Happy Easter EveryBunny!!

I had to take a quick moment to say Happy Easter to all of my followers.

I have less than 24 hours until I find out if my procedure worked or not.  Anticipation is killing me.  Then I get to wait a bit longer to see exactly how many follicles were fertilized.  I had six mature enough to ovulate, could you imagine if all of them did?  Yikes!!

Ever Holiday I find myself making cupcakes.  I love to come up with or try different decorations with them.  Here are my "Easter Basket" cupcakes.

Didn't they turn out great!!!?!

We had a great Easter, Spent the morning having breakfast with my parents.  My mom got me the cutest card, Wait till you see the inside too!!!

She always finds the cutest stuff!  I love the flowers she gave me too!!!

Then, it was off to my In-Laws for some Easter Egg Hunts and more food!  Watching all the boys run around got me even more excited for tomorrow.

I was having a blast trying out my new lense.

Although not all of them were as thrilled.

I'm off to rest up for tomorrow's early appointment.  Stay tuned: I'll fill you in tomorrow how it goes!!! :)

Babies, Babies Everywhere

Spring is here.  The grass is finally showing again and there is new life all around. 

I love spring.

The older I get the more I come to appreciate it too.  Today I found myself taking some time to enjoy everything around me.  Especially what can be found on the many country roads out here. 

I am still waiting... 1 more week and I get to find out if the procedure worked.

Tick Tock.

I must go find some more things to occupy my brain with.  It's funny how so many things I didn't notice before, I know notice and they all have to do with BABIES!!! Help.. lol.

Guest Post - Remember All the Way

While I am patiently and not so patiently waiting for my 2WW (2 week wait) to be over and get the results of my IUI, I try to find things to pass the time.  I always find comfort in reading my fellow bloggers posts who can relate to my infertility journey.  One I read today, tugged at my heart.  So much so, that I felt the need to share it with my followers. 

"WHEN YOU'VE BEEN THROUGH HELL,

YOU TEND TO APPRECIATE HEAVEN."

And that, my friends, is the pregnancy (and parenting!) after infertility (PAI) motto.

Sure, other (fertile) people enjoy heaven (pregnancy), too. But they don't know what hell is like. They have not grovelled and cried until they have no more tears and despaired at their seemingly lifelong sentence of sadness. They have not seen all their friends go cruising up to heaven while they are confined in loneliness. They just decide one day, hey, I'd like to go to heaven, and on up they go. And when they get there and there is one less rainbow than they expected, they get all frustrated and take it up with the management.

But not infertiles who are blessed with a baby. From the moment you start to leave hell, you are all of a sudden scared. You have gotten used to hell: you have steeled yourself against disappointment, you have learned to expect the worst, and you have lost all hope except for the tiny seed of it that continues to somehow hold on in your heart. As you start towards heaven, you look back at all the friends you've made there, friends who understand what it's like to melt into a pool of tears and friends who have lent their shoulder for you to lean on when it takes too much to stand. You totally wish you could grab them all up in your arms and bring them with you, as you don't want them to suffer anymore either.

You get to heaven, and it is unimaginable. You had always dreamed of heaven, and now that you are there, you can hardly believe it. You pray constantly that you will be able to stay in heaven, because while you were at first scared to leave hell, now you are scared to return there. You see all the beauty, all the awesome things there, and because you spent so much time in the muck, these things are just amazingly healing for your soul. But you notice that some people in heaven think the rainbows should be brighter, the clouds should be cushier, and the flowers more plentiful. You can't understand how they could possibly complain about heaven, and because of that, you can never quite bond with them like they seem to bond with each other. Each day in heaven is so precious to you, and you can never stop being thankful, so grateful for the opportunity to appreciate this beautiful place in such a deep way.

You can read the entire post here.

Our IUI

Today was such an amazing day.  Gorgeous sunrise, gorgeous weather, and my first IUI!!

Even though the day started out early and I didn't get much sleep, because of anticipation for today's appointment, it went perfect!  You can read about the procedure, IUI (intra-uterine insemination), and hear about people's experiences with it, but to really do it yourself... It's indescribable.

In route to Chicago, I enjoyed my breakfast of champions!  A carrot cupcake from The Latest Crave, and some fresh strawberries.  Can we say yum!!

We made quick time, and didn't hit much traffic.  Hello Chicago!!

We even found quick parking, with the huge garage for the 900 N. Kingsbury location.  Then the hunt was on for the office.

The office was hidden along the most peaceful riverwalk.

The office was decorated very nice, I loved these photos that welcomed us. I think they can really be interrupted in many different ways. I look at them as, life. New life... with help from the Fertility Centers of Illinois. What do you see in them?

Once we were all checked in.  We waited in a room filled with people, it was so busy.  But truth be told, your "cycle" doesn't always hold off for the weekdays.  Unfortunately, due to the location, we had to get the goods at the office.  We were lead to a Collection room.

Yes, they really are called that!  We couldn't help but giggle at the set-up inside, a TV with DVD player.  We were not sure how to take the artwork.  I wondered who picked it!

What fun would the TV be without a source of entertainment!  Not to worry, there is magazines if you'd perfer.  he he  What a way to make it romantic!

 

A nice comfy chair! 

 

 

 

And some lovely containers!!! 

 

 

After you are done, you have to wait around for about 1 and 1/2 hours.  They "wash" the sperm and get it ready to insemination.  To kill some time, we walked to a local coffee shop.  The hubby loves his coffee.  

 

 

The procedure itself was pretty quick.  We have great odds, my husbands sperm count was in the 93 percentile.  They like it to be over 50%, so we were golden!  We also had 6 follicles ready for ovulation, as of Friday.  That part makes me a bit nervous, we had to sign consents for things like this.  There is the possibility of too many eggs taking, and then you are advised to have a reduction.  Reduction = abortion in my eyes.  I could never even imagine such a thing!  For as long as I can remember I have been against it.  So fingers crossed, for a good outcome with all of this... I don't know I could make that decision if it comes.

 

Tomorrow we will be headed to my normal office for a 2nd IUI.  Wish us luck!!!

Miracles can happen

This morning I had a follow up appointment.  I was anxious to see how the new medication, Follistim Pen Injections 375 UI was working and what my future held.  Just after my ultrasound, I was sitting in the lab room waiting to get my blood drawn.  Sally Ann, my nurse looked at my and said "4"... 4 follicles are 11-12 mm!  I left the office on cloud nine.  I have been waiting for a medication that would show me things can happen.

Houston, looks like we've found it! 

She called me later in the day as well, to let me know that my estrogen levels went from 74 on Monday to 461.  Yikes!  I had to start another medication, Ganirelix Acetate Injections tonight as well, to help keep me from ovulating too early and allow these little follicles to get up to 18mm hopefully.   Holy hell, it hurt.  I don't know how I will keep doing this many injections a day to get my doses & needed medications.  Happy thoughts!!! 

From the looks of it, I will be having an IUI by Sunday or Monday.  I have another appointment on Friday and will find out more then... keep you posted!

my lovely (friday) favorites

                                                      
 
Who doesn't love new friendships?  I know I love all of my growing support and friends I have gained through blogging.  Not only have I found how much it heals to talk about my life and dealing with infertility, but also I love the bonds I am making.  Rachel with Finding Joy has begin posts for her Friday favorites.  I love this!!!
 
i Love anytime filled with hubby time.

i LOVE sipping on tea, a friend gave me.  It's not just any tea, it's for preconception.

i LOVE finding new blogs filled with fabulous style!  Like Glamarella Junk.  I've always known, "One person's trash, is another person treasure!"
   

 
i Love weekends filled with BFF time.

i LOVE new life.  Especially the kind that you can go visit at the zoo.  How cute are these little guys??

i LOVE the jokes my BCF (Best Co-worker Friend) sends me daily.  She always nows how to make me laugh and have fun while working.  In fact here is the most recent joke.  Being a born blonde, I can relate to days like these...
 
A blonde woman was speeding down the road in her little red

sports car and was pulled over by a woman police officer who
was also a blonde.


The blonde cop asked to see the blonde driver's license.
She dug through her purse and was getting progressively more
agitated.


'What does it look like?' she finally asked.
The policewoman replied, 'It's square and it has your picture on it.'

The driver finally found a square mirror in her purse,
looked at it and handed it to the policewoman. 'Here it is,' she said

The blonde officer looked at the mirror, then handed it
back saying, 'OK, you can go. I didn't realize you were a cop.'

I love Friday's in general! What a perfect day of the week!

i LOVE nurseries.  Like my fellow blogger, Lyndsie, I dream about how cute mine will one day be.

How cute is this closet?

but most, i LOVE starting my next injections soon!  I can hardley wait. 

Only Happy Thoughts

Tonight I find myself enjoying this feeling of happiness.  Although I can hear the thunder and rain steadily outside, inside is only filled with love.  I made a promise to myself that I will stay as positive as possible this cycle.  No tears, no fears, only happiness.

Tonight I sip my fertility tea, and enjoy my life!  It also doesn't hurt that I added a little drop of honey.  Mmmmmm sweetness. 

Today's Photo Challenge seems a bit negative to me, and I won't allow any negativity in my life.  I am sure you can guess what my answer would of been to this...

Day 28 - A picture of something you're afraid of

Sleepy Sunday

It was a very slow start this morning after the crazy day I had yesterday.  I spent my morning grocery shopping, afternoon shopping, and evening shooting a birthday party.  For my first real gig, it was so much fun.  A friend I have met through Project Wedding asked if I'd come shoot her husband's 30th Birthday Day party.  She put in so many little touches to the party which made it super cute.  You can see my photography blog on it here.

When I was about to head out from the party, Liz gave me this bag of gifts to say Thank You.  I was not prepared with what lay inside.  It melted my heart to see how much effort she put into a Thank You gift.

See that adorable little necklace, that's a fertility necklace. She purchased it from the Etsy seller Starz Jewelry.  It came with a little note that read it's meaning, I have to share this with you.

"Pomegranate, Moonstone, & Miracles Necklace
Pomegranate - The common Thread- the color chosen to represent infertility awareness.  this necklace features a sterling silver charm that states Miracles because after all miracles to happen each & every day.  the round swarovski pearl is in a pomegranate color representing infertility awareness.  The teardrop shaped rainbow moonstone represents the many tears that are shed along ones journey through infertility.  Moonstone is also believed to aid in matters of love, fertility and childbirth."

This tea is amazing!!!!  I think I may be buying it in bulk this month!

I mean seriously, every single thing she gave me meant so much.  I know I have said this before, but I will say it again, I am so blessed to know and have such wonderful people in my life.  Liz you have made me feel so special and loved.  You gave my a wonderful opportunity to add to my portfolio for my budding business and then went above and beyond to tell me Thank You.  I can not Thank You enough and tell you how much this meant.

To end today's post, I will leave you with today's Photo Challenge

Day 27 - A picture of yourself and a family member

Sister, Sister.  This is a picture of my older sister, Liz and myself.  It was taken last winter and I love it so much.  Aren't we adorable?

With All Endings, Come a New Beginning

I want to start by thanking everyone who participated in the blog giveaway.  2 weeks ago I decided it was time to take a step back and take a break.  The medication dose I was on, was not high enough, quick enough.  I figured what better time and way to thank everyone who reads this blog and gives me the support I need on this journey of Infertility.

Today it came to an end.  I am very happy to announce that Ashley, a friend I have made through Project Wedding and still keep in touch with since my wedding has won the giveaway.  She was comment Number 7!!!  Please send me your mailing address and I will send you out this amazing headband!!  She has an adorable blog as well if you'd like to check it out.

If you want an adorable headpiece of your own.  Please check out Mila Rose Designs on http://www.etsy.com/.

Today I also had a doctor appointment, No miracle baby yet.  Time to start a new beginning and cycle.  I am super excited to start up the Bravelle again soon. 

I spent the last hour having my heart melt by the newest little heart throb!!  Today my friend Megan gave birth to a handsome little boy.  Jeffery Robert, 10 Ibs. 13 Oz., 21 1/2 inches long.  Listening to his little grunts and watching those facial expressions is one of the most amazing things ever. 

Congrats to the new Mom & Dad!!! Love you both, and Jeff so much!!! 

I will leave you with today's Photo Challenge:

Day 23 - A picture of your favorite book

(Picture found via google search)

I have always loved Tori Spelling! This was one of the first which got my hooked on Tori's books and reality show.