tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24474938869753449362024-02-07T17:56:46.291-05:00The Making of Baby V - The Husband's Side of ThingsMy wife has blogged for a while now about our journey through infertility, and I thought it might be nice to share the male side of things.Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11634674641591189031noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447493886975344936.post-30162948191813863122009-02-03T13:39:00.001-05:002009-02-03T13:41:35.706-05:00New Baby BlogI haven't had time to really keep up with my blog so I am referring everyone to our new blog. It is <a href="http://babyvollmerhausen.blogspot.com/">Adventures of Baby V</a>Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11634674641591189031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447493886975344936.post-63275826006093016622009-01-09T20:26:00.002-05:002009-01-09T20:50:57.730-05:00Some Down TimeSo I found some time to write a little bit on my blog. I know there was a gasp when you saw that I posted twice in one day. There must be something going on. LOL<br /><br />My mom came over tonight to watch Noah so Mo and myself could go out on a little date. My poor wife has been locked inside the house for weeks and just wanted to get out for a little bit. We didn't stay out long though. About an hour and a half and we were back. We just couldn't be away from our little man for much longer. We can't wait until we are able to take him out. It's just been so cold and his Dr. wants us to wait until the flu season has died down.<br /><br />Both mom and little one are doing GREAT! Mom is healing beautifully and little guy is sleeping great at night. We hope it continues. We have to wake him up every 3 hours to feed him. The only time he complains is when he's being changed and is naked for to long, or every once in a while when he's hungry.<br /><br />Looking back it's all still to hard to believe that he's here and he's ours. <br /><br />I will post again very shortly. I want to post a birth story from my perspective. Thank you all for your thought's and prayers these past couple of months!!Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11634674641591189031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447493886975344936.post-64198451948731691822009-01-09T13:36:00.002-05:002009-01-09T13:39:39.946-05:00Mom's point of view of birthSince we've been so busy I will post Morrisa's birth story. This is off her blog for those of you that read her's.<br /><br /><br />Well, as you can see my little man decided to come a little early. Before I forget any of the details I wanted to record the birth story.<br /><br /><div>On Monday I did have some contractions throughout the day but nothing too bad. I did notice though that these contractions were also in my back when all of the ones I had been having previously were just an uncomfortable tightening in my belly. Monday evening I had some more contractions and Shawn and I decided to time them. They were about 7 minutes apart for a while but when I changed positions they went to 10 minutes apart, then 20 minutes apart and then they disappeared. So we went to bed. Shawn ended up getting up to go sleep on the couch around 1:00 a.m. because the cats were being noisy. All of a sudden I was awaken at around 1:30 a.m. by a huge gush of water. I knew right away that my water had broken, there was no mistaking it. I tried to call for Shawn because I was leaking everywhere but he didn't hear me so I had to get out of bed and go to the bedroom door where I called his name and told him my water broke. I went and sat on the toilet while Shawn brought me the phone and my insurance card because I had to call my doctor's office. That's when the contractions started, painful contractions which were coming almost one after another. We rushed around the house <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">finishing</span> packing our hospital bag. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Shawn's</span> parents met us at our house and we were off to the hospital. It is about a 40 minute drive to the hospital and the closer we got the more worried I got that we weren't going to make it. The contractions were coming fast, about every two minutes and I was in a lot of pain. By the time we got to the hospital it was around 3:00 a.m. Shawn took me in a wheelchair because there was no way I could walk. I had to wait in the lobby for a few minutes for them to bring me back to triage and I continued to have more contractions. They got me back to triage and had me change into a gown and asked me to give a urine sample. It was so hard to urinate because I was leaking fluid and had a tremendous amount of pressure down low. They got me into the bed and hooked me up to the monitors. By this time I was in excruciating pain and begging for an epidural. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288348688611616626" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBHwwFf0w3mCAdCC96RKl97jO8a_QvFaEvtyHiq9DKbySKvdrWR_CfJPLETbWMLCXTfI8Dlgo5yrD9QTJmMBARezyWGCg3NloVxaiauo872ydgCCx24V9p3W3iGm5rsPUb8iMfIHjNFJXZ/s400/DSC_0006.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288348680083071426" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQonPAeHbf5DAMYU-r7ElkUPE-oLqxc0NwJsdfvBbFTAt3uryXwqMPfXTQN3CtJxtkyTSdFAoJYjDjreTIkA91Y9BYbCO9m5rHmLAm4P_7iGsgRzZVvrTISTq-0zWpSXRI3ga4KbBWVxwc/s400/DSC_0004.JPG" border="0" />They told me they had to check me and get a bag of IV fluids in me before I could get the epidural. They checked me and they all seemed shocked that I was already 5 cm <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">dilated</span>. So they went ahead and admitted me. I told them that I was scheduled for a c-section because of the blood pressure and the diabetes and the fact that my doctor was convinced that my pelvis wasn't big enough to have a baby. They told me they were going to do an u/s and if the baby was head down we were going to try to proceed with a vaginal delivery. They did the u/s and baby was indeed head down so they moved me to a L&D room. I was in awful pain and still begging for the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">epi</span>. Shawn had me working on my breathing (guess the childbirth class did come in handy after all.) By the time they were able to get me the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">epi</span> I was already 7 cm <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">dilated</span>. I can't even begin to describe the pain of labor. It is like a really intense period cramp that also extends into your back and accompanied by an intense amount of pressure down below. I admire anyone who is able to go through labor without an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">epi</span> but I had no desire to do so. I can honestly say that the pain was so bad I thought I was going to die. Once I got the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">epi</span> it did make me feel better on the left side but I still felt the contractions on the right side. They came in again and adjusted it, still the right side wasn't working. At this point the nurse told me I was fully <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">dilated</span> and it was time to push but that the doctor didn't want me to push until she got there and she was still on her way, she also took the catheter out. She also said that the doctor recommended not increasing the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">epi</span> anymore because it would make it impossible to feel anything to push. While we waited for the doctor I began to realize that I might actually have to push this baby out when I had been expecting a c-section. I was also not thrilled with still feeling the pain while having to push. When the doctor finally got there she checked me and said that while I was fully <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">dilated</span> there was still a small lip of the cervix still there. She had me push a few times to see if I could push past the lip but it wouldn't budge. So we waited another half hour and she checked me again. So we waited another hour and still the same, only then my cervix was starting to swell and so was the baby's head. It was then that the doctor decided to do the c-section. Within a half hour they upped the epidural, (sweet relief!) put back in the catheter, and took me back for the c-section. At this point I was just ready to get him out! The c-section is all a blur. I remember them scrubbing my belly and thinking it was so strange that I couldn't feel it at all. I remember Shawn coming back and sitting next to me. The anesthesiologist was great, he talked me through everything and made sure I was comfortable. I didn't feel a thing but a lot of pressure when they finally pulled him out. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288348694680708546" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO1zma-Hf9kimjMlvi5Vo9q_m5RL-y4uqHngGOpShsXprJ6xMYjSo3vj7PDgQpj1Uv5bvbLBptMpZmibEMj5MDBManYU0emeYTntTWMVsj4fcAnH3cBbbwcFdj3NDdvLd1T92fIa-5GXll/s400/DSC_0011.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288348697744317458" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX_Av4RnrH3bnj-MFAyHfYHC0yvR6GQm8Icbj-98kJaI2lfiN6Ul9h5VA5BCPqtN-1pguc4_7WQeUu-GNNsLgerhfT3RGi57cXB5sWAO6lTiNb12I293JQFm73jBvsU-LDMLnsHopTpxpy/s400/DSC_0013.JPG" border="0" />When I heard him cry it was the most amazing sound in the world! Of course I cried like a baby! Shawn <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">followed</span> him as they cleaned him up and checked his breathing. He was strong and healthy and needed no breathing assistance at all. I didn't get to see his face for like 10 minutes and I swear that was the longest 10 minutes of my life. Finally Shawn brought him over to me. I noticed right away how much he looks like Shawn. I still couldn't believe that he came out of me! They moved me to recovery and by that time I felt pretty awful. No pain but I had the shivers really bad, so bad that my muscles and my bones ached. I couldn't stop shaking no matter how hard I tried. So they took Noah to the nursery to feed him and give him his first bath and Shawn went with him. They wouldn't let me leave recovery until I was able to move my legs which took a while because of the amount of epidural I had. Finally they moved me to the room where I spent the next four days. Shawn stayed with me the whole entire time and slept right next to me. We finally got home on Friday after Noah's birth.</div><br /><div>The last two weeks have been crazy! Noah is such a good baby. He sleeps a lot, we still have to wake him up to eat and he sleeps all three hours in a row in between feedings. He rarely ever cries unless he is really hungry or unless he is naked. I am loving being a Mommy and it is just as amazing as I always dreamt it would be. I have so much more to say but my little man is fussing. I will hopefully post again soon. I will leave you with some pictures!! Be back soon! </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288350571010093426" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; height: 267px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkf5CV3-l17lSkyYbsxcFsuafnayiY87CE-3563G0oX61GmP3vmHzBcN6LVkatnkUU5Rg4Qt-g0n8hI2i_eBSloXPJbMJZ0E0Xwk69y_mQonPOJ1XFq2bDQ3__Pj7mxbzLFq0XOr_S3IOw/s400/1073406_20090104_100000293169412.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288350571355212498" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; height: 297px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc2LK1k-2W_mbuVh6BI_AuU-k67UcsBuQZtOfNBodJgJQT0_Vcd-qAIpFUXgHJgaBwonqDychcLfLsRVLBACq5kS3GwhTVylXKsELaceGLwYI9IbM470t4rtwheKbZMYfPpec0_sPjQVR6/s400/1073406_20090104_100000293169404.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288350589961065682" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 266px; height: 400px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ETwDXqlgWUxEnQ_0LiOhBdUTpRlfY0rph6CWM65k5z9OCvFiSkbZ21yk9QmO0drvzXBcTUeNBf0UEOC-7mbLYiXM9_jYgL4zOnbxgPCG011U-p-hL55AUye7nm-lXqIvRcw3oD1n1jyy/s400/DSC_0122.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288350580954706850" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 266px; height: 400px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHBA8Y_rLwEeQJ8qJp4LVwOQGCISpNpFrxaiwjW1UOLuOYtTDYUh7jlnjflzDdVDJwEJWF4LTGeB4mYtRqZlZyNBssMJPY3cyBcVWy8eofl0WrZnVQY_QfFlTKbGdMvGJxf-CGBtfWHQqm/s400/DSC_0090.JPG" border="0" />Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11634674641591189031noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447493886975344936.post-41117274581294389942008-12-26T17:14:00.003-05:002008-12-26T17:22:12.861-05:00Welcome Noah!!Well little Noah decided he was ready to come out and wanted to be here for Christmas. We tried to update earlier but the hospitals internet would not let us access our blogs or emails.<br /><br />Noah was born December 23, 2008 at 11:13am! He weighed 7lbs 2.4 ounces and measured 19 3/4. He is adorable! We will post more pictures later but here is a sneak peak.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR0hJM3h5HyODtyNkQj3Z2FV9-Rhyp8ebsjSH_SrttvCiX2cV6CuR31SxfYDA1SHEIm0vZthl1FeozxGn8rClx8NEdBLY1rvGKqgJZwEeAuO3GWABd5qioP6pWGG3BsmSUptzJjYHqPGo/s1600-h/DSC_0041.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR0hJM3h5HyODtyNkQj3Z2FV9-Rhyp8ebsjSH_SrttvCiX2cV6CuR31SxfYDA1SHEIm0vZthl1FeozxGn8rClx8NEdBLY1rvGKqgJZwEeAuO3GWABd5qioP6pWGG3BsmSUptzJjYHqPGo/s400/DSC_0041.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284227273065502274" border="0" /></a>Both Mom and Noah are doing great and I'm so proud of them both.<br /><br />I will give more updates about the birth and craziness that occurred, but first Mom and I must rest as we just got home and we are exhausted.Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11634674641591189031noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447493886975344936.post-85161983775045642482008-12-10T11:47:00.002-05:002008-12-10T12:03:32.463-05:00Week 35 UpdateI have more pictures to post. Pictures of his nursery, but until I upload them I thought I would give a quick update. We had a growth ultrasound which the ultrasound tech was awesome and let me come in for the whole thing. Kaiser's rules stink. They only let husbands back for the last couple minutes of the ultrasound. I probably ranted about this before. Noah is head down, Yay, and has hair! This was a surprise to us because both of us were bald babies and were betting that he would be also. He was also weighing 4 1/2 pounds and by now is probably somewhere around 5 - 5 1/2 pounds. Morrisa went for her fetal non stress test yesterday, and Noah passed with flying colors. Which he has been each time she has gone in. My little trooper. Anyway each time Mo has gone though she would start having contractions and they would keep her for 2 hours each visit to monitor. She is now dilated 1 cm and that hasn't changed for the past couple days which is good. Although her blood pressure was high 128/98 and her doctor made yesterday her last day of work. She is now on bedrest for the remainder of her pregnancy which is pretty tough for her because I know she wants to be up and about. She hates not being able to help around the house and such, but we need for her to be heathly as well as Noah. Keep both in your prayers. We go back for another NST on Friday and I will update on what we learn from that visit.Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11634674641591189031noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447493886975344936.post-61639251293993185592008-12-04T21:15:00.015-05:002008-12-10T11:47:28.955-05:00Baby ShowerSo we had our baby shower on Nov 22nd. I know I haven't posted in a while and should have posted this earlier. We had a great showing of support from our family and friends. We an attendance of about 60. Little Noah is so blessed to have such great people surrounding him and who can't wait to meet him. I can't believe we have made it here. It seems like yesterday we were just at week 10. Still at week 34 we still can't believe we have a little one on the way.<br /><br />This first picture is of the cake my mom made for the shower. Of course it has to be a Noah's Ark cake.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsU0vM-UHqEJv1NQfr4pqfp9LR-VVRxwRfvNZWNG3KJxftuGmDRYaw-CGvU803FtzMPtdLkIzBElu0hTS9FCqv7eMiV1J9lr8eRZeThqNwYtuEyVaeM8JE5XxYxUJQDzBfpxnhKZr805w/s1600-h/DSCN4812.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 357px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsU0vM-UHqEJv1NQfr4pqfp9LR-VVRxwRfvNZWNG3KJxftuGmDRYaw-CGvU803FtzMPtdLkIzBElu0hTS9FCqv7eMiV1J9lr8eRZeThqNwYtuEyVaeM8JE5XxYxUJQDzBfpxnhKZr805w/s400/DSCN4812.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276127728321813906" border="0" /></a><br />Mom and Dad also made three diaper cakes.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjEufrCjDQj_ELhGYy6Ugd7qUXgyvzH-7soDQ94Vz_4K7r9QWtJdNjYyp0Qu_kT2VjLv_zuKysycBrJVmUlBkzToX3x1C-4R_UJN2M2Rg3k_YSooTEVc1uz05oL0fvJsx_A0ZiTg0mwS4/s1600-h/DSCN4813.JPG"> </a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkM5iZbxp427lm6Xx_D6TcFz9NU7kgAONnRL0dXxlSN5O46ETHVDdhHp-Wg0UFx2ETkX7eY8zRnF0MjMkosiYccvZEE12VrYs_pCvJ8P3xZH30vggEIaNXok1E3jkykzh-kH3ClctXe7Y/s1600-h/DSCN4815.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 130px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkM5iZbxp427lm6Xx_D6TcFz9NU7kgAONnRL0dXxlSN5O46ETHVDdhHp-Wg0UFx2ETkX7eY8zRnF0MjMkosiYccvZEE12VrYs_pCvJ8P3xZH30vggEIaNXok1E3jkykzh-kH3ClctXe7Y/s200/DSCN4815.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276130139238519778" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjEufrCjDQj_ELhGYy6Ugd7qUXgyvzH-7soDQ94Vz_4K7r9QWtJdNjYyp0Qu_kT2VjLv_zuKysycBrJVmUlBkzToX3x1C-4R_UJN2M2Rg3k_YSooTEVc1uz05oL0fvJsx_A0ZiTg0mwS4/s1600-h/DSCN4813.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 163px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjEufrCjDQj_ELhGYy6Ugd7qUXgyvzH-7soDQ94Vz_4K7r9QWtJdNjYyp0Qu_kT2VjLv_zuKysycBrJVmUlBkzToX3x1C-4R_UJN2M2Rg3k_YSooTEVc1uz05oL0fvJsx_A0ZiTg0mwS4/s200/DSCN4813.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276129081708596946" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj1uqKStuwUWO0RIKl4FBfDYNxuNR7Et7uliFZ0QimQQiSnIqQhND4UooRurzArGH_p7v6I6jh27-mXgb5QHwadHqng0qQMhjzQTTW2SSe2QbXI-knVwBtwHoft9slCocIq3qJXUpTTpY/s1600-h/DSCN4814.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 112px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj1uqKStuwUWO0RIKl4FBfDYNxuNR7Et7uliFZ0QimQQiSnIqQhND4UooRurzArGH_p7v6I6jh27-mXgb5QHwadHqng0qQMhjzQTTW2SSe2QbXI-knVwBtwHoft9slCocIq3qJXUpTTpY/s200/DSCN4814.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276129598752170834" border="0" /></a></div><br />We received a special gift from Dad (Pop Pop) to Noah. He painted letters for the nursery.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtE2Zbqe9tG0DljtGye4ye0IsjqxXpa6mrWRaIeCZTZHfC7RvNAabkxK1woFsuDZ2oU4Dv1Ta8quNLQ38UWOSAwbzRz1g7Z3fCoNB_tbgLXvMOvMGKg6wPGA4DPqZFm8A9hD43aziFQ34/s1600-h/DSCN4833.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtE2Zbqe9tG0DljtGye4ye0IsjqxXpa6mrWRaIeCZTZHfC7RvNAabkxK1woFsuDZ2oU4Dv1Ta8quNLQ38UWOSAwbzRz1g7Z3fCoNB_tbgLXvMOvMGKg6wPGA4DPqZFm8A9hD43aziFQ34/s400/DSCN4833.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276131036791999794" border="0" /></a>We would like to thank all who helped with the shower as well everyone who gave us such wonderful gifts. We're still putting stuff away.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlb5IWOc4qQehdfq-07p0HU1xCKY8F44P82xdFaT1yXtVcmLRGf-N0wHmyzuFzb-nkNJju9tz8RR7su03Xk2ARKyKQStQggEW_R3KR2wWdG08_XPWSWybr5s7XKrEw7_Hf3KJw9SwyuKE/s1600-h/room.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlb5IWOc4qQehdfq-07p0HU1xCKY8F44P82xdFaT1yXtVcmLRGf-N0wHmyzuFzb-nkNJju9tz8RR7su03Xk2ARKyKQStQggEW_R3KR2wWdG08_XPWSWybr5s7XKrEw7_Hf3KJw9SwyuKE/s400/room.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278202995876462178" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzwWRJC7SFBIpQy6rM8pUfD5UjcquxkmjWTNNX7MK_8W0pGMVGkYOh6XxluMJDUaZDLGWIxPidowdA-Wori5lBn3TBRNeUX7VKesQ2cFC4YI6mT8tXI8txM091ZSt3IpvkkO15WXQVAcg/s1600-h/8ERCATITSMGCAW47JU3CA3PU1K1CAAFV50NCA30JSJ8CA397ZNDCAEAUFLICA9IHVAUCAIOH3CJCA65FVY1CAW0CCBSCA0J3I9CCACFDG78CA1UW7SBCA47ORJWCAQEDZA8CAMH6PHMCAU2VV8SCAYKJY0K.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzwWRJC7SFBIpQy6rM8pUfD5UjcquxkmjWTNNX7MK_8W0pGMVGkYOh6XxluMJDUaZDLGWIxPidowdA-Wori5lBn3TBRNeUX7VKesQ2cFC4YI6mT8tXI8txM091ZSt3IpvkkO15WXQVAcg/s400/8ERCATITSMGCAW47JU3CA3PU1K1CAAFV50NCA30JSJ8CA397ZNDCAEAUFLICA9IHVAUCAIOH3CJCA65FVY1CAW0CCBSCA0J3I9CCACFDG78CA1UW7SBCA47ORJWCAQEDZA8CAMH6PHMCAU2VV8SCAYKJY0K.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278203134830959586" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnutNgBNdp-C0pTxWEL8ql5gxT3dCuTP4jZlGPVElXCMBCHn4Au1OytFS4wrJ3WzjoWjbJWvuZ-gSAQq3UIIvdufqq8JhljofjmO4vA5URzcPUtIh7KmmR2VxHC-U9Kqjyy-Z4tKUZAlg/s1600-h/G8YCA3ZUOU3CAFY1CL0CATLMD4UCADXV6MCCAE92ES0CA9W9Z3GCAON8C3VCATPSMQZCA6NBGAACAN0NHZQCAX8209RCAKUGUZUCA3L5YV2CAFY11LGCAMT7672CA2QMICTCAV8Q7X5CAYOHQHYCAEC2V8Q.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnutNgBNdp-C0pTxWEL8ql5gxT3dCuTP4jZlGPVElXCMBCHn4Au1OytFS4wrJ3WzjoWjbJWvuZ-gSAQq3UIIvdufqq8JhljofjmO4vA5URzcPUtIh7KmmR2VxHC-U9Kqjyy-Z4tKUZAlg/s400/G8YCA3ZUOU3CAFY1CL0CATLMD4UCADXV6MCCAE92ES0CA9W9Z3GCAON8C3VCATPSMQZCA6NBGAACAN0NHZQCAX8209RCAKUGUZUCA3L5YV2CAFY11LGCAMT7672CA2QMICTCAV8Q7X5CAYOHQHYCAEC2V8Q.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278203334346389234" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbQyuQwWPv9BoDuJMVYkfMiysdFzBZu21jZr8ftLVbF1NRRnDfnONY3GJYXORIBCOfmEOx_PJqTnL3QftILf36wWtWU4wbd0MVc3b1Pwz1CC2rd-0B8n1pYlyKfjaIxpTukfVc88j7C0g/s1600-h/FF4CA9J5EN2CA8HT3M2CAXKMGP0CANE67Y3CANRA8S4CAIQQSGACA4X5SQNCAEU79UCCAOGAQQ3CAG9V26MCA5UF38MCAN42TDTCAD6VKSRCAZ5ND93CA4QLOFZCAFHSB1KCARI7QUECAKR3LFMCAWISYBI.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbQyuQwWPv9BoDuJMVYkfMiysdFzBZu21jZr8ftLVbF1NRRnDfnONY3GJYXORIBCOfmEOx_PJqTnL3QftILf36wWtWU4wbd0MVc3b1Pwz1CC2rd-0B8n1pYlyKfjaIxpTukfVc88j7C0g/s400/FF4CA9J5EN2CA8HT3M2CAXKMGP0CANE67Y3CANRA8S4CAIQQSGACA4X5SQNCAEU79UCCAOGAQQ3CAG9V26MCA5UF38MCAN42TDTCAD6VKSRCAZ5ND93CA4QLOFZCAFHSB1KCARI7QUECAKR3LFMCAWISYBI.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278203503836318418" border="0" /></a><br />I thought I was just going to be a spectator. LOL<br /></div>Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11634674641591189031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447493886975344936.post-3523556397544075142008-11-04T13:30:00.004-05:002008-11-04T13:37:49.976-05:00Belly PicsAlright so I have given Morrisa plenty of time to post her belly pics first, but since she's too slow I will beat her to it. She claims to be too tired and busy. Just playing, honey I know you have been. Anyway here's some pictures<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkWkyDvO9I7gx3In0brhf2cKRhFl1DcxtiPOxzFuFPOoIpl_fhjOJybQ1EgsXy2hoXJSTZnhDgTDm6oJ792sTYRiUhrDY2k4Sx9y5AwQ8hyphenhyphenn28yAajJD7KKLEhW2uf3fHAOwlMZ9fLCo/s1600-h/dscn4725.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 317px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkWkyDvO9I7gx3In0brhf2cKRhFl1DcxtiPOxzFuFPOoIpl_fhjOJybQ1EgsXy2hoXJSTZnhDgTDm6oJ792sTYRiUhrDY2k4Sx9y5AwQ8hyphenhyphenn28yAajJD7KKLEhW2uf3fHAOwlMZ9fLCo/s400/dscn4725.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264872120182709554" border="0" /></a>My dad painted her belly for Halloween. He's much more talented than we are so we recruited him. He had a blast, and while he was painting Noah was moving and kicking all around.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-WzmgeQoVxTRjn-yrwLTvSTR3ey40G38EwAVG4c5hLCoezyK-pelXaYQE979NXMYmKedLeatDYdthhQPgUqlIPNZ4ECeCg4ybRoW8eyJXXyI5V1PARnB16TPDJc0NE8XEWwih0K8ITh8/s1600-h/dscn4757.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-WzmgeQoVxTRjn-yrwLTvSTR3ey40G38EwAVG4c5hLCoezyK-pelXaYQE979NXMYmKedLeatDYdthhQPgUqlIPNZ4ECeCg4ybRoW8eyJXXyI5V1PARnB16TPDJc0NE8XEWwih0K8ITh8/s400/dscn4757.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264872013027732466" border="0" /></a><br />Here is a side view of Noah's house.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfY6eDqwN8sPtONfFV7ioSLdqnexZzbP2QunhwxoWNHsIQALi3-B6E2WK9s1r-e3QyxCYCQnogKmwfj6LJK-nBFTgAXijN4G6QPlS6uGZiN7VauRZRisPD0UCACTtRY97zM5gA1WGgUH8/s1600-h/dscn4758.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 360px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfY6eDqwN8sPtONfFV7ioSLdqnexZzbP2QunhwxoWNHsIQALi3-B6E2WK9s1r-e3QyxCYCQnogKmwfj6LJK-nBFTgAXijN4G6QPlS6uGZiN7VauRZRisPD0UCACTtRY97zM5gA1WGgUH8/s400/dscn4758.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264871824956766482" border="0" /></a>Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11634674641591189031noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447493886975344936.post-73968035380134809872008-10-29T09:04:00.002-04:002008-10-29T09:09:49.082-04:00Congratulations!!I wanted to share some good news from a blog that I have been following <a href="http://faithfertility.blogspot.com/">Faith In Fertility</a>. They welcomed their little miracle to the world on Monday. Stop in and see their handsome little fella. Congrats J!!!Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11634674641591189031noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447493886975344936.post-23071138916911481272008-10-28T13:47:00.002-04:002008-10-28T14:16:04.717-04:00UpdateEverything is still going great. Last night little Noah was doing some kind of crazy moves and was VERY active. We just sat there and watched Mo's belly shift around like waves and every once in a while see an arm or leg bulge out. It is so amazing to experience this, and we never would have imagined in a million years we would experience this. Of course we always prayed and wished it would happen, but never could imagine it because it seemed so far away. We went in for our first growth ultrasound and he was just under 3 pounds and was measuring a couple days behind, but our OB said it was alright. Morrisa's uterus is measuring a little ahead which he said was OK. So everything is going good. We have ultrasound pictures from the growth ultrasound, but they aren't very clear (I will post them) and our ultrasound tech was in too much of a rush to explain what she was looking at on the screen to Morrisa, and to even allow me back in the room. This ticked me off to the point that I got in contact with the CEO of our company (I work for our insurance company) and let him know how we have been treated. We have an HMO so everything is done in house and the ultrasound techs have told us that it is their policy not to let the fathers back until the end. That's a bunch of crap, it's my baby too and I should be able to see him. Ohh well, we'll see what comes out of my complaining.<br /><br />I have been extremely busy as of late. I have started taking classes through the United Methodist Church to become a Certified Lay Minister. Once I have completed the course which ends this time next year I will be able to do everything our Minister is able to do with the exception of sacraments which include baptisms and communion. We have ministry teams that support us through this process and this team and I are building a ministry that we can implement in our church setting. We have decided to work on adding a Contemporary Service and I will be able to give the sermons, which I am very interested in. I feel I have been called to do so and God has equipped me by placing things in my life to give me the ability to do so. I am very excited not only for our local church and what it can do for us locally but for the church in general. In our class alone there are 30 people, and there are classes being held throughout Baltimore and Washington. It's exciting to think what we all can do and supply to our communities with people starting ministries to visit the elderly, help and give support to the homeless, help lead and guide the youth, etc.Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11634674641591189031noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447493886975344936.post-32824318967478828142008-09-29T12:09:00.007-04:002008-09-29T13:35:21.944-04:00HmmmSo as you can see I've been away for some time now. I kind of had to get a way for a while. Sorry to those that continue to check and see if there are any new posts for leaving you hanging. I just didn't know what to write about. Before there was never a problem coming up with something because there were so many feelings and emotions that went along with all the treatments. Don't get me wrong there are still tons of emotions involved with the pregnancy, but it was tough to post as much as I did before. Anyway I have thought it over and I have decided I will continue to post, and do so more often.<br /><br />To catch everyone up. Little Noah is continuing to grow and continuing to get stronger by the day. I have been dying to be able to feel the little guy kick me. Morrisa had been feeling him kick for a while and I couldn't wait until he grew strong enough for me to feel that. I kind of felt left out. Well for the first time maybe 2 weeks ago I was able to feel his little kick which has been getting real strong as of late. I can't even explain the joy that filled me the first time I felt him. Also my Dad was able to feel him kick for the first time at play practice yesterday, which has made my Mom upset that she hasn't been able to yet. Usually when we see them he is sleeping because he seems to be the most active late in the evening and night. So when he is born he is probably going to be a night owl, but I don't mind at all. For as long as we have waited I don't care if we ever get any sleep.<br />Here's some pictures from our last ultrasound:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwSvBs1lhfUvX4aAv_aB40mg7zEJe-6KiTNCLxg73EqDjrGamEBquX7TZVGYbL-mMkllS2k8y96tPk3VpjCHofl1-u6910BKsWpiGN0VPam0qgU90I3bTtMsqy6G490bQI_oHDRq56nwo/s1600-h/1073406_20080910_100000292205502.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwSvBs1lhfUvX4aAv_aB40mg7zEJe-6KiTNCLxg73EqDjrGamEBquX7TZVGYbL-mMkllS2k8y96tPk3VpjCHofl1-u6910BKsWpiGN0VPam0qgU90I3bTtMsqy6G490bQI_oHDRq56nwo/s400/1073406_20080910_100000292205502.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251492537508927650" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjsrl1Bu7Dsc5e1K2hWAxEjBx05E_qfx90l8VYH95fdwjyvJAsU3JF-CK8yLt-wqGO0iPwwGm-Nyyaw7wQ-lSPcC5cZyO3le0sBmGJzhMjU8UA8JEq-FMDFC87u2n5wzIMmlO1CB0M7_I/s1600-h/1073406_20080910_100000292205503.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjsrl1Bu7Dsc5e1K2hWAxEjBx05E_qfx90l8VYH95fdwjyvJAsU3JF-CK8yLt-wqGO0iPwwGm-Nyyaw7wQ-lSPcC5cZyO3le0sBmGJzhMjU8UA8JEq-FMDFC87u2n5wzIMmlO1CB0M7_I/s400/1073406_20080910_100000292205503.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251492896554920706" border="0" /></a><br />Morrisa is doing well and I would post some belly pictures which we have taken. Although last Thursday our neighborhood was graced by the presence of some hooligans that thought they were entitled to take whatever us and our neighbors had left in their cars. So they took off with our digital camera. I even told myself don't forget to grab that on the way in when we get home, and left it on the floor. We were pretty mad, especially because our neighborhood is a nice quiet neighborhood. I guess it goes to show you that you always have to stay on your toes. So until we get a new camera the belly pics will have to wait.<br /><br />Softball is coming to an end for the year and I have started taking classes to become a Certified Lay Minister. Classes started this past weekend and will continue for another 5 weeks for this first semester. I Love IT so far!! I will post more about it later. I have to get back to work because my lunch is up.Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11634674641591189031noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447493886975344936.post-41423707977866165812008-08-05T13:27:00.001-04:002008-08-05T13:48:17.477-04:00It's been quite a whileWow I didn't even realize how long it has been since I have last updated my blog. Mo is doing very well. Her blood sugar levels have been great, as she has really worked hard to maintain them. I really admire her for doing so well with it. I don't know if I would have the will power to stay away from the things I love, like ice cream for instance.<br /><br />Doozer is growing like a weed. Morrisa had a quad screen done which came back with good news that all was well. The only thing they wanted to investigate more was the screen for Downs. Which came back with a 1 of 39 chance for Doozer to have Downs. They sent us to a genetics counselor where they went over our family backgrounds and an in depth ultrasound where they measured everything. They measured the little belly, head, brain, heart, checked kidneys, etc. Everything measured where they are supposed to be at this point, and they don't think he/she has Downs. We wouldn't have cared either way, we would love him/her regardless, but it's good to get a clean bill of health. The sonographer (probably spelled wrong oh well) was able to tell us the sex of our little Doozer. Doozer is a boy!! We have named him Noah Michael, and he is already awnry. Now when we try to listen to him with the doppler he moves all over the place. It's too funny. Mo is just now starting to feel little poking feelings, and I can't wait until I get to feel him. We have been making trips to different baby stores and I hang out in the little boys section looking at all the little sports clothing.<br /><br />We go back for another ultrasound on the 11th which was to be our big ultrasound. So we will verify the sex then, and we have to go back to the genetics counselor in another 2 or 3 weeks so they can measure his heart and look at all 4 chambers. He was a little bit too small this last time and you combine that with him being awnry and not turning the right way for her when she was trying to see his heart.<br /><br />I will definitely update you when more comes up and I won't wait almost a month to do so this time. Also anyone who was reading my wifes blog and can no longer do so or contact her to get the password can let me know and I will pass on your info.Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11634674641591189031noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447493886975344936.post-7266111771841289602008-07-17T08:45:00.003-04:002008-07-17T09:06:02.217-04:00Comments Regarding ArticleI wasn't going to add this to my blog because the crude comments to our article were just people who didn't have a clue about infertility spouting off nonsense, but decided why not just touch on it briefly. Some of you may have read through the comments on the Baltimore Sun website, but for those who haven't I'll just touch on the ones I've commented on.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">"If they're leaving it in God's hands to carry the pregnancy full-term, then why did they choose to have science intervene to get pregnant in the first place? Perhaps infertile couples should get a clue and take their infertility as a sign that they weren't meant to have biological babies. Then they could pour the same amount of time, money and effort into adopting a needy kid or animal."<br /><br />My Response: </span>I'm just in shock at the immaturity of these responses. On second thought, no I'm not. What's your thoughts on medicine in general? By your comment are you saying that those battling an illness shouldn't persue any medication? They should just let nature play it's course and deal with whatever happens? Perhaps they should accept that they weren't meant to live. Give me a break. Your post was incredibly uncalled for and uneducated.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">"I understand these people's desire to have their own children - to a point. Why is having your own biological child so important? There are plenty of kids in the world, in Baltimore in particular, who need homes and need to be loved. Why not consider adopting these lovable children? Why spend thousands of dollars on procedures that have marginal success rates? I know folks are going to say I'm heartless and insensitive but this practice is just plain selfish and wasteful."<br /><br />My Response: </span>I wouldn't say your heartless until you added the selfish and wasteful. That was heartless. Having gone through this myself I can add that yes there are a lot of children who are out there to be adopted, but there is also a lot that goes into adoption. It's not all that simple. You can't just say alright I can't have kids so I'll just adopt. It's a lengthy process and strict criteria. Also many people who go through infertility whether they are successful or not do adopt. It is more expensive to adopt in most cases than to proceed with treatments.<br /><br />Other news: We went and saw my grandmother last night who is still in a rehab center recovering from her stroke. She seems to be improving. She has come a long way since I first saw her right after it happened, but she still isn't eating anything. In a way i don't blame her because some of the food there is nasty, but even stuff we bring in she only takes a couple bites. She also seems to be having problems with her short term memory. I hope and pray that she continues to improve and is able to come home at some point, but as of right now I'm not sure if that will happen. Please keep her in your prayers.<br /><br />ALSO we have our first big ultrasound scheduled for August 11th at 5:30. I'm so excited and can't wait to find out if Doozer is a boy or girl!Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11634674641591189031noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447493886975344936.post-57352524665565009872008-07-15T09:53:00.002-04:002008-07-15T10:10:01.646-04:00HOT OFF THE PRESS!!Alright here's the link to the <a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/custom/today/bal-to.md.infertility15jul15,0,1198386.story">article</a> written in the Baltimore Sun this morning. I want to thank <span class="story-byline">Rona Marech for the great article! Also I wanted to link to the other blogs listed in the article, so here they are: <a href="http://sayersjourney.blogspot.com/">Sayer's Journey</a>, <a href="http://drama2bmama.blogspot.com/">Drama 2B Mama</a>, <a href="http://damnthatstork.blogspot.com/">Who Shot My Stork?</a>, <a href="http://stirrup-queens.blogspot.com/">Stirrup Queens</a>, and <a href="http://vollmerhausens.blogspot.com/">The Making on Baby V</a>. I wasn't able to find which Impatient Patient was mentioned in the article. There were a couple that came up when searched. I loved the article as well as the picture. It's funny because she looks as though she was laughing and clapping. The truth is that it was hot out when they were taking the pictures and of course I was sweating as always. Well she wasn't clapping, she was wiping off my sweat. LOL<br /></span>Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11634674641591189031noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447493886975344936.post-73496667012517325452008-07-11T14:40:00.002-04:002008-07-11T14:55:03.777-04:00Phew!!Well the morning started out as usual. We got up and Morrisa was hungry so I made breakfast and served her in bed, and then we began to get ready for work. Shortly after we got moving I heard Morrisa in the bathroom say "Uhh Ohh!" I asked if all was alright and she said that she had some brown discharge. This along with some cramps had her worried as well as myself. She had an appointment already scheduled for 10:30 today with her OB for her weekly check on her blood sugar levels. She made a call to the office to see if they wanted her to come in early, or what to do. After asking her numerous questions told her to lay down and rest and come in at the regular time. So while we were waiting we pulled out the doppler and listened for a heartbeat (which I'm getting pretty good at, usually as soon as she turns it on I have it) and we found him/her. So we go in and the doctor does a quick exam and tells us that the membranes in her cervix are very close to the surface of her cervix and are bleeding. He said that it is something that is common in some women and he was going to scar them using silver nitrate. We both wondered what in the world he was going to do and he took out 2 sticks that looked exactly like 2 long match sticks. He took these and applied them to the areas that were bleeding and that was it. No pain, although Mo is a little crampy right now. He said that everything with the baby looked and sounded great and we are to come back in 3-4 weeks. He also said that her blood sugar levels also looked great and to continue to do what she is doing as far as diet goes.<br /><br />Of course I was a little bummed because I was hoping he would have done an ultrasound, but that didn't happen. I was spoiled at our RE's office with all the ultrasounds they did. Oh well I guess I'll have to wait until they do one week 18. :(Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11634674641591189031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447493886975344936.post-55647796824122398522008-07-10T14:44:00.004-04:002008-07-10T15:17:19.262-04:00What's been going on?First I'll start by updating on how Morrisa is doing. She's feeling a lot better in the mornings. Going into the second trimester it seems she has more energy and a lot less nausea if any at all. After her last OB appointment they informed us that her blood sugar levels were high and since he knows a lot about PCOS has decided to be proactive and diagnose her as having gestational diabetes. So she has to watch and keep track of what she eats as well as an insulin shot in the evening before bed. The reason for the shot at night was because her fasting blood sugar levels in the morning have been high. I clarify by saying that her levels have been high but not dangerously high. They just wanted get on top of it before it got any worse. She met with a nutrionist yesterday who said that she was on the right track and helped with meal ideas.<br /><br />Secondly Morrisa was contacted by a writer from the Baltimore Sun who is doing a story on infertility bloggers, and I also had the priveledge to speak with her yesterday and add my thoughts and feelings. They sent a photographer over to the house on Tuesday evening to take some pictures for the paper, and will be coming out shortly. I will share when it comes out and hopefully be able to add a link. We are very excited to be able to share our story and hopefully be able to promote awareness about PCOS and infertility.<br /><br />Yesterday we hit week 13! Very excited about that and Doozer seemed to be also. We used our doppler and listened both in the morning and in the evening which was a treat. Usually we listen in the evening, but he seemed to be very active with a new strong heart beat and a lot of thumping sounds. Our next OB appt is scheduled for next Wed. and I'm hoping we get to have anouther ultrasound. Just to be able to see Doozer again.<br /><br />Lastly I know I haven't been posting regularly and have apologized and promised before about being a better blogger, but this time I promise I'll write more often.Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11634674641591189031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447493886975344936.post-11326003924498258812008-07-02T12:03:00.007-04:002008-12-09T07:55:11.175-05:00So much to say,Wow I have been so busy at work and haven't been able to post lately, so that has left me with so much to say. I know your probably reading this saying to yourself, well isn't that what your supposed to do at work instead of writing on your blog. Your right!<br />Anyway I will start with the fact that we received our doppler and we LOVE IT! We have made it an evening ritual to come home from work and listen to our little ones heart beat. Here's the video of it.<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzBN9r6xewJgA8Agg5wUX0nAy3z-V408U78B6sM3dbmG7cCAnMk2g7-blfT5CZE1n-j35J7BKPQoCqrBUU_Pg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />We were listening last night and you could clearly hear it moving. It was the coolest thing ever. It was neat because every time we would hear the different sounds of him/her moving the heart rate would raise from 172 to 183ish. I think getting the doppler was the best decision. Not only because we get to hear the little guy/girl every night but it really has helped calm some of Morrisa's anxiety waiting until our next dr appointment.<br /><br />We have also been receiving little gifts from people, and it's been everything from maternity tops for Morrisa to diaper bag and clothes for the little one. The clothes for the little one have been from our family out in West Virginia, so they have all been WVU clothes. Which is alright with me since I have been slowly transformed into a WVU fan thanks to my cousin who is in the marching band. Here's our latest gift that arrived last night.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSffe1t9TpSvNGH8czVayThuoVsJlIRd2RFlkc2whNCnclgefDeoHns19lht_rLoPrY3VZXPQmfr1EE0pEdfNrBaPPzSLSLsMEpUtqiaOGjUVQg423In23lcrTAX1GX6GmTTuo2oS78LE/s1600-h/100_2284.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218453950916605618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSffe1t9TpSvNGH8czVayThuoVsJlIRd2RFlkc2whNCnclgefDeoHns19lht_rLoPrY3VZXPQmfr1EE0pEdfNrBaPPzSLSLsMEpUtqiaOGjUVQg423In23lcrTAX1GX6GmTTuo2oS78LE/s400/100_2284.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />We received a jersey for myself, Mo, and little Doozer. The little jersey is so cute.<br /><br />My grandmother has been moved to a nursing home closer to home for recovery from her stroke. She's improving some what. They have told us that she will be able to walk and is slowly getting to that point, but she may not regain the use of her left arm. The problem we are facing now is that she hasn't been eating anything. She will take a bite of something and that's all she will eat.<br />Also for those of you who also read <a href="http://vollmerhausens.blogspot.com/">my dear loving wife's blog</a> I feel the need to shed some light on a topic she has brought up about the status of our house. For those of you who haven't read or don't follow my wife's blog she brought up the fact that our house is a mess. Since she has been so tired and with me playing softball we have neglected a few things. I should say it's cluttered and not dirty, but anyway she has mentioned that I have promised to do some picking up which hasn't been done as of yet. This is where I think some of the truth should come out. LOL I was about to do said cleaning when my wonderful wife said, "no, that's alright spend some time with me and clean later". So the cleaning didn't happen as of yet. Just wanted to shed some light on the subject. LOLShawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11634674641591189031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447493886975344936.post-63452795325350322022008-06-24T08:28:00.003-04:002008-06-24T09:13:28.587-04:00In the cover of night...So when the time comes for me to get a hair cut I do it myself. I mean it's not that hard as you can tell from my profile picture it all comes off. Ever since I was little I have kept my hair extremely close. That and the fact the my hair is falling out and I'm not balding in any kind of normal pattern. When my hair starts to grow out I look like I have <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mange">mange</a>. I think I;m the only man in the world who wishes his hair would all just fall out. That way I don't have to cut it anymore. Anyway back to last night. So I was cutting my hair and my clippers stop working half way through. So I'm standing there in the bathroom with the entire front half of my head cut and the back half too long to finish with a razor. The only thing I could do is call my parents who live a couple miles down the road and see if they were still awake and could finish my hair cut. Luckily dad was up and said he would finish. The only problem was I had to drive over there and the drive includes a busy Route 1, but it was getting dark so I should be alright. I could only imagine pulling up next to someone and them seeing this wild hair do I was sporting. It was quite funny, but I made it without anyone spotting me.<br /><br />On the baby front, our doppler should be arriving by the end of the week. Hopefully we can post a recording of the heartbeat.Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11634674641591189031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447493886975344936.post-37899685383141366552008-06-23T13:39:00.003-04:002008-07-10T15:42:08.646-04:00The beginning of another week...Here we go another start to another week. We rested this weekend instead of going to the mountains. Sunday we cleaned out our extra room which up till has been used as extra storage and where the cats litter boxes are. This room will eventually be used as our nursery, but we aren't going to start anything else with it until we are much further along. It was nice though to get rid of some stuff we had laying around. We both also spent the weekend debating whether or not to get a doppler. I'm not opposed at all, and this morning Morrisa emailed me with 2 doppler's she found and wanted to know what I thought about renting one. I told her either one was fine with me and she has placed an order for one. I think it would be great to be able to hear his/her heartbeat and give us the ability to do so whenever we wish instead of whenever the doctor allows us. Also it would alleviate some of Morrisa's anxiety waiting for our next doctors appointment as well as my own.<br /><br />Speaking of doctor's appointments, we scheduled our next appt for Wed July 16th at 3:45. I will update and let you know when we are getting our doppler.Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11634674641591189031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447493886975344936.post-60719953664050494662008-06-19T13:47:00.003-04:002008-07-10T15:40:50.289-04:00AmazedTwo days after our first appt with our new OB and I am still amazed at the sight of our little one moving. I have been so excited and yet still a little gaurded about being too excited up until this point. I think I was still in shock. Probably because as much as we really wanted this and prayed that God would give us our little miracle, 6 years of trying kind of made it hard to imagine that this day would come. As I stood there watching the u/s screen seeing our little one move for the first time for us it hit me that we've made it. Don't get me wrong I know there's still risk's, but I just have this calming feeling that everything is going to be alright. It's tough because as happy as I am that infertile feeling still hits me. I'm so happy that we've come this far, but also saddened by the fact that there are so many loving, deserving, and amazing people out there that are still battling the unfair, devastating, and evil demon that is infertility. What saddens me more is that it will always be there. There will always be a couple fighting the fight. I know it will never be an easy road for anyone to travel, but pray that society is more sympathetic and understanding of what we go through. Also that insurance companies realize that they are in the wrong for not covering infertility and stop taking advantage of the situation. As I said before it will never be an easy road for anyone to travel but it should be a little more smoother ride than it is with all of these potholes we come across.Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11634674641591189031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447493886975344936.post-3274379926703840782008-06-18T08:50:00.003-04:002008-12-09T07:55:11.446-05:00I'm Still Here<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWT9wPN-nvf0b05QqUc4l2g_vgj20wKrSTbohEEUUatUveST0kTHWbH2Iqtd1IMzTG7EXUpkmTXKHdmfXOkg0ZUcUCqrRHkUmCK9F2mskagR4QebB0Q7CWBFXPs7CSri59N_enVu-Bncw/s1600-h/scan0002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213203307677474146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWT9wPN-nvf0b05QqUc4l2g_vgj20wKrSTbohEEUUatUveST0kTHWbH2Iqtd1IMzTG7EXUpkmTXKHdmfXOkg0ZUcUCqrRHkUmCK9F2mskagR4QebB0Q7CWBFXPs7CSri59N_enVu-Bncw/s400/scan0002.jpg" border="0" /></a> Here's the newest picture of our little Doozer. We went in yesterday and everything looked great! We love her OB. We met him for the first time yesterday and he was awesome! He knew all about PCOS and was very knowledgable and understanding in regards to infertility in general. He did all the routine examinations and did an ultrasound. The u/s machine they had was brand new and they were also learning as they went. Which in a way was good because we had a longer u/s than we've had before, and were able to enjoy our little guy/girl. We also were able to see him move, which was amazing. At first he was just relaxing in there. So the OB moved the probe around to stir him up a bit. Doozer didn't seem to like that because it looked as though he took his little hand and swatted at the probe. Now we have to wait a whole 4 weeks until we get to see him again. <br /><div> </div><div>Other news my grandmother seems to be improving in her recovery. Her left side which was paralyzed from the stroke is tingling. She said it feels like her left arm and leg were a sleep and the tingling hurts, but it's a good thing because she is regaining feeling. Thank you everyone for your continued thoughts and prayers!</div>Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11634674641591189031noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447493886975344936.post-81807095682373350142008-06-06T14:51:00.002-04:002008-12-09T07:55:11.641-05:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm7ar-wUH3Xj5o7j4ybOxSKEUXYDvZWwxKoro_WO8ukf4u41FdQ_uBmkePKVXXYe7BAu6En47CRPJMqcIa49A2gYZoke0iM7YrNdydfcXWwVmQQrUo9SF183dDDAtKrsZC8cLJvoAOK5o/s1600-h/Doozer.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208843446497078034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm7ar-wUH3Xj5o7j4ybOxSKEUXYDvZWwxKoro_WO8ukf4u41FdQ_uBmkePKVXXYe7BAu6En47CRPJMqcIa49A2gYZoke0iM7YrNdydfcXWwVmQQrUo9SF183dDDAtKrsZC8cLJvoAOK5o/s400/Doozer.JPG" border="0" /></a> Here's the new shot of our little Doozer!!<br />I've been a terrible blogger lately. I haven't even had time to read others blogs and am so behind. I'm going to at some point this weekend catch up on everyone's blog's. I'm sorry. Things will be more like normal next week. Hopefully!Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11634674641591189031noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447493886975344936.post-25164939112567651492008-06-04T14:15:00.002-04:002008-06-04T14:45:32.939-04:00Graduation Day!!!First let me apologize for my absence. I've been emotionally drained these last couple days and haven't been up to blogging, but things are getting a little better.<br /><br />I never thought that this day would have ever come. I mean I have always dreamed of the day we would be discharged from our RE, but it always seemed just that, a dream. Today that dream has become a reality and we walked out of our clinic saying goodbye's. At least for now. It's a little weird. The appointment went great. We got to see Doozer again, and we've been looking forward to that since we walked out of our clinic last Wednesday. My how he/she has grown. Our RE said that everything looked great and that the baby is growing perfectly and it's heart rate was at 167 which was great! So now Mo has put a call into Kaiser so that she could schedule an appt with an OB. We had to make a decision whether we wanted to go with an OB that is located close to home and would deliver in a hospital that was closer, but wouldn't be as personalable and as understanding of our situation being infertile's. We also had a choice of going to the OB/GYN she has seen before which is right next door to Morrisa's job who has been awesome in the past and know's what we have been through throughout the years. The only thing with going with her would be we would have to deliver in Baltimore City which is 15-20 minutes from home. We have decided to go with the OB in Baltimore City so Mo is comfortable with her OB, which is really important to both of us. Will update when we find out more information, and will post a new picture of Doozer tonight.<br /><br />Other news, my family has been hit pretty hard with bad news these last couple months. With the passing of my grandfather and his cousin the day before. Now another relative is in the hospital with cancer, which they were going to try to remove but weren't able to as it has spread all throughout his body and isn't going to make it much longer. Now my grandmother is in the hospital after she suffered a stroke last Friday afternoon. She has been improving the last couple days. She still has paralysis on her left side but able to talk more. The really hard part is that she was asking my dad yesterday if he was going to see my grandfather when he left the hospital. So she has no memory of him passing away. I hope and pray she continues to improve and with some help from the dr's or whomever we can find the best way to tell her that my grandfather is no longer with us. So many different stresses going on right now hopefully things quiet down for the weeks and months to come.Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11634674641591189031noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447493886975344936.post-16476935109285569192008-05-29T09:54:00.003-04:002008-12-09T07:55:11.894-05:007wks U/S PicturesHere's our new pictures of Doozer. I also added a second picture explaining what's what. I find it easier because if your like me I would have no idea what I'm looking at.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilrDgDgf3-ugAp8JkrspOq-GeWM5WY6ZPt2eK3DLLJAg0wPNfyCy3_3Cv6gy-B49YtSp6UQgg8B4oBQBfRxqSjp3cyU0Oi9AlttN3mmAccAj3XGhpTJ-pPJIOopLkJeeUb5PM4tVMLJe4/s1600-h/doozer7wks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilrDgDgf3-ugAp8JkrspOq-GeWM5WY6ZPt2eK3DLLJAg0wPNfyCy3_3Cv6gy-B49YtSp6UQgg8B4oBQBfRxqSjp3cyU0Oi9AlttN3mmAccAj3XGhpTJ-pPJIOopLkJeeUb5PM4tVMLJe4/s400/doozer7wks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205798021538762642" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1veIFklTRQl8gElyowqqAJbBVR45dFEpZc9SP2FIROGzJZP0rBVOKH-7dPAftZmTx5XndQvUgboLCfC9KV-bMdEnSLOG7f1jsiYSqEjTdI3kiBv1ZIhnpRt0az0kMc089OzgkNYs7jM8/s1600-h/doozer7wksexp.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1veIFklTRQl8gElyowqqAJbBVR45dFEpZc9SP2FIROGzJZP0rBVOKH-7dPAftZmTx5XndQvUgboLCfC9KV-bMdEnSLOG7f1jsiYSqEjTdI3kiBv1ZIhnpRt0az0kMc089OzgkNYs7jM8/s400/doozer7wksexp.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205798090258239394" border="0" /></a>Can't wait until next Wednesday and we get to see Doozer again.Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11634674641591189031noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447493886975344936.post-56439406496169826792008-05-28T11:48:00.002-04:002008-05-28T12:08:52.726-04:00Growing StrongWe went in for our 7 wk u/s this morning and our RE said that everything looked great. Doozer has grown more than double his size since our last u/s last Wednesday. I keep referring to Doozer as a boy. I have no reasoning as to why it's just have a feeling we both share. Although boy or girl it doesn't matter which it will be. I have no preference. Anyway it was amazing to see his/her little heart pumping. Last visit we saw what looked like a little light blinking, but to see the heart actually pumping was amazing. I can't wait until the day we finally get to hold little Doozer in our arms. They gave us a picture which really isn't that clear, but I will still post it as soon as we scan it tonight. We also go back next Wed. for our 8wk u/s and will probably be discharged from our clinic to our OB. Continue to Grow Doozer!<br /><br />Now for some sports.<br />Un-fertility related we finally were able to play 2 softball games last night. I wasn't able to play at all last week due to the rain. We lost the first and won the second by a run. I hit 2 home runs and the rest of my at bats were good hits. 3 years ago I guess it was I shattered my ankle playing second base. The throw was high and as I came down on one leg and tried to make the tag, the base runner (which was my cousin) was sliding. Well with all my weight on one leg and the force of his body hitting my ankle the outcome wasn't good. Anyway back to last night, I played second base for the first time since. Surprisingly I felt great and made some really good plays. Up until last night I dreaded playing any infield at all, but had a blast and more confidence than before I broke my ankle. Good thing my parents and Morrisa wasn't there because they probably would have freaked out and left. Not wanting to see a repeat performance. So it was a good night and looking forward to tonights games. I will post the picture later this evening.Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11634674641591189031noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447493886975344936.post-65138833703459875652008-05-27T10:03:00.004-04:002008-12-09T07:55:12.347-05:00Back From The Mountains :(We're back in town. I wish we were still in the mountains, but what can you do about it. Until we hit the lotto and can build our dream house up there we have to come back and work. This weekend was great. We drove up Saturday morning and met my grandmother half way up for breakfast at Cracker Barrel. We arrived around noon, and jumped in helping with the building of the front porch. What a project. Luckily there were several of us working on it. We were able to put up the support beams, cross beams and the roof. Next weekend we are going back up to put the shingles on and then the job is complete.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg40VDuQlxsmdWCXaHdGqcLaciDRqD5glfRLOGD-39FqXUn2M-zmBEpiFSk8gjWil60ywxtL6YDDz66HxyhtGqJjTgxYn9jISJm336aWJkUpTXBTvYjjDjLQhbEXB-KSp1tQP4BDqVIsFo/s1600-h/frontofhouse.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg40VDuQlxsmdWCXaHdGqcLaciDRqD5glfRLOGD-39FqXUn2M-zmBEpiFSk8gjWil60ywxtL6YDDz66HxyhtGqJjTgxYn9jISJm336aWJkUpTXBTvYjjDjLQhbEXB-KSp1tQP4BDqVIsFo/s400/frontofhouse.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205067469076549490" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimqh9C51Q0OvLyRY7TVmzli9JISpvPM2IaE2qJyuCyk2q4vo4yuOAeM_dp8FRzrAFnOTCQVYQ4OAESezV6PP59QinmrQt1OFIfG13jFEkUbZNyqLvGKPlzteuZzlO18zkYz0ntDuc8ODw/s1600-h/sideofhouse.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimqh9C51Q0OvLyRY7TVmzli9JISpvPM2IaE2qJyuCyk2q4vo4yuOAeM_dp8FRzrAFnOTCQVYQ4OAESezV6PP59QinmrQt1OFIfG13jFEkUbZNyqLvGKPlzteuZzlO18zkYz0ntDuc8ODw/s400/sideofhouse.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205067645170208642" border="0" /></a>It was nice to get away. I was able to relax mentally at least. Morrisa had a very relaxing weekend. She had a lounge chair setup in the front yard under a tree and read and watched us work. It was great. I'm ready to head back up already.<br /><br />We have an appt tomorrow morning for our second u/s. I'm so excited and hope all is going well. I know everything is fine. I just have a feeling that all is going to progress like it should. I will update with all the details tomorrow.Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11634674641591189031noreply@blogger.com2