And then there were 3....

Thank you so much for all the texts and emails I have received over the past few days checking on me and my eggs-haha! 

I went for an ultrasound on Friday and I had 5 eggs--we were hoping for 10 but they were 5 good looking eggs all growing at about the same pace.  I was happy....I was told to continue with shots and come back on Monday. 

When I went back yesterday....I only had 3.  The others were still there but had fallen behind and will not be big enough to release when I ovulate. 

So.....as my sister says, I have "3 grade A" eggs.  Last cycle when I only had 2 eggs I cried in the Doctors office (it was really embarrasing even though I am sure it happens a lot there).  I felt hopeless.  This time is different.....I feel good about my 3 eggs and I am hopeful that this is going to be the month. 

According to my Doctor my ovaries are just not cooperating and I am quickly running out of time.  Obviously, I know that God could work a miracle and I could get pregnant 6 months from now without the help of any Doctor.  However, it is VERY scary to think that I could possible never be pregnant again even though that is the desire of my heart as well as my husbands...and even the boys. 

So..........I am hopeful that this is my month and I can put all this fertility junk behind me.  Please pray with me and my family that this is it!  Three eggs are more than enough....

Prayers for Ayla!

As most of you know...my niece Ayla has been in the hospital since last Thursday.  She was transferred Friday night by ambulance to Shands in Gainesville--a VERY long ride. 

Doctors were very concerned thinking that Ayla had a bowel obstruction.  However, once Ayla got to Gainesville it looked as though she did not have a bowel obstruction--but perhaps good ole constipation.  This is a total answer to prayer....so many people were praying for her.  Obviously, our fear was that Ayla would need surgery and we definitely did not want that. 

She is doing ok but still in the hospital.  She has had a couple of x-rays and each day things are looking better.  Poor baby has not had a single thing to eat or drink since last Wednesday and is a little "grumpy"--who wouldn't be?. 

Please continue to pray for Ayla that she will poop and fart (ha...there's that word again Mom) ALOT and feel better.  Also, that she will be able to EAT and DRINK soon!

My sister is keeping everyone updated on her blog....so check it out!
The Breathing Room

Hormones and Headaches!

So....
I have had a headache for 2 days now.

Yesterday, was possibly the worst headache that I have ever had.

It could be because of the shots OR it could be the fact that I went cold turkey--no caffeine! Yes....I am crazy! I read online that caffeine can affect your fertility and since I will try anything....I have a pounding headache! In case you are
wondering--yes, I have stood on my head too...doesn't work!!!


I failed to mention my most favorite Christmas present that Eric got me is my new Tassimo Single Coffee Machine.

As you can imagine....it is very hard to resist my morning Chai Tea Latte or Starbucks Latte. Oh how I miss you Tassimo!!!

Round 4...or 5--I lost count.

I feel like a broken record with all this trying to get pregnant stuff....but we are trying again so we could use your prayers.

I had an appointment this morning with Dr. H and everything looks great to start shots. We will be starting Sunday. I will be doing 4 powders to 1 liquid 2x a day for the first 2 days, then I will switch to 3 powders to 1 liquid 2x a day until Friday when I have another ultrasound. I have never done 4 powders to 1 liquid before....Dr. H is hoping that by increasing the amount on the front end that it will stimulate better quality and more eggs.

I really need to NOT have pokey ovaries this time. I need about 10 amazing eggs!

Dr. H said that my best chance is within 3 months after having surgery. I had surgery in October....it is now January--you get the picture!

So....please pray, pray, pray with us for lots of beautimous eggs! K? Thanks.

Me and my raging hormones will keep you posted!

My Baby is 3--how did this happen?

My baby.....is 3! I cannot believe that Nolen is already 3 years old....time really does fly!

The Birthday Boy! (In his special pirate t-shirt with his name on it)


What Nolen is up to:
1. HE LOVES PIRATES!! He loves playmobil pirates in particular. Half of them have no hair because Nolen bites the hair off and then loses it--this really irritates Daddy.
2. I am not sure about his exact weight and height (his appt. is next week) but he is still pretty chunky...I am guessing somewhere around 36 pounds.
3. He looks just like his Daddy and is built just like him too. He has short legs and a long torso. If he had an indian name it would be "walks with no legs".
4. He is a Mommy's boy--and he is proud of it. He will tell anyone who asks him--it melts my heart.
5. He is ALL about fun and playing. Everytime I pick him up from school I ask him what he learned that day....his response is always "I played pirates. I played with Jacob and Brody. I played dinosaurs."
6. He loves to go to church. He tells me all the time; "Mommy, I really really want to go to church."
7. He has the sweetest voice and is talking really well.
8. He loves Gavin....they fight a lot but they also play well together--sometimes.
9. He loves to cuddle and is so sweet.

Here are some pictures from his Birthday party. Yes, it was a pirate party. Yes, we had a pirate party for Gavin last year. That is what Nolen loves the most so we couldn't imagine not having a pirate party for him too....he was sooo happy.

Nolen and Ayla--how cute are they?
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Nolen's cake that I made--it took me over 3 hours to decorate this! After last years pirate cake I said I wouldn't do this again--now I remember why!


Nolen and his "girlfriend" Katie....he LOVES her--almost as much as she loves him!


Nanu and Nolen--so happy she got to be here!


Mommy and Nolen.


Nolen and his loot.


Nolen and Pirate Elliott from Veggie Tales--thanks Aunt Sonda (and Uncle Sean, Kellen, Wyatt and Elliott)!


Nolen with one of his new playmobil pirate toys.


He is one cool dude.


Daddy and Nolen


Nolen really enjoyed everyone singing happy birthday to him. This was the look on his face the whole time.


Blowing out his candles...such a big boy!


We are so thankful for our little Nolie Polie....he is so special to us! We love him soooo much--bigger than the oceans, bigger than the skies, bigger than the whole wide world (that's what he tells us)!

Nanu, Krista and Ayla came to town!

Mom, Krista and Ayla came up for a visit! They planned it out so they would be here for Nolen's Birthday.

We had a great time--a little shopping, great food and some snow! What more could you ask for?

Nolie polie


Mom had the bright idea to use a lid from a plastic bin as a sled.....didn't really work so well--it was a little flat.


Ayla LOVED the snow!


Nolen, Gavin and Ayla


A little Cousin lovin....

New Years Eve!

We had a great New Years!

New Years Eve we took the boys to eat pizza....we were very excited to let Gavin try out a pizza place that he could eat at! I was very nervous but they were great. They took his allergy very seriously and that made me feel better. He LOVED it!!! We will definitely be going back!

After our pizza we went to see Alvin and the Chipmunks, the Squeakwel! It was soooo cute and Gavin absolutely loved it. He said he wants to see it again and again.

Nolen liked it too but has a little problem being quiet. At one point during the movie he repeated something Alvin said.....and yelled out "it's on like Donkey Kong!". He cracks me up--so not shy!

Eric and I watched the ball drop in our bed and had our New Years kiss and then went to sleep....by about 12:05! I know....we are wild!

New Years day we just hung out and did a whole lot of nothing!

Christmas Post 2

So....picking up with Christmas morning.

We slept in until 8....which was much later than I expected.

We stayed in our pajamas all day and made a big breakfast--it was a great day! The boys played with their new toys all day.

Gavin got an electric scooter! He was very excited...Eric took him outside to try it out and he hopped right on it and wiped out! He didn't even cry!!!


Nolen got a new scooter too.....him and Gavin have been riding it all through the house ever since Christmas!


Gavin with his new Imaginext marine boat.


Nolen LOVES pirates! He was so happy about this!


He was not so happy about this...he couldn't understand why he couldn't open the BIG one next!


Gavin got a real bow and arrow!


He loved these! It was a set of little NFL helmets...all the teams. It was from me and he said "Wow, Mommy you are fantastic! You got me ALL the teams...you are amazing!" (as long as he thinks so :))


And who wouldn't want a dinosaur that farts and burps! (sorry Mom...she hates the word fart).


My Mom and Harry got them these uniforms--they LOVE them! Gavin got Florida Gators and Nolen got Miami Dolphins.




On Christmas night, my Dad and Elsie came for a visit. We went shopping and found a pizza place that will make Gavin special milk-free pizza. We had a great visit!

Catching Up!

Ok...we have had A LOT going on! With Gavin's birthday, Christmas, family in town, and then Nolen's birthday...there has not been much time for blogging.

I finally got my Christmas Pictures uploaded on the computer so....without further ado (adeau, adu??)--Christmas Pictures-part 1!! I know you can barely contain your excitement...

All the Gifford cousins.....8 so far!!! I think we need at least 2 more girls to even things out ;)!


Gavin waiting patiently for his turn....so proud of my big 5 year old!


Nolen opening his gift!


Nolen and Gavin on the night before Christmas Eve....they got to open their Christmas ornaments.


Nolen with his "surfer ornament"


Gavin with his "football ornament"


Nolen with his Diego!


Gavin with his new Nintendo DS....do I really have a child old enough to have a DS?


Nolen and Elliott LOVE each other.....


A Christmas Eve kiss on the nose!


Me and my handsome husband!

Happy New Year!

I realize that I totally skipped Christmas....we are having a little issue with our computer (the issue being that we have so many pictures and videos that our hard drive is full--so adding more pictures makes it move REALLY slow.) Don't worry though....Eric is working on this and hopefully I will have our Christmas post up very soon!

Anyways.....Happy New Year!!! I cannot believe that it is 2010.

I can't say that I will miss 2009....it has been a rough year. We are ready to move ahead to better things.

These are my "goals" for 2010:

1. God willing....to expand our family.

2. To work out--actually run. I want to start running. I would like to run in Ayla's Great Strides Walk/Run in April. I also need to "firm things up".

3. To read the Bible through with my Mom. My Mom is doing The 2010 Journey to Knowing Him more. We will be reading a chronological Bible and she will be doing daily posts on her blog--you should check it out.

4. To be the BEST wife and mommy I can be.

I could go on but that is a great place to start. I will keep you posted on my progress.

What are your goals for the New Year?