Hut buffet and everyone had plans for Friday afternoon so I went by myself which is so unlike me. I talked to Rebecca on that evening and told her what I had done and she said she had done the same thing while she was pregnant, so I guess its a pregnant thing. I really don't want to cook anything, I would rather someone else to fix it or go out to eat. I am doing good with no caffine, I drink mostly water and have a Sprite occansionally. I am not a big ice cream fan but lately I love it and can't get enough. I haven't gained any weight however I can't wear any of my pants. I am really lovin couch time. I went to Opelika Saturday and spent the day with family. Shea and Amy wore me out shopping but we had a blast as always. I planned on going to church with mama this morning but I wasn't feeling to good so I stayed at Shea's on the couch. Bubba went and picked up breakfast this morning and brought it to me. I am so blessed to have a family that loves and spoils me the way they do.

Six Weeks

Today marks six weeks. David and I went in this morning for our first ultrasound. I was so nervous, I have prayed and prayed that it would still be there and was growing. As soon as she placed the wand I could see it was there. There was our embryo not much bigger than a piece of rice. You could see the heart beating. That is the most amazing thing to see especially this early.

I did not get my numbers today from my blood work so I will have to call for those tomorrow. I will go back next Friday instead of Thursday due to getting my braces off. YAY!!!

5 Weeks

I had an appointment yesterday morning for bloodwork and urine. I was so hoping everything was still ok. Not long after I left the office I received a call from Ms Lynn wanting to know if I was having any spotting or any burning durning urination. I said no but I do get UTI's often and don't know I have them until it is extreme being I have a high pain tolerance. She said I did have a very small amount of blood in my urine and if I have any pain at all to call and they would get me started on an antibiotic. I finally got a call late yesterday afternoon with my blood results. My beta was 3505, estrogen 199 and progesterone was 70. We will have our first ultrasound Thursday.

The Results

I will not drag this out I will just say, I am Pregnant!!!!! David and I found out yesterday on his birthday. So here is how the day went.

I went in for my bloodwork before work. We were seeing patients half a day and then doing some housekeeping so I was planning on being out of there no later than two. I was sitting around with my co-workers and my phone started to vibrate, so I headed down the hall. I answered and realized it wasn't Janet who usually calls so it caught me off guard a bit. I was asked if I wanted my results I said only if they are good. There was silence and then she yells you are pregnant it is positive. They had me on speaker phone and I could hear the girls here in the Montgomery office cheering. I love that group of women. I let out a scream and was sitting there with my hand over my face and I could feel my co-workers around me. I then asked how are the numbers, is it close, are they high, are they really high? She said everything looked good, really good and then she gave me my numbers but I don't remember them. She needed to go over my meds and I told her everything I was taking and she said to continue and she would see me in a week for urine and bloodwork and the following week they would do an ultrasound. So thanks to the staff of the ART Montgomery office I am so glad ya'll were the ones to share that awesome news with me.

So, my co-workers are there with me and were so excited. There were lots of tears and hugs. We even had a group picture to remember the day. (thanks Jill) So I have to tell Dave. It took me about twenty five minutes before I hit the road. I couldn't get there fast enough. I wanted to surprise him, so if I just showed up he would know so I ran into Winn Dixie and bought a few birthday balloons and a card. There was a card with wings on the front and I thought that one would be perfect being his co-workers had taken him out to lunch to have wings for his birthday. I wrote the usually message inside like happy birthday etc. I get there and he was like you shouldn't have bought me anything I told him it wasn't much. So he starts to read the card and I said turn it over and I had written on the very back I'm pregnant. You would have thougth he was watching Auburn football. He jumped out of that chair and grabbed me up and we just hugged and cried. So then, I filled him in on the phone call. We shared with his boss and we headed home to tell his mom who was here. Dave showed her the card and she was so excited. She began to cry and then there were more hugs.

My dad, brother and David's dad were meeting David at church later so he was going to share it with them. Gloria and I headed to Opelika to tell my Mom and sister. We get half way there and Gloria asked if I brought my shot I had totally forgot with all the excitement. We headed back to Montgomery so I went by the church to see our dad's reaction. After getting my meds we headed to Opelika again. We stopped by the hospital to tell my mom. She was in the hall and spotted me and I said hey I need you to give me my shot, David is at church and Jennifer is not home. She was like ok come in here. I was drawing up the med and she wanted to know why I was shaking so bad. I was like I don't know. So she gave me the shot and asked how much longer do you have to do these and would I still have to do them if I was pregnant? I said for a while cause I am pregnant. She screamed so loud I put my hand over her mouth I said mama not so loud and she thanked the Lord and then she screamed some more. She asked who I had told and I told her but I still needed to tell Amy. I had actually called Amy before I left my house the second time heading to Opelika and asked her would she give my shot. She was thinking that was the reason I was coming. I walked in around eight and she said what time are you suppose to have it I said seven thirty to four. She said what?!! I couldn't think straight at this point. I went to hug her and whispered in her ear I am pregnant. She said what?? I repeated myself and she couldn't believe it and began to cry. I could hear Jarrod ask whats going on and Shea told him she's pregnant. Shea is a little sneaky or just to much like me. She had talked with me on Wednesday afternoon and wanted to know what time my appointment was, I told her it was Friday she said it is not, its Thursday. So we went back and forth on this for awhile. She said she knew. So Thursday she had started calling and I wouldn't answer her call because I was going to tell her in person (so I thought). She called Dave and asked him where I was and wanted to know if I had heard from the Dr and was that why I wasn't answering the phone. Dave was so getty he couldn't help himself so he told her. Which was fine. He was so so happy.

After all that excitement and running around I was starving so we went to Larado's to celebrate over cheese dip. YUM YUM!!!

I am four weeks yesterday. Most people don't share this early but I am praising God and taking one day at a time.

Transfer

David and I were scheduled to be in Birmingham this morning to transfer our one and only frozen embryo. The Dr's office said they would try to call if it didn't make it through the thawing process. We planned on leaving the house at eight o'clock. Around that time my cell phone rang and my heart sank. David came into the room to see if it was the Dr's office but luckily it was my sister. So, we headed to Bham.

My nurse checked the lining and it looked good and thick. Dr Allemand came in and said the embryo thawed well and it was at its normal shape. He placed the embryo and everything went well.

I will go in around the 19th for a pregnancy test. Praying for a positive.....

Thank you for all the prayers, they have been felt.

Love, Heather

Moving Forward

I went to the Dr this morning for bloodwork and ultrasound. Everything looked good, so we will proceed to the transfer which will hopefully take place on Tuesday, Lord Willing. I will start an antibiotic tomorrow twice a day along with 1 cc of progesterone IM until Friday night then on Saturday will increase to 2 cc.

The lining

I went in to be checked on Wednesday and my blood work looked good and the ultrasound showed that my lining measured a .6. It needs to be .8 or even .9. I'm still taking the estrace twice a day orally and they have added two tabs vaginally. It really make me feel nausea and woozy. I will go back to the Dr on this Wednesday to be rechecked and will post again then.

Happy 2010

I went to the Dr this morning for bloodwrok and ultrasound. Janet called this afternoon with results of those and they were all good. The FSH was 12.1 and the Estrogen was 47 and the ultrasound looked good. I started a med today called Estrace which I take twice daily. I will start the Letrozole med a little later. On the 27th of January they will measure the endometrium lining and possible transfer on the 2nd of February, if all goes well.

Dr Visit

David and I met with Dr Allemand on the 28th of December. He said that he and the other Drs in the practice reviewed our chart and that it didn't even look like the same couple compared to the first round that we did. The first round was great and we did have the chemical pregnancy, with the second round the blastocast were not as high grade and I didn't have any to freeze the second time. He said he couldn't explain why since we really didn't change anything other than adding the Letrezole med and that shouldn't have changed anything. We do have one that is frozen. We can start the process to use the frozen in about two weeks. So maybe we will have a pop-sickle baby. If the frozen does not work Dr Allemand would like for us to try one more time. We'll have to see, taking one day at a time.