Thursday, December 24, 2009

Christmas Eve Wishes

I can't believe it has been four weeks since our last post! Life remains busy, and blessed. Today is our birthday and we have so much to be thankful for - our friends, our family, our health - the simple fact that we have the financial resources to continue our pursuit for a family. Steve awoke me this morning as he does every morning - by laying my robe at my feet, kissing me and telling me he loves me, but today he added 'Happy Birthday!' - to which I replied the same. He is the love of my life and thank God I am the love of his. My mom arrives from Texas this evening for a long stay and I couldn't be more excited to see her. We haven't seen her since May so this visit is long overdue.

We are cycling again now - with our third egg donor - using the same surrogate from cycle #2. We really want this to work for this particular surrogate and her family as much as we want it for ourselves. Embryo transfer should be in about 3 weeks with pregnancy test at the end of January. We are waiting for the suppression scan results which will tell us how our donor is doing - we went with a first time donor because we just felt good about her. If there is one thing that is evident, there is no definitive way to predict the success of a donor...so, we went with the one with the big brown eyes, beautiful smile and bone structure that had 'confidence' spelled out from ear to ear. The egg donor selection process has been the toughest part of this journey - at least for me. Falling in love with the idea of these women being our baby's biological mother and then having to let go of that notion and fall in love all over again, and now again - this has been challenging.

For all those, like us, in pursuit of parenthood - a short story of inspiration. My dear friend Tandy, whom I've known for over 20 years, called me this week. Her and her husband are spending their first Christmas with their adopted son Jake - he was born in July of this year through an open adoption. A quick run down of their 10+ year journey to Jake: 8 failed IVF self cycles and multiple miscarriages, followed by 2 donor egg cycles including one miscarriage and three attempts with donor eggs and surrogacy (all negative). Then, last fall, they were to adopt a child through an open adoption. The baby was born, given to them and they returned to their hotel to begin the state mandated, 7 day 'waiting period' - during which time the birth mother can 'change her mind' - which she did. On day 2, they drove the baby back to the birth mother and returned home to Dallas, devastated. Then, finally, this past July, Jake arrived. Her call to me was to tell us that we 'should never give up on our dream'.

I love following all our fellow bloggers' stories - some have news coming soon (fingers crossed, you know who you are) - others have crossed into the second or third trimester! Your stories keep our dreams alive. Thank God for this network of cyber-support. We all have our stories - some filled with more drama, some with less - but, the one thing that is consistent is that those with babies are the ones who were relentless in their pursuit. Good luck again to all waiting for a 'positive'. We are sending you love and baby dust.

Merry Christmas to all of you and best wishes for a fabulous 2010!

Love,
Terry and Steve

13 comments:

Mandy said...

Great post...always love to hear from u guys!! Happy Birthdays and Happy Holidays.

Good luck and Best wishes..

Greg, Rob and Our Little Girl. said...

"Happy Birthday to you" "Happy Birthday to you" "Happy Birthday dear Terry and Steve" Happy Birthday to you both!! Also, Merry Christmas!! We can't wait hear more good news from you. Enjoy your visit with mom. Have a safe and merry Holiday!

Edward said...

Happy Birthday fellas! Here's to 2010 being the year for great successes all around. We'll be watching and waiting and hoping for good news together!!! Our very best regards to you.

TJ said...

Happy Birthday, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year all at the same time!

George said...

MERRY CHRISTMAS guys and HAPPY BIRTHDAY

may all that you desire and dream of become a reality

George :)

Johnny and Darren said...

Happy Birthday & Merry Christmas gus.

We're hoping for happy news in around thre to four weeks time for you.

Johnny & Darren

Rhonda and Gerry W said...

All the very best of luck in the new year!

jojo said...

I loved that story - and I think that you're absolutely gorgeous. I have a big, cyber-surro crush on both of you.

Happy, happy birthday and good luck with the next cycle.

Your friend is right - you should never give up!

xxx

Todd said...

Best wishes to you for a positive start to 2010!

You always have such a balanced perspective on things -- you can not be denied your dreams unless you give up on the pursuit of them...

Danielle said...

Baby dust, baby dust, baby dust!

Happy New Year.

Doug and Bill said...

i've been a bit out of it lately and hadn't checked for an update. so happy for you. happy new year!

mehdirah said...

An happy new year guys and may 2010 be a baby year for you too

Mehdi

jojo said...

Oh boys! I'm so excited for you. I'll be sending every positive thought I have your way and hoping, hoping, hoping that this is the one.

It's your turn now. I can feel it.

Thanks so much for letting me know.

love, your online girlfriend ;) xxx