Articles from December 2013

December 31, 2013

12 from 2013

12 from 2013
12 great pictures from 2013! January February March April May June July August September October November December
December 30, 2013

The Most Difficult Year: 2013 Recap

The Most Difficult Year: 2013 Recap
In December 2012, I thought I had just lived through one of the hardest years of my life. And, I had. But then 2013 happened, and blew 2012 right out of the water.  This year. I don't even know what to say. It has been the hardest, most challenging, worst, horrible, life-changing year. And, I already know what some of you are thinking -- I have a wonderful supportive husband, a healthy happy toddler and wiggly little inside-baby. But, getting to this place has sucked. A lot.  This year I miscarried a child in January, March and July. I was on some sort of fertility drug (either progesterone or clomid) for nearly 6 months this year. We spent thousands of dollars on medical testing that led to zero answers. We suffered failed fertility treatments -- which those of you have struggled with infertility know is a devastation in and of itself.  We hit 12 months of trying for a second child, then 18 months, then 22 months before getting our 5th positive test. We endured weeks
December 27, 2013

Christmas 2013

Christmas 2013
I'm not sure when Christmas officially became the season of being rushed, but this year, that's certainly what it felt like. Rushed from one house to another, from one meal to the next, from one present to the next, and so on. But, here we are December 27, and it's the first time I feel like I've had a chance to just sit.  {I love these kids! E-2.5, J-5, H-2.5, K-13, E-3m. How can you not love cousins dressed in matching Christmas jammies?!} But, we were blessed to be with our families and had a wonderful time traveling and seeing everyone. Because of my work schedule and Morgan's it was a very short trip -- only spending 2 days in Eau Claire -- which probably added to the rushed-feelings.  This year, we stuck with tradition and spent Christmas Eve with Morgan's side, and Christmas Day with mine. Both days were filled with family, late nights, delicious food, and too many treats. My new found 2nd trimester appetite was not complainin
December 18, 2013

Christmas Tree Gamble

Christmas Tree Gamble
Every year, Morgan and I head over to a Christmas tree lot in the parking lot of a local hardware store. We're city folks at heart, and have no desire to trek out into the wilderness to cut something down. And this tree lot has never failed us, so we keep going back. This year when we arrived, the selection of trees was a little slim. We had a few minutes of worry as we looked around. The lot was super busy, and it was clear the staff just didn't have time to open new trees from the giant pile of wrapped up trees.  So, we took a big gamble and looked at the ones that were still tied up. We found a good height and something that looked fresh. And, we took the risk.  After decorating. And drinking our annual celebratory Mexican Coke. Our gamble worked. And, I'm very glad we took the risk. Seriously, the most beautiful tree we've ever had.
December 09, 2013

12 Weeks

12 Weeks
According to the calendar, I'm somehow already 12 weeks {12w2d actually!} pregnant. This fact is continuously blowing my mind {as is the fact that I've barely blogged in weeks}.  I've been so sick. Morning sickness for me, seems to mean nausea all the time, no matter what I do. This pregnancy, I've barely had cravings and I've had to force myself to eat anything. If I do crave something, a lot of the time it came right back out. So, I've been on zofran around the clock, which really helps, but doesn't seem to completely take away the misery. And, it didn't help that all three of us also came down with a head cold, that added its snotty-gross awfulness to the mix. Thankfully, the last few days life has been better. I'm having more nausea free {although still on the meds} days. I've been able to skip a few doses of the medicine and I hope the good days will start out numbering the bad soon. And, there's very little hiding of the bump t