Pregnancy #11 = Hopeful for Success

I'm pleased to cautiously announce that our 11th pregnancy seems to be a sticky one. After multiple chemicals and early pregnancies since Emma (who was Pregnancy #4), we went back to see our RE. I also started taking DHEA again for a couple of months, which I did before Emma too. This cycle we did injectable Bravelle, with an hCG trigger and booster. Bloodwork was great, and our first ultrasound with the RE showed a baby with a heartbeat and measuring ahead (just like Emma!).

On Wednesday the 25th (the ultrasound machine is wrong because they forgot to account for Leap Day and didn't change it, LOL!), we had our first appointment with the OB, who found baby had grown appropriately, had a heart rate of 181/182, and the baby moved for us. We're feeling hopeful enough that we've shared with most family and some friends. Here's a picture of the baby to share with the rest of the world. EDD is 11/26 or 11/26 of this year.

Unicorn Poop!

So based on this website (http://www.instructables.com/id/Unicorn-Poop/), Emma & I decided we needed to make Unicorn Poop. Ironically enough, the exact recipe and cookbook that they took the photo out of is my Mom's favorite Betty Crocker cookbook -- so I felt it was meant to be.

It's basically a sugar cookie recipe that you dye, roll into poop-shaped lumps, and then decorate. We had a fantastic time. :)

Here's the proof!


Starting to work the dough.... much easier with gloves!

Our rolled-out logs before we put them in poop shape. Notice the flour explosion. :)

The baked, but non-decorated cookies!

Post-decorating. We used a glaze and sprinkles.


Closeup of Unicorn Poop!

I gave one to Emma and told her to make "Surprise Face". This is what I got-- I love it!


We had loads of fun! She got to take the finished product to day care and they loved it to. :)

Sooooo Busy

March was amazingly busy. All I can say is that I'm glad we're moving through to April. Emma is growing by leaps and bounds and surprising us daily. She's also starting to sleep through the night, finally at almost 28 months.

Some pictures until I can do a real update!


Holding our "Unicorn Poop" cookies we made together (there's a whole series of pictures and a story that goes along with that).



Modeling the jacket I made for her.... she's quite the poser!


Emma made "crowns" for all of us to wear, out of the cardboard edging that goes around a bulletin board. She put stickers and together we glued on beads and the feathers. I think we looked quite smashing. :)

Happy Valentine's Day to Me!

My first ever cardigan for myself. :) I'm very proud! It was KnitPicks Wool of the Andes, Lake Ice Heather. It was all the same dye lot so I'm not quite sure why the stripe in the middle of darker yarn, but oh well... I still love it. I found these awesome vintage silver buttons for it. Joe will take a picture tomorrow of me in it to share too.

I still have to post a picture of Emma's most recent sweater I made her -- also KnitPicks yarn, but a bulky weight (this is a worsted weight).

January 2012 Videos

Just a sampling for everyone to enjoy:

Dancing one evening before bed



Reading in her recliner



Feeding chocolate pudding to Daddy



"Reading" Brown Bear (she's got it memorized)

Stay Warm!

Baby, it's cold outside. :)

*sigh*

We just learned today that we're losing pregnancy #10. This is our 9th miscarriage. Granted, the last 3 have been "chemical" pregnancies (I'm only 4w4d along) but in my heart, they were still babies.

Both Joe and I aren't sure how much longer we can try, but I have to. I need to know I did everything I could to have the second child that I feel would add to our family. If it doesn't happen in the next 6 months, then we're done.

I wish we could afford IVF. It feels like that would be easier, even though I know it wouldn't. It really sucks to be infertile.

So Many Things

It's been a busy start of the year... I can't even tell you how busy we've been. But lots of fun. We've gone to the zoo 4 times since the start of the year -- I even made "Zoo Cakes" one morning before heading to the zoo!! (pancakes that spelled out zoo)



Classes started (teaching 6 classes plus 2 days of clinical work) and life keeps moving. I'll be going to DC in March for a meeting, and probably again in the summer. Then in August, I'll head to Orlando for another conference. I don't like being so busy sometimes, but I also want to be a good role model for Emma. We try to save our weekends for something special, like today.

We started the day with eggs benedict. It was SO tasty! Emma really loved it.



Then we headed out to the zoo, despite it being only 20 degrees and snowing. Only about 10 other people were there! But we got to see Hank, the new elephant. He's HUGE! 15,600 pounds and 9 1/2 feet tall. He's 24 years old and here to see if he can make a baby. :) This is only his 2nd day out for public viewing.



We came home and had a good nap, and after nap, we got a fire burning and then Mommy made Moroccan Lentil stew. We had a picnic on the living room floor in front of the fire with our bread and stew, and Emma thought that was the coolest thing ever! After dishes were all done, we went to Graeters to get some ice cream and let Emma play on the indoor play area.

All in all, a really family-oriented, nice day.

She's growing, my little bean buritto! Hard to believe how different she is from the little girl I gave birth to. But I just adore how she's growing and changing.

I love you big girl!!


Hat is courtesy of my friend Nina, who hand-made it for Emma's 2nd birthday!

Emma Dancing

Emma loves dancing to Daddy's new "Union" CD.

Goodbye 2011

Don't let the door hit you on the way out.

2011 was a rough year, to say the least. I'm not sad to see it gone, in a way. The year started out with my Mom dying unexpectedly. I'm fearing January 3rd, just because it will be the one year mark of when she died, and I'm not ready for that milestone. I lost 4 babies this year -- the most I've ever lost in one year (2 chemicals and 2 lost at 9 weeks). Joe stopped going to school without completing his Ph.D. and struggled to find a job with his Master's, so was unemployed for 5 1/2 months. His health has been poor all year, and he had surgery on his neck just 3 months ago. It's still not 100%.

But in all of it, there has been one consistent bright spot, and that is my Emma bean. She is my angel, my hope, my love, my light. She is independent and attached, all at the same time. I'm so blessed to have her in my life.

I hope that for everyone, 2012 brings light and joy. I hope and pray 2012 brings us a healthy pregnancy and sibling for Emma. Most of all, I hope that 2012 brings peace in our little family. God knows we need it.

Happy 2 Years!

My amazing, gorgeous, smart, wonderful little girl is 2 years old today! Where did the time go? What happened to my little snuggly, squishy baby? Now she's a talking, running, busy little girl. I can't figure out where the last 2 years went, but I know I'm grateful for every single moment I've had with her.



Happy Birthday my Emma bean.... I love you so very much!!

2 Year Pediatrician Appointment

Emma is 34 inches tall (75th percentile), 24 1/2 pounds (15th percentile) and meeting her developmental milestones. Her bottom 2-year molars are peeking through and she has a bit of walking pneumonia. The pediatrician is happy with her development! She seemed happy and excited that we were still breastfeeding and didn't even talk with me about stopping. We can go in for a 2 1/2 year appointment if we want, but basically we're in the clear until she's 3.

Exploration

Sorry there haven't been many posts lately -- I'm buried in work, 50+ hours a week, and just getting my head above water now. Emma is almost 2 years old and I feel like I've missed virtually the last year of her life because of work. I like my career, but I hate that I'm away from her so much.

We do get moments like these though, and it makes it all worth it.