Thursday is THE DAY!

Just wanted you to know that this is THE WEEK – oh wait, I already told you all that :).

AND…THURSDAY is egg retrieval day! I just found out late yesterday afternoon! I was ecstatic – I called Dan right away and started to plan for Thursday. In a very short amount of time we had to figure out a lot of little details, but they are all set.

Of course I had to quick call Brenda and tell her that “we be makin’ babies.” Even though the baby(ies) will be made outside of us, God is still at work. We both are just SO EXCITED to have the day finally here and on the calendar! It was hard not knowing the exact day because doctors just didn’t know what my body would do. I honestly thought that it was going to be Friday.

At yesterday’s ultrasound, my largest egg was at 19.5, but the rest were 18, 17, 16s, 15s, etc. So I was pleasantly surprised when they called and said I was done taking my other shots! I had to take my trigger shot at 10pm. Typically that would be okay for us, but it just so happened that we were planning on going to the Hudsonville Fair to watch the Off-Road Races. We were a hour away from leaving. I told Dan we are still going and we’ll figure something out. I could mix it all up and draw it from the vial before, so I would just have the shot. The most beautiful thing? We had a physician’s assistant going with us! Oh yeah! Boy did that take off the worry! Dan said he was willing to do it, but with our friend having done the “upper butt” shots before, she was very gracious in administering it to me.

I kept asking Dan what time it was at the fair because I was eager and didn’t want to miss the time. Well, we were on our way home when the clock hit 10. So, lo and behold, we pulled off the highway and back onto the on ramp. Jumped out, and bam. Shot in the butt. Probably the most unlikely place to ever have a shot administered, but it was clean, roomy (no one else is hanging out on the side of an on-ramp), dark so no one could see us (only light was directly on my behind). I know this is maybe getting to graphic, but it was AWESOME. My friend SURE knew how to administer that shot – it hurt WAY less than my stomach ones! Here I was preparing for the worst – but I don’t even remember what it feels like because I barely felt it. Maybe it helps to have a little cushion back there, but nevertheless, I am thankful for it. She did SUCH an awesome job! So generous of her. When we jumped back in the car (btw, we did get a picture of it that hopefully I can post sometime), I just sat there and said “did we really just do that on the side of the highway?” We all had to laugh at what just occured. I am just so thankful my friend was with us – what a BLESSING!

So today I lay low. Last night when we were about 20 miles out from home, I started to not feel well. I think I semi-over did it last night. I paid for it when we got home. I just get really nauseous, crampy, tired, and my stomach really hurt. This morning I feel a little better, but still feel off. Those hormones really throw your body for a loop. I can honestly FEEL those eggs inside still – it’s the wierdest feeling. You can see my belly stick out because of them – granted they warn you of that, but it’s so true! It’s hard and sticks out. If it was my “regular” belly, it wouldn’t be this hard – no rock hard abs for this girl :). Part of me is so ready to get them taken out so that I just feel better, but it has also been a really fun experience. One I hope to never have to repeat of course because we are hoping it works the first time! And we don’t know if it’ll be good for my body to do it again – it does take quite a toll on the ole bod!

My procedure is in the morning tomorrow and I believe on Saturday they will implant them into Brenda. Can I get a “what, what?” We are just so thrilled (this word doesn’t even describe the emotion) that the time is finally here! I feel like today is going to drag on, yet I have enough to do around the house that hopefully it will go fast. I am a little behind on a few things. To think that in 2 weeksish, we will know if we are having our own kids. So surreal, yet SO EXCITING! We might be PARENTS!!! I know for some of you, you may be thinking “oh boy, little Sterks running around?” Yup, you know it! Look out!

As excited as we are, we know it may not work. But that is in God’s hands. He is the ONLY Creator of life. He is the only One that can create an embryo, have it stay inside Brenda’s womb, and grow that child. We just have to sit back and let God do the work. And maybe God has different plans for us?! Who knows – only God does. So until then, we are just going to keep enjoying the moment and take it an hour at a time.

Thank you ALL for all of your prayers, encouragement, emails, cards, and love. Each and every one of you has helped us get through this process. It is beautiful being part of the body of Christ, having brothers and sisters walk this road with us. Love you ALL!