We Are Expecting x 2!

2008 Christmas card:As most of you already know, Patrick & I are happy to announce that we are expecting TWINS! Our journey to parenthood has been many years in the making and more painful than I can ever express in words, but hopefully all the tears are behind us.  I will begin my second trimester this week and the doctors think I should deliver the third or fourth week of June (twins almost always come early).   So far I am feeling decent, much better than I expected.  We are still so cautious and guarded given all we have been through, but it is impossible not to get excited seeing 2 babies that are growing and thriving with legs, arms, heads, and spinal cords very evident already on ultrasound.  We will find out the last week in February what sex they are. At this point, I can't be choosy although I do hope for at least 1 to be a girl.  I had a psychic (another story for another day) tell me 2 years ago that I would soon have twin girls, so we'll see if she's right. I know that there are some of you that are struggling right now to conceive and I just want to take this opportunity to let you know that you are in my prayers.  It is the deepest pain that unless you have experienced it, I cannot explain.  I once read the sadness and grief of infertility surpasses that of women diagnosed with a terminal illness.  Of course, I cannot compare but I do know the pain is real.  There is hope, and I know your dreams will soon be realized as I hope mine is in June!

Getting Ready for Christmas

We spent all week getting our house ready for Christmas...don't really know why since we aren't even home the week of.  Oh well, it's one of the things you are supposed to do when you have a house.  We always get a real tree and enjoy looking at our ten years of special ornaments including our very first Christmas ornament with intertwined hearts. Whiskey LOVES boxes and helps his daddy unpack them from the attic.  He slept in this box for several days.  I didn't have the heart to move it.   He loves sitting next to the tree and just staring it.  He is pretty good about not bothering it, however, presents are a different story (sorry Dad but he destroyed one of your sacks this morning).  Corkie is not fond of the tree and due to her poor vision forgets it is there running into the branches frequently.  We had our church Christmas party last night and then my work's today.  My sorority party was supposed to be Tuesday but was canceled due to threat of ice, which never materialized.  Nothing much going on.  One more week of work and then my last week of vacation for the year!  I am ready!!!!

Libby's Baby Shower

Libby's baby shower was Saturday at our sorority house. We had a great time!  Libby is not only my sorority sister but was my roommate for 3 semesters in college.  Our husbands (then boyfriends) were fraternity brothers.  We started dating about the same time, got engaged the same summer, and got married within 2 weeks of each other.  We have celebrated a lot of life's moments together. Libby, I can't wait to meet your little boy!! You will be a wonderful mommy! 

Election Day is Finally Here

Election Day is finally here!  I have been a Hillary fan for many, many years-way before she officially announced but am happy to settle for Obama.  I love the thrill of voting and watching the election night coverage.  I hope I don't curse Barack; no one I have ever voted for for President has actually won.  I am going in to work at the crack of dawn so I can get off between 2-3:00 and go vote.  I don't trust early voting (sorry Dad); I want to vote on the day of only.  I have been to the Pulaski County Courthouse and have seen what they do with the absentee and early ballots.  I am going to take my book (that I have less than 100 pages in) and gladly stand in line. I always run into several neighbors and chat anyway.  Nothing exciting in my life to report, as you can tell from my post.  Pretty mundane.  I am back at work and feeling fine. Back to cooking and housework, too.  I did enjoy being spoiled by my mom and all of the yummy food.  I could really get used to my daytime lineup of shows and afternoon naps.  I had quite the routine going for awhile.   The dog and cat are great napping companions and were extremely sad when I left to go back to work.  

Surgery Update

Everything went well yesterday.  I was extremely nervous and shaking even with the warm blankets on me but was out like a light within 30 seconds of the IV anesthesia so luckily I don't remember much.  I slept the two hours home and most of the afternoon but was able to eat a late lunch and supper (thanks mom for the yummy broccoli cheddar soup).  I took my prescription pain meds yesterday but am already off them and onto regular Tylenol.  I was expecting a lot more pain but so far so good.  Just a low-grade fever that I am monitoring but the nurses say is not out of the ordinary.  The good news is the surgery is behind me but the scariest part of this whole process is my fourth round of shots which started last night and unfortunately last 2 to 10 weeks depending on lab work.  My previous shots have been very small needles sub-q which means in the fat of my stomach or thigh.  Now these shots are 1 1/2 inches long and in direct muscle, an area I shouldn't mention on the blog, if you know what I mean.  Luckily my doctor believes in pain management and is one of few that provides lidocaine to numb it before the shot, but even then I cried like a baby! It was pathetic.  It's going to be a long 10 weeks.  Patrick is a very good nurse and is very patient with me.  The animals were very worried though and convinced their daddy was being mean.  It was sweet. Well, I am getting off here to enjoy one of the perks of being home during the day...watching my soap.  Will update soon.

Wednesday is the Day

Just a quick update to let you know that Wednesday is my surgery date, 9:00 a.m.  I am so ready for this to be over.  The past 2 weeks have been hard with medicine, shots, the accompanying side effects, and 4-hour drives every other day to the doctor--but the end is in sight.  I will blog on Thursday and let you know how I am doing.  I am planning on taking Wednesday through the next Wednesday off work.  I will enjoy my down time and letting the animals nurse me back to health. Thanks for everyone's kind thoughts and prayers.

Lazy Days for Some...Not for Others

Well as you can tell, Corkie & Whiskey have had a very relaxing weekend.  Not a care in the world...little do they know their yearly check-up is Friday.  It is always an adventure requiring both parents to go and comfort the shaking, scared babies.  Not to mention, we always take Patrick's car because Whiskey gets VERY carsick.  My mom's funniest story to tell is when Patrick & I moved into our house 4 years ago.  Patrick drove the Penske moving truck 3 hours with his head hanging out the window like Ace Ventura thanks to Whiskey's wonderful aroma. Anyway, while Corkie & Whiskey have been relaxing, their mom has been busy.  I am having surgery in approximately 2 weeks and am doing all I can to prepare for a week of no lifting, cleaning, or working.  We took a trip to Sam's and Wal-Mart to stock up on any and everything we might need.  I thoroughly cleaned and did several loads of laundry Saturday (while listening to the Hogs on the radio)!!  I went into work on Sunday in preparation of getting things ready at the nursing home for my week to 2 weeks off.  Don't know much else to report.  Patrick is wrapping up the end of the 1st 9 weeks at school and stays busy grading papers.  He's looking forward to his day off Friday, although it will be spent at the vet's and cleaning up afterwards...