It's been awhile.....like a year

So I haven't updated in a long time, but here is a quick run down over the last year

Baby Lily was born on April 6, 2013.  She was 8.1lbs and 20in.  After 2 hours of pushing we ended up in a C-section.  We had the best medical team anyone could ever ask for.  My personal nurse friend who worked after her shift to stay with me and my OB who broke her wrist the night before but still came for my delivery on her day off.  I love them both, they are the best!

Robin was over the moon for Lilly's arrival.  Her family and friends were there to share that special time with her.  I was glad to see everyone there for her and the baby.

After Lily we all agreed that would be it, but now a year has gone by and Robin's family are very personal to me.  The thought of someone else carrying Lily's sibling is awful to me.  I guess because I am very protective over this family now that we are so close and I don't trust anyone with the precious cargo but me.  With that being sad, we have started on a sibling project.  Yea!!

I will start my wonderful Lupron injections on Friday and transfer is scheduled for April

Happy Easter

 

Here is a Easter picture from me and a friend.  We are due on the same day.  She is carrying a boy and I'm carrying Miss Lily.

 

Easter Bunny blessing Miss Lily!

 

Robin and I went to the Dr on Friday and she scheduled us an induced date for Saturday, April 6th.  I will be 38 weeks.  I will go in on Thursday and Friday to have a shot for the baby's lungs to make sure they are fully developed for Lily's arrival.  Everyone is very excited and can't wait for Saturday. 

 

More to come...

Happy Valentine's Day

 

I almost forgot to put these pictures on here.  These were my Valentine's pictures for Robin.

 

Thanks to Demi for taking the pictures for me

8 Months

 

Here I am at 8mth with Little Lily

 

Robin and I went to see the Dr last week and she was measuring 82% and 5 1/2lbs at 32 weeks.  She is going to be a big girl.  With that being said, the Dr is going to induce us around 37 weeks.  That will put us delivering the 1st week of April.  I have a good nurse friend who delivered Demi so we are going to try to make it on one of the days she will be working.  It will be one of three days...

April 3, April 6 or April 7

The Dr told us that she will let us know for sure as we get closer.

 

Standing on my head must have worked b/c Lily is now head down and ready to go :)

 

Robin has been a busy momma getting everything ready for Lily's arrival.  She had two baby showers and received lots of baby gifts.  Now getting everything washed, wiped down and put together is her main focus.  Robin recorded 4 baby books that I play for Lily everyday so she can hear her mothers voice.  We only have about 4 more weeks left and we will get to meet this little one.  Its going to be great and we cant wait!

7 Months

 

Here I am at 7mth with Little Lily

 

Went to the Dr at 28 weeks and baby was measuring around 3 1/2lbs.  Lily was breech.  So for the next two week, I stood on my head everyday hoping she would flip and turn head down...lol!  Read about it on the internet.  You put your knees on the couch and your elbows on the ground so your butt is straight up in the air.  Not very comfy but whatever works to get her head down. 

Glucose Test & Sono

Last Thursday Robin and I went in for a dr appt for the 1 hour glucose test and a sono.

 

Glucose Test - I failed the 1 hour glucose test so I had to go back in yesterday for the 3 hour glucose test.  It was terrible, I have to say.  I never want to do that test again.  Dr office called today and I passed the 3 hour test....yea!

 

Sono - I was 26w4d and baby Lily was measuring like a 29 week baby.  Sono said she weighed around 2.11 lbs.  Too many donuts and ice cream....LOL!  At this point, we think she is going to be a big baby.  We will have another sono next week. 

 

We are now going to see the dr every 2 weeks

 

Keep ya posted, more to come

6 Months

Here I am at 6 months with little Lily

About 14 more weeks to go......Robin and I cant wait!

 

Keep yall posted, more to come

5 Months

Here we are at 5 mth with baby Lily!

 

Demi Birthday

Robin came in town for a sono appt on Friday and came to Demi's build a bear birthday on Saturday.  Lily now has her first two build a bears to welcome her when she arrives.  Demi picked out the pink bear and Momma Robin picked out the longhorn.  She is going to be one spoiled little girl.

Thanks Robin again for coming and sharing Demi's special day with us!  You are truely part of our family.

It's A Girl!

Wow, I haven't updated in awhile but IT'S A GIRL!  Robin is very excited and plans on naming her after her mother who passed away.  Her name will be Lillian Mary and Robin will call her Lily!

Congrats Robin on a baby girl!  Can't wait to meet her :)

More to come
Shyana

Daxton's Birthday

Yesterday was my sons birthday party and Robin came to visit.  It was really great to see her and introduce her to my family and friends.  The day was supposed to be a fun filled day outside in the sun with two bounce houses and swimming.  However, mother nature had a different plan for us.  It rained and rained and rained.  Here in Texas, we always want rain but never get it.  It just happens to rain on the one day I didn't want it to.  Owell, the kids still had fun.  We ended up having the party inside and they just ran around like crazy kids.  Robin was able to see the kids playing with others and be apart of Daxton's special day.  Even though things didn't turn out as planned, he still had a blast.  Robin enjoyed getting a chance to sit down with my family and friend to learn a little more about my family.  Everyone was excited to finally put a name with a face because Robin has become such a big part of our lives lately.  My family and friends loved her, just as I expected and says she fits right in.  They were happy to finally meet her and tell her congrats on the baby.  Thanks Robin for the Iron Man and Captain America toys.  Dax loves them!  And thanks again for coming.

 Happy Birthday Daxton!

WE ARE PREGNANT!

We are officially PREGNANT! 

Robin is over the moon with excitement and I couldn't be happier for her.

Our beta numbers are seen below.  Beta numbers are HCG hormone levels during pregnancy.

At 9 days it was 70.8

At 11 days it was 176

Amazing Day

Today was our embryo transfer and it couldn't have gone any better.  Robin and I were a little nervous before the transfer but ended up relaxing more as we arrived at the office.  We transferred one perfect graded embryo.  Because this was round two for both of us, we knew what to expect.  For example, instead of slamming the water to get a full bladder, I simply sipped on that water to get the same result.  Last time I was absolutely miserable and this time was very manageable until my time was up.  Some of you may not know what I am talking about so let me explain.  You are required to arrive at the office with a full bladder and then after the transfer, you have to basically lay upside down with your feet up for another 20 mins.  Its kinda hard to have a full bladder for that long but today was great.  We didnt have any problems at all and it was just perfect!

 Here is the medical team who has made this possible for us to continue our journey together. 

They are the BEST!  Thank you Jennifer & Dr. Kathy

This is where the "Magic" happens.  First baby picture on the screen beside us.

Our #1 supporters!

My husband Donald and aunt Kristina

Thanks for sharing this special day with us......for the second time.

In the surrogacy world there are good luck things to make you have a successful transfer.  Not sure if it is true or not but after having a failed transfer in June, I am willing to do anything to get Robin her baby.  I read somewhere on the SMO (Surrogate Mothers Online) website that some of the girls clinics would give their surrogates dark chocolate after the transfer.  So me, Robin, Kristina and Donald all shared a dark chocolate candy bar after the transfer.  I also heard that McDonald's fries on the way home from the transfer is good luck too.  So once again, we all stopped and got us some McDonald's fries.

Lastly, eating pineapple.  I will do that a little later today. 

Overall, this has been such an amazing experience so far and we are just getting started.  I will do blood work on Sunday Aug, 12 to confirm if the transfer worked or not.  Whatever the outcome, good or bad, I am very thankful to have met Robin.

Off to bedrest for the rest of the weekend while my hubby spoils me :)

I will keep yall posted, more to come

August 3rd......It's Gonna be a Good Day

Some of my levels were off by a few days so they had to push my meds back.  Our new trasnfer date will be next Friday, August 3rd.  We are very excited and can't wait for next Friday to be here. 

In the meantime, Robin sent us a "Goodie Box" for me and my family.  It had lots of fun stuff in it for all of us.  She is the best! 

Thanks again Robin

Please keep your fingers crossed for us!

I will keep yall posted, more to come

Round 2.....Bring It On!

Here is the schedule for our new calendar

July is going to be our month!

My Calendar:
June 29 - Start Lupron
July 3 - Last BC Pill
July 13 - Sono & Estrace
July 24 - Sono
July 26 - Start Progesterone
July 31 - Embryo Transfer

More to come, I will keep yall posted

Bad News

Yesterday Robin and I got a call no IM (intended mother) or surro ever want to get.  We had a negative beta.  That means the transfer didn't take and I am not pregnant.  It is a terrible feeling and I cant imagine how Robin is feeling.  I tried my best to keep her spirits up because I'm a firm believer that everything happens for a reason.  We knew when the Dr told us she only wanted to transfer 1 embie that we only had a 60% chance it would stick.  I know in my heart together we will get her the baby she has been waiting so long for.  We might be taking the long road but thats ok, its what is at the end that matters. 

We are going to get back in the game right away.  I stopped taking my meds yesterday and now just waiting for "aunt flow."  In a few days I will start over on all the meds I've been taking and we will receive our new calendar.  We are hoping for a late July transfer.  If all goes well, the baby will be due in April.  April is a good month.  I have lots of dear friends b-day in April, including my hubby.

More to come, I will keep yall posted

Today is the Big Day...Transfer Day

What an amazing day!!

Robin flew in this morning and met us for lunch before heading over to the clinic for our trasfer.  I was so nervous that I couldn't even eat lunch.  I was not nervous about the procedure itself b/c I have done it before and its no biggie.  I was more nervous that it wouldn't take and I dont want Robin to go through that.  I know how much this means to her and only want success on the first try.  Fingers crossed! 

I got Robin a Noah's Arch snow globe with "May this be a Joyful Journey" engraved as a gift between she and I.

                                                 

 

Robin is a great support system, Love her! During the transfer, Robin was at my side the whole time and it was breathtaking to witness her seeing them put the "little embie" in.  After a few tears, high fives and whoo hoo we did it, she went out to the waiting room to get Donald and aunt Kristina (Robin's best friend) to come join us in the small celebration room.  Which was really just the exam room where I had to be for the next 15-20 mins or so.

Hi Kristina, nice to meet you.  Please excuse me laying upside down, half naked and complaining about wetting the bed.  First impressions, you gotta love them.

Overall, the transfer went great.  We transferred one perfect graded embie and now I am home to lay around for the rest of the week.  My hubby got me my favorite food on the way home from the clinic so I ate plenty of food as soon as I got my comfy fat girl pants on.  No worries Robin, I really do eat, I promise!  My hubby also got me lots of movies to watch while I lay around.  He is the best!

She "Knocked Me Up" today
Redheads have more FUN!

Official Tranfer Date is.....

June 12 @ noon!

Yea, we have less than one week before we are pregnant. Robin is going to fly in that morning to be there for the transfer. We are both so excited! It has been a long time coming and now it's finally here.

More to come on transfer day, I will keep y'all posted

Shyana

Med's for Days

I went to the Dr today to have a sono done after taking Lupron for a few weeks now.  Everything looked great so my orders are to decrease Lupron from 20 units to 10 units daily.  I will start Estrace today which is in pill form.  I will take 1 tablet daily for 4 days and then I will increase it to 2 tablets daily.  After 4 days of 2 tablets, I will increase Estrace again to 3 tablets daily.  I will have another sono on June 5, to confirm the actually transfer date and to be able to start Progesterone injections. 

3 more weeks until the transfer!!

I will keep yall posted, more to come :)

Let the Fun Begin

So we got our official calendar. I will start my little Lupron belly injections tonight. Those are easy breezy :) My last BC (birth control) pill will be on Tuesday. That is very exciting news because it has been making me feel really sick. I feel nauseous when I get hot, feel nauseous when I get cold, feel nauseous when I eat and feel nauseous when I don't eat. So that part of the calendar makes me very happy. I will get a sono on May 25th to let me know if I can start Estrace pills to thicken up my cervix.  I will also have a sono on June 5th to confirm the transfer date and possible start my big Progesterone butt injections. Those hurt :( . At this point, we have an estimated transfer date to be June 12, 13 or 15.

Woo Hoo, we will be pregnant in a month. It's very exciting! I'm ready and I know Robin is more than ready. Robin has such a big heart and deserves a family to share her love with. She is going to be an amazing mother and this time next year she will be celebrating her very own Mother's Day with her own. I'm very thankful to be able to share this experience with her.

Thanks to all who are following us....it's going to be a breathtaking journey!

Keep you posted, more to come