Updates

Today Jon and I are taking the day off. Not 100% the day off….is that ever possible? But staying home and enjoying the quietness of the day rather than all that we have had going on these past few weeks. Thanksgiving was a great time spent with all of Jon's brothers and sister in St. Louis. We had a blast seeing and playing with all the kids, catching up with family and enjoying each other. It was a great Thanksgiving and truly a moment to celebrate each other.

Jon and I also went "Black Friday" shopping over there as well. It was the first time we had ever not had a plan and just went to a mall. We did not go out early, and just wondered where it took us and was our best black Friday ever! Jon got some new clothes for his new job, some new shoes as well and we went all out in the Crazy 8's kids store.

I have really refrained from buying kids clothes unless it is really really cute or a really really good deal. Jon not so much. I was shocked!!! One thing that has really helped is that we will need summer clothes and those are just not out right now. Well this store had all their summer 80% off and that is where the madness started. Jon had his arms full of little girl clothes before I could even realize what was going on. For the man that wanted two boys, he is really coming around to the pink side. Regardless we walked out with some great buys for both the boy and the girl and some summer clothes!

Jon also started his new job on the Monday after Thanksgiving and all is going well. I am so thankful that he has a "desk" job and no work to bring home! This opportunity is such a gift from God at just the right time!

Hope all of you are enjoying your Christmas season! We are going to be super busy these next few weekends so I am saying in as much as possible today! Enjoy!

Happy Birthday Jon

Today is Jon's 30^th birthday. So in honor of my husband, my best friend, my partner, and most importantly the father of our two growing babies, this post is all about you!

Jon and I met in August of 2005, so for five years I have had the wonderful opportunity to talk, love and share my life with you. We have had some trials, remember all those days and nights that you lived in Orlando before and after we were married? The day you finally moved to Indy after Valpo we had our biggest argument ever and we realized that we were always using movers from then on. When we struggled for over two years to get pregnant and spent many nights in tears. When you were working and working and working at different jobs before you finally got settled and started on your career.

I also hold the best memories of my life with you. The weekend we met at Erica and Dave's wedding and how I still cannot remember that weekend but it must have been fun because you called that next night. My first Thanksgiving with you in Henderson and I cried all the way to KY because I realized that this man will be my husband someday and I am meeting his family. All of our vacations to Orlando, South Carolina, Maui, and the Burbon trail.

But most importantly the fact that we hardly ever spend a night apart, I can lean on you for support, you are so OCD that the laundry and dishes are always done, when you sleep your face gets all scrunchy, and you honor God and our family before anything else, and I am so thankful and blessed.

Jon as you start this 30^th year, I am so proud of you. Proud that in one week you will be starting your dream job, proud that in 5 months you will be starting your roll as a father and proud that I get to spend every day with you and watch you grow. You are such a different man that when we met 5 years ago, you are strong and serious, and kind, and supportive. You are my dream and I love you.

Happy Birthday Babe!

Could I ask for more?

Sometimes God just showers blessings on you and all you can do is just Praise Him for His greatness. I hope that someday you will get to experience all that God can do for you as well. Jon and I are blessed beyond words.

This week has been one of the best in our life together. I told Jon that Monday might have tied our wedding day. Monday we went for our 16 week ultrasound and found out that in less than five months, God willing, we will be the proud parents of a boy and a girl. What a great surprise! Everyone is healthy and I am just overjoyed by the news.

Jon also accepted a new job offer on Monday working for the Indiana State Supreme Court. His new office is down the hall from the govenors! He starts the Monday after Thanksgiving. He keeps saying, "I don't think you understand this, but it is a really big deal." Yes, babe, I realize it is a "really big deal" and I am so proud of you and all the work you do for our family.

I have spent about 15 minutes trying to figure out how to upload pictures to this blog. At some point I really do need to learn how to do this....but as for tonight, check facebook for our first baby pictures.

Thankful Sunday

Today the pregnant girl is up at 5:30. What? I have not seen 5:30 in a month, and I went to bed "late" last night, probably around 10. Maybe I am coming out of the, I am so tired I cannot function after 6 pm stage. Hopefully so. I was hoping to do a Thankful Thursday post on Thursday because I have not had one in a while and have so much to be thankful for, but again sleep got the better of me, so here we go.

I am so thankful for my family. All of you! Jon's mom was up this weekend and we had a good visit with her, Julie and I spent all day Saturday together and had so much fun, and my parents have been down for the past two weekends helping with the house. Jon and I are so blessed with wonderful families and so excited for them to meet the babies.

That my clothes still fit! I am hoping to get through the end of the month, but that might be tight….either way I don't have time to go shopping till Thursday so I guess I can make it a few more days.

Fall Break! Fall break starts on Thursday! No big plans other than to go shopping for some new clothes and to go to lunch with Jon at Fogo de Chau. Yeah!

Our church, Carmel Lutheran, we have started a new campaign to put up another church in Westfield, and it is an exciting time for us. Also we are still so blessed to have such a wonderful church family both with my E91 girls and our CLC couples.

The beautiful fall weather! I am enjoying the cooler temperatures and love all the activities you can do in the fall.

The babies are at 14 weeks and I am feeling better. I can really tell a difference from last week to this week. Also I think I can feel my stomach get bigger. It hit me for the first time on Tuesday. I am so looking forward to becoming a mom.

Updates

It has been a busy week. On Tuesday Jon and I went for our official ultrasound. Still two babies, still growing great. They were both at exactly 12 weeks, I think about 3 inches long. Ahh….it is so neat to see them in there and yet weird to know that I am "growing" people. Oh my, I cannot think about that for long. We met with a different doctor in the practice and really liked him as well. He gave us a list of recommended pediatricians, as they want us to have our doctor picked by 20 weeks or so. Those of you that live around north Indy, I may be emailing about referrals.

Some other really great news this week was the scientist/doctor that first "invented" IVF was awarded a Nobel Prize. I think this is really awesome! His discovery allowed Jon and me to be parents of our own biological children. What an amazing gift to give all of us who are struggling with infertility. I was also disappointed to hear that the Pope was not supportive of this award and wonder how the Catholic Church supports infertile couples.

I also told my 5^th period class on Monday that I was pregnant. This was kind of out of necessity as I felt terrible on Monday morning and had to leave the room twice. Also all I wanted to do was sit at my desk all day, thus they needed to know. I however have not told any other class and only one has asked if I am pregnant or not. I guess high school kids don't gossip as much as I think they do. I am thrilled because if they don't know, they cannot ask questions.

We are ¼ of the way done with the school year today! YEAH!!! 45 days down and I have been here for everyone of them so far. I really need to keep a watch as I have to be at school for 120 days for the year to count and really do not want to come back in May.

It is going to be a beautiful, beautiful weekend! Enjoy the weather. God is Good.

 

October Already!

It is already October….yikes! As you can tell, school has started and is back in full swing. I am just plain tired and because of that blogging has been sparse. However, there is a lot going on too, and I want to make sure that I get it documented.

First off, we are at 12 weeks! YEAH! I was so excited this morning that I got sick. Today has actually been one of the worst days so far and I thought I was coming out of all of this. We will see what happens as the week goes on. I am pretty much sure it is because I went to bed with an empty stomach, even though I made Jon go and get me some cheese and crackers at about 8, we ate early because of the Colts game, and then by 6 this morning, I was done.

I went to the OB last Thursday for our first appointment with her and things are going well. I was a bit nervous because I kept reading to make sure your doctor is familiar with handling multiples, and I love my OB and did not want to change doctors. However, I was the third of four sets of twins she was seeing that day. So lucky for us we are not changing doctors as of now. All went well there and we go back for an "official" ultrasound again tomorrow. I think that will be number 8 for me. I don't mind having that many ultrasounds; however we have not gotten an insurance bill yet, so I am hoping all of this is covered. The best news is that if everything looks good tomorrow we can wait 4 weeks before we return!

Now that the room is cleaned out, we have picked a "theme" for the nursery. It is going to be Noah's Ark because of the twins, two by two. The walls are going to be yellow and the cribs are going to be black because we already have a dresser that is black, and well, that is about all that is planned. I have been looking online for stuff and have heard that cribs from walmart.com are really good for the price, and seeing that we are buying two, we are starting there. I am hoping that around December they may have some free shipping days for Christmas shopping as well, so until then we will have a yellow empty room.

I bought my first set of diapers Saturday. Since I have been reading the frugal blogs, they say a "good" price on diapers is anything under 15 cents a diaper. Well, thanks to Jan, mom and grandma, I had some coupons to get them for about 12 cents a diaper so I got five packages for my five coupons. 200 diapers total, it should last us a bit over a week. I was told that twins go through 600 diapers that first month. That is 600 diaper changes……oh my

Hope you are doing well and your October is starting out great. Looking forward to Fall Break in a few weeks!

Stuff

You are reading about the newest member of the North Side Indy Multiples. Yep, now that we are fairly far along and had another great doctor visit, I decided to pay my dues and join. Oh my gosh, are they welcoming. I have had three emails since Thursday. I am really looking forward to it, as they have "support" each month for expecting parents. The first meeting is tonight, however it is the fall social, so I am going to pass. Also tonight's meeting does not start till 7:00 and well you all know my bedtime in 8. But I am looking forward to meeting other moms of twins and hopefully learning a bunch along the way.

This past weekend, Jon and I were busy, we had a wedding in FTW on Saturday and got to see a bunch of family and friends and then on Sunday we started to clean out the house and move furniture around. Jon has been so OCD about this since we decided which room is going to be the nursery that we get it cleaned out. Lucky for him, and me too, since I did very little, he moved the furniture for the guest bed out and now we have an open slate. Just a few Christmas gifts in the closet, and those will be gone long before the babies.

I am also trying to step back on some of my commitments. I love to stay busy, however just don't have the energy right now to continue to do everything. So I guess God is teaching me a bunch as well about managing my time and what is really important. Lessons that I never seem to fully understand.

 

 

Graduation

We graduated from fertility today and are taking with us two large grapes. I was so excited, but also sad. I have met with these people since 2007, and this past year our relationship just took off, with the daily visits. However our time together is now over. I am so glad our relationship ended with such a happy ending.

I went for my last ultrasound and the babies are measuring about 10 weeks 2 days, which is right on track. They are about 3 cm long and the size of a large grape. I have not written in a few days because I cannot seem to find enough time to sleep. Every night in bed by 8ish and asleep by 9ish. Currently I am not able to workout, therefore, I am getting an extra hour on the front end as well. It is not enough.

Jon and I are starting to finally realize that in March we are going to be parents. He is crazy enough to think that since I am going to be home all day, that dinner will be on the table every night and informed me of this over the weekend. Little does he know, that just because he is going to work, does not mean he is out of night time duty!

We visit my OB next Thursday for our first appointment with her. Looking forward to it.

Witnessing a Miracle

God works Miracles daily. I cannot praise Him enough today or any day. I have always tried to keep this journey focused on God, knowing that He already knows the future and He has a plan for me and it is a good plan. But wow, does He take us through some trying times. He is there, working His miracles and restoring hope when there is none.

This past weekend Jon and I and the babies had quite a scare. At this moment everything is fine, we are on our way back to "normal" however, I think I just lived the worst 48 hours of my life. Without warning on Friday I started bleeding, badly. I called the doctor and she met us at the Women's Hospital at about 9:45. The outlook was not good, however though all of this I was calm, just thinking that if God wants me to be pregnant then I will be pregnant, if not He will provide a way to comfort me and a way to help me through. The whole night I had my hands on my stomach again repeating the Lord's Prayer, over and over.

We finally got an ultrasound at 10:30 and they found one heartbeat. I was full of such mixed emotions. I was so thankful, but yet, so sad. Then about 10 minutes later they found the second. Both babies were still alive, with beating hearts just hanging out, not even realizing that everyone in the room just witnessed a miracle. Two heartbeats…..two thankful parents.

Either way Jon and I spent Friday night and most of Saturday at the hospital. We finally got to sleep around 3 and then were woke up again at 6. We did another ultrasound with a high risk OB on Saturday and he assured us that the babies were fine. However now we are transferring to a high risk OB and are going to the doctor weekly. I am so fine with that. More pictures of my kids! We also went in on Sunday and now I get to take more shots in the bum. Jon is so excited about this…..ha ha. But at this point other than the shots, I am pretty much back to where I was Friday at 8 pm.

As I was thinking about all of this on Sunday as I sat in bed, I just kept thinking about how I just witnessed a miracle. How I know that God has a special plan for our children because he kept them alive. How God wants me to be pregnant at least for today. How amazing my God is.

Big Surprise

Another week of school down. I have been working for 24 days now….can you believe it? I am counting this year especially because I need to teach 120 for the year to count. This year I will not be working all 185, but hopefully will get in 120 without a problem.

I have gotten so many emails of congratulations this past week. Thank you to everyone! It is nice to know that people are reading the updates and staying in contact. You all mean so much to Jon and I are we are so appreciative of you.

Today I got a bit of surprise. I emailed the author of the "Pregnant with Hope" blog that I have read since about April, and told her about how wonderful I think her ministry is and how much it has helped me throughout this journey. Again we are far from over, but hopefully are a bit passed the infertility stage. I was writing to her about what I have learned through this journey and how faithful God is. Well two surprises, first she emailed me back, and then she asked if she could share my story on her blog. So this weekend I am featured on her "Pregnant with Hope" blog as well. It is such an honor. God is Awesome! So many blessings are pouring in.

Also if you know someone struggling with infertility, I would love to pass along my copy of her book. Let me know, I found it so helpful and have reread so many of the passages when I was working through all of this.

Help from the moms

Alright, so now that we are outfitting our house times two, I am trying to get things at a bargain. September and March are the month for kids' consignment sales. Well September is a bit too early and March is a bit too late. But anyways, I am thinking of attending some of these to try to buy multiples at cheaper prices. Therefore…..calling all moms…

What would be good things to buy at these sales? Don't suggest clothes, not buying them yet. I was possibly thinking things like socks, crib sheets, things that I can wash in hot water, maybe a stroller, or pack n play, crib, a jumper? I am not all about buying a ton of stuff….just useful stuff. So what is useful? What are the necessities? You all know that I am such a bargain shopper, just trying to score some bargains……

I know that we may have a few showers and most likely will get some of this as gifts, but as you start to add up the cost for two of everything…..the money adds up quick.

Let me know your thoughts??

8 weeks

We are at 8 weeks today. Things are finally starting to settle in, the fact that we are actually pregnant, that we are having twin babies, that in 8 months our lives will never be the same…..how they are changing daily. God has taken us this far, and I know He will be holding my hand through the rest as well. I am praising the Lord for his faithfulness. I guess I should not question that God answers prayers because He has before, but I did not think that our answer would come this quickly.

I am feeling alright. Not great, but not sick. I have been trying to continue to work out in the morning, and the good and bad thing is that when I work out I feel better all day, however getting out of bed at 5 in the morning is not the most fun task either. I am also tried, however I am sure that will not go away anytime soon.

Everyone keeps saying how exciting this all it, and it is, however I am nervous. I was prepared for one baby, I thought I could handle that, now that we are having two, I am pretty sure we can still handle it, but I am having to readjust my plans. However God is faithful and will never give Jon and I more than we can handle without Him. So the three of us are having twins.

Big News…

So as much as I wanted to keep quiet about this news, I am going to share. Jon and I are expecting TWINS! Twins, can you believe it? Double Babies, Double Blessings. God sure does work miracles. I was so happy I cried, laughed and caught my breath, and could not sleep a lick all night because I was so excited. Every time I rolled over, I just looked at Jon, he was awake as well, and smiled. But as of tonight I am getting as much sleep as possible till April, hoping to bank it up.

Today, I think just about everyone at CHS asked what happened at the doctor so I just told whoever asked. Not some broad sweeping announcement, but if they asked I did not lie. This would have been so much easier if not everyone did know that I did IVF, but when you are open about the process you need to be open about the outcome. I also realize that these people care, so if God decides this is not his plan for us, we will be loved and supported all the same.

So there you have it. At this point, Jon has started calling me Trio, and we are still comprehending the fact that we are going to be parents. However we have a long road ahead of us, so prayers and support are always welcome. Praise the Lord!

Waiting till Thursday

We are waiting till Thursday. This waiting is killing me. This whole infertility process is waiting and more waiting. It really tests your patience. It really tests your prayers. I am so lucky that school has started as I am so busy with teaching, and planning, and tutoring, and all that other stuff that I don't really get much of chance to think about it. When told Jon yesterday that my only free night was Thursday, he said, no, we have to go to the doctor on Thursday. So I guess that was a good sign???

I am also scared that everyone knows that Thursday that I go back to the doctor. What if it is good news? Do I tell everyone? Should I wait? How do I lie to this many people? I have a wonderful support group, I have my faith, I have my husband. I can do this.

Just waiting till Thursday…..

School has started....I am super busy

Hi Everyone!

This has been a super busy three weeks with school starting and all of that. Keep praying....

Thankful Saturday

I am sure that you could tell that school is back in session, as my time to post has gone out the window. Tuesday through Friday was a huge success in so many ways. I wanted to post on Thursday, then on Friday, but this morning will have to do….

Thankful Saturday…

1. I am thankful that I made it through my first week of school without any major issues and lots of positive ones. CCS now has a contract after three years without, I have a new classroom with a window and a good air-conditioning, all of my lessons went well with the new students, and I enjoyed catching up with everyone that I missed over the summer
   
2. The Indiana State Fair, Jon and I went on Thursday after school in the 95 degree weather. We got a great parking spot and did not last very long, but had a shake from the Dairy Bar and enjoyed walking around.
   
3. Friends…last night we met Sarah and David to spend the night at Connor's Prairie and as we were walking in we ran into JoEllen and Matt and their neighbor. Too funny, but the 8 of us has a great time.
   
4. My prayer time. These past few weeks not only has my mind been working overtime, but my prayers have been too. Only God knows the future, and I have to trust that He knows best.
   
5. The weekend. All of you working folks know what I am talking about, after being back in school for five days; I am so thankful that today at 7 I am still in bed and not looking at a classroom full of students.
   

Back to School

I went back to work today. Bright and early, up at 5, stopped to get gas, workout with Jon and then at 7 went to get my blood drawn and was at school by 7:30. I had completed more by 7:30 than I had all weekend. And I just got home after a whole day of figuring out what is going to happen tomorrow and I am tired! Oh my gosh, I am tried….tomorrow will be worse with 90 students.

I am feeling alright, trying my hardest to not read into every pain in my stomach and just trying to forget that we may or may not be pregnant. God knows, He already knows, I just need to continue to pray for peace with whatever plan he has for us. I know that His plan is much better than mine and today it I need to trust in that. This whole journey is about trust and these past two weeks are the hardest.

Happy New School Year!!

Three More Days of Freedom

You would think that after having to be home for two days I would have written more. Well nothing exciting really happens when you are home alone….My parents were down on Monday and Tuesday morning which was nice. My dad finished our laundry room, installing a sink and bead board. I love it! We also had a leak under our main bathroom shower, which was dripping water into the garage, it was an easy fix and still covered under warranty but now the clean-up is a bit much. My mom went grocery shopping and all of that stuff and my sister came out and bed rested with me. Jon has been fabulous through all of this as well and is so over protective.

I am three days from going back to school and I have officially done nothing this summer. I looked back at my list of what I wanted to do over the past ten weeks and yes, it was probably a bit much to start with, but I have accomplished about three of the items. Oh well. I was guess they just move to the lets do this during the first semester list….or just eliminate them all together. That is the funny thing about lists, it is great when you get to cross things off, but what if you accomplish a bunch but you never wrote it down. Maybe the most important thing not on the list got accomplished??

So a few more days of sleeping in, a few more days of nothing and then back to work full time. I am looking forward to the schedule, to meeting my students, and going back to school.

 

 

Princess Day 1

I am pregnant today. Jon and I went this morning where they transferred 2 embryos. We even have pictures of them. Now we are waiting to see if they attach. Today's process was not difficult at all. In fact it is one of the easiest parts of the experience. The waiting is the most difficult part of all of this, but we are so blessed that we have crossed every controllable hurdle with few problems. Throughout these past few days I have been putting my hands on my stomach and praying the Lord's Prayer, know that Thy Will be done, no matter what.

My fertility clinic has been fabulous. There are three doctors at the office and my main guy has been on vacation this week, therefore I have seen the other two this week and was just as impressed by both of them. I have purposely never named any of them in this blog because I don't want someone to judge my clinic on something that has happened to me. You may have a totally different experience, but if you ever need a referral I would be happy to talk to you in private. I have heard both positive and negative things about my doctors and all fertility doctors in Indy but I am happy to say that I have not had any issues.

Today is considered my "Princess Day." Not total bed rest, but take it easy day. No cooking, cleaning, lifting a finger. It is pretty nice and Jon has been wonderful, getting me water, the remote, my cell phone. I get one more of these tomorrow! I also had a nice surprise; Erica and Dave were driving though Indy and stopped by for lunch. Jon went out and got Dom's pizza and we had a great lunch with them. It was a good distraction and a great way to spend a part of the afternoon.

My parents will be down tomorrow when Jon is at work, so I am well taken care of. My dad is going to finish our laundry room as well. Yeah! Our last project done…..Just in time to possibly start another one….

Waiting to Sunday

I have not written for a few days because I don't want to jinx it. I know that God knows today if we will be pregnant in a month and possibly have a baby in nine and if He wants us to be pregnant than we will be. And there is nothing I can do about that except pray that I am ready for the results.

Currently things are going great. We are doing a five day transfer on Sunday which has better results than a three day transfer, so I am hopeful. The biologist seems very positive about everything therefore I am not too worried as of today. Again if God wants us to be pregnant at this time, we will be, no matter what is happening at the fertility clinic.

So to keep my mind off of all this, I hate to admit this, but I have been GTLing it with the Jersey Shore kids. Yep, I DVRed the marathon yesterday in hopes that I would have something to watch during my bed rest on Friday and then we were pushed back to Sunday and well, I still have been bed resting while watching the madness on tv. I did not watch the show the first time around so this is all new to me. I just cannot believe I live in the same country as these people. We are so on opposite sides of the planet. Jon keeps saying you want to be a mother and you are watching this?? Yep, and the Housewives, and the Batchelorette, and just thank your lucky stars that I am over The Real World and Flavor Flav.

Maybe there will be a Jersey Housewives marathon on Sunday….