gdata.io.handleScriptLoaded({"version":"1.0","encoding":"UTF-8","feed":{"xmlns":"http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom","xmlns$openSearch":"http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/","xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","xmlns$georss":"http://www.georss.org/georss","xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","xmlns$blogger":"http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008","id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-400672302414468518"},"updated":{"$t":"2023-12-19T11:23:58.225-08:00"},"category":[{"term":"Walt Disney Family Museum"},{"term":"Mirror Maze"},{"term":"Adventures"},{"term":"Review"},{"term":"Hair"},{"term":"What I Eat In A day"},{"term":"Christmas In The Park"},{"term":"Confessions"},{"term":"Self Love"},{"term":"Whats In My bag"},{"term":"Santana Row"},{"term":"Ear Piercings"},{"term":"Haul"},{"term":"Lush Cosmetics"},{"term":"Hair Care"},{"term":"The Rose Garden"},{"term":"Thanksgiving"},{"term":"Food Series"},{"term":"Santa Clara"},{"term":"How To"},{"term":"New Years 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Tour"},{"term":"Christmas"},{"term":"Ornaments"},{"term":"San Jose"},{"term":"Engagement Party"},{"term":"Thank You"},{"term":"vacation"},{"term":"Baby Shoot"},{"term":"Wedding Rings"},{"term":"Recipes"},{"term":"Marriage"},{"term":"Traveling"},{"term":"Seattle"},{"term":"LMNL"},{"term":"Fruit Picking"},{"term":"Valentine's Day"},{"term":"MoMA"},{"term":"Lately"},{"term":"Grinchmas"},{"term":"On The Real"},{"term":"Kate Spade"},{"term":"In This Moment"},{"term":"Ladurée"},{"term":"Custom Illustration"},{"term":"tattoos"},{"term":"The Weekend"},{"term":"Get To Know Me"},{"term":"Washington"},{"term":"Pros and Cons"},{"term":"Bucket List"},{"term":"Tour"},{"term":"Party"},{"term":"Best of Disneyland"},{"term":"Must Haves"},{"term":"Mansur Gavriel"},{"term":"Black and White"},{"term":"Wedding Anniversary"},{"term":"Gift Guide"},{"term":"Makeup"},{"term":"Insta Life"},{"term":"Giveaway"},{"term":"Ted Baker"},{"term":"Goals"},{"term":"engagement story"},{"term":"Tsum Tsum"},{"term":"Baby Shower"},{"term":"Mugs"},{"term":"Picnic"},{"term":"Clarisonic"},{"term":"Favorite Candles"},{"term":"Jo Malone"},{"term":"Update"},{"term":"Thoughts"},{"term":"Inspiration"},{"term":"Ipsy"},{"term":"Alice in Wonderland"},{"term":"Honeymoon"},{"term":"Revisiting Old Favorites"},{"term":"Current Favorites"},{"term":"Parenthood"},{"term":"My Top Favorite Series"},{"term":"Halloween"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Ohhjuliana"},"subtitle":{"type":"html","$t":""},"link":[{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https://www.blogger.com/feeds/400672302414468518/posts/default/-/Get+To+Know+Me?alt\u003djson-in-script\u0026max-results\u003d5"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https://www.blogger.com/feeds/400672302414468518/posts/default/-/Get+To+Know+Me?alt\u003djson-in-script\u0026max-results\u003d5"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.ohhjuliana.com/search/label/Get%20To%20Know%20Me"},{"rel":"hub","href":"http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/"},{"rel":"next","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https://www.blogger.com/feeds/400672302414468518/posts/default/-/Get+To+Know+Me/-/Get+To+Know+Me?alt\u003djson-in-script\u0026start-index\u003d6\u0026max-results\u003d5"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Juliana "},"uri":{"$t":"https://www.blogger.com/profile/09410637408830790715"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"24","height":"32","src":"//blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinw98N1LY4v8SvYbQE7_w8QZkoJjgkTZuMxaLciiTGhqEIOsYZtOXCNr7YQTC05lz_vPv4_jABDfn8oJ2giVQ_04s9i77G94gU9ZaprRtLepq-xmeSbo8krD2DNsPoZT0/s113/ACS_0224.JPG"}}],"generator":{"version":"7.00","uri":"https://www.blogger.com","$t":"Blogger"},"openSearch$totalResults":{"$t":"18"},"openSearch$startIndex":{"$t":"1"},"openSearch$itemsPerPage":{"$t":"5"},"entry":[{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-400672302414468518.post-7893742841990972523"},"published":{"$t":"2021-05-26T05:00:00.004-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-11-05T19:29:10.974-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Get To Know Me"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Parenthood"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Motherhood Q\u0026A"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mondXpp8cbw/YKvgjulOpTI/AAAAAAAAKgA/MqKEd5UKHpY4C-rqJi6jkj7eZAi5Fkm4wCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ACS_0262.JPG\" style\u003d\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003e\u003cimg border\u003d\"0\" data-original-height\u003d\"1365\" data-original-width\u003d\"2048\" src\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mondXpp8cbw/YKvgjulOpTI/AAAAAAAAKgA/MqKEd5UKHpY4C-rqJi6jkj7eZAi5Fkm4wCNcBGAsYHQ/s16000/ACS_0262.JPG\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA long while back on Instagram, I asked my followers to send me some questions on motherhood, and on this post, I'll be answering a few of my favorite questions.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size: medium;\"\u003eHow's motherhood?\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/i\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHonestly, it's been great! It's everything I ever imagined, I can go on for days about this. I love Lucy so much she's everything I ever wanted. Being a mom is tough. There's a lot of wonderful days and also challenging days too. The good outweighs the difficult ones by a ton. It's true when they say that motherhood is the hardest job you'll ever have but the most rewarding.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size: medium;\"\u003eWhat do you wish you knew before you had your daughter?\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/i\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eI wish I would have known how hard breastfeeding really is. You hear a lot that it's a natural thing so I personally assumed it would have been something I picked up naturally and easily, boy was I wrong. Lucy and I struggled with breastfeeding a lot! Once things were getting easier and we were getting the hang of things something would happen. It started off with Lucy being born premie so she wouldn't latch. Then when she finally started taking the boob it was only with a nipple shield which I freaking hated. Once the shield was dropped things finally felt like we were both on the same page and knew what we were doing however, we were hit with a nursing strike at three in a half months which I now hear is very common. I also felt like I had a dip in my supply since I had no idea that when it came to breastmilk it's a supply and demand. The more you empty out your breasts the more milk your body produces. So now, about seven and a half months of nursing, Lucy and I finally have a great routine and I'm so freaking proud of us! It was never easy for neither one of us, but we both continued to show up and I'm so happy I never stopped trying and never gave up.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size: medium;\"\u003eHow is Lucy sleeping at night?\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/i\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOh my goodness Lucy is a great sleeper always has been especially at night. We followed the Taking Cara Babies newborn course and that is where we got all the tips on how to get our little one to sleep through the night. At around six weeks old Lucy was already sleeping six-hour stretches. Since I think three or four months old she's been sleeping 9-10 hours. Because we implemented good sleeping habits early on I wasn't too worried about that infamous four-month sleep regression, and we got pretty lucky because Lucy never gave us any issues with sleep around that age. Naps can sometimes be a little more difficult, especially the last one, but I'd take rough naps over her waking up at night any day.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size: medium;\"\u003eAre there any products that you regret buying?\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/i\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eYou know I can't really think of a specific product I regret buying although I do regret buying a bunch of clothes for Lucy such as bigger sizes for when she got older. There are a few clothes she probably won't even get to use. Since she was born premie she ended up wearing her size newborn clothes until she was a little over three months old. She got very good use of the smaller clothes. Now that she is seven months old she is barely fitting into 3-6 months clothes and she had a few warmer pieces in that size since when she was 3-6 months we would have still been in late winter season early spring. Now as I'm slowly pulling out clothes she's now fitting into I'm realizing she probably won't get any use of the two-piece sets I had purchased with Summer being around the corner.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size: medium;\"\u003eDo you have any advice for an expecting mama?\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/i\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eI have some advice. Number one, if you are planning on breastfeeding take all the help you can get from lactation nurses while you're in the hospital after birth, and even after you go home! Second, take the Taking Cara Babies newborn sleeping class because it helped Rudy and me a whole bunch. Third, if you're able to get help in the first few weeks take it. My mom stayed with us and was the biggest help on this planet with Lucy. She would let Rudy and me go to sleep at night and would wake me up to feed Lucy. Then around 2-3am I would feed Lucy and she'd be in her crib with us for the rest of the night so that my mom would get some rest. Sleep deprivation is real and you don't understand it until you have a baby. It's all so well worth it.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size: medium;\"\u003eHow difficult was the newborn stage?\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/i\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eI'm not sure if Rudy and I got so lucky with Lucy, but the newborn stage wasn't as hard as I always heard it would be. Yes, some days we're way more challenging than others and the little sleep was hard. Lucy has always been a great sleeper and maybe I'm even luckier to have a husband/partner like Rudy by my side. I tried not to overwork myself, accomplish things little by little, and above all nap while Lucy napped. People always suggest that you nap when baby naps and I hear new parents say that it's hard to. Yes, it can be hard but I made getting rest a priority because I know myself and I'm not the best person when I'm overly exhausted, and everything else could wait. The challenging part of the newborn stage was getting to know this new little person, getting adjusted to a whole new routine, and me breastfeeding.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size: medium;\"\u003eWhat are your must-have products?\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/i\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eI shared an entire post on my \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.ohhjuliana.com/2020/11/essentials-for-babys-first-month.html\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cb\u003enewborn essentials\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/a\u003e so make sure to check that post out. To this day I still stand behind each and every single one of those products. Some products I didn't include but feel is worth mentioning are a car seat cover in black. I highly recommend getting a black one because it'll help the baby sleep. Lucy sleeps in a black-out room and that's just how she gets the best sleep. When she was a lot younger and if we had to run errands we would go during her nap and I would keep her in the car seat and cover her with the Copper Pearl car seat cover and she would go right to sleep. I still do this whenever when going on long drives during her nap time. Another is some kind of baby-wearing product. We own the Solly Baby one and I recently purchased the Wild Bird sling and I love them both. I would do the Solly Baby one for when your baby is a tiny newborn and the Wild Bird sling has been fun now that Lucy is older, more alert, and heavier.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eI had to come back just to add this product. I forgot to mention the Elvie pump. I didn't purchase this pump until Lucy was maybe four months old. Rudy and I decided to invest while Lucy was going on a nursing strike and I felt my supply had dipped, so to bring back my supply I started pumping after each feeding. I have been using this pump religiously ever since. It's definitely a pricey item, and we purchased the double, but I don't regret it one bit. It has made pumping through the day while it's just me by myself with Lucy so much easier since it is a cordless pump. While using this pump throughout the day it has also helped me rebuild my freezer stash of milk. I recommend it if it's something that will work for your family.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size: medium;\"\u003eDo you guys want more kids?\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/i\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is such a hot question everyone asks, and I know it's with good intentions, immediately after you have your baby. As of right now, my answer is no I don't want any more kids, Rudy, however, would love to have one more. It's funny it's usually the women that I hear want more kids. This might become a very long answer to this question but here I go. Every month and year that passed while Rudy and I were trying for a baby I would pray to God to bless me with a baby. One baby that's all I was asking for a healthy baby that I would cherish and love for the rest of my life. I didn't even care what gender it was although like many yes I did have a preference and always envisioned myself having a daughter. When I finally became pregnant with Lucy and when she was born I got absolutely everything I ever asked for. I feel complete right now with no need for another child since God blessed me with all I prayed for. Since Rudy and I did IVF we do have embryos frozen so if we wanted to do another transfer or even try and see if we could conceive naturally we always can in the future. I promised Rudy that when Lucy turns three we can reevaluate this topic and if we would want another one I'd aim for when Lucy turns four years old to expand our family.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size: medium;\"\u003eHow long do you wish to breastfeed?\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/i\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMy personal goal would be to breastfeed until Lucy is at least eighteen months old. If we end up going longer than we do. I'm just so proud of how far we've come especially with all the struggles we faced. With all the struggles I would tell myself let's make it to six months, and we did now I'm telling myself eight months which will be in a few weeks. After that twelve months and well eighteen months. Nonetheless, I'm very happy that I personally stuck at it and really made breastfeeding a priority.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size: medium;\"\u003eFavorite part about being a mom?\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/i\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHaving Lucy! I'm certain every parent will say this about their child, but Lucy is so freaking amazing. I have been enjoying every single stage of her life and as she gets older she's only becoming more and more fun. I love watching her evolve into her own little person and watching her discover new things. Recently she's discovered her voice and that she can scream, so this little lady has really been enjoying yelling from time to time especially while eating haha.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size: medium;\"\u003eBirth control?\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/i\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eYES! Now that we have Lucy I'm terrified of getting pregnant again especially with her being so little still. Before Lucy was born I spoke to my OB about my options and I decided to get the Mirena. I got it put in as soon as I had my postpartum appointment and I'm happy that I did that immediately. I have only ever been on the pill but so far I've really been enjoying this form of birth control and not having to make sure I didn't forget to take a pill daily which was never a problem for me in the past. Now with having a baby my mind can be scattered sometimes so I didn't want to risk forgetting to take it.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OGNolqk2znk/YK5T5ST8VQI/AAAAAAAAKgY/AtGlRfStzFEQCG8C5rwzQKqb-vpclgKHwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ACS_0224.JPG\" style\u003d\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003e\u003cimg border\u003d\"0\" data-original-height\u003d\"2048\" data-original-width\u003d\"1536\" src\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OGNolqk2znk/YK5T5ST8VQI/AAAAAAAAKgY/AtGlRfStzFEQCG8C5rwzQKqb-vpclgKHwCNcBGAsYHQ/s16000/ACS_0224.JPG\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pguddOaxnx0/YK0qeqozf-I/AAAAAAAAKgQ/ebH4qOjJhUUzBLVOl69E15ebqhCAbhXKACNcBGAsYHQ/s185/newSign.png\" style\u003d\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cimg border\u003d\"0\" data-original-height\u003d\"91\" data-original-width\u003d\"185\" src\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pguddOaxnx0/YK0qeqozf-I/AAAAAAAAKgQ/ebH4qOjJhUUzBLVOl69E15ebqhCAbhXKACNcBGAsYHQ/s0/newSign.png\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https://www.ohhjuliana.com/feeds/7893742841990972523/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https://www.ohhjuliana.com/2021/05/motherhood-q.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https://www.blogger.com/feeds/400672302414468518/posts/default/7893742841990972523"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https://www.blogger.com/feeds/400672302414468518/posts/default/7893742841990972523"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https://www.ohhjuliana.com/2021/05/motherhood-q.html","title":"Motherhood Q\u0026A"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Juliana "},"uri":{"$t":"https://www.blogger.com/profile/09410637408830790715"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"24","height":"32","src":"//blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinw98N1LY4v8SvYbQE7_w8QZkoJjgkTZuMxaLciiTGhqEIOsYZtOXCNr7YQTC05lz_vPv4_jABDfn8oJ2giVQ_04s9i77G94gU9ZaprRtLepq-xmeSbo8krD2DNsPoZT0/s113/ACS_0224.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mondXpp8cbw/YKvgjulOpTI/AAAAAAAAKgA/MqKEd5UKHpY4C-rqJi6jkj7eZAi5Fkm4wCNcBGAsYHQ/s72-c/ACS_0262.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-400672302414468518.post-881370989952798558"},"published":{"$t":"2020-05-11T06:00:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2020-06-08T08:57:43.375-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Fertility"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Get To Know Me"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"IVF"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"IVF Round #2 - FET"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0tbbK_z9LBo/XrC6SQy8wnI/AAAAAAAAJ4o/raP7QrbzYi0hSP0ushLy9es_4cpnE5TxwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_8408.HEIC\" style\u003d\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003e\u003cimg border\u003d\"0\" data-original-height\u003d\"1200\" data-original-width\u003d\"1600\" src\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0tbbK_z9LBo/XrC6SQy8wnI/AAAAAAAAJ4o/raP7QrbzYi0hSP0ushLy9es_4cpnE5TxwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_8408.HEIC\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\nToday I finally have for you part two of my IVF journey. If you don't know what I'm talking about I highly suggest you begin with reading \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.ohhjuliana.com/2020/04/my-journey-to-motherhood.html\"\u003emy journey to motherhood\u003c/a\u003e post followed by \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.ohhjuliana.com/2020/05/my-ivf-journey.html#more\"\u003emy IVF journey\u003c/a\u003e, the first of this two-part series post. In those posts, I open up about mine and Rudy's struggle with fertility. In this post, I am going to continue where I left off on part one of my IVF journey which is the phone appointment with my Doctor.\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cbr /\u003e\nFirst, I want to include a little bit of what was going on and how I was doing from where I last left off on part one of my IVF journey. Rudy could see how depressed I was and he felt so helpless. I opened up and told him how I didn't want to continue with any more embryo transfer because I couldn't go through another let down like that again. I was slowly picking up the broken pieces and if I were to go through another failed cycle I don't think I'd survive it. Rudy wasn't ready to give up and urged me to wait until my phone appointment with the Dr to see what he says before making a decision. I knew he meant well but he would never fully understand what a woman goes through or feels when dealing with infertility and a failed cycle. As the days and weeks went by I started to feel a little better. I had mine and Rudy's list of questions for our Dr. and I was ready to hear what he had to say on what was next for our journey.\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cu\u003eNovember 13, 2019\u003c/u\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\nI just had my phone appointment with the Dr and I'm pleased to say it went really well and like always he left me with a lot of hope. He explained that I had a great cycle apart from the failed transfer. He said my numbers were great throughout my entire cycle with twenty-three eggs retrieved, \u0026nbsp;twenty-one mature, twelve fertilized, and a total of eight good looking embryos (with seven now in the freezer). He even said the development of our embryos were really good. I have a normal uterus and my lining was thick, at the end of the day the embryo probably didn't attach due to it having an abnormal chromosome. My Dr mentioned that it's quite common for the first transfer to not always work and there's usually more success in a second transfer especially a Frozen Embryo Transfer, FET. He told me that he feels our second transfer will have a much better end result. He explained that I would be doing a frozen cycle next and that it would consist of Estradiol pills, Endometrin (Progesterone) suppository both that I took for our first transfer, along with Dexamethasone pills, Estradiol patches, and the infamous Progesterone in oil injections. We then went over the costs for our second cycle and concluded the appointment by adding us to the IVF list, again. So we were indeed set for a second IVF cycle to transfer one of seven of our frozen em-babies.\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cu\u003eNovember 22, 2019\u003c/u\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\nI received a call that we were cleared for our FET! Now we just have to call them to choose a start date for our cycle. I have been doing a lot better since getting the news of our negative test. I've been trying to let go of things that are out of my control, reminding myself that I am not on any timeline and that everything will happen as it's supposed to. I feel like I must have had an epiphany because I have a completely different mindset when it comes to this journey Rudy and I are on. I'm ok that we have to do IVF. I've finally come to terms and accepted that I have to do IVF to get that baby I have been dreaming of for so long. This is my story, this is my journey. I've been pretty zen with everything and seriously keeping a positive mindset about this cycle. I'm not sure if this makes sense but I feel different and strongly about these next steps. Putting out nothing but positivity into the world in hopes for it to return to me.\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cu\u003eDecember 26, 2019\u003c/u\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\nThe clinic has finally called me and I officially paid and booked our FET which is set for the week of February fifteen! I realized that February fifteen was our very first appointment with our old fertility Dr and basically the start of this whole fertility journey. A year later we'll be doing our second transfer, wild how that happened. What if it's a good sign? My next step is to give the clinic a call to let them know when I start my cycle so that I can begin birth control and they'll inform me with further instructions.\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cu\u003eDecember 30, 2019\u003c/u\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\nOne of the REI's from the clinic called me today to inform me that my calendar was all done! That was super quick. She went over it with me real quick and let me know the dates for my appointments. With this cycle, there's a total of three appointments. She let me know the dates for when I will begin my medications and the official date of our embryo transfer which is on \u003ci\u003eFebruary seventeen\u003c/i\u003e! I am feeling so excited about this transfer but also overwhelmed. Once I got off the phone I couldn't stop the tears from falling. I'm excited, nervous, scared, anxious, happy, and I pray to God that this transfer works. We deserve this. I've been telling myself if this transfer doesn't work it's ok because we can try again. I'm really trying to prepare myself just in case and I will be ok. We've been very fortunate thus far.\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cu\u003eJanuary 6, 2020\u003c/u\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\nToday is day one of my cycle and I will begin birth control tomorrow until January twenty-five.\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PDpBP2mP6Fg/XrC63RSXOBI/AAAAAAAAJ4w/XawjjfOSzswAc-7m1nJylgYIHk1ivSiogCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9825.JPG\" style\u003d\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003e\u003cimg border\u003d\"0\" data-original-height\u003d\"975\" data-original-width\u003d\"1600\" src\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PDpBP2mP6Fg/XrC63RSXOBI/AAAAAAAAJ4w/XawjjfOSzswAc-7m1nJylgYIHk1ivSiogCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9825.JPG\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cu\u003eJanuary 10, 2020\u003c/u\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\nAll of my medications came in the mail! Things are feeling more real. I have a big feeling inside that this transfer is going to work.\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5lufoVFXOjo/XrC-uTalhbI/AAAAAAAAJ44/efPv7Efolk0jDXl6bujyqXtncPyk3AYIACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9829.JPG\" style\u003d\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003e\u003cimg border\u003d\"0\" data-original-height\u003d\"1067\" data-original-width\u003d\"1600\" src\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5lufoVFXOjo/XrC-uTalhbI/AAAAAAAAJ44/efPv7Efolk0jDXl6bujyqXtncPyk3AYIACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9829.JPG\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cu\u003eJanuary 21, 2020\u003c/u\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\nBaseline Appointment!\u003cbr /\u003e\nToday was my baseline appointment and like usual I was nervous. I really want everything to go smoothly. Dr said my ovaries were looking good and that my lining was a little thick which means that once I stop birth control I might get a period. As of now my last day of birth control is Saturday and then Sunday I will begin Dexamethasone pills, Estradiol pills, and the patches.\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PQuQmBJdjMM/XrC_tYwcHDI/AAAAAAAAJ5I/tiJYnE1jxmU37BzcR459wVT3vEDPvIXgwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9832.JPG\" style\u003d\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003e\u003cimg border\u003d\"0\" data-original-height\u003d\"1067\" data-original-width\u003d\"1600\" src\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PQuQmBJdjMM/XrC_tYwcHDI/AAAAAAAAJ5I/tiJYnE1jxmU37BzcR459wVT3vEDPvIXgwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9832.JPG\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Fu349hMky8/XrC-z72D24I/AAAAAAAAJ48/AFVpyVOSdzQQIwEak67He2cvrKRaGFpIQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9837.JPG\" style\u003d\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003e\u003cimg border\u003d\"0\" data-original-height\u003d\"1067\" data-original-width\u003d\"1600\" src\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Fu349hMky8/XrC-z72D24I/AAAAAAAAJ48/AFVpyVOSdzQQIwEak67He2cvrKRaGFpIQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9837.JPG\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cu\u003eFebruary 10, 2020\u003c/u\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\nLining Check!\u003cbr /\u003e\nThe appointment was very quick and went well. Ovaries were looking good and my lining was thick, 9mm! After seeing the Dr. I met up with the case manager and everything is set to continue medications. On Wednesday I will begin Progesterone in oil injections and she let me know that we would be transferring our 5BA embryo. This transfer feels so right!\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZdJlulfOf6Q/XrDAzZhQaTI/AAAAAAAAJ5Q/MiGpz7nnN94PgsMhBQ7cZDjwqXbKdE43ACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9840.JPG\" style\u003d\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003e\u003cimg border\u003d\"0\" data-original-height\u003d\"1067\" data-original-width\u003d\"1600\" src\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZdJlulfOf6Q/XrDAzZhQaTI/AAAAAAAAJ5Q/MiGpz7nnN94PgsMhBQ7cZDjwqXbKdE43ACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9840.JPG\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cu\u003eFebruary 12, 2020\u003c/u\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\nToday was my first PIO injection and it wasn't bad at all. I'm not sure if it'll get harder as the weeks go by or if my bum will get irritated. I have a feeling I'll be fine doing this until ten weeks of pregnancy. Friday I start Endometrin suppository then Monday is transfer day. Things are moving by so quick!! I'm so excited and ready for this transfer! Give me my em-baby!\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q0AWElvnrHg/XrDA5XhWm_I/AAAAAAAAJ5U/TQDYtRFjph0mD2O-13C_zduVvl6mHPqWgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9835.JPG\" style\u003d\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003e\u003cimg border\u003d\"0\" data-original-height\u003d\"1067\" data-original-width\u003d\"1600\" src\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q0AWElvnrHg/XrDA5XhWm_I/AAAAAAAAJ5U/TQDYtRFjph0mD2O-13C_zduVvl6mHPqWgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9835.JPG\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cu\u003eFebruary 17, 2020\u003c/u\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\nTransfer Day!\u003cbr /\u003e\nAs soon as we arrived at the hospital things moved so quickly. We were called into the room to check my bladder immediately. We then met with the embryologist to give us an update on our embryo. (Not all embryos survive the thawing and if they do they can lose cells.) He let us know that our embryo was doing so good. He said it did very well thawing, \u0026nbsp;our healthiest embryo was a 5BA and it has a 100% survival rate! I feel this is our miracle embryo. The embryologist mentioned that back in October before they froze our remaining embryos they did assist hatching to the embryo which I was very pleased to hear. Assisted hatching is a technique to aid with the embryo hatching and implantation process. This increases the chances of the embryo to hatch from its shell\u0026nbsp;and successfully implant. Once the Dr came in she introduced herself and I really liked her. We got set up and she told me she had used a wash on my downstairs that they used to culture my embryo. I'm not exactly sure what that means but I'm just hoping this helps us even more with having this embryo attach. Once we got to the car I cried so many tears of joy. I really feel it in my bones that this is going to work! I am doing three full days of bed rest, something I didn't do last time, and I hope this helps. It feels so surreal that we finally transferred our embryo.\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aSlnxiAQH1A/XrDBAb0oqsI/AAAAAAAAJ5Y/xaid_9wbLtIvfJWqF_eOeMQwUZBm8HC0wCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9836.JPG\" style\u003d\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003e\u003cimg border\u003d\"0\" data-original-height\u003d\"1067\" data-original-width\u003d\"1600\" src\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aSlnxiAQH1A/XrDBAb0oqsI/AAAAAAAAJ5Y/xaid_9wbLtIvfJWqF_eOeMQwUZBm8HC0wCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9836.JPG\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\nBETA is on February 26 to find out if I'm pregnant. Last time I chose not to take any home pregnancy tests just in case I'd get a false result. This time around I'm thinking about possibly testing at home the morning before BETA to better prepare myself since I was blind-sighted last time. Hoping for the best.\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cu\u003eFebruary 22, 2020\u003c/u\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\nFive Days Post Transfer!\u003cbr /\u003e\nI haven't been feeling any differently lately. I get a tiny bit of cramps and today I felt a lot more cramping through the day. It feels like period cramps to be quite honest and sometimes like a pulling muscle sensation but a bit strong. Today I also started feeling tired and needed to take multiple naps. Aside from that, I'm not feeling much which is kind of leaving me to think that this transfer didn't work... but I'm trying not to think that BETA is in a few days!\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cbr /\u003e\nIt's night time and I noticed that when I went to the bathroom I was \u003ci\u003every\u003c/i\u003e lightly spotting when I wiped. I'm kind of nervous.\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1iWIm00vWYM/XrDBLN9OM0I/AAAAAAAAJ5g/imJbbZZX6rkib3D5S9vQ4mIatPm8tH9ZQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_8660.HEIC\" style\u003d\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003e\u003cimg border\u003d\"0\" data-original-height\u003d\"1200\" data-original-width\u003d\"1600\" src\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1iWIm00vWYM/XrDBLN9OM0I/AAAAAAAAJ5g/imJbbZZX6rkib3D5S9vQ4mIatPm8tH9ZQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_8660.HEIC\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cu\u003eFebruary 23, 2020\u003c/u\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\nSix Days Post Transfer!\u003cbr /\u003e\nI woke up this morning and was again very lightly spotting and having some cramps. Rudy and I went out to run errands and once we got home I went to the bathroom and again when I wiped I was spotting. Very bright pink on the paper and at this point I was getting concerned. I thought I could possibly be starting my period. I decided to take one of my cheapy dollar store HPT, a home pregnancy test. For the first time in my life, I got a very faint second line. I didn't know how to feel about that, I think because I've been dealing with infertility for years that I only know how to deal with negative HPT, not positive ones. I honestly didn't know whether the test was even accurate especially since it was so faint, or maybe because it's still too early to test. I'm in disbelief and worried because of the spotting/cramping. Could this be implantation bleeding? I'm confused but I have decided that I will be testing again the morning before \u0026nbsp;BETA. Whatever the results may be BETA will confirm it.\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cu\u003eFebruary 25, 2020\u003c/u\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\nEight Days Post Transfer - Morning before BETA!\u003cbr /\u003e\nI woke up super early when Rudy got up for work and I couldn't go back to sleep. I was way too anxious because I knew in just a few hours I would be taking the test. After tossing and turning for a while I finally decided to get up. I peed in a cup and decided to take my last cheapy dollar store test before using up my Clearblue ones. I dropped a few drops of my pee on the test waited a couple of minutes for the result and to my surprise.... \u003cb\u003eTO BE CONTINUED\u003c/b\u003e!\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cbr /\u003e\nI'm so sorry to kind of leave you guys with a cliff hanger but trust me it'll be worth it. If you have been joining me since I started sharing my fertility journey thank you so much! Expect to see the continuation of this post in the next couple of weeks!\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eeiV40vizuU/Xq-LwP-W1lI/AAAAAAAAJ4g/NULfYGNxxnQuiV-CZffbcg-QwaIwKk5LgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/newSign.png\" style\u003d\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003e\u003cimg border\u003d\"0\" data-original-height\u003d\"91\" data-original-width\u003d\"185\" src\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eeiV40vizuU/Xq-LwP-W1lI/AAAAAAAAJ4g/NULfYGNxxnQuiV-CZffbcg-QwaIwKk5LgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/newSign.png\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https://www.ohhjuliana.com/feeds/881370989952798558/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https://www.ohhjuliana.com/2020/05/ivf-round-2-fet.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https://www.blogger.com/feeds/400672302414468518/posts/default/881370989952798558"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https://www.blogger.com/feeds/400672302414468518/posts/default/881370989952798558"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https://www.ohhjuliana.com/2020/05/ivf-round-2-fet.html","title":"IVF Round #2 - FET"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Juliana "},"uri":{"$t":"https://www.blogger.com/profile/09410637408830790715"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"24","height":"32","src":"//blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinw98N1LY4v8SvYbQE7_w8QZkoJjgkTZuMxaLciiTGhqEIOsYZtOXCNr7YQTC05lz_vPv4_jABDfn8oJ2giVQ_04s9i77G94gU9ZaprRtLepq-xmeSbo8krD2DNsPoZT0/s113/ACS_0224.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0tbbK_z9LBo/XrC6SQy8wnI/AAAAAAAAJ4o/raP7QrbzYi0hSP0ushLy9es_4cpnE5TxwCNcBGAsYHQ/s72-c/IMG_8408.HEIC","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-400672302414468518.post-3008306032837831344"},"published":{"$t":"2020-05-04T06:00:00.001-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-07-05T09:13:30.254-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Fertility"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Get To Know Me"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"IVF"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"My IVF Journey"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--pWe-eicde4/XqjW9N3LRxI/AAAAAAAAJ2Q/Ws5E24BQbCgT3bYwwD_7AjGagEGraNPIwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_5271.CR2\" style\u003d\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003e\u003cimg border\u003d\"0\" data-original-height\u003d\"1067\" data-original-width\u003d\"1600\" src\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--pWe-eicde4/XqjW9N3LRxI/AAAAAAAAJ2Q/Ws5E24BQbCgT3bYwwD_7AjGagEGraNPIwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_5271.CR2\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\nAt one point I contemplated back and forth whether I was going to ever share any of this with anyone. While going through this journey, Rudy and I didn't open up about this with many people. Only a \u003ci\u003every\u003c/i\u003e select group of family and friends knew what we were going through/doing. After months and months of keeping this kind of a secret, I feel it's time for me to use my voice in regards to this topic. I am finally ready to share and openly talk about mine and Rudy's journey with IVF.\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cbr /\u003e\nNot many people know nor have heard of the term IVF which stands for In Vitro Fertilization, so let me explain exactly what it is. IVF is a series of complex procedures used to help with fertility where an egg is fertilized by sperm inside of a lab (outside of the body). Then the fertilized egg which becomes an embryo is then transferred to the uterus in hopes of pregnancy. I'm going, to begin with, our consultation with our Doctor. I'm basically going through my journal and rereading everything I wrote down, so I'm going to kind of transfer those words here. Every event is in this journal and every emotion and feeling are as well. It's hard for me to even reread the words I wrote down without breaking down. It reminds me of everything I went through to be where I am today. This will definitely be a lengthy post so let's begin.\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cu\u003eJuly 10, 2019\u003c/u\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\nIt felt like I was waiting for an eternity for this consultation appointment since we had it scheduled since early May. Our appointment went great, I loved and was so happy with our new Dr. We discussed all of our past tests, and he went over my x-rays of my HSG. He told me from the images he didn't believe my tube had any blockage. He went over what exactly an IVF cycle looks like and told us that he was so hopeful IVF was going to give us that baby we've been waiting for. We were all set to have a referral sent to get cleared for our cycle except I had one more procedure I had to do in order to move forward. I needed to do a Saline Sonohysterography. This procedure is done by inserting a fluid into the vagina and is watched through an ultrasound to make sure the uterus fills up properly. This was a painless procedure. Like most things in the fertility world, this has to be done on day eleven of your cycle, and lucky us I was on day eleven of my cycle. My Dr was great that he offered to take the time to prep a room for us if I wanted to get this procedure done and out of the way so we can move forward with IVF. I was so thankful for this and felt it really showed how great of a Dr he was.\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cbr /\u003e\nEverything looked great! Once the procedure was done we met up with him once again in his office and he went ahead and added us to the IVF list. He said our cycle probably wouldn't begin until September-October but we were finally on the list and moving forward.\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cu\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/u\u003e \u003cu\u003eAugust 1, 2019\u003c/u\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\nI finally received the call I had been waiting for, we were cleared for an IVF fresh cycle! I was given starting dates to choose from for when our cycle would begin, and of course, I chose the first available one for October 12, 2019. It felt surreal that we finally had a start date/week for when we would begin our cycle. We've been truly lucky that Rudy's insurance covers IVF, however, we did have to pay a deductible along with another cost since our Dr chose for us to do ICSI which was costly. Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection, \"ICSI\", is where the strongest sperm is injected straight into an egg with a needle for the higher success of fertilization. When it comes to IVF any and all payments must be paid in full. Now that we were set with our date all I had to do next was call them to let them know when I begin my period.\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cbr /\u003e\nWhat's been on my mind? A whole lot is the answer. I'm wondering when the time comes to doing an embryo transfer how many should we transfer? I only want one baby, but should we transfer two in case one doesn't stick? But what if they both stick? I definitely don't want multiples and my Dr is very cautious about transferring more than one embryo as he tries to avoid multiple births.\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cu\u003eAugust 26, 2019\u003c/u\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\nToday is day one of my cycle, aka my period, is that too much information? My case manager is having me begin Birth Control tomorrow until September 14, then stop for two days and resume from September 17 - September 29. The end date may change depending on my IVF calendar!\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cbr /\u003e\nThings feel like they're slowly but surely falling into place and at this moment I am so happy, anxious, and excited to get things started!\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cu\u003eSeptember 11, 2019\u003c/u\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\nMy case manager gave me a call today to let me know that my IVF Calendar is finally completed! I will continue birth control exactly as they last instructed. Rudy and I are scheduled to take an IVF class on September 24, our birthdays. My medications are scheduled to be delivered on the twenty-fifth and boy that is a lump sum of money for hormone medications. I will begin injections in October and I'm extremely excited!\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cbr /\u003e\nImmediately after the phone call I was nervous and overwhelmed and broke down in tears. I just feel like a whirlwind of emotions is hitting me. I am \u003cb\u003eso\u003c/b\u003e scared of doing all of this, mostly injecting myself with medications. I want this to work so badly I honestly don't know what I would do or what will happen if it doesn't. I try not to let myself think that way but I feel so much pressure not only because I clearly want this so badly, but we don't have that kind of money to continuously dish out for cycle after cycles if this doesn't work. I'm also still upset that this is the route we have to be on in order to try and have a baby of our own. I thought I accepted it but I still find myself struggling with it. I'm so used to only getting negative home pregnancy tests, it's all I know. When will that change? How much longer will this fertility journey go on for?\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cu\u003eSeptember 17, 2019\u003c/u\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\nMine and Rudy's two year wedding anniversary!\u003cbr /\u003e\nI got my IVF Calendar and paperwork in the mail. As I was going through all of the paperwork I felt extremely overwhelmed and sick to my stomach. I don't know how I'm going to get through all of this. I know that I will get through this but geez, when will it get easier? I hope that once we have our class and begin injections things will feel less stressful. Especially once it becomes part of our routine. Right now I am trying to enjoy these last two weeks before starting injections.\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cu\u003eSeptember 24, 2019\u003c/u\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\nHappy Birthday to Rudy and myself!\u003cbr /\u003e\nWe had our IVF class today and it went really well. I found that it was very informative and really helped, even though I felt like I personally didn't really need the class since I have been doing a crap ton of research since July. Consent forms were signed and turned in! We're getting close!\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cu\u003eSeptember 25, 2019\u003c/u\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\nBaseline Appointment!\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oeOVD9Ga6cM/XqEV2JQ8cXI/AAAAAAAAJ18/HDj-rYTVGRYqyqohWNZLEcJ4hh5YTX2QQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9599.JPG\" style\u003d\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003e\u003cimg border\u003d\"0\" data-original-height\u003d\"1280\" data-original-width\u003d\"1600\" src\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oeOVD9Ga6cM/XqEV2JQ8cXI/AAAAAAAAJ18/HDj-rYTVGRYqyqohWNZLEcJ4hh5YTX2QQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9599.JPG\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\nThe first stop was the lab for some blood work. This was a very quick appointment. Dr came in and did an ultrasound to make sure everything is looking good. I was kind of nervous leading up to this appointment because I wanted everything to look good, this is the appointment that you either get the green light to go forward with your calendar or the red light which would postpone everything. Everything looked great and I even had a few more follicles from the last ultrasound he did back in July. He gave me the green light to continue following my calendar! Afterward, I met up with my case manager where she went over instructions, continue birth control until the 29 then begin injections next week! My medications were delivered today too. We're pretty much ready to start.\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-weog34u6U_s/XqjVN5Fc5aI/AAAAAAAAJ2I/ZmEB0p9b9WcdvMbEKcRHXAj8KFE56luOACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_5270.CR2\" style\u003d\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003e\u003cimg border\u003d\"0\" data-original-height\u003d\"1067\" data-original-width\u003d\"1600\" src\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-weog34u6U_s/XqjVN5Fc5aI/AAAAAAAAJ2I/ZmEB0p9b9WcdvMbEKcRHXAj8KFE56luOACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_5270.CR2\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\nIt felt great hearing nothing but great things. I hope this is all good signs. I keep thinking will I finally be pregnant by the end of October?\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cu\u003eOctober 2, 2019\u003c/u\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\nStims Day One!\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vUakHeYguJs/XqjYkievG7I/AAAAAAAAJ2Y/aqWjRBgdT7YiKDpTrw_TNz0oUuNPWcyVACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9691.JPG\" style\u003d\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003e\u003cimg border\u003d\"0\" data-original-height\u003d\"1067\" data-original-width\u003d\"1600\" src\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vUakHeYguJs/XqjYkievG7I/AAAAAAAAJ2Y/aqWjRBgdT7YiKDpTrw_TNz0oUuNPWcyVACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9691.JPG\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\nIt's day one of injections holy crap! I woke up ready to take on my first injection which I will be doing myself since Rudy leaves for work super early. I was pretty excited to start. My sister came over for support which was great. The morning injection is the Follistim pen which I found would be the easiest for me to inject myself with. When it came down to giving myself the injection I was surprised at how much courage I had inside of me. Just before injecting, I found myself being a little hesitant and before I knew it the needle was in my belly. It was so easy and guess what, I didn't feel a thing!\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cbr /\u003e\nPM shot!\u003cbr /\u003e\nSince my morning shot went so well I thought I would try giving myself my Menopur injection. It was planned that I would give myself the am shots and Rudy would do the pm. Turns out that was a big mistake. Immediately while I was prepping the injection I was feeling weird, nerves maybe? When it was time to administrate the injection, I was frozen. I just kept staring at the needle then broke down. I didn't want to do this anymore, like at all. Rudy ended up taking over and it wasn't bad at all. I did feel the medication going inside my skin unlike the Follistim but it was fine. Man, I felt so drained afterward I really hope things get easier.\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cu\u003eOctober 3, 2019\u003c/u\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\nStims Day Two!\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\nInjections went so much better today. Morning shot was a breeze, and the afternoon one I prepped and Rudy administrated it. Before I knew it we were done!\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cu\u003eOctober 6, 2019\u003c/u\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\nStims Day Five!\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EsgC5arlYUQ/Xq9GAMouB2I/AAAAAAAAJ4I/GYxRAqt9VDYOM7qIMp4lvRNtRX7Y0xWNACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9708.JPG\" style\u003d\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003e\u003cimg border\u003d\"0\" data-original-height\u003d\"1067\" data-original-width\u003d\"1600\" src\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EsgC5arlYUQ/Xq9GAMouB2I/AAAAAAAAJ4I/GYxRAqt9VDYOM7qIMp4lvRNtRX7Y0xWNACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9708.JPG\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\nToday I had one of many ultrasounds I'll be having this week to track the growth of my follicles. I will be going in for blood and ultrasound every other day until surgery. Dr said everything was looking great and one of the larger follicles was measuring at 12mm. Dr even said I was measuring a day ahead of schedule! He guessed if all continues to go well I will be having my egg retrieval surgery on October 13. Tonight we are adding another shot into the mix, Ganirelix. I am to administrate it tonight and then beginning tomorrow I would continue administrating it in the morning alongside the Follistim injection. Since I was going to have to give myself this shot in the mornings I decided to try and give myself the shot all by myself tonight. I'm happy to say that I did great administrating the shot myself and I know I will continue to do great with these injections.\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A-b-auOb94M/Xq9GIsJhidI/AAAAAAAAJ4M/QpLQI4U5QyMECfVwQRfn0vlwDLKkDVdDwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9695.JPG\" style\u003d\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003e\u003cimg border\u003d\"0\" data-original-height\u003d\"1067\" data-original-width\u003d\"1600\" src\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A-b-auOb94M/Xq9GIsJhidI/AAAAAAAAJ4M/QpLQI4U5QyMECfVwQRfn0vlwDLKkDVdDwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9695.JPG\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\nBloating is very very real at this point. I can definitely see a huge difference in my belly. My jeans are fitting me way snugger. Also, there's a lot of bruising going on my belly from all these shots.\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cu\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/u\u003e \u003cu\u003eOctober 8, 2019\u003c/u\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\nStims Day Seven!\u003cbr /\u003e\nBack again for blood and ultrasound. Dr said my follicles have grown a lot since Sunday's appointment as he showed me my chart. He said it was great stimming! Dr is having me order one extra Ganirelix injection and said I might even be pulling the trigger shot by Thursday. I'm so happy that I continue to hear nothing but great things.\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cu\u003eOctober 10, 2019\u003c/u\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\nStims Day Nine!\u003cbr /\u003e\nDay nine ultrasound and Dr is very happy with how my follicles are looking and growing. The largest follicle is 18mm. Dr would like me to go one more day with injections so that the smaller follicles can hopefully catch up and that means egg retrieval surgery is set for October 13. He wants me to go back again tomorrow for blood and ultrasound, and that will be when my case manager will go over instructions for the trigger shots.\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7mT8uFsoPvQ/XqjagAJfNbI/AAAAAAAAJ2w/FAeANms9bnwiuXRKZpjyg5g0-JsTJ-j_gCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_5213.HEIC\" style\u003d\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003e\u003cimg border\u003d\"0\" data-original-height\u003d\"1200\" data-original-width\u003d\"1600\" src\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7mT8uFsoPvQ/XqjagAJfNbI/AAAAAAAAJ2w/FAeANms9bnwiuXRKZpjyg5g0-JsTJ-j_gCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_5213.HEIC\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\nI'm definitely praying for quality over quantity when it comes to my eggs. I hope we're able to get a good bunch of eggs. Right now I have no idea if I even have good quality eggs and what if that's the reason why we've never been able to get pregnant? I'm pretty uncomfortable because of how bloated I am. It's nothing painful but there's some discomfort for sure. I can't believe how bruised my belly is. It's a reminder that this is all worth it.\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cu\u003eOctober 11, 2019\u003c/u\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\nStims Day Ten!\u003cbr /\u003e\nThings went so well at today's appointment. One of my follicles from yesterday went from being 18mm to 23mm! What a jump. I met with the case manager after my ultrasound and retrieval is set for Sunday at 9:30 am and we will have t be at the hospital at 8:30 to prep me. I'm taking my last Menopur at 5:30 pm and trigger shots are to be administrated at 9:30 pm on the dot. I'm excited and ready!\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cu\u003eOctober 13, 2019\u003c/u\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\nEgg Retrieval Day!\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dJoOjjCUi_0/XqjcF7zfeHI/AAAAAAAAJ3I/lXF6jacSQS4iOa5dj06uVQ9LTVHXIl5QQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9700.JPG\" style\u003d\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003e\u003cimg border\u003d\"0\" data-original-height\u003d\"1067\" data-original-width\u003d\"1600\" src\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dJoOjjCUi_0/XqjcF7zfeHI/AAAAAAAAJ3I/lXF6jacSQS4iOa5dj06uVQ9LTVHXIl5QQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9700.JPG\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\nThe surgery went well, we retrieved a total of 23 eggs! Wow, I wasn't expecting that much. After we left the hospital I was feeling a little crampy which is to be expected especially in the woman that they retrieve more than twenty eggs. Once we got home I slept a lot and as the day went by I was becoming more alert. I've been putting a heating pad on my tummy to help with cramping which was helpful.\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FjEvqiJJmVU/Xqjbio_JPFI/AAAAAAAAJ3A/XyHTMs9evakt08Hki50N7UXJvg_i-jyHwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_5300.HEIC\" style\u003d\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003e\u003cimg border\u003d\"0\" data-original-height\u003d\"1200\" data-original-width\u003d\"1600\" src\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FjEvqiJJmVU/Xqjbio_JPFI/AAAAAAAAJ3A/XyHTMs9evakt08Hki50N7UXJvg_i-jyHwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_5300.HEIC\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cu\u003eOctober 14, 2019\u003c/u\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P7bbIsGKAPw/Xqjevx_bigI/AAAAAAAAJ3U/EV7p_bNMbNQK0S3mS-Zy5EE1QKy-A2DvwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_5310.JPG\" style\u003d\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003e\u003cimg border\u003d\"0\" data-original-height\u003d\"814\" data-original-width\u003d\"1600\" src\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P7bbIsGKAPw/Xqjevx_bigI/AAAAAAAAJ3U/EV7p_bNMbNQK0S3mS-Zy5EE1QKy-A2DvwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_5310.JPG\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\nI'm feeling a lot better today, a bit sore and still cramping. I'm still pretty bloated and constipation is real due to all the hormone injections and surgery! I got a call from the hospital to give me an update on our eggs. Twenty-three were retrieved, nineteen were mature, twenty-one were ICSI'd and twelve were fertilized! Wow, twelve is such a good amount. Hopefully, we don't lose many by day five, that is when they should turn into blasts. Friday we will get another update on the \"embryos\" and that is also when we go in for our transfer!\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I23rRPfhSro/XqjfJa-55wI/AAAAAAAAJ3o/Nn0VzRPjcpE3QORnxxfyugYfTftJ1-jjACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9705.JPG\" style\u003d\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003e\u003cimg border\u003d\"0\" data-original-height\u003d\"1067\" data-original-width\u003d\"1600\" src\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I23rRPfhSro/XqjfJa-55wI/AAAAAAAAJ3o/Nn0VzRPjcpE3QORnxxfyugYfTftJ1-jjACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9705.JPG\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\nI will begin taking two medications for our fresh transfer. One is an Estrodial tablet three times a day and the other is Endometrin suppository (a Progesterone) also three times a day at least until BETA. BETA is the day you go in to check the levels of the hormone HCG in the blood to find out if you're pregnant along with checking the levels of the pregnancy.\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cu\u003eOctober 18, 2019\u003c/u\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\nTransfer Day!\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Y6mt5Kwk2A/XqjjRn2b_AI/AAAAAAAAJ34/OrF64IF88XgwMbK6-rWHY-Yfp1fT6fwsQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9711.JPG\" style\u003d\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003e\u003cimg border\u003d\"0\" data-original-height\u003d\"1067\" data-original-width\u003d\"1600\" src\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Y6mt5Kwk2A/XqjjRn2b_AI/AAAAAAAAJ34/OrF64IF88XgwMbK6-rWHY-Yfp1fT6fwsQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9711.JPG\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\nOne of the days we've been waiting for! We had to arrive thirty minutes before our appointment and I had to arrive with a full bladder. We didn't have to wait too long before the nurse called us into a room to check my bladder and lining. \u0026nbsp;The nurse said my lining was looking good and thick. We then waited for the embryologist to come in and update us on our em-babies. Once the embryologist came in she told us we had a total of twelve embryos! Six of them were looking really good and the other six were slightly behind for the five-day mark so we were going to give them until day six before disposing of any.\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cbr /\u003e\nI wanted to mention that we chose not to PGS test our embryos. PGS testing is a genetic screening that is done prior to an embryo transfer to test for chromosomal normalcy. We chose to opt-out of this screening for a few different reasons. One being our Dr was not for it. He said the percentage of this test isn't high enough for him to recommend it to us. Another reason being Rudy and I both are still young with no reason as to why we cannot get pregnant, and lastly, it was another additional cost out of pocket. Every reason is personal to each couple.\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EeMhw6O9CrI/Xq8_0A1y5yI/AAAAAAAAJ4A/yl8PzQJbI3k-MidtgUMj2js-p1DBon1aQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9800.jpg\" style\u003d\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003e\u003cimg border\u003d\"0\" data-original-height\u003d\"1600\" data-original-width\u003d\"739\" src\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EeMhw6O9CrI/Xq8_0A1y5yI/AAAAAAAAJ4A/yl8PzQJbI3k-MidtgUMj2js-p1DBon1aQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9800.jpg\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\nWe were told the embryo we were having transferred was graded a 4AA which we were told was one of the best gradings for an embryo. It left me with a lot of hope that this embryo was going to attach to my uterus. I was pretty emotional, I mean how could I not be right? We watched the embryo get transferred via ultrasound and it was incredible. It was a quick and painless procedure and we got a photo of our embryo to take home. I couldn't stop starring at that photo the whole drive home. The BETA test is set for Monday the 28th, as excited as I am for it I'm also extremely nervous. I'm scared the test will be negative. I'm scared that I'm going to get my hopes up. I'm scared that I'm going to let so many people down. I just need to relax and think positive.\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cu\u003eOctober 23, 2019\u003c/u\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\nFive Days Post Transfer!\u003cbr /\u003e\nFor the last few days, I have been feeling cramping which is normal after transfer. I have also been feeling pretty nauseous and tired! I'm trying not to let myself think that these are possibly pregnancy symptoms because the medications I am on give off pregnancy systems as side effects. We'll find out if I'm pregnant in five days.\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cu\u003eOctober 28, 2019\u003c/u\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\nBETA Day!\u003cbr /\u003e\nThe test came back negative. I'm not pregnant. I am crushed. I feel so defeated. How didn't this transfer work? Why didn't that embryo attach?! Next, I have a phone appointment with my Dr to discuss what our next steps and options are.\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cu\u003eOctober 29, 2019\u003c/u\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\nI've been a complete mess since I got the negative results yesterday. All I do is stay in bed and cry. I cry until I fall asleep. With my history of depression, I can already feel depression consuming me and I just don't care. I think that getting pregnant and being a mother just isn't in the cards for me. I give up. I no longer want to continue this \"\u003ci\u003ejourney\u003c/i\u003e\" on trying to conceive. What's the point anyway.\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cbr /\u003e\nWe have reached the end of this post. Again, I would like to say thank you for reading this post and joining me on this journey of mine and Rudy's. If any of you are struggling with infertility I know exactly what you are going through. It's hard and at many times you feel alone but you are not alone. Please know that I am only an email away and would love to chat with you. Part two of my IVF journey should hopefully be posted within the next few weeks. These posts take a lot of time so keep an eye out!\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uEJXCIhOSLA/Xq9MRQCr20I/AAAAAAAAJ4Y/XMd_GQLFOLktEt2dtRxc8WEFWGqoUL8XgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/newSign.png\" style\u003d\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003e\u003cimg border\u003d\"0\" data-original-height\u003d\"91\" data-original-width\u003d\"185\" src\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uEJXCIhOSLA/Xq9MRQCr20I/AAAAAAAAJ4Y/XMd_GQLFOLktEt2dtRxc8WEFWGqoUL8XgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/newSign.png\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https://www.ohhjuliana.com/feeds/3008306032837831344/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https://www.ohhjuliana.com/2020/05/my-ivf-journey.html#comment-form","title":"2 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https://www.blogger.com/feeds/400672302414468518/posts/default/3008306032837831344"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https://www.blogger.com/feeds/400672302414468518/posts/default/3008306032837831344"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https://www.ohhjuliana.com/2020/05/my-ivf-journey.html","title":"My IVF Journey"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Juliana "},"uri":{"$t":"https://www.blogger.com/profile/09410637408830790715"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"24","height":"32","src":"//blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinw98N1LY4v8SvYbQE7_w8QZkoJjgkTZuMxaLciiTGhqEIOsYZtOXCNr7YQTC05lz_vPv4_jABDfn8oJ2giVQ_04s9i77G94gU9ZaprRtLepq-xmeSbo8krD2DNsPoZT0/s113/ACS_0224.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--pWe-eicde4/XqjW9N3LRxI/AAAAAAAAJ2Q/Ws5E24BQbCgT3bYwwD_7AjGagEGraNPIwCNcBGAsYHQ/s72-c/IMG_5271.CR2","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"2"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-400672302414468518.post-4235013834985839345"},"published":{"$t":"2020-04-24T05:00:00.001-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2021-07-05T09:13:54.904-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"On The Real"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Fertility"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Get To Know Me"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"My Journey To Motherhood"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Z9c1oQ39D0/XqEASdmxXyI/AAAAAAAAJ1o/W2WehiaVI5cqeu2thgd3jBE0I2Z9eIi9gCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_7656.JPG\" style\u003d\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003e\u003cimg border\u003d\"0\" data-original-height\u003d\"1067\" data-original-width\u003d\"1600\" src\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Z9c1oQ39D0/XqEASdmxXyI/AAAAAAAAJ1o/W2WehiaVI5cqeu2thgd3jBE0I2Z9eIi9gCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_7656.JPG\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\nFor as long as I can remember, I always knew I wanted to be a mom, that was why I was put into this world, the reason that I am living. I always looked forward to the day that I would get married and finally get that child I had always longed for. Growing up for some odd reason I always feared I couldn't have children. I don't know why I just did and that fear stuck with me forever. I think it was probably because getting pregnant, having a baby, becoming a mother was something I wanted so badly. I feared I would never get that... Never did I ever think I would find myself here, in this position, typing up my journey with \u003ci\u003einfertility\u003c/i\u003e. Like most people, I always thought getting pregnant would be easy just like you hear people talking about. That's not the case for everyone. 1 in 8 couples has difficulties in getting pregnant. You guys probably didn't know, Rudy and I are 1 in 8. This week is National Infertility Awareness Week and I want to finally share my journey with fertility. Now let's go all the way to January of 2019, that is where the story begins.\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cbr /\u003e\nAs soon as 2019 hit Rudy and I decided it was finally time to seek help from specialists. At the time, we had been trying to get pregnant for well over two years. Months after months of negative pregnancy tests, it was time we'd finally get some answers as to what was going on. When we embarked on our fertility journey I started journaling. You may remember me lightly mentioning how I had been filling a journal with my thoughts and feelings on what I was going through. Well, this was it, it was all about my fertility journey. I documented every doctor's appointment, every event, every single procedure, just about everything which ended up being very helpful for this post.\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cbr /\u003e\nI reached out to my OBGYN in January and explained to her that Rudy and I had been trying to get pregnant for over two years at that point and had been unsuccessful. She had me contact our insurance member services to ask about our coverage with fertility treatments as currently, only \u003ci\u003eseventeen\u003c/i\u003e states have fertility insurance coverage, and fertility treatments can be extremely expensive. Once I was informed our insurance covered fertility treatments my Dr sent a referral to the clinic so that we could get things started. About a week later I received a call from the REI clinic to schedule a consultation with one of the fertility Drs. and before that appointment, I would have to go get my blood draw on day two of my cycle. Lots and lots of blood tests for me, and Rudy had to go in once to get his blood drawn. Also, let me add that when it comes to fertility treatments there is a whole lot of waiting. Your patience is really tested throughout this journey.\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JWCnXGPJLjU/Xp9cVzdpu8I/AAAAAAAAJ1c/qFtHYamLeywCDd9v4SgVC3Dn7SyIyDopgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9563.JPG\" style\u003d\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003e\u003cimg border\u003d\"0\" data-original-height\u003d\"1200\" data-original-width\u003d\"1600\" src\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JWCnXGPJLjU/Xp9cVzdpu8I/AAAAAAAAJ1c/qFtHYamLeywCDd9v4SgVC3Dn7SyIyDopgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9563.JPG\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\nFinally, a month later in February, we had our consultation appointment and I really liked our Dr. He was extremely informative and straight forward. During this consultation, he also went over all of mine and Rudy's blood tests along with Rudy's semen analysis results. Everything looked great, everything looked normal for our age. This was great news but also frustrating because it left us asking ourselves, \"\u003ci\u003ewhat is the problem then\u003c/i\u003e?\". We decided that our next step would be going with an IUI procedure. An IUI is an intrauterine insemination, more commonly known as artificial insemination. The way I always explained it to people was the way Jane from the tv-show \u003ci\u003eJane the Virgin\u003c/i\u003e got pregnant. It's one of the more simple fertility treatments out there which can be done without using any fertility drugs. During the procedure, semen is specially washed and directly transferred into the uterus via a catheter. Don't worry this was completely painless. However, before I was able to start this I had to undergo one specific procedure, hysterosalpingography (HSG).\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cbr /\u003e\nIn the middle of March I arrived at the hospital to get my HSG done I didn't know what to expect. All I knew was that they were going to insert some dye into my uterus to see if it flows properly into my ovaries. Let me begin by explaining exactly what an HSG is. It is a test done with an X-ray to see the outline of the shape of the uterus to find out if the fallopian tubes are blocked. A \"thin\" catheter is inserted through the vagina and cervix then a blue dye is injected into the uterus. I'm going, to be honest, this was the worst procedure I had to do throughout my entire fertility journey. It was so painful I swear at that moment I didn't think I was going to be able to go through with it. The pain was pretty unbearable, I was so uncomfortable and felt a whole lot of pressure. It was overwhelming and I kept telling myself to breathe through it, easier said than done. Once the technician arrived they started injecting the dye and before I knew it was finally over. The technician stated that my left tube looked blocked... which months down the line I was told by my new fertility Dr that my tube actually didn't look blocked at all.\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LD6-PmK8LS8/XpOyNIefNbI/AAAAAAAAJ0c/IUuuY1bFng8pjsf3muUS2drikxGLeSo-ACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9728.HEIC\" style\u003d\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003e\u003cimg border\u003d\"0\" data-original-height\u003d\"1200\" data-original-width\u003d\"1600\" src\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LD6-PmK8LS8/XpOyNIefNbI/AAAAAAAAJ0c/IUuuY1bFng8pjsf3muUS2drikxGLeSo-ACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9728.HEIC\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\nOnce all the mandatory blood work and procedures were done Rudy and I were set to begin our first round of IUI. It begins with them getting me started on a medication called Femara, also known as Clomid, two pills a day for five days. This medication is meant to help you grow more follicles giving you a higher chance of getting pregnant. On day ten of my cycle, they had me start taking ovulation tests at home to see when I'm ovulating. Then about a week later it's time for an ultrasound to check on how many follicles I have grown and ready to burst, \"\u003ci\u003eovulate\u003c/i\u003e\". (During fertility treatments, all of your ultrasounds are done vaginally, so it's something you really have to get used to doing.) \u0026nbsp;It was a Thursday and the nurse told me I had one large follicle on my right side that was ready to burst any day. She also said she was sure I'd ovulate by Sunday at the latest. Turns out she was right because on Saturday morning I tested positive for ovulating and we had our first IUI that afternoon. Clearly, we all know what the outcome of that insemination, negative, so then we had to wait for the following month for me to get my period and try again.\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8uugUvm25zI/XpOyRXYAARI/AAAAAAAAJ0g/5rgNq_5pv484PW8_tZJ9zwXg5R2f7RBAQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9045.JPG\" style\u003d\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003e\u003cimg border\u003d\"0\" data-original-height\u003d\"1067\" data-original-width\u003d\"1600\" src\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8uugUvm25zI/XpOyRXYAARI/AAAAAAAAJ0g/5rgNq_5pv484PW8_tZJ9zwXg5R2f7RBAQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9045.JPG\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\nWhen it was time to get the ball rolling again when taking Femara again I was told to take three pills this time for five days in hopes we get more follicles when I ovulate. We did another IUI procedure on April 22, and again negative results. Time and time again after continuously getting nothing but negative pregnancy results it never got any easier. I would usually have an entire day that consisted of me crying my eyes out asking God why can't I get pregnant. Why can't I conceive a baby on my own?\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f6EkR5rOv-g/XpOylXWDkBI/AAAAAAAAJ0s/HIsyzJp8sX8e7cxDmmgSEw0dODHQQBDNACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9047.JPG\" style\u003d\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003e\u003cimg border\u003d\"0\" data-original-height\u003d\"1067\" data-original-width\u003d\"1600\" src\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f6EkR5rOv-g/XpOylXWDkBI/AAAAAAAAJ0s/HIsyzJp8sX8e7cxDmmgSEw0dODHQQBDNACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_9047.JPG\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\nAt this point I didn't know what to do, continue doing rounds of IUIs? My Dr at the time believed I had my left tube blocked so he wanted me to call to schedule a mini surgery to clear out my tube but like all things, in the fertility world, I had to wait until a specific day in my cycle. When I called to set up the appointment the nurse that was helping me told me a catheter they need for that surgery was on backorder so I would have to wait until possibly June to get an appointment, this was when she suggested I'd get on the waiting list for IVF.\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cbr /\u003e\nThe nurse was the sweetest ever! She was so kind and helpful. She told me that the location I was going to the waitlist for IVF was for the end of September beginning October. She offered to send a referral for me for a different location which wasn't too far from me just in case they had a shorter waiting list. I was so thankful for that. Less than a week later I received a call from the clinic to schedule my consultation with my new Dr which I love! The only thing that sucked was that we were in May and our consultation wasn't until July. The torture am I right?\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1OLyOTnFDaY/Xm1DOxsS15I/AAAAAAAAJz4/r6J2pa_mOs00NWPnwHRuPYY6-YAOiO4yQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/ADK_0110.JPG\" style\u003d\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003e\u003cimg border\u003d\"0\" data-original-height\u003d\"898\" data-original-width\u003d\"1600\" src\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1OLyOTnFDaY/Xm1DOxsS15I/AAAAAAAAJz4/r6J2pa_mOs00NWPnwHRuPYY6-YAOiO4yQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/ADK_0110.JPG\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\nDuring the months leading up to our consultation, we planned to still continue trying to get pregnant on our own. I always thought maybe somehow we'd have a miracle and we'd be blessed with a little baby before even needing that appointment. Without even needing to do IVF because in all honestly deep down inside I didn't want to go down that route. I was scared to do IVF and sadly I was ashamed of the thought that I would need to undergo IVF treatments to have a baby. I know that's so stupid for me to feel that way, but that's the reality of infertility. We're thought to be ashamed of it. I was still hoping I could possibly get pregnant naturally and on our own.\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cbr /\u003e\nThis is where I'm going to end this post since the continuation will be the perfect way for me to introduce my journey with IVF. Thank you so much for joining me on this extremely personal and raw post. Infertility is a hard journey to be in but my goodness does it open your eyes to being the person you want to be and becoming such a strong woman at that. If you or anyone you know that is struggling with infertility, I am here for you. Please, feel free to reach out.\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I0baxBGK76M/XmgQT3tTQRI/AAAAAAAAJzw/T99qGpoBhLcVilh49povwdVNorxkhCNlwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/newSign.png\" style\u003d\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003e\u003cimg border\u003d\"0\" data-original-height\u003d\"91\" data-original-width\u003d\"185\" src\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I0baxBGK76M/XmgQT3tTQRI/AAAAAAAAJzw/T99qGpoBhLcVilh49povwdVNorxkhCNlwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/newSign.png\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https://www.ohhjuliana.com/feeds/4235013834985839345/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https://www.ohhjuliana.com/2020/04/my-journey-to-motherhood.html#comment-form","title":"4 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https://www.blogger.com/feeds/400672302414468518/posts/default/4235013834985839345"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https://www.blogger.com/feeds/400672302414468518/posts/default/4235013834985839345"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https://www.ohhjuliana.com/2020/04/my-journey-to-motherhood.html","title":"My Journey To Motherhood"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Juliana "},"uri":{"$t":"https://www.blogger.com/profile/09410637408830790715"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"24","height":"32","src":"//blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinw98N1LY4v8SvYbQE7_w8QZkoJjgkTZuMxaLciiTGhqEIOsYZtOXCNr7YQTC05lz_vPv4_jABDfn8oJ2giVQ_04s9i77G94gU9ZaprRtLepq-xmeSbo8krD2DNsPoZT0/s113/ACS_0224.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Z9c1oQ39D0/XqEASdmxXyI/AAAAAAAAJ1o/W2WehiaVI5cqeu2thgd3jBE0I2Z9eIi9gCNcBGAsYHQ/s72-c/IMG_7656.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"4"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-400672302414468518.post-7071345529113041098"},"published":{"$t":"2019-08-23T06:00:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2019-08-23T06:00:01.779-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Favorite Things"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Get To Know Me"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Lifestyle"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"50 Things That I Love "},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D6IliXIWOZA/XVq1khmxXrI/AAAAAAAAI6M/cOa0rC9Nhv0tUFxMzSOb8CkKYy_6ZFJHQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3909.JPG\" imageanchor\u003d\"1\" style\u003d\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003e\u003cimg border\u003d\"0\" data-original-height\u003d\"750\" data-original-width\u003d\"1079\" src\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D6IliXIWOZA/XVq1khmxXrI/AAAAAAAAI6M/cOa0rC9Nhv0tUFxMzSOb8CkKYy_6ZFJHQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3909.JPG\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\nWhenever I'm going through a rough patch in life or if I'm having a bad day, I always try to remember the good things that are in life. Most of the time when I think of the things that bring me joy or the people that I love, it really helps lift my mood and immediately puts a smile on my face. Today I wanted to share fifty things that I love and enjoy doing to get me out of a funk. Hopefully, on days you're feeling down this will inspire you to think of the things you love and that brings you joy in life leaving you too with a smile on your face.\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n1. Music, all kinds\u003cbr /\u003e\n2. Doing face masks\u003cbr /\u003e\n3. Anything rose-scented\u003cbr /\u003e\n4. Red-orange lipstick\u003cbr /\u003e\n5. Coffee\u003cbr /\u003e\n6. Weekends at home\u003cbr /\u003e\n7. My husband\u003cbr /\u003e\n8. Journaling\u003cbr /\u003e\n9. Photography\u003cbr /\u003e\n10. My babies; Juicy and Bowie\u003cbr /\u003e\n11. Collecting records\u003cbr /\u003e\n12. Lighting candles\u003cbr /\u003e\n13. My red hair\u003cbr /\u003e\n14. Disneyland\u003cbr /\u003e\n15. Adventures\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-udAfubv1UlM/XVq-sIVK4eI/AAAAAAAAI6Y/zEBQfGRshWAGFJTHsahbt7R8tT1473RnQCLcBGAs/s1600/hhgff.png\" imageanchor\u003d\"1\" style\u003d\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003e\u003cimg border\u003d\"0\" data-original-height\u003d\"534\" data-original-width\u003d\"1600\" src\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-udAfubv1UlM/XVq-sIVK4eI/AAAAAAAAI6Y/zEBQfGRshWAGFJTHsahbt7R8tT1473RnQCLcBGAs/s1600/hhgff.png\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n16. Autumn weather\u003cbr /\u003e\n17. Scary movies\u003cbr /\u003e\n18. Passion Fruit Jade iced tea\u003cbr /\u003e\n19. Blogging\u003cbr /\u003e\n20. Family\u003cbr /\u003e\n21. Tattoos\u003cbr /\u003e\n22. Baths + bath bombs\u003cbr /\u003e\n23. Fluffy pillows\u003cbr /\u003e\n24. Polaroids\u003cbr /\u003e\n25. Frozen Yogurt\u003cbr /\u003e\n26. Bouquets of flowers\u003cbr /\u003e\n27. Receiving packages\u003cbr /\u003e\n28. Dresses\u003cbr /\u003e\n29. Early mornings\u003cbr /\u003e\n30. Cooking\u003cbr /\u003e\n31. Good friends\u003cbr /\u003e\n32. Singing\u003cbr /\u003e\n33. Halloween + Thanksgiving + Christmas\u003cbr /\u003e\n34. Traveling\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--MRtl_ta2xw/XVq-2PRp-GI/AAAAAAAAI6c/8UOkuyjSnJAxGCZ1CIKIc0BC5yIVp9dBwCLcBGAs/s1600/assde.png\" imageanchor\u003d\"1\" style\u003d\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003e\u003cimg border\u003d\"0\" data-original-height\u003d\"534\" data-original-width\u003d\"1600\" src\u003d\"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--MRtl_ta2xw/XVq-2PRp-GI/AAAAAAAAI6c/8UOkuyjSnJAxGCZ1CIKIc0BC5yIVp9dBwCLcBGAs/s1600/assde.png\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n35. Photobooks\u003cbr /\u003e\n36. Cake\u003cbr /\u003e\n37. Dates with friends\u003cbr /\u003e\n38. Fresh clean bedding\u003cbr /\u003e\n39. Jo Malone fragrances\u003cbr /\u003e\n40. Reality Tv\u003cbr /\u003e\n41. Rainy mornings\u003cbr /\u003e\n42. Cuddling\u003cbr /\u003e\n43. Walks with Juicy and Bowie\u003cbr /\u003e\n44. Cozy sweaters\u003cbr /\u003e\n45. Nail painting\u003cbr /\u003e\n46. Endless phone calls\u003cbr /\u003e\n47. Planning things\u003cbr /\u003e\n48. Museums\u003cbr /\u003e\n49. Reading\u003cbr /\u003e\n50. Self-care\u003cbr /\u003e\n\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href\u003d\"https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XsFHHIM6p4U/WvIOwtvs9yI/AAAAAAAAFXY/rZ7zSE7-hSEDqp61GAjld6Yqt6_dyWBhwCLcBGAs/s1600/jjj.png\" imageanchor\u003d\"1\" style\u003d\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003e\u003cimg border\u003d\"0\" data-original-height\u003d\"52\" data-original-width\u003d\"158\" src\u003d\"https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XsFHHIM6p4U/WvIOwtvs9yI/AAAAAAAAFXY/rZ7zSE7-hSEDqp61GAjld6Yqt6_dyWBhwCLcBGAs/s1600/jjj.png\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https://www.ohhjuliana.com/feeds/7071345529113041098/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"https://www.ohhjuliana.com/2019/08/50-things-that-i-love.html#comment-form","title":"2 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https://www.blogger.com/feeds/400672302414468518/posts/default/7071345529113041098"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"https://www.blogger.com/feeds/400672302414468518/posts/default/7071345529113041098"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"https://www.ohhjuliana.com/2019/08/50-things-that-i-love.html","title":"50 Things That I Love "}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Juliana "},"uri":{"$t":"https://www.blogger.com/profile/09410637408830790715"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"24","height":"32","src":"//blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinw98N1LY4v8SvYbQE7_w8QZkoJjgkTZuMxaLciiTGhqEIOsYZtOXCNr7YQTC05lz_vPv4_jABDfn8oJ2giVQ_04s9i77G94gU9ZaprRtLepq-xmeSbo8krD2DNsPoZT0/s113/ACS_0224.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D6IliXIWOZA/XVq1khmxXrI/AAAAAAAAI6M/cOa0rC9Nhv0tUFxMzSOb8CkKYy_6ZFJHQCLcBGAs/s72-c/IMG_3909.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"2"}}]}});