Saturday, May 29, 2010

You can breathe now

Anybody still holding their breath for this update? I'm hoping not as you might be feeling a little light-headed by now. I had planned on updating while we were away, but it appears I have been spoiled by the land of "free Wi-Fi." Such a place does not exist where I was, at least not in the vicinity of our hotel. And truthfully, I wouldn't have had the time or the energy to update anyways. You are all free to breathe now.

Our visit was pretty textbook, as it should have been. Our departing flight was on time, even a bit early. We landed on Tuesday afternoon around 4:15p Eastern time, took a shuttle to our rental car pickup, and headed to meet C & M. C greeted us outside with a very friendly hug. She welcomed us into her home - a charming 1920's house with sweet character - where she had veggies to snack on while we waited for dinner. C's sister also came over to meet us; that was an unexpected treat. We also got to spend time watching C's toddler play -- he was so sweet, making me miss my own little guy back at home. C prepared a nice meal for dinner for us which we enjoyed on her back deck with a nice evening breeze. We had a few hours of nice and easy conversation. Theo and I were both pleasantly surprised at how comfortable we were with C & M, further confirming to us that I am meant to be matched with this couple.

Wednesday was quite a busy day, as was expected. Theo and I spent the first half of the day exploring the neighborhoods in Connecticut as my first appointment at the clinic wasn't scheduled until 12:30p. The clinic was very close to our hotel, easy to find, and staffed with the nicest people! I had a handful of vials (of blood, ha!) drawn and had a sonohysterography, a saline infusion sonogram. The doctor's diagnosis: a perfect uterus, yay!

We then spent some time with a wonderful nurse to go over the medical protocol and discuss a timeline. She also showed us how to administer the injections that I will need to take for approximately14 weeks, beginning in July. I personally think that the hubby was a wee-bit too excited about the idea of getting to jab a needle into my bum. I may be giving that injection to myself. :P Afterwards, we enjoyed lunch and made our way to another office to receive a phsycological exam. I answered 567 True/False questions for the MMPI 2, which is a personality "test." I wonder if I passed. Next, Theo and I were interviewed by a clinical phsycologist. This was just an informal "conversation" and lasted about an hour and a half. There were a lot of questions, some personal and at one point, I wondered if she were trying to "read' us, hehe! The evening ended with ice-cream for dinner...I know, but I hadn't had a blizzard from Dairy Queen in years!

On Thursday morning, after an hour and a half in traffic!, we met C at her home and headed into the city to do some sightseeing. There was a lot to see, but we didn't have much time after the morning traffic and having to be back at the airport by early evening. We visited Times Square, Grand Central Station, Central Park, Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick's Cathedral, and took a cab ride. The cab ride was as scary as they seem on television! C also treated us to lunch at what I thought was a rather swanky place, called TAO. We dined on dumplings, edamame, and sushi. Okay, Theo stayed away from the sushi and opted for steak instead. We definitely plan on seeing more during my next trip, which - if all goes well - should be around the beginning of August.

We headed back to the airport, and after a nearly 2hr weather delay, headed back home to Tennessee. All in all, I'd say it was a good trip, but a very busy one. I adore my parents, C & M...and although I may be a bit bias, I really feel that I got the pick of the litter with them!

And no, I still don't like flying!

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Travel Plans...check

My very first appointment with the fertility clinic is scheduled for May 26 at 12:30p. Yeah, just 2 weeks from today -- that's crazy soon! My days are quite busy until then so I'm sure the time will fly. I'm not sure if I'm comfortable with that or not. But I am so excited to be yet another step closer; the first "real" step for me, I think.

We (Theo and I) will be catching a plane to New York on the afternoon of the 25th, arriving there in the evening, just before dinner. We'll pick up a rental car and head to the hotel in Connecticut, about an hour away. I don't have definite plans yet, but I'm hoping C&M will be able to meet us at the airport and we can all have dinner together.

We will be spending our Marathon Day Wednesday at the clinic. It is called a Marathon Day because it is a looong day. My appointment begins at 12:30p where Theo and I will meet the RE and I will undergo tests to be sure I'm healthy and able to carry children for C&M. At 4p, I will undergo a psycholigical evaluation (gotta make sure I'm not crazy!) that's set to last approximately 3 hours. I think we will be tired by the end of this day for sure.

I'm really looking forward to Thursday. We plan on spending the day with C, seeing all the sights of New York City and just getting to know each other even more. We are hoping M will be able to join us, depending on his work schedule of course. We'll catch an evening flight back to Nashville and arrive home after the kiddies' bedtimes!

This is actually really good timing as we will be visiting my mom the few days prior to our scheduled outgoing flight. We are leaving the kids with her for the few days that we'll be in New England. She is even going to drive them home so they can be here waiting for us. They'll also get to spend some time with the most awesome cousin they have while they're visiting my mom!

It's going to be a whirlwind time, I imagine. My fear of flying (ok, not really the flying part so much -- the crashing part is what does it for me, ha!) will only add more stress, so I'm working on getting over that as much as I can. I could type a whole post on this fear alone, but I will spare you all.

I should have internet at the hotel, so I'll try to update during our trip...but I'm really not good about that, so don't hold your breath. :)

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Finally a FINAL

Whew, ok, we finally have a FINAL contract!! (Insert happy lil' jig here.) This process took about 3 weeks, which is somehwhat quick I've been told, so I'll take it. I had my part signed, witnessed, notarized, and sent to Connecticut to await the same from C & M. I hope they are as relieved as I am that this particular part of the journey is complete.

In the meantime, C is charged with making my appointment at the fertility clinic in CT and arranging travel plans for us.

It seems the waiting does not only apply to contracts, either. Now, I'll wait for my appointment. Then, Ill wait for the transfer date. Next, I'll wait to see if the transfer "took." Then of course, I'll wait through the pregnancy for the birth. I am hoping this journey will breed some patience, as I may have no choice but to find some somewhere.

In other updated news, my cycle is currently being controlled by birth control pills (in order for the clinic to control the best appointment dates). I think my body prefers to be "natural" as the hormones seem to be taking their toll on us these days. I am dealing with more emotions than I care to discuss and have become so, so tired. I am amazed at how my energy levels have dropped in the last couple of weeks. So, the sooner I am able to begin carrying C & M's baby, the sooner I can get off these pills...but of course I'll have another set of hormonal ups and downs to manage. :)