Goodbye Progesterone in Oil!!!

Adios! Ciao! Au revoir! Auf wiedersehen! Adeus!
Goodbye to the dreaded PIO! My last shot was Friday and I can already feel the difference in my tender hips. Maybe one of these days I can sit, lie down and/or put on pants without pain!!! My RE said at 10 weeks it was quits for both the PIO and estrogen pills. Just like that. Quit. Cold turkey. Done. What a great feeling!! It really is the little things....

One story about progesterone before I close yet another chapter in the IF battle:
Collin was in San Francisco for 5 days a few weeks ago. In preparation of his absence, I consulted our RE to see what our options were for the progesterone. I didn't have anyone else I felt comfortable asking to stick a 1 1/2 inch needle in my butt every night... SO, we were told I could self inject in my leg or switch to Crinone while he was gone, but the Crinone wasn't the best option. Obviously, I have a lot of time, energy, faith and heart invested in this pregnancy, so I decided I had to do what was best and figure out a way to shove a huge needle in myself.
Two nights before he left for the west coast, we did a trial run on the PIO in the leg. Collin did the injection just so I could feel what it felt like and then I'd do it myself the next night while he watched over me for moral support. The shot was unremarkable...until the next day. My leg was so painful I couldn't walk without a limp. Getting up and down the stairs in our house was torture. There was no way in hell I was going to be able to inject myself in the leg while he was gone...
We moved on to plan B the next night. I was going to inject myself in the butt/hip area. He stood by for support. I'd be lying if I told you I didn't cry as I turned and faced that huge needle. This was not at all ideal. It took a while, but he was able to talk me through the injection. He marked hearts on each of the injection sites and every day I bent into an awkward position and used the mirror to inject myself with PIO. Sure, it was more painful then when he did the injections, especially bc I didn't have anyone to rub my butt, but I got through it. I did it!
If you'd have told me I could inject myself with a 1 1/2 inch needle 3 years ago I'd have laughed in your face. I hate needles. I have found that IF makes you incredibly resilient, however. There is nothing I wouldn't do for these babies. Nothing. Women who face this battle certainly make it out on the other side a different person (whether they make it out with or without a baby). We leave with a tougher skin, a profound appreciation for life, a relationship with our spouse that is deeper and more meaningful then those who haven't faced such adversity and a renewed respect for the immense power of faith and hope.

We spent the weekend working on the house. I really enjoy using the power washer!! We've gotten a lot of projects done on the house and we're even closer to getting this sucker listed. We have new furniture arriving tomorrow *FINALLY*. It was supposed to be delivered in 6-8 weeks, but it's 10.5 weeks later and we're finally getting it delivered. Good things come to those who wait, right?

My in-laws are coming to visit this week! I'm so excited to again be the 'pregnant lady' and not the 'lady who is pregnant but is pretending like she's not.' The weather is going to be gorgeous and I know we 'll have a great time. They are wonderful people and I'm thankful to have married into such an admirable family.

Collin surprised me with flowers this weekend along with a lovely card that read '10 weeks down!! 30 to go!!' It was adorable. I don't know how I got so lucky to have such an amazing man in my life, but I pray daily out of gratitude for him. I feel so incredibly blessed by everything that is going on right now. I tear up at the thought of all our blessings...
Let's hope they continue!!