Let me introduce you to the little Schulmans. I’m calling them Hope and Faith right now because that’s what’s getting us through this process — hope that they will want to stick around and faith in God to know that this *will* happen if it’s His plan.

Aren’t they beautiful?? They totally are, and I love them so much already. The one on the left is a compact morula, which means the embryo is already between 16-20 cells and already is compacting. It’s typically seen on Day 4, so being on on Day 3 means my little one is quite the overachiever, something its Dad and I plan to remind it of if it ever gets bad grades in school. The one on the right is an 8-cell embryo, which is right on target for Day 3 growth. Both are Grade 1, which is the highest grade. I’m so proud of my little babies.

The transfer went really well today, despite the fact that I had filled my bladder so full that I had to relieve myself twice in the OR. I guess I’m an overachiever just like my little morula. I was pretty embarrassed, but the doctor running the u/s assured me that it happens to someone every week. The first time they gave me a bed pan, and soon after starting up the trial transfer again, the doctor catheterized me so she could control how much I released. I know this is probably tmi, but I want to be sure to remember everything that happened. Although, how could I forget something like that??

When we arrived, we were taken back to the pre-op/recovery room, we changed, and I started chugging my water. Joe loved his scrubs so much that he didn’t want to take them off when it was time to leave.

He couldn’t quite figure out how to put the hat on, though.

We were so excited and ready to get the show on the road.

When they first came to check my bladder, it hardly had anything in it, so I continued to drink water. I guess I should have stopped after the third bottle.

I was very calm as we waited and spent most of the time thinking about my little embies and in prayer. God was giving me peace.

Before the actual transfer, my doctor did another trial transfer to get a straight shot into the uterus. When she walked in, the doctor assisting already had the u/s going, and my doctor said, “Look at that cervix and uterus! I need to take a picture of that to use in textbooks!” How can you *not* feel proud after hearing that? Way to go cervix and uterus!

Joe held my hand the entire time, and leaned over several times to whisper “I love you” in my ear. When the doctor told us that the embryologyst had brought in the catheter with my little embies in it, I got teary-eyed. However, I didn’t cry because even though I was staring at the u/s monitor, I didn’t see them get released. Joe said he saw the bubble, but I missed it.

My transfer was “beautiful”, according to my doctor. I was once again exposed for the world to see. It’s a good thing I have no modesty anymore. I told Joe I was looking pretty darn unattractive, but he told me I was the most beautiful I have ever been. My husband rocks.

After the transfer when we were back in the recovery room, Joe said, “How are you doing, Baby?” I said I was doing fine, and he said, “I’m not talking to you. I’m talking to them.” And he pointed at my abdomen. How cute!

Now, I am laid back in bed enjoying being waited on hand and foot. I feel a little bad that Joe is doing all the straightening up for my family to come by tomorrow, but he says my job is to keep our babies safe. My side is a little sore, and I’m not sure if that’s normal since they put two catheters up me or not. Anyone who’s gone through this want to let me know? I’m *so* paranoid now and so worried about doing something that will cause this not to work.

By the time we got home, the Valium had started kicking in (not in time for the transfer, but better late than never, huh?), and I passed out, waking up about an hour ago. Hence the late update. Sorry!

By the way, I didn’t ask how many embies survived until today, but there were four that the embryologyst recommended we freeze: a compacted morula, a 10-cell, an 8-cell and a 7-cell. Two are Grade 1, and two are Grade 2. The doctor assured us that both grades have the same implantation rate.