How Fast a Year Goes!

It has been over a year since I posted in here.  In my defense, I was busy chasing after a 3 year old while growing a baby.  Now that the baby's here, I'd love to say it's settled down but it hasn't.  I was trying to design the Christmas cards today and thought about the fact that no one has time to read newsletters so I can send the blog address for people to get updates.  Then I remembered it has been a while.  I just didn't realize how much of a while it has actually been.  So here are some photos to prove that what was keeping me from updating (not that anyone really cares) was very worthwhile! 

How cute are those dimples?

Future in modeling?

Always looking out for Sister

So casual!

Amused sleeper

Sleep in Heavenly Peace!

Beautiful in her blessing gown

Christmas is the Best!

I look forward to the Christmas season every year.  I love the glow that Christmas trees and decorations create in the home.  I love the colder weather.  I love that people, for the most part, are a little bit kinder (assuming you're not shopping on Black Friday).  One of the traditions in our house is setting up 2 Christmas trees.  One is our "pretty tree".  The other, the "fun tree". 

The pretty tree stems from my love for visiting places that are decked out for Christmas.  I loved to see the "designer" trees that were more uniform in their colors and seemed to have themes.  Years ago I found the ribbon I used on our tree and fell in love!  It's got an iridescent sheen to it and if you look at it from one angle, it's a true Christmas green and from another angle it is red.  The ornaments have changed over the years as I've found new ones or new ideas.  I got the idea to put colored "icicle" streamers inside glass ball ornaments.  They shimmer in the lights and add another dimension of color and sparkle.  To pay homage to the reason for the season, the only ornaments that are not balls are the stars.  Crystal-looking stars in the shape of the Star of Bethlehem and gold stars.  I love this tree, so much so, that I've kept it this way for at least 10 years, changing little but the balls.

"Pretty" Tree

 Then there's the "Fun Tree".  This tree has a snowman head for a topper and houses our collection of ornaments.  There are some pretty elements to help give it a cohesive look, but overall, it's a display of our years together.  When we travel, instead of looking for souvenirs to clutter our shelves, we search for ornaments.  Each year we also buy a family ornament and one for Jayden.  That way when he leaves the nest and settles his own, he will have ornaments chronicling his life.  When it's time to pull out the Christmas decorations each year, it's fun to pull out all these ornaments and relive the memories behind them.  I must admit, I write somewhere on them the year and/or where, who or how we got them.  My memory is not what it used to be as most people's.  I don't want to forget so I write in the most inconspicuous place I can.

"Fun" Tree

This year's craft project was these reindeer ornaments made from paint-stirrer sticks.  Jeremy found that Sherwin Williams was the most cooperative.  They gave him 36 for free!  Now before you go thinking I'm super creative, don't.  I copied the idea from an ornament given to me next year.  That's how I get most of my ideas.  I liked the overall elements of the gift but as always, I have to put my little spin on it.  The original had a wreath around the neck, but I couldn't find mini-wreath's I liked so I had to improvise.  But here's this year's finished product.

Another Month Down

Well, no baby this month.  But we had joked this month that it wouldn't happen because if we were to get pregnant this coming cycle, that would put that baby in our 6 week birthday window.  Heavenly Father has a sense of humor and I can appreciate the joke.  So it's on to another month of crazy pills, even more, stronger shots and IUI (For those that don't know the infertility lingo, that would be Intra-Uterine Insemination.  For those that don't understand that, think turkey baster, only in pipette form).

It's costly both financially and physically, but I'm 100% positive that it's worth it.  For all you women who think female hormones are evil, try synthetic ones in mass quantities.  Administering the shots to myself is no big deal.  It's what they do to my body that's nuts!  Overall, I keep myself in check, but I don't even want to know how many brain cells I'm losing each month!  Scary!  But when you add it all up, it's so worth it.  We are enjoying the fruits of our infertility labors on a daily basis with Jayden.  He truly is the light of our lives and we couldn't feel luckier!

So if you run into me and I'm somewhat incoherent or burst into tears for no reason, don't worry, nothing's wrong.  I'm just going to be hormonally challenged!  But you'd go through it if you were me if you knew that this could be the end result!

All dressed up in his Halloween costume.

 

Let the Crazy Begin!

After a few months off, we're back in the baby-making game again.  Starting today I start a more intensive protocol of hormones.  And already the side affects are kickin' in.  So if you see me and I have a blank look on my face, or am sweating to death, or just plain looney, don't be alarmed.  It's all "normal", whatever that is! LOL.  So feel free to follow the journey on here.  It should be a fun ride!  Hopefully a successful ride, because let's face it, I'd like to have this next one before I turn 40 and the clock is ticking!

My Baby Turns 2!



Not too sure about the candle thing!

Keeping it simple...store bought cake from the bakery + M&Ms makes one perfect cake for this 2 year old!

Carrying on a Family Tradition:  Cindy entertained Jake's dad, Jason.  Jason entertained Jeremy,  Jeremy entertained Jake and now Jake is entertaining Jayden.  I'm sure Jayden will someday entertain Jake's kids!