Finally Out of the First Trimester!

We got great news this week. Kelli underwent testing for Down Syndrome & Trisomy 18 (some of you may have seen the "99 Balloons" for Eliot featured on the Oprah Winfrey show). The test results came back very favorable so we breathed another sigh of relief. Just one more milestone crossed in this journey.

For anyone who as faced fertility issues, you know what a roller coaster things can be. 3 years, 2 surgeries, COUNTLESS hormones, fertility drugs & so many ultrasounds I've lost count, later and we're finally out of the first trimester! With each milestone reached we get further from being "cautiously optimistic" territory and closer to excited country! Priesthood blessings really work, but you have to obey the counsel! Kelli has followed her doctors' orders TO THE LETTER like several Priesthood blessings have counselled. We have both tried to be patient, again, counsel received in a blessing. And we are just thrilled to be at this point in our lives. Kelli's getting a little stir crazy with the "modified bed rest" but trying to keep outings to a minimum. Hasn't been terribly hard since outings wear her out, even short ones!

Thank you again to all our friends and family who have offered prayers on our behalf. We have been touched by the outpouring of support and are grateful for every word uttered to the "Man Upstairs" pleading our case. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Latest Photo

We had another ultrasound this past week. All was well. We could tell it's Jeremy's child because it wouldn't cooperate with the ultrasound tech in getting the right angle. We could tell it was mine because as caught in this photo, it's a thumbsucker! (I no longer suck my thumb but did as a kid!) Only 26 1/2 weeks to go!

No news as to gender yet. The tech was lucky enough to get one shot she needed so we never got to gender, though it's most likely too early to tell anyway. 6 1/2 more weeks until that ultrasound. We'll keep you posted!

Latest News

It's been a while since we updated the blog. Mostly because it's been same stuff, different day. But today we went in to the doctors and they did an ultrasound, and sure enough, baby was kicking, doing the worm, and all around wiggling. We are out of the first trimester on Saturday so we're finally confident enough to announce that yes, we are expecting. It's been a bumpy ride and Kelli has been on bedrest since about 6 weeks on. She's on a modified bedrest now, but only as a precaution.

We're excited to be this far. And are thrilled about this one finally taking. It's been 3 years, lots of medical treatments and having to patiently wait to get here. We know other couples have struggles worse than ours, but anyone who has been through it understands how relieved and excited we are.

Thank you for all your prayers and well wishes on our behalf. We appreciate each and every one! We didn't get a copy of today's ultrasound, but when we get the next one, we'll surely post!

It's That Time of Year Again

It's that holiday time of year again. Time to stuff ourselves with turkey & stuffing, yummy treats and holiday lights popping up everywhere.

Also, time for holiday cards. What do you say when you're doing the same thing, just a different day? Last year I got the wild idea to make our holiday cards. When you're sending out to over 100 people, that has got to be one of the craziest things. Holidays are complicated enough. Add to that the fact that I put out a monthly newsletter for our business clients and I just about sliced my wrists with the paper I was working with to make it all stop.

So this year, if we have an email address, we may just go paperless! And for those of whom we don't have email for, snail mail may or may not be happening. If you really want to know what we've been up to this year, the blog's the best way.

It's pretty much the same stuff, different year. Business, church, us, no kids, 2 dogs, etc. etc. We'll let you know if there's any new additions or interesting tidbits! Otherwise, it's been a good, limited eventful year!

Hope you've had a good year, eventful or not!

Misinformed

Many of you who bother to read the blog are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (AKA "The Mormons"). But for those of you who are not, you may have heard many things in the news lately that are derogatory or false about the church I belong to. Here is a link to a website that has information about our church as well as the link to the press releases that the church puts out on a regular basis. As always, to my friends of other faiths or non-believers, I'm happy to answer any questions that I can.

http://www.mormon.org/ for info

http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories for press releases.

Over the years I have heard some STRANGE things about my religion. Most of them have made me giggle because they were so out in left field. Some just leave me scratching my head. Here are a few I'd like to share that struck my funnybone:
Yes, we can drink milk.
Yes, we can eat chocolate.
Yes, we can dance (some of us are not real coordinated, but that's a personal problem, not a religious one).
No, we do not wear special bathing suits to get pregnant.
No, we do not worship seagulls or locusts.
and my personal favorite:
No, we DO NOT physically consumate our marriage on top of the alters in the temple, and DEFINITELY NOT in front of a group of people.