Birthday weekend!

I've probably mentioned before, but our family celebrates birthdays three times each year ... this weekend was our fall gathering celebrating Chad, Kelly, Mitchell & Jarrod's birthdays. The girls went to a pick your own apples place while the guys hung out at home. When we got back Nicole & Mitchell carved their pumpkins, we had dinner, and watched Mitchell open his presents!

Mom and I helping Nicole reach some yummy apples!!

Nicole pulling our goodies to the car!

These two pumpkins are what you get when you don't mark out your pumpkin!!

Playing Cosmic Catch

Mitchell practicing with his new Heeley's!
The birthday people -- Jarrod & Chad (back), Mitchell & Kelly (front)

Poor Puppy!!

This all started back a couple months ago when Jason took Kahlua to the vet for her regular annual check-up. She had been limping around a little bit so the vet looked at her legs and told us it appeared the ACL was giving her some trouble. He prescribed an anti-inflammatory and pain pill for her which seemed to help, but two months later she wasn't using that leg at all. Back to the vet we go (and another $130 later), this time we are told that she has ruptured her ACL and that it would require surgery to repair it. Why does it seem that when you think things are just where you want them to be financially, you get hit with a $970 vet bill?!?!? Well, we wouldn't let Kahlua continue to hop around on three legs so she had the surgery yesterday. Here's a few pictures of her and how she spent the entire night last night.She has to wear this cone if we aren't home or when we are sleeping so that she doesn't lick or claw open her incision. Jason will be starting the physical therapy with her today. Who knows how that will go! She hasn't bent that leg at all yet. They say the recovery time is up to three months.

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!

Today, my parents celebrate 32 years of marriage! Congraulations!!

at Lake Tahoe this summer

in San Francisco with Jason and me

another picture from San Francisco

Test #4

I had another blood test yesterday and unfortunately, it didn't go as well as we had hoped. My hcg level did increase, however, only to 148...not even double from Friday. I received a call from Dr. Jarrett in the afternoon. He wasn't sure if the pregnancy was in my uterus or tube, and the only way to tell was to do surgery which he didn't want to do (it was still too small to see on an ultrasound). So, he had me get two shots of Metheltrexate which makes your body absorb the pregnancy. This was his plan because if the pregnancy was in a tube, it could have gotten larger, caused the tube to rupture and then I would be having surgery to remove it. Like Dr. Jarrett said, the silver lining is the fact that we were able to get pregnant. Now, hopefully it happens again the next time we are able to do the IUI (we have to wait two months due to the medication).

We are very sad right now, but know that God is in control. He has a plan that is much greater than ours....we just hope it includes a biological child for us!

Thank you all for thinking of us and praying for us! We truly appreciate it.

Test #3

****Update*****
My progesterone level was at 15.8...good news! They like it to be between 15 & 20.


OH. MY. GOODNESS!!! I can't believe it, but my hcg level went up again!! This morning it was at 98.7!! So, it was a normal increase since Monday. This is such great news...praise God!!!!!

They didn't originally test my progesterone level today so they are going back and doing that, but they have increased my dosage to three times per day. I go back in on Tuesday for another blood test. PLEASE pray that it continues to increase appropriately for a healthy, viable pregnancy and for Jason and I while we go through this waiting period!!

Today's Blood Test

So, I'm not really sure what to think?!?!?! I took an at home test on Saturday morning that showed a faint second line (positive test), on Sunday I started spotting, and today I appear to have a full on period? However, when I had my blood drawn today, my hcg level rose...what?? Yep, it was at 18.5 (still not a good number). Apparently, the doctors/nurses can't tell me what the heck is going on with my body! I am assuming that it rose and is now falling since what I can tell from the internet home tests don't typically read until your hcg is over 25. The other not so great news is that my progesterone level was at 6.5 (they like 15-20 to support a pregnancy). That is the amount in my blood stream, but they know I am at more than that since I doing the vaginal inserts twice a day which are 100ml.

The other interesting thing they told me today is that an hcg between 5 and 25 is a gray area...are you kidding me??? They didn't mention that on Friday and said that I had a positive test. The other thing that is interesting is that hcg is usually only in your system if you are pregnant so something is definitely going on!

I go in for another blood test on Friday to see what changes there are in my hcg level, so we'll see what happens. At this point, I know there is nothing I can do except rely on God. Please keep praying for our test results on Friday as well as for Jason and I.

Happy Birthday!!!

We've got two fun birthdays to celebrate today....

Happy 40th Birthday to:

my sister-in-law Kelly and our friend, Sue!!!

IUI #2 Update

I know some of you have been waiting for this post since yesterday so here it is! My blood was drawn early in the morning and we received a call just before noon saying...

We're pregnant!

I couldn't believe it, but I have had such a good (nervous, but good) feeling this whole month.

We are SO excited, but we know that we still need your prayers!!!! My hcg level was 12.1 (over 5 is pregnant, but they like it to be over 20). So, I go for another blood test on Monday morning and my number should be at least 59.

It is very early (4 weeks), but we can't wait for our June baby!

Thanks for all your prayers, support, and well wishes!

Congratulations!

Happy 4th Anniversary to Jonathan & Jackie Flack!!

Thank you again for allowing me to be a part of your special day four years ago. I hope it is just as beautiful today as it was then. Congratulations & Happy Anniversary!

Happy Birthday, Cara!!

Even though you are far away, I wanted you to know we are thinking of you today!! Hope you have a great birthday and things are going better!

(Sorry, no pictures today...)