From Book to Shirts

Hi all!
Sorry I haven't blogged in a while.  Between the death of my beloved Opu, Super Storm Sandy destroying my parents' house and my father-in-law becoming ill right before Christmas, things have been crazy-busy around here.

The death of Opu, my first baby and a black labrador retriever in September, didn't only greatly sadden me, but also my children.  Funny, but it was my three year old son, Owen, who wanted me to bring him home from Kevin's house (clearly didn't understand that I was saying that Opu was in "Heaven" and instead that he was at Kevin's house in the clouds).

This was the genesis of my idea of putting "Opu" on a shirt for my children.  It was much harder and easier than I thought it would be.  I hadn't sewn since Home Economics class in Junior High and let's just say that anyone who knows me knows that I cannot draw.  However, I strongly believe in the age-old saying that if there is a will there is a way and well...I found a way to make the shirts for my kids.  I have gotten so much joy out of creating the shirts and positive feedback from people that I decided to open an Etsy shop.  We'll see what comes of it, but I've definitely have had fun making, not only the Opu shirt, but also the pirate ship, hammerhead shark and butterfly for my kids.

Here is a link to my shop KooCoo Say, if you would like to look at or purchase a shirt.

The name comes from my kids' favorite saying, "Koo Coo Sock."  Brian and I don't know where they got it from, but basically if you are being silly, they will call you a "Koo Coo Sock!"

My kids are giving me multiple requests each day, so by the end of the week I'll should also have a tiger, flower, whale and octopus up on Etsy.

I wish you all the best,
Laura

Should Schools Teach About Infertility?

There is an interesting article in The Guardian (UK) that discusses teaching infertility in schools.  It asks the question:  "Why doesn't sex education cover infertility, when five children in every class are likely to experience it?

I am not ashamed (and hope no one is) that we had to turn to fertility treatments to have the family that we do.  I plan to be very open with my children (why I wrote the book) about the path we took to have our children.  However, do I really want them to learn about infertility in high school?  Do I want them to be scared that they will struggle to have kids when they are still kids themselves?


No, no, no...I do not want my kids to have a class in high school that teaches them about infertility.  I want them to focus on high school, college and to find a career/vocation that they love.  I don't want them thinking that they should have children in their late teens/ early 20s, because they might suffer from infertility.  


When my children enter their 30s and don't have children then I will discuss infertility with them, specially my daughter.  I will educate her about freezing her eggs and other options that she has.  If I am not around to talk to her, I will hope that she will be comfortable with the internet and search engines and will be able to find out all the information that she needs regarding infertility.


I'd love to know what you think about teaching our high schoolers about infertility?

Here's the link to the full article

My Book at Amazon: Five Strands of Hope ($0.99)

Here are links to previous blog posts: 

My Beach Days Have Changed Forever

90% Divorce Rate for Parents of Triplets

I'll Have Another

A Mother's Fears

The Strongest Women

The Loneliness of Having Triplets

Natural Remedy for PCOS

Infertility and Alcoholism

Acupuncture Improves Your Chances

Stress Kills Your Chances

It's Not Your Lifestyle: Male Infertility

Grasping at Straws: Laptops Damage Sperm

Fresh vs Frozen Embryo Transfer

Premature Babies Twice as Likely to Suffer Mental Disorders

Does IVF Increased Your Breast Cancer Risk?

Egg Donation: Considerations

There is an interesting article in the San Francisco Chronicle about egg donations.  Specifically, about the thoughts and feelings one woman had prior to donating her eggs.  My husband and I had discussed EVERYTHING when we faced our fertility issues from donor sperm to donor eggs and adoption.

Most recently I asked my husband what his thought were about me donating my eggs to help out a friend.  Well, he laughed in my face…not because he didn't want me to help out my friend, but because well…I'm 41 and my eggs aren't so great.   Sometimes, I forget my age.  It's just a number after all and it really doesn't play a role in my day to day life.  However, it does fertility-wise and sometimes I think that just sucks!

Here's the link to the article, if you are interested in reading it.

Here are links to previous blog posts: 

A Mother's Fears
The Strongest Women

The Loneliness of Having Triplets

Premature Babies Twice as Likely to Suffer Mental Disorders

Are You Having Twins?

Does IVF Increased Your Breast Cancer Risk?

Time to See a Fertility Specialist

What is the "Right" Number of Children to Have?

Here are links to chapter one of my book:

Chapter 1 (part 1)

Chapter 1 (part 2)

The Strongest Women Around

One of the reactions I've gotten from the story of my triplet pregnancy is how strong I must be.  However, I know and unfortunately a lot of other women know that I am not that strong.  There are women who are far stronger than me.  I've met these women.  They are friends and neighbors, cyber friends, message board acquaintances and women whose stories I've heard, but have never met.  Women who suffered stillbirths or the deaths of their newborns.  These women are strong, stronger than I could ever imagine being.  Stronger than I ever want to have to be.

Shortly after I went "live" with my blog, I got an email from a women who just lost her triplets at 22 or 23 weeks.  She thanked me for starting my blog, for sharing my story.  I cried.  I tried to read her email to my husband, but I lost my voice.  Why did she lose her babies and I didn't?  Why did mine just turn three and her never got to breathe?  Am I lucky and she unlucky?  Lord knows that I didn't deserve my babies anymore than she did.  Sometimes I think it is because of a darn butterfly that flapped it wings in China that created these events.  However, most the time, I think it's because life just sucks sometimes.  Everyone has had those moments or events when you think "life sucks," but a stillbirth or infant death is a whole different universe of "life sucks."

Some of the women that had stillbirths have children that go to the same preschool as mine.  I seem them smiling and being wonderful mothers.  You are so strong, I think.  I admire you.  I feel for you and whether you know it or not, I am always wishing you and your family happiness.

Miss. Universe of the body-building world might have the biggest muscles, but women who has suffered infant losses have the strongest hearts.

Here are links to previous blog posts: 

The Loneliness of Having Triplets

A Mother's Fears

Are You Having Twins?

Does IVF Increased Your Breast Cancer Risk?

Time to See a Fertility Specialist

Increased Pregnancy Rates with New IVF Procedure

What is the "Right" Number of Children to Have?

Here are links to chapter one of my book:

Chapter 1 (part 1)

Chapter 1 (part 2)

A Mother's Fears

Motherhood didn't come easy to me.  I mean, I was suppose to be a mother in my 20s.  Instead, I went to business school and had a career.  When I hit 30, I realized that I was with the wrong man.  It took me a while to let go of the wrong relationship, because I was supposed to have been a mom already.  I was scared to start dating again to find the right man for me and my future children.  What if it took too long and I aged myself out of motherhood?

Thankfully, I was able to find wonderful man and with modern medicine we were able to have the family that I had dreamt about for years.  Of course, I never dreamt of having triplets.  And after a horrific triplet pregnancy, I had a hard time believing that all three of my babies were born completely healthy.  So…

When Liam decided that it was silly to try to stand when only three months old (while I was holding him), I thought that his legs didn't work.  After all, his triplets siblings who were basically as old as he was (one older by three minutes and the other younger by two minutes) were "standing."  The doctor told me that Liam's legs worked fine and that I needed to relax, which was easier said then done.

My Lovely Liam (~3 months)

Then when Anna got really sick at 6 months old, I was sure she was going to be diagnosed with some dreaded disease.  She ended up having bronchilitis, which was rather easily treated.  I still thought that maybe her lungs didn't develop properly because she was premature.  No, the doctor insisted.  She was fine.

My Anna (~ 6 months)

I almost forgot about the time that a dresser fell on Owen when he was 20 months old (long story and I feel like sh*t about it)…well, I did call 911 and I was positive that my little boy was paralyzed.  However, aside from 5-6 nasty bruises over his body (one on his back lasted over a year), he was/is completely fine.

Owen (~20 months)

Since then my biggest fears are caused by bumps and bruises and fevers.  However, each time, I want to rush them to the doctor's office to have someone reassure me that they are indeed fine.  I know that I'm not alone in fearing for my kids health and safety.  I think it comes with being a mother.  However, sometimes I wonder if it hits me harder, because I feel like I used up all my luck during my pregnancy and the next time something happens and I need luck on my side…my luck bucket will be empty.

Here are links to previous blog posts: 

The Loneliness of Having Triplets

The Joys of Having Triplets

Time to See a Fertility Specialist

Here are links to chapter one of my book:

Chapter 1 (part 1)

Chapter 1 (part 2)

What is the "Right" Number of Children?

Clearly with four children, although only two successful pregnancies, I have my own idea on the "right"number of children, because I believe that all of mine were meant to be here.  However, popular thought is the following:

One - Population Control

Two - Parental Replacement

Three - Trying for a girl/boy, if first two are of the same sex.

Four or More - Too Many

What do you think is the number of children that families should have?  I'd love to know what you think.  Leave comments below.

Miracle Workers Save Babies' Lives

Today marks the 3rd anniversary of the day I held my little girl for the first time.  A little girl that I dreamt of having since I can remember my dreams.  A little girl, who funny enough, is a better-looking version of me.  She shares a birthday with two of her three brothers.  I adore them as much as I adore her.  However, I know with certainty that my triplets should not be here.  They were destined for heaven before they had a chance to live.

My cervix was only five millimeters thick.  It was supposed to be 450 millimeters (or 4.5 cm).  I researched incompetent cervix on the Internet and found the Incompetent Cervix Support Forum.  Post after post contained stories of other mother's who lost babies with cervixes thicker than mine.  Mothers who lost one, two and even more babies to this dreadful condition.  My cervix, as thick as five strands of hair, and I had something these other women didn't have, The Miracle Workers at Maternal-Fetal Medicine in New York City, specifically Dr. Nathan Fox and Dr. Andrei Rebarber.

If you visit their website, it boldly states that they blend Hi-Tech & Compassion.  I'd challenge that.  Yes, they are hi-tech and yes, they are compassionate, but I'm not so sure that hi-tech comes first.  The compassion I saw in Dr. Rebarber and Dr. Fox's eyes, their relaxed manner and wiliness to sit and comfort me, reassure me was more than anyone would ever expect from such highly sought after doctors.

Not a day goes by that I don't think of these men and their medical practice.  I can imagine the pain I would feel at having lost my babies and it terrifies me when I  think about what should have been.  However, I am lucky.  I am lucky that Dr. Ketly Michel referred to Maternal-Fetal Medicine Associates.  I am lucky that Dr. Rebarber took me on as his patient and I'm lucky that he works with Dr. Fox.  I am lucky that they just happen to be compassionate doctors who are among the best in the world (my opinion, but probably could be backed up by fact).

Thank you Dr. Nathan Fox and Dr. Andrei Rebarber.

I will always think of you with love,
Laura

Here are links to previous blog posts: 

The Loneliness of Having Triplets

The Joys of Having Triplets

Time to See a Fertility Specialist

A Mother's Fears

What is the "Right" Number of Children to Have?

Here are links to chapter one of my book:

Chapter 1 (part 1)

Chapter 1 (part 2)