FINALLY!

yes, we finally had success. I am currently 9 weeks pregnant, with TWINS!!! Oh boy!
It has been a bit of a rough start, but they look fine now. Here is the history...
After our third fresh cycle failed in March we were pretty devastated. Of course we asked a thousand times, why? Our reproductive specialist suggested it may be a sperm issue, and the urologist still insisted it is not. So where did that leave us? I called an acquaintance who's husband is also a quad, and now they have twins via IVF. They went through one failed cycle with frozen sperm and then she insisted her husband have the surgery again so they could do a "fresh" cycle. She then was pregnant with twins.
**let me add here we got an 8 week old yellow lab*** (like life wasn't crazy enough)
We made an appointment with the urologist to further discuss the situation. (He is pretty much the best in the Northeast when it comes to sperm). He told me the research continues to state there is no difference in using fresh vs frozen sperm, and therefor the frozen sperm we have should be fine. He DID say though, that for any one situation, maybe the fresh route will be successful. He was willing to do another surgery coordinated with my cycle if we chose. He suggested that we try and transfer the two frozen embryos we have from our third cycle, and if that didn't work he gave us the name of a physician at another reproductive center.
In April we went through with the frozen transfer. Our Dr warned us that only having two frozen they may not survive the thaw as usually 50% of what is thawed dies. But we figured, lets try anyway. This cycle was slightly easier than the fresh cycles as I didn't need to stimulate my ovaries to over produce eggs, although I was on excessive estrogen and progesterone which was HORRIBLE on my overall well being. I cried at the drop of a hat and was pretty much miserable.
The day of the transfer everything seemed to go smoothly and much to our surprise, both of the embryos survived the thaw. So we transferred them both and I rested at home again. I was VERY loopy that day (from the Valium) so I slept and slept and slept.
The major difference in this cycle was that I asked to have my progesterone level checked prior to my pregnancy test as during my last three cycles my period started prior to my pregnancy tests despite being on progesterone. When we checked my level, it was at 8 (supposed to be over 20). I was started on additional injections of progesterone in oil daily. (Thanks to my boss for shooting me in the bum EVERY day)!
WELL....the day of my test I got a call from my nurse at work...I didn't answer it. They called back...I hemmed and hawed (I did not want to get bad news there). So I answered it...
"Louise? Its Trish. Are you sitting down?" (holy shit)
me, "yes..."
Trish, "You're pregnant!"
me, "I am? With a good number?"
"Yes, 385 and we look for it to be 100."
me, "I'm going to cry!" and I start crying.
She then tells me they will re-check my progesterone and call me back later...blah blah blah. I'M PREGNANT!!! I have never been pregnant!!! WAHOOOO!!!
So we tell our parents and hold off on the rest until we get more news. My next bloodwork is in a few days. Meanwhile I googled HCG numbers, hmmmmm I am in the multiple range...
Two more HCG tests that continue to rise and continue to be a little high...
Our first ultrasound was at 6 weeks two days. She saw one yolk sack and baby immediately, saw another yolk sack, but not sure if there was anything in there, so she went back to "Baby A" first. Got the sack and baby measured and then...we heard the heart beat. boom, boom, boom, boom. We both cried.
Ok, back to the other yolk sack...yup, "Baby B"...and another heart beat.
So we met with one of the NPs and reviewed all the info. What to eat and not eat, and the measurements of the babies. One slow heart rate and one small yolk sack. Advised to have another US in two weeks with my OB. We though we would keep everything fairly quiet until we know both are growing appropriately.
And they are! At our second US we saw them both again and heard the heart beats.
So here we are. Rob called them "Jack and Diane." (although we won't know the sexes for a few more months).
I am growing (ugh) and had to buy maternity pants yesterday. The nurse at my last appointment said my uterus is about the size of someone 12 weeks along (I was 8). (Great...I am probably carrying two enormous boys).
We are thrilled and so is our family. Its been a long struggle that I never thought would lead us here, and am happily surprised.
I'll post photos soon. We'll try to track my belly growing.
Thanks for all of the support, its been awesome.

ok, so I did four posts today...

Thelma is not allowed in our bedroom becuase it is the only room in the house with carpet. When she does get in there, she will go under the bed, and not come out!

I have to bribe her with a treat...

and then grab her quicky before she goes back under!

just more new pictures of the dog

Well, I have no idea what the face to the right is...but she is funny. She still LOVES food. In fact, at puppy school this week when she was supposed to learn "leave it" she was the ONLY dog to get the treat away from the trainer when she wasn't supposed to. Thats Thelma for ya!

We have been practicing "leave it" at home and she is getting better, YEA!!! But she just LOVES food!

then and now

Above: Thelma when we got her at 2 months old...

and Thelma at almost 4 months old!!! She still loves to try and fit under the same things...but she is growing quickly:)

Memorial Day fun

Its been way too long since I updated this blog! So I am going way back to Memorial Day...Thelma celebrated in style. She had her first day of puppy school and learned "sit" and "down". Then we went to NH for a cookout with Rob's rugby team and she played ALL afternoon with an 11 month old puggle. She ran and ran and ran...falling alseep at the end, but still forcing herself to play and run! As soon as we got in the car she passed out. She woke up enough to eat when we got home and then passed out again on the couch. It was a GREAT day for all of us:)