Our new doctor

Our appointment was originally for February 6th, but they called yesterday and said we could come this morning. Since it was last notice and I wanted to go now, Brice wasn't able to get off work so my mom and I went. Let me just say I LOVE Dr. Hardwick-Smith at Hermann Hospital. Her office is decorated with the most beautiful life-size baby and maternity pictures you would ever see.
When they called us back I expected to wait on her in a typical medical waiting room. Instead they directed us to Dr. Hardwick-Smith's personal office. We sat there and waited on her for 5 minutes. When she walked in the first thing she told me was my urine test was negative for pregnancy. No big deal, I knew it would be. She wanted to know all about me and asked a lot of questions about my NF and brain tumors. She said I can continue to take my pain meds for now as they will not prevent us from getting pregnant or have another miscarriage. She is not worried about my progesterone level and told me to stop using the cream. But she did say to come back on cycle day 21 and she will draw my blood and test my levels just to be on the safe side. She said it's unusual to get pregnant on the first try like we did, and we're right on schedule where we should be because she said it takes a good 6 months before most people get pregnant.
I'm so happy we found a great doctor at a really great hospital. I will never go back to Texas Women's after the way they treated us, not to mention nobody in that hospital seems to know what they're doing. Everyone at Hermann today were so nice and classy- I can't wait to be treated there during my pregnancy. Hopefully soon:)

camp fief

My cousin Ashton came to stay with us last weekend while her parents went to Dallas. I love being around Ashton- I have worked with her since the day she was born. My aunt Kat taught me everything I needed to know about taking care of a child with cerebral palsy. And even though I don't work with Ashton full-time anymore, she still comes to stay with us a lot. Raven loves her and sits on her pillow and watches over her- just like a guardian angel:)

progesterone defect...

I've been doing a lot of research lately. Mainly because I keep getting this nagging feeling something isn't right. I've been charting and temping since my miscarriage. When I got my BFP the highest my temp got was to 97.8 I didn't realize at the time that was kind of low for someone who is pregnant. We started trying again in October 2008. In October and November I still noticed my temps were really low (97.8) after ovulation. I did some research and learned that low temps can be a sign of low progesterone. Progesterone is very important in early pregnancy because it's the hormone that controls everything till the 2nd trimester. Progesterone also thickens the uterus lining after ovulation to hopefully allow a healthy bean to stick. A drop in progesterone will cause a miscarriage- or for those not TTC- it will make your period start. So in December I bought an all natural Progesterone cream that I apply twice a day after ovulation. I noticed in December my temps were way up after ovulation- around 98.3 Now it's January and I ovulated 4 days ago and started my cream. Now my temps are even higher- 98.6! I really hope this is what I need to get pregnant again and make that little bean stick this time. Wish us luck, we really need it:)

And feel free to stalk my chart on Fertility Friend
http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/2171e2

missing my nathan

Crystal sent me these new pictures of Nathan. I miss him so much. They will be here in February for a whole month! We'll even get to celebrate Nathan's 3rd birthday, February 18. My dad just got back from Seattle. He spent a whole week there visiting. Nathan loved seeing his Papa. I can't wait to see my sister, nephew, and even PJ:)

2009

A new year with new friends. Not that I don't still love my old friends, but I have a new friend I'm enjoying hanging out with. Yes Kristi I am talking about your sexy pregnant ass.
I cooked dinner for NYE and invited Chad and Kristi to come eat with us. We even made sherbet punch that started looking like a green swamp after a few hours. Chad and Brice drank beer, while us girls googled baby stuff on the computer all night. I get to help Kristi decorate the nursery and I'm very excited about that. Though I think Chad is going to kill me because my expensive taste is rubbing off on his wife. :oops:
I hope everyone had a fun and safe new years. May 2009 bring everyone the joy and happiness you all deserve.
Love,
Maryann & Brice