Embryo Adoption :: Our Journey {2022}

I didn't blog at all about Embryo Adoption in 2022! But that's not because it hasn't been on my mind...

I have actually thought a lot about it this year. Our story, how grateful I am for my sweet snowflake babies, how the Lord provided in ways we never could have imagined. Five years ago this month, we had our last frozen embryo transfer, and it's hard to believe that it has been that long since we were wrapping up our journey to building our family. Five years ago this month, we "met" our precious Aiden for the first time through a microscope, and we were praying that we would get to hold him in our arms.

But as the kids get older and start asking more questions and having a deeper understanding of their origins, my mind has started to shift to what their response and feelings will be toward it all. I have spent a lot of time reading the stories of donor-conceived persons, and while I have gleaned some valuable information, it has also been a little disheartening. Most of the hardship comes from the unethical nature of the entire fertility industry and the secrecy surrounding so many people's origins {something I also take issue with}. Thankfully, we have no plans to keep information from our kids, and we can use these stories to have better conversations with them. But there is a large contingency of donor-conceived people who find embryo adoption abhorrent, the worst of the industry. And while I am trying to learn and understand their perspectives, it's a hard place to be as someone who became a Mama because of, what I view as the gift of, embryo adoption. 

I am thankful that I don't have to process my children's stories solely through the lens of a {legitimately} broken and hurting group of donor conceived people. I can lean on the power and redemption of the gospel and how that {more importantly} shapes my children's identities. I can recognize the sovereign hand of God in our family's story and rest in the fact that He alone will direct their paths, however they view their origins. But gosh, I really don't want to get this wrong...

Eli and Maddie have just now started asking about where babies come from, asking questions about how they were in Mommy's tummy, and how {exactly} they came out haha. As I even look ahead to 1st grade history and science and all the topics we will cover, I know more of these conversations will start to come up. And I just want to be ready for them. So I am learning to lean on Jesus and dig into His word for wisdom. Because I know He will be faithful to give it.

Christmas 2022

We spent Christmas in our new house this year! We had boxes everywhere, and we're still waiting on some lights...but we made it work :)

We were able to go to the candlelight service at church Christmas Eve. Since Mike was preaching, the kids and I went to the first service, then headed home for dinner and bedtime. That evening, my throat started bothering me. It's still my only symptom {besides being tired} today, so I'm not really sure what the deal is. At 2am Christmas morning, Aiden burst into our room and said, "Mommy, I can't sleep anymore because my tummy hurts." And then he proceeded to heave. So I slept with him on the couch. Thankfully, he was fine when it was time to wake up, so again, not sure what that was.

This year's Christmas gifts followed the same pattern: something to wear, something to read, and something to play/create with. We had given the kids their Christmas pajamas earlier in December {family photo coming later!}, and they each got a fun new book to read. Their fun gifts this year were a parking garage and dollhouse! Eli also got some new marble run pieces.

My labor of love for the boys! I bought the MDF wood pieces from Etsy, then painted and assembled it myself.

The kids have played non-stop the last couple of days, and I am so glad they are enjoying their new fun toys. We'll continue working to get unpacked and settled through the new year, but we are thankful to be in our new home!

Merry Christmas from the McCulloughs!

Crohn's Chronicles :: Normal Again

I recently blogged about all of my insurance woes. I am happy to report that the Lord has provided, and the insurance approved my medication! My GI did have to submit additional paperwork, but thankfully insurance approved it without having to go into a full blown review. So I was able to get and take my next dose in time, so I can stay on track {at least for another 6 months until we do it again haha}. Praise God for His care and provision!

I am so thankful for a GI who sees my individual case and takes the time to step in to make things happen. He knew it was insurance's problem, but that I, as his patient, was in need. I have struggled with his office staff, but I am really thankful for him.

I did some more routine lab work to see where my numbers were. And the Lord has continued to provide...all of my numbers are back in normal range! C-Reactive protein, calprotectin {both inflammation markers}, iron and vitamins. Normal. I cried when I got the news. All of my numbers are normal for the first time in 3 years!!

For reference:

May 2020 {6 months active symptoms, first lab confirmation of active Crohn's}: over 3000

Dec 2020 {6 months on Entyvio, active symptoms}: 1072

May 2021 {12 months on Entyvio, active symptoms}: 322

Dec 2021 {6 months on Stelara at 8-week dose, improving but still active symptoms}: 166

Dec 2022 {6 months on Stelara at 4-week dose}: 63

Only a colonoscopy can confirm remission, and my GI won't do that until the spring {since I am feeling better}. But this is the closest I have felt in 3 years, and normal lab work is definitely a positive sign! It's possible that some of my remaining symptoms have to do with the iron supplements I was taking; thankfully I can stop taking those, so hopefully I'll see improvement there. If not, I might try some probiotics. In some ways, my GI tract has to "relearn" how to function normally. Now that inflammation has healed, it can finally start to do that. 

And I still have to figure out my migraines. My GI suggested I go see a neurologist, so that's on my list for 2023. He is in full agreement that I should really try to avoid another medication, but also knows that I need more than just Tylenol for relief. So we'll see if we can get that resolved soon too. 

So now it's a matter of maintaining my Stelara doses, letting my GI tract relearn how to function normally, addressing the migraines, managing some of the lingering effects of long term inflammation {gums}, and monitoring risks associated with Stelara {skin issues}. We. Are. Getting. There.

Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow.

A Few Christmas Activities

Since we have been in the middle of packing and moving, our usual Christmas festivities have been minimal. We have been doing our Advent countdown, but otherwise, we skipped the tree and decorations. I have tried to do a few Christmas activities here and there, to try to keep some normalcy {and try to offer some distractions in the midst of the chaos}.

I had found these snowman crafts at an after-Christmas-sale last year, so it was the perfect time to pull them out.  A little glue and cotton balls, and voila! Snowmen :)

I also found these ugly Christmas sweater crafts again at Target {we did these last year}. The kids really liked these, so it was fun to do them again.

Our cookie cutters were packed, so we kept it simple with Christmas cookies. I bought some of the sugar cookie dough from Pillsbury, and we decorated them with sprinkles. Super easy and quick, and the kids were happy.

Aiden didn't get to help because he was struggling with life. But don't worry, he got to eat one later ;)

I came across these cardboard gingerbread houses during a Black Friday sale, so I decided to go this {less messy} route this year. Best. Decision. Ever. The kids spent over an hour working on these, and they even came with little battery-operated tea lights to put inside. Highly recommend them {just be forewarned that the stickers can be a little tough for little hands, so these might not be great for anyone younger than 4...unless you personally want to take apart all the stickers yourself}.

With all the moving craziness, I was thankful to squeeze in a few of these fun activities!