[designdiva32]

This if for you Jen. Its SOOOOOO cheesy I know. DH has a way with the camera...makes me look like a silly poser. Anyway, I did (stupidly I'm now thinking...lol) promise.

me_again.jpg

[Shellyhume]

Unfortunately, Heidi, never been in your boat... I guess, at least in Massachusetts, FET hasn't been particularly successful until recently... within the last year, the first woman to have a successful pregnancy through FET in Massachusetts was reported... this is good news! This means that we're that much closer to making this a reasonable option for IF treatments... but like I said, I know very little on the topic...

Anywho... just wanted to let you all know that today goes on my top ten list of best days ever... EVER!!

I didn't have to go in to work until 2:30 (my boss is starting to wean herself off needing me, I guess)... apparently my horrid coworker went around to all the classrooms, bragging about what she had done... and every single time, people looked at her in horror at how childish she was being, told her how immature she had been, and dismissed her from their presence!

Everyone stuck up for me... and I didn't have to say or do anything to her in retaliation. And, to top it all off, my boss told me that she lied and WAS written up for her behavior with the children... AND was told that she had one last chance to shape up or ship out. Oh, and just between you and me, my other boss (the assistant director) said that she really had no use for her (meaning couldn't stand her, either) but doesn't have the authority or power to fire her, even though she'd like to. *sigh*

Seriously, top ten best day ever...

[Shellyhume]

PS- Alana, you're adorable. And you're 32??? You lie.

This past weekend, DH and I went peach pickin' with the in-laws... fantastic fun it was... DH got a picture of me sneaking a peach (I've always said I don't like them... but in the spirit of the event, I had to have one.) That's my SIL in the background... we love her. And of course, my hottie husband and I in the second pic... *sigh* we're gonna have nice-looking kids, I tell ya.

[Angelwithhope]

I really like the pic Alana! And I don't think it looks too posey, infact I'd say it's the perfect picture for one of those health type adds...I don't know which one in particular but none the less, I like it!!

Shelly, that's wonderful great news!! Having just read that, it seriously made my day too!!

I should really get around to changing my Avatar one of these days. I just have this in the closet type feeling going on...always wondering if my SIL is lurking and will see me. We've never told them of our struggles but if they didn't figure it out when we had the second miscarriage I'd be suprised! So someone tell me, why do I stay hidden? It took me forever to divulge my first name! LOL

[sunny72]

Shelly is that true? Only one person to have a successful FET pregnancy in MA so far? Did I read that right? That just made my heart sink. I thought they did this stuff all the time???? Ugh.... I think he said we had a 45% chance of success. Last time it was 60%. I guess it worked and then it didn't. Wait, are you thinking of frozen eggs? we're doing frozen embryo transfer?? Also maybe because MA is a mandated state most people opt for a fresh cycle over a frozen because they can.

Alana, cute pictures. Those are the ones you'll look back on when your an old grandmother and say "gosh I was young and pretty then".

Jen, I really like your new "wee pic" too. I said that in as kiwi an accent as I could muster.

Shawna, I was incognito too when I first came here, hence the Sunny thing. I don't know, half the time I have a fear that people will find out my business and half the time it's a little liberating for people to get to know you in a way.

[Angelwithhope]

Everyone is so cute!! I love seeing all of your pics! Hopefully some day soon! I have to stop caring what others think of me! LOL

[designdiva32]

I LOVE you girls! You are too kind. Honestly...I hate photos of myself so its kind of liberating to post them and be done with it. Shawna...I would really love to see some of you hun, and to be honest I doubt any of our families would figure out we are chatting on this forum. My wise experience in my old age (and yes Shelly, you are too adorable yourself...I AM 32 and turning 33 in two weeks!) is that people are mostly too self-absorbed to care that much about what others are doing and will never find your posts on this site. Seriously, if you have ever walked down a busy street feeling self-conscious and then noticed that no-one has even looked at you anyway, you realize how everyone is actually feeling kinda the same way. So post those pictures hun...I know I would love to see them!

Heidi, I think you are right about the frozen embryo versus frozen eggs. The frozen embryos I think have been done a few times in most states. My clinic does them and from what they have told me the statistics are virtually the same as standard IVF, 60/40 as you said. So I'm guessing it could be an insurance issue? Either way I'm very interested so keep us posted. I also wanted to ask a kiwi to kiwi question...but are there ever days when it feels like your family still there are living the good life while you are struggling away? Maybe its just my situation, however I sometimes think my family is very far removed from real life struggles (financial etc) and that they sit in their large New Zealand houses and don't understand why its so hard for my DH and I. Anyway, just having a general whinge about life...I'll get over it. (I hope!)

Jen...where are the rest of your pics? I wanna see more! You too Heidi...do you have any we can see? Especially of your little one...it really heals my soul to see you girls with your children. Its like proof that it can happen.

[JustPeachy]

I'm loving all the pictures too!! So many cute genes around here. I was waiting to get the rest of the wedding pics (on Mom's camera) to post but I'll put my belly pic and a picture of DH and I tummy to tummy at our fancy wedding Saturday night.

Heidi - I would defrost all of them too. I just figure it would give you the best chance for the embryologist to pick the absolute best two rather than maybe having to make a tough decision.

Shelly - What a great day! Doesn't it feel good to know the good gals win somedays?! I'm really happy for you. Cute pictures too! And I love peaches.

Alana- I'm a novice to IUI. How often will you go for u/s? I'm excited for you.

JenCat - I was laughing too at the idea of your cats dancing around after their "special" brownie/catnip mix. Pets are definitely entertaining! Any sign of AF yet?

Shawna - I can relate to a sense of privacy. I would love to post a picture of my whole family from this weekend but I too feel a little guilty about exposing someone. Hmmm. And, I hope my SIL isn't on here reading away! I asked her months ago since she did IVF too but she never joined any chat rooms.

Here are the pictures... I'm feeling very big already but I promised never to complain once I got pregnant about the weight gain... just wish it would stick to my tummy area and stay away from the behind! Plus, I had hoped to at least do some walking for exercise but it was ruled out by the doctors.

[jencat215]

Alana- that pic is so cute!!! You are such the poser! Very model like. I think your DH should put you in one of his films!!!

Shelly, I love your photos too. Our peach festival here is in about 2 weeks so I will try to catch DH scarfing a peach. Oh, and the story about that witch getting what she deserved? That was great! I LOL when I read it. Hmmm... I think that is the first time I ever typed LOL...

Shawna-what does IMO mean? I did figure out what KWIM means... And I think you need to post a picture of yourself...screw your SIL. I was nervous at first as well, but then I thought, so what? I am proud of what I am doing and if someone from my past recognizes me, then be it. Lots of girls here have posted their full names. I love the confidence they have. I am gonna post some pics of me soon (my new camera organizes photos different than the old and they are harder to sort through!). Post some of you!!!

Heidi-my beliefs are very similar to Alana's. I believe in stem cell research and I do not think embryos are babies. I would not have a problem 'wasting', for lack of better word, them by thawing them all. Due to financial constraints, I would probably want to only thaw a few at a time so if they don't work I'd have more for another try. What does your DH say you should do? If I were to do IVF and have snowbabies, get pg, and not want to have any more children, I would have no problem donating the embryos for research. I would be happy to donate them to another couple TTC. That is me, though. I am pretty liberal in my opinions. I do believe all life is precious, but I am pro choice. What I don't understand is those that are for the death penality, but are avid pro lifers. Someone explain that to me.

Okay, off my soap box. Anyway, so DH and I were at the gym tonight...first time in a LONG time. And guess who we saw??? The only other man who has been all up in my business (besides the male nurse who took care of me during my surgery) in the past 10 years, my RE! I got out of the locker room and went to look for DH (playing basketball, of course), then we walked over to the weights and DH says, oh, look, its our RE. I totally turned red! What the hell is he doing in MY gym? Anyway, we did our weights and while I was on the chest press (or some stupid machine), he (RE) walks over to us (DH was standing next to the machine...it was my turn) to say hi. I was surprised he recognized us (well, my hair is different now, and a sweaty mess). He (RE) looks a lot like Ed Norton, but how he looked in Primal Fear. So I told him that I would probably be calling his office in a couple of days and he said well you have to wait the entire 6 weeks. So I said, 6 weeks, today marks 8 weeks!!!! Thank you very much! And my body says that I will be ready in the next day or 2, maybe 3. So he said, wow, already! me: Of course, I have been tracking every day!!! RE: well, I will let Paige (nurse) know that she should expect your call soon and we will have everything set up for you.
Hmmmm... not sure what that means, but okay. Still, it is weird to run into your RE in public. Isn't there some kind of code that those 2 worlds should not cross?

Oh, I wanted to address the trying again after the loss issue. After my first loss last Aug, DH and I were both sad, but during those few short weeks DH went from well, we can have a kid if you want one, to OMG I really am sad about our loss and want to try again asap! That really brought me out of my sadness and we geared up for round 2. Well, our loss in January was so much harder. We both cried together. We talked. We both still wanted to try again. We did 3 cycles of just clomid, each month BFN. each month a bit sad. But each beginning of the month was like a new slate to try again. After the 3 BFN, my ob/gyn sent us to the RE. Well, after this loss, we chose to look at it like it just wasn't going to happen regardless-there is no way an ectopic can grow into a successful pregnancy. We paid a huge price...I lost my tube, and almost lost my life! But we are still both determined. We still want our child. We needed these past 2 months to regroup. I needed to heal physically and both of us emotionally. Time truly does heal. We discussed the issue of IVF if my right tube wasn't clear and decided that if that was what we had to do, we'd do it. We'd find a way somehow. Fortunately, righty is open so we don't have to do that. But still our attitude is positive. That is so important. And, DH emailed our request for those relics of St. Gerard from that church (he called them over a month ago and we haven't received anything)... We both believe we were meant to be parents and know it will happen.

So, state of mind is really important. You WILL know when you are ready. It will be clear to you that this is what you want to do.

[jencat215]

Okay, here are the photos. I couldn't resist so I had to add one of Howard Jones from his concert in February. This was taken from my front row seat!

[jencat215]

oh yeah, and I do highly recommend cat nip for your kitties! Most cats really like the stuff, although I have seen a few cats ignore it. Etienne goes nuts and starts wailing on the other 2 if they get too close to her or the toys she normally ignores. Jake starts rolling on the floor and he will swipe at Sam. Sam just looks like one of those stoners and stares at the wall. They are all really funny. It is not harmful to them at all. We let them eat it right from the container (the straight 'hit') and put it on top of a cat bed with lots of toys on it (sprinkle it on the toys too). They roll in it and get it everywhere, but it is okay cause DH likes to vacuum!

Rachel-I had to edit this cause I forgot to answer you. Well, I will definitely be getting AF on time. My boobs hurt a lot this weekend, I started to get some cramps, and boy was I a witch today!!! I expect her anywhere from Tues to Thurs. She better not let me down!

[jencat215]

Test-just trying to see if I post only one photo will it come out larger...

NOPE, not sure why...

[jencat215]

Okay, I think I figured out what I did wrong. Trying again (last time, I promise!!!)

Yay! Got it to work!