20 Weeks 4 Day Baby Bump!

On Monday, 11/12th, I took my very first baby bump pic!  It seems as if it took forever to noticeable see it with clothing on.  I'm slowly, but surely getting there!  I'm half way through my pregnancy!  As I progress week by week it's definitely blessing....THANK YOU GOD!!

100% TEAM BLUE!!!

So, the anomaly scan went well today. Our little one is all healthy and developing well! He is already in the vertix position. The scan confirmed that we are definitely 100% TEAM BLUE!!! Needless to say, DH is sooo excited to be have our first born be a boy, since all of his brothers have girls. This little one will be the first grandson for DH's family. Now, I can't wait to put him in all 29 of his little cute onesies that we've purchased for him. I met two other women while waiting at the perinatologist today who are also having boys.  This must definitely be the year for the males! Daddy and I can't wait for you to make your arrival Caleb!   We can't wait to see who you will look like...what features you'll take from mommy and daddy...what your hair will look like...your little eyes..toes....fingers...your smile....we cannot wait!  You are truly loved and desired, and we know that you're our little miracle from above.  You snuggle up and hold tight in there, and try not to hurt mommy too much with those kicks and punches you are starting to give!

UPDATE - What's Been Happening?!?

09/10/2012 - It's been almost 2 months since my last update.  I've been adjusting to pregnancy and all the other things that comes along with being pregnant......such as morning sickness.  However, here lately the morning sickness has ceased, and the headaches have taken over, since being in my 2nd trimester.  So, bring everything back up to speed.....our 1st appt with the perinatalogist (High Risk OB) was on 09/10th.  The Dr was very warm, humorous, and had very good bed side manners.  At this appt we had our NT Scan completed.  I was 11weeks 4 days.  Everything came back negative.  No down syndrome etc  and Caleb is doing well!  During our scan the Dr asked if we wanted to know the sex of the baby.  Of course we said "yes!"  He proceeded to tell us that there's an 89% chance that baby Finley is a......BOY!!  He was able to show Derek and I the "little stem" that helped him make this prediction.  Derek began smiling from ear to ear, and I was excited as well.  Although, I wanted my baby girl first, I'm still excited, and can't wait for Caleb Jordan Finley to make his appearance into this world! All that matters is that we have a happy, healthy baby and deliverer.  We were also able to get a DVD of this scan of Caleb, which was soo cool!  It was only $5.
After leaving this appt with the high risk OB, we walked over to my regular OB's office for my appt with him.   I informed him of the high risk OB's prediction for the sex of the baby, and he said that he's' usually correct every time .  He let me know that I wouldn't see the high risk OB again until I'm about 20 weeks for my anatomy scan.  After the appts we got home and watched the DVD, and I suggested to Derek that we add music to it.  He later edited the DVD to add music and text.  He did a great job!

09/17/2012 - I had my a wellness checkup with my primary care physician on today.  They took my vitals, and etc.  The Dr performed an EKG on me......why, I DON'T KNOW?? She says that it's something that she wanted to do since I was pregnant.  She proceeded with completing the EKG and tells me that it was "abnormal."  When I asked her what that meant, she explained that "what's abnormal for some, could be normal for you."  Okay, that didn't really tell me much.  So, now I'm a little concerned.  She referred me to a Cardiologist, and told me everything else looks fine.

09/24/2012 - At 13 weeks 4 days, I seen my regular OB.  Everything is looking good. I told my dr about the abnormal EKG at my PCP's office and let him know that I would be seeing the Cardiologist on 10/02/2012.  We saw our little guy today, but he wasn't as jumpy as before.  Maybe he was just waking from a nap or something :-). All continues to be well for both baby and I.  I couldn't ask for anything more!

10/02/2012 - I'm now 14 weeks 5 days, and I go to see the Cardiologist today.  The  nurse takes my vitals, and asked me what brings me in today. I explained to her that I was referred by my PCP who completed an EKG and says that it was abnormal.  The nurse let me know that she would perform another EKG on today for a second look.  She places all the little sticky things, I don't know what they're called, and proceeds to perform the EKG.  The Dr later comes in to explain that everything looks fine on the EKG.  He also explained that sometimes when you are a little larger chested, this may give you an abnormal reading.  However, he advised me to come back on 10/16th so that they could do an Ecko on my heart.  He explained that it's nothing but a sonogram of your heart just like a sono of your baby.  This will give him more detail to ensure that there isn't anything going on, or anything that needs to be done.

10/09/2012 - I saw my regular OB today at 15 weeks 5 days.  As usual the nurse brought me back to take my vitals and give a urine sample.  The Dr measured my tummy, and said that everything looks great.  We heard Caleb's heart beat, and as usual it was a very strong one! However, we didn't get a sono completed today :-(. 

10/16/2012 - I got my Sono of my heart completed, and everything looks normal.  The Dr wants me to come back a month before Caleb's due date in February, so that he can perform another scan of my heart. 

10/23/2012 - At 17 weeks 5 days we had an appt with the regular OB.  My blood pressure continues to be great.  Thank God!  No pre-eclampsia wanted this way! We didn't get the chance to see Caleb again :-(. But, we heard his little heart beat. The honey was upset because he missed the heartbeat because he was taking a phone call. 

Well, this is about all that's been up with Caleb and I.  He is growing at a furious rate, and I definitely feel pregnant, now! On Thursday, 10/25th I will be 18 weeks!  I'll be 4 1/2 months pregnant....2 weeks shy of being 5 months pregnant....I'm still amazed at how far along I've come in this pregnancy.  All glory goes to God alone!

The 1st OBGYN Visit

Yesterday, August 27th DH and I had our 1st OBGYN visit with the man who will be delivering our angel in March 2013!!!.  My appt was at 1:30pm, but I had to be there for 1pm to complete new patient paperwork. The honey dropped me off at the door, and went on to find a parking space.  I went on up to the 4th floor of medical office bldg 3 of the Presbyterian Hospital of Plano, and there I was. I began filling out what seemed like a book of paperwork, and the honey finally arrived. Finally, after completing my paperwork, I was called back at approximately 1:50pm.  The nurse took my weight, blood pressure, and temperature.  She then had me drink some sort of red liquid drink, I can't remember the name of it, to check for diabetes or any predisposition.  The drink wasn't too bad, but was bitter at the end...ugh!  After completing that I was able to go get my honey, and we were escorted to the our Dr.'s office.  He finally comes in to introduce himself, got my medical history, asked a few questions, and proceeded to tell me what I already knew - he would be referring me to a perinatologist (High Risk OB) that will monitor me along with him.  He went on to explain that the he and the High Risk OB have known and worked with one another for 12 years.  That made me feel a whole lot better that he knows this man personally, and had a 12 year working relationship with him.  That made me feel better!  He also informed that I'd need to continue seeing my hematologist, so that my blood levels can be checked regularly due to my APS (Anti-phospholipid Antibody Syndrome), a blood clotting disorder.  I'm currently taking 100 mg of Lovenox  injections daily, but just learned today that I will be going up to 100mg injections, twice daily...how fun?! But, on a brighter note, I'll  be done taking my Progesterone shots and the Estradiol pills on Thursday....Yay!  I'm so tired of those Progesterone shots, but I remain a trooper for my angel!  I'll do anything for him/her.  Additionally, he went on to tell me that I'll see and the High Risk OB often to ensure that the baby continues to grow as it should, and there's no problems of complications with my blood.  Needless to say, I'm going to be closely and thoroughly monitored, as I suspected before becoming pregnant.  After briefly speaking with him, Derek and I were directed to a room to get a sonogram done.  I was expecting the sonographer to tell me to take everything off below the waist, as I always had to do at my RE's office; however, she was like "just sit on the table and lie back."  I was thinking, "oh, this is different," lol!  So, I lie back and we get my pants down a little below my waist, enough for her to get to my lower abdomen.  She placed some of that cold jelly like stuff on my stomach and placed the little monitor, for lack of better word, on my stomach and our little angel appeared.  It was soo cool, because this time he/she began to move!  We also heard the heartbeat, which is always lovely and comforting to hear.  It was 182 bpm!   Last Wednesday, it was 185 bpm.  He/she is really cozy in there.  Afterwards, I was taken to an examination room to have a pap exam.  I swear, it was the quickest pap I've ever had in all my history of getting paps!  I was like, "oh, your done," "that was quick."  The honey was in the exam room with me, so after the Dr. leaves he goes, "I didn't like him sticking his hand down there like that."  "He almost got dealt with."  It was so funny!  Finally, we're taken back to the Dr. office again to chat with him.  He comes in and brought lot of information, and explained what I could and couldn't have, the different screenings that I could do if we chose to have them done.  Needless to say, yes we're having the screenings done, but not the invasive ones such as, CVS and amniocentesis.  Ours will be non-invasive as those others can lead to miscarriage....I DON'T THINK SO!  He also answered any and all questions that Derek and I had, and was very thorough and informative.  I thank God for directing me to this Dr. because he's just what I wanted in a Dr. - informative, thorough, good bed side manners, and has a sense of humor, and cares about his patients.  So, I'm grateful.  The staff was also very funny, and warm as well.  So, I really appreciate that in a practice.  By this time its' 4pm or a little after, and it's finally  time to go home.  So, our appt with the OBGYN was a great one!  I go back on September 4th after my 2:15pm appt with my  High Risk Dr.

The 2nd Look!!

On yesterday DH and I had our 2nd and last sono with our RE, and it was a bittersweet moment.  She (RE) has been in our lives for the past 14 months helping us to get to where we are today, with the help of God.  She's been there through the ups, downs, highs, and lows.   Nonetheless, I was excited and nervous about seeing the baby because there's always some anxiety for me the day of our sonograms as I just want the baby to be fine!  Anyway, it was a bittersweet moment, and I'm officially off and released to my OBGYN on Monday, August 27th.  However, it was a great feeling to know that we're finally expecting, and looking forward to a happy and healthy 9 months. Our little angel has grown soo much in two weeks.  During our 1st sono at 6wks 6days he/she was tiny.  As of yesterday, 8wks 6days, he/she has grown much bigger! You could definitely tell the difference in size.  So, the baby is growing as it should which is awesome!  The RE joked around with DH and I stating " I think it's going to be a fat boy, so tell your dad to look for a grandson."  I spoke with my dad before the sono, and he says he believes it going to be a boy.  I however, feel that it's a girl....who knows!  In a few more months we'll know, and I cannot wait! Well, here's the 2nd photo of our angel.  I think you can see little arms and legs, too!

Our 1st Glance of Baby Finley

Today has been one AMAZING day!  DH and I seen our miracle for the first time today, and we were in awe!  It was such an amazing, relieving experience that I will never forget.  Once we seen our baby on that monitor, and heard that heart beat going at 138 bpm, it was sooo relieving, and amusing all in one.  DH began to shed a tear, took pics, and videoed what he could as he was in such a state of awe of our little miracle.  I am soo grateful to God right now.  Not that I haven't been grateful, but I'm especially grateful to God in this chapter of my life.  It was only He that could give us the desire of our heart.....the beautiful gift, and miracle of starting a family.  God I'm in Awe of you right now, and thank you for all that you've done for my family and I.  I trust you, and your will for our lives, and for this baby's life.  Let your will be done in the Finley family!  God you giveth and you taketh away.  I THANK YOU for giving us this gift, and entrusting to us to raise this child in the fear of the Lord.  I pray that your hand will continue to cover this baby and myself through this happy and healthy 9 months ( I speak it in advance)!  Now, here's a couple of pictures of our miracle....Baby Finley!

BIG DAY TOMORROW!!

Tomorrow is the BIG DAY :-)!! Our 1st sono got pushed up to the 8th instead of Thursday the 9th, Yay!!  At approximately 2:45 PM, or sometime thereafter, we will be looking at baby Finley for the very 1st time!  I'm soo excited!  DH and I are ready to see God's little miracle! 

Say What Now?!?!

Today I had my 2nd beta, and the numbers came back OVER 2,000!  Really!  When the nurse told me that it was over 2, 000, I immediately asked, "could I be possibly pregnant with twins?"  Her reply to that was, "well, I've never seen numbers this high for a singleton pregnancy, and it's quite possible that the egg could've split."  Of course I'm thrilled that my numbers have gone up tremendously, because that lets me know that our little bean is holding up strong!  However, to know that my numbers are high enough to be indicative of a twin pregnancy is kind of.....well....exciting and nerve wrecking to say the least!  I called DH today to tell him and he was excited. Oh, and mind you that our 1st beta was 224 at 14dpo.  Today  I'm 18dpo.  So, it's quadrupled! Our 1st sono is in three weeks and is scheduled for August 9th at 1:30 PM.  We'll get a chance to see our little bean and maybe a heartbeat!  I am just thankful to God everyday for this little miracle he's given and entrusted to DH and I.    I continue to pray for a H&H 9 months for us! Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.  God Bless!

Questions of the Hour:
1) Will we be having a boy(s) or girl(s)?
2) Will we be one or two?
(Feel free to take the polls on the bottom right side of the page)!

WE ARE HAVING A BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!

Its' official and confirmed!  We are pregnant with a little Finley!  It has been a long road, but we remained faithful to God's word, and his promise for our family.  Actually, Derek and I knew we were pregnant before our "official" blood test at our doctors office.  We took a Frer (First Response Early Response) HPT on Tuesday night and saw our BFP.  We were both just so overjoyed and began to weep, and thank God.  I tested again on last night, just because I enjoy seeing my BFP, and again another STRONG positive.  Our official confirmation came this afternoon at approximately 1:15 PM.  The nurse told me "as you already know you are pregnant, and your HCG number is 224."  Now, although I knew we where pregnant, I was relieved to hear that HCG number due to our history.  I immediately called DH to tell him the news, and he immediately began informing our family and friends who were anticipating the news.  I've been texting and calling letting our family and friends know that we are PREGGERS!  God is soooo good and faithful to us!  He gets ALL the glory, honor, and praise! To those that are still TTCing , please continue to stay faithful to God's word, and keep hope alive!  He will bless you with the little that your heart desires in DUE SEASON!  Remember, His timing is not our timing....took me a while to grasp this.  God is Able!

So, now the questions is....what do you all think?  Will we be having a girl or boy????

Is It Thurs., 07.19.2012 Yet?!?!

I am so ready for my BETA( blood pregnancy test) tomorrow!  Thursday cannot get here fast enough!  I've made it all the way up to this point, and I'm very hopeful, and positive about our results considering some of the symptoms I've been experiencing....dizziness; a tad bit of nausea, very frequent urination, and tiredness.  If my BETA doesn't come back positive, I'm going to be VERY shocked!  However, I feel that this is our time and our season for our little Finley.  But, at the end of the day, whether it's a BFN or a BFP (TEAM + PLEASE) I know that it was God's will and plan for my family right now.  So, I will continue to trust Him.  So until then we keep waiting......

FROZEN EMBRYO TRANSFER COMPLETE!!!

On Tuesday, July 10th was our FET (Frozen Embryo Transfer).  The procedure was scheduled for 7:45 in the morning and we were asked to check in for paperwork at 7:00 AM.  Therefore, our day started at 5:45 AM being that my loving husband wanted to leave at 6:15 AM as it's a 30 minute commute from our apartment to the doctor's office.  Because, I like to take my time getting dressed I got up 30 minutes before the departure time.  So, we're out the door and I grab my bottle of water because part of the protocol requires that I have a full bladder during the transfer as this helps the RE (Reproductive Endocrinologist) see my uterus more clearly to ensure that the embryo gets placed where it should.  Therefore, I drank a 16 ounce bottle of water that later had me wishing that I'd only drank half.  Upon arrival we check in and get escorted to our room by our wonderful nurse!  The nurse take my blood pressure and get my weight.  I then change into my hospital gown and await my turn to go into the operating room, there was another couple ahead of us.  While waiting I began to feel the urge to go urinate.  At this point it's not a big urge; just  a little urge.  However, I knew that as time passed, it would get much, much worst as it was now 7:45, and I hadn't been taken back as of yet.  We get a knock at the door, and our embryologist enters the room.  He gives us a cute little print out of our hopefully soon to be little Finley.  I asked him what was the grade quality of this embryo and he proceeded to tell me "we would say that this one is a BBCC grade," meaning that it's an good, average embryo.  Yay!  That was good to hear!  He went on to show me that our little one was hatching.  So, that meant that our 5 day, blast was also hatching.   Needless to say, this was GREAT news to my ears!  From what I've researched about a "hatching 5 day blast embryo," after the transfer is that if it's hatching that means that the chances of it sticking is greater. So I'm feeling really hopeful right now!  We finally go back into the operating room to do the transfer, and I get onto the table, place my legs in the "leg-holder," and i feel like I could just urinate all over that table....LOL (sorry TMI). My doctor kept asking me if I was okay, and I keep saying, "I just really have to use it, and I'm trying to make sure that I don't let any go.  She and the nurse began to laugh, saying, "please don't get the doctor wet."  So, the embryo finally gets transferred, and it's over in like 1 minute.  However, it felt like an eternity!  I just wanted to go to the ladies room at that point.  But, oh no.  The nurse proceeds to tell me that I have to wait another 30 minutes before I can go to the ladies room; again protocol. OMG, I thought I was going to just let go, but I made it to 8:43 AM and was able to use the ladies room.  Now we're just waiting for July 19th.  BFP or BFN?........

Waiting on Our Predestined One!!!: From There to Here

Waiting on Our Predestined One!!!: From There to Here: Today is July 06, 2012.  In four days I will be having my frozen embryo transfer...YAY!!  I'm very excited!  This is our first frozen embryo...

From There to Here

Today is July 06, 2012.  In four days I will be having my frozen embryo transfer...YAY!!  I'm very excited!  This is our first frozen embryo transfer.  We will be transferring a single embryo. Let me just give you a little history  of what has brought us to this place.  In May 2008, I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), a condition that does not allow me to ovulate or have periods on my own.  So, at this point of being diagnosed, my OBGYN at the time had already informed that I and my husband, fiancee at this time, would need help getting pregnant when we were ready to start a family.  At that time, I was like okay we'll need a little help getting pregnant....no big deal!  A year prior to this I got a DVT in my left leg, and Pulmonary Embolism in my lungs.  I had to bee hospitalized immediately.  Within months I was diagnosed with Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome (APAS), a high blood clotting disorder.  I was told that I would have to be on Coumidan indefinitely.  So, in May 2011 my husband and I decided that we were ready to have a family.  I immediately scheduled an appointment with the Reproductive Endocrinologist.  She assessed and evaluated me, and had me do a HSG, procedure to ensure that your tubes are open and clear. The HSG report came back good.  My tubes were clear and open.  This was good news for me!  My husband also had a semen analysis conducted, and it was found that he was all good!  Therefore, we proceeded with the IUI procedure as this was the least expensive procedure to do when trying to conceive with the help of a Fertility Specialist.  Our first IUI was done in June 2011 and it was unsuccessful.  We got a BFN.  However, our second IUI in July 2011 we got a BFP.  We were so excited. Then, things started to take a turn for the worst.  Our betas were low, and I began to bleed.  My doctor suspected that it was an ectopic pregnancy, and sure enough it was.  After getting this heart breaking news, I was given methotrexate.  We were so disappointed, and devastated.  But, my loving, supportive husband helped me through that trying time. We had to take a break to allow my body to heal, and to ensure that the methotrexate was out of my system before we tried again in December 2011.   By December 2011, this was our third IUI and it lead to a BFN.  We still remained hopeful and did our final and last IUI #4 in January 2012.  This IUI gave us a BFP.  Although, it felt as if history was repeating itself as my betas were again low, but rising.  Therefore, I began to pray and ask God for his will to be done through my pregnancy, and to give me peace for what may lie ahead.  Needless to say, this pregnancy again was ectopic.  This time I had to have Emergency Surgery a day before Valentine's day. I was so scared, but knew that God would protect me.  My husband rushed to the hospital from work and was there by my side. Finally, after two ectopic pregnancies, my RE explained that we should move on to IVF. We did our first IVF cycle in May 2012.  They were able to retrieve 20 eggs and all 20 fertilized.  We put in two, but it was unsuccessful at that time. At that point, I was angry, frustrated, confused, disappointed... the list of emotions can go on and on. Nonetheless, we didn't give up hope and are now about to do a frozen embryo transfer on July 10, 2012.  I am really excited and remain hopeful, and faithful to God for our predestined one that he has for us!