Shootin' up! HAH!

Well this morning was my hormone blood work and my class to show how to mix and inject solutions.  The purpose for these injections are for me to mass produce follicles.  In each ovary the average woman has multiple follicles, I actually had 11 in one and 13 in the other- which is pretty good.  In some of these follicles there will be eggs but not necessarily in each one.  Their hope with these first injections are to produce and mature follicles with eggs in them.  This is the stimulation phase.  I will go in every other day for blood work and an ultrasound for them to check my hormone levels and to also look at the follicles to see when they will be ready for retrieval.  After about 7 days of these two I will start taking another injection which will stop me from ovulating, so I can hold on to what follicles/eggs I have.  Thomas and I will both be on antibiotics prior to my egg retrieval and his sample delivery(again poor guy..)  Lacy is currently on injections so that she doesn't ovulate and to get her uterus ready for transfer. Our tentative retrieval date is scheduled for January 10th and the trasfer will be 3-5 days after.  During the 10th through the 15th they will be monitoring the embryos to see the development and will choose two once they are ready for transfer.  I am absolutely being realistic about all of this, but I have never felt so good about something.  I feel whether it takes or it doesn't God has some amazing things in store for this little family of ours.. whether it's Thomas and I or we add a little one(maybe two).  I feel like God has had his hand in all of this from the very start and with that I can't go wrong.  If it doesn't take I honestly don't think of it as a loss or that we're missing something.  I married my husband because I love him for him, and it's always been us against the world.  Putting our journey out there has made us absolutely vulnerable for a number of emotions, but to know that we are helping people with their feelings through their own journeys makes every feeling worth it!  I took two injections tonight, Gonal-F and Menopur.. not going to lie the menopur burns but the Gonal-F wasn't too bad.  I've already googled all the side effects--- BAD IDEA!  HAha!  I mean as we sit here I'm thinking the side effects are already taking place, really probably not but my mind is going 100 miles an hour.  I've been on a steriod since Friday and not to be TMI but my boobs feel like they are going to explode and I feel so bloated (like I haven't been to the bathroom in forever) and I have battled to keep my sugar under 200 which is extremely frustrating only because I want everything to go smoothly and I want my body to be in the best condition it can be in!  We don't say enough how blessed we are to have the support system we have.  I hurt so bad for the couples that go through any of this process alone.  It's not easy, it's an emotional roller coaster.. To anyone reading this that thinks they are in this journey alone, you're not.. I promise there are so many couples that are in the same boat and just as scared to talk about it.  The one person who will never turn their back on you will be God, my faith has never been stronger.  When you're at the bottom and have ran out of options he will never fail you and his timing is always right whether you believe it or not.  Well I'm off to bed... I think my ovaries are already swelling--- not really but it's going to happen!! :) #babybray

Baseline appointment

Well this morning I had my baseline appointment.  What this is for is to take a look at my ovaries to see what they look like after 3 weeks of birth control and to see follicles prior to any hormone injections.  I will go in Tuesday morning for blood work in the morning and I will also take. Class to show how and when to do the injections(after 18 years of diabetes I should be a pro) haha!   We have one more Christmas to attend tomorrow and then we will be done with our Christmas celebrations.  We had a great time at the Bray Christmas on Wednesday and we celebrated my sides yesterday at our house!  We really enjoy having one a our house, we changed up the traditional Christmas meal and had homeade Mexican food instead and it was delicious!!  My mom couldn't resist and gave us a bear that says The Lord's Prayer and a small little pre-baby book... Which of course made me cry!  I wouldn't say tears of sadness or joy, just tears of bring overwhelmed.  Everything has moved so fast.. It doesn't seem like all of this started in September.  So hard to believe in two weeks we will be getting ready for my egg retrieval!  The whole process is so amazing!  Since my last entry we have had two people come forward- one went to college with Thomas and one was his professor.. Bob families are going thorough the IVF process.  These are the reasons we have out our story out there, to help others and if nothing else just be an ear to listen-- to be able to say I understand whatyou're going   through.  Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about, so be kind.  I know in my heart and mind that God has choose us for this journey for a reason and we are blessed.  Whether at the end of this we have a Baby in our arms or just each other each step of it has been absolutely worth it.  God chose Lacy and Paul to share in this journey with us and he sure knee what he was doing because they are so much more than family to us.  It takes an extremely special person to open their hearts and minds to this.  They have done it with with both and for them to come to us with this gift is 100% God sent.  To those of you reading this that need an ear, I'm here.  To those of you that want to know, ask.  Please don't assume something that you know nothing about.  We say our prayers every night and most of the time I'm praying for people that need guidance of their own.. I'm by no means perfect but The Lord thinks I'm good just the way I am, and at the end of the day that's the only approval I need.

Busy as a Bee!!

WoooooWeee!!  The past 2 weeks have been absolutely crazy!  During our trip to Fort Worth, we got a call that Thomas' grandfather, "Giffa" as he was called had passed away.  The week before we also lost a close friend of the family whose funeral was the Tuesday prior.  They always say God doesn't give you more than you can hangle and I am a firm believer in that!  I feel that God has put everything in our path for a reason.. and by no means do I think I'm the strongest person around to deal with things but I do have my faith and so does Thomas.  We came home early to get prepared for the services and headed to San Antonio.  The services were absolutely beautiful.  Thomas' Giffa and Nanny's love for each other is undeniable.  They have the love that people talk about having or dream of having.  They have stuck with each other through it all and will until they both reach eternal life.  I would like to think that Thomas and I will be there some day.  Yes we get on each others nerves, we bicker and I probably nag too much but there is no one on this earth I would rather travel through this life with.  We were able to see family that we don't get to see very often and that is always nice, just would have been better under different circumstances.  We got to see Thomas' sister Allison and his cousins wife who are expecting a week apart!!  My mom saw them both and she thinks Allison is going to have a boy and Shalyn a girl, can't wait to see what they will be! 

Things seem to be moving so quickly!  Next Friday the 26th I will be going in for all of my baseline ultrasound and blood work.  The 30th I will start my injections and I believe Lacy will start hers this weekend!  I pray everything goes smoothly for her.  Some of her injections will be uncomfortable and the last thing I want for her is to be uncomfortable.  She has 3 appointments tomorrow in order to prepare for everything.  She has been so helpful and open to everything while having a life of her own.. I don't know how she does it!  We're going to have to find away to send her and Paul on a major vacation after all of this!  This time next month we will have already done this transfer and should be on our way- God willing!  Tonight I have to tie Thomas down to initial 50 pages for our gestational agreement and we have to have it notarized and faxed to the attorney.  We have to have a contract and lawyer through all of this in order for our doctor to treat Lacy.  Medications should be here any day now.  If you could say an extra prayer for Lacy.. she is so strong, but the past week has been very trying loosing Giffa-- he was her #1 guy and if you knew him you would know why.  Just another note to add.. Ive been on birth control for 11 days now and I feel like I am either extremely bloated or Ive gained a few pounds!  Ahhh what the heck!  Anyways, Thomas just got home so we need to get started with this paper work! One more thing, throw in an extra prayer for anyone you know that might be going through IVF.. a former co-worker has gone public with her blog and has received a little negativity.. Remember, not one of us had all of this in mind.  Trust me I'm sure we would all love to be able to get pregnant without a problem, and until you have not been given that chance don't judge, point fingers or try to understand because you never will.. But do have a heart and think before you speak.  As I've said before if you have children and were able to conceive with no problems.. you're blessed in that situation, we're just blessed in different ways. Until next time! #babybray 

This is 50 pages of initials!!

Our yearly December vacation.. Sort of!

Well we are officially on our "futurity vacation".. Every year we come the second week in December. I save one of my two weeks of vacation to spend here.  Everyday there is a sale and we watch the cutting each day.  We so enjoy coming even though at times it seems more work than play; I wouldn't change  it for the world.  We have been able to see so many people we don't get to see very often.  Everyone we have seen has been so supportive and excited for us.  Most of these people have known Thomas for mAny years.  We are hoping that next year not only will we have one more little person with us, but that Thomas might be showing up here.  I can't wait to get his horse ready and cheer him through a run on the floor of the collesium!  I started my birth control pills on Saturday and will continue to take then until the 26th.  Unfortunately I think they are making my blood sugars spike, not 100% sure but my sugars have been a little higher than normal.  This is the only thing I worry about also when I start the injections on the 30th.   I still can't believe how fast everything is moving. This afternoon we have a phone interview with our lawyer, she will go over the agreement and get the contract together.  We recently found out some friends of our are expecting and we are so excited for them.. They have had a few rough patches along the way and things are looking great now.  Thomas' sister is also expecting and I am so glad the cats out of the bag because with my big mouth it's hard to keep quiet about all of the exciting things happening!  We have 3 nieces and 3 nephews so I can't wait to see what the next one is going to be.  I think she's going to have a girl and it will be a little fashionista and I will probably go broke hah!  Either way we want healthy for Allison and chase, they are two that have also leaned much on their faith to guide them and with that you can't go wrong!  On the way to Fort Worth this past weekend Thomas said you know this could be our last trip up here just you and I... Wow did that hit home!  I have to admit I love it just Thomas and I.. We just seem to fit.  Neither one of us feel that we are missing anything and would both be content with it that way.. But I think part of that is the feeling we've had in the past that it might not ever happen so we learned that it will be okay with just us.  Now that this door has opened, it's really all I think about is dong everything with a baby! I've already got it planned out.. How we can ride in the round pin with a playpen in the middle with the little one hanging out until we can strap them on with us!  Well I'm starting to ramble now.. Until next time!

Yesterday was our IVF consult and Lacy's first appointment.  We could not have asked for it to go any better.  We were able to see a friend of ours in the waiting room and she was able to talk Lacy through some of the things she will have to do over the next couple of weeks which really helped.  When they called us back for the IVF consult we all four went in to the room.  I wanted Lacy and Paul to both be in there in case they had any questions about anything.. this is as much about them as is us.  We weren't in the rooms just a few minutes before they called Lacy back for her procedure.  She would be put under for comfort.  They used a small scope to go inside her uterus to clean the lining and check for any cysts.  Dr. Allon was extremely pleased and said it could not have looked any better- Phew!  During the IVF consult it was Thomas, Paul and I... for those of you that know Paul and Thomas you can only imagine the things that were going on in there! HAHA!  Aurora is the coordinator for all of the IVF procedures.  She went over the process in its entirety and we had to sign numerous consent forms.  She also gave me a tentative calendar for the next 6 weeks.  Basically I will be on birth control pills for 20 days- starting on December 6th.  On December 26th, they will do my baseline ultrasound and blood-work.  Starting December 30th I will start two hormone injections daily and then it will switch to three.  After I start those every two days after I will need a hormone blood test in the AM and they will call me with any dosage changes I need to make.  After 3 blood-work appointments it will move to blood-work and ultrasound for the next 4 appointments.  They have scheduled the egg retrieval for January 10th, which would make the transfer for January 15th!!  During this time Lacy will have to take an injection to get her body ready for the transfer.  She is such a brave woman and so strong.  I don't think her or Paul really realize what they are doing for us.  None of this would even be possible with out them, and we are so thankful and blessed to share this with them.   AHHH!!  It is all extremely overwhelming in a good way.  This process has made me to realize so much about myself and my relationship with God.  Last night at bible study I told everyone that Thomas and I are not looking for any sympathy- because there is nothing to be sad about.  We have been given an opportunity that most may never get.  We know people that have tried IVF and the cycle didn't take, and yes that very well could be us.  However, I will not let my fear of what could happen keep me from following in God's path that he has set before us.  I hope one day our little one(s) can read through this blog and know how much I love him/her before they were even in the making.  I want them to be able to see that we have so much love and support around us and people we don't even know are pulling for us.  This baby or babies is already blessed beyond belief and so are his or her parents--which would be us! :)  I prayed this morning for all the people struggling with any type of conception and I prayed for the people that take it for granted.  I feel we are all blessed just in different ways and we should all be thankful.  We received again a gift yesterday and again all I could do was cry... it is all happy tears.  It is so unreal to see that some of the people around us, what this for us as much as we do.  We love you all and thank you for sharing in this journey with us!  Here are two pictures from yesterday's appointment!   I knew we made the right decision with Dr. Allon when one of his nurses was discussing the amount of faith they all have.  She told Lacy and I to both keep our faith and we would have a successful treatment.  They also told us that before most procedures they would pray with us and over us. 

Best patient of the year award!

There will be an eternal bond between the two of us.  Our baby will grow in her belly and in our hearts!

Big day tomorrow!

Well we are moving right along!  Tomorrow is our IVF consult.  Lacy and Paul are coming to stay with us tonight and we will all go to the appointment in the morning.  They will discuss everything in detail with us and go over our results again along with Lacy's.  She will have to be sedated tomorrow and have what is called a hysterscope done.  They will take a look at her uterus and basically clean the lining to prepare it for the transfer.  I am extremely nervous for her.  I know she is super tough, but I want everything to go as smoothly as possible for her and Paul.  They are taking time out of their life to travel down here for these appointments and Lacy is basically giving us her body for the next 9-10 months... still can't grasp all of this.  We will both have to be on hormone injections which I also am a little nervous about.  I'm nervous for myself because I hope they don't make me too mean (haha) and I am hoping with the extra hormones it won't make my blood sugars go crazy.  For Lacy, I am worried that they will be uncomfortable for her and hopefully they will not make her feel bad.  She has told me time and time again that she isn't worried about any of it and she will be fine but I can't help but wish for everything to go very easy and smoothly.  We are hoping if everything keeps going smoothly to be ready for my egg retrieval, and Thomas will give another sample(poor thing) early January and five days later the transfer will take place.. then two weeks later we will be ready for a pregnancy test.  At 6 weeks is when we will do an ultrasound to look for a heartbeat or beats!! Thomas and I could not have picked a better couple to share this amazing journey with.  They remind us so much of ourselves.  They are both funny and giving.. one is a little more easy going-like Thomas and the other is a little more high strung- like myself!  This weekend Thomas and I went to a horse sale that he has been going to as long as he can remember.. we were able to see people who are like family but we only get to see a few times a year.  Thomas actually told people on his own about our journey.  I can't even put to words how that makes me feel.  Throughout this process I have worried so much about him and how he truly feels about everything and to see him opening up to people makes me so happy.  I have always been one to open up to people, sometimes maybe too easily.  I have always felt that I have nothing to hide and I am an open book.  I know that by being that way, hopefully somewhere along the way I have helped someone with their life struggles.  I've had a few emotional breakdowns here and there over the past few weeks but Thomas and I have so much support from not only each other but our family and friends.  We received 3 checks via mail this week and again are overwhelmed.  I can't help but cry out of joy.  To know that people have taken the time to send us a letter and a gift with it is just overwhelming.  I pray that one day there will be some way for us to repay everyone... even if it is just to pray for them or help them get through a struggle no matter what it might be.  I've got to get moving on getting the house ready for our guests.  I'm trying to decorate for Christmas and make sure the house is spic n span!  I did hang up the stockings today.. one for Thomas, Dad, Callie, Gus and myself.  When I was done I couldn't help but stare and think to myself maybe next year we will be adding one.. or maybe 2!!  Just one more thing before I go.. To those of you that don't understand why Thomas and I are taking this journey, if you have a child I want you to look at them and think about if you didn't have them.  I will never expect anyone (unless you have taken this journey before) to truly understand what is is like to want something with your whole heart and not have it.  To those of you that think we are "playing God", I pray for you... I pray that tonight you sit down and have a talk with the big man.  I know Thomas and I have week after week after week and without him this door would have never opened.  I also want you to know that I don't dislike you and I'm not mad for you not supporting our decision, a quote the other day said it best.." Sometimes the people around you won't understand your journey.  They don't need to, it's not for them."  Well I better get off this thing.. hopefully tomorrow I will be posting great news!! #babybray

Our Appointment

Today was our "treament protocol" appointment.  They went over all the test results for Thomas and I.  Dr. Allon was extremely pleased with everything and feels we should not have any problems along the way.  They did order one more blood test for Thomas.  I believe it is called a CVM.. its something they look for positive or negative and its really not a concern other than the fact if he is positive Lacy  must be positive.. If Thomas is negative it doesn't matter what Lacy tests.  They went over the procedure in more detail with us.  Hopefully December 2nd, we can schedule our IVF consult and Lacy will be brought in for all of her preliminary tests.  They will discuss any hormone treatment her and I will need and we are hoping to be ready for the transfer sometime in January.  I have to admit I am a little nervous about the egg retrieval.  They will put me under but it still makes me nervous.  We will both be on hormone injections- myself to mass produce eggs so when they retrieve they are able to get a good amount and Lacy for her body to be prepared for the embryos.  Dr. Allon prefers to place two embryos leaving us with a 30% chance of twins.  Originally he said maybe 25%, but he feels my eggs and Thomas' sperm are both healthy so he uped the chance slightly.  I have to be honest I would be totally nervous if we were pregnant with twins but I also feel whatever is in God's will is how it is meant to be.  Once they retieve my eggs and Thomas gives his sperm sample, they will fertilize 5 eggs that day.  On day 5 after, they will pick two embryos to transfer.  After that we will be ready for a pregnancy test 12-14 days later!!  If we are pregnant at 6 weeks we will do an ultrasound to look for a hearbeat!  I can't not imagine how we will feel if and when we hear a heartbeat, backing up- I can't imagine how we will feel if or when the test is positive.  Due to the hormone therapy they will do a blood pregnancy test for accuracy.  I called the lawyer today to start the contract process and hopefully everything keeps going smoothly!!  I cannot even believe we are just trucking along.. so crazy to think that this time next year hopefully we will be holding our little one!!  Lacy is so awesome in case I haven't said that along the way.  I spoke with her today abotu insurance stuff and our next steps and she is so concerned with making this easy for us... I mean how selfless can she be, just amazes me.  I am so concerned with making her comfortable and trying to make traveling and so forth easy and she is more concerned with making it easy on us.  She is a God sent Angel, I tell ya!  I had lunch today with Cayce and Sam.. and of course two of the most precious boys- Brigham and Randon!  I can't wait for the day our little one will be running around with our friends kids!  Thank you to everyone for your love and support!  We are beyond blessed!!  Some have asked how can they help, well prayers is first.. we wouldn't be where we are with out them!  Second, just being a friend even if you don't understand why we're doing this.. it's okay you don't have to understand, but letting us know you support us is enough!  And third, we have setup a "Go Fund Me".. please do not feel obligated or bad for not using it.. it's by no means for everyone, but for those that want too it's there!  Well till next time!!  Gotta get busy with planning the next two months are going to be crrazzzyy!!

Our Go Fund Me-
http://www.gofundme.com/babybray

We had a great Sunday!  Today at church we had a ladies luncheon.  It was great to finally meet everyone that I had seen for months but might not have been able to put names to faces.  We have really been blessed with an awesome church family!  I learned so much today about some of the ladies and some of the struggles that they have faced not only with their faith but in life in general.  After lunch we spent some time with Thomas' parents, we are able to really talk about the journey in details and what all is entailed.  I am looking forward to our appointment on Friday.  We are ready to get going with this journey!  Some people have asked who Lacy is and what she looks like, so with her permission here she is! 

She is just as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside.  Lacy welcomed me with open arms into the family and I knew I would get along great with her from day one.  She is married to a great guy named Paul and together they have 4 children.  She is a Godly woman that I know through this journey I can learn so much.  From the first day I talked to her about this whole journey she was so supportive of Thomas and I.  Her and Paul both want this journey to be about us and they both feel they are helping us complete our family.  I've thought so much about what do you say to someone or do for someone that no matter what you do, you can never fully repay them for the gift they are blessing us with.  Lacy has had some battles of her own and was always strong through them, and Paul was by her side through it all.  We need more Lacy and Pauls in this world.  They are truly one of a kind!!  They have eased our minds so much with all of our worries and questions.  For all our prayer warriors, please say a prayer for this amazing couple.. because without them none of this would be possible!! Happy Sunday!!

The past week

Hopefully I am doing all of this right... Well this past week has been full of so many emotions, most of which are good.  I can't express how overwhelmed we both are with the outpour of love and support not only from friends and family but even individuals we don't really know or haven't seen in years.  I've been asked a few times, what if it doesn't work?  I have to be honest.. if all we worried about is the what ifs, we probably wouldn't be this far along.  On Friday we will sit down with Dr. Allon and discuss all of our test results.  They will go over my ultrasound, all my blood work along with Thomas' dreaded semen sample and blood work.  I got to babysit our good friends little boy and it was so great to see Thomas wanting to hold him and help with him.  We've had a hard time really getting close to little ones, especially when we found out I wouldn't be able to carry.  In the beginning I was mad, hurt and full of so much negativity.  I had to do a lot of soul searching as I call it and really turn to God to get me through all of the ways I was feeling.  I've had to learn that he has perfect timing in all that he does and it's not really our plan, it's his.  Many people have reached out to us who also are having to go through fertility.  I have to tell people, please do not feel sorry for us because there is nothing to feel sorry about.. Lacy and Paul have blessed us with an opportunity that some couples will never be able to have.  Of course, I would be lying if I said I don't wonder what it would feel like to have a baby growing in my tummy, or to have Thomas feel my belly for the first kick.. but that just wasn't in the cards for us and that's okay!  I plan to embrace every minute along this journey and not worry about what might happen or what if?  God has done so many great things for us and just the fact that we have this opportunity is amazing and if we get a child out of it, that's just the added bonus.  Please feel free to ask questions because I would rather someone talk to us, to our face than behind our back.. as most of you know I am an open book, and Thomas- well Thomas is getting there!!   Please excuse any grammar mistakes, as when I start typing fast that all usually goes out the window!

Getting started, let me catch everyone up...

So I'm new to this whole blogging thing but when this journey started I did start a journal so I added my enteries to here so I could be caught up.  I have read so many blogs about other couples journies through surrogacy and I know how much they have helped me, so maybe our story in return can help someone!  For those of you that don't know us here is a little background.  I am married to my absolute soulmate, Thomas.  We married on 5-5-12 and starting a family was always on our mind, well at least on mine.  I have been a type 1, insulin dependent diabetic since the age of 10.  We are both 28 years old and other than my diabetes, we are both healthy.  About 6 months ago we were devastated when my endocrinologist advised us it would not be in my best interest to carry a child.  In the back of our minds we knew that this was a possiblity but to actually have to come to terms with it was a whole nother ball game.  Thomas stayed strong through it all, mainly for me.  We prayed and prayed for God to show us an answer.  We began to come to terms with the fact that a child just might not be in the cards for us and though we felt we would be great parents, we also knew that we enjoyed each others company and loved being with just one another.  We didn't feel we were missing anything.  Just as we were getting back to normal, we got the news...

Sunday September 14, 2014
Today our world has changed. For weeks we have prayed for an answer regarding a child and today God has answered our prayers. The day started just as any other SUnday that we are in town. We went to church and cooked a nice dinner. Lynnann- Thomas’ mom came over for dinner along with our sister in law Ashley and niece Samantha. After dinner Lynnann asked us if we had thought anymore about the child situation, you see in July my endocrinologist gave us the dreaded news that he was totally against me trying to carry a child. Lynnann preceded to tell us that Thomas’ cousin Lacy was wanting to discuss being our gestational carrier. I was completely taken back and couldn’t believe that someone would be open to doing this for us. That night Thomas and I talked about what we should do, we had prayed and prayed for an open door and maybe this was it.

Monday September 15, 2014
After hardly sleeping all night, I spoke with Lacy on the phone. She was so excited and wanted to let us know that this is something she has wanted to do for a couple and would love to be able to do it for us. She said she feels this is a calling from God. Neither one of us even knew where to begin but I thought the first step was to make an appointment with my ob/gyn and get a checkup and find out where we go from here.

October 10, 2014
Appointment today with Dr. Sutaria, first time. Pap smear and blood work was done. I spoke with her regarding our decision for surrogacy and she gave me information for 3 different fertility offices. I decided to go with Dr. Allon, Nanny knew him from working at the hospital and said he seemed like a truly genuine doctor and thought we would really like him. The other two offices were very large with multiple doctors and I was concerned we wouldn’t get the time or attention we would need.

Friday October 31, 2014
First appointment with Dr. Allon- very soft-spoken and seemed to be kind hearted. He feels with Thomas and I both being young that we should not have any problems on our end. He went over the process with us and gave us some starting points. I had my blood work done today, we purchased expensive vitamins he wants us to take, and we will return Monday for an trans-vaginal ultrasound and Thomas’ sperm sample and blood work. He is extremely nervous about giving the sperm sample and couldn’t sleep last night! I haven’t been able to have a good nights sleep ever since this journey has begun.. almost too much to grasp!

Monday November 3, 2014
Today was our appointment for Thomas and I. He went in first for his blood work and of course had to give the tech a hard time. He then went in a small dark room to give his sample. There was a nice chair with tissue paper laid across the chair and a TV with numerous adult movies for him to watch. I opted to stay out of the room and let him attempt this on his own, poor thing! While he was doing his thing I had my ultrasound, the tech’s name was Amber and she was so sweet and upbeat. She showed me my ovaries and my uterus. She said both ovaries had 10-13 eggs in each and that was great considering I have not started any hormone therapy. We have our next appointment setup for November 21^st and at that appointment we will go over all test results and set a plan of action. We also setup dinner with Paul and Lacy this Saturday the 6^th to go over everything and make sure we have all questions answered up front. Still has not hit me that we could be having a baby this time next year! I have had a whirlwind of emotions and just can’t grasp that this is reality!

Saturday November 8, 2014
Today is the day we meet with Paul and Lacy! I am so nervous! Will I say the wrong things? Will I hurt someones feelings? Will they think I am being selfish? SO many emotions and uncertainty going into this. I have made a list of questions and also have printed some paperwork from the lawyer with questions they want answered for the contract. We had lunch with Brady. Robin and Brax before we headed out to San Antonio. At lunch they gave us a letter which contained an extremely generous gift. They have been with us the whole way and we are so excited that they are apart of this journey and are watching it unfold.
So we just got home from dinner! I could not have asked for a better outcome. Paul and Lacy are just beyond amazing! First thing they wanted us to be sure of was that they are 100% on board to do this and want nothing in return financially. They made the conversation so easy and made us feel so comfortable. We had to discuss some uncomfortable questions especially because some of them were regarding termination of pregnancy. We all agree that we will go forward with the pregnancy even if there are problems with the baby, but would have to look at things if anything was putting Lacy’s life in jeopardy. We talked about making our story public and putting it out there if people could relate. We all want people to know what a blessing this is and of course it is not the ideal situation. Idealy I would love to carry our baby myself but God has other plans. We have truly put our faith in him and know that he will guide us through this all.

Sunday November 9, 2014
Today we made it known to everyone what our plans are and we also setup “Go FUnd Me” site for any friends or family wanting to help. It is not easy coming to terms with the fact of expenses of the fertility treatment. We are so blessed to have such supportive friends and family. Thomas and I went back and forth regarding whether we should post the website or not. Would people think we are asking for handouts? Would people think we don’t work hard? What would people in general say? The fact is, no one knows what all we’ve been through and how hard we have worked just to get as far as we have. We have friends and family that want nothing more than to help us and we feel this gives them a way. We don’t expect anything from anyone, but anyone that would like to is able to help. Today has been such an emotional day. I have cried so many tears of joy. I find myself constantly questioning how did we get so blessed and how do we deserve all of this support?? I’m going to try to sleep tonight, however I’m pretty sure it won’t happen.

Monday November 10, 2014
Today again is filled with emotions!! I shared with my team at work where we are with the process and how everything has been going and they too are extremely excited for us and supportive. We are overwhelmed with the prayers and gifts that have been given. I have had numerous calls, texts and messages on facebook from people that are reaching out, and it makes me feel beyond blessed!!