How will I explain this bruise?

Lots of needle pokes, a blown vein in my hand, and having to leave the RE office & go to another lab to finally get my blood drawn: all worth it. Beta #2 is 206!!

I know I am not in the clear yet. I have seen great first & second betas followed by a loss. ::points to self:: I will continue having my levels checked until it reaches 2,000. Then an ultrasound will be scheduled.

Thank you again for all your good thoughts. When I started this blog I never thought I would have followers. All your comments & support mean so, so much!

Every life leaves something beautiful behind.

This ornament hangs on our tree in memory of our babies we lost earlier this year. While I wish I didn't have this ornament on my tree, in a strange way it is now one of my favorites.

I hope with everything in me, that next year I can place a Baby's First Christmas ornament close by.

If anyone is interested, this is the "Always Remembered" from Hallmark. It does list the year at the top of the ribbon.

Beta #1

At 12 days past iui, my hcg is 93 and my progesterone is 50. Repeat on Friday.

 ::Deep breaths::

Thank you all for the positive thoughts. You guys rock!

Ecstatic & Scared

I'm off for beta #1. More to come later.

Unpopular Opinion

I'm kinda over acupuncture. I mean, it's not like I dread it, but I no longer look forward to going. Considering I have only gone five times, I thought I would be loving it. I had my best response this cycle, so I will continue going if this IUI didn't work. Maybe it's because I feel like acupuncture is yet another thing on a long list of what I have to do in this whole process?

p.s. Needles in the bottom of your foot? They effin hurt.

Cheater, cheater part 2?

I scheduled a phone consult with a new RE. Sometimes I feel like I am doctor jumping, but then I remind myself how important this is and that I should not settle. It felt a little less like cheating this time.

I could share all the reasons we decided to switch RE's, but I won't bore you with the long list. I'll give just one instead. We know IVF is around our corner if this cycle is a bust. Our RE has three offices in different cities, and ours is not his "home base". There is no way I would feel comfortable doing ivf there. While in the office last week I listened to a conversation between the embryologist & nurse. The embryologist was asking the nurse what day all the transfers would be on that week. To hell with what is best for the patient, I guess it all depends on the doctor's schedule!?

I emailed this new RE with multiple questions and he replied back within less than 24 hours! Hell, I can't even get the nurses at my office to call me back and I am an actual paying patient! Also, I will be seeing the doctor for all of my monitoring appointments. This is crazy to me, since I have only seen my current RE once. He also comes highly recommended and I have yet to find any bad reviews, despite much google searching & blog findings of his patients. The 3 hour drive will be worth it for my health (& sanity)!

Of course, I am hoping I can cancel this appointment in the next couple weeks.

I decided to do it in the butt.

The trigger shot, people! (I apologize to anyone that came here via a google search expecting to find something more exciting. You probably want to head on back to your other results.)

This was actually the first cycle I had to give myself an IM shot. With the old RE it was ovidrel in the stomach. Last cycle the nurse did my shot. So, this was a first for us. I had the choice to inject it myself in the thigh, or have someone else give it to me in the butt. After discussing it with some other girls, I decided I should go the butt route. I was a little worried for my husband to do it, seeing as he almost passes out when I have medical procedures done. (Need a refresher, or a laugh at his expense? I just realized I never told another one of his "almost passing out" stories. Oh well, back to the original reason for this post.)

I'm happy to report he didn't pass out.

And I didn't feel a thing. Wonder how many people can say that about their first time in the butt with their husband? He got a kiss & high five after.

p.s. get your mind out of the gutter!