The miracle we have been waiting for

I am still in shock (even at 14 weeks along) that I can say I am pregnant again, and even better- naturally! It's quite a long journey we have experienced to get this far.... so here goes a brief outline to this point:

We decided last year that we would attempt to have another child again, knowing that it might take some time. Months and months past with no success and I was starting to become depressed. I decided in May to take action and try the medicated cycle of IUI and figured since we had success with Aubrie, it would surely work quickly. Boy was I wrong! 3 IUI cycles later and growing frustration we still had no pregnancy, despite having excellent response each cycle with lots of eggs.

After 3 attempts, Dr. Johnstone suggested we consider IVF. I never thought I would even have to go this route since we had success with Aubrie and we were diagnosed with "unexplained infertility". So Jeff and I decided we would start saving money and realized it was going to cost more than we could afford out of pocket. It would cost us at least $20,000 without all the extra pre-testing required! I got all of the information ready to take out a home equity loan as this would be the only way we could come up this money.

I also decided to sign Jeff and I up for a study called the Fazst study that was looking at couples with infertility and if the man has improved success with a study drug that is a daily vitamin with zinc and folic acid. I figured, what the heck, it only lasts 6 months and we get paid every month for participating which would help with the IVF cost. 2 months into the study, Jeff's numbers and results were skyrocketing and I truly feel whatever this medication he is on was the secret to our success.

I am now 14 weeks along and it has been quite the experience. I have been quite sick from 3 weeks, mostly just feeling nauseated and tired. I have also had major protein cravings that hit randomly. I have been working 60-70 hr weeks, which doesn't help with the fatigue, and have to take zofran to function. I really didn't want to take medication, but I wouldn't survive without it.

At 6 weeks we had our first u/s and heard a healthy heartbeat. We got to see our growing baby again at 12 weeks at Fetal Foto. At that appointment the baby was measuring 2 weeks bigger, so in a few weeks we will find out the gender.

We both are so greatful that we are able to raise another child, as we weren't sure it would ever happen again!

Thanksgiving memories

This Thanksgiving we celebrated it 2 times back to back, once with the Evans and again with the Baths. Needless to say, we were tired of eating Thanksgiving food even before the actual holiday.

One of my favorite things to have at Thanksgiving time is Grandma P's pumpkin pie. I think Jeff and Aubrie both enjoy it as well.

Thanksgiving evening we joined in with the crazies at Walmart for our Black Friday shopping. We did quite well this year and got everything and more on our list, most of it was of course for Aubs.

Jeff was excited for fall and of course pumpkin cookies and made just a few.

Happy Halloween

Aubrie was very excited this year for Halloween. We spent a lot of time talking to her about the trick or treat process and she would go around our house knocking on doors saying 'trick or treat'.

For Halloween I had purchased a witch costume for Aubrie, but of course she found a Cinderella (or Cinderrrrelllla/Cinderelli) dress at Costco, which she had to have. She was able to dress up for Gardner Village Witch's Night Out in her witch dress. Both Grandma P and my mom were witches this year in the Wee Witches Land.

On Halloween night, Jeff and I took Aubrie out for about an hour and though she would be satisfied with that. Boy were we wrong! Jeff ended up taking her out for another few hours around our block. She was in love with trick or treating after she found out she got candy at every house. Her favorite treats were suckers....she would try to eat every one she got.  Afterwards we had our traditional chili and breadsticks at home and enjoyed watching Aubs hand out treats to the "kids" at the door.

Family Pictures 2014

Fall Fun at the Pumpkin Patch and Cornbellys

 Aubrie had been asking for a pumpkin so we took her to Peterson Farms to pick out some pumkins.
She had a blast trying to pick up every one she could get her hands on.

 She helped to decorate for Halloween including the spiders on the front door.

 We went to Cornbellys at Thanksgiving Point to play in the huge pool of corn. She spent easily an hour in the corn rolling in it, throwing it, and burying herself. She also like walking around in the corn maze (for the first 30 minutes) until we were lost for another hour and were all getting tired of it. Good thing we had Jeff to lead the way to the exit.

She has changed so much in a year's time. 

 We also celebrated our 7 year anniversary on Oct 11th. I surprised Jeff with dinner at Braza Grill and a stay up in Park City.

Happy 2nd Birthday Aubrie

 This little cutie turned 2 years old on September 2nd 2014. We had 2 parties for her, one with the Bath family and one with the Evans. Aubrie loved being the center of attention on her special day. She chose to have an Ariel/Little Mermaid party and helped to pick out the decorations.

 I even made homemade cupcakes with blue frosting and Little Mermaid pearls and fishy sprinkles.

 Aubrie told us she wanted to go to the Zoo for her actual birthday so we spoiled her with a day at the zoo and even a train ride. She was jumping up and down while in line for the choo choo train she was thrilled.

 Aubrie at 2 years old

Aubrie at 1 year old

Aubrie at 18 months

Here are some things we love about our 2 year old girl:
    TV shows/movies she loves: 
        -Little Einsteins, Sofia, Bubble Guppies, Octonauts, Mickey Mouse, Jake and the Neverland Pirates and Chugginton (she woke up one morning and with her eyes still closed asked to watch 'Chuggy'
       - Little Mermaid, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Ink (Monsters Ink), Punzel ( Tangled)

Favorite Foods:
     - She asks for noo-noos (noodles) and rice every morning and day. She loves Slurpees (and will finish an entire small one on her own.
    - She loves Pizza and gets excited when its cooking in the oven
    - She loves Quesadillas and loves picking Raspberrys from the bushes in the backyard

Favorite Activities:
   -Going on walks
   -Going to the Park (and yells Paaarrrkkk everytime we drive past one)
   -Feeding the ducks at the Lake
  - Playing outside and in ANY water no matter how small
   -Playing on her swing set and going down the biggest slide she can find
   -Playing with her friends (every neighbor kid is a "friend" and she always waves "hi friends"
   - Loves riding her 4-wheeler/bike around the yard
   - Drawing chalk on the driveway
  - Playing/chasing the cats
  - Playing princesses and wrapping all her babies in blankets
  - Wearing high heels, necklaces, and dresses
  -Read stories
  - Be pushed around in the laundry basket by daddy
  - Ride in daddy's truck

Funny Things she says:

- "Aubrie did it"
-"Mom, motorcycle"
- "bad guys" or "friends" everytime the doorbell rings
"noo-noos"
"hi cat" to every cat she sees
"Be quite dog" to the dogs behind us that constantly bark late at night or early morning
" Aubrie picked it" when she picks strawberries or raspberries from the backyard
"Ariel Vitamin" and "mulk" in the morning

We have been working on Potty training since her birthday with success for a few weeks. After having to take her every 30 minutes and her not asking to go...I kinda gave up. I figure she will start asking when she is ready. She did great at first and knows when she is wet. She loves the potty time song and getting little prizes.