Tests, Tests, and More Tests

When a couple has been trying to conceive for more than a year unsuccessfully they are referred to an endocrinologist. Which is a fancy name for an infertility doctor.

Dr. Monterubio at Missouri Baptist finally referred me (I think he was tired of telling me to relax it will happen) to Dr. Saji Jacob, also known to us as Dr. J. We went to our first appointment with him and he told us the protocol to figure out exactly why we weren't getting pregnant. Exciting and Scary at the same time...I could be closer to having a baby, but I could also find out something I may not want to know. Dr. J is wonderful! He was very caring and sensitive our first appt. which really put my mind at ease.

Test #1 The Hormone Blood Test. This test was to tell us if our problem was a hormonal imbalance. The blood tests came back and ta-da...my testosterone free level was a little high. He said this could be interfering with ovulation. Relief and discomfort set over me. I ACTUALLY have a problem contrary to what I have been telling myself all along.

Test #2 HSG Test. This test was to make sure my fallopian tubes were clear. I have a pretty high pain tolerance so this test was a breeze. I got to watch it on the monitor above my head as I lay in the stirrups. I was so excited the dye that was injected rushed out the ends of my tubes. ALL CLEAR!

Test #3 Hysteroscopy. This test was to look at the lining of my uterus to make sure there were no fibroids or polyps that might be hindering implantation. This test was a little uncomfortable. Again I got to watch it on the monitor above. Everything looked GOOD! No problems with the uterine lining or walls. So relieved!!!

Test #4 Semen Analysis. This was Jared's test. He says this is the most embarassing thing in the world. Lol. But he made it through it and was PERFECT! No problems here. Praise Jesus!

After all of these tests, we sat down with Dr. J again for a protocol plan of treatment. He told us we could try IUI (Intrauterine Insemination). The percentage of this working was only 15-20 percent which is the percentage normal couples have every month of conceiving. We didn't qualify for IVF (In-vitro Fertilization) because he couldn't really foresee a huge problem. Or we could try clomid. A drug that induces ovulation. We chose to do Clomid because it was non-invasive, and if there wasn't much of a problem it would work...right???

A Bump in the Road

Jared and I have been married for four years this year! Time really flies! Of those four years, two of them have been spent trying to have a baby. This has been a HUGE obstacle for me! Growing up I didn't want for anything, and when I got married we never wanted for anything. If we needed something or just wanted something we would go out and get it no problem. New car, new furniture for the house, new house decor,Mexican vacations; you name it we bought it. Having a baby has not been an easy task. It is not something we can go buy, or acquire on our own.
It's truly amazing to me to that no one really thinks about a human life as being a miracle from God. God has total control over this. We can do NOTHING! This was a very hard lesson for me and I needed to learn it. God sure does know what he is doing!! This is our journey through the big "I" Infertility.

"Fear not for I'm with you, be not dismayed, For I am your God I will comfort you, I will strengthen you, yes I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
-Isaiah 41:10

Breaking Dawn!



We went to Kansas City this past weekend to see Breaking Dawn Part 1. It was beyond amazing!!! I cannot wait to see it again. We had an awesome weekend with Andrew, Krista, and the girls. It was Andrew's Birthday! So we celebrated by seeing the movie! Breaking Dawn Part 1 was AWESOME!!! I can't believe we have to wait a whole year to see Part 2!!! I am going to read the book to refresh myself!

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas!!!

Well it's November 8, 2011 and I have already decorated my house for Christmas! I start earlier every year but...I can enjoy it longer! There is just something about Christmas lights that make a home feel so cozy! I still have a few more things to do...but for the most part I'm done. Now I just have to go shopping for presents!! :)

Cardinals Win World Series!

WAY TO GO CARDINALS!!!!
Can't believe it but...The Cardinals won the World Series 2011!!! They did an awesome job and even though it was touch and go throughout the world series in the end they won! Tony Larussa is retiring this year and they are looking for a replacement now. We are still waiting to see if Albert Pujols will sign with St. Louis or not. Fingers are Crossed!!!

Echocardiography

After passing his ultrasound boards...Jared decided he wanted to specialize in echo cardiograms next. So he signed up for school shortly after deciding and started night class one night a week on Monday at Forrest Park Community College in St. Louis. He is almost finished with this semester and is doing so well! I'm so proud of his work ethic and he is so driven in everything he does! He will start back up in January for his last semester and graduate in May! I wonder what he will decide to do next?...

Enter If You Dare!

   WELCOME TO THE VAMPIRE LAIR!!!

We hosted a Halloween Costume Party for our friends at our house! Jared and I were vampires. We had a blast! We had tons of food, caramel apples, and a candy buffet. Dave Kopp dressed up like a scary scarecrow and sat on our front porch to scare people when they got here. He managed to scare Jessica Osbahr and Beth!  Jordan dressed up like an '80's girl! She looked so cute in her bejeweled jacket! Philip & Jessica dressed up as Top Gun characters, and Beth & Bobby dressed up like hippies...complete with a "cigarette." Trent & Allison came which I was so happy about! She was a flapper girl and Trent was a pimp. Derek Hayes came as a werewolf...hilarious since Jared & I were vampires...Edward or Jacob? Team Edward here!!! Last but not least, Bryce & Adrienne had the best costume of the night. Bryce had made an Iphone 4S costume for Adrienne and it was AWESOME! He came as Icloud.