Saying Goodbye.

Today was my last appointment at Jacksonville Center for Reproductive Medicine. Dr. Michael Fox and his staff have been simply amazing to me for the past 8 months. It was through their expertise that I learned about my Endometriosis, Adenomyosis, and my Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD). Dr. Fox is an expert at this frustrating disease. He did my laparascopic surgery. He also stressed the low-carb diet to help deal with the side effects of my PCOD. I'm now officially released to my regular OBGYN!

I got to see Sweetpea today! I am 10 weeks 2 days pregnant, and he/she was measuring right on schedule, just one day off, which is normal. Sweetpea was dancing all over the place!!! He/she was dancing...moving arms, legs, and his/her head all over the place! It was so special to see. They made me a DVD of all 3 of my ultrasounds. I haven't figuried out how to upload the video yet! I'm still getting sick most days. Nausea mostly hits at night. My appetite is NOTHING. I hate all food. Gatorade and crackers are my best friend right now.

Here he/she is!




On Saturday, Colten decided he wanted to walk around with his daddy's boots on! Here are some cute pictures of my wonderful 2 year old, WHO PEED IN THE POTTY TODAY!









REDNECK BASKETBALL:

Heartbeat!!!!

Today was a special day! Michael got to meet sweetpea for the very first time. I am still seeing my RE (Reproductive Endocrinologist). He is my endometriosis doctor, and the doctor that did my surgery in October. I met with Susan today, my very favorite Nurse Practitioner. She was very, very surprised to hear that I had gotten pregnant! She did my ultrasound, and our sweetpea has gotten so big! I'm 8weeks 2days pregnant today, and our baby is measuring right on schedule, just a day or two off (which is totally normal.).

They took several measurements and looked at my ovaries and everything else to make sure everything looks great. They showed me my right ovary and could even tell that I definitely ovulated from my right side...you can still see the left over follicle on my right ovary!

And then, WE HEARD THE HEARTBEAT!!! 167 beats per minute! Michael and I both started crying! It was the sweetest sound....I felt just like I did when I heard Colten's heartbeat for the first time. I have a real, beating little heart inside of me. Making me sick and making me hate all food, but boy will he or she be worth it! I am just so excited!

They did find a little abnormality inside my uterus, just outside of my gestational sac, which holds the baby.




I circled it in red. This is either a blood vessel or possibly some blood left over from the baby forming and implanting inside my uterus. They are not concerned, but just wanted me to know that I could have some spotting. She thinks that my body will naturally absorb that little bit of blood, so I should be fine. I let her know that I will completely freak out if I start spotting, so expect me in if that happens!

I have one last appointment with Jacksonville Center for Reproductive Medicine before I will be released to my OB. This will be a bittersweet day. They have been there through me through so many things! I will miss them!

Now for an upclose picture of our SWEETPEA, due August 20th, 2011!!!

THIS IS AN UPCLOSE, FRONT VIEW PICTURE OF OUR BABY! HE/SHE NOW HAS EYE SOCKETS AND LITTLE ARM AND LEG BUDS! GETTING SO BIG!










Continue to keep us in your prayers, please!

Good News!

Against all odds. When the doctors said there was a good chance it would never happen...when I was told the effects of Endometriosis, Adenomyosis, and Polycystic Ovarian Disease and an ovarian tumor would kill my chances of giving Colten a sibling, IT HAPPENED.

I. AM. PREGNANT!

I found out on December 11th, 2010. A cold, Saturday morning. I was so very shocked! I wanted to wait to announce it until after my 1st ultrasound, which was yesterday. Our little sweetpea is due August 20th, 2011...just 1 day after my daddy's birthday! I'm not having a whole lot of symptoms, just queazy, exhausted, and only wanting to eat grilled cheese sandwiches. :)

We are so very happy and we ask that you keep our little miracle in your prayers! Here are some pictures of our sweet baby #2!

My First Thanksgiving Cooking Experience!

This year was my very first Thanksgiving Cooking Experience! Michael had to work all day, so I it was up to me to cook everything. Last year, Michael did most of the cooking. It's no secret that Michael is way better at cooking than I am! He also enjoys it much more than I do. I'm a little bit too OCD to enjoy cooking. I stress myself out and always end up making a huge mess! I started by marinating my turkey overnight with an injectable Cajun butter. We then covered the turkey in a dry rub and let it sit overnight. Colten and I woke up early, ate some french toast, and watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade! They always show great performances of Broadway's latest hits, so I always enjoy that! Colten loved watching the parade!
We decorated the house a little bit, which Colten loves to do! He loves to explore new things and he loves to help! He also LOOVES to help cook! He helped to put all of the french fried onions on the green bean casserole...he did a great job!
My Turkey, Green Bean Casserole, and Cheddar Garlic Mashed Potatoes turned out GREAT! I was so proud! Also, my very first experience with making dressing was a success!!!

I have some pictures to share with you today!


My Darling ALMOST 25 MONTH OLD Baby boy :)



This is Colten's "MEAN FACE."



Praying before lunch:





Trying to eat all of the cranberry sauce!



The Christmas Wreath I made:

Time for an Update!

It's been quite a long time since I've updated! Since my last post, I've had laparascopic surgery for Endometriosis. I found out that I have Stage 2 Endometriosis, Adenomyosis, Polycystic Ovarian Disease, as well as a small tumor on one of my ovaries called a Cystodenoma. I also have premature aging of the ovaries. My chances of having another child without some type of fertility treatment is slim to none. To say I am devastated would be an understatement. I've been crying for hours and hours. We will never be able to afford the treatment. I am so thankful that I was able to defy the odds once before, with the birth of my beautiful miracle baby, Colten. I'm still praying for God to show me the plan he has for my life. I'm praying for God to let me prove the doctors wrong.
It's out of my hands now.

In other news, MY BABY TURNED 2! We didn't have a party or anything. Colten and I had a blast making cupcakes complete with chocolate icing and lots of sprinkles! :) For his special birthday dinner, we cooked one of his favorites, Chili dog Tater tot casserole. It was yummy! He got lots and lots of great toys from His Aunt Coco, Uncle Joe, Nanna and Pop, Grammy and Paw Paw, and his Great Aunt Lisa! He loves loves his Chuck dump truck and his Elmo toy!

Colten has been sick for almost a week now! Mommy is very exhausted and is praying to have my normal little boy back soon!

Now, for some pictures! These were all taken with the camera on my cell phone, since a cute little boy with blue eyes BROKE my digital camera!







Colten sitting in the Trauma One Helicoptor!







THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I LET MICHAEL AND COLTEN PLAY IN THE DIRT!




ME AND MY BABY ON HIS BIRTHDAY!



WASHING THE TRUCK WITH DADDY

Sad News....

Not many of you probably know this, but I've been having some health issues recently. I've had tons and tons of blood tests. They've tested every hormone possible, my thyroid (twice), my blood sugar, insulin (I had a 3 hour glucose test), different vitamin levels, and even a progesterone test. I went back to my specialist to get my lab results and I have a serious Vitamin D deficiency, I'm hypoglycemic, and I have some insulin resistance. He says all this explains why it isn't easy for me to lose weight, why I'm so exhausted all of the time, and one reason why I feel so depressed. I had another follow-up appointment with my Reproductive Endocrinologist on Wednesday. I have a large Ovarian cyst that I've been trying to get rid of through hormone suppression therapy for the last 3-4 months. I found out that the cyst is still there.

I also found out the reason why I'm in excruciating pain every month. Why I stay up at night crying. Why even Ibuprofen 800 won't touch my pain. Dr. Michael Fox (yes, that's his name) told me that my uterus is twice it's size. He also informed me that I have Adenomyosis. Adenomyosis is basically endometriosis inside the uterus. He also says that my cyst is an endometrial cyst, and that my endometriosis is probably everywhere, not just inside my uterus. My surgery has not been scheduled yet, but I will be having Laproscopic surgery to take care of my cyst, endometriosis, as well as my adenomyosis.

Colten is even more of a miracle that I originally thought. My future of having any more children is uncertain at this point. It's not completely impossible, but it's not terribly likely either. I am devastated that I might not be able to ever give Colten a sibling. I am devastated that I might not ever give my husband more children. I am devastated that I might not ever feel a baby kicking inside of my belly. I am devastated that I might not ever get to hear my baby's first cry. I had two days where I just cried all day. I cried at the baby names that I already had picked out (Which will stay top secret, by the way! You never know!)

All I can do at this point is pray that God lets me know what the right thing to do is. He has a plan for me. I am so grateful that no matter what happens, I have at least one child. One glorious, beautiful, amazing child.