Heidi and Aaron's Roller Coaster Ride: September 2012

Saturday, September 29, 2012

30

Today is the day we all leave the 20's behind, and are 30 weeks along! Woo hoo! We had an appointment yesterday, and things were looking good. Lady L is doing pretty well. She is getting to the uncomfortable point in the pregnancy, and is having some trouble with her feet. We wish that she didn't have to have any side effects of course, but she is handling everything well. The doctor took a look at our girl, and she looks just beautiful. We could see her face smiling at us, and even the lenses over her eyes moving around. Aaron and I were both there, and there was a moment that Aaron was getting emotional:) See, he's a big softie after all! Lady L had her son with, so he got to check the baby out, too.
She is a big baby- measuring at 32 weeks, when yesterday she was not quite 30 weeks! We thought it would be funny if she was born a few days late on 12-12-2012, but that's pretty much out of the question now:) I will have to have my sub plans ready extra early, just in case.
Here are a few of the facial pictures, along with us at the appointment:

Xoxo!

Sunday, September 16, 2012

3rd Trimester

28 weeks, the most beautiful title I have ever heard. We have ventured into the 3rd trimester, which is so amazing and wonderful. Our baby girl is now at least 2.25 pounds, and 15 inches long. It is so much fun to read each week all of the changes that take place with her every week. Her eyes are now developed enough for her to intentionally blink, she can see, and if we had some high tech camera inside of Lady L's belly, we could even see her eye color, although that often changes before babies are 6 months old.

We are praying that this final stretch goes smoothly for sweet baby girl, and that she stays put until December. We are praying that Lady feels as comfortable as possible as her belly grows pretty quickly in these last 12 weeks. We are hoping that this time passes quickly, as both Aaron and I are getting anxious to finally meet our daughter.

We have a doctor appointment in about 2 weeks, just shy of 30 weeks. Lady L will have her glucose screening test at that time, and then the doctor will check on her and the baby later.

I have a couple of new Lady L belly pictures, enjoy!

Side view

View from the top:)

Our Timeline

5-21-2005: The stars allign, and I meet my soul mate, best friend, and goofball of my dreams: Aaron:)

7-4-2006: We are engaged!

7-7-2007: Aaron and I get married!

8-1-2007: We are thrilled to find out we are 2 weeks pregnant, but devastated to discover that it's an ectopic pregnancy, and will not be viable

7-7-2009: We have a positive pregnancy test, and are thrilled, but later that day discover something is wrong. This was either an ectopic pregnancy that flushed itself out, or a miscarriage (most likely ectopic)

8-15-2009: We are pregnant! We later determined it was in fact ectopic.

3-9-2010: We are pregnant, we found out it's ectopic, and has ruptured my right fallopian tube. It's not salvagable, have a surgery to remove the tube and pregnancy.

4-1-2010: Concerned, we have every test imaginable run, and have perfect results on both of our fertility results. Doctors urge us to continue trying, "one of these times it'll reach your uterus."

9-15-2010: Pregnant! We enjoy a few weeks of pregnancy before learning, another ectopic.

10-15-2010: We have had enough. Moving on to next journey. Based on our good test results, we decide to attempt in vitro fertilization, and make an appointment with a reproductive endocrinologist

12-9-2010: Recieved our IVF plan, are so excited to start on 1-1-2011.

1-21-2011: We learn that our first cycle will be cancelled. One mutant follicle took over one ovary. We must buy more meds, and try again after another cycle

3-8-2011: After another cycle, we have much better results. They retrieve many eggs from both ovaries, and fertilize all of them.

3-10-2011: They put 2 of the embryos into my uterus, and we freeze the other 4 high quality embryos.

3-18-2011: Positive pregnancy test

3-29-2011: Ultrasound reveals two embryos have attached, and both are in my uterus!

7-1-2011: We have our anatomy ultrasound, which reveals both babies are looking perfectly healthy. One girl, and one boy. We then learn that my cervix has opened. We have a cerclage placed, and begin couch-rest.

7-23-2011: Back in the hospital for the duration, as Baby A's membranes are squeezing through my cervix.

7-28-2011: Our hearts break as we meet our sweet, beautiful, and precious children: Savannah and Charlie. They each lived for an hour, but will be in our hearts forever.

10-5-2011: After several medical complications after the delivery of our twins, and looking at all of the possible options, we apply to Catholic Charities to begin the adoption process.

11-9-2011: Feeling unsure about attempting to adopt, we announce on facebook that we are looking for a gestational carrier.

11-9-2011: Several amazing, beautiful, generous women offer to become a surrogate for us. Lady L is the first one to respond, and we begin "the process"- whatever that means.

1-4-2012: Lady L, her wonderful husband, Aaron, and I attend our "gestational carrier consult" at Mayo Clinic's Reproductive Endocrinology Department. We all pass psych evaluations.

1-6-2012: Lady L and her husband have passed all of their blood work and communicable disease tests:)

1-26-2012: Lady L passes her mock transfer and uterus ultrasound.

2-3-2012: Aaron and I have passed our tests, and we mail off the retainer agreement and fee to our attorney:) Moving right along!

3-22-2012: At 8:22am, our medical team transfers two embryos to Lady L's uterus.

3-29-2012: I received a text from Lady L with a picture of a positive pregnancy test!

4-3-2012: Official HCG beta= 263 "good, strong number."

4-5-2012: Second beta (should be at least 526, double of previous beta)=833! Beta more than tripled!

4-27-2012: First ultrasound, we see our perfect, beautiful little soul and hear the heartbeat.

7-20-2012: 20 week ultrasound, everything is going well with Lady L, and bebe is looking great. We find out it's a girl!

12-18-2012: Lady L gives birth to our beautiful miracle baby. Maizy Sue is the greatest joy in our lives.