For MOMs by MOMs- Introductions!

I follow a blog of a mom who delivered boy/girl twins the same day Mac and Paisley were born, August 19, 2011. (I've posted about her blog before, and you can click here to follow yourself.) Megan and other MOMs (moms of multiples) are starting a blog link up where we will all discuss the same topic once a week. This week is introductions! 

My name is Ashley, and my husband is Jordan. We have been married almost 5 years, together almost 10 years. Woah. 

I always get anxious when sharing our story, because it's emotional, and I don't want our journey to define me, us, or our family. I don't like labeling myself due to a condition we may or may not have or an obstacle we've faced. So in spite of my bundle of nerves, Jordan encourages me to share because we could help and encourage someone else. In this isolating journey, it's important to not feel alone. So here we go...

We learned in 2009 that starting a family wouldn't be as easy as we thought. It had been over a year, and we met with my OB in December 2010. I am a planner, and I didn't handle this "plan" not coming to fruition well. I went on Clomid in January, doubled the Clomid in April, had hcG shots, underwent 2 IUIs, a pelvic laparoscopy, the dye test to look for any blockages, tried acupuncture, and lots and LOTS of hot flashes and emotional roller coasters. 

In August 2009 we met with a reproductive endocrinologist (RE). We found a large cyst in my ovary, and he recommended us come off all meds until this healed. We actually got pregnant that month, found out weeks later that it was an identical twin pregnancy, and that the pregnancy stopped developing. I had a D&C October 1, 2010. It was a devastating time for me, but it also grounded and shaped my faith in our Creator and His plan. 

After a cycle, I went on Letrazole and we did and IUI. I actually didn't test because I hated putting all of my energy into a "stupid stick". So I just pessimistically waited for my cycle to start. It rarely did because my cycles are all over the place so I took a medicine to induce a new beginning for the following cycle. 

I asked that we try something more invasive for the next cycle, for I knew that the best way for me to overcome the incredible loss we had experienced was to have renewed hope in a new pregnancy. Like a gambler, we were all in. I have always said that in an infertility journey, you hit a wall... the wall where you'll do whatever it takes, spend whatever amount, anything to have a baby. 

In December 2010, I began the cycle with increased Letrazole and began giving myself the follicle stimulating hormone shot, Bravelle. We did an IUI on December 31, 2010....

January brought us a positive test, two heart beats, and an incredible journey that we still live today. :o) We have boy/girl twins! Read here about our January 2011. 

After a 23 day hospital stay from preterm labor, I was discharged and on bed rest another 3 weeks. (A post on the pregnancy is next's week topic!) My water broke on August 18, 2011, and McKinney (Mac) Graham and Paisley Grace were born on August 19, 2011. 

Mac joined us later that afternoon, and Paisley was in the NICU for the first 24 hours.

 Their first time together since birth :o)

 The day we came home from the hospital- "Allen, party of 4!" :o)

I am a SAHM and love every minute.. okay, maybe that's an exaggeration. It's hard, super hard, and I don't know how I do it sometimes, but we make it! I have such fun learning M and P's personalities and we are incredibly goofy. I dance daily, and they have learned which songs (like the ABCs) make me dance the most. I laugh and think I'm the puppet here, haha! 

I love running (actually I 'love' the feeling after I run), E!, shopping, and meeting new friends :o)

-ashley