New Beginnings

With the Easter holiday fast-approaching, we're full of hope for a new beginning. 

On February 26, we underwent our second IUI procedure. Basically, I took injections into my abdomen to get the eggs growing. Then, when they were ready, Dr. Kan inseminated the sperm directly into my uterus. The first procedure we had was rather uncomfortable. But this time the only pain I experienced was the start of ovulation the night before. 

I hope that that is a good sign. 

I know that we have many family members and friends praying and pulling for us, so I have to keep believing that everything will work out. 

We'll know more in two weeks. 

I had to start the injections on my birthday, 2/16. We had gone to Napa Valley for the weekend, since it was my birthday and the President's Day holiday weekend. We were rather annoyed by the fact that we had to think about it all during a time when we wanted an escape. But I couldn't help but think it was a reminder to make this my birthday wish. 

The first night didn't go so well. I was extremely nauseous and didn't sleep much. But no further side-effects came into play. 

Between the metformin I take three times a day, the clomid to ensure I ovulated and the injections to make sure I produced a sufficient amount of eggs, I literally had to make a "medication chart" and follow it for a few days. 

On the bright side, I'm now completely comfortable with needles. No more cold sweats and nausea when I see one. I can even have blood drawn...and watch! 

We believe that everything happens for a reason. 

But we pray that we'll be blessed with a family. We have lots of love to give. 

Stay tuned! 

Merry Christmas to All

Another year come and gone. And I, for one, am glad. 

2007 was a tough one. Between both of us losing our jobs to struggling with infertility, the past 12 months carried with them a lot of stress, tears and frustration. But soon, we'll start a brand new year... leaving all that in the past. A new beginning. A fresh start. I have hope. 

But 2007 certainly wasn't all bad. It saw the birth of our beautiful baby nephew, Breckin, on October 21. Steve began a brand new job with a growing pharmaceutical company, where his expertise, experience and leadership is valued. And I began my own public relations consulting business. We found strength we never knew we had, and managed to find the time, and the means, to do what we love- travel. 

We saw Penn State defeat Tennessee in the Outback Bowl in Tampa, FL. We spent a wine soaked week in both Napa Valley and Santa Barbara. We spent some time at our "second home", Punta Mita, Mexico (oh, how we wish it were our second home!) We went back to Penn State for two football games this season, Purdue and Iowa. We visited friends and attended a beautiful wedding in Atlanta. We spent lots of time with family on the East Coast, and even payed a visit to our favorite New York City steakhouse, Peter Luger. I got to spend quality time with my dearest friends in Pennsylvania and we were blessed with visits from Steve's parents and my brother and sister-in-law. 

Focusing on these blessings has helped us get through what we view a just a period of "bad luck." 

For going on 15 months now, we've been trying to have a baby with no success. We began working with a fertility specialist two months ago, and have hope that together we can figure out what's gone wrong. We've both had several tests, which showed no major complications. And so we keep trying. I've been diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Treatment for which is a diabetes medication that will help to regulate my hormones. At first, taking the medication was a struggle. It made me very dizzy and nauseous most of the time. But, with a little patience, I was able to see myself through the side-effects and now find easier to deal with. We've also begun using clomid to make me ovulate, and this month we did a intra-uterine insemination procedure that was to help increase our odds. Unfortunately, it didn't "take", and so we're back to the drawing board. 

I've also been wrestling with my conflicted thoughts of living in sunny CA versus returning home to the ever-so-chilly-and-gloomy East coast. I waiver on a daily basis! But thoughts of my family are constantly making me reevaluate my true opinion. I want to be close to my nephew to be a part of his life. And also my father recently suffered a heart attack, so I have a strong desire to be around a bit more for him. 

There is no easy solution. Our jobs are here. Our lives are here. For now. 

I just pray that someday we'll managed to figure out answers to all the questions in our lives and the "waiting"... whether its for a job, a move, a baby, whatever it may be... will finally end. 

A very merry Christmas to all. May 2008 fill your life with many blessings!