Hi all, join in! C'mon...
1. Today is pi day! (3.14), in its honor, what is your favorite flavor of pie?
2. Growing up, what was your favorite grade(s) in school? Why?
3. Best thing that's happened lately?
4. Biggest bummer that happened lately?
5. What's up this weekend?
Bonus PIPs always enjoyed!!
Lil'mamaz was born on Aug 21, 2014! She's PERFECT!
It's been a long road to here...Me (43) and J (45) - same sex couple. And we don't feel 40+!
June'12 - First RE Visit
Sept. '12 - Tubes removed
Dec. '12 - Donor Egg/Donor Sperm IVF Cycle - 4 good embies!
Dec. '12 - Fresh transfer, BFP! EDD 8/29/13
Mar. '13 - Missed m/c at 16w1d, baby boy stopped growing at 15w4d
Loss due to umbilical cord clot...baby was perfect.

Jul '13 - FET#1 - c/p
Sept. '13 - FET#2 - BFN
Dec.' 2, 2013 - FET#3 with our last chance embie - BFP!!!
Dec' 26, 2013 - hb!!
EDD 8/20/14 with a baby girl!
Little S was born on 8/21/14 - 8lb, 14 oz and 20 inches long. We live in Seattle and used SRM for our donor egg IVF cycle
Re: GTKY 3/14!
2. Second grade we had an awesome teacher. She wrote songs with us to help us with our learning and it was a classroom where learning felt like an adventure. Mrs. Malone. I should look her up!
3. Finding out there are two Rockies and they both have heartbeats!
4. Finding out my dissertation supervisor is moving to San Francisco.
5. I'm heading to campus in a few minutes for tutorial. Then babysitting this evening. Then tomorrow I have baseball practice (indoors) in the morning. Then I'm working on cleaning the house and making a birthday cake for @Manada's mother. Then we're going out to dinner with M's mom, her husband, and M's sister and then they're coming back to our place for cake. Sunday morning we're going for birthday brunch to celebrate the 1st birthday of our sweet Ani (one of the kids we're Aunties to). It's a week early but she and her mother will be out of town the following week. Then in the afternoon we're meeting with our midwife (who is also our friend) and then playing Settlers of Catan with her.
Bonus PIP-- this is me with Ani almost a year ago. I'm reading "Make Way for Ducklings" to her. (To stick with the weekend's theme, I'm also wearing my Settlers of Catan t-shirt. It's got pictures of sheep, brick, wood, wheat and says "Don't Settle for Less")
We're queer. I'm 33, have severe stage 4 endo, and had both fallopian tubes removed. My love ("Manada" on the boards, 32) was diagnosed with diminished ovarian reserve. We did Partner IVF (my eggs, her uterus). We lost our twins Tavin and Casey at 21 weeks gestation.
Our IUIs
with @Manada: IUI# 1-7 (December 2012- September 2013) all BFN. Tried natural, femara, clomid, puregon/follistim, clomid and menopur combo, both the ovidrel and HCG triggers.
Our IVFs:
IVF #1 my eggs November/December 2013: Cancelled IVF due to poor response
IVF #2 my eggs/Manada's uterus January/February 2014
BCPs and lupron overlap Stimmed: 1/22-2/2: Bravelle and Menopur (dosage ranged from B300 and M150 to B375 and M150 to B300 and M225)
2/4 retrieved 10 eggs. Endo was much worse than expected. Only 3 eggs fertilized; February 7 transferred two day 3 embryos, froze one. All great condition.
BFP eve of 6dp3dt; Beta 1 (11dp3dt): 110; Beta 2 (13dp3dt): 175; Beta 3 (15dp3dt): 348; Beta 4 (19dp3dt): 2222; Beta 5 (21dp3dt): 4255
1st ultrasound (3/6 6w 1d): TWINS!!!! Twin A measuring 6w1d with a heartbeat of 118bpm. Twin B measuring 6w0d with a heartbeat of 113bpm.
***July 18, 2014 we lost our beautiful babies at 21 weeks gestation. They were born too early. Tavin Sara T. and Casey Elizabeth T. are beautiful and precious and we will love them and miss them forever.***
FET #1 December 2014
I am not a huge pie fan...but I do love me some pumkin pie with cool whip (I just don't eat the crust)
2. Growing up, what was your favorite grade(s) in school? Why?
I loved 3rd grade. I had an awesome teacher that was really into animals so we had a great time with science. 5th grade I had another amazing teacher that inserted dry humor into everything, which was right up my alley!!!
3. Best thing that's happened lately?
I am getting closer and closer to Spring Break!!! Also, saw the babies again and it was a little breath-taking. My little wiggly gummy bears! (someone on another board called hers that and it kinda stuck with me)
4. Biggest bummer that happened lately?
I had a horrible visit with the midwife of the practice I am using. One of the babies wasn't moving (it finally did, but was a LONG 2 minutes) and I do not feel like she spent enough time with it. She did not measure either of them or check heartbeats
5. What's up this weekend?
We are going to lay out at my MILs pool and hang out for the day on Saturday. Then Sunday we are going to straighten up our house, do laundry, M will probably piddle around the house and fix things that don't need it LOL, and I will take naps!
Bonus PIPs always enjoyed!!
Married to M and proud mothers to Olivia and Elise (8/19/2014) and to our fur-babies: Capone (pitbull), Jax and Atticus (cats)
That would have to be my grandmother's blueberry pie! Made with fresh, wild blueberries. Wild blueberries are smaller, and have more flavour - they also give a totally different texture to the pie vs. a commercial blueberry.
Second choice is cherry pie. Or a good apple pie with ice cream.
2. Growing up, what was your favorite grade(s) in school? Why?
Probably the young elementary grades - K-2. I had some fantastic teachers and went to a great school which was very new and progressive at the time. It's setup was condusive to all sorts of experiential learning, which - when I moved away in Grade 5 - I really ended up missing.
3. Best thing that's happened lately?
We got two Rockies! And telling people has been a joy so far.
4. Biggest bummer that happened lately?
For me it's probably the financial stress I'm feeling. I'm really worried about money and balancing that with also wanting to be able to spend time with the Rockies when they're small. I'm worried we won't have enough money and the work opportunities just won't be there either....
5. What's up this weekend?
H. updated already, but I'm also supposed to see my good friend M. tomorrow while H. is at ball practice. I haven't seen him in awhile. The only problem: he wants to go skating, which I'm really not down with -- I'm way more into the "let's sit down and eat carbs" sort of friend-date these days.
Bonus PIPs always enjoyed!!
Since I have to give up the UBV love -- I've had to set my sights elsewhere.... Currently I'm stuck on this stroller -- which has edged out the Bumbleride Indie Twin simply because it folds SO easily.... This is the City Mini Double GT in teal.
queer couple - 32 (me) & 33 (my love) years old - donor sperm,
Our IF/TTC journey since Nov 2012.
Me: dx of DOR in Nov. 2012. Low AMH, AFC - 6, Normal FSH, SS-A (RO) Antibodies (Autoimmune issues), tubes clear, Sono (November 2013) NORMAL! <p>
7 IUI's - December 2012-September 2013. Medicated, Injected, Triggered.... all BFN.
My Love: (the amazing @Healz413)
Normal AMH & FSH, AFC ~27, blocked tube dx'd via HSG in 2012. Hydrosalpinx & ovarian cyst dx'd in May 2013.
dx of Stage IV Endo & bilateral salpinectomy in June 2013.
Partner IVF#1a- December 2013 - H's eggs, my Ute - CANCELLED due to low response
Partner IVF #1b - February 2014 - H's eggs, my Ute - ER February 4 (10 retrieved, 3 fertilized), Transfer Feb 7 of one Grade 1 and one Grade 2 day 3 embryos. 1 - Day 3, Grade 1 frosty saved. BFP - 6dp3dt via FRER, Beta #1 - 110, Beta #2 175, Beta #3 - 348, Beta #4 - 2222!, Beta #5 - 4255. Ultrasound (6w1d) - 2 heartbearts!
We lost our beautiful Twin baby girls on June 18, 2014. Tavin Sara and Casey Elizabeth were born at 21 weeks gestation and were absolutely beautiful, precious, amazing babies. We miss our daughters every day and love them with all our hearts.
Warm homemade apple pie...with vanilla ice cream. YUM
2. Growing up, what was your favorite grade(s) in school? Why?
3. Best thing that's happened lately?
4. Biggest bummer that happened lately?
5. What's up this weekend?
I have a bunch of friends coming over tomorrow night for a small get together. We are going to play games like Cards Against Humanity and Chaos.
Bonus PIPs always enjoyed!!
2. Probably second grade. I had a fantastic teacher who gave me the opportunity to do lots of extra side projects on my own, which kept me from getting bored, and encouraged me to write, which I always loved doing. It was also my romantic peak -- three or four boys had crushes on me. One named his dog after me and two wore suits to school to impress me. It was pretty cute. I am still FB friends with two of those boys.
3. We've had a pretty darn good year so I'm just going to stick to this week. We got a package from Land of Nod with all of our crib sheets in it. It was supposed to be a shower gift from my SIL (our shower isn't until late May) but she accidentally sent it to our house instead. The packing slip also said that the lamp we registered for (which I LOVE) will be shipping later in the month. It was a fun surprise. Also, my wife had her review and got a decent raise, which makes me feel a little less anxious about daycare costs.
4. My wife and I had a misunderstanding that turned into a short-lived but not-fun fight on Monday, probably because we were both hormonal (PMS in her case) and emotional. We don't fight often so it always catches me off guard and upsets me when we do. By the end of the night we had talked it out, but I hate fighting.
5. Celebrating my wife's birthday tomorrow --starting with these over-the-top amazing breakfast sandwiches from a deli near our house and ending with a family dinner with pie and presents. In the middle, lots of lounging and maybe a movie. Whatever she wants. It is supposed to be 57 degrees (it is 26 now, as a comparison), so we might grill cheeseburgers for the first time since fall! On Sunday, I have yoga, then split the rest of the day between productivity and relaxation.
9 IUIs = 9 BFNs
IVF October 2012: 22 eggs retrieved, 17 fertilized, 5 frozen
ET #1: 1 blast = BFP; Blighted ovum discovered at 7w5d; D&E
FET #1: 1 blast = BFP; Missed m/c discovered at 9w5d; D&E
Karyotyping: normal ~ RPL Testing: normal ~ Hysteroscopy: normal
FET #2: 1 blast transferred 10/25; BFP 10/31!
EDD 7/13/14 ~ Induced at 37w4d due to pre-eclampsia ~ Born on 6/28/14
*Everyone welcome*
Oh I love pie, it's my favorite dessert by far and I happen to make the best pies I've ever had. My dad taught me well.
2. Growing up, what was your favorite grade(s) in school? Why?
Hmmm that is a hard one. Probably 4th grade. I had an amazing teacher, one of the few in my public education career. I was also young and had a lot of fun.
3. Best thing that's happened lately?
Making progress on our house projects. It's pretty boring, but I was starting to freak out about having so many things to do after baby came so it's nice to get them done before.
4. Biggest bummer that happened lately?
5. What's up this weekend?
2. Overall I too hated jr. high and high school, but, I had a lot of fun in 11th grade - I was a band geek, and we competed, so my band people were my people and we had a lot of fun.
3. Today's u/s was great! Overall a great appt. and lil'mamaz is doing really well.
4. My dad found out yesterday he has to have a triple or quad bypass on 3/28. I'm going to go to PA to be with him for that. It'll be hard, but I'm glad to be going.
5. Saturday is the usual - prenatal yoga and then meeting up with a friend while J works. Might do some more basement clearing (it's really going well!). Sunday J only works 5-10 a.m., so if I sleep in it will be like we have a day off together! Not sure what we'll do, but I'm excited to have a weekend day with her. It's been a while.
PIP: This is Tammy 2 (we have two chickens called Tammy - this one is a Wyandotte, and J wanted "Tammy Wyandotte"...even though we already had a Tammy ala Parks & Rec). She is special (i.e. in bred) and has a wicked crooked beak. But we tell her "at least you have a great bod!" Hehe.
Manny hanging out in the background overseeing.
Me (43) and J (45) - same sex couple. And we don't feel 40+!
June'12 - First RE Visit
Sept. '12 - Tubes removed
Dec. '12 - Donor Egg/Donor Sperm IVF Cycle - 4 good embies!
Dec. '12 - Fresh transfer, BFP! EDD 8/29/13
Mar. '13 - Missed m/c at 16w1d, baby boy stopped growing at 15w4d
Loss due to umbilical cord clot...baby was perfect.
Jul '13 - FET#1 - c/p
Sept. '13 - FET#2 - BFN
Dec.' 2, 2013 - FET#3 with our last chance embie - BFP!!!
Dec' 26, 2013 - hb!!
EDD 8/20/14 with a baby girl!
Little S was born on 8/21/14 - 8lb, 14 oz and 20 inches long.
We live in Seattle and used SRM for our donor egg IVF cycle
I'm so sorry to hear about your dad. I hope things go as smoothly as possible with the surgery.
We're queer. I'm 33, have severe stage 4 endo, and had both fallopian tubes removed. My love ("Manada" on the boards, 32) was diagnosed with diminished ovarian reserve. We did Partner IVF (my eggs, her uterus). We lost our twins Tavin and Casey at 21 weeks gestation.
Our IUIs
with @Manada: IUI# 1-7 (December 2012- September 2013) all BFN. Tried natural, femara, clomid, puregon/follistim, clomid and menopur combo, both the ovidrel and HCG triggers.
Our IVFs:
IVF #1 my eggs November/December 2013: Cancelled IVF due to poor response
IVF #2 my eggs/Manada's uterus January/February 2014
BCPs and lupron overlap Stimmed: 1/22-2/2: Bravelle and Menopur (dosage ranged from B300 and M150 to B375 and M150 to B300 and M225)
2/4 retrieved 10 eggs. Endo was much worse than expected. Only 3 eggs fertilized; February 7 transferred two day 3 embryos, froze one. All great condition.
BFP eve of 6dp3dt; Beta 1 (11dp3dt): 110; Beta 2 (13dp3dt): 175; Beta 3 (15dp3dt): 348; Beta 4 (19dp3dt): 2222; Beta 5 (21dp3dt): 4255
1st ultrasound (3/6 6w 1d): TWINS!!!! Twin A measuring 6w1d with a heartbeat of 118bpm. Twin B measuring 6w0d with a heartbeat of 113bpm.
***July 18, 2014 we lost our beautiful babies at 21 weeks gestation. They were born too early. Tavin Sara T. and Casey Elizabeth T. are beautiful and precious and we will love them and miss them forever.***
FET #1 December 2014
my favorite pie is cherry pie. i was never a huge pie fan, but last year at thanksgiving i became obsessed with cherry pie. our old roommate and i started buying one a week and would share it, my wife finally put a stop to that, lol.
2. Growing up, what was your favorite grade(s) in school? Why?
I honestly would have to say high school. I went to a very small private school and even though it was uber religious, I was able to still be a kid. I was innocent (mostly) and just had a lot of fun. I never had a curfew, because I wasn't doing anything wrong. All the teachers were like parents to me because my parents divorced while I was in high school. My home life was crazy and the school and friends provided me with stability. I firmly believe if it wasn't for that school I would have been a wild teenager and my life would have turned out very differently. It is sad because I don't associate with many of those people now because they don't agree with my 'lifestyle' I still treasure the memories.
3. Best thing that's happened lately?
The girls had a good visit with bio mom yesterday. She didn't show up smelling like pot this time and seemed more attentive. Also neither girl cried on the way home, this is two weeks in a row and I am so relieved!! We are also working on potty training and M had two days of dry pull ups except during nap times. Oh and my wife brought me flowers the other night 'just because I do such a good job taking care of the girls'. She is the sweetest.
4. Biggest bummer that happened lately?
This week was honestly pretty rough. M seemed to act up more, K slept less and I was more cranky. I cried on and off yesterday morning for no real reason except just being so tired and short of patience with the girls, oh and crazy pregnancy hormones, lol. Not my finest moment when I look over and M is copying me and she has her face in her hands pretending to cry. It broke my heart and I realized I needed to get myself together and not let her see me upset.
5. What's up this weekend?
1. Today is pi day! (3.14), in its honor, what is your favorite flavor of pie?
I think Strawberry Rhubarb probably wins, though I love a good pumpkin or a dutch apple. I also really like mincemeat, because I'm a weirdo.
2. Growing up, what was your favorite grade(s) in school? Why?
I'd have to say 7th grade. I switched schools, and thus had different social opportunities and it's the first time I really felt like I fit in. I had been at a snooty all-girl private school prior to that, and moved to a large public co-ed school for 7th grade. I felt like no one was cool, so we all were (if that makes any sense).
3. Best thing that's happened lately?
A few weeks back my Sis flew out and surprised me for my 40th birthday. It was awesome. And if that wasn't enough, she threw a surprise party for me while she was out here. It was very VERY cool of her.
4. Biggest bummer that happened lately?
Ugh, shall we count together? S is sick. I am sick. G is sick. Ice dams caused $10k+ damage to the house, then we just found out that the entire beautiful bathroom that S's Dad built for us last year will have to be ripped out and redone because the plumbing is wrong and it's leaking. That's another $10k+, easy. I feel like we're bleeding money. And I feel so helpless because we would typically handle most of the repairs ourselves but we are rendered useless by the kid and the dog.
5. What's up this weekend?
Swimming lessons tomorrow, and then a birthday party at Chuck E Cheese. I have never been to a CC, and have a sort of a weird fascination with it. We'll see how this goes. Then Sunday I'm sure we'll be doing massive clean up around the house. S's fam arrives on Thursday night for Gabe's big birthday weekend, so we won't have much other time to get that done (needless to say the house is a total pit since the front hall and the back bedroom are all ripped apart due to the water leaks).
Bonus PIPs always enjoyed!!
@KH826 I was so inspired by your green bean recipe that I had to go home and make some myself. I totally nailed it, don't you think?
He he he, I'm actually a really decent cook so I'm not so sure how I managed to screw these up so royally. Well, that's not true. I know how I screwed them up. But still.
In related news, this website will give you a laugh on a Friday, if you haven't already heard of it, well ... you're welcome:
https://pinterestfail.com/page/2/
Married to my amazing wife 6/12/10
TTC since 6/11
Unmedicated IUI #1 - 6/28/11 - BFN
Unmedicated IUI #2 - 7/25/11 - BFN
Robotic Myomectomy (Fibroid Surgery) - 11/15/11
Unmedicated IUI #3 - 4/24/12 - BFN
Progesterone Supported Leuteal Phase IUI #4 - 6/21/12 - BFP!!
Baby Boy G Born 3/24/13
On to #2, are we crazy?
IUI #1 - 11/28/14 - BFP! Beta #1 (11DPO) 34, Beta #2 (13DPO) 101, Beta #3 (20DPO) 3043
Ultrasound at 6w4d shows a single, fluttering heartbeat. Say hello to Sticky Ricki!
Tammy2, poor you with that beak....
Me (43) and J (45) - same sex couple. And we don't feel 40+!
June'12 - First RE Visit
Sept. '12 - Tubes removed
Dec. '12 - Donor Egg/Donor Sperm IVF Cycle - 4 good embies!
Dec. '12 - Fresh transfer, BFP! EDD 8/29/13
Mar. '13 - Missed m/c at 16w1d, baby boy stopped growing at 15w4d
Loss due to umbilical cord clot...baby was perfect.
Jul '13 - FET#1 - c/p
Sept. '13 - FET#2 - BFN
Dec.' 2, 2013 - FET#3 with our last chance embie - BFP!!!
Dec' 26, 2013 - hb!!
EDD 8/20/14 with a baby girl!
Little S was born on 8/21/14 - 8lb, 14 oz and 20 inches long.
We live in Seattle and used SRM for our donor egg IVF cycle
9 IUIs = 9 BFNs
IVF October 2012: 22 eggs retrieved, 17 fertilized, 5 frozen
ET #1: 1 blast = BFP; Blighted ovum discovered at 7w5d; D&E
FET #1: 1 blast = BFP; Missed m/c discovered at 9w5d; D&E
Karyotyping: normal ~ RPL Testing: normal ~ Hysteroscopy: normal
FET #2: 1 blast transferred 10/25; BFP 10/31!
EDD 7/13/14 ~ Induced at 37w4d due to pre-eclampsia ~ Born on 6/28/14
*Everyone welcome*
Me (43) and J (45) - same sex couple. And we don't feel 40+!
June'12 - First RE Visit
Sept. '12 - Tubes removed
Dec. '12 - Donor Egg/Donor Sperm IVF Cycle - 4 good embies!
Dec. '12 - Fresh transfer, BFP! EDD 8/29/13
Mar. '13 - Missed m/c at 16w1d, baby boy stopped growing at 15w4d
Loss due to umbilical cord clot...baby was perfect.
Jul '13 - FET#1 - c/p
Sept. '13 - FET#2 - BFN
Dec.' 2, 2013 - FET#3 with our last chance embie - BFP!!!
Dec' 26, 2013 - hb!!
EDD 8/20/14 with a baby girl!
Little S was born on 8/21/14 - 8lb, 14 oz and 20 inches long.
We live in Seattle and used SRM for our donor egg IVF cycle
- There was this really awesome place that has closed down in my hometown. They had the best oreo pie...it was awesome and delicious. I do have to admit that I think its kind of a "cheater" pie as it is more of a cake. So if I can't count the cheater pie then strawberry pie for sure!
2. Growing up, what was your favorite grade(s) in school? Why?
- I was "so over" high school. So over in fact that I graduated a year early. I was in a lot of leadership groups in high school and all my friends were older. My favorite "grade" would have to be college. I went to THREE different colleges and ended up at Eastern Kentucky University where I joined an awesome sorority and we had the best time!
3. Best thing that's happened lately?
- C got a super great promotion at work! Yay!
4. Biggest bummer that happened lately?
- I have had a really tough day today. Just a lot of different crappy things...glad today is over!
5. What's up this weekend?
- Tomorrow I am helping C with some stuff at work, then we are going out to dinner with some friends. Then sunday we'll probably head to church, go grocery shopping and clean...BORING!
Queer coupled and having a BABY with the love of my life! Love my life and wouldn't have it any other way!
First IUI 1/22/2013 BFN: 2/7/2013, Second IUI 2/21/2013 BFN: 3/9/2013, Third IUI 4/23/2013 BFN: 5/8/2013, Fourth IUI 5/24/2013 BFN: 6/7/2013, Fifth IUI 6/24/2013 BFN: 7/8/2013
C began IUI's
7/23/2013 C's first IUI BFN, 8/21/2013 C's second IUI BFN , Took a break in September and October, 11/05/2013 C's 3rd IUI (TWW...we meet again...) BFN, Took off the month to switch to an RE. 01/01/2014 C's 4th IUI...BFP!!!!!!!! Beta #1- 17, Beta #2- 34, Beta #3-140.... 6W Ultra-Sound Reveals nothing in Gestation Sack... Natural M/C at 7W, 2/3/2014
03/21/2014 IUI #10...BFP!!! Beta #1- 48, Beta #2- 416, Beta #3- 1018. GROW BABY GROW!!!
1st Ultrasound 4/22/2014 Baby Squints is PERFECT! Measuring at 6w2d with a heartbeat of 129. EDD: 12/12/14.
Ultrasound at 18 weeks on 7/14/2014. Baby is healthy and growing just as she should!
Check out my blog at: http://journeytoparenthoodandmakingmilk.blogspot.com/