Glad tidings...
- Plus Two
- What a fertility adventure we had! Our children were eventually conceived through in vitro fertilization and were born in the fall of 2009. Julie is the biological mother of both kids... Diana was the gestational mother for our son and Julie was the gestational mother for our daughter [the first couple of blog entries provides more detail]. Together, we are one lucky family!
Sunday, December 20, 2009
On the go
We have become big advocates for baby carriers... Koen seems to enjoy them more than Simone but both have been rocked to sleep while the moms wander around the house. Both babies also very much enjoy a walk outside -- the trees, the fresh air, the new sights and sounds are all enthralling. Even better, they are all soothing and can guarantee a sleeping babe in a matter of minutes!
A new definition of multi-tasking
So most of you reading this blog have heard by now that Diana will be staying home with the wee ones while she is finishing graduate school -- the triumvirate of work, school & parenting seemed a bit too daunting. As such, Diana is learning to embrace a new definition of multi-tasking... Of course, at the moment this change requires little more than sitting on the couch with two beautiful babes in arms, but she expects life to look a little different after Julie returns to work on Jan 4.
Below are some pictures of this new venture. :-)
Below are some pictures of this new venture. :-)
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
More random photos
From the past two weeks -- my how they've grown! On their Dec 11 check-up, Simone was 9 lbs 13 oz (four weeks old) and Koen tipped 11 lbs (six weeks old)... our newborns are moving into infancy...
Holiday photo shoot
OK, so an Anne Geddes photo shoot it was not, but we had a few giggles while snapping these pics...
If you would like to see all of the holiday photos, visit Julie's Face Book page (http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/julie.rivett), as there is a limit on the number of photos we can post per blog entry on this site.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Thanks, Grandmere!
Grandmere Fulchiron went home to Ohio today, after giving our family a month's worth of her love, attention & time. She was a wonderful companion to have with us during these first few weeks -- Julie and Diana were able to rest (as much as possible!); the babes had an extra set of loving hands around to comfort & nurture them; and even the animals came to depend on her caretaking.Mom, we will *all* miss you. Thanks so much for everything!
Notes from the field
So while four weeks in to parenting is a little early to make pronouncements regarding our children’s personalities & propensities, we thought we'd pass along some tidbits of our daily life with the wee ones...
And since we know you're checking the blog for pictures, rather than our rambling musings, below are a few pictures from the past few weeks...
Julie & Simone
Simone's first sponge bath
The siblings, asleep
Diana, the wee ones & a book
- Things that we know will break our hearts later (and allow the kids to manipulate us shamelessly): Koen's impossibly long eye lashes & Simone's quivering chin.
- Both dear ones are firmly convinced that breastfeeding would be *much* better if they could have their hands in their mouths while nursing. They both appear resistant to compromise on this issue.
- Yoga balls rock for maintaining long-term baby-bop motion.
- Koen has a highly attuned sense of spatial awareness. In other words, he knows when you are laying him down an d he is NOT happy about it.
- Simone is really just partial to any soft-ish spot where she finds her head laid... crib, bassinet, exam table at doctor's office... really, she's pretty flexible.
- Koen digs nursing in the bathroom when it has a steamy, post-shower atmosphere. Well, let's be honest, Koen digs nursing just about anywhere, anytime.
- For those that are keeping track, Koen had his one month check up on Nov 30 and was 10 lbs, 3 oz. Simone had her two week check up at the same time and was 9 lbs, 7 oz.
- Simone also last her umbilical cord stub yesterday.
And since we know you're checking the blog for pictures, rather than our rambling musings, below are a few pictures from the past few weeks...
Julie & Simone
Simone's first sponge bath
The siblings, asleep
Diana, the wee ones & a bookMeditation on Expectations
Diana wrote the following earlier this year but forgot to post it....
Almost a year and a half ago, I was handed my infant nephew for the first time. As first impressions go, his was awe-inspiring in the way that babies tend to be. He was a-ma-zing and in that moment, that first quick impulse, my first thought was, “You are going to make the handsomest & smartest Harvard College president ever, why yes you are.” I believe that I may have even spoken those words out loud, in the midst of that first cooing fest.
My second thought ran something along the lines of, “where did that come from?!?!?” Which, thankfully, I definitely did NOT say out loud in front my brother & his wife.
This is not to say that my nephew isn’t going to be handsome, ‘cuz he’s already got numerous people wrapped around his adorable little finger.
And this isn’t to say that he couldn’t grow up to be the president of Harvard and be marvelous for the institution and remembered for all of history as the best and the brightest.
What was so discombobulating to me was my instantaneous transformation from a laid-back, come-as-you-are hippie-esque aunt to a prestige-fanning, high-demand ivy league aunt whispering a very specific set of expectations into my infant nephew’s ear. For goodness sake, I didn’t even have the decency to let the boy display a propensity towards anything before wishing a particular future onto his little life.
In that moment I understood how parents (and care-takers of all kinds) could amass expectations of the loftiest kind for children under their care. Unbidden, perhaps even unspoken, these goals and dreams of specific kinds of happiness and fulfillment have an existence all of their own.
As I look towards the future of my own parenting adventure, I am wary of this instinct towards expectations that I have uncovered in myself. I found have myself purposefully courting acceptance of the unknown-ness of what is & what will be – from labor & delivery to those first few weeks of parenthood and beyond. I can’t possibly know how I am going to react to those first contractions, what position the baby will be in when those contractions start, how easily (or not) he will traverse the birth canal, or any of the other variables that come with the birth process.
From everything that I have heard, kids are determined to have a life and a mind of their own, so any expectations I may build – consciously or no – will most likely be shattered along the way. So rather than mourning these expectations, rather than lamenting that “this [whatever this is in front of me] isn’t the way it was supposed to be”, I hope that I can be the type of mom that feels of the gifts of her children’s explorations, that is open to the always unfolding of that which is and that which will be.
Almost a year and a half ago, I was handed my infant nephew for the first time. As first impressions go, his was awe-inspiring in the way that babies tend to be. He was a-ma-zing and in that moment, that first quick impulse, my first thought was, “You are going to make the handsomest & smartest Harvard College president ever, why yes you are.” I believe that I may have even spoken those words out loud, in the midst of that first cooing fest.
My second thought ran something along the lines of, “where did that come from?!?!?” Which, thankfully, I definitely did NOT say out loud in front my brother & his wife.
This is not to say that my nephew isn’t going to be handsome, ‘cuz he’s already got numerous people wrapped around his adorable little finger.
And this isn’t to say that he couldn’t grow up to be the president of Harvard and be marvelous for the institution and remembered for all of history as the best and the brightest.
What was so discombobulating to me was my instantaneous transformation from a laid-back, come-as-you-are hippie-esque aunt to a prestige-fanning, high-demand ivy league aunt whispering a very specific set of expectations into my infant nephew’s ear. For goodness sake, I didn’t even have the decency to let the boy display a propensity towards anything before wishing a particular future onto his little life.
In that moment I understood how parents (and care-takers of all kinds) could amass expectations of the loftiest kind for children under their care. Unbidden, perhaps even unspoken, these goals and dreams of specific kinds of happiness and fulfillment have an existence all of their own.
As I look towards the future of my own parenting adventure, I am wary of this instinct towards expectations that I have uncovered in myself. I found have myself purposefully courting acceptance of the unknown-ness of what is & what will be – from labor & delivery to those first few weeks of parenthood and beyond. I can’t possibly know how I am going to react to those first contractions, what position the baby will be in when those contractions start, how easily (or not) he will traverse the birth canal, or any of the other variables that come with the birth process.
From everything that I have heard, kids are determined to have a life and a mind of their own, so any expectations I may build – consciously or no – will most likely be shattered along the way. So rather than mourning these expectations, rather than lamenting that “this [whatever this is in front of me] isn’t the way it was supposed to be”, I hope that I can be the type of mom that feels of the gifts of her children’s explorations, that is open to the always unfolding of that which is and that which will be.
Monday, November 16, 2009
The Siblings
'Cuz they are just way too cute together....
Simone is on the left and Koen is on the right in both pictures.
Simone is on the left and Koen is on the right in both pictures.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
November's Gift -- the story
So Simone and Julie decided to take their time throughout the labor & delivery process... they had several days of getting used to each other before Simone finally made her appearance!
Julie started some pretty intense Braxton-Hicks contractions on Sunday evening, 11/8. Try 3-6 contractions an hour for oh, almost three days... During this period, Julie finished up a few projects for work, relaxed in the hot tub and tried to get some sleep.
On the evening of Tues, 11/10, her contractions started for real. She labored at home that evening and into Wednesday afternoon, with the contractions picking up a bit after 11am.
She was admitted into the Birthing Inn around 1:30pm on Wed, 11/11. Julie was 3-4 centimeters dilated and the contractions were coming every 3-5 minutes.
By 3pm, she was dilated to 5cm but her contractions were starting to slow, so she had her bag of waters broken. She was dilated at 7cm after a couple of hours but, alas, she got stuck!
After laboring at 7cm for waaaaay too long, our midwife discussed the possibility of an epidural & then some pitocin, to help move things along. There had been some meconium in the amniotic fluid and Julie's blood pressure was getting funky, so the baby needed to come out sooner rather than later. Plus, Julie was just plain old tired -- it had been a long week!
So in went the epidural around 9pm on Wed, 11/11 and Julie's relief was immediate. She and Diana* were both able to get some sleep for a few hours while the epi helped to relax Julie's pelvic muscles and the pitocin helped to strengthen the contractions.
By 2am on Thu, 11/12, Julie was dilated to 10cm and completely effaced -- it was time to push! After a bit of coaching on how to push when one's lower body is a bit on the numb side, Julie was ready.
Less than half an hour int0 pushing, Simone was borne -- our beautiful baby girl! And in case anyone missed the detail on the pictures page, Julie delivered a baby that was over nine pounds in weight & she didn't tear & she was only pushing for about half an hour. She was *amazing*!
And of course, Simone is yet another gorgeous, perfect child to join the world. She's also a trooper, hanging in for several days worth of contractions and having her cord wrapped around her neck a couple of times. We're happy to have both of them home!
*Side note on Diana & Koen -- Diana was able to accompany Julie to the hospital and be her support person during her labor process. She has pumped some breast milk to tide over the little guy while she was gone and Grandmere Fulchiron provided the needed care throughout the night. Diane Shelton also helped shuttle some additional milk between the hospital and home when the process went on longer than anticipated.
Julie started some pretty intense Braxton-Hicks contractions on Sunday evening, 11/8. Try 3-6 contractions an hour for oh, almost three days... During this period, Julie finished up a few projects for work, relaxed in the hot tub and tried to get some sleep.
On the evening of Tues, 11/10, her contractions started for real. She labored at home that evening and into Wednesday afternoon, with the contractions picking up a bit after 11am.
She was admitted into the Birthing Inn around 1:30pm on Wed, 11/11. Julie was 3-4 centimeters dilated and the contractions were coming every 3-5 minutes.
By 3pm, she was dilated to 5cm but her contractions were starting to slow, so she had her bag of waters broken. She was dilated at 7cm after a couple of hours but, alas, she got stuck!
After laboring at 7cm for waaaaay too long, our midwife discussed the possibility of an epidural & then some pitocin, to help move things along. There had been some meconium in the amniotic fluid and Julie's blood pressure was getting funky, so the baby needed to come out sooner rather than later. Plus, Julie was just plain old tired -- it had been a long week!
So in went the epidural around 9pm on Wed, 11/11 and Julie's relief was immediate. She and Diana* were both able to get some sleep for a few hours while the epi helped to relax Julie's pelvic muscles and the pitocin helped to strengthen the contractions.
By 2am on Thu, 11/12, Julie was dilated to 10cm and completely effaced -- it was time to push! After a bit of coaching on how to push when one's lower body is a bit on the numb side, Julie was ready.
Less than half an hour int0 pushing, Simone was borne -- our beautiful baby girl! And in case anyone missed the detail on the pictures page, Julie delivered a baby that was over nine pounds in weight & she didn't tear & she was only pushing for about half an hour. She was *amazing*!
And of course, Simone is yet another gorgeous, perfect child to join the world. She's also a trooper, hanging in for several days worth of contractions and having her cord wrapped around her neck a couple of times. We're happy to have both of them home!
*Side note on Diana & Koen -- Diana was able to accompany Julie to the hospital and be her support person during her labor process. She has pumped some breast milk to tide over the little guy while she was gone and Grandmere Fulchiron provided the needed care throughout the night. Diane Shelton also helped shuttle some additional milk between the hospital and home when the process went on longer than anticipated.
November's Gift -- pictures
Welcome to the world, Simone Marlea Fulchiron!
born 11/12/2009, 2:46am
9 lbs 6 oz (yes, you read that correctly)
21.2 inches
born 11/12/2009, 2:46am
9 lbs 6 oz (yes, you read that correctly)
21.2 inches
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Koen's home coming, etc
See below for some more pictures of the happy kiddo and family... we'll keep posting as we are able to get photos downloaded and such. Thanks to everyone for all of your well-wishes!
Julie & little man, post-glam haircut courtesy of Katie O'Boyle... and yes, she is *still* pregnant. :-)
Grandmere meets Koen for the first time. Because of H1N1 regulations at the hospital, new moms were permitted one support person during labor & delivery and one extra visitor during their recovery period, so Grandmere meet her new grandson for the first time once we got home.
Frankly, the whole H1N1 business has us a little freaked out & we haven't been traveling or visiting much with Koen. We were advised to limit visitors as much as possible until he's at least a month old... plus, Julie isn't traveling so well these days, as you might imagine.
His first car ride -- getting snuggled into his car seat for the first time... this picture was taken in the parking lot of the hospital.
Here's our little glow worm during his final few moments at the hospital. The glow you see is from his bili blanket that we used to treat his jaundice. His bilirubin levels were elevated when it was time to go home so he was placed on a photo-optic blanket over the next several days. Poor kid had to go for heel-stick blood tests every day for his first four days at home -- it was a bit exhausting for everyone! But he's fine and healthy and already past his birth weight...
Julie & little man, post-glam haircut courtesy of Katie O'Boyle... and yes, she is *still* pregnant. :-)
Grandmere meets Koen for the first time. Because of H1N1 regulations at the hospital, new moms were permitted one support person during labor & delivery and one extra visitor during their recovery period, so Grandmere meet her new grandson for the first time once we got home.
Frankly, the whole H1N1 business has us a little freaked out & we haven't been traveling or visiting much with Koen. We were advised to limit visitors as much as possible until he's at least a month old... plus, Julie isn't traveling so well these days, as you might imagine.
His first car ride -- getting snuggled into his car seat for the first time... this picture was taken in the parking lot of the hospital.
Here's our little glow worm during his final few moments at the hospital. The glow you see is from his bili blanket that we used to treat his jaundice. His bilirubin levels were elevated when it was time to go home so he was placed on a photo-optic blanket over the next several days. Poor kid had to go for heel-stick blood tests every day for his first four days at home -- it was a bit exhausting for everyone! But he's fine and healthy and already past his birth weight...
Monday, November 2, 2009
October Surprise -- the story
For those that are interested in the birth story....
Diana's water broke on the evening of Thu, Oct 29 around 9:30am, while watching a comedy special (who knew humor was so good at stimulating labor?)... Julie had been watching with her but decided she needed to watch birthing videos instead -- rather providential, yes? She's just so smart... :-)
Contractions started about half an hour later and it was soon evident that it would be best to head to the hospital in a timely fashion!
We headed to the Birthing Inn at Loudoun Inova Hospital, a birth center where we were able to use a mid-wife practice (Loudound Community Midwives -- love them). Wendy Dotson was the midwife on-call that evening and was a great support & coach for both Julie & Diana.
Diana labored between 10pm and 7am and was finally given the go ahead to start pushing... things went well for a while but slowed down towards the end... Diana was tired, Koen was tired (and he had a big head)... so a small episiotomy was cut & about ten minutes later, Koen was born! And a good thing, too, as he did have his cord wrapped around his neck... It was evidently time for him to enter the world....
Of course, the full story of this adventure is really difficult to convey in words right now... too many special moments, too many "we'll never forgets, too much happiness to process right now.
One thing to note is that Koen's arrival (being two weeks early) took us by surprise, to say the least... Based on the assumption that most first-time moms hang on past their dues dates, we had planned on getting a LOT of stuff done this past weekend, including getting a list together of everyone we needed to call... for those who we love & have not spoken with yet, please know that we're sending love your way! We just packed in such a hurry that we had lots of things we didn't need (numerous pajama bottoms for Diana) and forgot most of the important things (like a list of people to call and their numbers)... I am surprised that we did manage to get the car seat in the car and the camera in the bag... Actually, I should say, that I am surprised that *Julie* was able to get those important things in the car as much as she did... Diana was the one throwing pajama bottoms in her bag... :-)
And no, Julie doesn't seem like she is going into labor any time soon -- at least we hope not!
Diana's water broke on the evening of Thu, Oct 29 around 9:30am, while watching a comedy special (who knew humor was so good at stimulating labor?)... Julie had been watching with her but decided she needed to watch birthing videos instead -- rather providential, yes? She's just so smart... :-)
Contractions started about half an hour later and it was soon evident that it would be best to head to the hospital in a timely fashion!
We headed to the Birthing Inn at Loudoun Inova Hospital, a birth center where we were able to use a mid-wife practice (Loudound Community Midwives -- love them). Wendy Dotson was the midwife on-call that evening and was a great support & coach for both Julie & Diana.
Diana labored between 10pm and 7am and was finally given the go ahead to start pushing... things went well for a while but slowed down towards the end... Diana was tired, Koen was tired (and he had a big head)... so a small episiotomy was cut & about ten minutes later, Koen was born! And a good thing, too, as he did have his cord wrapped around his neck... It was evidently time for him to enter the world....
Of course, the full story of this adventure is really difficult to convey in words right now... too many special moments, too many "we'll never forgets, too much happiness to process right now.
One thing to note is that Koen's arrival (being two weeks early) took us by surprise, to say the least... Based on the assumption that most first-time moms hang on past their dues dates, we had planned on getting a LOT of stuff done this past weekend, including getting a list together of everyone we needed to call... for those who we love & have not spoken with yet, please know that we're sending love your way! We just packed in such a hurry that we had lots of things we didn't need (numerous pajama bottoms for Diana) and forgot most of the important things (like a list of people to call and their numbers)... I am surprised that we did manage to get the car seat in the car and the camera in the bag... Actually, I should say, that I am surprised that *Julie* was able to get those important things in the car as much as she did... Diana was the one throwing pajama bottoms in her bag... :-)
And no, Julie doesn't seem like she is going into labor any time soon -- at least we hope not!
October Surprise -- Pictures!
Welcome to world, Koen Alexander Fulchiron!
Born October 30, 2009 at 8:37am
6 lbs 13.4 oz, 20.34 inches
Born October 30, 2009 at 8:37am
6 lbs 13.4 oz, 20.34 inches
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
A long over due update
OK, OK, so we have been rather neglectful in keeping folks up to date via our blog... somehow our inner introverts didn't adjust well to the "broadcast" mode of communication (not that we were all that great with the one-on-one things either, but that's a lament for another day...).
So what's shaking, you might ask? Well, we are less than three weeks away from our due date and have officially hit the large and uncomfortable stage of things... swelling in the hands and feet, difficulty bending and stretching and moving in general... back to being tired and exhausted most of the time...
That being said, we're actually doing really well! :-) We're measuring as we should be, we haven't gained too much weight, the babies are in head down positions, and their heart rates are good. There are no signs of preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, or anything else. The babies are moving well and we've both started having Braxton-Hicks contractions every now & again.
I hate to say it, but probably the most exciting thing this week for us has been the installation of a new kitchen floor. :-) It's been a long time coming, to say the least (about four years in the making)... the guy that installed it was excellent, meticulous and thorough (so if anyone needs a referral for contractor stuff, we definitely have a number for you!
Oh, yeah, and Diana's last day of work is this Friday... the transition from working professional to stay at home mom will be an interesting one for her (and deserving of it's own blog entry)... we'll keep you posted on how that adjustment goes! :-)
And we *will* get more pictures up on the blog... just as soon as Julie finds the cable to download the pictures...
As always, we appreciate the love and joy and attention folks have been sending our way... we can't wait to introduce our kids to you all!
So what's shaking, you might ask? Well, we are less than three weeks away from our due date and have officially hit the large and uncomfortable stage of things... swelling in the hands and feet, difficulty bending and stretching and moving in general... back to being tired and exhausted most of the time...
That being said, we're actually doing really well! :-) We're measuring as we should be, we haven't gained too much weight, the babies are in head down positions, and their heart rates are good. There are no signs of preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, or anything else. The babies are moving well and we've both started having Braxton-Hicks contractions every now & again.
I hate to say it, but probably the most exciting thing this week for us has been the installation of a new kitchen floor. :-) It's been a long time coming, to say the least (about four years in the making)... the guy that installed it was excellent, meticulous and thorough (so if anyone needs a referral for contractor stuff, we definitely have a number for you!
Oh, yeah, and Diana's last day of work is this Friday... the transition from working professional to stay at home mom will be an interesting one for her (and deserving of it's own blog entry)... we'll keep you posted on how that adjustment goes! :-)
And we *will* get more pictures up on the blog... just as soon as Julie finds the cable to download the pictures...
As always, we appreciate the love and joy and attention folks have been sending our way... we can't wait to introduce our kids to you all!
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Registry & Accommodation Information for Shower Weekend
Registry Information
Of course, gifts are not necessary. Really. We mean that. But for those that are interested:
Julie & Diana are registered at Target and at our local bookstore, The Winchester Book Gallery.
We are pleased to partner with Winchester Book Gallery for this inaugural book registry! The amazing proprietors, Andy and Jen Gyurisin, will be happy to let you know what our book wish list contains. They can be reached at (540) 667-3444 (Phone), (540) 667-8913 (Fax), or via email at: info@winchesterbookgallery.org. Orders can be placed over the phone and can be shipped, as needed. We of course encourage everyone to visit the Book Gallery, if you are able, because they just rock.
You can find our Target registry at http://www.target.com/registry/baby/3H1NBD9SXPG6Y or by searching our names, Julie Rivett or Diana Fulchiron, at http://www.target.com/registry/baby/find.
Please note that our registry items are mostly suggestions. We know our firends and family to be creative and wonderful people who have our best interests at heart -- feel free to exercise those traits when thinking about gifts for our little ones.
Accommodations for the shower weekend
Because our friends and family are scattered across the country, we know that many of you will not be able to join us on October 3rd for the shower. However, for those that are able to make the journey, see below for some travel information.
The closest airport is Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and is located about forty-five minutes away from our house. Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) are also within a reasonable traveling distance.
While Chez Julie & Diana will be unable to provide housing for our out of town guests, we encourage you to check out the following local establishments.
The Lost Dog Bed & Breakfast
http://www.thelostdog.com
in downtown Berryville, VA. Pets are permitted with prior approval. And Sandy is one of the best cooks in town.
Smithfield Farm Bed and Breakfast
http://www.smithfieldfarm.com
Practically around the corner from our house. Smithfield Farm is part of a working farm. All animals at Smith Meadows are raised in a free-range environment, without the use of antibiotics or hormones. No commercial chemicals of any kind are used on the farm.
The Battletown, Inn
http://thebattletowninn.com
Also in downtown Berryville. A lovely restaurant is part of the establishment to serve your dining needs.
Various chain and local accommodations are also available in Winchester, VA, approximately twenty minutes from our place.
Of course, gifts are not necessary. Really. We mean that. But for those that are interested:
Julie & Diana are registered at Target and at our local bookstore, The Winchester Book Gallery.
We are pleased to partner with Winchester Book Gallery for this inaugural book registry! The amazing proprietors, Andy and Jen Gyurisin, will be happy to let you know what our book wish list contains. They can be reached at (540) 667-3444 (Phone), (540) 667-8913 (Fax), or via email at: info@winchesterbookgallery.org. Orders can be placed over the phone and can be shipped, as needed. We of course encourage everyone to visit the Book Gallery, if you are able, because they just rock.
You can find our Target registry at http://www.target.com/registry/baby/3H1NBD9SXPG6Y or by searching our names, Julie Rivett or Diana Fulchiron, at http://www.target.com/registry/baby/find.
Please note that our registry items are mostly suggestions. We know our firends and family to be creative and wonderful people who have our best interests at heart -- feel free to exercise those traits when thinking about gifts for our little ones.
Accommodations for the shower weekend
Because our friends and family are scattered across the country, we know that many of you will not be able to join us on October 3rd for the shower. However, for those that are able to make the journey, see below for some travel information.
The closest airport is Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and is located about forty-five minutes away from our house. Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) are also within a reasonable traveling distance.
While Chez Julie & Diana will be unable to provide housing for our out of town guests, we encourage you to check out the following local establishments.
The Lost Dog Bed & Breakfast
http://www.thelostdog.com
in downtown Berryville, VA. Pets are permitted with prior approval. And Sandy is one of the best cooks in town.
Smithfield Farm Bed and Breakfast
http://www.smithfieldfarm.com
Practically around the corner from our house. Smithfield Farm is part of a working farm. All animals at Smith Meadows are raised in a free-range environment, without the use of antibiotics or hormones. No commercial chemicals of any kind are used on the farm.
The Battletown, Inn
http://thebattletowninn.com
Also in downtown Berryville. A lovely restaurant is part of the establishment to serve your dining needs.
Various chain and local accommodations are also available in Winchester, VA, approximately twenty minutes from our place.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
week 21 pictures
Here are a few more pictures -- check out our loveliness as we head to the community pool. Gotta love those maternity fashions!Wednesday, July 1, 2009
For those that may be wondering...
...we found out today that we are having a boy (which Diana is carrying) and a girl (which Julie is carrying).
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
A brief glance at week 18
So here's a quick snap of the growing family at the beginning of week 18 -- just a couple weeks into the second trimester... Julie is happy to report that her morning sickness finally went away this last week -- she's back to slinging large pieces of furniture around the house at will & making mad dashes around town to pick up Craig's list and free cycle finds ... Diana is happy to report that they're starting evening swimming classes this week -- water is a fundamental element & quite welcome as a way to exercise, to glide, to sit in her body in another way... the open swim period is open to everyone. Come & join us, if you are in the area. Mondays and Wednesdays through mid-Aug at the Clarke County swimming pool. Cost is $5.
Thanks to Ma & Pa Fulchiron for coming to hang out this weekend & for the picture -- that would be Mom in the foreground .
Thanks to Ma & Pa Fulchiron for coming to hang out this weekend & for the picture -- that would be Mom in the foreground .
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Dates, Milestones, and Such
- Jan 12 -- Julie’s cycle began and she started on her round of medications. IVF medications can get rather complicated but they include a few drugs to suppress egg growth (so no eggs grow out of turn) and several types of drugs to then stimulate lots and lots of egg growth under controlled conditions.
- Jan 29 – Diana started taking her medication. All we had to do was trick Diana’s uterus into thinking she was ovulating.
- Feb 23 – Eggs were harvested from Julie & fertilized through ICSI. Julie had twenty follicles from which they harvested thirteen viable eggs. Six were fertilized with one donor; seven with another. Eleven embryos developed and grew into blastocysts.
- Feb 28 – Embryos were transplanted into both Julie and Diana. Julie received two embryos fertilized with one donor; Diana receives two from the other donor. The embryos then presumably implanted into our uteruses within 24-72 hours after transplant.
- Mar 10 – First official pregnancy tests comes back positive (although we cheated and took home pregnancy tests earlier, which were positive as well).
- Mar 26 – We heard the babies’ heartbeats for the first time.
- Apr 30 – A first trimester screening was completed to assess risk for birth defects. Everything looked good!
- Jul 1 -- Ultrasound appointments. Diana is carrying a boy and Julie is carrying a girl. All seems to be progressing well.
- Other milestones will be added as they occur….
- Nov 16 – Projected due date
Thursday, May 28, 2009
So how exactly did that happen, again?
For those that may be a bit confused about the baby conception process for a lesbian couple, we'll explain some of the basics about our story, even though our particular journey ended with a twist...
So first it is important to understand between two women, under ideal conditions, there would be two sets of ovaries and two uteri with which to tempt the fertility goddesses. Just add a little sperm at the right time, and viola! Instant baby. However, because we’re special (in more ways than one), we had one if-y set of ovaries (Julie has polycystic ovarian syndrome), one completely infertile set of ovaries (Diana has premature ovarian failure – they just stopped working when she was 15 years old), but two perfectly wonderful uteri between the two of us (the sperm would come later, nicely frozen by a bank in Virginia).
Given said dynamics, Julie was the obvious candidate for the whole pregnancy thing, so about three and a half years ago, we started trying to knock her up. We’ll spare the gory details (really, there is only so much we can share in a public format), but can assure you that none of our plans ever involved taking advantage of drunk and unsuspecting men (read – sperm donors) at local bars. Rather, there were rounds and rounds of icky fertility drugs, a couple of painful procedures and tests, and lots and lots and lots of disappointment.
Near the end of the rope (and after several second opinions), we decided to go for in vitro fertilization or IVF, which was not an easy decision (for more information on IVF, visit http://www.americanpregnancy.org/infertility/ivf.html). By using that procedure in the fall of 2008, Julie had some eggs harvested but the fertility rates were extremely low for the batch & it was a failure. The doctor wasn’t sure if it had to do with her eggs or the donor sperm specimen, so we decided to try again. One more time and then we’d be done. No more drugs, no more doctors, no more waiting, no more life on hold!
So our last attempt was going to have to be a good one. To help overcome potential egg issues, we elected to try ICSI, or intracytoplasmic sperm injection, where they inject a single sperm into a single egg. To help with the sperm donor specimen issue, we elected to try fertilizing with two different donors. Julie was put on a slightly different drug regimen. Oh, and with the physician’s blessing, Diana starting taking some hormones so that she could cycle with Julie. That way, if enough eggs fertilized and fertilized well, Diana could be implanted with a few of the resulting embryos as well as Julie. Worst case scenario was that we would have another failed attempt under our belts and we’d move on. Best case scenario was that one of us would get pregnant.
So guess what happened? ☺
So first it is important to understand between two women, under ideal conditions, there would be two sets of ovaries and two uteri with which to tempt the fertility goddesses. Just add a little sperm at the right time, and viola! Instant baby. However, because we’re special (in more ways than one), we had one if-y set of ovaries (Julie has polycystic ovarian syndrome), one completely infertile set of ovaries (Diana has premature ovarian failure – they just stopped working when she was 15 years old), but two perfectly wonderful uteri between the two of us (the sperm would come later, nicely frozen by a bank in Virginia).
Given said dynamics, Julie was the obvious candidate for the whole pregnancy thing, so about three and a half years ago, we started trying to knock her up. We’ll spare the gory details (really, there is only so much we can share in a public format), but can assure you that none of our plans ever involved taking advantage of drunk and unsuspecting men (read – sperm donors) at local bars. Rather, there were rounds and rounds of icky fertility drugs, a couple of painful procedures and tests, and lots and lots and lots of disappointment.
Near the end of the rope (and after several second opinions), we decided to go for in vitro fertilization or IVF, which was not an easy decision (for more information on IVF, visit http://www.americanpregnancy.org/infertility/ivf.html). By using that procedure in the fall of 2008, Julie had some eggs harvested but the fertility rates were extremely low for the batch & it was a failure. The doctor wasn’t sure if it had to do with her eggs or the donor sperm specimen, so we decided to try again. One more time and then we’d be done. No more drugs, no more doctors, no more waiting, no more life on hold!
So our last attempt was going to have to be a good one. To help overcome potential egg issues, we elected to try ICSI, or intracytoplasmic sperm injection, where they inject a single sperm into a single egg. To help with the sperm donor specimen issue, we elected to try fertilizing with two different donors. Julie was put on a slightly different drug regimen. Oh, and with the physician’s blessing, Diana starting taking some hormones so that she could cycle with Julie. That way, if enough eggs fertilized and fertilized well, Diana could be implanted with a few of the resulting embryos as well as Julie. Worst case scenario was that we would have another failed attempt under our belts and we’d move on. Best case scenario was that one of us would get pregnant.
So guess what happened? ☺
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