9 Weeks - Start of Daycare

These are the three Perry girls. Erynn is the top one (the youngest), Scott's brothers daughters are then Emily (the next youngest) and Lauren (the oldest). These were all taken when they were little. It is amazing how similar they look to each other. Emily is now 16 months old and Lauren is 3 1/2 years old. It appears that the Perry gene is strong in our little girls.

Erynn started daycare this week and mom did ok. It seems she likes to sleep in her crib at daycare but not at home yet. Maybe she will get more independent soon. She is now over 11 pounds and laughing on occasion. We are heading to Kentucky this weekend to see Scott's family and visit with Erynn's cousins. We wish everyone a Happy New Year. It is hard to believe that this time last year we were still fighting through the infertility procedures and now we have our beautiful little girl. What a difference a year makes!

8 Weeks and over 9 pounds now!

We are now at 8 weeks and Erynn is close to double her weight from birth! Yeah! She now is starting to have some rolls of baby fat and is really paying alot of attention to things around her when she is awake. She starts daycare next Tuesday when I go back to work so wish us luck! Then on New Year's we will take our first out of town trip to Kentucky to visit Scott's family. We wish you all a Merry Christmas!

7 Weeks - Christmas Card

We are at 7 weeks and doing well. Erynn visited with the orthopedic doctor this week and it was confirmed that she does not have any hip issues like it was thought when she was born. So her parents are very happy that she will not need to wear a sling. She was also weighed and is now around 9 pounds. I told Scott that she is starting to finally have that roly poly look about her. She goes back to her pediatrician on Friday and hopefully he will be happy with her progress.

I only have one more week at home then Erynn will be off to daycare and I will be back at work. Wish us both luck!

Attached is the picture that was sent out with our Christmas cards this year. For those of you who did not get one enjoy the cute face!


Update: At her 7 week dr visit, Erynn now weighs 9 pounds 3 ounces and is 21 inches long! Dr thinks she is doing great!

6 Weeks - Doesn't Seem That Long

Today our little girl is 6 weeks old! Hard to believe that it has been that long since she arrived. She is still growing and doing well. She has a little nasal congestion but those who know me well know that this is just something she probably inherited from her mom. She doesn't have a fever, is eating and messing up those diapers without a problem so she probably is just dealing with allergies like me.

I did decide this week to give in to her about the sleeping issue. She sleeps best with us even though her grandma bought her a bassinet. So the cosleeper is in the bed with us and that is where she sleeps for now. I will try over time to get her into her own bed but we both need to get rest so I am working with her comfort level.

She goes for her checkup next week so hopefully she has grown as much as the doctor wants.

Over 1 month - 5 weeks

Erynn is getting bigger everyday. She is now drinking close to 6 ounces per bottle. It wasn't that long that we were happy to get her to drink 1 ounce. She is starting to really be bright eyed when she is awake now. She looks at you and moves her eyes with you as you move. We are finally in newborn clothes and diapers and out of the preemie wear.

Next week, I go back to the doctor for my six week check up and Erynn goes for hers the week after. I am 100% better and my organized brain appears to be back in place.

The only sadness right now is that my grandfather, the last of my grandparents, passed away this week. He was 88 and had been going downhill for the last month. Erynn shares his last name (Harper). She was named after him because he was such a great grandfather. He used to take us on walks, teach us how to make whistles and take us to get candy and cokes when we were kids. I will always remember the days we spent on his porch swing listening to the rain. I hate that Erynn will never know him but because of him, I know the meaning of enjoying the little things and I hope that I can share at least that with her.

Everyone, be sure to hug your family today and enjoy this week's pictures.

By the way, Scott and I had our 13th anniversary on Monday. We went to Red Lobster with Erynn so I could have my first shrimp since getting pregnant. Yeah for seafood!

Erynn - 4 weeks

Our baby is growing! She is now over 7 1/2 pounds. We figure that by the time we hit her actual due date she could be 8 pounds. Imagine if I had waited and given birth to an 8 pound baby! She is really starting to become the focus of our lives these days. We are still having trouble getting her to sleep in her own bed but I have 4 more weeks off to work on getting her more comfortable with that. She is truly a joy and we can't wait until she can play more with us. Because you know we are just silly kids anyway! Those of you who know Scott well know that the legos are just waiting on her.

Picture of the Week

Erynn - 3 Weeks

Mommy is finally getting herself back together. However, since Scott has gone back to work I have discovered one thing. I really do need to work. Of course, Erynn is not that mobile yet so maybe I am just bored from the constant feeding, changing and sleeping routine. But all day at home really is not something I do very well. Sweet pea has had some issues with sleeping in her own bed but today I did some work to help get her used to it so hopefully soon she will do fine on her own. With family in and out constantly holding her she has come to expect it which is difficult when it is just her and mommy. Today she slept on her own for naps for a total of 3 to 4 hours which is pretty big for her right now. We think that she is now over 6 pounds and that is great! Keep thinking about us!

By the way, 1st bath this week in her tub and she managed not to scream too much!

Erynn - 2 Weeks

We have survived and are 2 weeks old today! Erynn had another dr appointment and she has gained back the weight she lost after birth so we are doing good! Her parents are finally getting used to her sleeping patterns but she is still so little that she would prefer being held than anything else.

Scott and I have both been sick the last week so we have basically been put through parenting by fire. Nothing like having everything happen to you at once. We are just trying to keep our hands clean and not kiss on Erynn too much so she does not get sick too. I think I spend more time washing my hands and spraying antibacterial sprays than anything else.

I keep telling myself if we survive this first month we can do anything. Here are some more pictures.

Erynn - 1 Week Old

Well this week has been a nightmare for mommy! As I had every possible pregnancy symptom, I am now having every possible postpartum symptom. Depression, hot flashes, lack of appetite - your basic nightmare! I am finally starting to get my head back together but all of you please keep me in your thoughts because it has been the worst thing to go through.

Our little girl is a truly good baby which has been a wonderful blessing! She is starting to get a schedule and sleeps like a little angel most of the time. Her mommy and daddy are just in foreign territory and hope to catch up with her soon.

Let me tell you there is nothing like being married nearly 13 years and then introducing a small constant responsibility into your life to really shake you up. Scott has been super amazing and I would not have made it through this week without him and his mom. So when he comes back to work, everyone give him a hug and tell him that he is great!

As I start to get back together I will get more pics out.

35 Weeks and One Day - Erynn Arrives

We got very lucky. We went for the 4D ultrasound and found out that there was not enough fluid around our baby. So Wednesday we had a C Section and at 6:12pm little Erynn Rowan Harper Perry made her debut. She was 5 lbs and 10 oz and is doing well. Has not spent anytime so far in the NICU. Her daddy thinks she is the best thing since mac computers and she just loves him. With everyone else she can get a little fussy but daddy talks to her and she is ok.

Here are some pictures of our new little girl!

34 Weeks

Kind of late this week. Last week was Customer Service Week at work and those of you who know anything about that understand how crazy it was. I am glad that it is over and I can focus more on baby things. We had a shower with my family last night and it was very nice. Got some more clothes and great things. We are scheduled for a 4D ultrasound in a couple of weeks but I think I am going to call and try to schedule it for this week. So if we do I will be sure to get some pictures out here. Little Erynn will be here before we know it.

This is what is going on with her this week:

Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds and is probably almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers — which she'll need to regulate her body temperature once she's born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her central nervous system is still maturing and her lungs are well developed by now. If you've been nervous about going into preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that 99 percent of babies this age can survive outside the womb — and most have no major long-term problems related to prematurity.

33 Weeks and Tired

We are at 33 weeks and sleeping is getting tougher. I am never truly comfortable anymore and at night I have 6 to 7 pillows surrounding me and I still wake up every 2 hours to change positions and go to the restroom. Scott asked last night during childbirth class if I need to start sleeping in the recliner downstairs. I told him that I really did not want to be by myself so he has offered to sleep on the couch with me. I told him I can make it for now but next month we may be moving downstairs until Erynn arrives. Childbirth class has been fun and last night Scott got to wear the empathy belly. Twenty five pounds of extra weight was a real eye opener. They took pictures so I if I get a copy I will be sure to put it out here for you to enjoy! We meet the pediatrician we were referred to today and hopefully we will be happy with the choice. Oh, and we had the the breastfeeding versus the bottlefeeding discussion. And Scott and I are both sure that bottlefeeding is the way to go for us. I have been so adamant about bottle feeding but I thought we should probably discuss it so we were on the same page. I think maybe that is what they call a parenting decision.

Anyway, looking forward to some upcoming baby showers and drinking lots of fluids to keep preterm labor from happening. We want this girl to spend all the time she needs where she is now.

This is what is going on with her this week:
This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds and measures 17.2 inches from the top of her head to her heels. Her skin is becoming less red and wrinkled, and while most of her bones are hardening, her skull is quite pliable and not completely joined. This will help her ease out of your relatively narrow birth canal.

32 Weeks

Well only 8 weeks left and we haven't gotten very far with the crib. It is still in pieces, however, I have faith that we will get it done. Every day I feel more like I did in the first trimester, icky and tired all the time. Dr has put me on iron pills because I was a little anemic. They are so fun because you have to wait 2 hours after you eat to take them and then can not eat for another hour after that. This does not fit well into my snack every hour schedule but we are getting through. Childbirth classes have been fun and our teacher is excellent! Scott is learning more than he wanted to know about the pregnant woman's body but he is really hanging in there and being super supportive. We go back to the dr again on Thursday so if there are any changes I will let you know next week.

Here is where Erynn is this week (Moving alot from my perspective!):

By now, your baby probably weighs almost 4 pounds and is almost 17 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. She has tiny toenails now, and her fingernails have grown in, too. Some babies have a head of hair already; others have only peach fuzz.

31 Weeks

We started childbirth classes last night and are probably going to learn more than we want to know. Scott and I are such planners that this not knowing when and how things will happen is a little frustrating. Getting closer everyday!

Here is where Erynn is this week:
This week, your baby measures about 16 inches long. She weighs a little over 3 pounds and is headed for a growth spurt. She can turn her head from side to side, and she's beginning to accumulate a layer of fat underneath her skin in preparation for life as a newborn. As a result, her arms, legs, and body are filling out.

30 Weeks - Only 10 More To Go!

It is 30 weeks today and we are hitting the final weeks. Erynn is definitely getting bigger and pushing into my sides more. She is still causing me to be tired alot and with work issues and things going on at home, I want to sleep all the time. I am ready for her to be here so maybe we can both get some little cat naps in. We start going to the dr every 2 weeks now and Scott and I start childbirth classes next Monday so wish us luck!

Here is what is going on with Erynn now:

Your baby's a bit more than 15 1/2 inches long now, and she weighs almost 3 pounds. A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds her, but that volume will decrease as she gets bigger and fills out your uterus. Her eyes open and close, she's able to distinguish between light and dark, and she can even follow a light source back and forth. Once she's born, she'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When she does open them, she'll respond to changes in light but will have a visual acuity of only 20/400 — which means she can only make out objects a few inches from her face. ("Normal" vision in adults is 20/20.)

29 Weeks

Well we are at 29 weeks today and glad just to feel like moving around. For most of the weekend I had absolutely no energy. We got the baby crib but have not put it together yet. Scott and I are not the best at doing that kind of thing together so it will be an adventure when we get started. Had my dentist appointment yesterday. Those of you who know me pretty well know that the dentist is difficult for me but my hygenist was great and amazingly I had no cavities. Everything I had read said that the baby will take alot of calcium out of your teeth and you could have problems. My hygenist said that I looked really good considering I am pregnant! Yeah! Next year we get to have some major dental work done (so am not looking forward to it.)

Here is what is going on with Erynn this week:

Your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. Her muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and her head is growing bigger to accommodate her brain — which is busy developing billions of neurons. With this rapid growth, it's no surprise that your baby's nutritional needs reach their peak during this trimester. To keep yourself and her well nourished, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamin C, folic acid, iron, and calcium. (About 200 milligrams of calcium is deposited in your baby's skeleton — which is now hardening — every day.)

7 Months

Today we are at 7 months and feeling larger everyday. Our real joys now are the lovely acid reflux which tums seem to help except for the lovely chalky taste. So sometimes I just accept the reflux to avoid the chalkiness. We had a lovely shower at Scott's family in Kentucky this weekend. We now have our stroller and car seat and funds for our crib along with several baby outfits, blankets and towels. It was very nice and we appreciated very much everyone's thoughts and gifts.

This is what is happening with Erynn this week.
By this week, your baby weighs a little over 2 pounds and measures about 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. She can open her eyes — which now sport lashes — and she'll turn her head toward a continuous, bright light from the outside. Her fat layers are beginning to form, too, as she gets ready for life outside the womb.

Erynn's Area

27 Weeks

Erynn's area of our bedroom is ready for her crib and other items she will need. I finally broke down and bought a couple of clothing items for her. Also, got this small shelf that holds her name in blocks (handpainted by mommy). I will take some pics and attach them here soon. She has offically become a roller. I don't often feel kicks but some in the morning and some around 9pm she rolls around. A very funny feeling!

Here is where she should be this week:
Your baby is really starting to fill up your uterus. This week she weighs almost 2 pounds and is about 14.4 inches long with her legs extended. She can now open and close her eyes, and she sleeps and wakes at regular intervals. She may suck her fingers, and although her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with assistance — if she were to be born prematurely. Chalk up any rhythmic movement you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and isn't bothersome to her, so enjoy the tickle. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now.

26 Weeks

26 weeks today. Joshua had surgery last night and for now everything appears to be going ok. He had a narrowing of one of the main valves to the heart which appears to happen a good bit. He is a cutie and mommy is doing fine!

This is what is going on with Erynn this week. I felt her first real kick last Saturday morning so she appears to be moving and growing.

Your baby now weighs a little under 2 pounds and measures about 14 inches, from head to heel. The nerve pathways in her ears are developing, which means her response to sounds is growing more consistent. Her lungs are developing now, too, as she continues to take small breaths of amniotic fluid — good practice for when she's born and takes that first breath of air.

Joshua Barrett Smith

Joshua Barrett Smith was born today to my friend Katrena. He came in at 8 pounds and 10 ounces and over 20 inches long. I spoke to her earlier tonight and they are concerned that he may have a heart murmur.

All my thoughts and prayers are with little Josh and his family!

Crazy Times - 25 Weeks

Well, Erynn and I are doing fine but everyone else is in the middle of a roller coaster. Today we send our thoughts out to the following:

Amalia - glad you are through the surgery and please take care of yourself
BB - hope your surgery went ok and that it means good things to come
Kristy - good luck on your IUI today, hopefully you will be pregnant and miserable soon
Katrena - glad that it is finally almost time for Josh to be here, will be thinking about you on Wednesday
Jen - (my other child) - I hate your car! What will we do next?
Mike - Happy Birthday coming up!
Chris - glad you are finally getting your feet back under you and Happy Birthday coming up to you too!
Emily - Happy Birthday on Friday my sweet little niece!

Love you all!

Here is what is happening with Erynn this week:
Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. Her weight — a pound and a half — doesn't sound like much, but she's beginning to exchange her long, lean look for some baby fat. As she does, her wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and she'll start to look more and more like a newborn. Her hair is probably recognizable now (in color and texture), although both may change after she's born.

6 Months Today

Well we are at 24 weeks (6 months) and everything appears to be moving right along. Doctor says she is doing fine even though I am not feeling her move alot yet. He says the placenta is in front and blocking me from alot of her movement now but that as she gets bigger I will get more of the kicks.

How do you know that you are for sure pregnant? Well, today it was when I went to the restroom for the first of many trips only to have the zipper on my pants to break. So I have been walking around today with a safety pin keeping them closed. I have officially joined the ranks of the pregnant who do not want to get new clothes. I think I am going to have to break down and buy some new things.

Here is what is happening with Erynn this week:

Your baby's growing steadily, gaining about a quarter of a pound since last week, when she was just over a pound. Since she's almost a foot long, that makes a pretty lean figure, but her body is filling out proportionally and she'll soon put on more baby fat. Your baby's skin is thin, translucent, and wrinkled, her brain is growing rapidly, and her taste buds are developing. Her lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" and cells that produce surfactant, a substance that helps the air sacs inflate easily.

23 Weeks

Sorry I am late but work has been crazy and we did not get back from our short visit to Atlanta until Tuesday night.

This is what is going on with Erynn this week. We go back to the doctor on Monday so I will have some updates on Tuesday.

Your baby is more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound. Her skin is red and wrinkled. Blood vessels in her lungs are developing to prepare her for breathing. She can swallow, but she normally won't pass her first stool (called meconium) until after birth. Loud noises heard often in utero — such as your dog barking or the roar of a vacuum cleaner — probably won't faze your baby when she hears them outside the womb. (So she probably already knows who Sebastian is since he rarely stops talking.)

22 Weeks

What should be happening with Erynn this week:

Your baby weighs about 11 ounces, measures about 7.6 inches from head to rump, and is growing eyelashes and eyebrows. These two latest developments will be a key method of communicating his or her happiness, frustration, confusion, or interest until he or she can talk.

21 Weeks and Tired

Erynn is wearing me out. I am tired and sleepy almost all the time. However, still not feeling her move alot yet. The doctor says the placenta is above her which could be obstructing me from feeling her move. Of course, the placenta being above is good because it being low could be a problem. So I will accept and keep enjoying the rest.

Info on what is happening with her this week:

Your baby weighs approximately 10.5 ounces and is about 7.2 inches from head to rump and is busy moving within your uterus, surrounded by amniotic fluid. He or she is learning how its arms and legs move, and using its hands to feel its facial features, which you may be able to see on an ultrasound.

Pics of Erynn

Finally got the scanner working so here are a couple of pics of Erynn taken at the last dr appt. The first one is her facing toward you. The second one is here laying on her back.

Half Way There

Well it's 20 Weeks and we are still growing. Looking more pregnant these days. (The pic was from around 18 weeks.) My mom made the dress that my coworker Tom calls my 50s retro dress. Here is some more of that fun info about what the baby is doing now!

Baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. She's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom, and about 10 inches from head to heel. (For the first 20 weeks, we use measurements taken from the top of the baby's head to her bottom — known as the "crown to rump" measurement. After that, we use measurements from head to toe. This is because a baby's legs are curled up against her torso during the first half of pregnancy and are very hard to measure.)

A greasy white substance called vernix caseosa coats her entire body to protect her skin during its long submersion in amniotic fluid. (This slick coating also eases the journey down the birth canal.)

Your baby is swallowing more, which is good practice for her digestive system. She's also producing meconium, a black, sticky substance that's the result of cell loss, digestive secretion, and swallowed amniotic fluid. This meconium will accumulate in her bowels, and you'll see it in her first messy diaper (although a few babies pass it in utero or during delivery).

It's A Girl!

We got the news today! We have a girl! Little Erynn was moving alot and the doctor said everything looks great. We saw spinal cord, stomach, bladder, brain and lots of fingers and toes! She is still on track to arrive around Thanksgiving and our 13th Anniversary.

18 Weeks and Still Going

Well we are at 18 weeks and still doing ok. Tired and achy alot still because of the expansion and baby growth. We go back to the dr on Monday for another ultrasound and hopefully will have info on the gender then. Be assured it will be posted here and I have a long email list waiting to send out to people so everyone gets the info.

I thought from here on out I would include some info on where the pros say we are at this point.

How your baby's growing: Head to bottom, your baby is approximately 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a large sweet potato) and she weighs almost 7 ounces. She's busy flexing her arms and legs — movements that you'll likely start noticing more and more. Her blood vessels are visible through her thin skin and her ears are now in position and stand out from her head. Myelin (a protective covering) is beginning to form around her nerves, a process that will continue for a year after she's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and Fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If your baby is a boy, his genitals are noticeable, though he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.

Insane Saturday

Saturday was a crazy day for Scott and I! If it was going to go wrong it did!

To give you some background recently we discovered that our guest toilet was running constantly and spiking our water bill so throughout the week, I had gradually changed all the parts inside the tank except one.

Sunday morning we get up and decide to go to get the last part and see if it would fix our problem. So I make breakfast and while reaching for a glass, I drop it and it shatters on the floor. I have to fight the cats to keep them out of it but finally get it cleaned up. However, while eating breakfast I discover my big toe is bleeding because I got some glass in it. So I have to do the bandaid thing and finally get breakfast finished.

I then take a nap which you will find later was needed.

We then go to Ace and pick up the final part. The reason we have not changed this part before is because it requires the removal of the tank from the bowl. So we set about doing that and replace the part. We put everything back together and start running water in only to discover that the tank is now cracked because we put things back to tight. So now we have a bigger problem requiring the replacement of the tank.

We have lunch. After lunch, Scott takes his drink into his computer room to look up some tank info and proceeds to spill his entire drink on his expensive MAC keyboard. Needless, to say I left him alone to clean that up and went to research on my laptop.

After he got the entire thing opened up to air out we decided to go to Lowe's to get a tank and stop at Staple's to get another keyboard just in case the old one is ruined.

We get all of this done and come back to install the new tank and of course, it does not fit. Too small!

So we pack it up and research some more and find one that has almost the exact dimensions of our previous one (keep in mind this was a builder grade toilet that you can not find anywhere).

We head back to Lowe's and return the small tank and get the new one along with a water hose that will be more flexible. We pick up Arby's on the way and get some very large drinks (it is hot and they had a summer special on 44 oz drinks).

We get back to the house and I put the food and drinks on our kitchen table to help Scott get the new tank in and Sebastian (our precocious cat) knocks both drinks onto the floor. So now we have about 88 oz of Dr Pepper all over our kitchen floor. So here we go cleaning the floor for the 2nd time that day (I do not clean floors more than once a week so this is annoying.) The floor is still sticky after 3 mopping sessions.

We take the 2nd tank to the bath and again it does not fit. It appears they have to be of the same brand and it still may not work.

At this point, we gave up. Scott decided to take a shower and I told him to be careful as who knows what else could happen. Luckily, the day finally ended. We are taking back the 2nd tank today and getting a whole new unit and letting them install it. We are done! But hey we have all these nice new parts for the bath upstairs if there is a problem there.

Luckily, no baby yet having to deal with this too!

16 Weeks

Feeling better! Thank all the supreme beings! Still tired some but with daily Zyrtec for the allergies and Zone protein bars (dr recommended) I am starting to like food again. I went to the dr on Monday and I had lost another 2 pounds. I have lost more weight being pregnant than I ever could before. I don't however, recommend this as a diet option.

We will do the next ultrasound on July 3rd where we hope to find out whether it will be AJ or Erynn. We will be happy either way but I am still feeling boy for some reason. Chris says it is a girl (those of you who know Chris know he is pretty accurate on this kind of thing). But all of the old wife's tales say different things so who knows.

Just had a fudge cake and am ready for some sherbert so bring on the food!

15 Weeks

15 weeks today and we are still in the at least one symptom a day routine. The fun is never knowing before hand what that symptom will be. And yes folks, there are still days where we are nauseous and days where we loose a meal. Hopefully this means that the baby is doing super and mommy is the only one with the sick feelings. We go back to the doctor on Monday and we may find out whether we will have boy or girl. Of course, if we get the news I will post on the blog so you will all know. The names are pretty well decided so we will give you the whole shabang! However, it is a little early so it may be another month before we know for sure.

14 Weeks and Counting

Today's symptom is sleepy and tired. That is better than nausea and the need to throw up. However, you never know when they will be back. We have a couple of more weeks before we go back to the dr but everything appears to be progressing. I will try to update the blog more when I am awake! If you see me at work and I am asleep wake me up!

UGH!!!!

The beach was beautiful and for a couple of days I felt ok but then Thursday hit and nothing I ate stayed down very long. Made it through Friday and Saturday ok but Sunday again was a nightmare and it was not until today that I have kept anything down (so far)! Tomorrow starts the 2nd trimester and I can only hope that this agony will end soon. We had our last check up the day before we went to the beach and baby is PERFECT (if they said it once they said it 10 times). It did not want its picture taken and kept trying to turn over when the sonogram came by. I am glad baby is doing well but mommy sure isn't! Please think good thoughts that we will both be perfect soon!

Week 11

Sorry I have not posted in awhile. I have been busy at work and lazy at home. It just takes alot of effort to do anything at home so things just go by the side. We go next Tuesday to the beach and I am so looking forward to the time off. Also, I just love to listen to the ocean. If I had my way I would live on the beach so I could wake up to it everyday. It doesn't really help that I am virtually in a landlocked area anyway. Still having symptoms but either I am getting a little better or I am just so use to it now that it does not bother me as much. I hope one day to be myself again. I have started putting some items on registeries. It looks like right now we will be doing Babies R Us and Walmart. There are way too many things that you can get babies and being the responsible adults we are, Scott and I are researching everything for safety. However, we are also the same people that think you should not baby proof your house except for dangerous things because they learn by doing. You can't protect them forever! Well week 12 starts the day we head to the beach and then after that we will be in the 2nd trimester. I hope to be eating everything in sight by then.

10 Weeks - Still Miserable

Ten weeks today and so far it feels like a nightmare. I want so much to start enjoying this and get to the point where I start planning for the arrival. But it is very difficult, again I am living in that place where there is some symptom at all times. So far I feel lucky that they don't all occur simultaneously. If they did I would just have to stay in bed. The days are hard but sometimes the nights are just as bad and I just want to cry. I envy those people who felt great while pregnant and enjoyed every moment of it. We tried for so long and now to have my body just go crazy is nothing like what I expected. Well, I am done complaining for now.

I would post pictures of peanut but I can't find the power supply for my scanner. Hopefully I will find it soon!

9 Weeks and a Strange Day

Ok, it is 9 weeks today and all of the sudden I feel better. I am hoping that this means we are on the downside of the ugliness and I can start eating voraciously! Things are sounding better to me and I don't get nauseous at the sight of food right now. Yeah! Of course, everyone is telling me that it means I will be having a boy but who knows. What I need now is for the sinus drainage to go away and I might be a happy person again!

Just Feel Better

"I'm gonna try anything that just feels better
Tell me what to do
You know I can't see through the haze around me
And I do anything that just feel better"

I found my theme song this morning while listening to the radio on the way to work. Santana and Steven Tyler's "Just Feel Better" - it is truly how I feel right now. I am ready to get out of the haze and into enjoying this pregnancy more. I feel so useless and tired all of the time (besides all of the other crap). We hit 9 weeks tomorrow so I can only hope that it starts getting better. Anyone of you who gets time take a nap for me!

Our Basketball Player

There is one disadvantage to getting so many ultrasounds in the beginning, Scott now knows what size the baby should be every week and he now thinks we have a blooming basketball player all of 8 weeks into this pregnancy. You see, per something he read the normal size for 8 weeks should be 13mm and in week 9 should be 18 mm. Well Baby Perry was 18.6mm at 8 weeks so obviously this child is going to be tall. He is so funny! Of course, I watch too much TLC and immediately think that now we have a giant and will have to deal with those issues. (I have quit watching TLC!) Anyway, I am taking off work tomorrow to chill and get some rest before Scott's mom comes to visit on Saturday. So I will try to get some sonogram pics out here for you.

The fertility doctor has offically released me so I am now scheduling an appointment with my regular OB/GYN so we can continue further down the road of nausea to joy.

By the way, keep those comments coming! I hear you all talk about reading the blog but how do I know unless you leave me a comment.

Love you all!

8 Weeks Today

Well, today we hit 8 weeks. This is a bittersweet milestone for me and a very personal issue that I will not discuss. However, even with all of the constant sickness and throwing up today I decided to find my focus again. It is difficult to see outside your box when the box feels like it is closing in on you. Today I had a moment where I thought about our baby starting school and I could smell the crayons and the paste. I loved school and I look forward to the day even though it will be sad when our baby goes to school and gets to play and learn. I have to remember the joy even through the sickness. I hope soon that I will feel better and can focus better but for now, we take it slow and rest as often as we can. So you guys at work, if you see me with my feet up and my seat reclined just laugh and keep moving.

I Hope to Forget

I can only hope that one day I will forget the misery I feel right now. I am sure that others have it much worse but for me it has been difficult and I can only hope that it will get better when the 3rd trimester starts this time next month. If I could lay around all day I would. Every minute is a struggle to make it through whatever symptom is affecting me at the moment. I don't want to be a cry baby but I am getting very tired. Little Erynn or AJ better be a sweetie and sleep all night when they arrive. When you see Scott tell him that it will get better soon and that hopefully I will not continue to be a basket case much longer. He has been the best during all of this and I would not make it without him.

The Symptoms Keep Coming

One day I am going to truly enjoy this pregnancy but not right now. Sorry, I have not updated in awhile but I am basically miserable and to accomplish any tasks I have to really force myself to do it. To add to the nausea now I have a metallic taste in my mouth so absolutely nothing tastes good much less normal to me. So when I really need to be eating to keep back the nausea all I want to do is avoid food altogether. It is a vicious cycle and I know that I am not really eating healthy right now because nothing seems to help. The most annoying part is being told that it will go away eventually. Sure it will around week 13 when I have buried myself under the covers and decided never to move again. I still have 6 more weeks of this torture. Mike, you are right, this is definitely one I will be holding over the child's head.

Congrats to Katrena who has found out that her second child will be a boy!

(yes, I will get the ultrasound pics out here soon!)

Nausea

24 hours a day
7 days a week
We are in week 6
Nausea all the time
To the point of tears
Because it makes me feel horrible
It could last for another 6 weeks
I want to just stay at home and not move again.

A Little Scare

Well, we had a little scare this weekend. I started spotting some on Sunday night so I called the doctor and they scheduled me to come in today. Everything looks ok they think I may have an infection which they will give me medicines for but otherwise, the baby is fine and we saw a heartbeat today. It is hard to imagine something the size of a piece of rice having a heartbeat much less making me as sick as it does. I am ready for the 2nd trimester because right now it takes effort just to breath. Scott has the pic of our lima bean on his desk. How cute!

For BB and Kristy

THE ROOM
by Sandra Simpson

The spare room is empty
We want to fill it now
The needles, the testing
All seem to be in vain
But maybe just maybe
It will all be worth the pain.

We want to see the windows
In our tiny newborns face
So Please come and join us
From another place.

I know that you are waiting
Coz I am waiting too
Your nest is sitting ready
To be blessed just by you.

So come on let us ponder
And dream of days to come
Come on, share the space
That's been bare for Oh So long.

Weekly Test

Went for my weekly visit to the doctor yesterday. At this visit, I gave my sample in a cup, had blood taken and they did an ultrasound. My test results were good. The HCG is up to 13,849 which is good and the progesterone is at 40.7. The ultrasound showed us the sac and all looks good. The only small problem is a fluid cyst that they found which in itself is not a problem because it is helping to feed the pregnancy. However, it is a little larger than normal so they want me to avoid any "pelvic trauma" which might cause it to rupture. So all of that extra care I have been taking has been a good idea. Scott got a laugh out of it and said that it is just medical jargon for "husband does everything." We go back next Wednesday for the same tests again and hopefully we will have a heartbeat then.

Keep in mind that most people do not get all of this special testing and treatment. This is because we are still with the fertility specialist until around 9-12 weeks. More fun to follow!

5 Weeks Today - Will I ever feel good again?

It is 5 weeks today and I am tired, cranky and feel like I have been run over my a large truck! I told myself long ago that if I ever did get pregnant that I would be happy with whatever sickness I got but it is hard when you have constant heartburn and would really rather sleep instead of work or do anything else. Scott appears to be really enjoying all the lifting and carrying that I am asking of him. He of course does it without complaint but I am sure he misses Alicia the worker bee. Well, we both better get use to it because soon we will have no more time of our own.

The drawer at my desk has big bottles of Tums and Tylenol so hopefully that and the crackers and oranges will get me through. I guess that I should be happy that I am having symptoms of pregnancy. Except every little pain makes me worry! I try not to but it is hard to just let go!

Good Test

We went back today for our first blood test of the weekly testing to follow during the first trimester. This was a little scary to me because if my HSG and Progesterone levels were not where they needed to be we might have a problem. Well, the nurses said that the tests were good. HSG at 1551 and Pr at 38.5. The HSG needed to be going up daily from last weeks 50+ and the Pr should be more than 20. So things are looking good and I am feeling a little less nervous, but honestly will I ever be without worry again. There will be a life to take care of and worry about everyday. So here comes the adventure. Again, you guys have been great and I thank you so much for always being there. Check out the ticker at the top of the screen. Now you too can know how far along I am.

Day 4

I promised to keep everyone updated so here we are 4 days after the good news and not much has changed. I still have all of the lovely progesterone induced symptoms and luckily no morning sickness yet. I will stay with the infertility specialists through the 1st trimester and go every week for them to make sure my HCG levels are advancing. After a couple of weeks they will start ultrasounds so we will have more info. I will go back to my regular OB/GYN after the 1st trimester so I am sure that I will miss all of the attention that I was getting from the specialist.

Keep sending good thoughts our way because I am still nervous about everything being ok. It is just difficult after so many years of trying to believe it yet.

And Carey, we do not need 16 children so don't even go there!

Special prayers for BB and Kristy who will find out soon!

Pic is me as baby on the beaches in Homestead, Florida! Ain't I cute!

It's A Baby!

Well surprise, surprise! It does happen when you least expect it. The test was positive and we are pregnant. I am still in shock and I may be for awhile. I told Scott that tomorrow I will probably have to buy a pregnancy test just to see for myself. The only negative thing is that I still have to do that horrible progesterone but whatever works right. I want to thank all of our friends and family for being so supportive and positive throughout the last year. Be assured I will keep updating the blog and tell you what is going on. Hugs to all of you!

Kristy and BB, I know that it will happen for you too soon! I love you both!

Tomorrow

Well tomorrow we get the pregnancy test for this cycle! I just do not feel like it is going to be any different. This month has been really negative for me. I am starting to get out of my funk but it seems sometimes like my life revolves around infertility. I really try hard for it not to be that way but I have not succeeded so much this month. For some reason my friend Jan is working on me with her assuredness that I will have two boys. This week especially, I have felt them with me. Richard William and Alexander James (Rick and AJ) should be here. I would love to have a house of more boys. I already have Scott, Seb and Cass (the cats). Anyway, think about me tomorrow and maybe all of those thoughts will prove me wrong. I will of course let you know how it goes.

I Hate Progesterone

My progesterone pills are not taken by mouth (if you get my meaning)
They make me cranky
They give me heartburn
They give me headaches
They make me achy and sore
I hate them!

I some countries this would be considered a poem!

For Amalia

Only she will understand this. Amalia is wonderful! Amalia is great! Amalia is beautiful! Amalia is crazy!

Chow for now!

Have a Great Weekend

I am off work tomorrow because I am working Saturday. Always good to have an off day and I have really needed it this week. Plus I can usually get more work done on Saturdays without the bosses to bother me. Another week and we will know the results for this month. Everyone have a great weekend and wish us luck!

Down Week

Ok, can't seem to get out of the crappy mood. Just seemed bothered by everything and really negative about the whole pregnancy thing. I know I need to be positive, but f@&k it I don't want to be! I just want a baby, a child, that Scott and I can teach how to read and play and grow with. Why do other people have child after child and we are looking at putting out over $18k for the possibility of one. Why is it so easy for some and so hard for others? Well, maybe I have bitched enough now but I am really tired and just basically pissed off. So I will be positive later all of you go ahead and do it for me for now!

Infertility Word of the Week - 3

Clomid (Clomiphene Citrate or Serophene) is an oral tablet commonly used to treat ovulatory problems. It acts by signaling the brain to trigger release of the hormones responsible for development and release of the egg.

Took this stuff way too long because my initial doctors did not know what they were doing.

Down Day

Kind of had a down day today. Went to the doctor yet again to check those follicles. Thought I was handling it all ok but afterwards I was just not really the same. Felt beat up and just tired from the constant poking and prodding. I am just worn out and I know that it will be ok but I am so ready to be pregnant. More today than normal, I saw people who were pregnant or stories about people adopting and it is on these kinds of days that I just want to sit and try to forget it all. Oh by the way, I had my first needle accident tonight when I reach for it and poked it into my finger and almost broke it. Needless to say, I had to put on a new needle. Guess that I have done it so many times now that I am not focusing, that is incredibly sad. Hope all of you are feeling more upbeat than I am.

Dentist

Hate 'em! I think in a past life I was either buried alive or hung. because I absolutely can not take people or things close to my head and necklaces or things around my neck really bother me. So the dentist, beside causing pain when picking at my teeth also makes me feel claustrophobic. Just to demonstrate how bad a problem I have with this, I had my first panic attack when the orthodontist was trying to put on my braces. They put this thing in my mouth to hold my tongue down and that was it. Also, everytime I get a facial (which I don't do often) I have to take a deep breath and think about other things especially when they put that warm towel over my face covering everything but my nose. In the cold light of day, all of this seems really crazy up until I have the dental hygenist leaning over me. Well, I made it through a cleaning today but sometime this year they will have to put implants in so I will be a real basket case. Another odd thing you now know about me!

Busy

Been kind of busy over the last week. Work has been a nightmare so have not had alot of time nor energy to blog. Not much going on except for the start again of the needles and medicine. I am now on day 6 of the new cycle making it day 3 of needles again. Another month so again we send our hopes upward. Hope everyone is having a good weekend!

Infertilty Word for the Week - 2

Hysterosalpingogram (HSG)

A special x-ray procedure that is performed to determine if the fallopian tubes are open or if uterine abnormalities exist.

Had this one done about 5 years ago! One of the most painful things I have ever had done in my life. Let me tell you there is nothing like laying on a cold slab while someone places fluids and other lovely items in areas you don't want anyone touching except on a good day.

Try not to think about this one too long!

Race Weekend

Well the one good thing about this weekend was that Nascar starting racing again. Those of you who know me, know that I am a race fan. My sister (see pic of her in the Towers at Talladega) and I are charter members of the Nascar Members Club and have missed very few races at Talladega in the last 5 years. So the Daytona 500 was this weekend and we got together to be lazy and watch the race. All in all it was a pretty slow race and our favorite driver #8 finished 8th so we will be happy with it and move on. We hope that we have now brought Ami into the fold because she stopped by and of course we forced her to watch the race with us. Maybe she learned some new words - like bump drafting! Hope all of you had a good weekend and heres hoping that I will be in a better mood tomorrow than I was today!

It Really Sucks!

Yep today I had my pregnancy test. "Mrs. Perry we are sorry to tell you but the test was negative." Boy, am I tired of hearing that. I am sad again but mainly mad. Mad because everyday I did the shots and took the strange pills. Mad because everyday I gradually had more and more pregnancy symptoms and it was all for nothing yet again! So all in all today really sucks but you have to move on.

Birthday

For those of you who do not already know today is my birthday. I am now officially in the range of so old that if I do get pregnant they will worry about complications - the great age of 36. Anyway, it has been a good birthday and I think mainly because this year I had no expectations that it would be any different than any other day. And actually today I was a little surprised. More people wished me happy birthday, some I did not even know knew it was my birthday. My friend Kristy bought me lunch and I had no clue she was going to do it. For the first time, I did not expect great things from Scott. He is just not the romantic and maybe I have learned to accept it. Thanks to everyone who thought of me today and know that I appreciated it greatly. Birthdays to me are more important than even Christmas because they are your own special day and should be cherished.

Weekend

Out of town this weekend in KY. I am worn out. We drove 5 hours Friday afternoon in the snow. Spent a couple hours driving around on Saturday and then another 5 hours back on Sunday. So no rest. I had major headache on Saturday and because I could be pregnant I had to watch what I took. Sunday was no better. I had stomach pains most of that day and then the lovely weekend ended with a major stress. After unpacking and getting ready to rest, I was walking up my stairs, tripped and fell on my stomach. That was the end. I just lost it and sat in the floor and cried. I think that I am ok but it was all in all a really long and stressful weekend. So if you see me at work and I am smiling, it is all a mirage!

Infertilty Word for the Week

Since I am here to keep you informed and help you learn about infertility. Tonight I will institute the word of the week to give you some insight into my world.

This Week's Word is Progesterone - Progesterone acts directly on the lining of the uterus to enhance its integrity. This helps prevent uterine contractions and bleeding. It is indicated for a history of spontaneous miscarriages, or episodes of bleeding during pregnancy. It is administered by intramuscular injection, vaginal suppository or vaginal capsule. Progesterone support is routinely prescribed after several types of infertility treatment, such as IVF and gonadotropin therapy.

All of that means, YUCK!!!!!


Kristy, Keep that smile - your future child will want to see it everyday!

IUI

Well, yesterday was the big day. We had another IUI (Intrauterine Insemination). IUI is similar to Artifical Insemination except that a donor is not needed. They have tested and given me enough medicine to know that it was exactly the right time. So now we wait for a couple of weeks and see if it takes. Meanwhile, I am still taking more pills (again not in the usual way) to help keep progesterone levels up so that if I do get pregnant that I will maintain the pregnancy. So everyone wish us luck that it will work this time.

Feb 4 - Dad's Birthday

Ok, so I know I have been talking alot about my father-in-law recently but it just so happens that this time of the year really brings it up for me. Today would have been his 61st birthday. I really wish he had made it to this one. He almost made it to his 6oth which would have been a real milestone. You see both his father and his uncle died at 59 of heart related issues so he felt that he would never make it to 60 and indeed he didn't. He only missed it by 4 days last year. So now on his birthday, I wish even more that he had made it those 4 days. I really think that if he had he might have made it to this one too. So lesson learned today is to not sell yourself short and to push on and believe. I think he willed his death so we definitely can will our life!

Still More Needles

Day 10 - back to the doctor yet again for more blood work and the ultrasounds that we will now call just UGH (because that's what they are). It appears that my follicles, whatever they are, are not large enough yet so I had to go and get more medicine. That means that tonight I got to give myself another shot and it also means I will continue to do it until Friday when I go back again. So we are looking at another IUI on Sunday or Monday. Maybe this time it will work. Right now I am watching the ballroom championships on PBS. Definitely something I need to do in my next life.

The Year of the Dog - A New Year to Enjoy

Well the 29th began a new Chinese year and this one is the Year of the Dog. I think this may be the year that our child arrives. You see both Scott and I were born in a Year of the Dog so it would just make sense that we should have a child in one. Good karma and all! Today however, is a difficult day for us. Last year at this time we learned that Scott's father has passed away and our life has changed greatly since then. We miss him alot and hate that he will never get to see any of our children. But during this year we have both grown and learned many things about how our lives can be better. We have learned not to take anything for granted and to make sure we spend time with our families because you never know when it will be taken away. We have gone through all of the steps from denial to anger to acceptance. So today I take a moment to thank Barry for being a wonderful father-in-law and a friend. I wish for him a greater peace than he had while he was with us and I encourage you to hug your friends and family and tell them you love them. You may not have tomorrow.

Peace

Day 6 - still doing those shots. So far no foul ups. Today let's talk about finding our inner peace. It is the hardest thing for me sometimes. I question how I will every get there when I have to focus so hard on it. I have a friend who thinks I have some hidden gifts. I have not seen what he believes that I will yet. Maybe I am too scared to look too deep. Maybe I will not like what I find there. Tonight while I was driving to pick up dinner, I played my chakra balancing CD. Typically you are suppose to listen to it in a quiet, comfortable place but I keep falling asleep during it so I decided to listen in the car. Wonderfully, I actually got through half of it without going to sleep and wrecking the car. I believe that we have these energies and that we have to work to keep them inline so that we are not out of sorts all the time. So today on Day 6 we will work on finding our inner peace. Take a slow deep breath and find that place inside of you where the sun is warm, the wind is dancing across your face and you can smell and hear the ocean. This is my place to go to when I need peace. Find your place and not just today but everyday so that when life brings you the bad you can find the good.

Day 4

Yes it is Day 4. A day off from work and my first day back at the doctor's since before the holidays. It was really not my day. Ever head out the door to go to work or just out for the day and know you should just turn around and hide at home. Well, that was today. Everything was fine until I left the house. I left 45 minutes before my appointment, plenty of time after rush hour traffic. However, it took every minute of that time just to get to the doctor's office which is in a hospital. It then took 5 minutes to find a parking space and I still had to walk the length of the parking deck to get to an elevator which would take me to another floor. Once there, I have to go across a crosswalk, take another elevator down into the hospital, walk through 2 doors, take another elevator up 5 floors and then walk more to finally get to the doctor's office. So you know this took another 10 minutes. Ok, so I am late, no big deal. I sign in and have a seat. I then proceed to wait for 45 more minutes until I ask how long and find out that I was supposed to sign in at the lab too. Ditzy day continues! However, this delay did allow me to see my friend Kristy leave from her IUI and wish her well so all in all it was probably meant to be. Well, after they took my blood they then took me back for an ultrasound. Ladies, you know what kind of ultrasound I am talking about too. (As an aside, I had lunch with Scott later and he said he had an ultrasound before, I reminded him that it was not the same thing and he would not ever have an ultrasound like I did. We had a nice laugh!) So everything looks good and I started my lovely injections this afternoon which I will continue to do until next Tuesday. I managed to get through it without hurting myself or breaking any needles which is good. Anyway, I did some more shopping which was a bust too and headed home as quickly as possible where I have rested and where I probably should have been all day.

Mary Elizabeth was still not here at 2pm so hopefully she has made it by now. Sending best wishes and kisses her way!

Mary Elizabeth Arrives Tomorrow

My friend Michelle, one of the many friends who I have been on the "I can't have a baby" path, is having her baby tomorrow. I yet again have gotten to watch one of my friends go through all of the stages of pregnancy for 9 months. Understand, that a couple of my first friends to get pregnant since I have been trying now have 3 or 4 year olds so this is not the first time I have gone through this. I am very excited for her. Not only is she a sweet and truly sensitive friend but I know she will be a wonderful mom. Mary Elizabeth will be one lucky girl and I look forward to being a part of her life like I have been with Alex, Ashia, Lauren, Emily, Regan, Phillip, Bronwynn.....

It Begins Again

Well, here we are - day 1 of my next cycle. So the roller coaster starts again! I am currently waiting to here back from my doctor's office as to when my baseline tests for this month will start. Supposedly they have to be between days 1 and 4. Then I start giving myself the lovely injections from days 5 through 9. Then we wait until day 12 or so and start testing for ovulation again. The ride is just wonderful and I am so excited about doing this yet again. I am trying to have a positive attitude but it is difficult when you have to give yourself shots besides all of the other prodding that will be done. Wish me luck and try not to flinch when I tell you later about the injections.

Now I Am Sick!!!!

Well, Scott was sick for a month so I figured that the illness had escapted me but boy was I wrong. So the day after he started getting better, now I am sick. So blog updates may be slow since my mind is fuzzy with medicine. Wish everyone a good weekend!

Gilmore Girls

Simply love the show and it is Tuesday night so here I am watching one of my favorite shows. Luckily there are not many babies in it and the snappy dialogue is great! Everyone have a good night!

Sick Babies

Currently, I have a sick baby named Scott who also happens to be my husband. He has had some kind of virus since before Christmas so today I am at home and forcing him to go to the doctor. You know men, they really need that attention when they are sick. Scott is usually pretty good, he does not get fussy but he is basically useless and you have to work around him. So today instead of being at work I am here making sure that he takes care of himself. So far I have not gotten his illness and hopefully I won't become his sick baby!

When Is Your Next Doctor's Appointment?

Not a question you need to ask repeatedly to someone who is trying to have a baby. We want your support but even small reminders are upsetting. Also, we then run into the issue of having to tell you it did not work out after we go. It is hard enough for me to deal with the failed attempts but to then have to break the news to the people that love me that it did not work out is even tougher. Just know that we are trying all the time and if and when it works out you will be the first to know. After 7 years it just hurts too much to get your own hopes up much less your friends and families only to have to tell them without crying that yet again it did not happen this month.

I am sending my best thoughts out to BB today! Love ya, girl!

Cleaning - I Hate It

...As is evidenced by the amount of dust and cat hair in my house. Don't get me wrong I do like things to be in their place so there is not a great deal of mess but dusting and vacuuming I just hate. Honestly, if I did not need clean clothes occassionally I would not do laundry either. Hate it all but sadly enough I am an organized and fairly tidy person so once in awhile I have to clean. And there is nothing like the motivation of family or friends coming to visit. So every night this week in preparation for the arrival this weekend of my husband's family, I have spent time cleaning. Mainly because my sister in law is allergic to cats and I want to make her stay not too painful. Anyway, I hate to clean! That is my rant for today!

Pictures - Take Them All The Time

If there is anything that I have learned after the death of my father-in-law last year, it is that you should take lots of pictures. We struggled with finding any pictures of my father-in-law that did not include other family members. Mainly we found tons of them with him and his first grandchild Lauren (as you can see). You will want the memories. I often see new parents take picture after picture of their first child but when the second one comes along they forget the camera even existed. In my family it was a little different, cameras were big and bulky so there are not lots of pictures of me and my brother but let me tell you when that sister of mine came along 9 years later we had albums dedicated to her posing in her new clothes. There was not a pose we did not get of that child and she is still not camera shy today at the ripe old age of 23. (Love ya, Jen!) Anyway, my point is take pictures and lots of them of everyone you love and are close to whether friends or family. Some day you will want to look back on the memories!

Busy Weekend

No time to blog this weekend. Spent yesterday driving a 10 foot UHaul truck to pick up things from my husband's father's estate from Atlanta. This took all day and then we spent today unloading and catching up. Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Stargate

Ok, not much to talk about tonight. I am a huge Stargate fan and new shows tonight so off to watch TV.

Lulu or Billy Bob - Name That Baby

After 7 years you start to decide on baby names even though you probably shouldn't. My husband and I decided early on that he would pick the boys names and I would pick the girls names. So we have gone through several choices. Back in the beginning we were really feeling Native American so we had things like Dakota and Sierra. We have evolved over time and the boys names are pretty well decided. Our two choices currently are Alexander James (AJ for short) and William Clark. The husband insists that they have names that can be shorted, abbreviated or whatever. Mainly this is because with a name like Scott their is really not much else that you can do. However, recently I think I am leaning toward a different middle name to replace Clark. My husband's father Barry passed away this time last year but not thinking that a child should be named Barry Perry, I think that a good middle name to honor him would be Barrington. So William (who I will call Liam) Barrington sounds good to me! Meanwhile, girls names are a toss up! I have gone through many different ones. Originally, I had chosen Rowan Harper (mother's maiden name) and Lauren Rose (Scott's mom's maiden name). However, Scott's brother had a daughter first so Lauren Rose was taken and it fits her perfectly. So now I just don't know so maybe we will get those boys and it will not matter! Names are important, ask my husband who is still annoyed by his. You see Scott was born on April 23, the same day that William Shakespeare was born and died. So Scott fully believes his parents missed an opportunity by not naming him William especially since he also has a grandfather named William. Anyway, pick a name any name and pray it does not scar you for life!

Baby Showers

Well again I am involved in throwing a baby shower for one of my friends. I love doing it because I am excited for them and want them to enjoy having a baby. However, as my friend Kristy says it is hard to attend baby showers when you so much one to have one of your own. Sometimes people just do not understand how difficult it is to be around babies or be apart of the baby showers. I think now though after 7 years that I have finally reached a place of Zen where things like baby showers really do not upset me but actually make me happy. I am not sure why but for now I feel ok with throwing parties for other would be mothers. I am now almost an expert on the perfect gift and what size cake works best depending on the crowd. Most days I do not even think about "why not now" but then their are the dreams where I see my two little boys ( I think Jan is wearing me down on this, she keep telling me that I will have two little Perry boys.) Anyway, next time you go to a baby shower remember that there is probably someone there who desperately wants one of their own and give them a hug!

Infertility Treatment - A New Needle Everyday

My first month with my new fertility doctor went as follows:

Day 1 - Fasting Lab (means I don't eat from midnight until I go in, then they take blood to test for different levels, including cholesterol)

Day 2 - LTZ Challenge Test (more blood is taken to get a base line for my progestrone levels)

Day 3 and 4 - No needles and no pills

Day 5 - LTZ pills (a form of Clomid)

Day 6 - LTZ pills

Day 7 - SPA test for husband (you know what this meant) and LTZ pills for me

Day 8 - LTZ pills

Day 9 - LTZ pills

Day 10 - Another LTZ Challenge Test (this one was to see if the LTZ pills helped)

Day 11 - Absolutely nothing! Woo hoo!

Day 12 - Start testing for ovulation

Day 13 - Another testing for ovulation

Day 14 - HSG and Follicle testing to get ready for IUI (artifical insemination)

Day 15 - IUI

Days 16-20 - NOTHING - How wonderful to have a rest

Day 21 - Progesterone Test

Days 22-27 - Progesterone pills (let me be clear this did not get taken with water, they had to be inserted in another area)

Day 28 - No pregnancy (we have to start again!)

This first month was constant testing and visits to labs but we learned that some things needed some help. The next two months were holidays where we were out of town but we will start again this cycle. Luckily we will not have to repeat all of this testing but we get to do injections this time instead of pills so more fun to come!

At least all of the needles were new each day!

New Year

I hope that everyone had a happy and safe New Year's Day! I was traveling back from a family visit in Kentucky so did not post yesterday. Today is full of football and shopping! Tomorrow I head back to work. This year I have many resolutions but of course the main one being to have a baby sometime during the year. Here's hoping that not only I but Kristy and BB also have their greatest wish too! Starting with more infertility treatment soon and will be sure to keep you updated.