Baby pics

Here are the pictures from our last fertility dr. visit.

Look close and you can see arms and legs!

Monday appt. and wonderful news today!

First off, sorry Cathy for not updating yesterday after my appt.  Just a very long day, but thank you for being so concerned!  Love ya!

Well, our appt. with my regular OBGYN went well.  He is a sweet man and this was Artie's first time meeting him.  He enjoyed his knowledge and his bedside manner.  We got to see the baby again, but I hate to say it.  I have been horribly spoiled by the massive high tech sonos that my fertility dr. did for me.  I could hardly figure out the head from the butt on this sono.  I did see the spine and that was super cool.  All is well with the baby and so far it is measuring big...like I had a shot at a little baby. 

The best news ever came today from my dr.  NO MORE SHOTS!  My levels last visit were 14 and my fert.dr. wanted them a 15.  So, I was suppose to check my levels on Monday...Dr. Norwood wanted me at like 20 before he wanted me to stop taking the shots.  My level was 24!  I asked Artie if he slipped me a little more to make my numbers better, but he assured me he didn't.  I don't care how it happend.  All I know now is that my hips can stop hurting!

Will try to get some sono pics up soon.  Scanner is not cooperating!

Update

Well, first off....YEAH for having a week off to rest (and shop).  Spent the first 2 days of this vacation with a slight fever.  But woke up this morning feeling as right as rain! 
Morning sickness (or in my case - all day nausea) has left the building.  As long as a keep fed, I am good to go! 
I have my last appointment at my fertility dr. this next Monday.  She will release me at 10 weeks along. 
The next Mon. (Dec. 7th), I go to see my real obgyn at Big Baylor.  Dr. Norwood is a great dr. and he will be super excited. 
Hopefully, my next sono will be a little better so you can see much more.  Dr. Nackley said we will have arms and legs the next time we see the baby.  :-)

More updates later!

Good news all around!

We had an appt. this morning at 8:15AM to have our first sonogram.  We went in the room to wait on Dr. Nackley and the processional of nurses and interns that came in with her.  She started the sono. and we saw one litte peanut on the screen.  We got to hear and see the heartbeat.  Dr. Nackley said that the fact that we heard it so strong and so early, that was a wonderful sign.  So, needless to say, we were overjoyed.  I really wan't prepared to hear the heart, but when she flipped that switch and we heard it...you just melt.  I think I had more questions than tears...but at this point, I want to know everything I can to make sure everything is ok. 
I go back in 2 weeks for another sono. and then I am released to my reg. OBGYN.  Can't wait!

Countdown begins!

Well, only 2 more days until we have our first sono.  Everyone keeps asking me if I want one or two.  At this point in our life, I just want "here and healthy"...whether that means 1 or 2.  I am just super excited it worked this time.  I have wanted all week to go get my HCG levels checked again to see if they are still high.  I am not very good with waiting, but I guess I should be by now.  Some things never change! 

This is a picture my sister took right after we found out we were having a baby.  My nephew Fletcher was in for the weekend, so he got in on the action too!  Grant was too worried about what was on the sign to look up!

Just one of me and Artie...the day before we found out.  Had to take it myself...the photographer never gets her picture taken!

And the answer is...

WE ARE HAVING A BABY!

Most of you know our fertility troubles these past 5 years. It has been a tough road of drs., drugs, and us down on our knees. I thank you all for your prayers!

Last Thursday, we went to Bedford to our dr. to put 2 of our eggs in. They were really good eggs and we were just hoping that they unfroze just as well. They did and got even bigger before they put them in. They grade them in quality by using A, B, and C's. One was a 5AA and the other a 4 BA. So a great size and quality!
We had a very smooth transfer and then I did NOTHING for 5 days. I started feeling bad this past Tuesday and just knew something was different this time.

We had to wait until this Sat. to take the blood test. My levels were really high and that could indicate multiples...but we will just wait for that one until I really see it!

Thank you for all your kind words of encouragement over the years...they have meant a lot!

We pray now that my appt on Monday shows doubling of my HCG numbers!

Song of how it should be

This is a song that I heard at a concert at SFA (year - too long ago to remember).

It was a Clay Walker, Terri Clark, and James Bonamy concert.

We were very surprised to hear this song from James Bonamy and it quickly became a fav. of mine and my friend Robin. We sang it several times as a duet and today on my way home, it popped in my head. I loved the lyrics and thought I would share. If you have a chance to hear it - please do - it is much better sung :-)

When God dreams
This world knows no hate
Every heart is innocent
Every child is safe
No need goes unattended
No soul goes unfreed
Yes I believe that's how it is
When God dreams

When God dreams
No one is ashamed
With each and every difference
We are all the same
Children of the Father
Keepers of the flame
Yes I believe that's who we are
When God dreams

If a tiny seed can grow to be
A mighty tree
And a tiny raindrop can flow into
A wild and raging sea
The I believe that our love can be
All that it should be
All we'll ever want
All we'll ever need

When God dreams
He sees you and I
And in peaceful sleep
He knows that we will never let love die
He's not afraid to close his eyes
Cause he loves what he sees
Yes I believe that's how it is
Oh I believe that's who we are
Well I believe that's how we love
When God dreams

I believe that's how we love
When God dreams

Finally have some stuff to blog

Went to the game with Rebecca (Rice) Shelton and her family. Artie was gone with is brother and nephew hunting, so this game me a great opportunity to go see SFA play SMU in Dallas.

SFA vs. SMU - Sept. 5, 2009

Me and Becca waiting for the game to begin.

Rebecca and her husband Greg

FLAGS! Axe up JACKS!

Lumberjack

Loved the back of this shirt

Grant at our house for the evening!

Thankful Thursday!

Haven't posted a Thankful Thursday in a good while...so here it goes...

I am thankful for...

cinnamon toast
a good book you can't put down
a good view when you go for a walk
my sore muscles - that means I am doing something good!
an ellipical (I miss it)
a good tan
great pair flip flops
a great laugh and someone to laugh with
pictures - they can take you back to the moment and "back in the day"
facebook - I hate to say it, but I don't have to miss friends so bad w/ it.
worship music - makes walking so much better
my side of the bed
cute painted toes...they make me feel better about feet
Dr. Laura...LOVE her show on the radio and have learned a lot
my hubby - miss him this week
little boys - they have consumed my life this summer
long talks on the phone
VACATION! I need another one soon!
great food...can't beat a great meal
a husband that cooks and cleans
family!

Well, I could go on forever, but have to save some for next time

Boogiecicle

Grant came and spent the day with me about 2 weeks ago... but I forgot to post these cute photos. I gave him a popcicle (sugar free of course) and he had the best time.

That is some major concentration.

This was his little game of peek a boo.

More pics from Port A.

While down at the coast, I tried to get some family pics of Eric and the boys.

These are some serious and funny pics :)

This is from the WONDERFUL resturant, Marcel, on the coast.

HAPPY B-DAY AARON - He turned 6 while we were at the beach!

Lee Ann got to come down for the day since she lives so close. She and Aaron became good buddies!

My fav. new dress that I got for the beach...you can see my lovely BURN from the beach.

On the drive back - this was the temp - crazy 106!

Rypple trip to Port Aransas

Artie and I are on vacation with his brother Eric and his 3 boys...if you read this blog - you know them by now :-)
These pics are out of order, but I just don't have the patience to put them in order...I am tired!

This is what Artie caught on out deep sea adventure...7 lb King Fish

These are all the fish that were caught - Artie didn't win the pot of money, but he did well. I got one good bite and started to reel it in...half way in it left the hook. Darn the luck!

This is his fish.

This is when he was trying to bring it in. You have to move to the back of the boat so they can get it easily for you. The only trouble is having to go through all the people fishing around you.

Me and the boat

The kids and Eric making something in the sand.

Artie at the beach.

Us at the beach.

Aaron and his cool boogie board.

Caleb and his board...he did some cool surfin' with his board!

My spot on the back of the truck - no girls in the cab of the truck!

Us at the condo...E trying to get in on the action.

Crane

Loved this sign!

Caleb on ferry boat

Eric and Aaron

Me on the ride down to the beach

ARTIE!

Boys, boys, and more boys!

The boys came to stay w/ us this past Monday. We have had a full week of fun things to keep us busy and the week is not over yet!

Mon - drove up from San Marcos w/ kids

Tue - Went to the Dallas Aquarium

Wed - went swimming / visit to the farm

Thurs - Off to see Ice Age movie

Friday - Dad is coming for the 4th

Sat - July 4th Party :)

Sunday - REST!!!

We have really enjoyed their company and their wonderful stories. They are all so different, but that is what makes them so great.

Caleb has spent the week checking my garden every 10 min, helping out around the yard, chasing rabbits, and just being an overall great help!

Ethan has had fun getting to play the Wii, helping me with my facebook Farm Town, and loving on my dogs constantly.

Aaron has had fun making forts w/ all my pillows in the HOUSE, loves my grill cheese, and gets crazy excited about the face that we have popcicles (even if they are sugar free).

Here are some pics from our trip to the aquarium.