The first BIG moment

I didn't realize that I didn't update with the #peestickmadness (what O and I called the two weeks after transfer that we analyzed a dozen pee sticks daily to make sure this little embryo was growing strong!) Our first blood test we had an HCG level of 30, second was 308, third was 925, and last was 1908!! Our first sonogram was scheduled for yesterday, the 26th, which put me at exactly 6 weeks along. I was a little nervous we wouldn't be able to see a heart beat yet, since our first number was low and she might have taken a little longer to get snuggled in. I got to the clinic about 10:50 and E&O were waiting for me in the lobby. She is about ready for her egg retrieval for our sibling journey (so keep her in your prayers that they get lots of healthy eggs!) and had a checkup before mine. Our sono was scheduled for 11, so as soon as that time hit, we were READY to go. But we waited. And waited. And waited. Granted, twenty minutes isn't long in the grand scheme of things, but when it's for something this exciting, it felt like forever!!! Finally I got called back, and got situated in those fancy drapes, and then E&O came in, with the dr and sono tech right behind. The picture pulled up on the screen, and we were able to see the gestational sac and then THE SCREEN WENT BLANK!!!! I kid you not, the system rebooted with the camera all up in my business. Both parents work in IT so they said it was karma for them! But, still!!!!! So, we had to wait AGAIN for everything to get loaded up. Once it was working, they pulled up the picture of this itty bitty, 3.4mm, teeny tiny baby. I immediately got a little teary and turned to O and she was just staring at the screen. I thought maybe she was in shock, but then she said, "I don't see it!! Where is it? Where is it?????!!!!!" I turned back to the screen and the dr and tech zoomed in and put the cursor right on that flicker and then I heard a loud GASP and turned back to see O with her hands over her mouth and tears streaming down her face. That moment. Right there. That's why. Seeing her see her baby's heart beat for the first time EVER, after so much heartache. It was incredible. (I tried to type all this out yesterday, and it was still too raw for me. I'm teary again now!) This morning she texted that she was Rachel from Friends when she couldn't see the baby in the sonogram picture, and it made me laugh because I told Chris that same thing last night! I think we are all still in a bit of shock, but I was excited to hear last night that O was able to tell her mom ON HER BIRTHDAY(!!!!!!!) that she was going to be an Abuela! They live in Venezuela, but E's family is here and they're going to wait til I'm a little farther along to tell them.

So, yesterday was pretty awesome. I know I'll have a few other moments that are going to be pretty amazing, but I can't wait for the one when they get to hold this little firecracker in their arms.

Tomorrow!!!

One more sleep!!!!!

Tomorrow is transfer day!! Chris has been giving me progesterone shots since Thursday night, my last Lupron shot was Saturday, I have four estrogen patches that I change out every other day, and I take an estrogen pill every night. Thankfully no crazy vitamin regimen like last time. Just normal prenatals! Hopefully tonight I’ll be able to sleep. My friend Marie is picking me up at 10:30 and we have to check in at the clinic/transfer area at 11:15. Once there, I have to drink a LOT of water (it helps the dr to be able to see my uterus. I don’t know exactly why. Science.) After the procedure is done, I have to lay flat for awhile (which is the only hard part because my bladder is FULL) and then I can pee and go home to bed. For the 24 hours after, I can prop up to eat and get up to use the bathroom, but that’s about it. The next day or two I try to take it as easy as possible. I will have a blood draw on Thursday to check the estrogen and progesterone levels, but then I have to wait until the 12th for the official blood work for my HCG levels. However, I am impatient and will be taking tests at home. With the twins, we transferred on Thursday and I got a squinter on a test by Monday. I don’t think I can hold out until Saturday morning, so Friday night will start the POAS madness. (In surrogate speak that means Peeing On A Stick). My coordinator sent me a Transfer package with some dip ones, but I need to get out and grab some traditional First Response ones so I can analyze lines for hours. All part of the process!!

There’s lots of emotions going in to transfer day. It makes me more sad for the chemical transfer we had in October and the fear of that happening again. I will gladly take any and all prayers and good vibes and sticky thoughts that get sent my way! I’ll update with pee sticks!