The big C...

Tami and I have chosen to seek out some help since we have had 3 unsuccessful cycles now. It's not a very long time to be trying but when it costs upwards of $600/mo we feel it's best to figure out our best options.

We have found a great Doctor at Pacific NW Fertility and are very excited with the information they presented us with. Kelsey has begun her first 5 day cycle of Clomid and aside from the possibility of twins we are excited to see what happens in November. There is about a 1-8% chance, depending on what you read, that we could have twins. Very low that we would have triplets, almost unheard of, and no chance of more than that...unless nature decides.

Tami is a little worried about Kelsey's hormones on the Clomid as she has heard it can make you overly emotional and "crazy". So far Kelsey thinks she's doing fine :)

We may have to find a new donor from our donor bank so we are buckling down tonight to figure out some options. If we don't have success this month then we will try an IUI insemination at the Doctor since that gives you a little better chance at conceiving.

3rd time is a charm...right?

Well we are days away from try #3 for a baby. It seems old hat to both of us now. A co-worker was talking to Kelsey the other day about how they couldn't believe it was time to try again! All of the days seem to run together because we are counting so many different things. 'Day 1', then 'day 6', then 'day 15'...then you wait and before you know it there is no baby and it's time to start all over again.

Both Kelsey and Tami are hopeful but it's hard to know that our friends have had so much luck so early on. Kelsey keeps having to remind Tami that only about 25% of TTC couples succeed in the first 3 months.

This has definitely been a lesson in patience for both of us...not one of our best qualities. We do appreciate all of the positive reinforcement from our friends. Where would we be without you?!

It's like practically on sale

Kelsey decided to check out the donor bank site today to see if any new "donor of the month" pictures jumped out and noticed that they have dropped their shipping prices. It's only about a savings of $25/shipment but it all adds up in the end.

Both of us are getting a little impatient but we know that the more we try the better our chances are...it will happen when it's meant to happen. We are both ready to set up the baby's room and register for fun things but for now we just keep focusing on not being stressed out. We are having a great time planning for Kelsey's 30th birthday party coming up. Tami has planned a huge party with a Venetian Mask theme, and that's all Kelsey knows about it...the rest is a surprise!

The picture above is from our wedding. I thought I should include a picture from one of our best days ever since we are both so tired from vacation and party planning and we need to stay upbeat!

End of Summer

Well we took 8 great days in Cabo to relax and enjoy some hot weather. It was very relaxing...with a few "complications". Since Kelsey was till testing her ovulation days for September the test strips rode along in her carry on.

When we stopped in San Francisco for our layover it was an interesting process of doing 2 ovulation tests in a regular sized bathroom stall. It was the first month that we saw "peak" days on both tests! We are very excited that we now know they are working correctly :)

So while everyone else at the resort was enjoying drinks at the pool bar we stuck to virgin pina coladas and diet Sprite.

It is now October 2nd and we have learned that the 2nd try in September has not resulted in a pregnancy. We are looking forward to trying again in about 2 weeks. We can only hope that they have enough samples left of our donor to get us through these failed attempts.

Round #2

Well the first round didn't work, we aren't pregnant. We will be trying again next week though right before we leave for Mexico. We are both excited and still reading up about everything there is to know about insemination and pregnancy.

Kelsey read about and ordered some progesterone cream to help with implantation. She's been using it for about 3 days now and thank goodness you only need a small amount because it is darn expensive for a tiny tube!

We should know around the 1st of October if this round works...right now we are just excited to get out of town and head for Cabo!

Waiting (Im)patiently

It has now been 7 days since our scientific approach to pregnancy and we can't wait until we can start testing for a smiley face on the strip! Kelsey has been counting down the days, trying not to get too excited. Tami still kind of has that deer in headlights look, like we really did it?

Both of us are very excited to see what happens but we are also prepared to keep trying if it didn't work this time. After all only about 25% of TTC parents get their wish the first time around! Our odds improve every month on when we will have success but the wait is obviously no fun.

Kelsey's friends at work keep asking if she feels pregnant...of course the answer is "yes!" but as they have both recently had their 1st child they know the process.

The Goods Have Arrived!

We spent last night at Kelsey's Aunt Lynne's house for dinner with family. It was a mini reunion. We cleaned and ate shrimp, something Tami likes to eat but hates to get dirty cleaning! Then we had curry chicken burgers...mmmmm. After we had all eaten we sat around the kitchen table and showed "the elders" how to do tricks on their cell phones. Now that everyone is updated on phone numbers and emails maybe we will stay in better touch with everyone.

Now for some big news.

The FedEx man has now left us with a canister of what we have affectionately been calling "man stuff". We have a box filled with a canister...filled with about 1tsp of our donor. We are extremely nervous to say the least.

Order Up!

Kelsey got online this morning and our account has been approved and set up at the cryobank. She's so excited that she's going to order our shipment at noon today :) She's also a little upset because she can't get Tami on the phone or email! Sometimes we feel our phones should have a little shocker instead of just vibrate.

Kelsey is so sure that Tami will be a great mommy that it makes it all the more exciting. We both really hope that this process is good to us and we find ourselves blessed soon!

Off and running!

Kelsey had a Dr. appointment at 3pm today to have our paperwork signed so we can fax it to the cryobank and order our specimen! We should be able order by Saturday and get moving on this next week. Both mommies to be (hopefully) are ready to get started so that we can have that little family we have been dreaming of.

Day 1...or so we hope.

Well today is the big day, our paperwork is being signed and faxed off to the California Cryobank. This begins our journey into insemination and hopefully pregnancy.

Kelsey is very nervous for her appointment today because she feels a certain abandonment after our wonderful doctor sold her practice about 2 years ago. Her replacement just isn't the same. Tami is also nervous because, well because she has a fear of the unknowns in parenting.

With a little luck and some prayers from our friends we are certain that things will work out just as planned.

Check back for more insemination news!