I'm going nutty!!!

There is another neighbor who has his sign faced like our neighbor. Okay, seriously, wouldn't it make more sense to have it faced so the traffic can see? Or do they know it's driving me crazy and they want to see me sweat? I decided against taking a picture in case the neighbors would see me and think I've really gone off the deep end. But, it's driving me crazy!!

I've been tagged by my friend at Growing Our Bean! Here it goes!!
Rules:1. Grab the nearest book of 123 pages or more.
2. Open it to page 123.
3. Find the first 5 sentences and write them down.
4. Then invite 5 friends to do the same.

The book I chose was the Bible.

"I will have mercy on whom I will have compassion. "But", he said "you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.". Then the Lord said "There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back, but my face must not be seen."

I'm tagging whoever wants to play. :)

I got caught...oops

I'm a bad aunt. We were baby-sitting the kids Sunday night. I had fed them some elbow macaroni with spaghetti sauce on them. Peyton had put one of the elbow macaroni on her fork (putting the macaroni into the "lines" of the fork....if that makes sense), kind of playing with her food. A good aunt would tell her not to play with it, right? Well, I'm a bad aunt. I put my arms in the air and said "Yay!". She was so excited that I was so happy that she kept putting the macaroni on her fork so I would say "Yay!". Pretty soon, Tyler caught on and started doing it so the whole supper we were all putting macaroni on our forks, putting our forks in the air and saying "Yay!"

My sister calls Monday night.

Danielle: I'm just a little curious. Is there a reason that while I'm trying to feed my children supper that they keep putting their forks up in the air and saying "Yay!"

Oops....I got caught. I'm such a bad aunt. :) My sister thought it was funny and she wasn't upset...but I still felt bad. :)




Here's a picture of our neighbor's house. It's really hard to see, but there is a sign there that says "Anderson For Mayor" by their driveway. This view is looking from our driveway. Apparently our neighbors want us to vote for Anderson for mayor....but no one else. Wouldn't you put the sign so it's facing the traffic when it comes down the road rather than just for the neighbors to see? It bugs me and I wanna go fix it. :)

Thanks!

I forgot to say thanks to everyone for your comments yesterday! It helped a lot! Thanks for letting me vent! :)

Pictures!

I got my connection wire back!! Woohoo!! Here are some pictures of the kids and them helping me clean. :) We had a good time....so much that Tyler just wanted to keep on cleaning. :)


Tyler and Peyton helping clean the kitchen

Tyler and Peyton helping clean the bathroom

Peyton's favorite bib (note the saying on it :))

Tyler helped decorate the house for the baby shower the next day. It looks like we've got underwear hanging from our closet :) It's so cute!

Tyler

My computer is fixed!

Yay! I wanted to share some pictures, but unfortunately I've lost my connection wire (not sure what to call that) from the camera to the computer....sigh. It might be at my mom and dad's so I'm going to check there. Soon I'll be able to share pics again. :) I'm just so excited that my computer is fixed again. :)

We had our IUI this morning so I'm officially in the TWW!! Woohoo!! Now it's the dreaded wait.

Okay, so I need to vent just a little here. While we were waiting after the IUI, Mark and I had a little discussion about who I wanted in with us during the labor and delivery. Yeah, I know, we've got at least 9 months and probably more before having to really think about it, but it was brought up. We've talked about it before so I didn't think it was an issue. I know when Mark's second son was born, he had an insulin reaction and the doctors were more concerned about Mark than they were his ex-wife....she was basically all alone. I didn't want that to happen to me and I didn't want to be concerned about Mark. So, my plan was to have my mom in there with us to be there and kind of take care of Mark so I wouldn't have to worry about him. I also wanted my therapist in there for the whole thing. I know....sounds kind of weird, but she's been there since day 1 and I know if it hadn't been for her, we probably wouldn't be where we are today. Plus, we've gotten to be good friends and it would mean a lot to me. And I wanted someone there for me in case something happened to Mark. And to be honest, I really don't think Mark's going to be a big help...yeah, he'll be there, but he won't know what to do/say. He's so shy that I can just see him standing there. So, the plan was to have my mom, Mark and April there and I thought we were okay with that.

Well, Mark does not want my mom there. He says she can stay outside, but he doesn't want her in there. I said maybe she could be in there until I started pushing to which he didn't want either. Then, I asked him who was going to videotape it and I told him I was planning on having my mom tape it. Then he said we can discuss it later or I can just do what I want (with a lot of sarcasm in his voice). He gets angry with me because I "don't listen" and I just do what I want anyway. Yeah, I do....I admit it.

I know....we've got awhile to think about it, but right now that's the way I want it and I thought we were on the same page. He says it's okay to have April in there because she's a "doctor". I know my mom would be very hurt if I had April in there and not her and I don't blame her. I want my mom there but I also want to respect Mark's feelings. But, I don't want to have to be worrying about Mark while I'm in labor.

What do you guys think?

Hockey stick procedure results!

I had my u/s this morning. I had 3 eggs that were 20-21 mm (considered mature) and 1 potential mature one at 16! Like whoa!! So we're doing the trigger tonight at 7 and will do the IUI Sunday morning at 9 which is 38 hours past trigger...seems a little late to me, but that was what the infertility clinic recommended doing. Texas2 from the board had the exact same regimen (several eggs, triggered and IUI 38 hours past) and they ended up with twins! Whoa!!

I do believe that if it's meant to happen, it doesn't matter how many eggs and what the timing is....God will let it happen.

Mom, just remember, if it's twins or anything more, you're moving in. Dad's fending for himself. :)

Memo from the Peanut

To: Mommy and Daddy
From: Your little Peanut

It's getting closer mommy and daddy! I get so excited with each passing day as I know it means we're getting closer to the time we'll be together.

I watched you guys in Hawaii and you had so much fun. I saw how relaxed you were, mommy. And, daddy, I saw more smiles and laughs than I have in a long time. I was so happy to see you guys had such a great time. I know you needed that trip and you deserved it.

Mommy and daddy, I know you have a lot of hope for this next month and I do too. Mommy, I know you've seen signs that give you hope and faith. Believe in them. God works in mysterious ways and He wants you to know that He loves you and is there and He'll use ways to show you He cares.

I know the waiting and struggling is hard, but it makes you strong and it's going to make you better parents to me. You guys are going to be the best mommy and daddy ever! And I know when it's all over and I'm safely in your arms, you'll say all the pain was worth it.

I love you and God loves you. And I know you guys love us both very much. One day we'll know why it's taking so long for me to come to you, but there is a reason and I know you know that.

Until I come to your tummy, mommy, I'm always in your heart.

Tuesday ramblings

Well, the baby shower went well. It was really hard at first. I didn't know anyone except for a couple people and of course everyone was talking baby stuff and rubbing the tummy, etc. which is obviously expected at a baby shower. Then, about an hour after the shower started, my mom came by with Peyton. No matter how old you get, you always need your mommy. :) Then, I felt better...just having those 2 there. I know my friend really appreciated it so much and I'm glad I did it for her. I just hope there's payback soon. :)

Speaking of my mom, I'm not sure if I will ever listen to her again. Just kidding Mom. :) When we were watching the kids Saturday, she had told me that Tyler loves cleaning the bathroom and I'm thinking "Sweet!". :) So, we cleaned the bathroom. My plan was to sit down and relax and watch a movie with popcorn with Tyler as a reward....yeah, right. After the bathroom was clean, he said "Now we have to clean your office, Chad and Peter's room, the living room and the basement". Talk about exhausting. We did mop the floors and cleaned a little more in the living room until I was just about ready to fall over. I was still recuperating from the flu, so I was exhausted. Tyler was not too happy with me when I decided I wasn't going to clean the basement. It's tough having a 5-year-old mad at you. :( I do have pictures that I want to share, but my computer's getting fixed, so I'll have to show them to you later.

The neatest thing happened Saturday afternoon. I was taking a nap after the kids had left. My phone beeped that I had a text message. I very seldom ever get text messages. I was tired and didn't check the message. Five minutes later, another beep. Then a couple minutes after that, another beep. Then, I started getting nervous that something was wrong...like maybe something was wrong with Michelle or something. So, I got up and checked it. I didn't recognize the phone number or anything. This is what it said: "God has seen u struggling. God says its over. A blessing is coming ur way. If you believe in God send to ten ppl."

Okay, yeah, I know, it was just a "junk" forward and maybe someone accidentally typed in my number and maybe this is nothing to look into at all. But, no one else that I know got this, I very seldom get texted and I got it 3 times so I felt like I was meant to see it right away, and the message just fits our situation so well. I might be crazy for thinking it's a "sign". But, it gave me hope and even though it probably wasn't meant to come to me, at that time, it made me smile and put hope and faith into my heart.

Anyone think I'm crazy yet? :)

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

CONGRATS MICHELLE AND NICK!!

I would like to send a special congrats over to Michelle and Nick at Michelle's Path. They just found out they are having a baby after going through IVF!!! I'm sooooo happy for them and I just know they're going to make the best parents.

Today I'm baby-sitting the kids and Peyton's helping me blog. kladsfiosf (that's Peyton saying hi). I love the kids so much and it's been so long that we've gotten to spend some time together, so we're really enjoying it. jkidososfds (that's Peyton saying I love you).

I've been having a lot of computer problems lately. I must have caught a bad virus or something. I can't get into my mail account or into my blog. I have to use my work computer and I hate to do that too much or I'm afraid I'd get into trouble. But, I have to check my mail and blogs! :) One of the girls from the board is going to walk me through restoring the system and I'm hoping that'll help.

Tomorrow I'm hosting a baby shower and to be honest, I'm a little nervous about it. It's for my best friend and she knows what we're going through and has been there since day 1. She had been trying to get pregnant, but couldn't. It was me that let her borrow my "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" book and talked her through when the best times were to BD and I would make sure they did it. :) Anyway, the first month after teaching her, BOOM, she gets pregnant. I was happy for her but there's always been that selfish part of me that thinks it should've been me. I know, that's selfish. It's just so hard to see her so big when I was the one who helped her, if that makes any sense. She's due in 3 weeks. I'm very happy for her and she's been very considerate of my feelings, always making sure I'm okay and has been a real good friend....so why can't I just cherish the moments and not have that feeling that "it should be me"? I'm not sure how I'm going to get through this tomorrow.

I'm trying to think of someone funny and out of the blue to end this rather depressing paragraph, but I can't. I can tell you that my dad watched the kids yesterday and when I asked Tyler how it went with Papa watching him, he said "Papa farted all day". When I confronted Papa, of course he denied it..then he said "Well, maybe I did it once".

How's that? Is that better?

CONGRATS MICHELLE AND NICK!!! If you get a chance, head over there and wish them congrats! They deserve it more than anyone I know!

asdfasiojoafjsdf (that's Peyton saying bye-bye!)

The plan

Well, we're taking a "backseat" approach so to speak. I'm not doing anything...not temping, no OPKs, no monitor. We'll see how that goes. I just don't want to put the extra pressure on myself that I have been. I realize that it's gonna happen when God wants it to and it doesn't matter how many eggs or swimmers I have.

So the plan:

CD3-7: Clomid 100 mg.
CD9: Bravelle shot
CD11: Ultrasound and estradiol level. Ovidrel if mature follies. If not, more Bravelle
CD13: Same as CD11 and then every other day until mature follies

It's a lot less pressure on myself...I just show up and they do the work. I'm not sure how it's gonna go but I'm trying a different approach. I realize it's gonna be hard to keep track of me, but I'll keep you guys posted. :)

A little update

Thanks so much everyone for the support! It's very appreciated. I feel a little better, but still not real good. I was throwing up again a couple nights ago and yesterday only had Malt-O-Meal to eat for supper and that was it. Then I was in bed at 6. :( I feel like I'm going downhill again. Plus, I haven't been able to take my Zoloft because I haven't been able to stomach that, so I've been having emotional breakdowns. :( I've heard the influenza takes a couple weeks so I'm not too worried, but I'm supposed to be hosting a baby shower on Sunday and I can't imagine getting everything ready for that...yikes.

On TTC news, I got AF yesterday! It was the first time ever that when I've gotten AF, I haven't sobbed in my bed. :) The plan for this month is that I'm basically not going to do anything. I've decided to take a more "It's in God's hands" approach this month. I'm not temping, not testing on my monitor or OPKs. I talked to my midwife about it who's going to talk to the infertility clinic we've gone to and come up with a plan. I think I'm going to be on Clomid this month but I don't even know. I'm taking a more relaxed approach. I realize that it doesn't matter how many eggs or swimmers we have...if it's meant to be, it'll happen.

I'll keep you guys posted on the plan. Thanks for all the support! Oh, and Cindy....sorry but the hula in the coconut bra just isn't gonna happen. :)

Days 3 and 4

This day was very rainy. :( Yuck. But, we still had a great time! We went to Pearl Harbor today and that was amazing. Very emotional and tough to see. I didn't realize how emotional it is. It's definitely something everyone needs to see for sure. I will include the pictures of Pearl Harbor and the pictures pretty much tell the story.

Then, I got to meet Kitty, one of the girls from the NW board! I'm sooo glad we got to meet. She's such a sweetheart. She gave us leis, mugs and candy and it was so sweet. We talked for quite awhile and I was so glad to have met her. Anyone going to Hawaii definitely needs to talk to her. :)

I saw 2 rainbows today!!! Woohoo!! The first one was the neatest. You know how most rainbows stop at a building or land or something? This rainbow just stopped at a cloud in the middle of the sky which I hadn't seen before. The cloud was in the shape of a square. At first I didn't think too much of it, but later I thought if I used my imagination enough, that could be the "pot of gold" I was waiting for....I know, stretching it, but it sounds good to me. :)

After that, we ate lunch and went back to the hotel where we each got a massage. It was soooo cool. :) We had never had one before, so it was pretty amazing.

After that, Mark was feeling pretty good so we decided to take a walk down the strip and eat at the Oceanirum Restaurant. They have a huge, 3-story aquarium full of Hawaiian fish. It was really neat. The food was expensive ($35 a person), but it was neat and definitely something to do.

After that, we were both so tired and even though it was our last night, we went back to the hotel a little early and rested. Actually "early" was still midnight our time so it was still late for us. :)

The next morning, I woke up early to see the sunrise, but there wasn't much of one. :( It was really cloudy so I didn't see much of one. Mark wasn't feeling real good, so he stayed back. I think it was getting to be a little much on him. I swam in the ocean for about an hour and then went back. Then we packed up and left. :( It was so hard to leave...I actually started crying. I know, I'm a baby, but it was hard. I think it was the perfect length for Mark though. The last day he was really starting to ache a lot, so I think it was good we left while we were still having fun.

The plane ride was pretty uneventful except that I wasn't feeling real good on the first flight. I thought it was jet lag, but realized later it was the influenza. At our layover in LA, I rested for a couple hours and then on the plane from LA to Minneapolis, we had no one sitting next to us, so I actually got to sleep which helped. Let me tell you though....being sick on a plane is no fun. :( But, we made it.

Thanks for all the support with our Hawaiian trip! Hope you guys enjoy the pictures!

Days 1 and 2

I'm feeling a little better...still very, very weak. :( This influenza is horrible stuff. A lot of people mistaken it for the "common flu", but it's more than that and more serious. I feel like I have a horrible cold, bad cough and sore throat, horrible vertigo, nauseous, like I haven't slept in days and like I've been run over by a 2-ton truck. Just walking to the bathroom takes so much energy. We've been told many times that if Mark got the actual influenza virus, he could possibly die, so we know it's pretty serious. Being I'm a transcriptionist, I know how serious it can be. I don't mean to complain...just don't want people to think I'm a wimp.

Now for the good stuff :).

Day 1 was pretty much just in an airplane. We woke up at 4:30 in the morning. Our plane was taking off at 8:45 in the morning. It ended up being delayed 3 hours because a flight attendant forgot she had to work the flight. Yeah...that's right. Didn't make too many people happy. We had to switch our connection in Denver and we almost missed that because of it. You'd think that they would have a backup for something like that, but no. And no vouchers or anything for us. It was frustrating. Anyway, we got onto our flights and made it into Honolulu at about 9 Hawaii time which was about 1 a.m. our time. By the time we got our baggage (which we were shocked we got after all the trouble) and the rental car and when we finally got to our hotel after getting lost a couple times, it was about 2:30 a.m. our time and we had almost been up for 24 hours. Needless to say, we were exhausted and just went straight to bed.

Day 2: We woke up at 9:30 and walked down to the beach. It was about 2 blocks from our hotel. The weather was gorgeous and we spent about an hour there. Then, we walked back to the hotel and rested for a little bit before going out to eat. Then we came back and laid out by the pool for a little bit before getting ready to go to the luau. We also watched a little bit of the Superbowl and found out later at the luau that the Giants won!! Woohoo Giants!!! We were so happy!!

Funny story...while we were laying out by the pool, we decided to get a couple drinks. Mark was just having a Diet Coke and I was going to have a Sex on the Beach. So, we go in to get them and after Mark orders it, the guy next to us starts telling everyone that "these guys are having sex on the beach!". Keep in mind it's the Superbowl and it's packed in there. Pretty soon, everyone's telling everyone else that we're having sex on the beach. Then the guy asked which one of us was having it and I said it was me....then that turned into a "these guys are having sex on the beach...well she is, he's not". I was pretty happy to get our drinks and get out of there. :)

The luau was so much fun. I would recommend anyone going to Hawaii to go to a luau. We rode a bus out there which is the thing to do. The bus ride is pretty cheap and you get the help of a guide which is very helpful when you don't have a clue what you're doing. :) They had games there, you could make headbands to put in your hair, you could get a Polynesian tattoo, go canoeing, get a picture taken with a parrot. It was cool.

The food was awesome. You got to try a whole bunch of different things and a lot of things I had never even seen before.

Then, the show was really cool. Lots of dancing and hula. It was so neat to see. I even went up and did the hula. :) I figured no one else would ever see me again, so why not? :) Overall, it was a great time and I think the highlight of our trip.

Here's what was really cool. As you all know, I'm very into Precious Moments things and at that luau, there was a store there. When we first walked in, right in the middle was a big display of PM. I never would've expected it at a luau....I mean, we're out in the middle of nowhere and nobody comes to a luau expecting to buy something like that, especially with the thought that it could break, you know? But, it was the coolest thing to see. We bought a little girl doing the hula...Mark thinks it's a sign we're having a girl. :) I hope. :)

No rainbows on day 1 or 2. :(

I'll tell more later. It's taken me 3 hours to type this up already, so I think I'm going to go lay down again.

I'll include more pictures later! Photobucket doesn't let me do a lot in a slide show. :(

I have influenza

Bummer. :( I'll update my blog probably this weekend when I'm feeling better with details of the trip and will be checking up on all of you. Right now, I'm not feeling good at all and the doctor said the next few days will be worse. I hadn't gotten the flu shot because every time we thought about it, there was a chance I was pregnant so they didn't want me to. :( I wish I would've now...oh, well. :( I'm sorry. I'm thinking of you all.

I'm back, but I'm sick :(

We got back yesterday and I slept a lot of the day and then woke up this morning with a fever and flu-like symptoms. So, I'm going to the doctor this afternoon. I'll update my blog when I'm feeling better. We had a great time. :)