Our Story Year Five: 2012

When 2012 began, Noah, Isaac, and I were living in our great rented house in Huntsville. Noah and I had been married for four and half years and we had a one month old baby boy. Noah was working as a Spanish teacher at Randolph and I was working as a part time music and choir teacher at Randolph.

For the first time in three years, we were not trying to conceive a baby. Life with Isaac was going well. We had adjusted to each other very well. It wasn't perfect, there were the occasional sleepless nights, but for the most part, I was overwhelmingly blessed at how well I adjusted emotionally, at how perfect and well-tempered Isaac was, and a what an amazing father Noah was. I was not nursing Isaac, but I was pumping and Isaac was drinking breast milk exclusively. 

That spring, things at work became tough for me, and I resorted to drinking diet cokes once again. When Isaac began solid foods at four months, we decided to stop pumping and put Isaac on formula. I was worried that I wasn't doing a good enough job with my nutrition and Isaac kept slipping in weight percentages. Isaac was perfectly healthy though, and he leveled out at the 20th percentile for weight which is just fine. He adjusted just fine to the formula.

On April 27th, a month after I finished pumping, my cycles returned. The doctor had told us to wait until Isaac was 9 months old to begin trying for another child to make sure my body had fully healed. But because of our previous difficulties, we decided to go ahead and resume trying (not fearing that we would conceive before Isaac was nine months old). This certainly was not a big concern, but I wanted to give myself a definitely starting point, so I could return to the doctor one year later to see about another baby.

On November 21st, we celebrated Isaac's first birthday with family. We had a party at our house complete with cakes, decorations, and lots of presents.

In December 2012, we finished our year filled with pumpkin patches, beach trips, family weddings, cookie baking, mountain exploring, Santa visits, and playground trips, complete with first crawls, laughs, and walks. We then celebrated our second Christmas as a family of three and our first Christmas of TTC #2.

Our Story Year Four: 2011

When 2011 began, Noah and I had been married for three and a half years and we were living in our wonderful rented house in Huntsville, AL. Noah was working as a part-time Spanish teacher at Randolph and I was working as a music/librarian/computer teacher at Westminster Christian Academy.

In January of 2011, we had been trying for a baby for 32 months and we were waiting for the next doctor’s appointment. We began our second semester as teachers. Life was crazy as a big snowstorm came and canceled school for an entire week. The next week was my long awaited doctor’s appointment.

On January 18th I went back to the doctor to discuss our options. That day, I was given the option of beginning to see a fertility specialist or continuing with clomid and begin trying IUIs. I decided to stay with my doctor and we scheduled our first IUI.

On January 27th, I went to the doctor's office for an ultrasound where a technician measured my follicle growth. I had two follicles that were measuring over a 2.0 which was what they wanted, so I was sent to the drugstore to pick up the shot of HCG and bring it back to them to administer. 

On January 28th, Noah and I both went back to the doctor's office for our first IUI. 

On February 3rd, I felt very ill and was running a fever. I went to my general practitioner and was diagnosed wit the flu.

On February 10, still suffering from the flu, we found out that the IUI did not work.

On February 12, I began my 7th round of clomid.

On February 21st, I went to the doctor's office for an ultrasound and the technician measured my follicles. This time one follicle measured at 1.8 and the other measured 1.6, so I was sent back home and told to come back the next day.

On February 22nd,  I went to the doctor's office where they administered my HCG shot without repeating the ultrasound.

On February 23rd, Noah and I returned to the doctor's office for our second IUI.

On March 10th, I took a pregnancy test and the every so slightest second pink line appeared. I took a digital pregnancy test, and this too showed positive. I called the doctor's office and went it for an appointment. I took a pregnancy test there and the test was positive. I was sent to the lab for some blood work. My Progesterone was fantastic at 46 and my HCG was low but 196. We scheduled another blood test.

On March 14th, I had another blood test. This time my progesterone stayed high at a 46 and my HCG rose to 1014. We scheduled my first Obstetrics appointment.

On March 22, I had our first Obstetrics appointment. Everything went perfectly. The baby measured at 6 weeks and 1 day but they kept our due date for November 17, 2011 which meant the gestational age of the baby was actually 5 weeks and 5 days. They were able to seek cardiac activity on the ultrasound. I went to the lab and had a full obstetrics blood work done and we scheduled our next appointment.

That spring we were incredibly busy. Noah had two out of town conferences he attended in both Birmingham and Baton Rouge. We traveled almost every Tuesday to Sewanee for symphony rehearsals and I had many other gigs as well. The extra money was great, because it helped us pay for the IUI procedures, buy a new China cabinet so we could finally get all our wedding china out of storage, and begin purchases for our new baby.

On April 5th, Noah and I went to the doctor and had another ultrasound. This time we were able to hear the baby's heartbeat. The baby's heart beat was measuring at 168 beats per minute. Everything was going very well.

In April, we made our first yard sale purchases for the baby: a bassinet, a bouncer seat, and a small swing. I also interviewed for a new job in April.

On April 27th the worst rash of tornadoes swept through Alabama. At Westminster, we had a pretty scary incident in the morning where something went up above us. Trying to get home was very hard because of all the downed trees and power lines. Nothing happened in Huntsville though. Later that night, a tornado hit the Huntsville power plant and we all lost power for over a week. They cancelled Panoply and the imposed a sun down curfew for all residents. I was still working at the Sewanee Symphony in Tennessee so Noah and I traveled up there for a rehearsal and then stayed overnight in a hotel for the concert the next day. It was nice to have a hot shower and a warm meal. We came back down to Huntsville after the concert, and the next day, with my parents, we all went to Birmingham.

On May 3rd we had another doctor's appointment but did not have an ultrasound because they were able to hear the baby's heartbeat from the outside. After this appointment they put us on a regular schedule of every four weeks for appointments.

On May 31st we had another doctor's appointment. The baby's heart rate was 148 beats per minute.

In May, I found out that I had gotten the job at Randolph and I made the huge, huge decision to leave Westminster. It was the hardest decision I have ever made. Randolph was much closer to our house so I wouldn't be making that long drive everyday, the Randolph position was part-time and I have always known I did not want to put my babies in day care if at all possible, and Noah and Mom worked there. 

On July 6th, we had our big appointment. The baby was 20 weeks and 6 days. We had our big ultrasound. Everything looked great. We found out the baby was a boy and we named him David Isaac Hoppe-McQueen. Both of our father's are named David and we will call him Isaac because we prayed for a son like Abraham and Sarah.m

That summer because of our changing job situations, we worked many camps to pay the bills. Noah and I both worked at the Samford Younger Kids Theater camp, Noah worked at the Samford Older Kids Theater camp, I worked at the Dawson Memorial Baptist music camp, and the First Baptist Church music camp. It worked, our rent was paid and we were set to begin the new school year.

On August 3rd we had a doctor's appointment. Isaac's heart was beating at 142 beats per minute.

That August, life changed for us as well. Noah became a full time Spanish teacher at Randolph and I left Westminster to work as a part time music and choir teacher at Randolph. I was happy to be at the same school as Noah and Mom and to have a part time job in preparation for life with Isaac. Transitioning into Randolph was not difficult.

On August 24th, I had my gestational diabetes test, which I passed.

On August 30th, I had a doctor's appointment. Isaac heart beat was 140 beats per minute.

In September, Noah and I began our parenting and childbirth classes. We had also worked all summer to clean out one room and prepare a nursery for Isaac.

On September 27th, we had a doctor's appointment. Isaac's heart beat was 140 beats per minute.

On October 10th, I had another doctor's appointment. My belly measured on schedule at 34-35 centimeters.

On October 23rd, we had our first baby shower thrown by our Randolph alumnae frinds.

On October 24th, we had another doctor's appointment. I had the strep B test which I passed. Isaac's heart rate was 142 beats per minute. I had our first examination and the baby was officially head down but there were no signs of labor.

On October 30th, we had a baby shower at First Baptist.

On October 31st, we had another doctor's appointment. The baby was still head down and very low. The doctor said he could be born and day and be healthy.

November 4th was my last day of teaching and I went on maternity leave. I had prepared everything as best as I could. My desk was lined with little neat stacks of lesson plans and books and resources all labeled with sticky notes for my maternity substitute.

On November 7th, I had a doctor's appointment. I was one centimeter dialated and very soft.

On November 14th, I had our last doctor's appointment at 39 weeks and 4 days. Isaac's heart rate was 144 beats per minute. His had was low and ready to go. I was almost four centimeters dilated and about 80% effaced. The doctor told us that if I did not go into labor by next Monday, to show up at the hospital at 5am on Monday November 21st.

On November 21st, I had not yet gone into labor, so Noah and I showed up at Huntsville Hospital at about 5:20am. We signed in, paid our co-pay at sat down in the waiting room. I was shortly called back and given the last labor and delivery room. I filled out all the paper work, got into a hospital gown, and Noah came back in.

Our labor was pretty short. At 8:30am after my first pitocin drip, the doctor broke my water. Then they increased the pitocin drip and the pain got hard. I then had the epidural and felt better. About an hour later, I was feeling bad again, and the nurse checked me. It was time.

David Isaac Hoppe-McQueen was born at 11:55am. He weight 8 pounds and 2 ounces. He was 20.5 inches long.

He was our miracle.

In December, my maternity substitute could not direct at our school concert, so the week after Isaac was born, we both returned to the classroom. Isaac was great. I directed my choir at the assembly and the Candlelight Concert.

In December 2011, together we lit the candle at the Christmas Eve service. We then celebrated our first Christmas at a family of three.

Our Story Year Three: 2010

When 2010 began, Noah and I had been married for two and a half years and were living in the guest bedroom at his mother’s house in Huntsville, AL. Noah was working as both a substitute in Madison County, Madison City, Huntsville City, and Randolph and as a tutor at Appleton. I was working as a full-time maternity substitute at Sparkman High School.

In January of 2010, we had been trying for a baby for 20 months but it had been a year since I had seen a doctor. My job as a high school choral director was stressful but it was a great experience that taught me a lot. I feel so grateful to have had this opportunity before beginning as a first year teacher.

As the spring approached we readied ourselves to begin the long job search process over again this year feeling better prepared and more confident. With the added stability of a steady job and regular pay, I began to search for a new doctor. I wanted to go to a practice that would give me just a little bit more personal attention than where I had been before. I wrote down a list of places and numbers to call during my planning period one afternoon, but I never got up the courage to do so.

In April of 2010, Noah began his full time maternity position at Bob Jones High School He loved working there and it was a wonderful experience for him to get to work with high school students. In April, I found out that the there was an elementary job opening in Huntsville. The next day, I called the principal and set up an interview.

In May of 2010, I found out that I had gotten the job. I felt so fortunate to have the opportunity to return to elementary students. I finished up the school year at Sparkman and was sad to say goodbye to everyone but excited about the upcoming school year. Noah too was finishing up the school year at Bob Jones.

In June of 2010, we were very excited when we found out that Noah too would have a permanent teaching position in the fall. With our newly established financial security, we looked for a place to live. The house that I had seen two years previously was still vacant and available to rent so we happily decided to move there.

In August of 2010, we moved into our new (rented) house. We had all of our belongings and wedding gifts out of storage and in our new home. I also called my new doctor’s office and set up an appointment.

On August 3, 2010 I had my first doctor’s appointment in nineteenth months. I said that we had been trying to have a baby for 27 months with no success. The doctor explained the most likely scenarios for our troubles and ordered a progesterone blood test on August 5^th. This week Noah and I were also beginning our in-service training as new teachers. Over the weekend, I prepared my lesson plans for the upcoming school week and became horribly overwhelmed. I did not think I was going to survive my teaching schedule and class load. I was scared and stressed and completely petrified. I did not think I was going to succeed at all.

August 10^th was my first full day of work, it was also my first day to actually teach classes. During my lunch break, the doctor’s office called and told me that I had failed my progesterone blood test. They look for a progesterone level of at least 10 but I only had a level of 3. The nurse explained that this indicated that I had not ovulated and she called in a prescription of 50mg of clomid that I would begin taking that day and would take for the next five days. I would also have a blood test again on August 28^th to measure my progesterone levels to see if the clomid worked. It was actually a bit of a relief to find something wrong, because that meant they could fix it. I once again was optimistic about our chances on clomid.

I had my blood test on August 28^th and a few days later the nurse called and told me I had a progesterone level of 18, which was very good. All we needed to do now was wait and see if a baby would come. But a baby did not come.

On September 6^th I started the 50mg of clomid for five days again and had a blood test scheduled for September 24^th to measure my progesterone level. This time the doctor’s office called me a few days later and said the my progesterone level was only at 14 and even though that did indicate ovulation they wanted at least a level of 15 in patients who were taking clomid. We were still to wait and see if a baby would come. But a baby did not come.

On October 2^nd I started 100mg of clomid for five days to see if this would raise my progesterone levels up above 15. I had a blood test scheduled for October 20^th. This month because of the increased medication, I had a few painful side affects but nothing too horrible. After my blood test, the doctor’s office called to say that my progesterone level was 40, a huge jump. This month I felt certain a baby would come, I even felt that I had early pregnancy symptoms. But a baby did not come and my symptoms were just from the medication.

On October 29^th I once again took 100mg of clomid for the next five days and had a blood test scheduled for November 16^th. But because I had ovulated for the past three months, the doctor wanted further tests done.

On November 5^th Noah and I went to Huntsville Hospital for the HSG. The hysterosalpingogram is an x-ray that looks at the uterus and fallopian tubes to make sure there is no blockage. I was very scared about going in for this test. I had read a lot about it and I knew it was rather invasive and potentially painful. I was admitted to the hospital and then sent back to the imaging waiting room. When I was called back, I had to go by myself. When the doctor came in, he and the nurse continually told me I was about to feel a little bit of pain or a little bit of pressure which made me very, very nervous. It never really hurt though; it definitely did not live up to their hype. It was uncomfortable yes but not painful. They could tell the results of this x-ray immediately, and everything went perfectly, not a problem. In November, our doctor also had Noah retested since he hadn’t been tested since January of 2009. All of Noah’s tests once again came back with perfect results. I even passed my progesterone blood test that month with a level of 20. We were once again told to wait for a baby to come. We had added hopes because the doctor at the HSG said that many times women became pregnant after having the HSG. But a baby did not come.

On November 26^th I once again took 100mg of clomid for the next five days and had a blood test scheduled for December 14^th. The nurse called a few days later and told me that my progesterone level was fine for this month but if a baby did not come, I would need to set up an appointment with the doctor again to discuss further medications and procedures, or see about going to a fertility specialist. We were told to wait and see if a baby would come. But a baby did not come.

On December 22^nd I once again took 100mg of clomid for the next five days. I also called to set up an appointment to see the doctor but because of the holidays, I was told to wait until January and after my next blood test. My doctor’s appointment was set for January 18^th.

In December of 2010, Noah and I finished our first semester at our new jobs. Though my semester had been crazy stressful and I had definitely survived and everything had gone very well. Noah also had had a very successful first semester. We then celebrated our third Christmas as TTC.

Our Story Year Two: 2009

When 2009 began, Noah and I had been married for a year and a half and were living in the same great two bedroom apartment in Mountain Brook, AL. Noah was working as a full-time Spanish teacher at Highland’s Day School and I was working as a Children’s Music Leader at Baptist Church of the Covenant and was also a graduate student at Samford University.

In January of 2009, we had been trying for a baby for eight months, and I went to the doctor for the second time. I was told that eight months was nothing to be concerned about and that I would not be considered infertile until after a year of trying which would occur in May. Nonetheless, the doctor ordered several blood tests for this month. I had my follicle stimulating hormone and my thyroid hormone checked at the beginning of the month. Both tests came back completely normal. I also had a progesterone test near the end of the month, and this test too came back normal. I once again did extensive research to understand what these tests meant. Noah also underwent testing and all of his tests came back completely normal. Feeling optimistic by all of our positive results, I once again expected that we would be pregnant any month now. Knowing that our next step would be to go back to the doctor in May for an HSG we continued to wait.

That spring, my career as a harpist fared very well. Noah and I did a good deal of traveling for harp gigs. My graduate harp recital went well in April and in May I graduated with a Masters of Music in Music Education with a certificate in Harp Performance. Noah finished up his first year as a teacher successfully and we foolishly decided to move back to Huntsville now that we were both done with school.

In May of 2009 our lives exploded into complete unrest and uncertainty. We packed up our great apartment and put all of our belongings in a storage facility in Huntsville and moved in with Noah’s mother in Huntsville. Noah left his great job at Highland’s in search of a job in Huntsville. He had one really great interview but did not get the job. During all the unrest of moving and searching for work, I did not go back to the doctor as planned in May for an HSG.

Over the summer I continued with my continuing education by obtaining my Orff Level 1 certification. During this two-week process, I learned that the state board of education had rejected the application for a teaching certificate from all Samford music education graduates. I had to re-enroll in school to take an additional three classes that summer. It was a hard battle we fought to ensure that all of our needs were met and the classes we needed were offered.

Noah applied for many, many jobs that summer and took his resume and portfolio to all reaches of the county and even to Cullman but nothing worked out for various reasons. I did not actively seek a full time teaching position because I wanted part time work to better adapt to the life a being a mother. Still convinced that I was destined to be a mother, I did not want to begin as a first year teacher because I knew how stressful and how hard being a first year teacher would be and I did not want to go through that if I was just going to quit the next semester or year to be a full time mother. As the summer drew to a close, it became apparent that Noah was probably not going to find a full time teaching position this year and because of this, I should also seek a full-time position.

In July of 2009, I received an email and an answer to prayer though not the prayer I was praying. The choir teacher at Sparkman High School (who worked with my mother in the Huntsville Community Children’s Chorus) needed a maternity substitute for the spring semester. Up until this point I had wanted to work with preschool children in a part time capacity, but fortunately I was not foolish enough to brush aside this opportunity for a great career and financial boost.

Noah and I changed our plan of action from seeking teaching positions to seeking substitute opportunities. We applied to be substitute teachers at Randolph, Madison County, Madison City, and Huntsville City. We did pretty well that fall semester as substitutes. I subbed for several music teachers that I knew around the county and Noah took his substitute resume to every high school in Huntsville City, Madison County, and Madison City. Once again we were blessed. The Spanish teachers at Bob Jones were very good about asking Noah to sub for them and one of the teachers found out she too would need a maternity sub for the end of the spring semester next year and Noah gladly accepted the offer.

We never actively stopped our pursuit of a baby, but unfortunately it was put on the back burner until we could find stability in our lives. I almost went back to the doctor in November for the HSG I should have had the previous May, but I never scheduled the appointment. Though it was never completely out of my mind, it was no longer my foremost thought; our search for work would drive our lives for the next year.

In December of 2009, I began my job as a full-time maternity substitute at Sparkman High School and Noah continued substitute teaching at various schools throughout the county. We then celebrated our second Christmas as TTC.

Our Story Year One: 2008

When 2008 began, Noah and I had been married for six months and were living in a great two bedroom apartment in Mountain Brook, AL. Noah was working as a substitute teacher at Highlands Day School pretty regularly and was also doing very well as a full time student in his graduate classes at UAB. I was working as a graduate assistant at Samford University, a music intern at Mountain Brook Baptist Church and I was doing very well as a full time student in my graduate classes at Samford.

In January of 2008, I received a phone call for a harp gig with the Broadway Theatre League. There was a production of Camelot coming up in February in Birmingham and they needed a harpist in addition to other instruments. The paycheck for this weeklong gig was the largest paycheck I had ever and have ever received. Excited for the opportunity and for the money, I gladly accepted. The gig was stressful but overall very successful and I am glad for the experience. Because the gig came with such a big monetary bonus, we decided to take the next step in our marriage and invest in a puppy. The gig provided us with the money to purchase a puppy and the necessary accessories and also pay our additional apartment fees. One Sunday morning, I looked online for puppies and found a website called puppyfinder.com. I looked for local Pembroke Welsh Corgi puppies and discovered three (one girl and two boys) for sale in Section, AL. Noah had always wanted a Pembroke Welsh Corgi and I wanted a girl dog so we decided on this cute three-month old puppy named Sierra. The next day on Monday, I called the owners and they said we could come by on Saturday and pick her up. On Saturday less than a week after I had decided I wanted a puppy we had her in hand. We named her Ein and she has been a blessing to us ever since.

This instant gratification is what I expected at least subconsciously in our approach to having a baby.

The spring of 2008 was filled with disappointment and victory. Noah and I were both due to student teach in the following fall semester but I was ready to move back to Huntsville. I fell in love with a house I visited that was for rent in Huntsville as I attempted to find a way for both Noah and me to find jobs in Huntsville and student teach in Huntsville; but neither was a possibility for either of us. Disappointed, we prepared for at least another year of living in Birmingham.

In April of 2008, Noah received a phone call from Highland’s Day School, where he had been substituting. Their Spanish teacher was leaving, and they asked if he would be interested in the job. We had not expected this and were overjoyed at the prospect of a full time teaching position for Noah. Noah interviewed and was hired by Highland’s Day school in the spring of 2008. I too switched jobs that spring. I had been an intern at Mountain Brook Baptist but that spring Baptist Church of the Covenant contacted me and asked if I would like to interview for their children’s music director. I interviewed for that position and was hired that spring. We both had exciting new jobs that would both fulfill and challenge us and we were also all set to student teach in the fall. Noah’s full time teaching salary provided a stability for us that we had not had up until this point and we decided once again we were ready to take the next step in our marriage: we wanted a baby.

In April of 2008, I went to the doctor for a preliminary check up and was pronounced in great health. The doctor optimistically said she hoped to see me back very soon. I did countless research on the Internet and felt we knew all we needed to begin this process.

Our summer included our first wedding anniversary, the weddings of friends and family, harp gigs, summer classes, music camp, and over the counter ovulation predictor tests.

As the months rolled by, I became nervous and depressed. Knowing what I do now, I know this was way too soon to indicate anything was wrong, but I never would have expected such a long wait.

In August of 2008, Noah began his first full time teaching job as a Spanish teacher to preschoolers through eighth graders while simultaneously student teaching and taking classes. I also began my job as a children’s music leader at a new church and my student teaching at the Alabama School of Fine Arts and Bluff Park Elementary School.

Our lives were busy, stressful, and meaningful, but the weight of our desire for a baby began to become overburdening. Strangely enough, in some ways 2008 was the hardest year for me emotionally. It was the year I cried the most often. We both sang in our church choir every Sunday, and most Sundays, it was hard for me to hold back the tears as I sang the beautiful passages of scripture that meant so much to me. I prayed constantly and I was never far from the incessant thoughts of my desire for a baby. Perhaps it was the shock, never suspecting that this would happen to us. I bought books upon books about fertility and read website after website, but unfortunately this reading only further discouraged me when I found out how much could possibly be wrong.

In December of 2008, Noah graduated from graduate school with a Masters of Arts in Secondary Education and completed his first semester as a full-time Spanish teacher. I completed my student teaching and was set to prepare for my graduate harp recital next semester. We then celebrated out first Christmas as TTC.