Stim Day 5

Results of today's appt:

Estrodiol: 540 (quite the jump from the 41 at baseline last week)

TSH: 10.7 Oops. Yeah, that's a lot high. This was actually done at the baseline appt but didn't ask the full number today. Caused them to up my Levothyroxin to 100mc from the 25 I was on before that appt. Was told today I needed to make an appt. with an enrodcrinologist. My number has never been this high before. Yikes.

Follies:

- Left: 10.06, 11.44
- Right: 12.02, 12.16, 12.33, 12.70, 12.88

So, based on all of the above, they adjusted my meds:
- Bravelle: dropped to 75 iu
- Menopur: kept at 150 iu
- Ganirelix: start 250 mcg sub-q tonight

Stay on the Dexamethasone throughout. Wasn't on this last time so I asked what it was for as it's basically a corticosteroid. They mentioned that they have added it to help reduce inflammation to help with implantation - so the uterus potentially wouldn't fight it as much thinking the embie was a foreign body when transferred. Interesting.

I'm actually not liking how this cycle is progressing. Yay for having follies so far, but it's making me nervous as it's mimicking my first 2 cycles which were both BFN's. 9 days of stimming which looks to be about on track for this cycle. While it would be nice to not have to go 16 days like my BFP cycle, I kind of like the theory of slow and steady wins the race rather than the speedy cycle with crappier eggs.

And yes, I do realize every cycle is different. Just hard not to compare when those 1st two cycles were so similar with similar results, you know?


On 2 unrelated notes:
- 1st round of Girl Scout cookies arrived today. I felt guilty and ordered from 2 ladies at work this year (they bought to support my son's daycare ;-) ) Let's just say I've already eaten too many and have buried them at the bottom of my bag. Out of sight out of mind? I doubt it ocme 3:00. ;-)

My sister is coming down to stay for a few days! This is the sister that lives in Australia. She came home on 2/11 and goes back on 3/18. She usually only comes home once a year so I'm trying to soak up every minute that I can. I saw her the 1st 2 weekends she was home, but she has either been visiting my other sister or sick after that. Looking forward to having her all to ourselves!

Hope you're having a great day!

So, It's Been a While...

Yeah. More than a while. Try 2+ years. ;-)

Ryan is now 2+ years old - almost 2.5. Hard to believe. And, after a LOT of back-and-forth, we have just started our first round of IVF for little one #2. Also hard to believe. So, I thought I'd start blogging here again to keep track.

Here are some pics of Ryan:

We are currently potty training and he's doing really well! We still haven't braved going diaperless when we leave the house to go to the store or for naps/bedtime, but he is in underwear at home and at school. He feels like such a big boy!

He is honestly the joy of our life. He is SUCH a happy little boy. He has some tantrums every once in a while like any 2 year old would, but honestly - I thought it would be so much worse! (and, before anyone comments, I do know we aren't even yet 3 and there are still plenty of times for tantrums even then! ha)

He loves to chase the cat, swing, has really gotten into sports lately and loves to read. He can count to 20, knows his ABC's, knows his address and can speak in full sentences. He's into trains, cars, reptiles and dinosaurs and his favorite book is Dinosaurumpus!

He also loves the outdoors and walk in the woods (just like his Daddy!)

During these last 2+ years I have found out I much prefer the toddler stage to the newborn stage. So, if we do get lucky with this IVF cycle, what do you think the odds are of the little one coming out as a one year old? Can we at least compromise at 6 months? ;-)

As mentioned above, we went back-and-forth so much on wether to try again or not for a second baby. I mean - we have been so blessed with Ryan, why not just be happy with what we have, right? Especially since we are definitely no spring chickens any more (not that we were when we went through this the first time). I don't know. Scares the hell out of me sometimes when I think about it. But, we also know the joy of a little one and we know Ryan would be a great big brother. So here we are!

Had CD3 appt on Thursday and started Stims and Dexamethasone that day. Here's what I'm doing as of now:

Stims Days 1-4:

Bravelle: 150 iu
Menopur: 150 iu
Dexamethasone: 0.5 mg
Levothyroxin: 100 mcg

Differences so far from my BFP cycle:

- Bravelle vs. Follistim (not much of a difference, really)
- Didn't start with Lupron (did both Lupron and Ganirelix last time)
- No estrogen priming
- No baby aspirin (they've changed their procedure with this one and don't have you start until after retrieval to help reduce the risk of bleeding since it's a blood thinner)

Next check is on Monday. Curious if this cycle will turn into the rollercoaster marathon like Ryan's cycle was. I'm ok if it does. Just curious how my body will react this many years later, you know?

OK - I've typed long enough. Hope everyone is doing well!

Yup - I was right :-(

Reflux it is. Went to the pediatrician today and she agreed 100% with my diagnosis of Ryan's issue and gave us an Rx for Zantac to try. 0.5cc twice a day. If things don't improve, than can try 3x/day. Here's to hoping it works!

While we were there, we popped him on the scale to check his weight:

Ryan's Weight:
Birth: 8.0
2dPP: 7 lb 7 oz
2 weeks: 8 lb 1 oz
Today (5w4d): 9lb 15oz!

So he is just 1 oz of being an even 10 lbs!

I also popped myself on the adult scale and am down 1 lb from the last I checked - yay!

Mommy's Weight:

Final Total PG Weight Gain: +11
1 week PP: -12 lbs -- officially below pre-PG weight (but far from where I should be!)
2 weeks PP: -22 lbs -- apparently my body really likes no longer being pregnant or on any more IF drugs!
5w4d PP: -23 lbs -- So not much of a loss from a couple weeks ago, but a loss is a loss, right? ;-)

So, let's hope this Rx works and he starts to feel better soon!

And if I don't get on before Thanksgiving, Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Reflux?

Ryan is increasingly crying/whining while feeding, is almost constantly squirming (ie: straightening out, kicking his feet, pulling his head away (while still attached to nipple - ouch) while eating, gets the hiccups a lot and has been super fussy/crying lately. So much to the point we're having a hard time consoling him right now after he just got done eating. Doesn't spit up much, though - 2-3 times max since he's been born.

I can tell he is definitely in some sort of pain and it breaks my heart. We originally thought maybe it was gas, but after reading up, I'm beginning to think maybe reflux?

Will call the pedi tomorrow/Monday and hopefully get an appointment to get this figured out!

I'm sorry, Ryan!

Blood Lines

DH is absolutely in love with Ryan. And I can't even put into words how it makes me feel to see him with out little guy - it's beyond amazing. He is such a good daddy!

DH is adopted and has never met his biological family. He has never had any desire to. And while DH was out today he sent me this text message:

"Did you know Ry Guy is the first human I have met that I share DNA with? That's pretty cool. I love him!"

I never really thought about it that way, but I think it's so amazing and so special that DH finally has this special link, you know? ;-)

Visiting Daddy at School!

Besides being a teacher, DH is also the SADD advisor for his school - and yesterday we took a trip to school to visit daddy and bring some cookies that we made for the kids!

Baking with Mommy:

(I may or may not have accidentally dropped cookie dough on Ryan's face during this picture and just had to kiss it off of him) lol

Visiting Daddy!

Was a great day!

1 Month - wow

Has it really been that long? I have been a very bad blogger! I've been writing things down on paper, but haven't put them in here. Wasn't sure if I wanted to put pictures of him out here or not. But, I've decided I do! Especially since I have one in my siggy on the message boards anyway. ;-)

So - I will go back and type those entries into here and will back-date them so they'll be in order for history. ;-)

In the meantime, here are a couple pics!

OK - wow scary face on me, but this was right after he was born - yay!

If anyone's still reading this, check back soon - I'm hoping to find time between holding our little guy and feeding him to get them up soon!