Embarking

We're ready to embark on a journey this week...we're starting IVF treatment. Plans are underway to begin the medications on Thursday, and we're approaching this very relaxed and hopeful. I'm surprising myself by how unstressed I've been (minus some aggravation with my new insurance/pharmacy plan). I've not been scouring the internet for information & statistics, not reading the IVF discussion boards, not thinking about it 24/7. It certainly doesn't reflect a lack of desire or interest, but rather a need to not let this take over our lives. Don't get me wrong...the schedule & commitment required to do IVF is intense (and somewhat overwhelming). It requires lots-o-drugs, close monitoring with ultrasounds and labs, time away from work, and precise scheduling. It involves emotional and financial investment, and a knowledge that you can do everything right, and still walk away unsuccessful. It necessitates putting a lot of trust in the providers & technicians at the clinic . You've got to check your modesty/pride at the door, and have a healthy sense of humor.

I'm so thankful that we have the opportunity to do this, and fully realize that even if things don't turn out the way we hoped, our lives are already richly blessed by raising & loving Emerson. Interestingly, she asked me if I had a baby in my belly last weekend (nope, just pudgy around the middle...thanks for noticing!). She asked Keith the same thing, as she patted his belly while sitting next to him on the couch. She knows nothing of our attempts to get pregnant again, but seems to have a babies on the brain as well!

L&L

Loves:

--dark chocolate truffles from Trader Joe's...must buy more this weekend!

--listening to Em sing in the back seat, she has such a sweet little voice.

--getting big projects crossed off my to-do list @ work

--my new Sony A230 camera...love, love, love it! (just need to learn how to REALLY use it)

--playing Wii bowling with Em & Keith

--planning our beach getaway with college friends

--that the temps might hit 50 this weekend

--that a new nail place opened 5 minutes from our house, and they were offering 30% off this week!

Loathes:

--That Emmy's new favorite words are puke, booty and poop.

--Emmy's current phase of "Dad ONLY"...I'm feeling a little disgruntled about it

--that my van is going back to the body shop tomorrow to fix a very loud, rattly windshield...wonder how many weeks it will take them to fix it?

--that my kitties are getting old, and starting to show their age

--that I've gained weight and pants are feeling snug.

--that I felt overwhelmed today after our IVF class by the drugs/schedule/cost/chance it all won't work

--That 6 months ago, I could run 3 miles very easily, and now running less than one makes me so sore I can barely walk for days....ridiculous!!

Birthday Girl!

Today is Emerson's third birthday! Wow, she's changed so much in the past year! Big milestones included transitioning to a big girl bed, mastering potty training, expanding vocabulary (both English and Spanish), counting to 29 (after that comes twenty-ten), traveling to California, Florida, Indiana, Virginia, Tennessee and Ohio (yes, she has a frequent flyer mile account on Southwest!), drawing rudimentary people/faces, becoming obsessed with all things sparkly/pink/fancy/related to princesses, tumbling class, growing long hair & insisting on chopping it off again, probable dog allergy, multiple URI's which necessitated nebulizer treatments, one ER visit and total insistence that she is a "big girl now". She is such a character, and growing into her big personality.

I baked & decorated a kitty cat cake for her birthday, and she got a little shy when we sang Happy Birthday to her. Her Grandpa Loehmer came down for the weekend to help celebrate, and gave her a baby doll. She hasn't parted with that for the past 2 days. We have her a pink vacuum cleaner, and she wears her tutu & tiara while she sweeps. Love it!

Wonder what the next year has in store for her? Happy Birthday, Emmy!