tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18882769491628851032024-03-05T19:23:50.512-08:00The Baby Ruth BlogOur journey into parenthood:
Complete with mountains, valleys and desertsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1888276949162885103.post-50400342393763586042012-05-31T07:35:00.001-07:002012-05-31T07:35:43.086-07:00Annalea Kate Ruth<br /><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">December 5th, 2011 5lb, 14oz</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">December</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">December</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">January</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">February</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">February</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">March</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">April</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">May</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj30MHRrjs3U-J_t68pA7bBOmhbmvx9tLNFGfucGEZMgOVurUqqV1uPygcWm-3vbqeItqTu1otb_8U6QOsV9-RRJdbhEfUxzl4JCttZCtPLJB_J3YE5AXPANW2jOCr1cxinVfalb1EIjDM/s1600/DSC07013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj30MHRrjs3U-J_t68pA7bBOmhbmvx9tLNFGfucGEZMgOVurUqqV1uPygcWm-3vbqeItqTu1otb_8U6QOsV9-RRJdbhEfUxzl4JCttZCtPLJB_J3YE5AXPANW2jOCr1cxinVfalb1EIjDM/s320/DSC07013.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">May</td></tr>
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1888276949162885103.post-73405934365312071292011-12-02T23:08:00.000-08:002011-12-02T23:08:15.108-08:00She's almost here!It's been weeks since an update. I've had a very good last trimester. Our friends, family and coworkers have been so supportive. We couldn't feel more blessed by the generosity we've been shown. I was showered more than a princess, so we have everything we need <em>and more</em> to feed, clothe, diaper, bathe, pamper and snuggle this little one! Thank you- thank you- thank you everyone!<br />
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The day before Thanksgiving, I went in for my last day at work before maternity leave. It was a great feeling! It's been wonderful having time off and I've had no problem staying busy. We had a nice Thanksgiving both in Vancouver with Bryan's family and in Hood River with my family. In the last week, I've taken time to get my hair done, hang out with friends, do "crafty projects", finish Christmas shopping and even do a tiny bit of cooking. My dear friend Dana took me to have my nails done today too. Needless to say, I'm feeling very relaxed and ready for Monday. <br />
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That's right...Monday is the big day. The C-Section is planned for December 5th at 7:30 AM. My placenta previa never changed, so the doctor suggested that we come in at 37 weeks. It will be so much fun to see how big she is and see that little face. I can't wait! <br />
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Here are a few pictures from the last couple of months...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZlf669xxlHsNzyDmqFLLtySC0d00daaZzDdi1IHKiHGiHfXb1KplQBUtnfBkNVaK5D5U2ElbcaH-mUm_15AAMhmtB29uR4hYZT_vKoZB_a8eKGeMdgaboSM5M4dnmJR_7D3rJ0AF29k/s1600/DSC06041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZlf669xxlHsNzyDmqFLLtySC0d00daaZzDdi1IHKiHGiHfXb1KplQBUtnfBkNVaK5D5U2ElbcaH-mUm_15AAMhmtB29uR4hYZT_vKoZB_a8eKGeMdgaboSM5M4dnmJR_7D3rJ0AF29k/s320/DSC06041.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is from Mother's Day, so a little older picture, but my mom has really been there for me these last several months. Thanks Mom! I love you (:</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdBq8VcDAcnKEpGR4wXPPKhz64zgnpNNV_ExnLlnW9LUjEMpVQs1pjRFavvtPKguFoPEcXW1BA73LiwHFVCpGb6uJaDws6P0dCUtGdeq6Kaen-IRNn6kL0f8u5Mn5rTW-hRxZcy_3fvX4/s1600/DSC06317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdBq8VcDAcnKEpGR4wXPPKhz64zgnpNNV_ExnLlnW9LUjEMpVQs1pjRFavvtPKguFoPEcXW1BA73LiwHFVCpGb6uJaDws6P0dCUtGdeq6Kaen-IRNn6kL0f8u5Mn5rTW-hRxZcy_3fvX4/s320/DSC06317.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jacinta and Pat</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSzYiljkYERDujYX_tgu9Laj7RfjU2nhJJTE3yeDgpHH4CqOE7NIzEZDXPb6AMInCxyA5wjF1OMsyVKTVtMsiKTb2SKFfmGhbde0tqU2rXihXDqi7WC2soSoGJxEmF45njfBGrVbh-4v4/s1600/DSC06289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSzYiljkYERDujYX_tgu9Laj7RfjU2nhJJTE3yeDgpHH4CqOE7NIzEZDXPb6AMInCxyA5wjF1OMsyVKTVtMsiKTb2SKFfmGhbde0tqU2rXihXDqi7WC2soSoGJxEmF45njfBGrVbh-4v4/s320/DSC06289.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pat put together a beautiful and delicious spread!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin8pLpyglObFW2CjS2-KUNcVGjGzfgpe3PNXRwWD3ZvfALchtTmWmcH79J7O8Dx5YkhO8JJf89nDY57XlypzbyDwbLkvOhwp3NP_I478_qT2WmbsV7qr-a7-tRCK5YadzL7WeXEcgXQe8/s1600/DSC06334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin8pLpyglObFW2CjS2-KUNcVGjGzfgpe3PNXRwWD3ZvfALchtTmWmcH79J7O8Dx5YkhO8JJf89nDY57XlypzbyDwbLkvOhwp3NP_I478_qT2WmbsV7qr-a7-tRCK5YadzL7WeXEcgXQe8/s320/DSC06334.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hallie and Sophie as sweet as can be</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUgVkvSAD2OiHqklbF9JQ-ARdEg6CCDoL8Xd8hA5_3LvgYnJpRELg5hphTe2WnhqJHWS74rQSQgtZ9-FKGu-gMpadfDHOS534X2Zh8EaYzmpArMV7nq135N4wQwcqmqBbluJwMD8_W1ag/s1600/DSC06333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUgVkvSAD2OiHqklbF9JQ-ARdEg6CCDoL8Xd8hA5_3LvgYnJpRELg5hphTe2WnhqJHWS74rQSQgtZ9-FKGu-gMpadfDHOS534X2Zh8EaYzmpArMV7nq135N4wQwcqmqBbluJwMD8_W1ag/s320/DSC06333.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Ruth sisters went all out decorating and spoiling me to death!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZWOWxCDn3w8iQ4_pnUpovxyi96XrZK4888pylxvFLccYkNHUttawMsBq8UgKj4BhTiGunZ8OPMeGC87pxoxj6eEMomV7HJEx_qTHzGvcJQLTQDjHsnqQ0wXHPIbgMUGGXUzoxwzW_P18/s1600/DSC06341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZWOWxCDn3w8iQ4_pnUpovxyi96XrZK4888pylxvFLccYkNHUttawMsBq8UgKj4BhTiGunZ8OPMeGC87pxoxj6eEMomV7HJEx_qTHzGvcJQLTQDjHsnqQ0wXHPIbgMUGGXUzoxwzW_P18/s320/DSC06341.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cutest bug in a rug I've ever seen!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg15VYaG36XfEt7gjtQoaKW7xLE3nSBF0g4MEOev_h6-WYzLfjLKY05I-Yo1jl4eHJFCK0kE5JmdzVjuV4eKwy_rCHPh2TVnaUgAkBzccqba8XZ_CfPoTMoCMvdxOdzyuMqqNQOm97SpSk/s1600/DSC06387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg15VYaG36XfEt7gjtQoaKW7xLE3nSBF0g4MEOev_h6-WYzLfjLKY05I-Yo1jl4eHJFCK0kE5JmdzVjuV4eKwy_rCHPh2TVnaUgAkBzccqba8XZ_CfPoTMoCMvdxOdzyuMqqNQOm97SpSk/s320/DSC06387.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joanne and Melissa--hotesses with the mostesses</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiX0m7LAzzvPIA5u55sX5iVnReJxuX1o-aR7cT3apDFyNoalywNlRMxAyMDS4-2h1qtLvQuHGuQD1agtqDzQsU9nEC9taCo5v4jaVlL6hQoGpBx9nQqee3Ei3Yp6UsfoDlCIT1GmCQvPk/s1600/DSC06386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiX0m7LAzzvPIA5u55sX5iVnReJxuX1o-aR7cT3apDFyNoalywNlRMxAyMDS4-2h1qtLvQuHGuQD1agtqDzQsU9nEC9taCo5v4jaVlL6hQoGpBx9nQqee3Ei3Yp6UsfoDlCIT1GmCQvPk/s320/DSC06386.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michele and I just a few weeks apart</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmLz4dXUdliEHnn7dLie6PBreGjs5xjD92Uhn2rZJUEmfsmOuAphF38KOUiJVzUXVAu7X9fwXBB3Pu6VPSzuqnK3bHc7AuEopHQWDBnJdXKCi0odd16cGGeFXfP3ezWs4C_9vRSfYddY/s1600/DSC06408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmLz4dXUdliEHnn7dLie6PBreGjs5xjD92Uhn2rZJUEmfsmOuAphF38KOUiJVzUXVAu7X9fwXBB3Pu6VPSzuqnK3bHc7AuEopHQWDBnJdXKCi0odd16cGGeFXfP3ezWs4C_9vRSfYddY/s320/DSC06408.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lori, Raquel, Me, Stephanie and Kim</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZpRgl7jRjSM91UJLGvSShqD4cO6H8hdRukLXB1SNXEWM3UdFF_l3s-Dv0Vno0eFWBheasR6_kmr6GDguTNVxTqzKWzASwRsNvfqaSgnALEm_yD32cqVNmATep_4Fl6x1jJje1zA4j3zM/s1600/DSC06402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZpRgl7jRjSM91UJLGvSShqD4cO6H8hdRukLXB1SNXEWM3UdFF_l3s-Dv0Vno0eFWBheasR6_kmr6GDguTNVxTqzKWzASwRsNvfqaSgnALEm_yD32cqVNmATep_4Fl6x1jJje1zA4j3zM/s320/DSC06402.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast at Tiffany's (I mean Amanda's)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyNdRU5Akx70G5cDiAfJRMnIvP52oi-UbHE4PhRI6tS_eQyv_2BHVK1gC7DRSAO590NlvX7rz5IxxSdV99yieE6UxASRGzMxQ_Or9Fyz3LLmx7t1YImraGbXKSRzOkVvTacscHa6ePmWw/s1600/DSC06398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyNdRU5Akx70G5cDiAfJRMnIvP52oi-UbHE4PhRI6tS_eQyv_2BHVK1gC7DRSAO590NlvX7rz5IxxSdV99yieE6UxASRGzMxQ_Or9Fyz3LLmx7t1YImraGbXKSRzOkVvTacscHa6ePmWw/s320/DSC06398.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiffany-Tini Time anyone?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xbpddfze6ee4gWQ3YIhZCNL3-bLu2knoIb_zXXKqvrr8cbU5Rj2LP4Mm0jBCT1hOxzp4iNQacpx3ucfmP-ZWhVJG09q1BpSCTNCjJSJ8IFMkTSA1__2S7R3KyXDLScCIGCTL45cTJ7s/s1600/380965_2604745564084_1418224650_3231195_1546061053_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xbpddfze6ee4gWQ3YIhZCNL3-bLu2knoIb_zXXKqvrr8cbU5Rj2LP4Mm0jBCT1hOxzp4iNQacpx3ucfmP-ZWhVJG09q1BpSCTNCjJSJ8IFMkTSA1__2S7R3KyXDLScCIGCTL45cTJ7s/s320/380965_2604745564084_1418224650_3231195_1546061053_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awesome coworkers at the Buffalo Gap</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvKmTRXl-m8VM_29-WtEPhpCnzwzLVjinmheZ-t1XYaHmX4z93mvi5UMfVyZTi-igd-9_1A33qHvl7fLA9inpR3VlvCuoLt0ObgvCec2RCLyUP4rb37Ei0o20OENhl3gCMHcjYPQ1hrtc/s1600/30+Weeks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvKmTRXl-m8VM_29-WtEPhpCnzwzLVjinmheZ-t1XYaHmX4z93mvi5UMfVyZTi-igd-9_1A33qHvl7fLA9inpR3VlvCuoLt0ObgvCec2RCLyUP4rb37Ei0o20OENhl3gCMHcjYPQ1hrtc/s320/30+Weeks.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">30 Weeks</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCBIwNWTSZB2jWbQIlKWuhQ9DWwm776AgWPr8biyajvehno1AlgxXqwLp6wtcn5zoQkRON7ylNMPBab92e7z32ZDqS9gU1lQVoq6DVdyMor74RLYu2Uy-PRRCOjhiUolneQ3-I0ve5ZI/s1600/35+Weeks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCBIwNWTSZB2jWbQIlKWuhQ9DWwm776AgWPr8biyajvehno1AlgxXqwLp6wtcn5zoQkRON7ylNMPBab92e7z32ZDqS9gU1lQVoq6DVdyMor74RLYu2Uy-PRRCOjhiUolneQ3-I0ve5ZI/s320/35+Weeks.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">35 Weeks</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1888276949162885103.post-69582147616450311752011-10-09T14:35:00.000-07:002011-10-09T21:49:07.895-07:00Harvest Time is Here!<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgI8DFX0TEvEPBBk-fEdG8XnvRJoW9cq1ybtkXiA3ZtsVfrn6Q5-oqB8ttqtlWlocEeiNzJPxQb3YAu0SA2tS-VmOfjuj5Hs1otr7_UBk-ugNAxuTzcJziBgXkpfsYktpIlx6XJUgssSc/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgI8DFX0TEvEPBBk-fEdG8XnvRJoW9cq1ybtkXiA3ZtsVfrn6Q5-oqB8ttqtlWlocEeiNzJPxQb3YAu0SA2tS-VmOfjuj5Hs1otr7_UBk-ugNAxuTzcJziBgXkpfsYktpIlx6XJUgssSc/s1600/images.jpg" /></a><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><em>Happy Fall!</em></span> I love this time of year. I look forward to the changing of the leaves, the harvest fruits and festivities, and the cozy scarves and sweaters. I even broke down and bought a knit pumpkin hat that Baby Ruth can wear next year. Hopefully she'll be agreeable with this idea. I know some kids won't let you put anything on their heads! Next weekend, my mom and I are planning on buying some fresh Hood River apples and pears and canning homemade baby food. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOupw-PhhxVLguiBRSqKMw1vp63lJEfa1GsAcprd9QOWEbA9H6acarV9-tNtEES_D4B69T-d61sbIt2vzCUn3fzwXnWQJ9tOdMjCWxR2DE97YLKifph12dRQUWxZH0pS5LmzlvLh69Z3E/s1600/Squash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOupw-PhhxVLguiBRSqKMw1vp63lJEfa1GsAcprd9QOWEbA9H6acarV9-tNtEES_D4B69T-d61sbIt2vzCUn3fzwXnWQJ9tOdMjCWxR2DE97YLKifph12dRQUWxZH0pS5LmzlvLh69Z3E/s1600/Squash.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">With the seasons turning, baby has been growing and getting more active. She is now the size of a squash! A squash with a powerful punch. Even though it hurts a little bit sometimes, I love watching her movements and feeling her inside. It's such a miracle and always a great reminder that she's thriving in there.</div><br />
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According to the doctor, everything looks healthy with the exception that I have Placenta Previa. This is where the placenta sits lower than it's supposed to, covering the opening to the cervix. They have monitored it on two ultra sounds so far and it hasn't changed. I go in again in two weeks and they will take another look. If it hasn't moved upwards, I'll have to have a C-Section sometime before my due date. I have not had any bleeding or side effects so far, and hoping it stays that way.<br />
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Here are a couple of pictures from 1 month ago. I'll update again in a couple weeks! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbjCFICABa7-OTIJm8aJZGoohesRnuj5lYZ8f9etwrEI9J271lYqoONRIqOiS7iwpK0wc6xwjEqqqOB_l8RNypYH4G1GOCbrVKJMbu2b81FWQr-P0cbQeRFuGMAwBNvthh-55sdM7owu4/s1600/25+Weeks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbjCFICABa7-OTIJm8aJZGoohesRnuj5lYZ8f9etwrEI9J271lYqoONRIqOiS7iwpK0wc6xwjEqqqOB_l8RNypYH4G1GOCbrVKJMbu2b81FWQr-P0cbQeRFuGMAwBNvthh-55sdM7owu4/s320/25+Weeks.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mommy at 25 Weeks</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPdT6uxXZP5HTeLX4k65KuUdIyRNzAtuLsWJKC5DhbYl3pHCHGWkadWECuHKJZYi7Qh4lelxK1PSxCFy2x26yIA-XO8JGeWt2KJ6J3Cl-84cEUkhGxYlyQzoqObur953Y0V3tLtnBDqOs/s1600/Baby+at+25+Weeks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPdT6uxXZP5HTeLX4k65KuUdIyRNzAtuLsWJKC5DhbYl3pHCHGWkadWECuHKJZYi7Qh4lelxK1PSxCFy2x26yIA-XO8JGeWt2KJ6J3Cl-84cEUkhGxYlyQzoqObur953Y0V3tLtnBDqOs/s320/Baby+at+25+Weeks.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby at 25 Weeks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1888276949162885103.post-78243818656820581892011-08-09T23:20:00.000-07:002011-08-09T23:20:52.580-07:00Our Summer in a Nutshell<span style="font-size: large;">This summer</span>, writing on the blog has become a little more of a challenge for me time-wise. However, there is a lot to share, so I think it's time for an update! Here are the most recent happenings in our world...<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Celebrations</span>...In July, I was given two amazing parties by my Hannah's Hope girls to celebrate our miracle. The first one was all of the current gals. We had a super yummy, rich lasagna dinner, decadent dessert, and enjoyed catching up with each other since it had been a while. The second one was the "alumni" gals and we had a Mexican themed meal, homemade Baby Ruth Bars and tons of other goodies.We decorated margarita glasses and just had a fabulous time hanging out. Both groups spoiled me to death with presents. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFfb1m-1LOBpYf4GN9-PCc7UeOiq6LrbFPOazxdd3bQmxhftCCUPOS7DAfez8lzztYy3HSb_FwwgWMNg2ndWMqVLQOkcWuAZbjNDwXsTXUvO8WqWcZk3hSWXk9UFS3n9crRGPRdH0g8s/s1600/DSC06169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFfb1m-1LOBpYf4GN9-PCc7UeOiq6LrbFPOazxdd3bQmxhftCCUPOS7DAfez8lzztYy3HSb_FwwgWMNg2ndWMqVLQOkcWuAZbjNDwXsTXUvO8WqWcZk3hSWXk9UFS3n9crRGPRdH0g8s/s200/DSC06169.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hood River...</span><span style="font-size: small;">We've spent quite a bit of time in the Hood with Mom and Dad this summer. Here are some pics of a summer day around our 11th anniversary. We had a nice lunch at Indian Creek Golf Course. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDMnh3sdlqNObtMd_EJFfmLBkhC1EmGJFoMd8Emo9Um6f2-bWBkyr5DzGcSCPbasbmY1ofkUvzLruSY1DNg6_IpZGIh14iOpM3AYwc0TFfDS-PiysFY0ekD2PCHh9bxSnuRFW7U7lq8Dw/s1600/DSC06203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDMnh3sdlqNObtMd_EJFfmLBkhC1EmGJFoMd8Emo9Um6f2-bWBkyr5DzGcSCPbasbmY1ofkUvzLruSY1DNg6_IpZGIh14iOpM3AYwc0TFfDS-PiysFY0ekD2PCHh9bxSnuRFW7U7lq8Dw/s200/DSC06203.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWmZMCGYBNdbgFu7J5bR-36h1jRlcsoNZBzrRtjPzzBtU0ZGbYhdLLL4mT9IhI28FqBFT87cUsH7NQj5q9iX0obsiuzocCmmrU7bsKX0NWxw2NwpD8n2iSkpijHjw9e6UQsCzCKDpRpLc/s1600/Bry+and+Jen+11+Year+Anniversary%252C+18+Weeks+Pregnant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWmZMCGYBNdbgFu7J5bR-36h1jRlcsoNZBzrRtjPzzBtU0ZGbYhdLLL4mT9IhI28FqBFT87cUsH7NQj5q9iX0obsiuzocCmmrU7bsKX0NWxw2NwpD8n2iSkpijHjw9e6UQsCzCKDpRpLc/s200/Bry+and+Jen+11+Year+Anniversary%252C+18+Weeks+Pregnant.jpg" width="149" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-size: large;">Winnie</span>...Tuesday July 26th we said goodbye to our dear little friend. She was not eating and we were unable to keep giving her dialysis because she was bleeding like crazy whenever she'd get poked, which the vet said was very abnormal. We spent all day up in Hood River at my parents' loving on her and vacillating about the painful decision, but in the end, she could barely move and it was the loving thing to have the vet come to the house and put her to sleep. So very hard, but it was the right thing. She went peacefully in the back yard of her favorite place on earth...Grandma and Grandpa's house.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEMPGBVDSXtrZGLxIiZQ6fxhuyh6phvSUySo05XDlrRXQaiVEB1DRND38Km-cA0s0ax8xP37QwqAx5CZmUoU-GPQuDisCZwG3fdtwuFzDBdPAcPc6C5YpdbfqojbzNFrzO_gDwEx-p9XA/s1600/DSC00016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEMPGBVDSXtrZGLxIiZQ6fxhuyh6phvSUySo05XDlrRXQaiVEB1DRND38Km-cA0s0ax8xP37QwqAx5CZmUoU-GPQuDisCZwG3fdtwuFzDBdPAcPc6C5YpdbfqojbzNFrzO_gDwEx-p9XA/s200/DSC00016.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Baby</span>...Thursday July 28th we said hello to our new little GIRL!!!! Our wonderful friends Paul, Gretchen and baby Noella gifted us with a sneak-peak ultra-sound. Paul is a PA at Southwest Medical Center, so we met them there after work and he took his time searching every angle imaginable on our little tyke In the end, he was about 99% sure it was a girl. We kept it a secret until the first week in August, when we gave our parents and siblings gender-revealing cupcakes (a great idea I stole from Dana). They were chocolate with pink raspberry cream cheese filling. August 19th, I'll have another ultra sound and chance to make sure no boy parts were hiding! We have heard all of the stories of those who have painted everything pink, just to give birth to a bouncing baby boy, so no warning is required.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGh1EowNAJdwsNIi4qCeqnhGxmMi0dBQz3PbbmBfYz8fzOuBEUEXBcljZ9pjN0mnD4cclU8j7uTdnlGYlKZfAZFxx-rxJgG7_B9pHVGs58Hl2AV0Hhsm4BWhq0OsN2hsLHHVDL8L3dJ8/s1600/DSC06252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGh1EowNAJdwsNIi4qCeqnhGxmMi0dBQz3PbbmBfYz8fzOuBEUEXBcljZ9pjN0mnD4cclU8j7uTdnlGYlKZfAZFxx-rxJgG7_B9pHVGs58Hl2AV0Hhsm4BWhq0OsN2hsLHHVDL8L3dJ8/s200/DSC06252.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Vacation</span>...Monday August 1-Saturday August 6th, we went on our annual Ruth camping trip. This was the second year in a row we have camped at the Cove Palisades by Lake Billy Chinook in Central OR. The weather was in the 90's and we had fun playing at the lake, sitting around the camp fire, and going on walks. We really enjoyed hanging out with 2 1/2 month old baby Rylee too. It was very cool to practice being around an infant 24-7 for almost a whole week!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrvGdHUG8EFROSNsX_hlPwpFY29qsDJUQI1eOgMjaBmH41d5DbOUq8nYJA5HkWPzelXd6fsvqgPwofWnhQlqe2YykwlIb7PKAAKuIStj9RPFs7VrnIYjXCvB-tL1RAuAWhO790FJFcw4Q/s1600/DSC06242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrvGdHUG8EFROSNsX_hlPwpFY29qsDJUQI1eOgMjaBmH41d5DbOUq8nYJA5HkWPzelXd6fsvqgPwofWnhQlqe2YykwlIb7PKAAKuIStj9RPFs7VrnIYjXCvB-tL1RAuAWhO790FJFcw4Q/s200/DSC06242.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGFEOL3DbAoV2frDyVqNQE3XTONajJvogO9VcuJE_7cTibV2QuQb2HXkqFO_fKYsjp6Mj9S_Z5VBI3PU__cvQmOCFbK5XNsu31yzLC-swCuj7CVf_g8TFMN_JPjtIaklqqT08kjPBEfk/s1600/DSC06262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGFEOL3DbAoV2frDyVqNQE3XTONajJvogO9VcuJE_7cTibV2QuQb2HXkqFO_fKYsjp6Mj9S_Z5VBI3PU__cvQmOCFbK5XNsu31yzLC-swCuj7CVf_g8TFMN_JPjtIaklqqT08kjPBEfk/s400/DSC06262.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In back: Aubrey, John, Heather, Sophie, Chip<br />
In front: Josiah, Lorinda, Rylee, Amy, Dustin, Jenny, Brady, Hallie, Nala, Bryan, Cherryl, Mike</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <span style="font-size: large;">House</span>...Thanks to the Lord, our house sold in 3 weeks! We are going to be closing by August 22nd, so we've begun the process of packing and putting things in a nearby storage unit. We are looking at staying in an apartment for 3 months at the most as we look for another home to purchase. We are not sure where it will be yet, but we're on the lookout for a spectacular find. Thankfully, Bryan has his real estate license and is really good at hunting for deals!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7FELsh9uyw4rgPc8JS1-tEG7tHZE7DLVdeA44vuvjYRg6L7g8vinftTlEQDctabHTqEd8ZThV2oTJ8A1TEbTYTrihZW430QcVd4QfW543yw_eQgp7OIl_0kJbPCKSpgfJFH5Vbhs7l68/s1600/DSC06006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7FELsh9uyw4rgPc8JS1-tEG7tHZE7DLVdeA44vuvjYRg6L7g8vinftTlEQDctabHTqEd8ZThV2oTJ8A1TEbTYTrihZW430QcVd4QfW543yw_eQgp7OIl_0kJbPCKSpgfJFH5Vbhs7l68/s200/DSC06006.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jen's Work</span>...Also moving, but one weekend earlier than our house-move and just down the street from the current location. Thankfully the boss has already said I'm not to lift anything heavy. My job is going to be keeping people from scratching the floor by making them use felt sticky things. We will be in a very cool-hip-industrial type of space, and there's lots of excitement in the air, so it should be a very good move for Macadam!</div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Bry's Work</span>...He has been on vacation from the staff assistant position for the summer, which has given him a chance to explore some other job territory. Please pray for direction as he is trying to figure out the right career path. Being a jack of all trades comes in handy sometimes, but it's not always easy when you're trying to get focused!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Ecclesiastes 3:</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 There is a time for everything, </div><div style="text-align: center;">and a season for every activity under the heavens: </div><div style="text-align: center;">2 a time to be born and a time to die,<br />
a time to plant and a time to uproot, </div><div style="text-align: center;">3 a time to kill and a time to heal, </div><div style="text-align: center;">a time to tear down and a time to build, </div><div style="text-align: center;">4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, </div><div style="text-align: center;">a time to mourn and a time to dance, </div><div style="text-align: center;">5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, </div><div style="text-align: center;">a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, </div><div style="text-align: center;">6 a time to search and a time to give up, </div><div style="text-align: center;">a time to keep and a time to throw away, </div><div style="text-align: center;">7 a time to tear and a time to mend,<br />
a time to be silent and a time to speak,</div><div style="text-align: center;">8 a time to love and a time to hate, </div><div style="text-align: center;">a time for war and a time for peace. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And a time to go to bed...good night world!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1888276949162885103.post-10784848774137940112011-07-18T20:13:00.000-07:002011-07-18T20:13:06.920-07:00Baby and Winnie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Hi all,<br />
<br />
My most recent doctor appointment was last Thursday morning. We got to hear the baby's heart beat and it was about 150bpm. I've been feeling little flutters here and there, which is super exciting. It's so reassuring to know that he or she is really there. Surprisingly, my weight had not changed since the last appointment, but the doctor wants me to start gaining now. I doubt that I'll have any trouble with that! Mac and cheese is on the stove as we speak. It was the only thing that sounded bland enough for me right now as I've had a tummy ache all afternoon. Our next visit will be "the big one" where we'll find out the gender.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Baby is on my mind a lot, but recently I've been thinking about my furry kid Winnie 24-7. She is 8 years old and we just found out at the beginning of the month that she has chronic kidney failure. My parents are taking care of the two dogs for us right now, as we are also trying to sell our house. My dad has been giving Winnie an IV every day which helps keep her hydrated. She does really well with it. The biggest challenge seems to be getting her to eat. We tried special canned food, but she didn't like it. Then I made her some low protein food and she ate it for a while, but now she won't touch it. Even though she seems to be energetic and wants to play, she's getting really skinny and I'm not sure how long she'll be OK. Unfortunately my parent's dog, Lottie isn't doing very well either. She's not eating much and she is having trouble getting up. It's really sad to see your beloved pets getting old and sick! I am not sure how I'll be able to say good bye to either of them. Praying God will just grant us all the peace we need for the times ahead. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjloPT3VQiUvxQs8vDp9yYZ8AcS6PAvAHBqDNVLSjayZ3AKTuATNn61zAH09udSy9CLjfzHmj85zYMOK53_yfi21-GHBTsXJhZTWdt82YLBnr4nW6INPtjSD9f27GiCdBggQImpOy1ip5c/s1600/DSC06143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjloPT3VQiUvxQs8vDp9yYZ8AcS6PAvAHBqDNVLSjayZ3AKTuATNn61zAH09udSy9CLjfzHmj85zYMOK53_yfi21-GHBTsXJhZTWdt82YLBnr4nW6INPtjSD9f27GiCdBggQImpOy1ip5c/s320/DSC06143.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Winnie and me in Hood River</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Baby is 16 weeks here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1888276949162885103.post-45414541556049751762011-06-29T12:41:00.000-07:002011-06-29T12:41:03.761-07:00Baby NamesWe'd love your help naming this wee one on the way. We don't know the gender yet of course, so would like ideas for both boys and girls. I put a list up on <a href="http://www.thebump.com/">www.thebump.com</a> which you can get to through the button to the right on the blog. Feel free to throw out more names in the comments section and tell us what you think of any names on the list. Thanks!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1888276949162885103.post-69085820187304757812011-06-23T21:55:00.000-07:002011-06-23T21:55:41.817-07:00I forgot the baby!Back on Monday June 13th, I had my12 week ultrasound and OB appointment. Bryan was in class, so my mom came along for the ride, which was really cool. A technician did the ultrasound (very nice lady) and baby was doing great, moving around and just the right size for our Dec.25th due date (yikes). Why I forgot to share this and show a picture before, I have no idea. I forgot the baby! Hopefully this is not a pattern. The OB, Dr. Romina Dunham is so nice, I felt really comfortable and definitely want her to deliver me. She said she would, unless I went in to labor on a weekend and she wasn't on call. She was very excited our IVF worked and remembered all about our situation. I had been entertaining the idea of switching to a midwife before so I could do water birth, but now I've decided to stay where I'm at. I can still labor in the water, but I'll go the more traditional route for the actual birth.<br />
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This week I have started to feel little flutters. I'm only 13 1/2 weeks now, but I'm 99% sure it's the baby. It's like there's a little tiny goldfish inside hitting the edge of the bowl once in a while. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZyDKjjW8YJSp-9iCdVmau3QVuIsfwpCDd6eM3prGv2SiV5uCx97T-E7w6ODFvplufzApOR7eqPlPqsp7G9Fjmrs3jND9QwtBe2s49GEcbVRDN7ZYcWpLqYcQYojRsPM5N_ANYn4uanaA/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZyDKjjW8YJSp-9iCdVmau3QVuIsfwpCDd6eM3prGv2SiV5uCx97T-E7w6ODFvplufzApOR7eqPlPqsp7G9Fjmrs3jND9QwtBe2s49GEcbVRDN7ZYcWpLqYcQYojRsPM5N_ANYn4uanaA/s1600/photo.JPG" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1888276949162885103.post-26101400839327272152011-06-21T21:43:00.000-07:002011-06-21T21:43:27.371-07:00Random DayToday a gentleman I was helping at work asked me if it was my first baby...and I didn't even tell him I was pregnant! That was the first time anyone has assumed I'm not just eating too many Krispy Kremes. I guess I really am showing! Either that, or one of my co-workers warned him ahead of time not to mess with the pregnant lady (which is a good idea--and don't ask me to do math either. Pregnancy brain is a very real thing). <br />
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Life is funny. Tonight a Chinese Buddhist monk called me up at about 8PM. He had picked up a brochure at New Heights for the Hannah's Hope Infertility Group. I don't think he had any idea what that was, but he just wanted to talk with someone. He was very sincere in his new found Christian faith and wanted to talk frankly about philosophy and such. I hope he gained some encouragement from our little chat. I was so caught off guard, I don't think I said anything too deep. I'm really hoping he'll try some other avenues at New Heights and find some people to talk to that do not have pregnancy brain.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja-4WBOs13hJyok4TrVc63TN4CR0Ot6gWitwB6jFpLc-qJacwO1i-fNWlQzKaZB34K6Z_-FAkAIKAOJHThv28XCzdSALdfF09jzsEk9HkKAy-MsWzAe7b8POT6yz5rEuWKsNV1Z1ZUka8/s1600/13+Weeks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja-4WBOs13hJyok4TrVc63TN4CR0Ot6gWitwB6jFpLc-qJacwO1i-fNWlQzKaZB34K6Z_-FAkAIKAOJHThv28XCzdSALdfF09jzsEk9HkKAy-MsWzAe7b8POT6yz5rEuWKsNV1Z1ZUka8/s320/13+Weeks.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">13 weeks~ junk in the front!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1888276949162885103.post-90575213521530128742011-06-11T13:31:00.000-07:002011-06-11T13:31:12.432-07:00Lime in the Coconut<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ok--I was going to wait till the end to show the profile pics, but couldn't wait. It is fun to see this little munchkin growing. Can't wait until Monday when we have our 12 week ultrasound. This is what I call the "Lime in the Coconut".</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Dowwzh0gIuWcCgX53RFOderoUQSTwwbfNXraN6X_Ep-UNsgfX-K3VTIdZWMtqYJMiKnecJzuuvt-xkMrWtXci932rWOgTVDu4t-nNR3KzTSohJ9zXtctt2rn0y8-I1ISom04QYhpv1I/s1600/Week+12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Dowwzh0gIuWcCgX53RFOderoUQSTwwbfNXraN6X_Ep-UNsgfX-K3VTIdZWMtqYJMiKnecJzuuvt-xkMrWtXci932rWOgTVDu4t-nNR3KzTSohJ9zXtctt2rn0y8-I1ISom04QYhpv1I/s320/Week+12.JPG" t8="true" width="240" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1888276949162885103.post-81341720209116536322011-06-01T22:10:00.000-07:002011-06-01T22:10:06.271-07:0010 Week Wiggley BabyOur ultrasound Tuesday was super fun to watch. Baby is swimming around in the amniotic fluid wiggling around like crazy. Skinny little legs and arms have sprouted and we even caught a glimpse of the cute tiny toes. At 10 weeks, baby has graduated from embryo to fetus. He or she measured 1 3/8" long and the heartbeat was 167 bpm. <br />
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The only unpleasant thing was looking at the subchorionic hemorrhage I still have. (At the top right corner of the photo). This time it was larger and much more visible. Dr. B thinks it will diminish as the gestational sac expands. I am praying that it does! I am supposed to take it easy for the next several weeks. My blood work came back great and I've been instructed to take my progesterone tablets down from 3 per day to 2. I'm very happy, because these are nasty and I'm blaming my worse-than-Jr-high-skin on them as well.<br />
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I have been imagining myself larger for weeks, but about a week ago, I could no longer button my jeans, so I think I'm officially growing (although this may be due to my crazy cravings too--who knows). Nonetheless, I bought some skirts in the maternity section that feel much more comfy. Why didn't I discover this section earlier? My current mantra--if it ain't knit, it don't' fit. I'm taking pictures of my profile, but I think I'll share them at the end in case anyone wants to make their own scary flip book (and to spare those who do not think pregnant bellies are the most adorable things on this planet).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwGtkMtGFPvzTvNUYoIBJSXWsCxCc7dNwdoVu2v2ofWGnUQ3a_J6nZLXEx3jBVG1ZgawU7o0DvS2xvn9GYXOrpSi2WXVtubdCzkD0nQlu2xZmXCFAOUUpVw0kWsP5ER7uGzuamPjIJQtw/s1600/Baby+10+Weeks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwGtkMtGFPvzTvNUYoIBJSXWsCxCc7dNwdoVu2v2ofWGnUQ3a_J6nZLXEx3jBVG1ZgawU7o0DvS2xvn9GYXOrpSi2WXVtubdCzkD0nQlu2xZmXCFAOUUpVw0kWsP5ER7uGzuamPjIJQtw/s1600/Baby+10+Weeks.jpg" t8="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Toes are to the left, head is to the right. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I know--it's not the most attractive baby just yet. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's ok if you don't think it's cute.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1888276949162885103.post-24845520335585124752011-05-18T12:20:00.000-07:002011-05-21T12:44:36.581-07:00Baby's First ScareLittle baby is going to get a spanking as soon as we get him/her out. (S)he worried his/her mom to death. I'm sure this is going to happen many a time in life, so that's why I call it the "first scare". <br />
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Saturday at work I suddenly felt a gush only to discover bright red blood. Per nurse's orders, I went home right away and started bed rest with lots of liquids. It continued into the night, but got better by the next day. The doctor finally saw me Tuesday morning and everything looked <em>great</em> on the ultrasound. The bleeding was most likely caused by a blood clot, but it was really tough for him to see on the ultrasound. It must have caused a slight separation of the egg sac from the uterus. It's on the opposite side of where the umbilical cord is, so he said it should be just fine. I'm supposed to take it easy for a week. Baby is 16.6 mm and heartbeat is 167 bpm. My hormone levels came in looking fantastic as well.<br />
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Thank you to those of you who knew and were praying for us! God gave us peace and a miraculous outcome.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwsBSIvq3V-LUzykYP2m6MW8YYiXzzOHo-p4ISC-OHWufepVadi-4AoJY7E6-LH_mmA1eajUJ_RD9__ukxnotPQfmrsEhxc9XoxeSZQByK0Whhfvc0ZRz3rFmlzIkZyoUY5hfzSxU8A9I/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwsBSIvq3V-LUzykYP2m6MW8YYiXzzOHo-p4ISC-OHWufepVadi-4AoJY7E6-LH_mmA1eajUJ_RD9__ukxnotPQfmrsEhxc9XoxeSZQByK0Whhfvc0ZRz3rFmlzIkZyoUY5hfzSxU8A9I/s320/photo.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1888276949162885103.post-18204111466932097462011-05-10T16:16:00.000-07:002011-05-10T16:16:52.102-07:00Thanks for your prayers!I'm pleased to report that the gal who went through IVF and nearly had to quit is pregnant too! Her levels are rising nicely and things are looking great. Thanks for keeping her in your prayers. <br />
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Our little baby seems to be flourishing too. He or she is wearing me out and causing some slight nausea--both bearable so far. It's nice to be reminded that things are happening in there! My next doctor's visit is with my regular OB next Friday the 20th. Then I have an ultrasound the following week with Dr. Bankowski at ORM. Can't wait-- baby should have visible arms and legs by then.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1888276949162885103.post-13961538180812645172011-05-05T17:34:00.000-07:002011-05-05T17:50:00.943-07:00Our First UltrasoundWe found out today that we have one precious baby growing! He or she is 6.7 mm long and the heart beat is 117 beats per minute. They look for it to be over 100 at this point. We are 6 weeks and 4 days along. Our due date is Christmas Day--so not to easy to forget!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxfFM6lNAWJzqS4XNFRF_hkNr81kfUEJZHfOcCWgeFiLw4FROyiRvnVLwbF81bDzgJk3UCd3BgLmv9-TeZKOw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1888276949162885103.post-24041260128315977152011-04-23T12:18:00.000-07:002011-04-23T14:33:20.030-07:00Beta #3My third HCG Beta came back at 533.7 It doubled from last time, so the docs are happy with that--and me too of course. Have a wonderful Easter everyone!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1888276949162885103.post-68659252088396207212011-04-20T17:28:00.000-07:002011-04-20T17:28:38.477-07:00Beta #2Hey y'all in blogland. I got my second hcg beta done and from 150 to 267.8. The nurse said that's a good rise. However, they want to do a third blood test on Friday since the numbers didn't exactly double. She said the doctors are very persnickety about this, and she assured me there is nothing to worry about. I am going to choose to be patient and content with this news. There will be enough to worry about when they're teenagers after all. I'd LOVE the continued prayers though if you think of it!! <br />
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Also please pray for a wonderful young lady I know doing IVF that has had a rough time. Her sister is donating her eggs to her, but unfortunately has not responded to the meds as well as they would like. The doctor gave them the choice of cancelling the cycle or moving forward. She is leaning toward taking a leap of faith and moving forward.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1888276949162885103.post-6234640491419338532011-04-19T20:59:00.000-07:002011-04-20T05:59:19.156-07:00Unbelievable Blessing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYs8gTf4-8z6jq8EBpkHB0mBmno55mSt3QavGIoGHYix5Ag6dbKX7ywNp2DD8d79GeE6LyTHSpVbiixiG3PmGHQvxk5-pHPsrEu3i7nDd4cSuUrdFWcGQ1w3YAWso36q3AftsJ0gdx1Q/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYs8gTf4-8z6jq8EBpkHB0mBmno55mSt3QavGIoGHYix5Ag6dbKX7ywNp2DD8d79GeE6LyTHSpVbiixiG3PmGHQvxk5-pHPsrEu3i7nDd4cSuUrdFWcGQ1w3YAWso36q3AftsJ0gdx1Q/s200/photo.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><br />
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I'm going to cut to the chase here...we're pregnant. It's a miracle from God!! I'm having a hard time even soaking it in, but I'm trying to live in the moment and enjoy every second. <br />
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Before we found out, we had to wait for nine days after the embryo transfer before they could do the blood test. I stayed nice and positive for a week. I even felt kind of pregnant at times, thinking I tasted the metallic taste in my mouth that I'd read about. I felt strong spiritually, knowing that so many people were praying for us. My mom and dad even put a prayer request in the Wailing Wall for us while they were in the Holy Land.<br />
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Well, Sunday morning rolled around and everything went to hell in a hand basket. I saw a little spot of pink and felt like AF was on her way. All the feelings I had from two years ago when we had a failed IVF rushed back. I remembered exactly what it was like to be let down and I <em>knew</em> it was going to be the same this time. I was a mess. We were on the way to church and I just couldn't go. I knew we'd see tons of new-born babies and pregnant moms and that was going to be too much for me. So...we went to breakfast at Subway in down town Vancouver. The bacon, egg and tear sandwich tasted terrible. I saw the sappiest baby go by in his stupid little sunglasses, bobbing along in his dumb Baby Bjorn and I felt like throwing a binkie at him (that was the devil talking in my head at the time of course). Bryan was comforting and managed to stay positive for me thankfully. As the day went on, I felt better. One of my friends was very stern with me about the fact that I did not know that my babies had not implanted! It was kind of like she said "STOP IT" only in a nice, loving way--just what I needed! <br />
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I spent the majority of Monday with my friend Gretchen and baby Noella and we really had a nice relaxing day. At 2:30 Bryan and I both got home at the same time. The doctor had called and left a message for us! We played it on speaker and that's when we got the happiest news ever. Our beta was 150 (great) and hormone levels looking good. <br />
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Later in the afternoon I got invited to shop for maternity clothes with my life-long friend Dana who's 20 weeks along and her mom Susie. Wow--that actually sounded like FUN (and it was). I couldn't even fathom buying maternity clothes yet, but I did get two little onesies for the babies. Afterwards I went out and bought a home pregnancy test just so I could take the picture at the top. <br />
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The next step is our second blood test--tomorrow. They hope to see the numbers double. Then I'll be scheduled for a 6 1/2 week ultra sound. We should be able to tell if there are one or two little guys in there and maybe hear heartbeat(s). I can already tell this is going to be an interesting part of this journey! Hoping my faith can stay a little stronger next time I come across a bumpy part in the road.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1888276949162885103.post-41130247488404652542011-04-16T19:47:00.000-07:002011-04-16T19:47:57.785-07:00Pics from last Weekend<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"> <img border="0" height="150" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3DLgL3d9NiGQDCG9ENAXzYKgOFgoRAHsCFt8af5nMshrcOGgZP54UydNuOqhpthKV-sSK3ZchEuHYL0jaKxOXeNv40TCjXNu0ao7oJgV3POPzzNPoXvhLkxMJa4jDrx03XZprlZ0TqpI/s200/DSC05915.JPG" width="200" /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">My sis-in-law Amy took me to the appointment and was a great support! Bryan was in a class, so he wasn't able to make it to the appointment. I was feeling kind of giggly the whole time, which I've heard is good for implantation. Supposedly there are some clinics that even have clowns come in to make people laugh.I am so happy I had Amy instead of a clown! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyfmJT8q3jV9Gw5XbC07Oc6YSkL47JMDLTLOe-DL7JjtRWRMLeFVpnKZLSXtGEOQwu56QJJJBY6IkmBvIwZEMSLLk5F0n3lTmzQGjxVC8ggBVUPjVj-Tny5V0wEAN7pCovJKRxutySWtI/s1600/DSC05911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyfmJT8q3jV9Gw5XbC07Oc6YSkL47JMDLTLOe-DL7JjtRWRMLeFVpnKZLSXtGEOQwu56QJJJBY6IkmBvIwZEMSLLk5F0n3lTmzQGjxVC8ggBVUPjVj-Tny5V0wEAN7pCovJKRxutySWtI/s200/DSC05911.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I had acupuncture before and after the transfer. Here's a pic of a little needle in the top of my head. Looks like an antenna! After this, Dr. Materi and the embryologist came in and delivered great news. all 5 of our embryos were still growing. They picked the two that looked farthest along to transfer in. After I rested some more, they took me into the "clean room". As they did the procedure, I was able to look up at a screen and see the picture below. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO8g9ago4oWPJSblY4BIdm5IUUsrQuO8hV4Ff_NmS4kdGlcaLON0IqGl4evomokPZXM1E__c3wB6Ey6X9_FENfCq52N8fF3G9gaDFGpXeQ4H3QW8QAIebhLupJ_ILwqQj6b6BrZm3N7zA/s1600/DSC05920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO8g9ago4oWPJSblY4BIdm5IUUsrQuO8hV4Ff_NmS4kdGlcaLON0IqGl4evomokPZXM1E__c3wB6Ey6X9_FENfCq52N8fF3G9gaDFGpXeQ4H3QW8QAIebhLupJ_ILwqQj6b6BrZm3N7zA/s320/DSC05920.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">And here are the two that were transferred in. They were Grade 2A Blastocysts, which is great. As I posted before, we found out the next day that 2 of the others made it and were put in the freezer for next time. They were grade 4A, which is an even better "score" because they had an extra day to grow in the dish. The embryologist said that they have the cells necessary for making a baby! <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1S2YGxoG-okPs9WNAkYn1WIxvKyHs1FLom2Fss0p7lcDCtW10nl0HXktkXd0UVm5zPsjiTuYx3bbamXv6sVySsSrNdNiUU4ui6rvKAdJiSfNsi64aB9wpXr3v4RqDgtll7RL_EqTZscg/s1600/DSC05917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1S2YGxoG-okPs9WNAkYn1WIxvKyHs1FLom2Fss0p7lcDCtW10nl0HXktkXd0UVm5zPsjiTuYx3bbamXv6sVySsSrNdNiUU4ui6rvKAdJiSfNsi64aB9wpXr3v4RqDgtll7RL_EqTZscg/s200/DSC05917.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">And here's my wonderful acupuncturist, Taya, from Hawthorne Wellness! Several of my Hannah's Hope gals have used her services. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">After the procedure, I was on bed rest for two days. It was fantastic! I felt like I finally got rid of the stress I'd been having at work the last month. We watched the first season of the show Glee most of the time. Our friends Dana and Jaysun brought us ice cream one night, and Bryan's mom and dad brought us dinner and a gorgeous bleeding heart plant the next night. My mom and dad were in Israel, but we got to talk on the phone for a few minutes and give them the updates! So many friends checked in, and I just felt so blessed! </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1888276949162885103.post-24530814245176807492011-04-10T09:25:00.000-07:002011-04-10T09:25:05.288-07:00Totcicles in the FreezerJust got a call and two of the other embryos made it to blastocyst and are now in the freezer. I am extremely grateful right now--wanting to jump up and down, but I'm still on bedrest,so better contain myself!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1888276949162885103.post-86303923977749906982011-04-09T18:46:00.000-07:002011-04-09T18:46:19.711-07:00Transfer DayCurrently I'm laying on the couch enjoying a day of rest. Today was really amazing. I found out this morning that all five embryos are still growing. They took the best two and transferred them in. Bryan was unable to go, but my sister in law Amy was kind enough to take care of me. I'll post pics when I'm off bedrest!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1888276949162885103.post-26328436900772037742011-04-05T18:54:00.000-07:002011-04-05T18:54:15.880-07:00The Day After the RetrievalThis morning I got a call and 5 of the 10 eggs are now fertilized. They plan to do the transfer on Saturday. We won't know how many make it to the 5 day blastocyst stage until then. Just keep praying! Thanks everyone! JRUnknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1888276949162885103.post-89652886686270708152011-04-04T12:28:00.000-07:002011-04-04T12:28:04.290-07:00Egg Retrieval Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAv9gfdPps1mdTB4F8U0vefDBalCwopN9ZIvN0cvoSD8rtfw0lQFUbZCUBRDCIx6kEwRW7y6nzawK0wsvZPV4yfbfxI1eLXaUgJM9GhUJe9SIH1R0eexdTWLDykpd37cFcp3MnAAH-PJw/s1600/DSC05890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAv9gfdPps1mdTB4F8U0vefDBalCwopN9ZIvN0cvoSD8rtfw0lQFUbZCUBRDCIx6kEwRW7y6nzawK0wsvZPV4yfbfxI1eLXaUgJM9GhUJe9SIH1R0eexdTWLDykpd37cFcp3MnAAH-PJw/s200/DSC05890.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here I am before the retrieval. I felt excited and ready. In this room, I got my IV and then was taken into the operating room, where the last thing I remember was putting my feet into some stirrups. I was out like a light!Dr. Barbieri did my procedure today since Dr. Bankowski is in Spain for a conference. The nurses, doctor and anesthesiologist were all fantastic. SO nice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNgdwk0IpPtvjbCahuOFnFlU6swB2QT_mmu8lp4xZZqY99NkeiXwvTAejcID_nrRUrWvk-a-W5BQg_bBIEm35j9AeTnGOKkwm_9XaYXk-4RtCrfcp7-5JRVdSzg2hKLKPaPLLiHt-Ta9E/s1600/DSC05892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNgdwk0IpPtvjbCahuOFnFlU6swB2QT_mmu8lp4xZZqY99NkeiXwvTAejcID_nrRUrWvk-a-W5BQg_bBIEm35j9AeTnGOKkwm_9XaYXk-4RtCrfcp7-5JRVdSzg2hKLKPaPLLiHt-Ta9E/s200/DSC05892.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Wow--awful--here I am afterward. Bryan said I asked how many eggs they got 3 times. The number was 10! Out of the 10, there were 5 big ones. Tomorrow we'll find out how many were mature and how many fertilized. It only takes one to make a baby! I also asked him to take this picture twice. I guess I wanted to make sure I was "keepin' it real" on my blog. Don't want anyone to get the idea this is a glamorous process. Now I'm on the couch and feeling a little tender down south, but other than that just fine. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'll be updating soon! Thanks for all the prayers.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1888276949162885103.post-20981241560206743582011-04-03T16:00:00.000-07:002011-04-03T16:00:23.378-07:00Almost There!Hello my dear friends and family~ Here's a brief run-down of my last few days moving toward IVF! I am so grateful for you walking with me during this journey. Thank you so much!! <br />
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Friday: Ultrasound--Dr. B recorded 8 large follicles, estrodial was 1342, progesterone was .9 and lining was an 11with a triple pattern. They told me I'm almost there, but should come in Saturday for one more ultrasound and blood draw.<br />
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Saturday AM: Ultrasound--Dr. Hesla found the same follicles, plus recorded a couple small ones, estrodial was 1680. He said I'm definitely ready for a trigger shot and retrieval would be Monday morning at 9:00 AM. I looked back at records from my first IVF and my estrodial was only 1453 right before they did the retrieval and my lining was 10. Maybe that's not a big difference, but I'm just glad this protocol seems to be a better fit for me.<br />
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Saturday PM: Trigger Shot at 10:15 PM on the dot. I did it subcutaneously (belly) rather than intramuscular (backside) for some reason. Not sure why--didn't ask! <br />
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Sunday: No more shots! Tonight we're having 3 of our nieces over for a movie night and I'm going to enjoy the evening without any Follistim. I have all the meds packed away so they don't have to wonder what in the world is going on with all those needles. (:Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1888276949162885103.post-9241260437616880362011-03-31T07:36:00.000-07:002011-03-31T07:36:39.488-07:00Grow eggies grow!!This is gonna be quick--gotta get to work! Dr. B was back and saw 9 big eggs via ultrasound. He kind of ignored the rest since he said they aren't growing. I like to think there were some hiding since the nurse practitioner spotted so many the other day. I asked him if HE thought I was doing well and it took him a little longer than I expected to answer. Finally, he said "I think you're doing GREAT <em>for YOU</em>". He said this protocol seems to be right for me. They were thinking I might cut back on medicine, but when I got a call later in the day (after the blood results) they said to keep using all of it. I will go in again Friday and possibly do the trigger shot over the weekend. My retrieval will likely be Monday or Tuesday. I'm praying for Monday since it's my day off! That would just make life so much easier. I am grateful that Bryan will be off work for Spring Break, which wasn't even planned! God has this thing under control. Thanks for all your support and prayers! My Mom and Dad are heading for Istanbul and then the Holy Land today, so please pray for their safe journey as well. Thanks! JRUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1888276949162885103.post-2119089269971821392011-03-28T21:01:00.000-07:002011-03-28T21:01:41.196-07:00ProgressThis morning I had another positive appointment. I had the nurse practitioner again and she counted 7 large follicles and 7 smaller ones. My estrogen is rising nicely too. I'll be continuing on the same protocol and praying that my body keeps responding well. My next visit is coming up Wednesday,so I will be updating again then!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1888276949162885103.post-48093194607252813532011-03-24T20:55:00.000-07:002011-03-24T20:55:58.869-07:003rd Time's A CharmWell, today I went in for my 3rd suppression check, and the 3rd time was truly a charm.<br />
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First off, I ran into one of my very dear friends, Raquel, who was in there for an appointment. Just seeing her made me feel so blessed.<br />
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Dr.B was out of the office, so I had a nurse practitioner who was also extremely nice. She did an ultrasound and I had NO cyst this time!! Also, I had 5 small resting follicles on the right and 6 on the left, which were very good numbers for me. I also had blood work and everything came back normal. <br />
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Starting tomorrow, I'll begin my shots again: Follistim, Menopur, and Omnitrope growth hormone this time. They know I'm a poor responder, so they have me on the strongest protocol possible. I'll go back in on Monday for an appointment and see how it's going. Please pray for my body to do better this time!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3