A Work in Progress!!!

This has been a LONG project....but I am so happy with the way it has turned out so far. I still have to make the valances and cover the pillows and make some more pillows....ok there is a lot left to do. But this is how the shelf looks.....


Each basket is labeled....I LOVE organization!!!

I have to brag on my husband. Not only is he hot....but he builds stuff too. I have been informed that he jumps on his "honey do" list much more quickly than most husbands (I am sure that has nothing to do with me"nagging" him cause I am so patient and would never do that). I love him.

Football Time!

Gavin had his first flag football game this past Saturday. Coach Eric did an awesome job! This is most of the kids first time playing and they won 30-6!! Gavin LOVES football now.
He has been practicing running with "his head up and in a straight line" (he gets his coordination from his Mommy). He insists on wearing his socks up to his knees because he says "that is how real football players wear them". He is so much fun....we love him.

Practicing in the yard with Daddy before practice.


Practicing catching.

Nolen wanted in on the bandana action.

Gavin before his first game.

Gavin and Coach Daddy.



Gavin checking out his "huge" muscles.

Coach Daddy tellin em what to do.

Gavin is ready to go with his mouth piece.

Nolen was super excited about his new backpack for Mothers Day Out!!

Potty Time with Nolen!

I am proud to announce that Nolen is officially potty trained! No accidents for a week--YAY NOLEN!!!
All we do is go to the bathroom. We went 3 times at Target yesterday (Nolen twice and Gavin once).
Sunday after church we were at PF Changs (Gavin's "#1 favorite restaurant"--probably because almost everything on the menu is milk free). Nolen had to go to the bathroom like 4 times. I didn't even realize it but every time that he successfully uses the bathroom I clap and say "Good boy Nolen!!!" Well, after Nolen used the bathroom I had to go too. So...I successfully used the "potty" and Nolen said really loud "Good boy Mommy!!! Did you go peepee out of your weiner??"
LOVE HIM!!!

Pokey Ovaries!

Just what I wanted to hear--I have pokey ovaries.
On Friday I went for my ultrasound to check my eggs (I started shots last Sunday). It was NOT what I wanted to hear.....I had 5 very small eggs and my estradiol was only in the 100's. Dr. H wanted at least 5 good size eggs and my estradiol to be around 400. I cried...don't know if it was the hormones (I am on the highest amount of injections that I have ever been on) or the money or both but I was so upset. She said to keep doing what I was doing and to come in today (Monday) for another US.
Eric and I prayed this morning for awesome eggs and levels. As I laid on the table waiting for her to come in I prayed that she would be surprised at the change in my eggs. God totally answered my prayer....that is exactly what happened; and to top it off He even gave me a bonus egg!! I have not 5 but 6 great looking eggs. She said she wanted my estradiol to be at least 800 and it was 981! So, it looks like a great cycle after all! YAY!
So, I have pokey ovaries....who cares?

Fun at the Track!

Sara and the kids were in town. We played tourist for the day and headed up to Gatlinburg. We went on a Dinosaur ride that Gavin loved but scared poor Nolie to death. After that we went to the Track. We have one back home in Destin that I used to go to all the time as a kid and teenager. The kids had so much fun!

Copeland riding go karts.


Gavin riding go karts.


They thought they were so cool!


Poor Nolen had to ride all the rides by himself.....


Kellen got to ride the "big boy go karts" as Gav says.

Gavin, Copeland and Nolen had fun riding this. They loved the man in the background. He would give them five as the came around and had them clapping and singing.



Clayton and Devin did this....judging by the look on their face--it didn't seem like much fun!

Fertility Shmertility.....

It has always been my goal for this blog to be fun and light. However, I have really been feeling like I should blog about my fertility issues for a while now. I figure if there is one person out there who can relate then....why not? So....here goes.

I have a hard time getting pregnant. God has blessed us with two beautiful boys and we are so thankful for them. We have been trying for over a year now to get pregnant again. Both Gavin and Nolen were conceived with the help of a fertility specialist.

Before Gavin...I had surgery for endometriosis followed by about 10 rounds of fertility treatments. Throw a miscarriage in the mix and you have 2 very happy soon to be parents. I had 11 eggs the month I got pregnant with Gavin--we were all thinking twins or triplets. There was just one though....one perfect little miracle. We were completely overjoyed to be pregnant.....so I did what anyone who was finally pregnant after almost 4 years of trying would do--worried myself sick about every little thing for the entire 9 months. Looking back I do not feel like I enjoyed my pregnancy with Gavin. I was so excited but scared. Then after a fairly routine delivery....he was here! We finally had a baby....he was soooo worth all the tears, worry, prayers, frustration and money.

With Nolen, it only took two rounds of fertility treatments. I had 7 eggs with Nolen and I really enjoyed the pregnancy so much more. His birth experience was completely different than Gavin's (see previous post http://giffordfam.blogspot.com/2009/05/for-you-mom.html ). I was traumatized. I remember telling my Doctor....I don't know if I ever want to be pregnant again. She said that would change....and it did.

Last July I missed my period and took a pregnancy test...and to my complete shock--it was positive!! I immediately called the Doctor and went in for blood work. I quickly found out that my progesterone was really low...like 3 (which has always been one of my issues). They put me on supplements to help bring up my levels and they did come up but it was too late and I miscarried. I was devastated....but now I really wanted to be pregnant again. We decided to try on our own for a while. We did for several months but it just wasn't happening.

So....back to the fertility Doctor we went. We are currently on our second round of fertility treatments. The first time I only had 3 eggs and it wasn't a very good cycle. Dr. H says if I don't get pregnant this time....I have to have the surgery for Endo again--really do not want to do that. So....we are praying for lots of eggs and that we will get pregnant this month. I will keep you posted as things progress.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.
Ephesians 3:20

Ok...now back to poop stories.

Nanu came to visit....and brought Alexa and Ben!

My Mom (Nanu to my boys) came to visit a few weeks ago. She brought my brothers two kids--Benjamin and Alexa. We had fun....she posted some REALLY bad pictures of me on Facebook to prove it--thanks Mom :)! Anyways...we hung out by the pool, went to the zoo, took the kids to ride Eric's parents horse and pick fresh corn out of the garden and went to see Kellen and Wyatt at Shakespeare in the Square.

Benjamin, Gavin and Nolen (wearing their really um....cool fireman boots that Nanu bought them).


Nolen did not like his boots at all and he certainly did not throw an absolute fit to wear them to ride the horse (I had his Vans in the car in case we went anywhere else).

Benjamin and Nolen.

Benjamin in the pool.

Ben did not so much like riding the horse.

Nolen riding Wetback

Alexa LOVES animals. Seriously, you have no idea....


Gavin hopped right up there....


Wyatt, Gavin and Nolen at the Zoo.


Wyatt, Nolen, Benjamin, Gavin, Alexa and Kellen at the Zoo

Wyatt and Gavin with their maps.


Mom and Me going to pick corn....


Mom, Gavin and Alexa in the garden.


Alexa with Kellen and Wyatt at Shakespeare in the square (they were in the play). Trust me, she was more excited than she looks.

It is BABY TIME!!!

I have been BUSY making baby gifts lately. Now that I think about it...maybe this is the reason that I haven't had time to blog! I actually had a lot of fun doing it. Here is the stuff I have been making.

I made these for a set of twin boys...




The "Francesca"



The "Jalyn"




The "Brinley" and The "Kinsley" (I actually made 2 sets of these)



The "Rilee"



Jalyn's Canvas' for her room!


Brinley's Canvas for her room!