Holiday Hangover

And not from wine, either! ;)

Christmas day involved having my sister, brother in law, M.'s parents and grandparents over for breakfast and opening of gifts.

We were lucky, as Miss O. didn't wake up too early, because we had a big day ahead of us!
After serving everyone a breakfast of french toast casserole, scrambled eggs, sausage, fruit salad, and cookies, we began opening gifts. Everyone spoiled Miss O. to the max...which I guess is okay, because it's probably the last year for that.

M. spoiled me...here's what I opened Christmas morning.

I'm SO excited to really get a chance to play around with it!

The last present she opened was from M. and I...a "big" sister t-shirt. M. and I designed it, to say "My Christmas present came early this year...." with a present on the front, and then on the back it had TWO presents with babies sticking out of each one. The back read, "I'm going to be a big sister!".

It took everyone a while to "get" it. We actually had to say, "How many presents are on the back?" LOL. Lots of happiness and tears followed.

After we wrapped up the morning, we packed up the car and headed North 2 hours to celebrate with my family. It was a very busy day, but very enjoyable.

Sunday brought yet another family celebration at M.'s grandparents house full of aunts, uncles, and cousins. Fun, but I'm exhausted.

And we still have 1 more left to go.

M.'s brother and his family are coming to town for New Year's and we'll be celebrating Christmas AGAIN.

Did you get anything cool for the holidays?

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First OB appointment is tomorrow afternoon...I hope we get another peek at the babies!

Merry Christmas from all of us here at "Not The Path I Chose".

I hope your holidays are filled with family, friends, and lots of love!

Being An Elf

I don't remember being so worn out from getting ready for Christmas.

Whew.

Maybe it's because I didn't start doing anything for the holiday until a week ago.

This weekend, I almost finished shopping, started baking cookies, and wrapped gifts. I still have to get a few things for M. but otherwise my shopping is complete. All the gifts are wrapped, and I have about 12 dozen of cookies made, and some fudge.

I still have to make "buckeyes" finish off the "snow peaks" with chocolate and my baking will be done.

Are you ready for the holidays?

6 Years

Remembrance is a golden chain

Death tries to break,but all in vain.

To have, to love, and then to part

Is the greatest sorrow of one's heart.

The years may wipe out many things

But some they wipe out never.

Like memories of those happy times

When we were all together.

~ Author Unknown

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Missing you today, Mom...but you're always in my thoughts, and in my heart.

Graduation Day!

Monday's RE appointment was bittersweet.



Everything looks just right, two heartbeats and the little ones had grown like weeds.



But, it was also the last time I'll see Dr. Hope and his staff for a while. They deemed us ready to move on to an OB.



I'll be honest, I'm scared.



Over the last two years, they've become family.



As we got ready to leave, Nurse Peppy gave us a green bag. The same type of bag she gave me with my foll.is.tim pen and all the IVF paperwork in... Only this time, there was a little red box inside. When I pulled it out, and opened it up to find an ornament. It was "Thing 1" and "Thing 2" from Dr. Seuss! M. and I laughed because just the day before he had started to refer to them as "Thing 1" and "2"...LOL.



Here's a peek at 8 weeks, 3 days...

Let's Talk About...

Brea.sts.

Otherwise known as the reason ALL my shirts are too short all of a sudden.

I've never been small busted.

Ever.

I started having to wear a bra in 4th grade. I was teased something awful. It's probably why for the rest of my elementary career, I wore a jacket all day long, no matter what the season.

Seven years ago, when I was first pregnant with Miss O., I filled out a D cup nicely. About halfway through my pregnancy with her, I was a DD. Still manageable. By the end, only a DDD would do.

After I lost all my pregnancy pounds and then another 30, I was back down to a DD. I made peace with my chest, even though it was much different than before I was pregnant. I found out that bras with a little support, ideally from La.ne Bry.ant, worked best for me.

I started this IVF cycle, comfortable in my DD's.

That is NOT the case anymore.

My body is changing. My pants still fit, albeit a little snug in the waist. Trying to squeeze into my favorite bras has become a nightmare. My DD's now give me the lovely 4 boob look...you know, like you have 4 seperate brea.sts sprouting off your chest.

Thank goodness, I kept 3 of the DDD's from when I lost weight.

Those are the most comfortable. The band size is a little large, but at least I'm not spilling out of the cups. I'm trying to extend my non-maternity wardrobe by teaming my too short shirts with long tanks, but that doesn't always work.

I'm SO thankful for the changes, I really am.

I just don't want to have to buy new bras yet.

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8 weeks today.

I'm still so tired. I'm trying to keep up with you all, even if I'm not commenting as much. I promise that once I can keep my eyes open past 9:30 at night, I will be a better blogger!

Another ultrasound is scheduled for Monday.

Sometimes, 2 is better than 1...

It's not the best ultrasound picture in the world, but I think it's clear enough.

All my worry about seeing nothing was for naught.

We have ♥ ♥ , yes, 2 heartbeats!

I feel much relief at seeing the little flickers of the hearts. Common sense tells me we're not out of the woods, yet...but M. and I have crossed another hurdle.

First retrieval, then transfer, one positive beta, then a doubling beta, and now this!

I am SO blessed.

Cake Time

Last Saturday, I had a great time working on another cake.





My favorite cousin's daughter was turning 4 and she was having a duel party with another little cousin who was turning 2. The theme was "Wizard of Oz".





The first step was creating the ruby slippers, the pieces for the rainbow, and the witch's hat and broom.

Next, I stacked the tiers, iced them emerald green and rolled out a yellow brick road out of fondant.

I took some more of the green icing and piped grass all around the road and the tiers.

Once we drove the 2 hours to the party, I finished the cake by adding the extras...

I hope it makes you smile!

T Minus 6 Days

*waves*

Hi! Remember me?

Yeah, I've been a pretty awful blogger lately. Haven't been posting much, or commenting much. BUT I have been reading and keeping up with you all!

Please don't hate me, but I'm pretty boring right now.

Feeling tired. A little nauseous. Plus, I've started to come down with a lovely cold.

I still can't wrap my brain around the fact that I am actually pregnant. With no spotting, cramping or bleeding...it's a shock! I will admit that I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Ultrasound is Monday at 9:30am.