Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Also the busiest.  I know I haven't updated in a while, but with only one follower I doubt they missed my updates, but I will still keep plugging away.

It's been a crazy time between, work, baking, play dates and just general life.  A lot has happened recently.  I guess the biggest thing is that we purchased a new truck.  Totally not intentional, well we had always talked about how we would need to trade in/sell Casey's truck to get a more family friendly one if we wanted to have another baby.  So a week ago we went to the dealership just to claim a prize(they send us these scratch and win things on occasion) and of course they asked about us purchasing a new car.  They initially wanted to make an offer on my car but we need my car so we wouldn't trade it in so of course they then asked about my husbands truck.  We told them what we needed to happen, money wise for the truck and then payment wise for the new truck, in order for us to walk out with a new truck.  Well they made everything happen and the deal was good enough that we decided we didn't want to walk away from the offer.  Casey truck is getting up there in years and mileage so every passing day the value of the car would keep going down.  So we are now the proud owners of a new 2012 Dodge RAM 1500 four door.  And we have purchased a second carseat so Alexis can ride in it so we can use both cars as family cars which will help take some of the demand off my car and make my car last longer.  Alexis has named the new car the 'Jolly Roger' which goes with my car named 'Bucky'.  If you or your kids(if you have any) watch Jake and the Neverland Pirates you will know where those names come from.

Alexis and I have been having fun getting into the Christmas spirit.  We had a friend over and we decorated ginger bread houses.  Well actually it was only one house because I couldn't get mind standing before one of the sides fell over and broke apart.  We did get one standing.  The girls had fun, mainly eating the frosting, but it was a fun experience for all involved.  Alexis also made ornaments that were pinterest inspired.  She has really been getting into arts and crafts which will come in handy during the cold winter.  She has also been all about helping me bake christmas cookies.  She likes to help bump the ingredients into the bowls, help stir and with the peanut blossoms she helped roll the dough in the sugar and put them on the  baking sheet.  She really wanted to help put the hershey kisses on the cookies, but since that happens when they come right out of the oven I told her she had to be older to do that since the cookies and the pan are hot when you do it.  She even helped me wrap the presents.  She would hold down the paper while I got the tape and put it in and then after i wrote who they were for she would draw a little picture to add her little touch to it.

The other day I dared to make cut out sugar cookies.  For those who have ever made them or attempted to make them, it's a messy process because you need a lot of flour to keep them from sticking to the counter top.  Last year for Halloween I attempted it and it didn't go very well.  This year I figured out on secret to it.  You need to chill the down once you mix it all up.  Cold dough is easier and less sticky to roll out.  Although you still need a lot of flour, it just makes it a little easier to roll out.  So  I was able to successfully make a decent amount of cookies.  I finally used the christmas shaped cookie cutters I purchased last year at TJ Maxx.  Once the cookies were all cool I frosted them and then alexis added sprinkles.  She loves helping add the sprinkles.  Of course she kept asking if she could have a cookie and since it was around snack time I caved and let her have a couple.  She basically just as the frosting off the cookies.(why not it's the best part right?)  Well on the last cookie I gave her I put a bib on her because she was starting to make a mess with eating just the frosting.  I learned a lesson to not turn your back on a three year old eating a freshly frosted cookie.  I went into the living to the computer and when she was done eating her cookie she showed me her hands and they were stained red from the frosting.  So I truly do not know if she ate any of the frosting off that last cookie or just made a mess with the frosting.  Needless to say that it was bath time immediately following that.

So far we have had a great holiday season.  One more day off work before Christmas and then we get to spend the whole day as a family opening gifts and playing with new toys.  So here's is to a wonderful Christmas.

Alexis and Halle with their gingerbread house.

Alexis caught red(frosting) handed.

Alexis' First Dance Recital

So Alexis has been in dance class since pretty much the summer.  I decided to take her to dance class over the summer while it was basically pay as you go.  That made it nice because I just wanted to see if she liked dance class.  The class is a Dance With Me class, so I participate in class with her.  They are taught very basic ballet moves and just do fun dances.  Alexis really got into the summer classes so we signed her up for regular classes.  She has been doing so well and now even makes me sit in the corner so I can watch her dance.  It's kind of boring to just watch her because the class is meant for parent participation as well, but I love how independent she has become and how good she is at following the teacher and doing all the dances by herself.

Saturday was her very first dance recital and it was really nice.  Alexis had been excited about it all day telling everyone who asked what our plans were.  She would tell them she had her dance recital.  She looked so cute in her dance costume.  All the little girls did.  Lots of pink.  I will admit I got a little teary eyed when we were waiting back stage.  My baby's first dance recital.  Unsure why I got emotional but it happens.  When it was time for us to go on stage Alexis got a little stage fright.  I think it was because when they sent us on stage it was completely dark and I think that scared her a little since it was her first time.  She did the dance a little bit.  I helped her with the moves but by the end she was doing it herself.  I kind of wished they let them do the dance twice because I know the second time she would have done the whole dance by herself.  It was still great and lots of fun and there will be another recital in May.

On a completely different note, another blogger I have been following finally was able to get a positive pregnancy test on her third round of IUI.  So big congrats to Miss KK, best of luck to you and a happy and healthy nine months and  I cannot wait to watch your pregnancy grow and keep cheering you on.

So here is to a wonderful dance season for Alexis and a healthy nine months to KK.

Here are a few pictures from after the recital

Back to babymaking?!?!

Well with the arrival of AF (another 33 day cycle, which looks like it will be the 'normal') we will hopefully get back to actually trying for a second baby.  When we were talking about what months of the year would be best, work wise, for having a baby September and April were the ones that seemed to be the best.  No conferences for Casey to go on, no major training, of course there will always be those late nights and unexpected things but with no conferences that could potentially have him away from home around due date those months seemed to work out best.  Well, since it's officially December that would be a September baby if I were to get pregnant.  Now of course you cannot guarantee anything when it comes to getting pregnant, or even when the baby decides to come, so technically we would still have a slight potential for an August baby, but since Alexis was pretty much right on time, I would like to think the chances of another August baby are super slim.

In the back of my mind I was hoping and thinking I would get pregnant right away off birth control.  People can dream can't they?  In the front of my mind I knew it could take a while.  I am hoping now that it's been close to 5 months since I took my last birth control pill that my body has started to regulate itself.  That is evident by the fact that I have had two cycles in a row that has lasted 33 days.  I know I cannot rest on that as my official cycle length because it could change at any moment but as of now I am using that as a gage when it comes to marking a calendar to know if I am 'late' or not.

On a side note of pregnancy, I am excited that Prince William and Kate are expecting.  I do feel for Kate for having to go through the illness she is experiencing.  I cannot imagine how horrible it is, but I saw the pictures from her release at the hospital and at least she is smiling and looks happy.  I know in the back of her mind she probably just wanted to do home and lay down, but you have to give her a hand for dealing with all of this for the whole world to watch.  I hope they have a great pregnancy and this illness doesn't last the whole time and she is healthy the rest of her pregnancy and she has a healthy beautiful baby.

So here is to all the holiday babies either being born, being found out about and maybe even being conceived!

The cold has arrived

Now I am not talking about sickness, thank goodness.  NO I am talking about the bitter, cannot go outside more then a couple minutes, bundle up in winter coats, hats and gloves kind of cold.  It's has arrived in Grand Forks and now there is no going back until the spring.

Yesterday the temperature was in the 40s but it was so windy and the wind was cold all either Alexis and I could stand was about 20 minutes outside.  It was actually raining when we woke up so it was still wet outside when we went out.  Pretty much all we did was run back and forth on the sidewalk.  But it was good to get outside and have some fresh air because soon enough it will be below zero out and there will be no going outside at all.

Today we went to the local Santa's Village with MOPs and had a good time.  They set it up really nice with a lot of decorated trees.  It makes me a little envious that I do not have the talent to really create an amazing themed tree.  But with a three year old it's fun to put up all the ornaments from my childhood and add new ones we get Alexis.  She has a fun time hanging up the ornaments.  At the Santa's Village they had a couple craft things for the kids to do and then handed out cookies and hot chocolate.  Alexis had fun doing the crafts.  They had foam stickers, and had foam gingerbread girls(and boys) to decorate.  Alexis did such a good job.  Even gave her gingerbread girl hair.  She has lately been insisting that when anyone draws a smily face that the face needs to have hair on it.  They also had a scratch away thing, there you scratch off the black to see the color behind it.  That was actually pretty cool and I made sure to put her name on it and the year so if this becomes an annual thing we can keep the ornaments.

We actually set up a 32 inch tree in Alexis' room so I think I will hang that ornament on her tree.  I also have several craft project ideas that I have gotten off pinterest to make ornaments.  So every year when she makes an ornament we will give an ornament to each set of grandparents and then she can make one for her tree and her tree will be all of the self made ornament.  I am excited to start the tradition of making an new ornament every year.

Here's to the coming winter and all the fun ideas that will hopefully become real.

Holiday Season

Well holiday season is in full swing, both in retail store and outside.  Unfortunately not in our household yet.  Usually the day after Thanksgiving I am busy pulling out all of the christmas stuff and setting up the tree but his year my weekend was jam packed with work.  So our Christmas stuff will have to wait until this coming Saturday when I actually have a day off work.

So in the spirit of the season we did some black friday shopping.  My brave husband went out Thursday night to a couple places hoping to get a few things.  He did pick up some stuff but not what we were looking for.  Unfortunately one store had a hard time keeping people from making purchases on items that were not suppose to go on sale until later in the evening.  After he braved the crowds Thursday evening we went back out Friday morning.  Nothing crazy like 5am or anything.  We got up around 7am and probably left the house around 8am and got to the stores and it wasn't too crowded or long lines.  We were just searching for deals and if they had what we were looking for we got it, if not no big deal.  I am not about to punch someone to get an item on sale.  We did get some amazing deals.  I think the best deal we scored was getting a custom frame ordered through Michael's for 75% off.  Custom framing is so expensive we couldn't pass this deal up and saved a ton on it.  Also added to our dvd and blu ray collection, pretty much finished christmas shopping(only a couple more people on our list) and even got a few things to help my photography business(a couple larger memory cards and photoshop).

Outside winter has fully set in and has given Grand Forks a holiday look with snow and cold.  Two days prior to Thanksgiving we had temperatures getting up into the 50s and then on Thanksgiving it started to snow and we have had snow showers every day since.  I think the snow is here to stay for the season.  Not necessarily a bad thing because Alexis loves the snow, but it's the temperature in the teens that make it not fun to go outside in.

So here is to a wonderful holiday season!

Thanksgiving

Since I doubt I will be posting tomorrow.  Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.  We are not doing anything special for Thanksgiving.  It will be just the three of us.  It will be nice to spend a whole day as a family and not worry about work or anything like that.

Black Friday will be another story.  Although I am not much of a shopper, I know we will be heading out in the morning to catch some deals, basically whatever is left.  We are not looking for big ticket items this year.  Basically we will go to Best Buy and see what DVDs and Blu Rays they have on sale(they usually have great deals) and then maybe see about small appliances(bread maker and crock pot).  I do have to work Black Friday.  Ahh, working in retail during the holiday season.  I know TJ Maxx will not be like all the other stores, but I do know it will be busy and messy and just all out crazy.  Unsure if people wait outside TJ Maxx for it to open on Black Friday, but they do on Saturday and Sundays so why not on a big shopping day such as Black Friday.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving.  So here's to a wonderful day with my wonderful family.

Photo Card

Merry Little Tree Christmas

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Birthday

Well today is my birthday!  Yup, I am turning 29.  I guess 29 isn't really a magic number when it comes to birthdays.  I mean I could go around saying I have entered the last year of my 20s.  But for me I am not completely oppressed with age and some people seem to be.  Will I be a little dumbfounded when I turn 30, probably but only because where my life is and how blessed I am and the fact that I cannot believe everything that I have done with my life up to that point.

I have never really been big on birthdays.  Never had big huge celebrations and honestly I never really needed a big sweet 16 party or anything special.  My parents always made sure I had great birthdays and made them all special even celebrating milestones.  My parents had decided when my older sister was nearing the age of 21 that since we didn't get anything by way of a sweet 16 or even much at 18 that when each of us turned 21 they would take us to Las Vegas and let me say that was a great trip.  By the time my little sister turned 21 we were all able to go and celebrate with her which I think made her birthday even more special.  Also it was a special time because that is when my husband proposed to me.

I love having the small traditions like that for birthdays.  Going some place special for the day, or making sure you do something special on a milestone birthday.  Even though my daughter is only three I am thinking about and wondering what milestone birthday we will do something extra special for.  I like the idea of going to Vegas for your 21st birthday.  Las Vegas is a great time and when you are 21 and go to vegas you are able to do it all, drink, gamble and just have fun.  Plus there is a lot to do and see there, shows, tourist things and of course there is food.  If you want a place to go eat, you cannot swing a cat without hitting a buffet in Las Vegas.

For this birthday I am keeping it low key.  Alexis still has a cold and cough so we will just be hanging around the house.  I do have to Thanksgiving grocery shopping to get done, maybe spending the gift card to payless I got from my parents.  (yay I get new shoes for work).  Maybe a quick stop at the Humane Society(or doggy cave as Alexis likes to call it).

So here's to a great birthday!

Imagination Library

If you have never heard of the Imagination Library and have kids under the age of five I encourage you to check it out.  It's an amazing organization founded by Dolly Parton.  The basics of the program is from birth to age five when you register your child you child will get sent a free book every month until the age of five.  How can you not love that.  If your kids are anything like my daughter they will love getting mail and love that it's a book.  I bring all of this up because in the mail yesterday was her newest book from Imagination Library.  They pick books pertaining to the child's age so you do not have to worry about getting complicated books for your younger child.  When our book for the month arrives in the mail we spend the rest of the day, and usually a few days following reading it over and over again.

I was lucky enough to have this program pointed out to me by a really great friend.  So now I want to share it with everyone.  If you have kids under the age of five or are still pregnant please check this organization out.  Just visit their website at www.imaginationlibrary.com.  You will have to see if they have one in your area.  Usually it is sponsored by another organization in your town.  For Grand Forks, our United Way is the sponsor and sends the books out.  If you find you do not have an Imagination Library base in your town I am sure the website will advise you on how to get one.  It is a wonderful program and I am thankful my friend mentioned it to me when it came to Grand Forks.

Here's to many more books in the mail and lots of reading!

Not as bad

So I was expecting the idea of having to try and avoid this cycle to be exceptionally hard.  But due to other things, it hasn't been that hard.  Unfortunately the reason for this because illness going through our family.  Started with Alexis having a stuffy nose, which when she gets sick she really doesn't let it get her down.  I just get to run around all day with a tissue making sure I wipe her nose all the time.

The of course I come down with a stuffy nose and on Sunday I felt like total and utter garbage and ended up losing my voice.  Let me tell you spending 9 hours at work feeling like garbage and losing your voice is not an ideal situation.  By Monday morning I felt better but I sounded like an old man.  Thankfully I was able to get the two photo sessions I had booked done.  Yesterday my voice was going in and out but at work I register trained two new people so I did a lot of talking and by the end of the night my voice was going again.  This morning is the same as yesterday, voice just going in and out, we will see how it holds up all day, including at work.

Yesterday my husband informs me that he is starting to feel sick.  He mentioned feeling achy and all that so I am concerned he might be getting the flu, but he doesn't seem to want to take a day off work because he had got a lot on his plate so I hope his hectic schedule doesn't make him worse .

So needless to say neither of us have been anxious for trips to funkytown.  We are just happy enough to get sleep.  So here is to a healthy family again.

Support

I love having friends that are a wonderful support system.  When we first moved to North Dakota I didn't know anyone.  I would just take Alexis to the park and we would keep to ourselves.  Since moving into our house a year and a half ago I have managed to make some wonderful friends and find a great support system.

I am happy to be a part of a wonderful group of moms. MOPs(Mom's of Preschoolers) is such a great group.  I have met some wonderful ladies and I now Alexis has really come to her own and loves meeting new kids and really enjoys the time to play and learn.  Last year we went to a couple meetings and Alexis was still unsure about leaving me and she would prefer to stay with me at the meetings.  This year I am so happy that she is starting to get use to not having me around all the time.  She loves going to MOPPETS and is so excited to see me when I come and get her.  She likes to show me what they made and she talks about what they did while I talk with other mommies.  I love knowing that she is social and really can handle things without me.  I also love having that time to be around other adults and have uninterrupted conversation.  The support you get from a group like MOPs is unbeatable.  Having this group of women also clams my nerves and fears about having another baby.  My biggest fear is being overwhelmed with it all.  Then I see how these women come together to help each other when someone is in need and I know that I will be able to count on them if I ever need anything.

I hope to be a part of this group in some form for a long time.

Here's to the wonderful support system I have found and hope everyone finds a great support system somewhere in life.

When the Husbands away..

I have no time to do anything.  I was going to update several days ago and then just got bogged down with this.  My DH went away for a conference so I have been busy keeping DD busy.  I did get a lot done, but at the same time I got nothing done.  I had photo shoots, thursday, friday, saturday and sunday which was nice. (I am thinking about creating a separate blog for my photography so stay tuned).

Well to give a quick update AF arrived on Thursday.  I was disappointed but at the same time it was nice to know that my cycle was shorter this time then last.  It's getting closer to what 'normal' was for me because taking BCP.  With the way dates work out and everything we will be taking this cycle off.  Which actually could prove to be a good thing and hopefully my cycle will shorten again, and maybe go back to 'normal'.

One of my friends had her little girl this weekend.  I had the pleasure of going to the hospital and taking some pictures.  It's nice that some of my friends around here are having babies because then DD could get use to being around babies so she will be familiar when the time comes.  At the hospital yesterday she was so good.  She was quiet and didn't touch and listened very well.  She did inform me that she has a baby sister, a pretend one.  Unsure if that means she is now starting to have imaginary friends so that she just sees her friends having siblings so she doesn't want to feel left out.  Either way I thought it was kind of cute.

I go back to work tonight after having five days off.  It was nice to have the time off but I am looking forward to getting back to work.

Here is to a smooth night at work.

Happy Halloween

It's Halloween time.  For some reason this year I didn't do as much decorating as I have in the past.  For some reason I just got lazy, more then likely way too busy, to put up decorations.  I would honestly like to be one of those people who go all out and decorate both inside and outside of the house.  I mean we did carve a pumpkin this year as we have done every year since Alexis was born.  I put on some window clings.  I did try and put other things up but for some reason the tape was being difficult and everything just kept falling off.  

A great thing about this time of year is that I can look at decorations for next year and get them at a really good price.  I know TJ Maxx has all of their Halloween stuff for 50% off right now and I believe after today they will get marked down even further.  I am waiting for the next markdown because there is this large decoration that I really want but cannot afford the regular price or even the 50% off price for it.  Problem is I have no idea where I will store it until next year or even where I will put it next year.  It's wooden so technically I would weather proof it and put it outside which I might end up doing, but then again I would love to keep it in the house so I can enjoy it.  I did score two cute outfits for Alexis, one she is currently wearing and another size up for next year.  I might also check out the left over halloween costumes and see what we can do for next year or what we can add to our dress up clothes collection.

On the baby front, there isn't a baby.  I did what I said I wasn't going to do and tested last Thursday and mine and DH's four year wedding anniversary.  Of course it was BFN.  No surprise out of me, I would have been more blown away if it was BFP.  Over the weekend I was having phantom symptoms.  Both Saturday and Sunday after I had my lunch break at work and ate something I would start feeling nauseous shortly after eating.  That usually doesn't happen to me so I took that as a sign and tested monday morning and got another BFN.  So again last night out of the blue I felt nauseous and I took that as another sign that I could be pregnant.  Also in desperate need of an explanation I took a test this morning like I was originally planning on and once again a BFN.  So with all my dollar store tests used up I am stuck waiting for AF.  I still have about a week before I hit the day I got it last cycle.

Here's hoping AF comes soon and I start feeling better.  

The Wait is on

Now it's time to wait again.  Yup, wait to see when AF shows up.  Unfortunately since my last cycle was not the average cycle I have no idea when it will start.  Which also means I will have no idea when I should take any kind of HPT.  Well I guess I just wait and see what happens.  I really would like to take a test on Thursday in celebration of my and my wonderful husbands four year wedding anniversary but I know that it is too soon and would be a waste of money and a test just to see a BFN.  I think right now the date I have in mind is Halloween.  Only reason I have that date in mind is it's several days after what would be the average length for a cycle.

In the mean time I have done plenty to distract myself.  Well not really meant to do anything to distract myself but in true Michelle fashion I cut myself with a knife trying to remove hot glue from something I was working in.  This will be the second time in four years that I have had a serious cut to my left thumb.  The first time was a week before my wedding.  I was opening a box, with intention of making sure my husbands wedding gift was the right one and I cut my thumb with the butcher block scissors.  Needless to say that one left a scar and the husband says that day I used the one pass I get for calling him off the golf course.  This time there was no need to call him off the golf course.  He was just getting out of the shower and unsure if this one will leave a scar but definitely will take a while to heal. Thankfully it's on my left hand and I don't use it that much, even at work, I don't really use my thumbs, although i have accidentally knocked it on a few things and boy did that hurt.

I am also looking forward to halloween, not only because that's my testing date, I also love taking DD out trick or treating.  This year she is going as a crayon box.  It is actually a costume my mom had made me and my sisters when we were growing up.  It still looks really good, not worn at all and it thankfully fits DD.  Last year it was too long and she wouldn't have been able to walk in it, but in the last year she was grown like a weed so I was worried it wouldn't fit.  I am worried that we will have to cover it with a coat if there is not enough room underneath it for a coat.  Last year no coat on halloween was needed.  All she needed was a long sleeve shirt and pants under her costume and it was so nice out even after the sun went down.  This year is going to be a lot colder, and which probably means we won't go to as many houses as we did last year.  Around our town they have so many halloween things its great.  Leading up to Halloween I hope DH takes her to several of the parities around town.  The nice thing about most of the parities is that the admission fee is a non perishable food item or a donation of some sort, which is always nice.  Of course there are several things on Halloween and we will have to schedule very carefully if we want to try and make it to as many of the events as possible.

Until then here's to waiting and having self control not to POAS too early.

Dance of the Beet Trucks

Ok, this post has nothing to do with anything family related, it's just something that happens in Grand Forks and I like to think of it as the dance of the beet trucks.  We have a Crystal Sugar plant in the 'area'(probably an hour away) and the sugar beet trucks have to go through Grand Forks, not via the highway.  The other day I was driving home with my daughter from the 'doggy cave'(humane society) and it was around 5pm and it seemed like every other car was a truck full of sugar beets.  They are big and I am always worried driving behind a beet truck that one is going to fall off and hit my windshield.

This is the first place I have lived that there was some big harvest other then corn.  It's kind of interesting to see all the trucks driving through the town.  They drive through the business district because it's the only way to get to the road that takes them to the sugar plant.  So you know it's October and beet harvest when you start seeing beets on the side of the road that have fallen off the trucks.  Doubt there are any trucks out today, or were out yesterday for that matter because it's been raining non stop and harvesting doesn't work well in the rain.

I don't know why I find beet harvest interesting but I do.

Just Keep Swimming

This encompasses a lot of things.  Firstly it's mainly in reference to my husband.  He has been having issues with his ear.  When he went to the doctor they thought it was an infection so put him  on antibiotics for it.  He was told to make an appointment with the ENT doctor if it hadn't helped in a week.  Well a week went by and it wasn't getting any better so he made the appointment.  Another week later it seemed to be getting better only while he had the antibiotics in his system.  When he was late taking a dose his ear would start hurting again.  So he went to the appointment and got it checked out.  His hearing is fine and actually does not have an infection.  What he has is a severe case of swimmers ear!?!?!?  He hasn't gone swimming in forever.  It makes you wonder sometimes.  I think maybe he got water in his ear from showering.  According to the doctor he has a lot of space in between his ear drum and his ear canal.  That is probably what caused it and surprisingly hasn't caused more problems in the past.  Now in the morning when he wakes up and before he goes to bed I get to put drops in his ear to try and help it.  I do find it kind of ironic that to help swimmers ear, which is water trapped in your ear, you have to put drops in your ear.  I guess if it works then it doesn't matter if is makes all that much sense.

Also I want all my friends struggling with anything in their lives right now to remember to 'just keep swimming'.  It doesn't matter what is going on just keep your chin up spirits high and remember that there are people who care about you and that you can overcome anything.  I have so many great friends, and I am getting to know some really great people through the bump website.  All of you guys inspire me and help me remember to 'keep swimming'.  Although my struggles right now are not that great it's easy to let them take control of your life and let them consume you.

Here's to my husband swimmer's ear clearing up soon and to everyone who is struggling with something 'Just Keep Swimming'!!!

Anniversary

Well today is an anniversary.  Six years ago today my wonderful husband changed my life by asking me to be his girlfriend.  Yes, he did in fact actually ask.  We were friends and didn't really have a definition of what we were so in true high school fashion(even though we were in college), he asked me to be his girlfriend.  When he propose I had hoped to keep this anniversary since it was a Saturday the year we got married but the date was booked at the reception site we wanted so we settled for a date two weeks later.

So basically I am going to gush about how I have the best man in the world.  I know everyone thinks that about their boyfriend/husband/SO and honestly you all should think that.  If you do not think your partner is the best thing in the world then maybe something is wrong.  My husband has stuck by me through a lot and I mean A LOT.  He has gone through criticism for me, handling tough times, and we have both come out smiling on the other end.  He is supportive of all my hopes and dreams and loves me unconditionally, even in my bad moments.

He is the best father in the world.  Even though our daughter is some what of a mommy's girl, I know she is a daddy's girl too.  If i could be a fly in the house to see how they are when I am away I would love that.  I know they have so much fun all the time.  He is very patient with her, especially now that she is developed a little sassy personality.  He loves his little girl more as much as he can and I am sure his love for her grows every day.

I am just so lucky that at a potentially dark time in my life my husband brought me such great joy and light.  Cannot wait to grow our love even more as well as our family.

FunkyTown

Ok, I know I have neglected this blog for a while.  Things have gotten crazy around the house.  I worked a ton this weekend and DD has decided bedtime is a suggestion until she is ready to lay down so sometimes it takes over an hour to get her in bed and sleeping.  Ahh the joys of parenthood.  I know some people would then start to question having another kid, but I know we will be able to handle it.

We were watching the show Parenthood the other day and they made a reference to sex calling it FunkyTown so now I think that is a new inside joke between me and my husband.  Perfect timing too because now is the time to start getting down to business to try and get pregnant this cycle.  I know the more often we go to FunkyTown the better the chances but I still don't want to take the intimacy out of it.  I never want it to turn into a chore for either of us.  I know there are days where I am not in the mood but indulge my husbands desire for a trip to FunkyTown.  I never want it to get to the point where we just say, 'let's get it over with and hope it works'.  That is why I have not started going through great lengths to figure out when I am most fertile. I know some women chart their temperatures take ovulation tests and such, and whatever works for them is best for them.  I would probably become obsessive and over analyze everything an stress myself out more and stress can hurt the process in a negative way.  I think that's why my last cycle was so off because in the middle of the cycle my daughter got sick and we had to take her to the ER and it was just a stressful time and I think it through off my body, more then it being unusual from being off birth control.

So here is to many trips to FunkyTown in the next week or so.  Hope one of those trips is the baby maker.

Anticipation Over

Well the anticipation of my period came to an end over the weekend.  Saturday after a morning/afternoon of running errands and just having a great time with my mom, exchange student and my wonderful daughter, we can home and once I use the bathroom the evidence was right there.

Let me tell you I couldn't be more relieved.  Did I wish I could have been pregnant, yes of course.  Was I disappointed to see that my period had started, not at all.  I was relieved something finally happened.   I know in the grand scheme of things a 39 day cycle isn't long, but for someone who has always been regular before and while on birth control, the 39 days seemed like forever.

Now the key is to keep stress free about this new cycle.  I am still not going to do anything as far as trying to predict when I ovulate.  I don't want to put that much pressure on me or my husband.  I 'know' my body pretty well and hopefully we can get down to business and make this cycle count.

Let's just hope it's not another 39 day cycle.  Now that I have gotten one 'long' cycle under my belt so to speak I will probably not be as freaked out or take as many HPTs as I did this last cycle.

On a completely different note, I had an engagement photo shoot on Monday and I must say it turned out amazing.  I have a folder full of wonderful pictures and I have to edit them very minimally which is always nice.

Here's to a smooth cycle and a possible happy ending!

No Answers

So yesterday morning I went to my annual OB/GYN appointment.  The only answer I got was, I am currently not pregnant but doesn't mean I could still get pregnant or be pregnant but only a couple days along so it's not showing on any tests.  I knew I wasn't pregnant so I wasn't really expecting another answer I was just expecting more of an answer then what I got.

I saw a new provider in the practice, which she seems great and all but was really laid back in a plan if I don't get my period or a positive pregnancy test any time soon.  Her advice was to relax and just wait and keep doing things like normal.  She thinks there is still a possibility I could get pregnant which is nice but I don't know how big of a chance.  She basically told me to wait two to three more weeks and if I still haven't gotten my period to take another test and if it comes back negative to keep waiting.  But I was able to decide with her if I do not have my period or a positive pregnancy test by november I should call them.  I understand the need to relax and not stress out because it would make the situation worse, if my period is just stalled stressing about it could stall it even further.  I just wanted to have some kind of plan in case come november I still don't have my period or a positive pregnancy test.  I guess I am going to have to wait until then and see what will happen from there.  I really don't want it to take three or four months before they do something about me not getting my period.  If there is something wrong I would rather know sooner rather then later.  I know coming of birth control will mess with my system and I am just going to take it in stride but if I keep getting the relax and it will happen when it happens talk from my doctor I might start to get a little on edge because I know going several months without a period could be a potential problem, especially coming off birth control it might mean there is some sort of problem.

So for now I will relax, take it one day at a time, continue with the baby making and in about two weeks(because I doubt I will make it three weeks) I will take another test to see if I am pregnant if I have not had a visit from AF.

I am just glad I have things to keep my occupied.  A wonderful little girl I get to spend every day with, my photography(two sessions coming up), my amazing and understanding husband and my job even though my job can drive me nuts sometimes, it helps me from thinking about things too much.

My parents are coming this weekend and I am thinking I have to relocate my pregnancy tests so they don't start asking questions because I don't feel like answering them.

Waiting for.....

Something to happen.  Is is so hard to ask for my body to be normal.  I mean I know there isn't really a normal when it comes to the human body, but I wan my body to go back to what I am use to.

Still no period and I am officially a week late from when I was 'suppose' to get my period.  I haven't taken a HPT test since Friday because I got tired of seeing negative signs.  I am on the fence about taking on Wednesday morning before my annual exam because I have a feeling they will take a pregnancy test and I would rather not waste the money and take one at home.

My weekend was crazy and usually when I am very active sometimes that spurs my period.  But nothing.  I am glad my bloating has subsided and I haven't had cramps really so I am wondering if my body was gearing up to get a period and then for some reason didn't.  All the negatives have me convinced that I am not pregnant.  I would be very shocked if I took another home test and it came back positive.

Please body do what you are suppose to.  I am tired of waiting and now I am starting to worry something has gone wrong and things won't be 'normal' again.

First Blog

This is my first time blogging.  As the title of my blog suggests, I am hoping to expand our family from three to four.  I wanted to start a blog so I could keep my emotions straight and just have something to document my journey.

Currently this is the first month off birth control.  I have been on birth control for three years.  I had my daughter in august of 2009 and she is the greatest little girl ever and now we are ready for a second.

Right now I am anxiously, yes, anxiously, awaiting my period.  From a 'normal' 28 day cycle I was suppose to get it on Monday, well it's Thursday and the only signs are bloating and a few cramps here and there.  I have taken several HPT(home pregnancy tests) and they have all come up negative.  So I am stuck in limbo waiting for an answer.

I have my annual appointment set up for Sept. 26 so I guess if nothing happens by then I guess I can ask them for some answers.  I know it can take a while for my body to bounce back from being controlled by hormones for so long I just didn't expect to have all the symptoms and no results.

So for now I am just stuck in limbo....