Infertility

I have days where I look around me and wonder, why did I get so lucky? Why, after 2 years of struggling, did it take 1 simple round of IVF and I got my beautiful daughter out of it? Why, despite miscarrying her twin at 10 weeks, did I have a textbook, perfect pregnancy with her, deliver her via an uncomplicated C-Section, recovery beautifully, and go on to watch her grow and thrive according to "perfect" plan? And why, when David and I decided we wanted to try for another, did we go back for another simple round of IVF, get pregnant with twins, carry them to term with no complications, and deliver with another uncomplicated C-Section?

There have been times in my life where I think I have known hard times. I think crying on the bathroom floor for 2 years was suffering. It wasn't. That is nothing. I have been blessed with an easy road through infertility. Not only was 2 simple rounds of IVF all it took for me to complete my perfect family, but we never had to worry about financing it. We could have afforded more, but didn't need it.

My heart is literally breaking right now for THOUSANDS of couples who aren't nearly as lucky as me. Countless rounds of IVF, miscarriages, stillbirths, drained bank accounts - leave them with no hope of ever fulfilling their dream of becoming parents.

I know some/most people who read my blog have no clue what that is like. And neither do I. But I can try and imagine, and it is extremely painful for me to even think about.

If you have a few minutes, please click on this link:

Facebook IVF Giveaway Poll

Read about the couples. Read their stories. You WILL stop in your tracks and get down on your knees and thank God for what you have been given. And for those who actually are in these shoes, right now - I am terribly sorry. I am sorry we live in a world where teenagers can get pregnant, abortion is legal, babies are born unwanted...and you haven't been able to have the thing you want most.

If you feel compelled to vote, please vote for Deborah and Jeffrey. She is part of a community that helped me through my "difficult" days of infertility. And a friend of a friend. I want this so badly for them!!

Cowboys and some random!

My grandparents are from Texas and are bound and determined to turn my little men into cowboys! They brought them back denim shirts with pearl buttons from their last trip to the rodeo!

I feel like I have eleven million pics of this big boy just cheesing it up for the camera. But I love every single one of them! Nothing beats looking at this awesome face. He is so full of joy and you can't help but feel happy when you are around him. He is something special.

And sweet Braley. Bless him - he is just a momma's boy with some curly/hippy hair! LOL! He has this face that can melt your heart in a second. And I know every parent thinks this, but he is truly the cutest baby I have ever seen in my life.

Love this goofy girl! She is doing well these days. Going potty, only in pull-ups at night (and half the time, her pull-up is bone dry in the morning), sitting at the table, having in-depth conversations with us...

I can not wait to celebrate Christmas with her this year!

It is hard to fully understand the craziness that is Braley's hair. Even this pic doesn't do it justice.

Braley has 9 teeth and is working on 10 and 11. Insane. INSANE! We need a break!!

A little update on the boys:

they are both saying mama and dadda, both clapping and waving, playing peek-a-boo, reaching for things they want, and eating a diverse and healthy diet. Just waiting for big man Jack to take his first real steps! I know Braley is months away from that, but Jack should be literally any minute! I never stop being thankful for the health of my kids.

Busy busy around here! Last night, David and I had couple's game night. Tonight, Paige and I are going to a girl's Christmas party. I am thankful for the companionships I have made in my adult life, and can't wait to celebrate the holidays with us girls (and a few little boys!) : )

Graduation weekend and randoms

David's parents came in town to help us celebrate his graduation from graduate school! I could not be more proud. I can't imagine how I am going to feel when I see my kids excel! Sheesh!

We kicked off the weekend with dinner with friends at a restaurant (yes, with all the kids!), but I was trying to get the house picked up and needed them out of my hair before we left. Big spoons and bowls = did the trick!

Random iPhone photos below:

We also decided to break out the Christmas jammies!! : )

The graduation was lovely! I am thankful that we got to spend the weekend with David's parents. They are wonderful people and I couldn't ask for better in-laws.

I love this man!
We got cocktails and appetizers right after the graduation, then a big steak dinner at our favorite restaurant in town that night.

Random here: but, I have been looking at ways to cut costs at the grocery store. Feeding my family of 5 is so, so expensive. I don't want to sacrifice quality for cost, since we can afford it - but it would be nice if I could get my $150+ MULTIPLE times a week down a bit.

A friend of mine suggested buying frozen blueberries, since a carton of fresh is $4.50 or more, and a huge bag of frozen, which would last me weeks, is only $8.

I tried it, and everyone loved them just the same, but they are MESSY!! No more! I will suck it up and keep buying the fresh.

If anyone has any cost-cutting strategies (besides extreme couponin), let me know!

Switching gears here:

David's amazing boss and his wife have been bugging us to watch the kids for a while now! They have 2 young girls who love playing with them, so we finally decided to let them! David felt a little strange thinking his boss, who is a VP at the company, might be wiping up his babies poop...but hey...they offered!! ; ) We went Christmas shopping and went to a dinner date at 501. It was awesome and we were so thankful!

They sent us these pics to let us know everyone was doing great!

BUSY week here! I am getting my hair done tomorrow night, we have a couple's Christmas party Wednesday night, then I have a girl's Christmas wine night on Thursday!

Have a great week!!

I love my boys

Look at Braley's curly hair!! OMG!! Love him!

When you have 1 year old twins and a 2.5 year old, sometimes you spend the whole day in your jammies : ) So I like to put them in cute ones : )

Big boy is so close to walking, he just won't actually do it! One of these days...

I love Jack so much.

Braley loves to play peek-a-boo.

Where's Braley?

Here he is!!!

My boys fill my heart with more happiness than I could have ever imagined!

Monkey and banana birthday party!

I am always happy when I decide to have a photographer come to the kids' birthday parties. I love having these memories and I didn't have to do any of the work!

David and I are thankful for our wonderful friends and family. Seeing our house filled with people who love our boys and kids for ours to grow up with is a true testament to how blessed we are.

Party favors!!

BLESSED!!

Tia made all the desserts for the party, and even came over early to set my table! Love her!! If you are local and interested in having someone take care of your next party, give her a holler!

I could not love the 3 men in my life any more. It just isn't possible. SO thankful for the blessing of sons. I pray that Jack and Braley grow up to be great husbands and fathers just like David.

J&B didn't like cake, but Paige sure did help herself!

David's folks are getting in tomorrow for his graduation from grad school. We are all very proud of him and excited to celebrate it. I better get off my rear and clean this house!!