This N That

I haven't posted for quite some time about this and that..... so here's a post just about that (with a few pictures to spice things up!)

WORK: We had to lay our courier off and so now I'm back to being the courier, word processor, etc. Right now the workload makes it ok for me to do a few different jobs, but there are times where it gets to be too much. At let me tell you, I'm very thankful for the people in my office that did the courier'ing for me last week during the snow! I love the snow, but haven't driven in it!! :)

CHRISTMAS: K and I just hung out at home for Christmas. We enjoyed a nice lazy day, made an awesome prime rib type roast, and just hung out. We didn't even put a tree up this year.....other than the one my dad drew for us on a box ;) By the time we thought about it....it was like 12 days until Christmas and we thought why go through the hassle. We're thinking of getting a fake tree for next year.........that way we can put it up the beginning of November and keep it up until we feel like taking it down.

PUNTENEY CHRISTMAS: We're celebrating Christmas with the Punteney family this coming weekend. We'll take the train for a non-stress ride over the pass...... we are all looking forward to it!

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS/DIAPER DRIVE: We had quite a few people come by this year and look at the lights........doesn't seem not nearly as much as last year. The weather probably didn't help. We've gotten close to 500 diapers for our diaper drive. Not as much as I had hoped to get..... and don't really have any idea as to what I was expecting........but at least we got a few! Thank you to all the family members who donated! (We got 2 strangers, otherwise the rest was family!)

PREGNANCY: Yesterday I was 12 weeks. I was thinking at 4am this morning while laying in bed....that come the end of February I'll be half way!! That is just nuts. I'm still having days of nauseas-ness, but hope that will soon be on its way out. I'm on my way off of the progesterone shots too! YAHOO!! No more pains in the butt........I have 5 more shots then I'm done! (I'm sure the neighbor is rejoycing too!) We're going to go to our first La Leche League meeting on January 7th :) I suppose it is never to early to start learning all the info we can :)

Here's the pictures of cats, neices and newphews visiting for Christmas, etc.:

Belly Pictures

another post with writing later...............

Package Delivery Frusterations

The weather here has been a bit off..... lots of snow for an area that would maybe get a few inches. For that, I can understand the delay of a package or 2. The problem I'm having is more so with the company I ordered from....... and then having to wait even longer because of something I wasn't notified of.

Let me explain.........

We called our Cryobank back on December 6th and Kauleen ordered a long profile from our donor (gives more in depth information) and we were going to order it once we got pregnant. Weeks go by.... I call around December 12th......and they said "Are you a current client with us" Well, no....technically K is not a client...I am. So, now not only is the profile not on its way.......we have to get it ordered again. (All this time realize, we're a little leary because of the issues we had with the bank...... and our first conversation with them being this one)

I, Randi, order the profile back on the 12th of December... wait a few days....call and ask how long it is supposed to take to get here...... and they say it goes 2 day Fed-Ex.

We receive a call this week from Fed-Ex....verifying our address and they had it as BELLINGHAM. So, not only has it taken well over 2 days...they shipped it to the WRONG CITY!!

AND ... FedEX hasn't been able to deliver, air and/or ground....... so I was hoping for a Christmas present of our donor profile.......and it is Christmas Eve with I don't know how long until we get it..............

I plan on posting info here when we do receive it.

December 20th Midwife Appointment

So I was very bummed about not being able to have my midwife appointment on Thursday (in which the midwifes secretary forgot to call and tell us her appointment was cancelled) This afternoon I got a call from Winni asking me if I had gotten her message earlier (which I had not) and she said she was coming into town and felt bad that the communication was not there for Thursdays appointment........SO she was coming into town today and called to meet us! I was so ecstatic! We were OK with not having had the appointment, because there is a reason for everything. Since I am just 11 weeks today, maybe we wouldn't have been able to hear the heartbeat, etc. She scheduled us for January 5th and by then we would've for surely heard it. BUT, since she was planning on coming in...we thought....why not go in. So, I had a physical of sorts, and then...... the rest follows below!

Turn up the volume on the movie AND on the computer!

Midwife Appointment

I was supposed to have a midwife appointment today at 5:30pm. We trekked to the office, only to call about 10 minutes later that she wasn't going to be able to make it - and we were missed the by secretary to call us and tell us. Oh well. We don't live THAT far from the office...... but I was a bit disappointed in not being able to hear the heartbeat. But then again, at almost 11 weeks........ we weren't sure if we'd hear it and had been pre-warned that we may not. So.... now we wait until January 5 - I'll be into my 13th week and we should be able to hear the heartbeat loud and clear. I try to tell myself, there is a reason for everything. :)

K and my dad just knocked snow off of the christmas lights before they freeze and it gets stuck and then we break the lights.

that's enough for now..........

December 18 AM

Snow, Snow, Beautiful Snow - 11" officially measured

Snow In the Northwest

Here is what our house looks like this morning (and some of our very covered decorations)

Hello Friends!

It has been awhile since I've updated....but nothing really to update on. Guess what? I'm tired tonight :) surprise, surprise....... I'll be lucky to make it to the 9 o'clock hour..... but that's cool with me :)

Works picked up quite a bit with the rates being low......lots of refi's. It's good business wise, but not so helpful being so short staffed.....we're all doing our best to make due! I'm now the courier part time and still doing my normal job. It works out most of the time.

I just finished eating a few sugar cookies we had in the freezer from the last huge batch of sugar cookies we made..........yum.

Pregnancy is moving right along. On Saturday I will be 10 weeks! CRAZY!! Only a few more weeks and I'll be past my first trimester....I have bouts of nausea that tend to send my body out of whack because they just happen and it is weird. This instance happened the other day at work from about 9-11.... I was grey, green, and our receptionist said "hang onto it Randi!" I felt pretty crappy, crying, and yucky. K had told me to go upstairs and lay on the couch......but all that would've done for me is to lay upstairs and think about pukeing. At least if I stayed in my seat I could at least try to focus on something else. I made it through. A lady at work also called her husband and he brought in the sea bands. I've wore them all day yesterday and all day today. I felt pretty good today.....only a few times where I felt really off kilter.

We have our work Christmas party this weekend........that should be fun. They are calling for some snow here........... so we'll see how interesting it makes it.

We see Winni the midwife the 18th for a physical and see if we can hear the heartbeat :)

that's it for now as I'm falling asleep trying to figure out what to write!!

xoxoxoxoxo

Wizards in Winter 2008

MUCH BETTER IN PERSON........ but you get the drift ;o)

Rosa & Clover Kitty Fun

Wordless Friday Night - North Cascade Mountains

Midwife Appointment

We are so blessed to be able to see a midwife! :) I've said this before, but am so thankful I could call Winni at anytime and know that I'll get a call back and/or even get to talk to her! I thanked her in person tonight for taking that phone call at 9:30pm at night......and comforting us in the midst of bleeding!

I thought more would go on in our appointment today, but it was more like a consultation.......us getting to ask her questions, getting to know her, and her getting to know us. It really was awesome! :)

Bummer news being is she has a 40 year reunion on the weekend July 12th. (she stated 5% give birth on their due date) Her husband has his 40 year reunion on July 25th....... we have a 5 week "period" 3 weeks before, to about 2 weeks after........ and of those weeks..... approx. 2 of them she would be gone. Sometimes that's how it is.......and we liked her enough to take the chance. She will have a backup midwife that we'll get to meet.......so that'll be good. She already has an idea of someone for us!

We learned something about circumcision tonight......that it is elective and insurance does not cover it - it is like a facelift! WHAT THE HECK?! Everyone in Europe does not circumcise........so why do we!? other than to make the penis look better?? (some say for health reasons)..... nonetheless, K and I were quite shocked.........no mind has been made up...... but I'm pretty sure we're both leaning towards not doing it if it were a boy.......... :)

We will go back in 2 weeks to hear the heartbeat......and to do a bit of a physical...go over medical history etc. If we don't hear the heartbeat, we'll go back in 2 more weeks to hear a heartbeat.... we are very excited!

I cannot wait for the next 4 weeks to get over with.........get me onto my 2nd trimester!!!

That's it for now.............

2 month Pictures

can you see a difference???????? I think I can....... but then again.... and I haven't really gained any weight............

Goth Name

Thanks to Mary, I decided to see what my new Goth Name would be....

Avenging Anal Leak

funny nontheless.......but kind of disgusting. Made me laugh though ;)

K right now is at the neighbors house across the street trying to help the older lady get her Christmas lights on. She spent so much time and effort to get all these lights up this weekend....and now they aren't on. (The previous people had some electrical issues...along with quite a few people in our area).

K's had the past few days off......hasn't really got to relax all that much.... Between fixing extension cords, plugging in a light for our diaper drive sign, etc. She ran to Costco today to pick up a few things, etc. I'm so thankful for her and all that she does for me!

I felt pretty horrible on Sunday and Monday.......nausea city. Monday I wasn't sure I was going to make it without throwing up..........but I did it! I think sometimes the things I eat trigger it....I can't really remember what I had ate .... but know I had quite a bit of dairy and pizza was in one meal......... I think K and I have decided that if we go out - I need to get a sandwich. Also, sometimes on the weekend my eating schedule gets messed up (unlike my more routinely eating on the weekdays) and that may not have helped. Nonetheless, I felt like a whole new person today.

Have I said how excited I am for the midwife appointment on Thursday? :) It makes it seem even that much more real! :)

Also, wanted to put a little plug in for my friend and new mom Lori and her care and love for her new baby Jacob and the openess they have for Jacob to do what's best for Mom and Dad and baby. Yeah for co-sleeping and hands-free slings!! :) WAY to go Lori and Eric!!

That's it for now............. more later!!

Meme

Meme from Frank...and saw on Gingers...Join in if you wanna!

A) Four places that I go to over and over:
1. Grocery Store
2. Work
3. Bathroom
4. Refrigerator

B) Four people who e-mail me regularly:
1. Kauleen
2. Mothering.com Forum
3. Christi
4. WashingtonUnschoolers digest

C) Four of my favorite places to eat:
1. La Hacienda - Mt. Vernon, WA (Carne Asada!)
2. Max Dales - Mount Vernon, WA (Prime Rib!)
3. Thai House - Mount Vernon, WA
4. Hong Kong - Mount Vernon, WA

D) Four other places I would rather be right now:
1. Visiting Ginger - I miss you!!
2. Hanging out with the "4th of July" gang (Canonicas, Maiers, etc.)
3. Hanging out with Mom!
4. at a Non-con or an actually conference ;)

E) Four people I think will respond:
Hopefully someone!

F) Four TV shows I watch:

I have to say, I don't watch TV that much.....I usually fall asleep....... but here are the shows I "begin" to watch ;)

1. King-5 News
2. Biggest Loser
3. Survivor
4. that's about it.....

Happy Birthday Aunt Debbie

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNT DEBBIE!!

Because time itself is like a spiral, something special happens on your birthday each year: The same energy that God invested in you at birth is present once again.

~Menachem Mendel Schneerson

8 weeks

I am officially 2 months pregnant! :) Crazy!! At about Christmas, I'll have 2oo days to go! :)



We have our first midwife appointment this week........ which we are VERY excited for!



I guess I really don't have much else to say on the pregnancy aspect of things?...



I have days where I feel more nauseas, days I feel great, days I don't feel so hot.......?... but pretty much feel pretty good! :)



AND did I mention I have now ate babybel cheese, ice cream, and pizza with cheese on it WITHOUT lactaid and not had any trouble??? too too too weird..... but YEAH for me!!



I'll post pics of my 8th week sometime today...when K is awake......

6:30 A.M.

My body has been wanting to go to bed before 9pm but is getting up at 6:00-6:30 A.M.! Oh well, I enjoy so peace and quiet throughout the house....K asked me "what are you doing?" and I said " getting up" and she goes "ugh!" LOL She's snuggled as a bug in a rug still in bed.....I love watching her sleep ;)

We did go shopping the day after Thanksgiving, but didn't start off until about 8am. We bought $160 d0llar sheets for $40! We each got a $10 gift certificate to the local outlet mall which we then both used at a consignment shop we hadn't ever been in! We were looking for a few maternity clothes. My jeans are beginning to feel a little too tight......and Fridays now at work at blue jean Fridays....today we'll probably go look at Old Navy where I'm told they have longs and maternity - if not - I can order some online.....We ended up finding me 2 shirts and a pair of brown dress pants (long enough!!). The dress pants were brand new w/tags for $13.90! Did I mention how long it took me to find dress brown pants NOT maternity? FOREVER. I'm pretty excited because I have a few shirts that are stretchy that'll last me awhile....and they go best with my brown pants. We got a few other Christmas gifts....and would've been home by 11:00am had we not had someones kitties to feed :)

Ok, so my neighbor just scared the crap out of me. I'm sitting here typing this post....6:40am and someone knocks on the door!! We have no peep hole...so I say "who is it?" and I hear a little laugh....and I thought initially, just kids playing........ but at 6:40am!? Then I hear a little voice say "It's your paper"...and I thought well that's weird that the local newspaper would deliver it to my door?....but ok...opened the door and it was the neighbor being a friendly soul bringing our paper to us.......but only because she told me to sleep in and not get up early!! LOL She's the sweetest soul ever. She's come over now for over 2 months and given me a shot every night.... we are down to less than one month.......my butt will be thankful, as I'm sure Karen will too.

Yesterday, we got up at 7:30am! I SLEPT IN! We had some coffee, read the paper and it was probably close to 10:00am before we headed outside. It was raining, surprise, surprise. The weather man had said that it was to let up.......well, it rained, rained, and rained. We were pretty soaked, soaked, soaked. We connected extension cord, after extension cord....... (after we dried each plug off, taped it with electrical tape and then plugged it back in). We plugged things in, had things plugged in wrongly (red running one way, white the other), swore at the staple gun, rolled eyes at each other....... and did I say we got wet? At one point I stood at the road and yelled "QUIT RAINING!" Yes, at one point, I wanted to say TO HELL with it all..........

Nonetheless, we turned it on last night (minus a few other small un-show making things) to plug in today (which the weather man has told me it is to be a SUNNY day!) and we'll get those hooked up, get our Diaper Drive bin out for Basics for Babies and we should be set for the next 30 days.

K has tomorrow and Tuesday off which will be nice as she could really use a rest. She has worked her butt off to get this show working. She's the best est wife ever. We've come to realize we can't give a date so much as to when we are starting it....to allow us some flexible time to get stuff set up. If we needed 2 days yesterday to do it....we could have stopped, rested, and finished Sunday....although, we were ready to have it done. Oh did I mention we came in at 5:30pm? :) that's a long day outside in the rain......... but we DID it.

Now, if you have the chance to come by and see it...... or you know someone who lives in the area and can - please SPREAD THE WORD!! I want as many people to see it as possible!!! We have like 16 songs.......so if you come......it is kind of a long show to watch the whole thing - but WORTH IT!!!

I'll do a pregnancy post next ;)

Exhausted!

I've hit a milestone, have taken pictures to put on here........but for today all I can say is...

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS, CHRISTMAS LIGHTS and CHRISTMAS LIGHTS.

We're plugged in - enough said.

we are both exhausted...............

check it out:

SKAGIT CHRISTMAS

Video of this years show will not be on anytime soon....... but I do plan on having video on for those who are long distance and can't see it in person.

Putting Up Christmas Decorations....

Simple Green Salad Recipe

INGREDIENTS:

6 Cups torn pieces of iceberg and/or romaine lettuce
2 small tomatoes, cored and cut into wedges
1 medium size cucumber, peeled and sliced
1 medium size sweet green pepper, cut into rings (we used red pepper)
4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled

THE DRESSING:

2/3 cup olive oil
3 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground pepper

Follow these directions:

Toss together lettuce, tomatoes and cucumber in a serving bowl. Top with green pepper rings (or red pepper) and feta cheese. Set aside. Whisk together all the ingredients for the salad dressing. When ready to serve, toss salad with the dressing. Makes 6 to 8 servings.

Sunday Crunchies

I sit and type as my wife sits next to me crunching corn nut..... oh the music of my ears. LOL (and she'll love me posting that!)

So.... thanks to my good friend Deb aka Too, we decided to spend a little bit more money and buy a laptop without having to go out in the wee hours of the morning to buy a laptop that I don't know *quite* everything that is on it but the basics. My wife is so good to me! This laptop will get SUCH good use!! It should be here this week..... thank you to expedited shipping! :)

Today, we spent the entire day....hanging Christmas lights. We have everything (minus some tall candy canes) and the green LED's that should be arriving in the mail tomorrow.... we'll get them up hopefully on the Friday after Thanksgiving and we'll be good to turn it on!! CANNOT WAIT!!!!!!!!!

I was not feeling all that hot yesterday.....but we believe it was because we ate Jack in the Crack for lunch.....seasoned curly fries, and grease gut bomb....no wonder I didn't feel good and the baby must not have liked it. Nonetheless, today I've been eating like a pig! I've been hungry alot! Also, another side note.... I ate a piece of cheese with no lactaid today.........and have not pooped!! I have hoped and hoped that this pregnancy would help my lactose intolerance.... I'm not going to push it....but was kind of exciting!!

That's it for now.........

Not Our Cat - But Hilarious

Roomba Driver @ Yahoo! Video

Week 7

There are lots of posts down below.... I had to catch up :) don't miss any.......

here's for this week - and I'll take a picture too.

We're almost to 2 months!! I can't wait to get past the first trimester............and feel a little bit more settled......

Bouts of nausea this week.....once in the early morning (which I took very easily, got dressed, and laid in bed), Friday, nausea most of the mid-morning......but not early morning...... but so far so good........

WEEK 7 FETAL DEVELOPMENT

Life As We Now Know It

Warning........ maybe TMI following...... you are been warned ;o)

We had planned for a night with some friends on Tuesday night - and also got a surprise visit from another friend who had found out we were pregnant. We were having a great time sitting around, chatting about pregnancy, midwives, etc. and all the fun stuff......

I was feeling a bit crampy......not uncommon, but was having some trouble getting comfortable. (later I found out Molly - the surprise guest - had heard me taking some deep breaths to get through it)

Molly was getting ready to leave and I stood up to give her a hug and felt as if I needed to go the bathroom immediately. I then saw blood...... lots of it. I yelled for K who was in shock too as to what was going on. I couldn't move as my body was in total control of what was going on and I had no option then to let what needed to come out. I explained to K to let the guests know what had happened and what an odd feeling for them - but what was I to do? it was kind of weird the whole scenario.

Once I was capable of getting off the toilet, we decided a call to the midwife was in order...(9:00pm). (Little side note......can I tell you how thankful I am for a phone number in which I can call and talk to the midwife at any hour......and get her voice, not an answering service, to page some on call doctor to contact me?!) We called Winni and she said that she felt like an ultrasound was in order. She told me to be on bed rest for the rest of the night and then she'd call me in the morning with the time of the ultrasound. (Also, to be off of work the next day....which just happened to be an in between day of people having it off - which worked out perfect!)

We weren't planning on having any ultrasounds....but for medically necessary things it was ok.

I bled once more that night....then nothing else. Everytime I woke to pee in the middle of the night, I'd wake up and go...... nothing else? what the hell!? I do not know how many times that night K and I woke up and said "what the hell!"?

Wednesday morning K did some research online and we had been told by our friend, by the midwife, etc. that it is very, very common for one to lose a twin, but still have a live baby inside. We had hopes.

Through all of this, I was essentially very calm. K was quite shocked. (I'm normally not the calm one) but for some reason had a feeling all would be all right. (Don't get me wrong, I still was in shock, and didn't understand what was going on) . K said "Since you're so calm, you realize what's going on...I take some of that and try to stay calm about it too!".

Another side note...... the night before I had stated to K and Dad that we needed to focus on their only being one baby and not 2....until we found out for sure we were having 2...... intution by chance? :)

Our President was coming to speak at our Wednesday morning work meeting....I had told K to leave her cell phone on her desk and just to check it upon her return from the meeting. Well, the midwife had called at 8:45 and I was to be there at 9:00am and it takes about that many minutes to drive from where I am to the hospital I was going to........and now, how do I get a hold of K whose in the meeting?! I try to call work and get the receptionist..... no one answers. I try, and try again........ no answer. I finally clue in there are some people who don't attend the meeting and got one of them to go upstairs and get K to get to the phone......while I'm on the road driving.....

I tell her - I'm on my way, you've gotta leave now if you want to be there on time - she said "I'm outta here!".

She met me JUST in time (at registration) for the ultrasound....

The ultrasound tech was a SUPER AWESOME guy! He did some checking of dates (the difference of IVF vs. last period date), etc. how far along we were, etc. One date said 6 weeks, one date said 6 weeks 3 days....... he was honest and said " You're pretty early to see anything, we'll do our best but just letting you know you might not see anything".....

He then put the ultrasound on my stomach and within a few seconds we saw a heartbeating! It was pretty dang amazing! He probed around a bit (with a very full bladder!) measured kidneys, etc. then he did an transvaginal ultrasound (which I wasn't too keen on having had bled and didn't want the chance of miscarriage.....) but we did it too.......which he pretty much measured most of the same things - other than like my ovaries, etc.

I came home and called the midwife, she was ecstatic. K went back to work. I laid on the couch literally all day long.......I really wanted to go to work....... but I had to take care of me and the baby.

So, long story short..... we had quite the scare...... we now know there is 1 baby inside me, with a heart beat, growing greatly....... we are blessed.

We won't know and don't know wether the bleeding was me losing a twin, sloughing off some lining, etc. We are assuming it was a twin....but everything happens for a reason.

Stick With Me!

Thanks fellow blog readers for sticking with me in the midst of me not wanting to take the time to post......sometimes it's just like that. :)

First things first.........I finally got a BAG OF CRAP. I was *ahem* working yesterday and happened to check WOOT throughout the day...for their what seems to be monthly woot-off, and got me a bag of crap. I had originally chose to get 3 bags of crap...... but K reminded me that if I really wanted one, I'd better just go with 1......and be thankful I got that! :) So, my one bag of crap should be arriving sometime in the next week.....

Secondly, we ordered a memory foam queen pillow topper thingy from overstock. K hasn't really liked our mattress for some time and so this will hopefully help. It was a very good deal......it should be here sometime this week.

Thirdly, the green LED lights that we ordered....... well they should be here this week too.

Lots of fun stuff to get in the mail! CAN'T WAIT!!

Anyone here planning on going shopping on Black Friday? Now, you can't say NO WAY unless you've done it once.......I'm pretty sure once you go one time - you'll be hooked - if not to buy anything - to watch all the crazies. LOL We'll head out on Friday, don't know what hour.... we're on the hunt for a laptop (which I'm hoping to buy for nearly the same price online before having to stand in line at the ungodly hours of the morning) and also half price socks at Fred Meyer. We'll buy some Christmas presents and be done :) It really is a lot of fun!!

This was the fun post........ now onto a pregnancy post :)

Beans Beans Magical Fruit

Ok, so really this post has nothing to do with the beans I ate at lunch today in a very yummy burrito with some taco meat, salsa and guacamole - those beans - which are blowing my gut up at this hour- STILL. :) and no it isn't the pregnancy.......its just my system.

We had a busy night tonight. We came home, checked email (a nice surprise...more in a minute), chatted with dad about the days happenings, headed to the library to return a movie, went to Costco for some nuts/cheese for dad and cat litter for us, to the teriyaki place to get some teriyaki with fried rice (the fried rice which they never gave the pregnant lady!!) and then we came home.......just in time for my nightly shot, then finally about 8pm we sat down and ate dinner...... I'm now writing to all of you while using my dad's laptop (thanks dad!) while K is watching Chuck..... then Heroes.

SPERM and BACTERIA - We were told before doing our cycle that there was an issue with the sperm donor and his sample. There was bacteria in it, making fertilization null without our ICSI step (injecting sperm into the egg). This is just a short blurb.... tonight we were pleasantly surprised that our clinic had called our cryobank and we will be refunded all of our last 6 vials that we ordered - a good chunk of change. :) great news.

WORK & BABY STUFF - I said to K as we were pulling in this morning "We're going to bombarded by everyone when we walk in!" By about the 1st hour and no one had said anything, I was beginning to become a bit leary.....but the Congratulations began rolling in... and there were a few I was a bit concerned about.....but everyone took it great and we got a congratulations out of our friends and the people who care about us most :) We really are blessed. There were a few questions........ and will probably be a few more as time goes along. All went well.........and those cookies are awesome!!

that's it for now........

Quick Weekend In Review

I'm tired and just don't have the energy to say much tonight........and hope I'll have more energy and/or feeling like writing more........ but then again I'm blogging without obligation too ;) just don't want people to get bored and never check my blog because I don't ever update it!!

This weekend K and my dad hung lights, hung lights, and hung lights. We realized pregnant lady should not be touching lead full Christmas lights.......we turned the ones on tonight that we got on the roof, the Merry Christmas Sign, and it looks GREAT. We have green LED's coming this week and we will get them on the roof when we can....... and we'll set the yard up probably sometime Thanksgiving ish.......

We made cookies for those at work to tell them of our pregnancy......... and took them there late tonight. Everyone has 2 cookies - one pink and one blue with a little poem on it ;o) we shall see the shock factor tomorrow.........

That's it for now...........

6 Week Baby

I'll post more later...... but for now - we've made it finally to 6 weeks! (which has seemed to take f-o-r-e-v-e-r!) and now our midwife appointment to get here.....is seeming to take f-o-r-e-v-er!!!)

FETAL DEVELOPMENT WEEK BY WEEK

Bacon, Bacon, Bacon

I'm wanting tons of Bacon!



My sweet wife is upstairs here at work cooking some leftover bacon from our breakfast on Wednesday..........



here's to hoping eggs come with it..............



drool.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Mom!

WE (Randi, Kauleen and baby) LOVE YOU!!

Happy Birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNT DEBBIE!

Ryan's Surgery

See this post for the update on Ryan's surgery.....and also her hospital room/number if anyone wants to send her special treats :)

Ryan's Surgery Update

Thanks for all the well wishes and support!!

Weekend Happenings

Hello Friends! :)

We have had a somewhat relaxing, somewhat quiet, and a very enjoyable weekend.

Friday night we hung out at home. I was a bit ancy to do something, but by the time we ate, got my shot, etc. I was ready for bed! We did watch some of the Womb movie (which we *finally* finished - without me falling asleep!)

Saturday morning we got up and went Garage Saleing. There weren't that many to go to and it was raining.... but we got a pie pan and a few movies for the boy to watch (Saturday night). We then came home and had turkey sandwiches on sourdough bread with some chips. YUM. (This has been my staple latley). K then took a nap, I played on the computer, and then we started to put Christmas lights up........

(Silly us with all the lead, etc. in Christmas lights...... so I washed my hands and put gloves on.....) We got part of the house done with red and white....(we are having to re-clip all the lights which is time consuming!)

Saturday night we had Braxton over for a sleep over :) We watched Free Willy 2, played some Wii Bowling, Baseball, and Tennis and played in the water :) It was fun! K slept with him..... and I slept in our bed. Sure like it better when we sleep together! :)

Sunday we're just cleaning house, doing laundry, and relaxing a bit.

Dad's been gone since Thursday..... he went to Aunt Tom and Uncle Mary's and then headed over to Grand Coulee to spend some time with Mom...... so he'll be home here in a few hours.

We are having, guess what? TURKEY for dinner. We got a turkey from Costco....it is herb rubbed turkey breast and is YUMMY. So, we'll eat that tonight and have sandwiches the rest of the week with it!

Ryan goes in tomorrow for her surgery....... she's a bit nervous about it, which I would expect one would be.....so thinking a bit extra about her today. Everything that is meant to be, will be......

People have asked me what my numbers are......I don't get tested anymore for numbers. I got 2 checks - one for the positive and the 2nd for the doubling. Now, I'm pregnant :) I'm just like any other pregnancy.....(and some may get more blood checks then others). I have my first midwife appointment on December 4th....... and as you can see above..... I was one week ahead of myself last week...... so we are just now into our 5th week..........it seems like it has been forever already!!

That's it for now..........

Have You?

Have you?

From Frank from Ronnie from many others....

Bold the things you’ve done.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain- elevation 2,409 ft (Big enough mountain for me!)
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang/played a solo - maybe in elementary school, I don't remember
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train

21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping - never have but ALWAYS wanted to!!
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors

35. Seen an Amish community - I'd love this too!
36. Taught yourself a new language

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies

62. Gone whale watching
63. Gotten flowers for no reason

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone - in a guys shirt...LOL
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car - DUMBEST car ever!
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Making a baby ;o)
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee - ask my mom about this one!!

And...I VOTED FOR OBAMA!!!

Quick Morning Post

We are very grateful Obama won in our household....... and that our baby will have him as a President until he is about 4 - or maybe even 8! :)

Secondly, am feeling good.....haven't really had any bouts of nausea lately and is kind of just an "unknown" time and hope that my numbers are continuing to increase and we have our first midwife appointment on December 4th! :)

Thirdly, thinking about my sister who will be going in for biopsy/surgery on Monday to remove an ovary and/or uterus......and will be off work for some time (and have the financial stress of that). That she have some peace now...and until Monday and keep her mind off of it. Mom and Grandma will go down for the surgery. (The doctor does not believe it is cancerous).

That's it for now.................. more later.

Monday Night Thoughts

I started back to work today - oh joy. I found that I wasn't really that bored and/or stir crazy last week - but seemed moreso to be bored/stir crazy this past weekend. We did a lot though. We went to Bellingham, took down Halloween Decorations, discussed Christmas decorations, got some shampoo and conditioner on sale at JC Penny, went on a hunt for dress brown size 12 tall pants (in hopes of ordering them via catalog from JC Penny) and ended up going to NY & Co and they were having an awesome sale of buy one get one 75% off - and an awesome wife who still had $25 on her gift card! So, we both got a pair of pants (and they had our sizes!) for $25.00!!

Tonight I felt a bit emotional......am sure it'll happen more often than not.......and just accepting it and letting it be.... helps. :) My mom was a good person to talk to...... and Dad was a good person to make me laugh :)

Wanna hear all that's gone on the past few days - to maybe put me out of sorts a bit?

Daylight Savings Time (and my sleep schedule all screwed up - and I NEED my sleep!)
Oh, my sleep schedule screwed up from being too hot......
Anxiety of pregnancy tests, blood tests, etc.
nah...not too much been going on :)

I felt great today at work! We woke up early and had our coffee before showering. This may be our new routine so I can have something in my stomach. It seems that really helps. I didn't start feeling a bit queasy until tonight. I went to make chicken, and some thai-lime rice that I had bought at Trader Joes......well I couldn't even smell that rice.......yuck. So, it is in the fridge and we'll see if K wants to eat it........and/or if I could stomach the smell tomorrow. I did eat some chicken (felt as if I needed some protein) and then some broccoli. I then ate a few crackers. I'm feeling a bit hungry and will try to eat something a bit of protein before going to bed and see how that helps. :)

Today after getting the pregnancy test - it finally dawned on me - we're going to have a kid. CRAZY!!!!!!!!

I called the midwife today.....she'll probably call me back tomorrow. :) We're very excited for our first appointment.

OH and the whole week thing (not knowing etc.) the only reason I'm wanting to know is I'm reading a Pregnancy Week by Week book and don't wanna be reading ahead! I NEED TO KNOW! (I'll ask Winni tomorrow)

It just doesn't make sense what the IVF clinic said. They said I'm 4 weeks, 2 days from October 22nd. how does that work? I can't even be 4 weeks, 2 days from October 17th! The first day of my last period was October 4th.......hhhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmmm.........it's all good. This is the only reason I'm wanting to know......heck, I know the babies gonna come when they are ready!! :)

Waiting for my wife to get home from a movie.......then I'm headed to bed.

Number

MY NUMBER IS: 98

They said I am 4 weeks, 2 days along...?....

(we're not so sure of these dates though......speaking to someone who doesn't speak very good English and will call back and confirm possibly later in the week....

ITS GREAT NEWS!! :)

Happy Birthday Denise!!

This post is filled with wishes
for a very special day,
One that brings a world of joy
and happiness your way-
It's also filled with loving thoughts
especially meant for you,
For you're the kind of person
happy things should happen to!
~ Happy Birthday ~

Love you!

Randi and K

Post for Grandma To Be

I had thought about doing a separate pregnancy blog, actually made it, posted the link on this blog, and decided to delete it :) So.....all my pregnancy followings will happen here.

WITH that being said..... here is my first pregnancy post for Grandma.

I had already thought about doing this.....for Grandma who isn't within very short distance to take in some of the pregnancy stuff :) but also for those who wish to watch the changes going on and the miracle of life. :)

Tomorrow I go to Bellingham IVF for my second blood draw...... here is to HIGH #'s! :) I'll post when I can..... I head back to work tomorrow after 1.5 weeks of being off.......

Off to eat some saltines and frosting....... yum.

Wife's Halloween Outfit

Early Morning Stuff

So last night we went to bed and I set the clock back an hour - but of course - forgot the exact time as to what it was (but wasn't getting out of bed to check it!) Well, I woke up this morning at 4:00 (5:00) which is a bit early for me....... I had a bad dream that I was bleeding........ugh. I'm not stressed really!! :) Yoga will help me relax a bit this week.......

Then I got up, got me a banana, and looked at the clock on the stove and busted a gut. Somehow I had changed the clock back 2 hours and have been going stir crazy in the bedroom saying NO YOU CAN'T GET UP YET! when in all actually it was 6 (or 7). Still too early, but more doable then 5am!

Nonetheless, I'm up, I feel good, and cozy'd up with dad's laptop in my chair with a blanket.......and my banana............in which I've been eating lots. LOL

Oh and a little tidbit that I thought I got to read only to week 4 yesterday - but K informed me I am on week 5! I am already 5 weeks pregnant! THAT'S NUTS!!!!!! She informed me last night I have 8.5 more months to go!

The tidbit from my pregnancy book: Women with nausea and vomiting have a lower chance of miscarriage. BRING IT ON! :) I wonder if some people just have nausea but never any vomiting? and if what I feel now is all I will feel? or if it will get worse?........or better? :) just thinking outloud.......

Past 2 Days

Last night Dad spent the night at Tom and Mary's and so K and I spent the night handing out candy to ghosts and goblins. We had a LOT of people. We live in a great neighborhood for people to get lots of candy but yet walk around safely. We turned the lights out about 8:30pm and the doorbell still rang 3-4 more times. Some people just don't get the lights out concept I guess.

This morning we woke up and had coffee, read the paper, ate ham and egg mcmuffin for breakfast and then went to Bellingham to the bank, The Greenhouse (kind of a store like Pier One but more fun!) (we got some candles and a new spatula) and then we went to Trader Joes (for a few items...... Ginger tea, crystallized ginger, a sandwich for lunch, etc.). We then stopped by a friends house to see the work she had done. Visited a friend of this friend to see her new house and then back home we came. We took down the Halloween Decorations and then we started to put clips on our Christmas lights only to find out our C9 clips don't fit our C7 bulbs. We may have to go purchase some smaller clips (but we really like the C9 clips).

I'm thinking of starting a separate Baby Blog - to follow the happenings, etc. of our journey. Any suggestions as to what it should be called? Or would you prefer me to take over this blog with the baby stuff? (just wanting some opinions.... :o)

I felt queasy on Thursday morning from about 10am-1pm. I didn't feel anything yesterday until 8pm (but that was because I needed to eat). Today, I didn't eat until close to 9am (after coffee) and after eating I felt very queasy and felt that way up until about 1pm. Tonight I felt a bit queasy too but I think that is because we had Taco Soup for dinner and it is pretty acidy. Other than that, I'm feeling just fine :) night sweats.......and am either cold and/or hot. No in between.

I think that is it for now....... I'll see if I can't get some Halloween Pics on here tomorrow sometime.

XOXOXOXOXO

Mommies To Be

We are pregnant!

Suck My Blood

My blood is drawn................



now the wait.....................



I'm feeling quite comfortable and not too anxious actually........ :)



Stay tuned. K's getting the call on the cell at work......and until the correct people are told first, I will not be posting......but will do my best to contact those people ASAP. :) (ya know, Popi, Mom, Ryan......)



XOXOXO!!

To Pee or Not To Pee

That is the question of the day today........ (of course you are supposed to pee in the A.M. when the pee is most concentrate) but we've always gotten a negative pee test......always...... so we're sooooooooooooooooooooooo cautious with doing it......

to pee, or not to pee............ that is the question.

Ventured Out!

I just ventured outside and it was stinkin' cold!! It feels like a winter afternoon! I just walked to the mailbox and back - but yikes!!

Also, I found this website today:

Causes & Symptoms

The exact cause of morning sickness is unknown, but several factors are thought likely to contribute to the illness, including:

Postnasal drip.

Many pregnant women experience postnasal drip and/or nasal congestion, triggered by high levels of estrogen in their bloodstream. Estrogen increases the blood flow throughout the body, including the mucous membrane of the nose. This postnasal drip contributes to upset stomach in many pregnant women.

But then again I do have estrogen patches on - but didn't seem to have this issue with them when I first started taking them?????......

oh we shall see..........................

Thursday Thirteen

THIRTEEN SPECIAL FRIENDS AND MAJOR SUPPORTERS OF THIS BABY JOURNEY (in no particular order)

1. Kauleen - It has sucked royally that you could not be off for all of my appointments, and vacation and partaking in that part of this journey. You're the best at setting up my shot every night, making sure all medicine was taken, and listening to my worries, excitement, and talking and rubbing my belly every night :) You're the best dear and can't wait to love these babies together! You'll be the greatest Mama!

2. To my Mom - For having taken special time off to come over and spend time with me for a full week! :) We didn't get to do much, but just the enjoyment of having someone around helped. Damn WOOT for not giving us a bag of crap......and thank you WOOT for keeping us entertained during the WOOT off. The girls night out card making was very fun. You're artistic abilities are outstanding! :) I hope you'll be over here soon.....

3. To Popi - for naming the babies their nicknames, as he does with every child close to him. PJ and Scooter (a boy and a girl) :) For listening to the ups and downs of the shots, the pains, the itching, for having to see boobs and butts (and my laughing so hard while getting a shot!). For having to be surrounded by estrogen your whole life.......although I'm sure you've enjoyed it most of the time. Here's to having a grand boy you can do manly things with! :)

4. To Ryan and Dewayne - here's to having a niece and/or nephew that you can love on, cuddle with, and enjoy as much as I let you :) Although you are in the armpit of Washington, that doesn't separate hearts :) We think of you often and hope happiness and healthiness are found in you both!

5. Gina - For emailing, commenting daily on my blog, wanting to understand, being motherly :) and most of all for being a friend, giving support, listening and just being you.

6. Ronnie and Frank - I believe the last Non-Con at your house was after I had just found out one of our insemination's didn't take and I remember coming there and Ronnie you just giving me the biggest hug. I'll never forget that. For the drumming circle, the positive thoughts, the love of family, and for all you've exampled and taught me.

7. Aunt Tom and Uncle Mary - For supporting my parents, being there for them, and in your emails, comments and in love, supporting us. We love you both very much!

8. Jen and Rhody - For looking at baby clothes even before we know we're pregnant! :) For finding us again on our blog, for allowing myself to meet you (and K to meet up with an old friend), and for keeping in touch!!

9. Ginger - For chatting with me online and being such a positive, comforting and uplifting soul. Your compassion and love shine so brightly outwardly. Thanks for trying to keep me positive in the midst of turmoil.....and for all the energy and thoughts you and your family have sent our way. ((hug))

10. The Kitties - For kneading on my so very sore belly before and after retrieval and for showing me your love in every way, every day. For showing me you need me....even if it is just for food or a scratch on the chin! :) I love having you around!

11. To Cori - For your wish and love for our family to have babies. That empowers us.... just don't wish for too many ok? :)

12. To my sweet neighbor Karen - for coming over almost every night to give me a shot in the butt. She's done this for so many cycles I couldn't even count. Thank you for taking time out of your day to come over every night - and for your company. We appreciate and love you more than you know!

13. To all of my Family, Mothering Board community, the unschooling community, my Planet Christmas community, Facebook community, and anyone else I might not have mentioned by name, but whom has said a special prayer, thought, lit a candle, and/or sent positive energy our way - the compassion, support and love of each person has been noted, felt, and held onto. We'll never be able to pay it back.

Thank you and we love you all very much!

AND HERE'S TO A POSITIVE PREGNANCY TEST TOMORROW!

I will post as soon as we find out together.......

(which will be probably after 5pm PST)

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Good Morning!

Good Morning! Last night before we went to bed K turned up the heat probably to 75 (As I've been keeping it at 72 when I'm home) and roasted us out of bed last night! I woke up at 3am.....and then my brain started turning.......I did get back to sleep at some point. :o)

Today I plan on making a card or 2, boiling some eggs for my dear wife to take with her to the work potluck tomorrow, and hanging out. :) Tomorrow is my busy day.......here's what I have planned.......

Go to Jenae's with K to get her hair done for Halloween (stay tuned for pics!)
Go to Bellingham IVF for pregnancy blood test
Stop by Trader Joes and get me some more rice milk and whatever else I feel like buying
Come back home and try to figure out if I feel like going to the work potluck or not :)
Put our hiding pumpkins out (people have smashed a few in our neighborhood so they've been on our back porch!) oh wait, K has to do this...... no lifting! :)
Listen for my phone to ring.....but not answer it......and wait, wait, and wait until K comes home to get the results......and did I say Wait? :)
Try not to go to nut-so waiting........ :)
Hand out lots and lots of candy to young and old.....and have fun!
(We chose the night where we are going to be most social.......to find out the results - grand huh?) It usually takes a bit to soak in.......

Ok, enough, enough........

and did I mention I'd really love to be going to Corvallis tomorrow?..............that'd be a be all to end all of a week of vacation......... but it isn't going to happen.............

Pumpkins

We carved pumpkins on Monday night and here's how they turned out!

Ancy Today

I've done really well so far this week being off work! Sometimes I go a bit stir crazy really not having anything to do....but so far this week I've held off pretty well, but today I'm starting to feel a bit ancy.......

I'm not a big shopper...so doing that scene doesn't really sound like "fun". I don't really like to watch movies and/or TV. I'm not really a huge reader.....oh and my knitting has been at work (I need to email K!) I could be doing that!

I've taken a nap each day, which is nice :) I'd like to do something fun tonight..... don't know what that might be.....payday isn't until Friday........

Am I pregnant? am I not?.... that question is repeated through this brain of mine several times a day...... do I do the blood test in Bellingham? Do I call and have the info forwarded to my local doctor?.... it'd give me something to do.....at least on Friday.......*shrug*

wanna entertain me with any comments? :)

Rat Information

I've had a few people ask questions about the rat..... here's the link of what we are expecting it to be....Uncle Joe told my mom it was like 2-3lbs!!

THE RAT INFO

Randi

Feed The Hunger

My neighbor Karen shared this link with me - so I thought I'd share with the rest of you (and watch out - it is addicting!)

FREE RICE

Inspector Extrodinaire!

(pictured above is the rat we are guessing it would be and Uncle Joe says it looks like)

We got an email from Uncle Joe telling (K) the Great White Huntress (who set out the bait) had caught one BIG DEAD rat!



We asked him for pictures - doesn't have a camera. We asked him to describe, and here is the description:



By BIG I mean body 6-8 inches long and 6 inch tail. It was brown and gray. I am not sure about what you mean by fluffy tail. It did not have a normal rat tail. It was shorter then the body, but there was lots of hair and the end (about 1-1 1/2 inches) was bushy.



I wonder if there are any more living with it? K said - at least its a CUTE rat.

YUCK.

Lawn Mower Saga

We've gone through so many lawn mowers in the past year it is ridiculous. We had our one lawn mower for quite a few years, until one day when K was out mowing it started making weird, weird noises. We had just taken it to the shop to get a tune up....... it was toast at this point.

We bought a mower from Sears - craftsman - briggs and stratton push mower. PUSH MOWER?? What were we thinking?? Sold it on Craigslist and bought a new mower from Sears - this time self-propelled. We used it for 3 months and were not impressed. Took it back and got a full refund.

We had taken our back up mower to Coulee - no biggie - we'll get it from Coulee. It worked for a few months and then it crapped out.

We found a mower on craigslist - $50 - we went and started it up, ran great, mulches, bags, etc. Perfect. It'll do for now. We get it home.....and about pull our arms out of socket because the damn lawn mower pull yanks about every other pull. The last time K mowed the yard, she had pulled it to start......then it yanked her arm....and the pull flung around and smacked her hand that was holding the bar to START the mower at the top........ and here's what it looked like:

We will be getting rid of every mower we have and spending money on a Honda mower that will last a long time - and will have a key start. It is quite comical to have had so many issues with lawn mowers - when we used the one we bought at Home Depot or Lowes for so long..........

Sometimes that's just how it goes.

Family Get-Together / Pumpkin Carving / Drumming

We were invited to partake in Aunt Mary and Uncle Tom's side of the family pumpkin carving/drum circle on Sunday morning. We had such a great time! :) Here are some pictures of the drum circle, kids, and unfortunatly, no pumpkins (although pumpkins were carved!)

Thanks for letting us come and enjoy each and every one of you! :)

Rosa

Every winter Rosa grows a mane (like a lion). She is just beginning to fill out and here is a picture I took of her the other day peeking out the window!

I love this cat!! :)

Future Popi

On Friday night we had a girl's craft night here at the house. It really was fun! When we all get together to do cards, scrapbook and/or make whatever we want - lots of fun and creative ideas spill out! :) We don't do it too often.....but enjoy it when we do! :)

Madden was brought along with his mommy..... and here is my dad (to-be Popi - he named himself) snuggling with Madden! :)

Transfer Toes