BBQ Pics

I posted most the pictures from Mother's day on Our Pictures website, but I will post my favorites here:

My MIL, Judy

My brother Brian and SIL Lisa

Me and Andrew

My mom and dad

Jared

My niece and nephew Ashley and Andrew

Andrew

Mom

My sister's MIL, Michelle

Happy Mother's Day!

Here is my Mother's Day gift:

Yes, I tested early. I have had some crazy sore bbs the past couple days and yesterday evening was the worst. Even going to bed, it was uncomfortable to lay on them. I never get this sore of bbs in the 2WW, so I caved. I have no idea why my bbs are so sore, but it obviously is not because I am pg. Well, crap.

I had a bad night on Thursday. Because I knew I wasn't pg this month. As you all know, I am psycho about checking CM and CP, well, my CM started drying up just as it always does before AF. I got in a bad mood and told Jared that I just want to give up. I am so sick of infertility and I feel like the fertility meds are not going to help us. We talked and Jared put my head back on straight and told me that we are not giving up, that we are just at the beginning of the fertility treatments, there are so many more things that we can try. I know he was right, but there is just this fear that we will try all of these treatments and none of them will work.

I can't really describe it, but it is one of the most stressful, depressing things that I have ever gone through. Then I get these sore bbs and think I still may have a chance. uggh.

Well, I don't really know what our next step will be. I do know that whatever meds they put me on, I will be asking to start the IUI's on this next cycle. They may keep me on Clomid or they may try something else that will not thin my lining. I will call my Dr, once AF is here and discuss it at that time.

Sorry for my venting this morning. I hope all of you Mom's have a wonderful day!! We are having family over to our place for a BBQ, so I will be sure and take lots of pics and post some here.

2WW

This 2WeekWait thing really gets old. I have absolutely nothing fun to talk about, but I figured I should post since it's been a week.

We have had buckets and buckets and more buckets of rain dumped on us in the past couple days. We have finally got a little break from it. My in-laws basement had some water in it yesterday. They are out of town right now so Jared and I had to clean it up. Jared competed in a half-iron man on Sunday but it was cancelled when he was on about mile 24 of the bike, because of the rain and storms, so he came home early. I'm so glad I didn't go with him as I would have been soaked.

Well, I am 5 or 6 days past O. I have been so busy at work but it still seems like this 2WW is creeping by. Ughh. Hopefully it will pick up.

Really no symptoms yet but it is still a tad early for those. I did get a cold sore this morning on my lip. May or may not mean anything.

Testing will be next Wednesday and I have my blood drawn for the progesterone check on Friday.

Since a post is no fun without a pic, I will show one that I took of the dogs and then messed with on photoshop. I seriously need to learn how to use photoshop better.

scan

My scan this month is same as last month. 3 mature follicles!!! 1 is a little large and the other 2 are perfect. My lining was still thin (this is a side effect of Clomid that I have been blessed with), measuring at a 7. But they did give me the shot and said that it's not thin enough to not give me the shot. Women can become pregnant with that lining. So, we will see.
I will have my progesterone checked and if it still good like last month, we will probably continue on the Clomid route and maybe start the IUI's. That is, if I don't become pregnant on this cycle. Because my lining is thinner (due to Clomid), the Dr. may decide to try some other meds on me. Those could include Letrazole or possibly injectibles, which may not affect my lining so much.

But because my progesterone was good last month, they may just keep me on Clomid. Who knows.. it is all up in the air I guess. We will be able to tell better after my progesterone results are in. I get my blood drawn for that on Friday, May 11th and will get the results probably around the same time as testing/AF time.

Well, that's all for now. I should be Oing tomorrow'ish, so we will be busy BDing again over the next few days. I pray that this is our month!!!

Tag!!

This is my first blog tag. Kristy tagged me, now I get to tag you!!

A) Four jobs I have had in my life:
1. Gift Shop at the Vista House
2. Culpepper Western Store
3. Rosie's Bridal shop
4. JPMorgan Chase

B) Four movies I could watch over and over:
1. Pure Country
2. How to lose a guy in 10 days
3. Father of the Bride 1
4. Father of the Bride 2

C) Four places I have lived:
1. Corbett, OR
2. Independence, MO
3. Kansas City, MO
4. Lees Summit, MO

D) Four television shows I watch:
1. THE OFFICE
2. Extrememe Makeover Home Edition
3. Everyone loves Raymond
4. King of Queens

E) Four places I have gone (or will go) on vacation:
1. Disneyland
2. Lake Tahoe
3. Canada
4. Alaska

F) Four websites I visit almost daily:
1. babycenter
2. twoweekwait.com
3. blogger (this includes stalking my friend's blogs too!)
4. hotmail

G) Four of my favorite foods:
1. anything mexican
2. anything italian
3. the salad bar at Jason's Deli
4. ice cream

H) Four places I'd rather be right now:
1. In my bathroom, holding a positive pregnancy test haha
2. Riding a horsey (either Frankie, Ted or Abu)
3. With my whole family on a Colorado vacation
4. shopping

I) Four people I tag:
Just 4??????
1. Staci
2. Sapphire
3. Jamie
4. Jessica
5. Whoever else wants to do it!

Ok, I am off to my appointment soon. I will post as soon as I get to work =D

Minivans

We went out today and test drove the

1. Kia Sedona

2. Honda Odyssey
3. Toyota Sienna Our favorite was the Toyota and 2nd was the Kia. We were not very impressed with the Honda. The Kia was very nice.. nicer than we were expecting. Toyota's are just over-all better quality than Kia's, but, once we are ready to actually make a purchase (soonest would be probably 4 months), we will just have to see what the final prices are and then decide. We realize the Toyota will be more money, but we just have to weigh both options. I think the Kia's are a little cuter, but I know looks aren't the most important ;)

I am worn out now.

Only 2 more days until my follicle scan!!

Recital

I have another video for my online piano recitals! The clicking noises in the background are the pugs walking on the hardwoods.



Thanks for all your comments about the vehicles. I'm surprised more of you weren't "pro-minivan" lol. My parents had vans when we were kids and my sister-in-law loves hers, so I just always thought I would get a minivan when I have kids hehe. We do plan on having more than one kid, so I want to get something that will fit us for a good while. Although, at the rate we are going, we will be lucky to just get one kid. ;)

I wouldn't mind getting an SUV, but Jared just bought one and to me, I think it'd be kinda silly to have two of them. Definately something we will have to think long and hard on.

I will keep all of your suggestions in mind! Thanks so much for sharing :)

April Showers..

..and some pretty flowers.


I was finally able to get some flowers planted for the spring. Sorry the pictures aren't great. It was raining and I really didn't want me or my camera out there very long.

Well, not much new here. AF was nice for me this cycle, but I still seem to have small episodes of extremely light spotting every now and then. I was pretty much done with AF on CD 4 though. I have never had one that short.

My follicle scan is on Monday. I think my sister-in-law will be going with me. If she can't then my mom will. Jared can't come this time and it's not like I need someone there with me, but my SIL is very interested in all this and so is my mom. They both think it'd be really neet to see the scan.

I may be going car shopping on Saturday. My Sable is 8 years old and we want to get a new car for me before a baby comes. Just have to decide if we want to go ahead and buy a different car now or wait until I am closer to the end of my pregnancy. We are thinking of getting either a minivan or small SUV like a Ford Escape. Moms.. what would you recommend? I am not opposed to a minivan, but I do kinda lean towards an SUV a little more. If we do go for a minivan, we will wait until I am actually pregnant before we get one. Ideas???

Baby lamb

I have been blog crazy lately. We're just taking all sorts of fun pics though :) Jared and I went to the farm yesterday (where we used to live) and visited with Ted for a while. He's looking ok, a bit older to me and a little ribby. He doesn't seem to be underweight but just needs a little more padding on those sides. Anyways, lambing season is starting up and they have 1 lamb so far. They had to take him away from his momma because she wasn't caring for him or nursing him. Sheep can be really stupid animals. haha. And that is who God refers to us as... His sheep. I wonder why?? hehe Anyways, Jared got some cute shots of me holding the baby lamb. He was trying to nurse on my chin. I wish I would have had a bottle to give him.

veil making

On Thursday, my friend Lesley who is getting married, came over with her friend/maid of honor and we all made Lesley's veil. Her wedding will be on October 6.

Lesley and Lauren

Me
Lesley, Lauren and me
again

This next pic doesn't have to do with making the veil, but I will share it anyways.

The crib with the bedding on it

Picture web site

I started this post asking if anyone knew of a good picture hosting web site, but I have found one and really really like it. Our other web site where I kept my pictures had some inappropriate things posted on it a few different times and it was starting to become more frequent. I decided to delete all of my pictures from there and find another picture site that was more secure.

The new one is here: http://amyandjared.myphotoalbum.com/

Saph- I have used Kodak in the past as well, but it wasn't quite what I was wanting. Thank you though.

Oh and yes, AF is here full force. I start Clomid again on Saturday and have my follicle scan on Monday, April 30th. I also got my progesterone level back and it was 17.1. The nurse said this was a good number. The Dr. likes to see it above 15. YAY! Please pray that my uterine lining is thicker this month. That was the only concern that my Dr. had with me and Clomid.

The Nursery

I got the crib and changer and it is all set up.It looks great in the room. I just can't wait until the day where I have a little someone to sleep in there.

Pink

I am seeing Pink today. I imagine AF will be here full force today or tomorrow. But hey, at least the Clomid did what it was supposed to. Now it is only a matter of time. I realize that it is possible to get a BFP on your first month of clomid, but I know most ladies take a couple tries on it. Let's hope round #2 is our lucky one!!

I did have my piano tuned on Monday so I need to get a new video of me playing, as promised.

Also, I may be buying my crib and changing table tonight. I have had my eye on a set that is sold at a nearby store. The store is selling out of them and will not be re-ordering any more. I know it is not the only crib and changer in the world, but I really had my heart set on it.

All along, Jared has said that I can buy it once I become pregnant, but now that I learned that it may not be available much longer, he said that I could go ahead and buy it now. He also said I had better be happy with it because I am not returning this one.

They don't have any more of the color that I want except for the floor model. They will not offer any discounts on it, but I am determined to find a few flaws and see if they will give me a discount. I will also ask that I have the original packaging and I absolutely will need to have the instructions/manual that it comes with.

I am really excited and will post pics, once we get it. Jared will be thrilled that he will not have to put a crib together. Hopefully we will have something to fill it with very soon!

Here is the stock photo of the crib and changer:

Answer..

I added the yellow lines to show you where the 2nd line is.

UPDATED with a pic of my Answer test. I took it apart. Can anyone see a line (it would be to the left of the control line)?

I took an Answer test at work today (made a quick trip to Walmart) and it looks negative. Those $Tests are such crap. Oh well, I will update if anything changes of course. I am not sure when AF is due now, but I have no pink whatsoever. I guess I will just be surprised when she comes. Hopefully she won't embarass me. haha

We're back

Jared did great in the 1/2 marathon. He finished in 1 hour and 55 minutes.


My test does not look so great anymore :( It was so convincing this morning. I don't know why I keep doing this to myself.. you'd think I would have learned by now. Jared says he is taking my tests and won't give them to me until AF is officially late. With the Clomid though, I really don't know when AF is due. It should extend my luteal phase for me. Without Clomid, AF would be due tomorrow but I don't think I will see her tomorrow. We'll see, I'll keep you all posted though. Sorry to get everyone's hopes up. It still could be a BFP, but it is looking pretty evapish now.

Ummmm

Ok, I am getting slightly excited. This morning's test looks darker to me, but it still is so stinkin faint. I had to get up around 4:15 to pee (good sign) so I decided to go ahead and test. Bad idea. Now I can't get back to sleep.

I am thinkin this is the real deal but it is still a little too early to tell. I would take Kim's advice to use a digital but I think I am just scared of seeing the "not pregnant" flash back at me. Maybe I will tomorrow, if I have a good looking test tomorrow morning too. Part of me thinks that this could still be left over from the shot, but because this morning's test looks better than yesterdays, that is beginning to not be a concern.

Well, I have a couple pics but, the lighting right now is bad because it is still dark out. I don't like using a flash on these because it washes out the test. I will try and get better ones later, once the sun comes up. Oh, also.. Jared is running in a half-marathon this morning in Lawrence, KS. I will post pics of that later as well.

Untouched

Touched-up
Touched up

Snow

Wanted to add some pics of the snow that we got overnight.

Our nieghbors poor tulips

See below for my testing post! Also, I believe you can enlarge my pics now, thanks for the tip from Staci!!

Test at 10DPO

I went ahead and tested this morning, even though it is still really early and I think AF is right around the corner. I definately have a line there but please don't get too excited.. I am pretty sure it is a nasty evap line that these dollar store tests are prone to and I have had these before. This one is pretty bad though because it is really dark.

What makes me think it is an evap is because it really doesn't look very pink to me, it looks grey. And in the 2nd pic that I will show you, it is pretty thin looking. Here are the pics. I have 2 different pics but I adjusted them:

Here is Pic 1
untouched

Pic 1 again, touched up

Pic 2

Untouched

Pic 2 again, touched up

Pic 2 again, inverted

Again, I don't really think these are true BFP's. I will test again tomorrow and see if there is a difference. Stay tuned...

Hospital Gown

My sister sent me a link to some darling hospital gowns that are made for ladies in the delivery room. She found it on some celebritiy baby blog. They cost $65.

I loved the idea of having a "pretty" gown to wear in the hospital, but if you know me, I like to try and make things on my own, if at all possible. That way it costs alot less. I googled a search for a hospital gown pattern and found a site where you can download a pattern for free! I am so excited. I need to go fabric shopping with my mom and sis so they can help me pick out the perfect print.

I have lots of time to make one, but I might as well get started ;)

Our Easter was great, Thank you Stac! We went to church in the morning then came back home. We left home around 4:30 and headed back up to Independence and had dinner at Jared's parent's house. My siblings were able to join us and also some good friends of the family. I completely forgot my camera, even though I had it all ready to go, I accidentally left it behind. My parents were in Oregon so they weren't able to join us.

I am at 7 DPO today. 5 more days until I test for real. I did take another test just a couple days ago and there was still a faint pink line there. I imagine it is out of my system by now, but I really don't feel like wasting another test, even though they are only $1.

I go in on Friday to have my blood drawn to check my progesterone levels. Hope those come back great!

Since a post is no fun without pictures, I will post a pic of Jared's new vehicle. If you remember me posting a while back about buying a cheaper truck, well... we did buy one. But Jared decided that's really not what he wanted. What he really wanted was another Nissan Xterra like we just had a year ago. So, we sold the truck to my sister and her hubby and Jared got his wish. We go through vehicles so much, it's embarrassing.

Just for fun..

I took a test:Hope this is what we see in about 10 more days :)

I may test again in a few days to see if the HCG from the shot has left my system.

easter eggs

I changed my ticker to show a nest with 3 eggs. It reminded me of my uterus this cycle! haha

Thank you all so much for your wonderful comments, prayers and thoughts. It really means alot to me.

It is so crazy how this whole conception thing works. You'd think that since I have 3 eggs floating around inside of me.. surely we could fertilize at least 1 of those!!! If not all of them! Could you imagine triplets?

Laura and Dani- You are so right. This will definately be the longest 2WW ever!!

and Jenny, if I am having triplets, you absolutely need to start lactating! No arguing. hehe ;D

I'm trying to not get my hopes up too high. Although women can become pregnant on their first cycle of Clomid, the odds are really not in my favor. God is bigger that Clomid and infertility though and if it his timing, then it will be done.

Today is O day.. another busy night ahead for us :)

3 Mature Follicles!!!

We had our u/s today and I had 3 mature follicles!!! I am so excited!! 1 was pretty large (almost too big) measuring at 27 mm, and 2 were the "perfect" size, according to the nurse, measuring at 20 mm. The nurse explained that when a follicle is matured and becomes as large as my 27 mm one, the egg can become cystic in nature and is sometimes not fertilizable; however, it still could be.

My uterine lining was measured at a 7. They like to see it at a 10, but I still have a few more days for that to thicken, before implantation would occur, if we fertilize 1 of my 3 eggs that will be ovulated very soon.

I received the HCG injection which will make me ovulate and the nurse told us to BD tonight and tomorrow. I should ovulate within 12-36 hours so probably sometime tomorrow. YAYYYY!!!

I will have my blood drawn on the 13th to check my progesterone level. The nurse told me that when we do become pregnant, they will put me on progesterone to help support the pregnancy, even if I have a nice progesterone result.

She told me that I responded very well to Clomid. The only thing that wasn't great was my lining, but it should be able to thicken up nicely between now and implantation time. She said that can be a side effect of Clomid.

Now that I had the HCG injection, I will test positive on a pregnancy test (even though I may not be pregnant). The HCG should leave my system within a few days; therefore, if I do not have AF in a couple weeks and I test positive then it is because I am pregnant.

I am just so excited about this and have a really good feeling that we will be blessed soon. I know the Lord is hearing our prayers and I am so thankful that we had an awesome appointment.

Please pray that we will fertilize at least 1 of those 3 eggs and my lining will thicken and that my progesterone level is good. Thanks so much for your prayers and support!