5 years ago today

My dreams came true and I found out that I was pregnant after our first IVF/ICSI. I can remember that day like it happened yesterday, the phone call that changed my life forever. I had no clue that they were running my BETA that day so I was taken completely off guard. I cried tears of joy like I had never cried them before. Little did I know we would go on to have a scare, which resulted in the loss of a twin and how bittersweet it would be. And little did I know that I would end up with the most awesome son in the world. Mommy loves you Chase, more than anything in this world!

~ Kahla

***I am grateful for
1) 5 years
2) my most precious gift
3) how blessed we were w/our first IVF
4) the miracles do happen
5) that we were given Chase to be part of our family

23 1/2 weeks OB appointment!

Everything checked out well at the OB today and belly is measuring right on track and looking good. My bp was a little high, but I take it daily at home and it's been fine here. My OB was not concerned, so neither am I. Perhaps it's a little white coat syndrome!

They listened to Emery and as usual she felt the need to move away from the doppler. She is already a little stinker. I know we listen to her daily at home, but that sound never gets old! We got the all clear for Disney in TWO weeks and I don't go back until July 21st and will do my GD testing... fun times!

I have apparently developed a lovely "pregnancy rash" on my tummy (doesn't itch now, but it did) and am getting a chest cold, so he wrote out an antibiotic and a RX for a rash cream. I'm also supposed to start on Zyrtec for allergies, I think he's a tad worried about the whole chest thing while traveling.

We have also scheduled the 3D ultrasound, although this time we are not doing it with the OB like we did for Chase. We are actually going to a place in Houston and I can't wait. The big day is Saturday, August 1st. I could have gone in earlier but figured she'd be a little chunkier then which would give us better pics!

For a funny, Chase made this comment on the way down, "I sure hope they don't say it's a girl again!" Now he is totally OK w/having a baby sister now, but apparently he really dislikes those words!

Jeff is off to pick up Emery's furniture as we speak, I can't wait to see it all set up! Hope everyone is having a fantastic Friday, we are going to play some wii and try not to bake in this hot weather (the Tahoe read 107 on the way home, how crazy is that????)!




***I am grateful for
1) an uneventful appointment!
2) 23 1/2 weeks (ok, not quite a half, but close enough)
3) two weeks until Disney, that will go soooo fast!
4) Fridays, love 'em!
5) Emery's furniture is in!!!!

Our Pumpkin is a Large Mango! (23 weeks!)

Hmmm, yes I do realize that we had a mango stage a while back, but for some reason The Bump does not give you a new comparison every week after you hit 22 weeks, they give you one every few weeks. So, that meant going elsewhere to find something to compare our sweet Emery to. Alas, she is now a LARGE mango! ;o)

Now what does Baby Center have to say about this week? Well, first they gave me the large mango, see above picture. The, turn on the radio and sway to the music. With her sense of movement well developed by now, your baby can feel you dance. And now that she's more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as much as a large mango), you may be able to see her squirm underneath your clothes. Blood vessels in her lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that your baby's increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing her for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now — such as your dog barking or the roar of the vacuum cleaner — probably won't faze her when she hears them outside the womb.

Things are good so far, I have my next OB appointment on Friday and then I'm sure I'll have my GD testing at my next appointment. There are still some mornings I'm feeling a little queasy, but usually it passes. Even some afternoons it's shows up. Maybe it's the heat? I still worry a lot, but I guess after all we've been through that's normal. Or I could be a nut.... never know.

Summer is going well and we are managing to stay quite busy. Sunday afternoon Chase and I will be going to Galveston w/some friends for a couple of days, then we will be headed back to the beach for the fourth. The following Friday we leave for Disney World and Chase is determined that we are having a princess birthday party for me while we're there. We shall not disappoint! ;o) I feel like summer will be over in the blink of an eye and while I'm glad that October is creeping closer, I don't want the lazy days of summer to end any time soon!

***I am grateful for
1) Wednesday, not only is it they hump days, it means one more week down!
2) summer, love it (well, except the heat)
3) Disney is getting closer!
4) beach time!
5) blogs

Belly Pics - 22w5d

I think pregnant bellies are adorable, but I'm not big on taking pics of my own because lets face it - I am NOT one of those tiny cute pregnant gals! However, for Emery's sake of seeing what her Mommy looked like when she was nestled in my tummy I will take them and show them to the world (cause surely the world reads this blog)! Ha! I'm never really sure what to do w/my hands though...

Molly and Chase getting in on the shot!

22w5d w/Emery on left, 22w w/Chase on the right

***I am grateful for
1) less than three weeks until Disney World!
2) Chase's dentist said that, "Chase's teeth are perfect!" at his appt today
3) 5 years ago yesterday we had the transfer that gave us Chase!
4) almost 23 weeks
5) summer time

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to the coolest Daddy on the block!!!

Our Pumpkin is a Papaya! (22 weeks) - Also Emery's new stuff!!!

Watch what you say -- baby is now able to hear outside noise from down in the womb. Studies show that baby finds gentle music and your own voice most soothing. Nipples are starting to sprout, and that little face is fully formed. And, baby's starting to settle into sleep cycles, snoozing about 12 to 14 hours a day. It shouldn't be hard to figure out when -- just pay attention to those kicks as they start and stop. (www.thebump.com)

At 11 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound, your baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. His lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and he's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath his gums. His eyes have formed, but his irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment. If you could see inside your womb, you'd be able to spot the fine hair (lanugo) that covers his body and the deep wrinkles on his skin, which he'll sport until he adds a padding of fat to fill them in. Inside his belly, his pancreas — essential for the production of some important hormones — is developing steadily. (www.babycenter.com)

Hmmmm, the bump doesn't do another update until like 25 weeks so I guess we'll have a repeat next week or I'll have to find a size comparison on another site. Not much to report, just taking it one day at a time. I always love summer, but the days tend to go by slow (not that I am wishing it away by any means)! Emery is kicking more and more, still pretty low. Hoping she'll move it up some and get a little harder so Jeff can feel it soon! We picked up a new stroller and ordered her furniture (it should be in by July 1st). We've also picked out her car seat and bedding. I have ordered the valance so we could get her room painted and will probably pick up the rest of the bedding in the next week or two. Hard to believe I'm 22 weeks already!

Pics of Emery's stuff (well the stroller is for Emery and Chase)!

Emery's Carseat - Britax Chaperone in Cowmooflage (ha, that cracks me up)

The Stroller - Joovy Caboose Ultralight

Emery's Bedding - Baby Trend Maya Collection

Emery's Crib

Emery's Changing Table

Emery's Dresser

***I am grateful for
1) Emery
2) Chase
3) Jeff
4) Duchess
5) 22 weeks!

The Joys of Boys

That's right, it's time for another segment of, "The Joys of Boys!"

Chase is intrigued with Lightning McQueen and all of the other Disney Cars characters. He has taken to telling us that, "he is out of gas" when he's tired and needs to refuel. The first time he said it I thought I would wet my pants laughing!

Late this morning Chase decided he wanted a brownie. I'll give him credit that he had eaten a fairly good brunch, but I still wasn't sure about the brownie. He informed me that he has two tanks, one is on the left and one is on the right. The one on the left was full from soup, the one on the right was waiting for a brownie.

Chase is quite the determined little guy and he can also be quite convincing. Lately he has started finding ways to convince us to take him outside (in the really hot, humid weather) so he can play. Here is an example, "I love you more than anything, I love you all the time. Because I love you, I'm sure you will take me outside." Seriously, how do you say no to that?

Chase has also started the "you don't love me" if you get on to him or he does something he knows upsets you. At first it broke my heart, not it just drives me nuts... I wonder if I ever did this to my mother... Mom, I'm sorry!

Last but not least, how about this little tid bit that he's started with, "I was wondering if _____________." You fill in the blank. I bet he says this 10 times a day and it totally cracks me up. Guess that little brain just never stops!




***I am grateful for
1) The Joys of Boys!
2) wonders, simply fascinating
3) I love yous
4) lap time when Chase actually sits still
5) evenings after those long days....

Gonna have to make some changes

I have only a few blogs listed on the side that I read, but I actually read a ton. I like the follower tool because it tells me who's posted and I can jump over and read. So if I follow you then I'm going to take your blog off the side that way I can add the blogs that I can't follow because they don't have that option... did that make any sense????




***I am grateful for
1) snickers - I think I may have an addiction as of late
2) watermelon - see above note about snickers
3) Beach trip is coming up!
4) 4th of July Beach Trip is coming up!
5) Chase is feeling better!

Happy Blogoversary to me!

When I started to blog it was because we were about to do IVF #2 and I needed a place to journal my hopes and fears as we embarked on our journey. Looking back I was so naive, I just assumed it would work because our first one did. Of course, had it worked, we wouldn't have Emery on the way! I also thought it would be a great place to keep friends and families posted on how things were going and what we were up to. Not to mention it gives me somewhere to brag about Chase because lets face it, when it comes to that boy I could brag all day long! This was actually my third attempt at a blog, the first two just never took off. Obviously this one stuck!

So we've now had 2 years of life, tons of Chase antics, 4 IVFs, one heartbreaking negative, one chemical pregnancy, the devastating loss of our twins, our miracle on the way, two sets of tubes, over 350 posts, countless supportive comments, many tears, tons of laughter, and so many hopes and dreams to on here. Just doesn't get any better than this!

Hope everyone has a great weekend! We are looking forward to seeing Duchess and Mads and just taking it nice and easy (ha, does that ever really happen)????




***I am grateful for
1) weekends
2) Blogs
3) those little kicks, just love them!
4) playing games with Chase
5) vacation is coming soon!

Our Pumpkin is a Banana! (21 weeks 1 day) - and news on our Chase

Baby gulps down several ounces of amniotic fluid every day, both for hydration and nutrition and to practice swallowing and digesting. And, these days, those taste buds actually work! Studies show that after birth, babies are most interested in tastes they've already experienced through amniotic fluid. Meaning, think about what you want your future child to eat as you prepare your own lunch. (www.thebump.com)

Your baby now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a carrot. You may soon feel like she's practicing martial arts as her initial fluttering movements turn into full-fledged kicks and nudges. You may also discover a pattern to her activity as you get to know her better. In other developments, your baby's eyebrows and lids are present now, and if you're having a girl, her vagina has begun to form as well. (www.babycenter.com)

Hmmm, I think a banana isn't as big as a cantaloupe, which is what Pumpkin was last week. Must be strictly based on size! When I read the whole girls/vagina thing to Jeff I thought he was gonna have a stroke as he quickly informed me that he DID NOT need to know that! Ha, poor Emery is going to have a protective Daddy I'm thinking!

Life has been busy since school let out. Poor Chase is down with a viral infection that has settled in his lungs. They were afraid it was heading in the direction of pneumonia, so he's not on steroids and breathing treatments. He's such a trooper though and the only thing that bothers him is that his Dr. said no swim classes for the next two weeks because he is having such a difficult time breathing.... practically broke his heart. The steroid should get his lungs cleared out pretty quick and I have a feeling he'll be up and running again in no time!

Hope everyone is well!




***I am grateful for
1) meds to get Chase feeling better!
2) summer vacation
3) 21 weeks!
4) we're under a month until we leave for Disney!
5) Tomorrow is Friday, even when it's summer, I love Fridays!

Summer has arrived!

Summer has officially arrived in my book and already it's proving to be quite busy, hence the non-updated blog! I promise a good post is coming soon (pics and all)!




***I am grateful for
1) summer vacation!
2) in a month we leave for Disney
3) email, what did we ever do without it
4) summer w/Chase
5) little kicks from our little girl!

Our Pumpkin is a Cantloupe!

Baby's digestive system is busy creating meconium (a tarry black substance made of swallowed amniotic fluid, digestive secretion and dead cells), which will fill the first diaper after birth. And, speaking of the diaper situation... baby's genitals are now fully formed! (www.thebump.com)

Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. He's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana. (For the first 20 weeks, when a baby's legs are curled up against his torso and hard to measure, measurements are taken from the top of his head to his bottom — the "crown to rump" measurement. After 20 weeks, he's measured from head to toe.)

He's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for his digestive system. He's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in his bowels, and you'll see it in his first soiled diaper (some babies pass meconium in the womb or during delivery). (www.babycenter.com)

Yeah for 20 weeks and being at the half-way mark!!! I'm still on cloud 9 that we are going to have one of each... it just doesn't get any better than that in my book! I have been looking online at bedding and boy is there some cute stuff out there. We are definitely going with pink and brown and I'm getting more and more excited every single day! I'm actually pretty sure I've picked out we are using and even though I've seen it on two other blogs, I don't care... I love it!

I get the, "Wow, you're so lucky to be having a girl now after your boy!" or something pretty similar at lest a couple of times a day. That always makes me think of everything we went to just to get to this point and I realize that yes, we ARE lucky, but not because we'll have one of each, just because we are going to have two healthy children. I hate we had to go through what we did and the debt we have accrued, but I would do it all again in a heartbeat. I wish nothing but miracles to all the gals still waiting, hang in there and it will happen!




***I am grateful for
1) medical technology
2) half way marks
3) little milestones
4) tomorrow is the last day of school with kids!
5) 20 weeks!!!!

Maybe a baby sister isn't gonna be so bad after all.

Chase is slowly coming around to the idea that perhaps a baby sister won't be as bad as he originally thought. So far he will call her by name (for a while he would only call her Alice), he picked out a pink dress and a BB for her, he wants to get her a hat, he says we "have" to take her on vacation with us, and she's even allowed to have her own room now.... as long as it's NOT the playroom/Duchess' room. I definitely think all of those things count as progress. Plus he said he would still help change diapers and feed her, score! I really think this is gonna work out after all, actually I never had any doubt!! ;o)




***I am grateful for
1) Chase is starting to like the idea of a baby sister more and more
2) being so blessed, a healthy boy AND a healthy girl!
3) Monday is over (I'm totally NOT a Monday person!)
4) a delicious dinner, including one of the best watermelons every!!!
5) 2 1/2 days of school w/kids left!!