Baby is already getting gifts!!

Well, I have been pregnant for 6 weeks, and only back in the states for 3 weeks, and only known I am pregnant for 2 weeks, and BABY Ford is already being showered with gifts. My first gift was from my friend Monica, who has a super cute 2 y.o. named Sebastian. She sent me a yellow "little giraffe" blanket that is so soft (I think Jeremy wants to use it before the baby is here!!). Then, of course, my mom and sisters love giving gifts, so my parents gave us a little "snowbabies" music box-type thing that sings Brahm's Lullaby--very cute. Today, I got a package from my sisters with 3 little onsies that are super cute. One was one that I saw at Target with them on Sunday. It says "Photo with Baby...$.50" ...I need to start recooping some money off this kid. They sent the outfit, so obviously they do not realized that they will probably be the ones that are coughing up the most money to take a picture of Baby Ford:) LOL!!! Anyways, we are justing waiting on the time to pass until our next appt. Still no major symptoms, thank goodness. Just some nausea, but nothing that a few sips of Sprite can't handle so far. Keep your fingers crossed on that one! Thanks for all the support!!

THE VERDICT IS...

ONE healthy heartbeat on ultrasound today. It was exciting, and not as scary as if we had seen two or three on the ultrasound. Jeremy was a little emotional...what a big baby. We go back on July 14th for a "full work up"....not really sure what that includes because we've never been this far before. All I know is that this poor baby will probably not learn to walk or even crawl until it is 3-4 because of everyone wanting to hold it all the time. Our little baby is the size of a pumpkin seed today...kind of small. We are excited!!!! Thanks for all your prayers.

Tomorrow is the BIG day

Tomorrow at 10am, we go to the OB/GYN for our first ultrasound. Hopefully, we will be able to see how many sacs there, and see a heartbeat/heartbeats. Tonight, my family took bets on what number they think we are having. They said that the person who guessed the right number got a baby named after them. Well, that may be one long baby name, since there are only 3 possible options. I feel pretty good, except that I am really tired, really early (before 10pm every night, and around 2-4 every afternoon). Work was really stressful this past week, so hopefully Monday's appt will start this next week off right. My sisters, Mom, and I went to Babies-r-us today, because they wanted me to start looking for stuff that I like. There's a lot of cute stuff, but that store is really expensive! I guess we will see after tomorrow's appt how much of that expensive baby stuff we will be getting. I'm just very READY to see the heartbeat(s) tomorrow!!! Keep praying!

2nd beta results

Well, I got my results from Friday's beta test today. Remember on Friday, my Hcg was 578, and Friday it was 1229!!! That's more than double in 48 hours!!!! I am SOOO pregnant, and SOOO excited about it. I was glad that the nurse called me this morning before work started, so that I had something happy to think about all day. For some reason, I wasn't doing math very well, and I was a little panicked because I didn't think that the numbers had doubled. But, after some quick math in my brain, I realized that the numbers more than doubled!!! My family is so excited. They are all hoping for more than one, but we won't know that until at least next Monday. I just hope however many there are, that they are all healthy!! Keep us in your prayers....thank you for them (and the baby/babies say thank you too:)

Still sinking in!

Well, yesterday was a big day for us. It is still sinking in today. My final stats were Hcg-578, progesterone 233.2, and estradiol 1534. The nurse said all that was good, and she will call me on Monday with my results from today's blood work. I just need those numbers to double in 48-72 hours. She also scheduled me for my first ultrasound on June 23rd at 10am. Maybe we will be able to see if there is more than one, and maybe we will be able to see a heartbeat. We are very excited!!!

And the results are...

Well, the nurse called me this morning at 10am with the results of my hcg test. the Hcg level was 578....HOLY COW!!! The normal results from 12days post transfer are between 50-100, so I guess that I am EXTRA pregnant!!! Also, my progesterone level was 233.2!!! That's also really good because that is what helps to keep you pregnant. We called my mom, who answered the phone before it even rang through one time, and she moved right past the "I'm pregnant part, to maybe it could be more than one baby." So, everyone is very excited!!! To tell you all the truth, Jeremy and I were so anxious yesterday after I got stuck, that I bought 2 EPT tests. I took one of those tests yesterday at 3pm, and it turned "Pregnant" within 30 seconds!!! Needless to say, Jeremy and I cried like a bunch of babies. We decided we wanted to wait until we got the blood test results to let people know for sure, so here it is ...WE ARE PREGNANT!!!!! 4 years of trying and waiting as come to an end!!! Please keep praying though, as it is important that the numbers double on Friday's blood test for a viable pregnancy, and then we need to make sure there are no problems in the first trimester!!! We are so excited!!!!

Got stuck today!!

Well, today I went for my Hcg test. I went at 2:30 pm, and it took about 30 minutes to draw one vial of blood. I was stuck once, and the vein rolled. So then we looked at my veins and talked about which one to stick for about 30 minutes. Finally, I said, "Listen, I don't care where you take the blood from. I just want the results." Of course, after this was over, I asked how long the results would be. They should take about 24 hours to get to my doctor's office. However, then the lab technician told me that if the doctor had ordered a STAT test, that I could have at least found out the Hcg part today (but not the progesterone or estradiol). This is the frustrating part. I will know tomorrow (hopefully) if I am pregnant, but I still have to retest at least once or twice to make sure that the numbers are doubling every 48-72 hours. So, I will not know the results of Friday's test until Monday. More waiting!!! I am still having cramping like I am getting ready to start my period, but I am remaining positive. Tomorrow we will know one way or another. My friends, Joy and Cori, are both pregnant!!! Congrats to them!!! I am so thankful for everyone's prayers and comments on the blog. You have all been so supportive in all this!! I am done posting pictures (I think), unless I find some more to post:) Pray hard tonight!!!! I'll let you know tomorrow.

Tomorrow's the Day

Tomorrow I will be going to have my first beta test tomorrow afternoon. I really wish that I was getting the results tomorrow, but I guess I will be waiting until the nurse calls me with the results (hopefully on Thursday, but it may not be until Friday). I am feeling kind of crampy, so I hope that is a good sign. We will see. My friend Joy went and had her first beta yesterday...she had a positive, high beta number. I am quite busy trying to catch up at work, so thankfully I don't have much time to think about it. The best part of today was that another Divisional Vice President from the west asked if I was interested in managing a 3 million dollar store (bigger than mine), but its in Tucson, AZ. I definitely am not interested, but I was really flattered that he thought of me. Quite honestly, I didn't even know that he knew my name. So, that was the best part of my day. Telling an office associate that I am going to have to eliminate her position to realign my store with the store model...not fun. I hate that part of the job. My regional manager told me that she feels sorry for me because of the difficulties that my store keeps throwing up in my face. It is really hard sometimes, but I am the manager. Therefore, get on my side (and the company's side)...or get a new job. Easy enough, right?! Let 's hope so. It should be an interesting next few months. Hopefully it will not be too stressful. Anyway, back to betas...I will post as soon as I know, as I know that you all are dying to know. Trust me, I am dying to know also. Joy and Cori think that I have a strong will to not have tested yet. In reality, I like thinking that it will be positive, and not having to know the reality in case it is negative. I am kind of excited about the test, but also dreading it at the same time. Tomorrow is it...no more fantasizing and dreaming about what will be. Tomorrow is the cold, hard truth. Let's just hope and pray that the cold hard truth is HAPPY!!!!!

Some pictures online

So, tonight, I taught myself how to download pictures online. We have 2 albums set up at jeremyandamber.myphotoalbum.com. I will add more later, but it takes a while to upload and then do the captions. Everything is going well here, just waiting and waiting. I was really tired today at work, but that may just be that I haven't worked this much in almost a month. Thankfully, my store is doing very well volume-wise right now, so that is one less stress on me. I am very thankful for that! Hopefully I will have more pictures up by Tuesday (I work open to closed tomorrow). Keep praying !!!! Good luck tomorrow Joy!

Small Pity Party Here

Well, today was the first Saturday that I have worked since returning from Czech. I am 99% positive that there must have been a small village of pregnant women dropped off in front of the mall today. I counted at least 15-20 walking by the store. Somewhat irritating. Then, a woman at my work (who is currently separated from her husband, living with another guy, and smokes) tells me that she is "WHOOPS" pregnant. She is somewhat scared, excited, and nervous all rolled into one. She has a 8 yo daughter from her first marriage, and needless to say, this baby was not in the plan. So, I congratulated her, and asked her when she is due. She figures around Valentines' Day...which is almost exactly when I will be due if I am pregnant. That should make for an interesting Christmas season with 2 super pregnant women in a small store. Even better will be the maternity leave situation. On the upside, I guess if she knows a great sitter, maybe we could share. Also, Joy and Cori have both got positive home pregnancy test results already. I am not ready for that yet, as it is still kind of early. We will see how this next week goes. I don't really feel bad, just kind of crampy on my left side and in the middle of my back. Keep praying!!

waiting and waiting

Well, today is one week past the transfer. So, one week down, one week to go. The thoughts and worries that go through my mind daily are very interesting. About 70% of the time I am very optimistic and "sure" that this is going to work, but then the rest of the time I am worried that I am going to be severely disappointed next week. Jeremy and I are staying positive (he keeps telling me that it is going to work). But, the reality is that it is only successful around 40-50% of the time. Another girl that was in Zlin the same time as us got a negative too. Both women from Florida were negative then! I really was hoping for the best for them, but I guess it wasn't to be this time. That's the reality that I think about 30% of the time. This may not be our time. Like I said, I am positive that is it going to work about 70% of the time, and I am trying to stay busy so I do not think about it the rest of the time. I think I am going to have my first blood test on Wednesday and second on Friday (it will probably take 24-48 hours to get the results from the doctor). Going back to work has really helped, but I am trying to take it easy there. Everyone is glad that I am back, and overall, I am glad to be back. Truthfully, I wish I could have stayed on a permanent vacation, but that is definitely not in the cards for us!! Ah, wishful thinking! Please add Jeremy's search for a job that he will like to your prayers for us. If we are pregnant, he will need a job. If we aren't, he will need a job to pay for round 2.

Home at last

Well, we left our Pension at 4:30am to get to the airport. Our driver was really great, he basically gave us a mini tour on the way to the airport, and he carried our bags inside. The plane ride was pretty non-eventful. We had hope to ride first class from Frankfurt to Charlotte, as Heath had used his non-rev for us. But, when we got there, it had filled up..oh well! The ride seemed a lot shorter/better than last time. Not much sleep again though. We also didn't sleep well in Prague, as we realized that we did not have a reliable alarm. We had one that we thought worked, but I woke up at 1am, and it was apparently losing time (it said it was 11:30pm). Smooth flights though, and when we got to Charlotte, only one of our 4 bags was missing. It was kind of funny though, because it was the one I took as a carry on on the way out there. We checked it this time because the wheel thumped as you rolled it. Hopefully we will get it back soon!! It has my medical records, some souvenirs, DVDs, and toiletries in there. My mom and dad were waiting for us at the airport, and had written on a index card "Ford, Party of 5? or 8?" It was pretty cute, but I sure do hope it's not party of 8!!! Yikes!!! Still feeling good, just some crampiness every once in a while. I don't had to work until Thursday, so I get to relax for one day. I am very cautiously hopeful that this has worked this time!!!! Thanks for all of your continued prayers and support.

PRAGUE

So, we left Zlin on Monday at 9am (1am eastern time) to have an afternoon seeing the city. Zuzka's fiance, David drove us to Prague ---if I have to go back, I am going to find stick on racing stripes for his car (he really missed his calling as a NASCAR driver)!!! The Pension we stayed at was in a good location, but it was very bland compared to the Uno. Our view was of a back alley! But, it was cheap and we didn't stay in the room. We walked from New Town (where our Pension was) to Old Town, watched the Astronomical clock go off at 2pm (the one in Olomouc is more impressive), and then caught an open air bus tour. The tour was a great idea that Jeremy had, as I am supposed to be taking it easy with not a lot of walking. We got to see just about every big sight, and they took us up to Prague Castle. They have a changing of the guard everyday at 12pm, and the two guards are stationed outside just like you see in pictures (no moving). The view from the castle is amazing over Prague---it is such a cramped city!! We loved the stained glass windows from inside St. Vitus Cathedral. They were the best we had seen the whole trip. But, the absolute best thing that we found in Prague......Dr. Pepper!! Jeremy found them at the castle concessions, and bought two. We have been here for 3 weeks, and he has been without his favorite drink until the last day! It was funny, and it made him happy. We ate dinner on the square, and watched as a band on stilts marched by...that was interesting. We also bought a cool souvenir, a marionette of Pinocchio. Now all Jeremy has to do is learn how to work it. Overall, it was a fun, but tiring day. I can say that I enjoyed the rest of the trip more. Prague is a great place to visit for a few days, but I really liked the slower pace of the rest of Czech more.

Last Meal and thoughts in Zlin

I'm a few days late, as we did not have internet access in Prague. So, this post is actually about Sunday, June 1st and some of Monday, June 2nd. It was definitely starting to wind down after Cori and Heath left. I mean, we couldn't attempt to go anywhere, as our best Czech speaker had left! We decided to go to the Husa one last time for their fabulous spinach mashed potatoes. The company was great, but the food wasn't as good as last time. Maybe it's just the fact that we are getting ready to go home to American food. Don't get me wrong, the food here has been great, but it's just not homecooked food. We also watched Hitch with Joy and Doug...I love watching movies with her...everything is funny and she has a great laugh! I'm going to miss that! Overall, I really don't want to leave. I have had so much fun on this "vacation with shots" that going back to Charlotte and to work isn't very appealing. Overall, I still don't feel any real symptoms, which I hope is a good sign. Jeremy and I pray everyday for a "happy, healthy baby." If God wants to bless us with more than one, we would be thrilled with that too. But all we are truly asking for is just ONE!! It is what everyone we have met on this trip is also asking for, and sometimes it just doesn't seem fair. I heard that one of the girls from Florida started her cycle today, so that means that IVF didn't work for her this time either. She had 3 Grade 1 blastocysts transferred on Day 5 (the best result she had ever had with IVF), but still no baby this time. It is the reality that we can only do so much to make this happen, and then have to pray and hope that it is God's will for us to get pregnant now. I hope so!!

T-12 days and counting

Well, it is June 1st, only 12 more days until we know something. Guess what day my test date should be on...Friday the 13th!!! I'm not superstitious about that, but I just think it is comical. Overall, I have had very few symptoms. Some cramping, but that is about it. My back hurts, but I think that is because Jeremy has made me lay down for the last 48 hours. Yesterday I didn't even take a shower because he didn't think I should stand that long. I know that the eggs are going to implant or not either way, but we want to know that we did everything absolutely right. I still have not tried to upload my pictures, so maybe today?! The pictures from the transfer are kind of blurry anyway...Jeremy said it all happened too fast. It didn't seem fast to me as my legs were cramping up. He was nervous, but don't tell him I told you that:) As far as meds, all I do now is take the Prednison and baby aspirin in the morning (to help the eggs to be accepted and the lining to be accepting), and then Progesterone at night. This stuff is pretty easy. Today Cori and Heath are leaving, so we went out for out "Last Supper" with them last night. The 6 of us all walked SLOOOOWLYYY! down the hill to the Baltaci to have their wonderful Tuscan soup (onions and bacon---excellente)!! I first had this soup the day before my transfer, and ever since then we have been trying to figure out if they have "to go" bowls. The verdict is probably not, and we don't know how to ask that anyways. So, I was really glad that they wanted to go there last night. We absolutely stuffed ourselves, and then went to our favorite dessert spot (Pizza u Capa) for one last fruit cocktail. The guys were sweet and called a taxi to take us girls back up the hill, but when we got to the Uno, we realized that none of us had a key. It was so nice sitting outside at the tables, that we really didn't mind. I am really going to miss all of them. It was great to have people going through the exact same things as us. Last night after dinner, we all gathered in Cori and Heath's room to watch Mission Impossible 3. All the guys were on the couch, and all of us girls were laying on the bed. Today should be interesting, as Jeremy said he is going to do all the packing. I am glad that I will have a front row seat for this, as it could be quite comical!! Tomorrow morning, ivfvacation.com is driving us to Prague, and we are spending the night before we fly home very early on Tuesday.