Giving a Gift that lasts a LIFETIME!

I know you're busy, so I'll keep this brief. As the year draws to a close, we tend to reflect on what is most important to us — loved ones, health, making a difference.

 I want to Thank all of our Family and Friends for their Continuous LOVE & support over the last 7 years... you all are the reason we have Ian!

The Kansas City Infertility Awareness association is committed to supporting people affected by Infertility.  YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!

Donate today to help us achieve our mission to create a world where we are able to make others dreams come true. All funds donated will be used at the April 2015 Conference, all whom attend will have an opportunity to put their name in a drawing for this money so that they can use to make their dreams come true!

http://www.gofundme.com/kcinfertility

** Without Two Angels-- Nick and I would not have Ian. We had exhausted every penny, credit card, savings accounts we could. When two ANGELS approached us and said we don't think you are done, we would like to pay for another cycle, you pay for the medication, we'll pay for everything else. To give you an idea, the medications run $2,500-5,000 for ONE cycle and an IVF cycle before Medication runs $14,000-16,000, this does not include $500 if you have any additional to freeze. NO donation is too small, every little bit helps. I wish I had a million dollars at least to help those in KC. Did you know we had over 250 attendees at last years conference? And that's just those couples that are brave enough to be public about it.

Please consider donating this year and become someones "Angel".
I thank God for ours everyday!

www.shemwelljourney.blogspot.com

Make your tax-deductible donation to the KCIA foundation by 11:59pm on December 31st.   http://www.gofundme.com/kcinfertility

www.kcinfertility.org

Dealing with Infertility sucks!

I've had the HONOR of helping 4 girls over the last few months go through their infertility, a few of them found out recently their last cycle did not work... my heart hurts for them because I've stood in those exact shoes.

I decided to write this post because of the Holidays coming.. so please read to the end.. especially those that have no clue about Infertility.

  I know this journey is so heart wrenching... and comes along with Anger , jealousy and anxiety and can ruin marriages. I'm shocked my marriage survived... 7 years of infertility is a long time and I know I was very mean to Nick at times and would snap at others for no reason or just break down and cry for no reason I was mean to others that had children well not mean but just had a envy and love / hate relationship... why was it so easy for them.. look at their beautiful family... I dreaded shower invitations... and I hated the news.. if I saw one more crack momma / daddy do something horrible to their child I was going to LOSE It... and in the beginning before we told everyone about our infertility issues.. I dreaded the "when are you going to have a baby" question. I HATED the response.. it will happen be patient, God has a plan... go have some drinks... you know all the normal responses of someone that has NO clue about Infertility.... and I look back and yes, Nick had moments through it all, but he was truly amazing, Most men probably would have left... I think back to my exes and know in my heart they would of all ran for the hills...

I also did ALOT of self blaming because all of our Infertility was me... I remember appointments in the beginning years, the first Fertility Dr would always make me feel like crap... he would always say when we would run tests and rerun them on both of us.. Nick's count is perfect, Nick's is great... nothings wrong with Nick's sperm.. however we found this on you or that... I still carry that with me that I'm a failure in the one thing women are supposed to be able to do in life is reproduce and I can't even do that right.

 Infertility is also a VERY expensive journey... which also emotionally drains you when you look at all the money you are spending... you want this so bad that you pretty much go in debt over it. Then you think of the Holidays coming and you would rather spend your money on Infertility than on gifts... My favorite is I think People shake their heads at all the money we spent to have Ian... don't judge unless you've walked in the shoes of having infertility, you want a family so bad you'll almost do anything.  Nick and I still live in our first starter home... in Raytown... the city we grew up in our entire life... I love when we tell people where we live, peoples look of disgust because Raytown isn't the place to live anymore or they treat us like we are trash because we live here. I would love for them to have something that has financially drained them and they were not able to live where they wanted. I'm just thankful we have a roof over our head.
 
This is just my opinion take it or leave it.. but make sure you are comfortable with all decisions being made by your Dr.  and if not seek a second opinion. Or just seek a second opinion for peace of mind... I'm telling you only because we saw numerous Dr.'s and Dr. Brabec was the FIRST Dr. that found 2 things that NO other Dr. had informed us about. It also helps that you have full trust in the Dr. you are seeing if you don't have that, I feel like it's not going to be a successful cycle because you are in the back of your mind going... are they sure they know what they are doing. You are always going to have a part of you that prays I hope they know what they are doing... but if you know deep down that you trust them it makes everything so much better.


Nick and I are an open book when it comes to infertility, if you ever have any questions please don't hesitate to ask.  Knowledge is POWER when it comes to Infertility. Nick didn't used to be open to talking about it.. but after so long you realize you have to be. Sometimes he remembers more than I do... I sometimes try and block out all memories but every once in awhile they come flooding back even now having Ian I still cry about it. Infertility unfortunately stays with you... I wish there was no such thing as Infertility.

Our last cycle that we got pregnant with Ian on, I only told my mom and Dad, his mom and dad and the KCIA girls ( 7 other board members) , and one of my very very close friends... only because they get it and I think that helped. not so many people knowing and people that get it knowing so they could help me through it. We didn't even tell our siblings. We told our family and a select few friends once it worked, but we didn't tell everyone until we hit our 12 weeks. Its a mental thing.... you don't feel so much pressure.. yet I know all the prayers are wonderful, but it's so hard to tell people it didn't work, you feel like a failure and that you let them down.

I feel like God put us on this journey to not only test our marriage LOL It worked God :-) But  to make us stronger and to help others with this heart wrenching journey, and while no two Infertility cases are alike and what may work for one it won't work for another Maybe Nick and I can be someones inspiration to never give up. Ian was born 4 weeks before 8 years of trying to have a baby. 

So with the Holidays coming please think of others before you speak.. you may not know they are going through infertility... so save the " when are you going to have a baby" question first off it's annoying.   Because if they aren't going through infertility maybe they've chosen to not have kids, or maybe they've chosen to wait awhile... or maybe they have infertility issues. And if they chose to share with you their infertility issues... DO NOT I repeat do not say any of the following:

* "You guys just need to relax"
*" You guys just need to go on a vacation"
* " You guys just need to get drunk and have sex"
* " My Sister / friend / cousin / had trouble getting pregnant, now she has a beautiful family, it will happen"
* " Have you thought about adopting"
* God has a plan-- Yes we know he has a plan .. we don't need you to tell us that.

maybe just say something like I'm so sorry you are dealing with this... I will keep you in my prayers.. or I'm here if you need to talk / scream / vent whatever the case may be, I may not understand but I'm here for you.


To all of those struggling with Infertility, I say a prayer for you everyday... I wouldn't wish this journey upon my worst enemy... and remember to those that have no clue think before you speak especially during this holiday season coming up... Holidays are the hardest...

Love and prayers,
Angie
ashemwell@kcinfertility.org
www.kcinfertility.org

Life Lately

Our life has been such a whirlwind in the last 3 months, Life is all about Ian now. :-) I wouldn't change it for the world though. We are learning everyday and just when we think we have something figured out.. he changes it up on us LOL He's taught Nick and I so much!

August would have been 8 years of trying to have our miracle from God.

We never knew we could love someone so much! It's hard to believe he's ours sometimes! I remember the first few weeks waiting for someone to come and take him away from us.

 I've had many people ask if I will continue to be a part of KCIA, my answer:

YES YES YES!! I truly believe without them I wouldn't have Ian, the support is overwhelming and the friendships you gain, and just knowing you are not alone is the best ever! I've been wearing my KCIA shirt out and about lately, and I've had 3 people stop me one of which has already found us on Facebook and joined our support group! Makes my heart melt. I truly believe God put me through this journey to help others my heart just gets so big when someone gets pregnant finally after all their struggles. Our nurse that helped deliver Ian-- HUGE Sweetheart, but had been going through Infertility for over 2 years, how the woman does her job I have NO clue!!! She is pregnant, I cried probably as much as she did! I wish I could do this as a full time job!

Ian will probably be our only child, but he was so worth the wait-- We say prayers for those who are struggling with Infertility every morning! If you or anyone you know is going through Infertility Please check out our Facebook page ( Kansas City Infertility Awareness) or our website for events coming up we have multiple FREE events coming up in the next month www.kcinfertility.org

Thank you to all of our friends / family / followers for your support over the last few years it means more to us than you'll ever know!

Love, Nick, Angie & Ian

Welcome Ian Neil....

So I haven't posted in awhile.... We welcomed Ian Neil on July 12! Here's our story...


On Saturday July 5th, I started having occasional contractions, some would bring me to my knees, others would stop me in my tracks... plus I started having HORRIBLE back pain= Back Labor.. I would never wish this upon my worst enemy!!

Every day seemed to get a little worse, but the Dr. said it's just not time yet...

Wednesday July 9th, we went to one of Nick's friends Surprise 40th Birthday party... on our way home, I had 3 HORRIBLE Contractions, within 30 minutes ... finally as we were walking into the house, that one literally brought me to my knees in tears, I stood up and thought possibly my water broke, so we went to the hospital.. spent 24 hours there to only be sent home.. no water broke and only dilated to a 2 and 60% effaced :-( but the Dr. said I have a feeling it's going to happen in the next 1-3 days...

So we went home on with our normal routine, Friday night we went shopping and I walked quite a bit.... Saturday morning I cleaned the entire house, did all the laundry, showered and I was getting ready to head to Walmart, and well My water officially broke....or at least half broke... I called Nick to come home he was at the neighbors and as soon as he got home we left.... headed to the hospital, on the way there, it completely broke.. Thank God for leather seats LOL.

We arrived at 3:15pm on Saturday July 12, Dr. confirmed my water broke and said I see this baby coming between 2-3 am if you haven't dilated by 9 we'll start Pitocin.  I was doing great.. I really hadn't had many contractions, more major back pain... but around 6:45 the contractions kicked in BIG TIME.. and so did the Back labor... it was awful... finally around 8ish I was dilated enough I could have an epidural... Those things are AMAZING.. whomever invented those.. I could kiss.. although it didn't touch the back labor unfortunately.  Finally around 11:15pm She said I was dilated to a 10 started getting ready and the Dr. arrived. I started pushing at 11:35 and at 11:50 our little miracle entered this world! Your entire world changes in an instant and I cried like a little baby! 4 weeks early, but he was PERFECT!!

Everything was going great... went home Monday night... but his bilirubin was up a little.. So we had to go back the next day to get it rechecked... it went up again.. so we went home with a bili light for him, for 2 days.. and it still kept rising, so we had to admit him on Thursday for 5 days.. it was the WORST 5 days of my life.. since I'm breastfeeding I had to stay there... and it was awful seeing my little guy get pricked, prodded and messed with 24/7... at one point, I'm sure they wanted to enter me into a mental institute, between no sleep being at a hospital, and worrying about him I was not a very nice person! Finally Nick talked me into going to grab dinner, outside the hospital... we came back and the Nursery was PITCH black, no babies in sight.. Ian was 1 of 2 baby boys on the Bili Light... So we go to the Nurses station, and they had done Shift change while we were out. We asked the Nurse where our son was, and said he was on the bili light... and she said Oh his parents just took him home... WHAT?????? She then proceeded to say Who are you guys... are you the grand-parents... had I not been more worried about where my son was at, I probably would have choked her.. Grandparents, Really?? We said NO we are his parents... she said Oh.. well calm down.. lets go see... Well they didn't have a nurse for the Nursery so he was in with the NICU nurses... Ahh... heart-attack gone...

Finally the next day, I was so over the hospital, I broke down started crying... they had Children's Mercy Dr.'s in there looking at him, NICU Nurses everything in the last 4 days... he wasn't pooping to get all the Bilirubin out and they couldn't figure out why... finally Our Dr. said.. Do you want to go home.. YES YES YES!! We got to go home Monday the 21st... Guess what little man did that night.. he had not 1 but 2 yes 2 blowouts!! He just needed to be in the privacy of his own home LOL

We are doing good... getting our nights and days straightened out.. he likes to Rockstar occasionally!

Mommy and Daddy are adjusting to little or no sleep, but he's worth it! I wouldn't trade him for the world! If I can tell anyone going through infertility one thing...

NEVER GIVE UP!!! We almost did, and if we had, we wouldn't have this little miracle!!

BOY-- Does God have a sense of Humor....

Hello everyone....  It's been awhile......

We are officially 30 weeks....and life for the last 7-9 weeks has literally been a roller coaster...that may be an understatement! LOL


On March 24th, Nick went in for a CT Scan of his sinuses and they caught the top of 4 in mass on his left lung. So they sent us to see a Pulmonologist. So after weeks of Bloodwork, CT Scans, X-rays, a the final thing was a PET scan, this shows if cells are active or not. If they are active that means 2 things. 1. The dreaded word... CANCER or 2. A Fungal infection.

He went Monday April 7th, I couldn't go with him, this test is so powerful that it stays in him for 6-8 hours and with me being pregnant they didn't want me near him until at least 6 hours after. :-(

So he finished his test.. and I get phone call they are rushing his dad to the ER. So I called Nick and told him don't leave the hospital they are headed that way with your dad. So here the family is in the ER with his dad... while waiting for the PET scan results which take 24-48 hours. Tuesday they moved his dad to a room and were watching him closely. Without going into details, his dad was in a lot of pain and other stuff.. TMI on that stuff. But the Dr.'s were able to get it all figured out and sent him home Thursday after being there since Monday, and he's been doing great ever since.

5:45pm Tuesday, April 8th, we got the dreaded phone call, the cells were active.
It seemed as though life just fell apart right then and there.

So next step to see a Thoracic Surgeon and see where do we go from here. Of course we had to wait for an appt. I don't know how people do this,, the waiting for appt's is numbing!

We met with the surgeon and he was amazing, and he decided that we were going to  Biopsy, but that it could be very dangerous because of where it was at. There were only two ways to get to this little sucker and one was the least invasive and the other well let's just say we are glad we didn't have to.

So April 21st, Nick had his biopsy done... the surgeon came out about an hour later and had a huge smile on his face... he told me It's not confirmed, but we are pretty confident it's Infection! WOOO--HOOO!!!  3 days later... we found out it's a Necrotizing Granuloma. Basically an old infection / dying infection at that. They still to this day can not get the little sucker to grow to get a more detailed type of infection. But have chosen to put Nick on Meds for 4-6 weeks and check on it from there. By the way if you are ever in need of a great Pulmonary office and live in or close to Kansas City, I urge you to go see Midwest Pulmonologists at St. Luke's on the Plaza, amazing Dr.'s and staff!

That same week I was laid off from my job, we were anticipating it happening (so much that we had anticipated it way before I got pregnant, but I loved my job so much I didn't want to leave so we just chucked a bunch of money in savings in preparation for it)  because of things that had been happening in the office we just had a gut feeling.. we just were hoping I could work until the baby was born, then leave and then start looking for another job while on Maternity leave, but We trust God has a plan. My unemployment while it's not what I was making, we are able to survive until the baby is 8 weeks or older depending upon when the baby comes. :-)  God has gotten us through much worse and I know he'll get us through this. I almost feel like he was saying you need to rest and prepare for this little one who is going to give you a run for your money from the get go :-)

Moving on... So April 30th I woke up to get ready for the day, normal routine, ate breakfast, watched the news, got in the shower, and I had just finished blow drying my hair. All of the sudden I broke out into a HUGE sweat, so bad that it was literally like I had never showered. On top of that sharp shooting pain every 2-5 minutes in my chest, at first the Dr. told Nick to give me some mylanta or something along those lines, but then he heard me crying in the background and said nevermind, meet me at the Hospital. After an entire day at the hospital, the baby is good, and Momma had a severe Acid Reflux attack... he put me on meds and I've been doing great ever since.


So you are probably thinking Good lord God does have a sense of Humor.... but I haven't even gotten to the best part yet!

On May 16-2014 We opted to have a 3D Sonogram of our little princess!!

HA-- In less than 5 minutes into the session we were asked who told us it was a girl.... We said our Dr. of course. She kept scanning and finally on her huge BIG screen TV she zoomed in and said...

 
Do you see that?? She said That is NOT a girl! LOL WOW so here we've been planning for this sweet little girl for over 10 weeks, and now we have a little Prince on the way... She looked at us and said you guys are taking this pretty good.. usually people lose it. I looked at her and said.. well you just told us he has 10 Fingers, 10 Toes a head full of hair and looked very healthy. After 7 years of Infertility, at that point it didn't matter. It wasn't until we got home and saw "her" decorated room it hit me... Don't get me wrong I'm happy we have a healthy baby on the way.. boy or girl... but you get so used to one thing.. it was almost like losing another child. So after ALOT of exchanging and changing things around... we are getting closer to being prepared for this little guy... he still doesn't have a name yet, but that's ok.

Thank you all to our family, friends for all your support and prayers through all of this.

Remember if you or anyone you know of is going through infertility, I"m always here and obviously an open book and also a part of Kansas City Infertility Awareness, and there are 8 of us that have all different journeys and would love to help in any way we can. Check out our website for more details. www.kcinfertility.org

 Love, Nick, Angie and Baby S--- Always keeping life exciting :-)

 ~Trust in the Lord with all your heart & lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him & He will make your paths straight~  Proverbs 3:5-6

Woo-Hoo

Well we are officially 20 weeks today with a Sweet little Princess! We couldn't be more excited for her :-)

I never ever thought we'd see this... She is due 8-7-14 which is the same month and exactly 8 years of trying to have a baby!

She was a little stubborn crossing her legs FOREVER ... at one point I looked at him and said we aren't leaving until we find out what it is... he looked at Nick and Nick was like she's not kidding LOL
Finally... after the Dr. pushed and prodded she uncrossed her legs to reveal IT"S  a GIRL!!

If I could have recorded the look on her Daddy's face when Dr. Capelli said it was a girl.. would have been priceless.

At our last appointment the Dr. said she looks very healthy, no signs of Spinal Bifida / or Downs. And she is right on track August 7th is her official due date!

I've been feeling her move here and there... yesterday I put the heart doppler on her and she kicked / punched it right off and moved to the other side.. LOL Little does she know this is just the beginning of Mom checking on her :-)

Today I had a patient ask if I was pregnant.. I said yes I am, she said well I normally don't ask, but that's the only place you are getting fat, so I thought maybe... I think my mouth hit the ground and I didn't know what to say other than laugh... I guess I should have said Gee Thank you???

It feels like it's starting to fly... we registered and last weekend went and picked out her furniture :-)

Nick tells me I swear that thing grows every three days LOL

I've only gained a few lbs.. I was 154 when I got pregnant, but because of the nausea the first 12 weeks, I lost 14 lbs, Since my 12 weeks I have slowly gained 6 lbs and I've been holding steady at 146 for the last week or two.

Here's to the next 20 weeks!!

Love, Nick, Angie & Our sweet Baby Girl

Life lately...

I hope all is well with everyone... Life is pretty good right now, I can't believe Thursday we'll be 17 weeks!! We visit the Dr. every other Friday because of my history... Our Dr. is CONVINCED it's a boy! Can't wait to find out... We don't really care as long as the baby is healthy... we are just feeling blessed all is going well and Baby S seems to be on track so far :-)

Last night at Dinner.. we realized today 2-25-14 is one year of the day we found out we lost our twins... so amazing what a year can do, there is not a day that goes by that I don't think or pray about our twins, although we never got to hold them or see them, they will always be in our hearts. I don't know that I would have made it through this last year without my KCIA girls.... 

As most of you know Nick and I are part of KCIA- Kansas City Infertility Awareness www.kcinfertility.org

We are so excited about the upcoming Conference and urge you to pass along the information to anyone. We can't begin to tell you how much this changed our lives and we will continue to be a part of this for as long as we can, We truly believe God sent us on this journey to help not only educate others about Infertility, but to help others through this Heart Wrenching Journey. This is a free Conference.

I'd be more than willing to talk to anyone about anything if they ever need it please email me at AShemwell@kcinfertility.org



Registration begins Saturday, March 1-2014

Baby S. Update...

Hello everyone... we are 15 weeks and 3 days and enjoying every minute...
Nausea has settled down a little.. but it still there. I've lost 14 lbs, but the Dr. is not worried, I'm still eating just not near as much as I used to, and several small meals throughout the day.

So far Baby S. is looking good :-) what do you think....this was 2 weeks ago..

We bought a fetal doppler and this thing keeps my heart rate down to hear this sweet sound everyday...

The Dr. is keeping a close eye because of my history, so I literally go every other week. We find out March 7th.. and I can't wait!!!!

My belly is growing... because of IVF, I still have some stimulation which is normal, and so I'm showing sooner than most :-)

Just thought I would update everyone on sweet Baby S.

Exciting News!!!

October 20-2013~~Well... Now that this last week is over... I guess it's time to share our amazing news with everyone...

We've known about this for a few weeks.. but didn't think we were going to have to go this route.

1 week before we found out our last cycle did not work... we were contacted by two Anonymous Angels ( NO one in our family or immediate friends, but someone Nick and I know) whom heard / been following our story. These two precious Angels from above offered if for some reason the last cycle did not work to pay for another Fresh cycle for us, we would be responsible for the drugs and they would pay the rest.So to give you an idea, they were paying about $14,000 and we would pay about $4,500.  We of course were very grateful, but at the time thinking we wouldn't need it because the last cycle was going to work :-)

Little did we know that we would be facing another failed and final cycle...

So we talked and talked about it, prayed and prayed about it .. talked to our pastor about it... talked to Dr. Brabec about it and decided to accept the offer...

I / we decided to take a different approach, I decided because God sent us this amazing miracle.. he was trying to tell us that You worry about your body and mind, keeping healthy, keeping calm and trying to be stress free ( HA HA) and he would take care of the rest. So we had a meeting with Dr. Brabec and we left everything in her hands.. I / we told her okay we are handing this over to you, you decide when, how, and what and we'll be there! So she looked over our charts... took some time and literally a few weeks after we found out the last cycle did not work we started this cycle... 2 reasons.. one my body was somewhat in mode from just finishing the last cycle and 2 Gosh forbid I got any side effects like last time and end up in the hospital, I had met every deductible so therefore my insurance would hopefully pick up most of it. But we were thinking positive and so was Dr. Brabec that was not going to happen if we could help it.

Looking back on my original cycle, if you think about it, I went 3 days past original retrieval date, she had me PUMPED full of drugs because they just were not growing like they should and I was just physically tired and done by the time retrieval came.... not to mention all the lovely side effects...

Here we are a year later.. 20lbs lighter, completely smoke free-- Yes..  I smoked when I drank.. not much though.. A pack would last me sometimes a month depending upon how much we went out... And since then we found out I was deficient in Vitamin D and Calcium so I've been on supplements for over 6 months.

She drastically reduced my drugs and watched me like a HAWK!! I was there almost everyday... or every other :-) Love her and her staff though.. they are pretty amazing people!!

So originally she set up retrieval for November 15th... I went a day early the 14th!! No side effects at all other than some crankiness.. but Nick survived LOL

She was going for quality and not quantity this time... my last scan before retrieval this time showed that I had potential 13-17 eggs.

So we went in last Thursday and when I woke up they informed me I only had 7.. I was about to cry.. but she then proceeded to tell me that she only took the BEST of the BEST.. and that she could have retrieved them all, but she did not want me getting overstimulated like last time and that's one of the things that causes it.. multiple egg retrieval.

So Friday the 15th, we got the call that all 7 survived and all 7 took to Nick's sperm.. VERY RARE!! If you think about last time... She retrieved 18 eggs, only 12 took to his sperm... only 7 made it to transfer day and after we put two of those back in.. only 4 made it to frozen day.

Well here is what you've been waiting for.... 

Today 11-19-2013

We transferred two VERY healthy embryos back in. Dr Brabec and the Embryologist were VERY pleased!! We will not know how many we'll be able to be frozen until tomorrow but she's pretty confident we'll have at least 2..which is what I prayed for.. I prayed that we had at least 2 to freeze.

I'm at home resting for the next few days and we'll find out next Wednesday 11-27-13 if it worked! Praying praying praying!! So far doing GREAT No side effects so far.. by this point last time I was so sick, I can't believe we even put eggs back in me. Praying to continue to have no side effects!!

According to my niece Kaitlyn,  my sister Kristen brought her to my work yesterday to give me good luck hugs and kisses and she said we were going to have two and their names would be Austin and Ali :-) love her!!! She even drew me a picture of Smiley faces.. that look like embryos LOL

November 27-2013

So....after 7 years of this heart wrenching journey... we are happy to annouce

We are expecting a little Turkey!! Unfortunately it won't be ready in time for Thanksgiving... But he / she said they look forward to meeting you around July 31-2014

Keep those prayers coming.. Dr. Brabec said my levels are really good! Twins??

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you...

God Definitely gave us something to be Thankful for this year :-)

December 11-2013 5 weeks 6 days and we got to see the baby and the heartbeat.. we are SO in love right now :-)

December 16-2013 6 weeks 4 days

We had a major scare today.. I started spotting /then bleeding/ then I had clots... 

 Went to the Dr and our sweet baby is still in there :-) growing like a weed!
She put me on semi rest... No laundry..no housework.. No cooking.. Back on a 5lb weight limit..she wanted me to take the next few days off but can't afford that.. And I'm out of vacation.. So she said sit as much as possible at work and lay down during my lunch break.

She's not sure why it happened but doesn't seem too worried. Just praising God that our baby is still in there :-) God is so good!!

January 8th - 9 weeks and 6 Days

Baby S looks awesome... right on schedule  I can't wait to meet this precious Angel!

January 18th- 11 weeks and 1 day

So I ordered a Fetal Doppler so I could hear the baby's heartbeat whenever I wanted... I'm SOOOOOO in love right now.. it arrived today and it's the best sound EVER!!!!!

it will definitely take some of my nervousness away since I got so used to seeing  the baby once a week at the Fertility Dr.'s office.. and now at the OB.. I only go every 3 weeks... it's torture I tell ya.. but this little device was worth every penny! I could listen to it ALL DAY LONG!!!!

Well We did it... 12 weeks tomorrow... Life is so good and God is so good :-) Looking forward to the next 28 weeks!!