From that post title you might think I'm already working on baby #2. Well, you are out of your mind! Ha!
This week S and I took the girls to the RE's office to see the staff. We mostly went to see the embryologist who was super nice when I was there. Actually, we are birthday twins. We also saw a couple of others who played a big part in our successes. Unfortunately our RE was not in that day and neither was the ultrasound tech, so it looks like S and I will have to take the girls back some time. It was really fun to see them and of course they are always interested in seeing the "final product." It was weird to pull into that parking lot and take a baby carrier out of the car. Or, in S's case, two carriers out of the car!
Things are going well here. Miss Brooklyn has been a champion sleeper. Well, I should bite my tongue right now on that one. She normally goes to sleep around 8:45pm and for some strange reason she's up right now an it's 10:00. I think I will blame this one on Mr. LTM. Sometimes when he feeds, she eats and falls asleep so he stops feeding. Then she gets up again in like 10 minutes and he feeds her again. Um, not me! Those little eyes will be closed and I keep shoving that bottle in her mouth. Yes it sounds like I'm force feeding her but she needs to eat to sleep!
For those of you pregnant girls I've found a few things that are critical to getting the baby to sleep. One thing we always do is swaddle. I'm sad to say that my Aden and Anais swaddle blankets are not the ones I rely on for bedtime. They are good for swaddling, but I'm a nervous wreck that she'll loosen it and it will be on her face. So, we rely on the velcro swaddles. I'm even using the fleece ones and it's almost summer. We keep the air on so they've still come in handy. Also, I'm a huge fan of the Homedics Lullaby Sound Spa. It plays music, white noise, and even projects cute little images on the ceiling. Right now she's watching those images go round and round. Eventually, she'll pass out! Another item I've come to love is the sheet saver. It something you lay over the crib sheet and then button around the crib slats. I can't tell you how many times Miss Brooklyn spits-up on her sheet saver and then I can just peel it off. I love not changing the sheets at night!
My shopping hasn't stopped one bit. The difference now is that I buy nothing for myself. I mean, I'm sure all of my purchases are critical. For instance, we do quite a bit of traveling, so last week I bought Brooklyn a Vera Bradley weekender bag. I've already used it and it fits her stuff nicely. Don't worry, I got it at the outlet mall. Yesterday I bought her the cutest denim jumper and matching purple sunglasses. Those too are critical. She hates squinting in the sun! Oh, and two weeks ago I bought her a pool. Yes, I just said a pool. I know she can't hold her head up but it's a cute little inflatable one that has little toys dangling from it! Come on, isn't cute? And S had a fab idea. . . she's going to put her girls in the Bumbo and then sit them in a baby pool. Isn't that genius? I guess that means I'll be toting my Bumbo over to her house this summer!
So speaking of baby number two, I went to my six week post partum visit and of course they asked me what method of birth control we planned on using. I figured I'd just say "infertility" but I know that wouldn't cut it. Actually, since our infertility was sperm quality and count, that could be different now. It could be better or it could be worse. I'll be honest, I'm still adjusting to life with a little one. I'm one of those people who is always out and about and doing something, so this is been a life style adjustment. Of course I love it, but I'm still getting used to it (and my 8pm bedtime). So, the thought of a second baby truly makes me cringe. Oh and the cost of daycare . . . not so much. So, though I HATE HATE HATE taking a daily pill, I did decide on "the pill." Again, not a fan but I needed to do something. Aren't you glad I shared?
Well, it's off to bed I go. I'm a little mad at myself that I haven't been updating here like I should. So, my goal is to post two times a week. Keep visiting!
May 29, 2011
May 19, 2011
The RE Called and STTN!
So, my IVF cycle will be a year ago in July. During our cycle we froze two embryos that were higher grade. Mr. Later Than Most really didn't want to freeze any, but I convinced him otherwise. I just didn't want to do another round of drugs and egg retrieval if I could freeze some and make a cycle less stressful. Luckily he understood. So, here we are, almost a year later! How the hell does that happen? Yesterday the embryologist called me. If you go back through my blogs I'm sure I bragged about her. She was real young, cute, and my birthday twin! We hit it off right away! Anywho- yesterday she called to tell me that we'll need to make a decision with our frozen embies. We either need to discard them or send them to long term storage which is $500 a year. The $500 certainly beats the $1000 the RE charged! Also, she asked me a ton of questions about Brooklyn. Every healthy baby born is a boost in ratings for the RE. I told the embryologist that S and I would bring all of the girls in sometime soon. Don't forget, S and I had identical IVF cycles at the RE and I kept running into her. We never talked, but she found me on TheBump and we've been friends ever since. Of course the RE staff love this and they are dying to see all three girls. I talked to S, and we may do that next week!
Now for STTN!!
Okay, I have not wanted to jinx this, but I need to brag about Brooklyn. Being a teacher, I can obviously tell this early that my daughter is at the top of her age group. Ha! Did you believe me? Mr. Later Than Most and I send each other messages about how "gifted" B is. Mr. LTM was a gifted child and probably still a gifted adult. Well, at least I'm hoping so because that would explain why he is so darned difficult! Ha! And as a third grade teacher I get plenty of parents who think their kid is gifted, so we like to play this at home. Anywho- my whole point is that B has been sleeping through the night for a while now. I'm not going to elaborate too much because I don't want everyone to be jealous.
Okay maybe I will. So, since four weeks we'd put her down at about 8 or 9pm and then she would eat at 2am. You do the math. That's five hours from 9 to 2. Well, lately she's been going just a little later than 2am. Sometimes 2:30am. . . whatevs. Well last night Mr. LTM brought me the monitor at 1:45am. I did my usual grumpy complaining, "This sucks. . . I never sleep" yaddie yadda. So, I prepare the bottle, put it on the counter and lay on the couch. After a couple of random dreams I hear Miss B stirring. I try to get to her right when she's about to cry, but before she wails. Well, I look at the clock and it's 4:50am!!!! WTF!!! She slept from 8:15pm to 4:50am? I went flying into her room thinking that she was seriously starved. I picked her up and well, she was just wide awake and no where near crying. Although, she was going to town sucking on her hand! What a good girl!
Now for STTN!!
Okay, I have not wanted to jinx this, but I need to brag about Brooklyn. Being a teacher, I can obviously tell this early that my daughter is at the top of her age group. Ha! Did you believe me? Mr. Later Than Most and I send each other messages about how "gifted" B is. Mr. LTM was a gifted child and probably still a gifted adult. Well, at least I'm hoping so because that would explain why he is so darned difficult! Ha! And as a third grade teacher I get plenty of parents who think their kid is gifted, so we like to play this at home. Anywho- my whole point is that B has been sleeping through the night for a while now. I'm not going to elaborate too much because I don't want everyone to be jealous.
Okay maybe I will. So, since four weeks we'd put her down at about 8 or 9pm and then she would eat at 2am. You do the math. That's five hours from 9 to 2. Well, lately she's been going just a little later than 2am. Sometimes 2:30am. . . whatevs. Well last night Mr. LTM brought me the monitor at 1:45am. I did my usual grumpy complaining, "This sucks. . . I never sleep" yaddie yadda. So, I prepare the bottle, put it on the counter and lay on the couch. After a couple of random dreams I hear Miss B stirring. I try to get to her right when she's about to cry, but before she wails. Well, I look at the clock and it's 4:50am!!!! WTF!!! She slept from 8:15pm to 4:50am? I went flying into her room thinking that she was seriously starved. I picked her up and well, she was just wide awake and no where near crying. Although, she was going to town sucking on her hand! What a good girl!
May 14, 2011
I'm Literally Nuts
So, sometimes I feel like I should be checked into the loony bin. If you've been reading my blog since pre IVF, you know that infertility can make one crazy. Well, let me tell you how I'm newly crazy.
Yesterday I had to drive to the hospital to return my good ole hospital grade pump. Yes, the one that didn't up my supply. So the office is in the hospital's Mother Baby unit. Well, I walk in with my pump and while I'm returning it, my heart melts. I hear a newborn crying. Right away I realize that Brooklyn does not have that newborn cry anymore. She is now 5 weeks old and her cry does not sound like that. In fact, she's so long she doesn't even look new anymore. Right away I got sad that she's so big already. Yes, I just called my 5 week old baby BIG. As I walked out of the hospital, I missed having a newborn and started thinking that I would have to have a second kid. . . one just isn't enough.
HOLD THE FRICKING PHONE. Wasn't I the one who had some bad baby blues and kept thinking I wanted my old life back? Didn't I have 22 hours of labor (normal), two of which I cried because I needed drugs and was in so much pain? Yes, these were all me. I've already forgotten the pain of labor. I've already forgotten the adjustments to being a new mom. Somehow I've forgotten that I am board off of my ass all day as I'm home with little Miss B. The truth is, the reproductive endocrinologist will be contacting us soon to see what we want to do with our frozen embryos. It's $1000 to store them another year. Mr. Later Than Most keeps telling me one kid is all we get. Either way, I'm happy to have my Miss B.
On a sad note, my sister in law is in preterm labor at the hospital. She's only 24 weeks. If you can spare an extra thought in my future niece's direction, I'd be forever grateful.
Yesterday I had to drive to the hospital to return my good ole hospital grade pump. Yes, the one that didn't up my supply. So the office is in the hospital's Mother Baby unit. Well, I walk in with my pump and while I'm returning it, my heart melts. I hear a newborn crying. Right away I realize that Brooklyn does not have that newborn cry anymore. She is now 5 weeks old and her cry does not sound like that. In fact, she's so long she doesn't even look new anymore. Right away I got sad that she's so big already. Yes, I just called my 5 week old baby BIG. As I walked out of the hospital, I missed having a newborn and started thinking that I would have to have a second kid. . . one just isn't enough.
HOLD THE FRICKING PHONE. Wasn't I the one who had some bad baby blues and kept thinking I wanted my old life back? Didn't I have 22 hours of labor (normal), two of which I cried because I needed drugs and was in so much pain? Yes, these were all me. I've already forgotten the pain of labor. I've already forgotten the adjustments to being a new mom. Somehow I've forgotten that I am board off of my ass all day as I'm home with little Miss B. The truth is, the reproductive endocrinologist will be contacting us soon to see what we want to do with our frozen embryos. It's $1000 to store them another year. Mr. Later Than Most keeps telling me one kid is all we get. Either way, I'm happy to have my Miss B.
On a sad note, my sister in law is in preterm labor at the hospital. She's only 24 weeks. If you can spare an extra thought in my future niece's direction, I'd be forever grateful.
May 11, 2011
My Stroller Buddy
The weather has finally warmed-up here in Chi Town! Yesterday Brooklyn and I met S and her twins at S's house. We took the three girls to her town's "downtown" and just pushed the girls all over. We got smoothies and just enjoyed another adult's company. It was great fun, and horridly hot! After about three hours, we began to walk back to her place. All three girls slept the entire time. We hope to get together a couple of times a week.
Mommyhood is going well and I'm getting used to staying home from work. Brooklyn and I take our City Mini out on the town each day. Today we went super early to avoid the heat, but we didn't avoid it so well. I was so gross from sweat! Tonight I went out and got an SPF cover for the infant seat so B doesn't have to have a thick blanket shielding her from the sun. We plan to get a pass to Brookfield Zoo this summer, so that bad-boy will come in handy. Also, S plans to take us with her and the girls to the local Arboretum so it'll get a lot of use.
B is getting so big. She smiles here and there and sometimes it's right at you. She is VERY long! LOL I think she's probably 23 inches already! Tomorrow I should measure her! I know she's over 9 pounds because I got on the scale with her the other day! Ha! Today I officially switched her to size 1 diapers. The newborn still fit, but I feel like she should move to 1s. So far, I use both Huggies and Pampers. I've noticed a difference between the two, but I'm not sure which I prefer.
More later!
Mommyhood is going well and I'm getting used to staying home from work. Brooklyn and I take our City Mini out on the town each day. Today we went super early to avoid the heat, but we didn't avoid it so well. I was so gross from sweat! Tonight I went out and got an SPF cover for the infant seat so B doesn't have to have a thick blanket shielding her from the sun. We plan to get a pass to Brookfield Zoo this summer, so that bad-boy will come in handy. Also, S plans to take us with her and the girls to the local Arboretum so it'll get a lot of use.
B is getting so big. She smiles here and there and sometimes it's right at you. She is VERY long! LOL I think she's probably 23 inches already! Tomorrow I should measure her! I know she's over 9 pounds because I got on the scale with her the other day! Ha! Today I officially switched her to size 1 diapers. The newborn still fit, but I feel like she should move to 1s. So far, I use both Huggies and Pampers. I've noticed a difference between the two, but I'm not sure which I prefer.
More later!
May 6, 2011
4 Weeks!
Oh my. . . Brooklyn is four weeks old! I don't remember the first two weeks (lol) but it seems to have gone by fast. Everyone warned me this would happen, but for a while there we were just trying to get out of survival mode.
Things seem to be back to normal for me. I did my first week "alone" and I was successful! The day goes by fast. I take Miss B for an hour walk a day and it really helps break the day up. Also, it gets me out of the house and allows me to use my City Mini. Man, I love that stroller! Yesterday the two of us ran to Target. It was Brooklyn's first visit to a store (there will be plenty more) and my first time out with her alone. Actually, she had only gone to the doctor before that. It was a successful shopping trip. I got what I needed and she slept the whole time. Tomorrow I will take her to my sister's house for a Mother's Day celebration. I can't believe that I'll be celebrating this Mother's Day. For those who haven't experienced infertility, Mother's Day is one of the hardest days for "infertile" girls to experience. It's another reminder of something they long to have. Mother's Day and baby showers were always the worst for me. I'm happy to say that most of my IF friends are now pregnant or have babies. I have friends IRL that are still struggling, but I have positive hopes for them this week.
I don't know what to make of Mother's Day. I think I'll just hold Brooklyn in my arms most of the day and be thankful that I have her. Today on my walk I kept staring at her (man, is she cute) and thinking about how she was a product of science. She was in a lab developing an being monitored by scientists. Next week I'm going to hang out with S and the twins again. We are goon hoping to take all of the babies to the IVF Institute to see the doctor, nurses and secretaries. I'm kinda excited :)
Happy Mother's Day to all of the mommies and mommies to be. For those who are still waiting for their day to come. . . hang in there. It's worth the wait, the money, the injections and the heartbreak.
Things seem to be back to normal for me. I did my first week "alone" and I was successful! The day goes by fast. I take Miss B for an hour walk a day and it really helps break the day up. Also, it gets me out of the house and allows me to use my City Mini. Man, I love that stroller! Yesterday the two of us ran to Target. It was Brooklyn's first visit to a store (there will be plenty more) and my first time out with her alone. Actually, she had only gone to the doctor before that. It was a successful shopping trip. I got what I needed and she slept the whole time. Tomorrow I will take her to my sister's house for a Mother's Day celebration. I can't believe that I'll be celebrating this Mother's Day. For those who haven't experienced infertility, Mother's Day is one of the hardest days for "infertile" girls to experience. It's another reminder of something they long to have. Mother's Day and baby showers were always the worst for me. I'm happy to say that most of my IF friends are now pregnant or have babies. I have friends IRL that are still struggling, but I have positive hopes for them this week.
I don't know what to make of Mother's Day. I think I'll just hold Brooklyn in my arms most of the day and be thankful that I have her. Today on my walk I kept staring at her (man, is she cute) and thinking about how she was a product of science. She was in a lab developing an being monitored by scientists. Next week I'm going to hang out with S and the twins again. We are goon hoping to take all of the babies to the IVF Institute to see the doctor, nurses and secretaries. I'm kinda excited :)
Happy Mother's Day to all of the mommies and mommies to be. For those who are still waiting for their day to come. . . hang in there. It's worth the wait, the money, the injections and the heartbreak.
May 3, 2011
Yummy Wine!
Yes, as my title suggests, I'm on the bottle. Well, baby and I are both on the bottle. This week was my first glass of wine! Horray! And Brooklyn is completely on formula. Yes, my body failed me. Even pumping didn't work. I took the Fenugreek and drank the Mother's Milk Tea. I didn't see an increase in supply. In fact, one day last week I just quite pumping, cold turkey, and I only had to pump one time for relief. So, cheers to drinking wine. I'm enjoying a glass of Polka Dot Riesling!
All of my help is gone! Yesterday was my first day alone with Brooklyn. We left on our first road trip at about 9am. We headed off to S's house to see her and the twins. Brooklyn was great on the ride there and I even stopped at McDonald's for coffee! At S's, it was great. She has her whole living room set-up A La Baby. Well, it looks like my place put she has two of everything. The girls were so cute. They pretty much all complained and ate the whole time, but S and I enjoyed each other's company. I tried to help her once, but her little one knew I was a "mommy fill-in." LOL We meant to take pictures, but never got around to it. It's amazing to think that those three girls were all embryos in the same lab and developing at the same time. Sometimes S and I joke that Brooklyn is hers and one of her twins is actually mine. The only thing is, both girls look like her husband and Brooklyn has my mouth. So, we are thankful that they were not mixed up in the lab! Ha! Next week S and I plan to get together twice.
Today was a little more tough. Brooklyn and I woke up around 7. I cleaned a little and she enjoyed her swing long enough for me to eat. At about 9am I thought, "I could get used to this." I was watching Oprah and rocking B in my arms. By noon I was bored to pieces! I had used every baby equipment I had and was out of ideas. I finally bundled B up and took her for a walk. At 1pm I was counting the time until Mr. Lather Than Most would be home at 5pm so I could have a little break. B didn't nap at all today, therefore I didn't nap either. But, you won't be surprised to find that she's sleeping now, because it's Mr. LTM's shift. Such a daddy's girl! I wonder what in the heck I'll do tomorrow for an ENTIRE day. I always knew staying at home would be rough for me. I know it'll be hard to leave B in August to go back to school, but I'll need the routine I'm sure.
Emotionally, I feel much better. Thank goodness those hormones hang out for a while and then take off. OMG, I felt like the white van was going to come and take me away. It's a terrible, terrible feeling. I'm so glad to be feeling better. I truly owe it to Mr. LTM. He made sure I was getting enough sleep and every day told me that my emotions were temporary. He envisioned what B would look like in the next year and tried to make me think about the future and not the day I was on. He's a great guy :)
As for scheduling, it's actually almost time for me to go to bed! I sleep from 8pm to about 1am. The Mr. LTM comes and gets me and he goes to bed. B normally eats around 2 am and then 4am. Sometimes she'll awake at 6 and sometimes 7. I HATE going to bed at 8pm, but I have no choice. She's not sleeping during the day and it's my only time to really sleep. So, I have three hours a day that I'm awake and doing my "own thing." It's rough, but I'm sure I'll adapt.
Off for a wine refill!
All of my help is gone! Yesterday was my first day alone with Brooklyn. We left on our first road trip at about 9am. We headed off to S's house to see her and the twins. Brooklyn was great on the ride there and I even stopped at McDonald's for coffee! At S's, it was great. She has her whole living room set-up A La Baby. Well, it looks like my place put she has two of everything. The girls were so cute. They pretty much all complained and ate the whole time, but S and I enjoyed each other's company. I tried to help her once, but her little one knew I was a "mommy fill-in." LOL We meant to take pictures, but never got around to it. It's amazing to think that those three girls were all embryos in the same lab and developing at the same time. Sometimes S and I joke that Brooklyn is hers and one of her twins is actually mine. The only thing is, both girls look like her husband and Brooklyn has my mouth. So, we are thankful that they were not mixed up in the lab! Ha! Next week S and I plan to get together twice.
Today was a little more tough. Brooklyn and I woke up around 7. I cleaned a little and she enjoyed her swing long enough for me to eat. At about 9am I thought, "I could get used to this." I was watching Oprah and rocking B in my arms. By noon I was bored to pieces! I had used every baby equipment I had and was out of ideas. I finally bundled B up and took her for a walk. At 1pm I was counting the time until Mr. Lather Than Most would be home at 5pm so I could have a little break. B didn't nap at all today, therefore I didn't nap either. But, you won't be surprised to find that she's sleeping now, because it's Mr. LTM's shift. Such a daddy's girl! I wonder what in the heck I'll do tomorrow for an ENTIRE day. I always knew staying at home would be rough for me. I know it'll be hard to leave B in August to go back to school, but I'll need the routine I'm sure.
Emotionally, I feel much better. Thank goodness those hormones hang out for a while and then take off. OMG, I felt like the white van was going to come and take me away. It's a terrible, terrible feeling. I'm so glad to be feeling better. I truly owe it to Mr. LTM. He made sure I was getting enough sleep and every day told me that my emotions were temporary. He envisioned what B would look like in the next year and tried to make me think about the future and not the day I was on. He's a great guy :)
As for scheduling, it's actually almost time for me to go to bed! I sleep from 8pm to about 1am. The Mr. LTM comes and gets me and he goes to bed. B normally eats around 2 am and then 4am. Sometimes she'll awake at 6 and sometimes 7. I HATE going to bed at 8pm, but I have no choice. She's not sleeping during the day and it's my only time to really sleep. So, I have three hours a day that I'm awake and doing my "own thing." It's rough, but I'm sure I'll adapt.
Off for a wine refill!
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