Well y'all...the stick says it...there's a baby in there!

8 days post transfer!

Well, okay, the medical world calls it an embryo, but to me it's my little ball-o-baby :)

Backing up a little...I started giving myself intramuscular shots of progesterone in oil several weeks ago. This hormone is the helper for the ovaries during this process as my ovaries, who would normally take care of this hormone production in the early stages of pregnancy, have essentially been told to hush since we already had a little egg fertilized and ready to go from the intended parents. They use Lupron to hush those ovaries which is also an injection, but a little bitty needle in the belly. I've also been on estrogen to build up the uterus lining and support the early pregnancy. I should be able to stop taking medications right around the end of the first trimester. I am looking forward to this, and while I know I'm lucky when it comes to the side effects of the medications, nobody really wants to take them or do it for as long as we do! Truth be told...there are nights where I let myself throw a full on tantrum because I have to give myself this shot. Then I put my girl panties on (well...off,) and get that shot stuck where the sun don't shine.

Transfer day was July 1st, and really it was simple and quick...VERY quick! Full bladder, a hair net, my dandelion transfer socks, and a ride to the OR to get this little bit put in its new home! We were in the OR for all of 15 minutes. They did a check to make sure I was indeed supposed to be having this little ball-o-baby put in there. Then they took a look on the ultrasound where we saw my VERY full bladder and this little ones new home. The most uncomfortable bit of all of this is being opened to what feels like the world. I'm super modest, but I have to believe that anyone is uncomfortable with their lady bits having a spotlight...literally...on them. Speculum in. TINY catheter bearing tiny five day old blastocyst painlessly placed right where the doc wanted. Some pushing with the ultrasound to get a picture of the tiny white speck, and the spotlight was turned off and the curtains closed. Hung out in bed for 20 minutes...finally emptied my bladder and that was it! No bed rest, they just asked I didn't try and go tour the town :)

During all of this I have to say I think I have the best intended parents. Super supportive. My IM met my friend and I at the hotel a couple hours prior to transfer so we could just spend some time. She also brought gifts for my kiddos, and let me know that my daughter's gift was picked by her oldest daughter <3 None of our kids know what's going on yet. On my side I want to make sure this goes well before I introduce the idea to my kids, and I believe that is the same thought for my IPs. So for now our kids just know we have special friends in another state. The IF joined us just after we arrived at the hospital and we all spent some time chatting and joking around with each other. Again, they are amazing. The agency that brought us together, Growing Generations, seriously hit the nail on the head with this match. Some confusion at the hospital brought about some frustrated laughs, but all in all it went very smooth.

While I was waiting to be called back to change I asked my IM if she wanted me to take home pregnancy tests or if she just wanted to wait for the blood draws. THANK GOODNESS she said to go for the home tests. My willpower would have seriously been tested if she had said no, but I have vowed to make this as much her choice and her experience as I can.

I started the home pregnancy test madness four days post transfer, and saw a SUPER faint line. One of those lines that only a mother can see!

This one I had to do a little "tweaking" to get it to show up in a photograph, but it's there! 4 days post transfer  :) 

 Day five post transfer the line was actually able to be seen in a photograph: 

Lighting isn't the best, but look close...it's there! 

Day six: 

I had a really hard time photographing this one! 

Day seven: 

Faint, but without a doubt there! 

Day eight:

There is that dark line I have been looking for!!! 

After this test I decided to go ahead with the digital! Since they're not as sensitive I wasn't sure it would pick it up since I was testing in the evening, but the picture at the top was it!