The View Talks Infertility With Bill and Guiliana Rancic

This past week The View did a special show all about infertility, and much to my surprise I thought it was great. The ladies started by talking about their own expediences, Sherri Shepard went through IVF to have her son, and Barbara Walters had 3 miscarriages before adopting her daughter, and of course Elisabeth stated that she couldn't get pregnant until she gave up Gluten, due to undiagnosed Celiac Disease- she now has three kids- I do not think she was infertile, EVER, but that is another discussion.

Then they brought out a fertility specialist, who gave the basic facts on when to seek help from a specialist, honestly that part was kind of boring, but then came out Bill and Guiliana Rancic, who I LOVE, and they talked about their inability to conceive, and that they are getting ready to start IVF next week. I really love their honesty about their journey. Guiliana got a lot of crap from Whoopi for not wanting to gain five pounds. Now I understand that five pounds is not a big deal, but for someone, like Guiliana, who works in the public eye and has to fit into sample size clothing, it's hard. But I do see their point, if you want kids- you do whatever it takes to have them!

Then came the statement that most people were very upset about, at least on the infertility boards that I frequent. Guiliana was talking about how celebs do not talk about doing IVF or using donor eggs, because of the stigma that goes a long with it, then Joy Behar says "because when you use donor eggs, they are not your kids" and Bill agreed with her. Now, people it does not take a rocket scientist to know that using donor eggs will equal the child not being biologically yours, so yes Joy and Bill are correct, but believe me that baby is yours. My daughter did not come from my DNA, but she is mine in every sense of the word. So I really do not understand what the big deal is about Bill saying what we all know is true!

They closed out the show with having several different couples talk about their journey to have children. The first two couples were still in the process, the one couple was this cute young couple that were dealing with male infertility, and had done several unsuccessful IVF's, they were really nice- my heart went out to them. The other lady was a divorced woman who was 47 who was still trying to have a baby, now I gotta say- lady you are pushing 50- adopt already, IVF just is not going to work- you are too old. I know that is harsh, but come on 47? That is just crazy!!! Adopt and have your family and move on with your life- she had been trying to have a baby for 7 years!!

The last couple was a couple who had an baby boy from IVF and he was just so stinking cute! Watching this show brought back a lot of feelings for me, I never want to be at that place in my life again. But I am so happy to see that infertility is getting the attention it deserves so people can make educated decisions about their fertility.

Adventures in Parenting

It's been a crazy 4 weeks with monkey in the house- but it's been wonderful!
We sleep in four hour increments and fall asleep before 9pm every night, but we enjoy every minute of it. Monkey is doing great, and I will report back on Friday with her stats from her pediatrician appointment.

We take her everywhere with us, everything from dinner to the grocery store. She loves her swing and she LOVES her boppy pillow, she especially likes to lay on her boppy and watch the ceiling fan. She also loves her tummy time on her boppy- I think she will be a tummy sleeper as soon as she can roll, which will make mommy very nervous!!

She loves her baths, as long as you keep her warm, which I successfully do by keeping a warm wash cloth on her tummy while in the tub. She also needs to have warm towel and warm jammies after her bath- pretty much put them in the dryer while she is in the bath, and have daddy bring them in after the bath. She also has to have the water running during the bath to relax her, and use warm lotion after the bath. Yes, I know she is a princess already!!

So that is an update on our little monkey- I will keep everyone updated, tomorrow is her 2 month birthday- wow, she is growing so fast!!

Sickness at our house!

We have had our first official baby sickness in our house. Poor little thing has been so congested for about 3 days. After much research I discovered baby nose drops called Little Noses- they come in a saline version and a decongestant version. Since our little one is so young there is not much I can give her. I have used the saline drops for the last 2 days and she does seem to be getting better- I am also using Vicks baby chest rub, to help break up and chest congestion that she may have.

We have also been putting her in the bathroom when we take hot showers, to use the steam to help with her congestion. I feel so bad for her, because there is nothing I can do for her. Last night I just had to laugh because I changed her diaper and found that she had severe diarrhea and had to change her sleeper, then not 5 minutes later she threw up all over the new sleeper and I had to change her again! I guess this is what parenthood is all about!

Have all our prayers been answered?

Two weeks ago I went to the foster/adoption association meeting, while I was there I starting talking to a woman who asked me if I would be interested in a one month old baby girl, whose foster parents could not keep her due to some personal family issues, she gave me the phone number to the social worker that was working the case and told me to call her.

The next day I called the caseworker and left a message- and for 2 days I did not get a call back, but only by the grace of God I got a call 48 hours later on Friday from the case worker saying the baby girl was still available and could I pick her up that day, I just said yes! I didn't even call my husband and ask him. After a few phone calls we decided that we would pick her up on Monday February 1st.

That weekend we spent getting ready for the baby- we were both so excited. On Monday we picked her up and we were instantly in LOVE. We have had our little monkey for a week now, she is 6 weeks and 4 days old and is growing like a weed. She gets me up every few hours, but I love it.

She is perfect. She was meant to be a part of our family, now I just pray and pray that she stays forever!