Here is a pic of our sweet little Sarah on Friday morning at our Yard Sale.
Showing posts with label Our Baby Girl. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Our Baby Girl. Show all posts
April 17, 2013
Our ebay Store!
Here is a link to our ebay store for you to browse or share with others. Some items are from our home or Rhea's A/V business. Other items were donated for us to sell. Thank you for taking a peek!
Here is a pic of our sweet little Sarah on Friday morning at our Yard Sale.
Here is a pic of our sweet little Sarah on Friday morning at our Yard Sale.
January 22, 2013
Snowflakes & The NEDC
We have been asked, "Why is that you adopted your babies as embryos through the Snowflakes Program with Nightlight Christian Adoptions, but are traveling to the NEDC (National Embryo Donation Center) for the Frozen Embryo Transfer?" This is an excellent question and we know that our situation is definitely out of the norm here. Let me explain how we came to this special arrangement.
When a family goes through the Snowflakes program to adopt babies as embryos, Snowflakes allows the adopting family to choose the clinic and doctor of their choice to perform the Frozen Embryo Transfer. When we adopted Sarah and her siblings we had trouble finding a clinic here in Houston and a doctor who would do the transfer for several reasons. One was that because Sarah and her siblings had been frozen close to 12 years at the time of our adoption, the genetic parents had not undergone STD testing since it was not required back then. Now, because of regulations, STD testing is mandatory for all genetic parents before they undergo IVF. The second reason we couldn't find anyone to accept our precious embryos was because after viewing the paperwork on our little ones, no clinic wanted to perform the FET. It came down to where the doctors saw that there was such a minute chance that any of the embryos would survive the thawing procedure, why bother with harming their competitive and positive statistics? They also continued to try and talk us out of "using" as they put it, "these embryos" when we could use donated eggs with Rhea's sperm and do IVF? We would explain why we did not believe in IVF and we continued to look for another doctor. Finally, Nightlight assisted us in finding a clinic and a doctor who would accept our tiny ones and perform the FET. We traveled to Dallas which was only three hours away. You guys all know the rest and Sarah is here with us.
So jump forward to our current adoption through Snowflakes. We were chosen by a couple to adopt their remaining 8 embryos from 2008. The necessary testing had indeed been completed, but because the genetic mother tested positive for being exposed to the Hep B virus at some point in her life, these little 8 lives were quickly labeled "high risk" by the original clinic. Because of this label, it was very difficult to find a clinic locally who accept our newest family members. Nightlight came to the rescue again. They made a call to Dr. K at the NEDC and Carol the embryologist at the NEDC. After consulting with both Dr. K and Carol, Nightlight called us to tell us that the NEDC would accept our embryos and would accept me for a transfer.
The NEDC has their own EA program where they match families and then do transfers for the adopting parents. Having us come in is an exception and we are grateful to the NEDC and to Dr. K for taking our family. I had a phone consult months ago with Dr. K about the Hep B test results on the genetic mother. He went over all the paperwork and said he saw nothing to concern him that the babies would have any risk of having Hep B.
So, there you have it. The story of how we adopted embryos for our second adoption through Nightlight again, but are having the babies transferred at the NEDC in Knoxville, TN.
Next post: Why do we have to go to the NEDC in February and then turn right around and go in March? What is a "Mock Transfer"? What kinds of medications do I have to take?
When a family goes through the Snowflakes program to adopt babies as embryos, Snowflakes allows the adopting family to choose the clinic and doctor of their choice to perform the Frozen Embryo Transfer. When we adopted Sarah and her siblings we had trouble finding a clinic here in Houston and a doctor who would do the transfer for several reasons. One was that because Sarah and her siblings had been frozen close to 12 years at the time of our adoption, the genetic parents had not undergone STD testing since it was not required back then. Now, because of regulations, STD testing is mandatory for all genetic parents before they undergo IVF. The second reason we couldn't find anyone to accept our precious embryos was because after viewing the paperwork on our little ones, no clinic wanted to perform the FET. It came down to where the doctors saw that there was such a minute chance that any of the embryos would survive the thawing procedure, why bother with harming their competitive and positive statistics? They also continued to try and talk us out of "using" as they put it, "these embryos" when we could use donated eggs with Rhea's sperm and do IVF? We would explain why we did not believe in IVF and we continued to look for another doctor. Finally, Nightlight assisted us in finding a clinic and a doctor who would accept our tiny ones and perform the FET. We traveled to Dallas which was only three hours away. You guys all know the rest and Sarah is here with us.
So jump forward to our current adoption through Snowflakes. We were chosen by a couple to adopt their remaining 8 embryos from 2008. The necessary testing had indeed been completed, but because the genetic mother tested positive for being exposed to the Hep B virus at some point in her life, these little 8 lives were quickly labeled "high risk" by the original clinic. Because of this label, it was very difficult to find a clinic locally who accept our newest family members. Nightlight came to the rescue again. They made a call to Dr. K at the NEDC and Carol the embryologist at the NEDC. After consulting with both Dr. K and Carol, Nightlight called us to tell us that the NEDC would accept our embryos and would accept me for a transfer.
The NEDC has their own EA program where they match families and then do transfers for the adopting parents. Having us come in is an exception and we are grateful to the NEDC and to Dr. K for taking our family. I had a phone consult months ago with Dr. K about the Hep B test results on the genetic mother. He went over all the paperwork and said he saw nothing to concern him that the babies would have any risk of having Hep B.
So, there you have it. The story of how we adopted embryos for our second adoption through Nightlight again, but are having the babies transferred at the NEDC in Knoxville, TN.
Next post: Why do we have to go to the NEDC in February and then turn right around and go in March? What is a "Mock Transfer"? What kinds of medications do I have to take?
January 25, 2012
4 months old!
I owe this blog a VERY long update, but a quick one will have to be what I do for now...
We are doing well, just no time to blog. A different season we are in for certain! Thought I'd post a quick pic I took this morning from my phone so you could see baby girl. Sooooo, this little, tiny baby we adopted as an embryo, who was not supposed to live, much less survive thawing is now 4 months old and 21# and very long wearing 12 month clothes comfortably. ; ) Gotta love it! If I buy her anything at this point it will be 18 month for the Spring/Summer. She is rolling over, though with her big ol' self it takes a lot of work on her part ; ) She is smiling, laughing, and is just a joy to have with us. Thank you Lord for blessing us with this precious girl.
Rhea's business is doing well which keeps my bookkeeping side of things busy too. D-man's Lyme Disease is close to remission and he is under a trial of being off medication right now. Leevster is involved in building a scrap metal business, D-man is working to finish up high school and start driving this semester. BooBear is sewing, crocheting, knitting, and cooking. She is loving it all and is learning to balance and plan as she juggles all of her favorite activities. PookieBear is starting her "schooling" this semester and is loving to learn to read and write. In her spare time she plays in her doll house, colors, plays play-dough, and helps me in the kitchen. She is truly a great sous chef and help to me. Her favorite past time though as it has been for 4 months straight is playing and spending time with her baby sister. If the baby is in her bouncy seat, Pookie is right there beside her!
We are doing well, just no time to blog. A different season we are in for certain! Thought I'd post a quick pic I took this morning from my phone so you could see baby girl. Sooooo, this little, tiny baby we adopted as an embryo, who was not supposed to live, much less survive thawing is now 4 months old and 21# and very long wearing 12 month clothes comfortably. ; ) Gotta love it! If I buy her anything at this point it will be 18 month for the Spring/Summer. She is rolling over, though with her big ol' self it takes a lot of work on her part ; ) She is smiling, laughing, and is just a joy to have with us. Thank you Lord for blessing us with this precious girl.
Rhea's business is doing well which keeps my bookkeeping side of things busy too. D-man's Lyme Disease is close to remission and he is under a trial of being off medication right now. Leevster is involved in building a scrap metal business, D-man is working to finish up high school and start driving this semester. BooBear is sewing, crocheting, knitting, and cooking. She is loving it all and is learning to balance and plan as she juggles all of her favorite activities. PookieBear is starting her "schooling" this semester and is loving to learn to read and write. In her spare time she plays in her doll house, colors, plays play-dough, and helps me in the kitchen. She is truly a great sous chef and help to me. Her favorite past time though as it has been for 4 months straight is playing and spending time with her baby sister. If the baby is in her bouncy seat, Pookie is right there beside her!
Boobear looks strained in this picture holding baby girl...Well, 21# is a lot to haul around! She still doesn't have full head/neck control yet! ; ) She is a 4 month old in a 9 month old body!
December 17, 2011
Happy Transfer Anniversary Baby Girl!
I have not forgotten to update. It is just that blogging with a newborn and 4 other kiddos has not allowed the time. I am soaking in all these first months of baby days as much as possible. Baby girl is a dream and a blessing!
One year ago today, she, after being frozen for TEN years, along with 2 of her biological siblings, were transferred into my womb.
Here I am, one year ago, with the embryologist minutes before the transfer:
And here she is today:
Embryo Adoption has been a beautiful path for our family! We thank our Lord for bringing us to this place.
One year ago today, she, after being frozen for TEN years, along with 2 of her biological siblings, were transferred into my womb.
Here I am, one year ago, with the embryologist minutes before the transfer:
And here she is today:
Embryo Adoption has been a beautiful path for our family! We thank our Lord for bringing us to this place.
October 15, 2011
6 Weeks Old
Sweet baby girl turned 6 weeks today. We gave her a "checkup" and took all her measurements and plugged them into an online percentage calculator.
She weighs 12 lbs 5 oz Length 23.5 in Head circumference is 15 3/4 in
September 30, 2011
One Month Ago...
...I had my final doctor's appointment.
This is me before I left:
The next evening I left for the hospital to begin our induction.
Here is our final family photo with Baby Girl on the "inside"
Then 65 hours later... I was standing in my family room with our baby (oh so, tired, but sooo very happy & blessed)!
September 26, 2011
September 19, 2011
She is #17!
My sister came in town this past Thursday and stayed through yesterday morning. She was such a help to us and she enjoyed being with her newest niece!
Our agency Nightlight Christian Adoptions sent this to our sweet baby girl. She is the 17th baby born in their "Snowflake" EA program in 2011 and she is the 276th baby born to date since the program began in 1997. That is 276 babies who survived thawing, growing in their adopted mothers' wombs, and then coming into this world by birth to grow in their new families! God is so very good!
Our agency Nightlight Christian Adoptions sent this to our sweet baby girl. She is the 17th baby born in their "Snowflake" EA program in 2011 and she is the 276th baby born to date since the program began in 1997. That is 276 babies who survived thawing, growing in their adopted mothers' wombs, and then coming into this world by birth to grow in their new families! God is so very good!
September 14, 2011
Our little girl is on FB
We are not on FB anymore, but our sweet little one is!
Go "like" her!!
http://facebook.com/EmbryoAdoptionAwarenessCenter
Go "like" her!!
http://facebook.com/EmbryoAdoptionAwarenessCenter
Couldn't Help It...more pictures
Leevster and his littlest sister. He has a knack for getting her settled for her morning nap!
September 13, 2011
She Does Look Like Her Oldest Brother!
After our sweet girl was born, Rhea commented on how much she looked like D-man when he was born. I did see the resemblance, but it wasn't until after we brought her home and Rhea got out D-man's baby pictures that we really saw it. You can judge for yourselves. Funny, an old friend, commented on yesterday's post that she noticed the resemblance before I even mentioned it to you all! ; )
How about that! Now if she didn't look a thing like any of us, we wouldn't care. Our hearts explode with love for this sweet baby. There is not one ounce of difference in the love I have for this baby and the love I have for my biological children. She is part of me. This adoption experience went on the most windy road I ever thought possible, but Rhea and I still tear up at God's goodness and love as He steered us to EA. I'd do it all again if I could, and who knows, maybe God will allow us to do it all again. We love you sweet girl!!
To God be the glory!
D-man 1 day old
Baby girl 1 day old
How about that! Now if she didn't look a thing like any of us, we wouldn't care. Our hearts explode with love for this sweet baby. There is not one ounce of difference in the love I have for this baby and the love I have for my biological children. She is part of me. This adoption experience went on the most windy road I ever thought possible, but Rhea and I still tear up at God's goodness and love as He steered us to EA. I'd do it all again if I could, and who knows, maybe God will allow us to do it all again. We love you sweet girl!!
To God be the glory!
September 12, 2011
More Pictures You Say??
Things have been going well at our home except the fact that we miss Rhea so much as he is away at a very focused & detailed project from 6:30 a.m. to midnight 6 days a week. This past week, he had to work 7 days straight. Thankfully with our phones, I can text him Scripture, and photos & sound recordings throughout the day of the kiddos. We are so grateful for our baby girl and she is well loved and held often as you can imagine! Enjoy some photos and I will continue to work on finishing the birth story to share in an upcoming post : )
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