As many of you know, Alfonso and I just learned that I am pregnant! We are estimating a due date of December 24th, but will leave the definites up to the drs. This has been a long, expensive, emotionally trying journey, but we're finally here. We wanted to start this blog so we can share updates and ultrasound pictures with everyone.

I'd like to update you on the pregnancy thusfar. We had our embryo transfer through in vitro fertilization (ivf) on April 8th, 2009 (Alfonso's birthday!). About five days after the transfer, I began having dreams of Sunflowers every night. In the dreams, the sunflowers would appear every where I stepped and every where I looked. I knew, somehow, from the dreams, that God was with me, and letting me know everything was ok. Like this was His special symbol to me.

One week after the transfer, Alfonso and I were heading to a camping trip, and stopped at a lovely Flying J truck stop for gas, and to, well, there's no nice way to say this - clean the sewage tank of our camper. As we pulled off the highway onto the exit, I saw a billboard with Sunflowers. I glanced to my left, and saw a semi truck with a Sunflower on the side. I immediately knew I was pregnant.
I decided to take a test at the Flying J. Before looking at the results, I put it in my purse. I told Alfonso I was going to change out of my work clothes in the camper. He asked me to wait until he turned the truck around. In our 500 foot trip to turn the truck around, I looked inside an RV that had a vase with Sunflowers sticking out of it. I knew the test would be positive. As I was changing my clothes in the camper, there it was, that beautiful double pink line on the test!!!

Alfonso walked into the camper to check something, saw me crying, so I told him. We hugged, and I managed to spit this out through my sobs..."Honey, I'm sorry I told you at the sewage dump!"

One week and 20+ additional positive pregnancy tests later, I had my blood test at the doctor's office. They called me with "good and bad" news. Good news - I was definitely pregnant. Bad news - my HCG level was only 66, and they look for 100 as the min. With a low number, they said I had a 50/50 chance of a viable pregnancy. So, we were told to come in Friday, Sunday, and Tuesday. They need the # to double every 2 - 3 days.

So, I prayed a lot, and went back in on Friday. My number was 187! Almost tripled in 2 days. The nurse told me I didn't need to come back in until the following Wednesday, she felt I was in the clear.

Today, we had our blood test #3, they wanted to see at least 800 - 900, and it was 1,487!!! I should have my first ultrasound next week:)

We will post pics of the first Ultrasound as soon as we have it!