365 Challenge - Week 17

The zoo opened on Saturday, and I was dying to take the kids. Walking two miles wasn't an option at that point, so we delayed our first visit and went yesterday. We had one of those days that you wish every day could be like. Zoo, Chipotle, 2 hour naps, Target, pizza for dinner, and ice cream for dessert. The kids were good, with the exception of Harrison's refusal to eat pizza, and we were all in bed be 8:30. No joke, I'm pretty sure I was asleep before them. Obviously not all days are like that. Not all days involve my favorite foods, Chipotle and ice cream, and lots of days involve a constant struggle with one or both children. 

One of my favorite things about warm weather is that it's easy to make the good days outnumber the frustrating ones. I'm not sure if everyone's kids are like this, but a trip to the park is the quickest way to turn a bad day into a good one. We all love the fresh air and sunshine, and most days they will kill a good hour or two at the park. If the park doesn't work, well, there's always ice cream.

4.23.2015 - future gymnast

4.24.2015 - almost time

4.25.2015 - mini photogs

4.26.2015 - working on her death glare

4.27.2015 - a pirate says

4.28.2015 - big time spinners

4.29.2015 - hold on tight

Embryo Transfer

Wednesday afternoon I got the call from our fertility clinic's Indy office that our transfer would be bright and early on Friday morning. I was planning a pre-transfer acupuncture session which meant we had to be there even earlier. We dropped off the kids at my parents Thursday night and headed home for an early bedtime. 

Friday morning we were on the road by 5:15am. A coffee and gas stop later along with a two hour drive, and I was in the door for my acupuncture appointment at 7:15. I was a little nervous about the transfer to come, but after acupuncture, I was only excited. I don't know if it was because I really needed it, or if the acupuncturist was that great, but it was the best acupuncture session I've ever had. I was rested, recentered, and ready to go. 

I was done just in time for us to head back to the ART suite and get changed into hospital gear. I took my Valium, drank some water, and we waited our turn. I don't know if it was the Valium kicking in, or just boredom, but I had a little too much fun with my cap. Robbie and I kept each other laughing to pass the time, and before we knew it they told us it was time to go back. 

They had us walk back to the transfer room. In the room with Robbie and I were Dr. Bopp, a nurse, the ultrasound tech, and an embryologist. They did a mock transfer first so they could see how the catheter would insert and where to place the embryos. Then the embryologist handed Dr. Bopp the catheter with the embryos inside. The catheter was fed into my uterus and then the embryos were released. They watch everything on the ultrasound monitor to make sure the embryos were placed into the ideal location. The embryologist checked to make sure both embryos made it out of the catheter, and then it was back to our suite room. I got the royal treatment and was wheeled back in a wheel chair.

I was able to use the restroom and get dressed right away. After stealing our doctor for a few quick pictures, they released us to go. They won't let you walk out, so into the wheel chair I went, and Robbie and I were gone within 30 minutes after the transfer was done.

We loved The Cake Bake Shop so much that we deemed a return trip necessary. Robbie talked it up at work so much that he took back lots of cookies to hand out. I chose carrot cake, a few macaroons, and a magic bar. They're sadly all gone, and there are no trips to Indy in our near future. :(

I slept for about half of the ride home, and before I knew it were were getting off the interstate. The dogs were crazy when we got home. They acted like we'd been gone for days, not just a few hours. Robbie had to head into work, so the dogs and I set up camp on the couch and watched Mad Men all day, and all day Saturday. We picked up a lot of soup from The OG on Thursday night, so I ate soup for two days straight while lounging around. It was surprisingly quiet and boring around the house without Harrison and Brooke. I was glad when they got home Saturday night.

Yesterday we got out to run a few errands, and I made dinner, but overall I'm still taking it pretty easy. I have an acupuncture appointment this morning, but nothing else planned for the day. maybe a short walk with the kids this afternoon. They've been really good about respecting my limitations. They still ask to be picked up and for me to run around with them, but when I remind them I can't they seem to understand.

So while we aren't technically pregnant, we're pregnant until proven otherwise. I'll live in my happy little pregnancy bubble for the time being, and hopefully it won't burst. A successful transfer isn't a 100% guarantee, but we have about a 70% chance of this cycle working, so the odds are in our favor. I go in sometime over the next couple weeks to get a pregnancy test drawn at my RE's office. We won't be sharing any news, good or bad, until we get a confirmation from the doctor and we share with our families first. As always, I am open to answering and questions, and you can follow along with daily updates on Instagram (@jennpargeon)

Thank you SO MUCH to all of you for your kind words, well wishes, positive vibes, thoughts, and prayers. They really do mean the world to us. We love and appreciate ever single one.

365 Challenge - Week 16

We have been laying pretty low the last couple days while I have been recovering from surgery. I felt well enough for us to venture out of the house today, so we headed to the library for a morning play date with the besties. Luck for us it decided to snow while we were out. Seriously, WTF?! At least Brooke and Harrison were excited about the it. 

There are quite a few random iPhone pictures in the mix this week. I had every intention of making sure I kept up with daily pictures on the Nikon. Life gets in the way though. I did manage to at least use my camera phone each day.

4.16.2015 - peek-a-boo

4.17.2015 - beach bum

4.18.2015 - swing queen

4.19.2015 - can I move in? - iPhone

4.20.2015 - mama and mini - iPhone

4.21.2015 - night cap - iPhone

4.22.2015 - eye spy

Egg Retrieval

Friday morning I had a bright and early 8am monitoring session. We were up to 10 follicles over 18mm, so I was pretty sure we were going to trigger that night. So were all of the nurses. Sure enough, I got that call that afternoon that my estrogen levels were over 4,000 and that I was to do my trigger shot that night. The trigger shot finalizes the maturation process so the eggs are ready for retrieval. It has to be timed exactly 36 hours before egg retrieval. We did a 5,000 iu shot of Pregnyl for our trigger. I mixed it up, iced my bum, then made Robbie watch me do the injection. He looked like he was about 2 seconds from passing out.

Saturday was business as usual. No injections, YAY!! Our retrieval time was 8:45am Sunday morning and we needed to arrive an hour early. Our alarms went off at 5am and we were out the door by 5:45.We both managed to stay awake through the entire drive. We arrived at the Carmel office at 7:40. We signed in and were immediately taken back to the ART suite.

I got dressed in my sexy gown, socks, and cap. There was a warm blanket too, so it wasn't all bad. The nurse took my blood pressure, placed and IV, and then we got to sit and wait. We talked to the anesthesiologist, and embryologist, and then our RE, Dr. Bopp, came in. We were the second retrieval of the morning, I feel bad for whoever had to be there before 7, so we sat in our room and bided our time until it was time to go back.

When I walked back to the operating room, Robbie went off with his sterile cup to make his contribution. This is how babies are made people. ;) After I was on the operating table, the nasal cannula was placed and the good drugs started flowing through my IV. Dr. Bopp came in and asked if I wanted him to sing me some Neil Diamond. I remember saying yes, and then it was lights out. 

The procedure itself only takes about 15 minutes. I don't know how long it was until I woke up, but Robbie was back in the room when I did. The nurse was in almost immediately. She brought me pain meds, Teddy Grahams, and apple juice. I felt like I won the after surgery snack lotto. Once my snacks were done, the nurse made sure I could sit up on the edge of the bed for a few minutes. They let us know 14 eggs were retrieved, and that they would call us tomorrow with the fertilization report. Then I got dressed, and we took off.

We made a quick stop at The Cake Bake Shop in Broadripple before we headed north. I had been dying to go here since one of my IG friends posted a picture a couple months ago. The decor, the pastries, and even their packaging is all amazing. If you have the chance, GO! I don't know that we'll have time, but I'm hoping maybe we can stop in again before or after transfer.

As soon as we hit the interstate, I started feeling nauseous. I was hoping for a little iced decaf caramel machiatto action, but I opted for just a buttered croissant that I scarfed down in a gas station parking lot while Robbie got me Gatorade. I cuddled up with my pillow and fell asleep as soon as we started moving again. We made it home just in time to pick the kids up before their nap.

Brooke and Harrison both brought me a few daffodils from Grandma's garden. They were so excited to give them to me. It was adorable, and definitely my favorite part of the day. I was pretty sore for the rest of the day, so movement was limited. I was still sore enough on Monday that I took some Vicodin when I woke up. Today I am not as sore, but I am still very bloated and uncomfortable. I have been chugging Gatorade in hopes of keeping fluid out of my ovaries and abdomen. 

I got the call yesterday morning that of the 14 eggs, 11 were mature, and 8 fertilized with ICSI. Unless our embryos all take a steep decline, we are scheduled for a Friday blastocyst transfer. The Carmel office will be calling tomorrow with our transfer time for Friday. I got all set up with Indiana Reproductive Acupuncture, so I will be having acupuncture done before our transfer.

We started a new set of meds yesterday, but only one injection. Unfortunately it's a 1.5" needle intramuscular injection. Robbie was a little nervous, but he did a great job last night giving me the injection. He hadn't had to do any injections through either of our IVF cycles up until last night. 

Our next few days around here will be pretty quiet as I try to rest, and we get things ready before I am on bed rest for a couple days, and the kids have their longest stay away from home. Two full days at Grandma's, and maybe an extra night depending on our transfer time. As always, news makes it to Instagram well before it makes it to the blog, so feel free to follow along @jennpargeon.

Weekending

The weather was beyond amazing on Friday and Saturday, so we made the most of our weekend, and spent a whole lot of time outside. Friday morning we got out and did some serious walking. Harrison, Brooke, and I did the longest walk we've ever done without the stroller. It was only around our neighborhood, but it probably equated to just over a mile. That's a lot for little legs. We mad a stop during our walk to check out the fish in the pond. H and B decided they needed to feed the fish grass. The fish weren't impressed, but the kids continued their lunch offerings for a good twenty minutes.

After naps the kids and I rounded up all of their sand toys, all being a couple buckets, shovels, and rakes, and we headed to a local pond with a walk in beach. They loved digging in the sand, and I loved working on my tan. About 20 minutes after we showed up a few other kids arrived in swim suits and then it was game over. Both kids were soaked and covered in sand. Next time I'll make sure to bring suits even if the water still feels like February.

Robbie brought home Jimmy Johns for dinner, and we ate dinner outside on the patio. We just purchased an outdoor dining set, and the kids want to eat outside all of the time. I do too, but them even more. We didn't get an umbrella for our table, but with how much time they want to spend out there, we may need to.

Saturday morning we had a few small errands to run, so the kids and I headed to the outdoor mall. I dot to enjoy a decaf iced latte, and they went to town on a couple of cake pops. I made the mistake of letting them have one a few weeks ago, and now they ask for them all the time. B likes to lick hers like a lollipop for 15 minutes before taking a bit. It drives me crazy. Take a bite of the cake, you're missing the best part!!!

After our errands it was off to the park for a quick run on the slides and swings, and then home for naps. After naps we went to mass with my parents and then the kids were off to Grandma and Grandpa's for a sleepover. After church I asked them if they were hungry. Brooke's response was, "I not hungry yet. I'll be hungry at Grandma and Grandpa's." Well all right then. Out of the house you go.

A couple of my best girl friends are having their wedding reception and recommitment ceremony this coming weekend, so we went out for a little ladies bachelorette action. Sushi, bowling, and a drag show. It was a seriously fun night, and I wish I wouldn't have had to take off early. Robbie and I had a 5am wake time on Sunday, so I had to call it a night around midnight. I heard there was cage dancing after I left. Bummer. ;)

Sunday morning we left the house by 5:45am and headed to Indy. Our egg retrieval went well, which I'll share more about tomorrow, and we were home with the kids by 1:30. Family nap time ensued, and then it was off to Target. I wasn't able to score any Lilly online, and I was hoping to maybe get one or two pieces in the store. No such luck. :( After we got the few things we needed, we went out for dinner and then it was home for bed.

I'm looking forward to many more weekends like this when we get to spend all of our time outside. Today it's cold and rainy, so if Spring could come back, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Friday Favorites

So who else is uber excited about the Lilly Pulitzer for Target line? I have been counting the days until this line drops. I would love to buy one of everything, but since my bank account would hate me, I'll just be buying a few pieces for me and a few for Brooke. I love that we can buy matching outfits. We both love when our outfits coordinate. Poor Harrison is going to feel left out.

I was planning to hit up Target Sunday morning, but since we'll be on our way to Indy for our egg retrieval, my phone will be getting an online shopping workout. Here are a few of my favorite pairings.

                                     Mama                                                                           Mini

I hope you all have a fabulous weekend! I have dinner and entertainment plans with the girls on Saturday night for a dear friend's bachelorette party. Sunday we'll be headed to Indy bright an early to get these eggs out of my ovaries. So much excitement, I might burst.

Linking up with

Amy, Karli, 

Darci, Christina, Natasha, April

Spring Polish Favorites

Today was the first time in months, like 8 of them, since I went to get a pedicure. Before that it was about a year. When I was pregnant with the twin I got them every week or every other. Before that, it was at least once a month. Now I have a hard time justifying spending the money and indulging myself for something I can do at home. Granted, I don't have a massage chair and pedicurist to massage my legs at home, but still. Pedicures have become a luxury for me.

Since I'm not spending much time at the nail salon, I've started accumulating more and more polishes. My two go to brands are OPI and Zoya. They both go on smoothly and cover well with two thin coats. I really want to love Essie because their colors are great, but I hate the way it goes on. I also like a little bit of sparkle in my polish, which Essie is severely lacking.

Blue, Green, Yellow, Light Pink, Bright Pink, Purple 

Zoya's spring lines are fabulous this year, and their summer colors look to be just as fun. If you aren't familiar with them, do yourself a favor and pick up a bottle next time you're at Ulta. The kids and I have used almost all of the spring colors, and love them. When I did my fingers in Hudson it lasted a week before it started chipping. My toes in Dillon lasted almost three weeks. I haven't tried out Cole yet, but I think a fun coral polish might need to make it's way into my collection.

What are your favorite polishes right now? Are there ones I'm missing out on and need to get?

365 Challenge - Week 15

Things have been crazy and quiet around here all at the same time. After the rush of the last couple weeks to get everything done for the Easter Bone Hunt, and fit in every possible appointment you could imagine for me, the slow down this week has been great. Our days have involved lots of outdoor play time with a few monitoring appointments mixed in. I doubt they'll be too excited about it, but I'm looking forward to slowing it down even more after transfer next week. A day or two of bed rest sounds quite delightful. 

4.9.2015

4.10.2015 - the look of excitement - iPhone

4.11.2015 - chiminea, chiminea part deux

4.12.2015 - the real look of excitement

4.13.2015 - my most willing subject

4.14.2015 - popsicle smile

4.15.2015 - LOVE