July 2007

Well, it’s hard to believe our journey to conceive has become a reality!!!

After our third IVF failure we weren’t sure what direction we wanted to go in! With encouragement from our doctor and the innovative protocol he is developing we decided to give it one last try!

We began the process in May and by June we were pleasantly surprised to find out we had a positive pregnancy test! From that point on we’ve been floating on cloud nine!!!!! With each ultrasound we’ve become more and more encouraged and look forward to February 2008 when we finally get to meet our long awaited baby!

February 2007

Stephanie and I were asked to share the story of our struggle to conceive children. As a means of illustrating the length of time that we’ve been together, we were asked to provide photos dating back to the time we first met.

Sifting through almost two decades worth of letters and photographs, I was struck with the diversity of experiences that we’ve shared. All of the "firsts" we’re detailed in those letters and photos -- high school dances, an eclectic array of automobiles, several barely habitable apartments, the college years and the home we live in now.

And now a "first" we would have preferred to live without -- In Vitro Fertilization

Coming to grips with the fact that you are unable to conceive children the good, old-fashioned way is a tough pill to swallow; particularly given the fact that we both come from large families with many nieces and nephews.

I suspect that it is a primal urge hidden so deep within my wife and I to bear our own offspring, that it continues to motivate us to endure the physical, financial and emotional strain that I.V.F. exacts.

I say this because each and every time that we near the end of the process and are given the negative results, I am sure that Stephanie will stop and refuse to endure another cycle. But she has up to now, consistently insisted that we continue.

This is a selfless response -- a response that amazes me.

If you’ve been through the I.V.F. process or know of someone going through the process, you know what is involved. I watch as Stephanie endures daily shots and ingests potent drugs that alter her body, and it pains me.

And yet, I understand why she preservers. She loves me and she wants more than anything in the world to know what it means to be a mother.

Two days ago, we learned that our third attempt to conceive through I.V.F. had failed. We had reconciled at the outset, that this would be the last cycle.

I can not say that we will initiate another round of I.V.F. I can say that this experience, as draining as it is, has brought us closer as a couple. It is yet another challenging experience that has strengthened our bond.

I believe that Stephanie and I are fortunate to have been together for as long as we have and for the diverse range of experiences we’ve shared. Because through all of these experiences, good and challenging, I am afforded a clearer view of just how special my wife is.

Austin

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