Mountain {Air} Flair

and that's what you missed ooonnnn GLEE!

noreply@blogger.com (Erika) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 01:56:00 +0000

Anybody been scrapping lately? I love this pic of Sarah and it just makes me so sad that she is growing up so quickly!This pic of me and my sister CRACKS me up! I did this layout for the Scrapping the Music Challenge. I think it turned out really fun! I used December Studio Calico's Orchestra kit. Have I mentioned how much I LOVE Studio Calico?
A Must See

Do you watch it? Do you LOVE it? Oh my goodness, every week it just gets better and better. I though last weeks was SO real and touching when the "no baby" secret came out. Matthew Morrison (Will Schuester) did an AMAZING job with that scene. SO real!

This weeks episode was the finale until APRIL and everything about it made me smile. You HAVE to watch it. April can't come soon enough!

I am so happy everyone in our house is FLU FREE and feeling 100%. John never got sick thank goodness cause he was a GODSEND when I was sick. Love him!

During all of that sick time we managed to get our holiday pics done. My friend Kelly Noel did a wonderful job as usual. Here are a few of my favs!

My sister and her family and us

me and my sis

Sarah with her cute cousins Aidan and Emma

Sarah - isn't she cute??

me and my LOML

us :)

There are so many more awesome ones :)

Enjoy your week!

Catch up!!

noreply@blogger.com (Erika) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 02:23:00 +0000

Hi blog, I'm Erika, remember me??

A few pics to catch up.. not many words.

Check out this AWESOME cake my sister made for Sarah's 5th bday party. She is so talented! Love you Les!

Halloween:

Camping:

Feast at school - my little pilgram

The flu.

That's what we have been up to.. how about you????

Happy Scrappy

noreply@blogger.com (Erika) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:07:00 +0000

I've been pretty scrappy lately! One of those most exciting thing in my scrappy life were 2 emails I got from Scrapbook Trends Magazine saying they wanted to PUBLISH 2 of my layouts. OH YEA BABY! I can't even believe that I little ole me will have 2 layouts in print in a magazine. Exciting right?? The magazine will be published in March 2010. Thanks Scrapbook Trends for making my day!

My final layout for my Guest Design team work at Scrapping the music was really fun to make! It came together to easily. don't you love it when that happens. Thanks STM for the opportunity to be a part of your Amazing DT even if just for a month! Come over and take the challenge!

Finally in my scrapping life the November Kit at Studio Calico is available for purchase now. **sigh** I love SC. I know I have said it before but the owners, staff and design team are amazing. Plus the online community and support are top notch. Check it out! You can get $10 off this month by using the code FF720. Don't let THAT $10 go out the door!

Here a a couple more LOs I have done lately!

For the previous Scrapping the Music challenge GDT:

I LOVE this old pic of my nephew!

and look at my niece on her first B-day! So precious!

Me.. as Octomom

noreply@blogger.com (Erika) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 20:07:00 +0000

My friend Kelly had an adult only Halloween party for our Mom's group! It was SOOO much fun. The costumes were hilarious and clever! John and I went as Octomom and her sperm donor. Lovely huh?

lots more to update you on but thought you would enjoy a peek at our craziness!

Life.. it's precious.

noreply@blogger.com (Erika) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 23:20:00 +0000

In Memory Of Julia

Tragically last year, my friends Jackie and Bob lost their 18 month old daughter Julia. Her cause of death was never discovered therefore putting it in the category of SUDC (Sudden Unexplained Death in Children).This weekend I was part of an amazing event honoring Julia's life. Jackie, Bob her family, friends and my (and her) Mom's Group organized a 5K race and 1 mile family fun walk called Julia's Run for a Reason to raise funds for SUDC. The amount of people that came out to support the cause was overwhelming. 352 registered racer/walker - WOW! We raised over $15,000 for the SUDC. The race went off without a hic-up. It was just wonderful to be a part of such an amazing event honoring a wonderful little angel and her family. Here is Sarah with her metal she won for being one of the first 60 kids to cross the 1 mile finish line. She was so proud!

Let's talk about Scrapbooking. First off, as you know I am the guest designer at Scrapping the Music this Month. I Love this weeks song! You are the Best Thing by Ray Lamontagne . HOW FUN! Here is the LO I created

Guess what the man in the Brown truck delivered to me on Friday?? My October Studio Calico Kit. I have been swooning over it so excited to dig in and get started! Here is the first LO I created using it also for the BASB challenge this week!. I am in LOVE with this month's kit. I think the craft envelopes are my FAV!

Scrapping the Music!

noreply@blogger.com (Erika) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:06:00 +0000

Hey all! Come see me over at Scrapping the Music this month where I am the Guest Designer! This is my first time being a Guest designer anywhere. I am honored! Thanks for thinking of me STM Design team. The weeks Song Inspiration is Gilligan's Island Theme song. Here is my interpretation. Come play along!

Time keep on slipping....

noreply@blogger.com (Erika) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 21:50:00 +0000

I mean really, where does it go??? I have been super DUPER busy lately. My husband just got back from a "guy's" hiking trip in North Carolina. He encountered 12 black Bears! Whoa! Scary if you ask me! He hiking to the top of Gregory Bald and said that it was a difficult hike.. the hardest he's done. He had fun.. I am most envious of the beautiful weather he got to experience. high 60's during the day. low 40s at night. For me, I was still in HOT Florida :(

A few weeks ago 16 of my Mom's Group friends and I rented a House on Anna Maria Island for 3 nights. I had so much fun! I can't remember the last time that I laughed that much. You know, cramp in the side, cheek hurt kind of laugh. It was something I REALLY needed!

In scrappy news, The layout on my last post of John and I titled You and Me made it into the Scrapping the Music Hall of Fame! I was SO excited. Then I got a message from Mary at Scrapping the Music that they wanted me to be their Guest Designer for October! I said yes of course and WAS tickled pink to have been asked! I can't wait to show you the LO's I make inspired by song Lyrics throughout the month! WOO HOO!!

Here are some layouts I have made in the last few weeks.. mostly using the Studio Calico Sept Kit Cotillion. What a great kit and I have LOVED using it! The first one was for THIS Studio Calico Blog Challenge.

If it's free its for me!

noreply@blogger.com (Erika) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:08:00 +0000

Last week was a wonderful week of FREE entertainment! It was super fantastic!

First off I won tickets to see Disney Princess on Ice - a 4 pack. Since I was already headed to my monthly Pokeno game, my lovely husband took Sarah. Her friend Gabriella and mom used our other 2 tickets. The girls had fun watching the princesses. at least that is what I hear since DH forgot the camera in the car - UG

The best freebie (for me anyways) was one ticket to Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure. That's Chrissy, Faith, Laura, me and Kelly. They send one every year.. one per household...

Lots of my other friends got the free ticket also. We decided to have a ladies day at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. No kids, no husbands, just us. No strings attached. We went on Sunday and man oh man was it a jolly good time! There we NO lines at either park and we were able to enjoy both parks without pushing a stroller, stopping to pee 1000 times or be responsible for anyone else but ourselves. It was Wonderful! We rode the coasters, stopped for a sweet treat, ate lunch at Margaritaville. I think my fav rides were the Hulk and the Mummy.

And back home by 6:30pm. It was a dream day!

Since my last post I got my Studio Calico September Kit Cotillion and been having a great time playing with it! Here are some layouts I have made using the kit. The first layout was for the Scrapping the Music challenge. Hope everyone is doing well! Have a great day!

Family, Friends, FUN!

noreply@blogger.com (Erika) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 00:06:00 +0000

This weekend was spent making lots of new and fun memories!

Saturday: Scrap, clean, repeat :) College football on in the background. I finished the Lo of my nephew for the title challenge on the BASB blog. And made a yummy salad! Lovely day.

Journaling reads:

When Aidan came over one day, we decided it would be hair day. He decided on a Green Mohawk. Pretty fitting for a boy whose last name is Green. He thought he was the coolest ever!

Tomato Chicken Stack Salad (photo and recipe courtesy of Publix Apron Meals:

Ingredients12–15 fresh basil lea

ves (rinsed)
4–5 fresh It

alian parsley sprigs (rinsed)
1 small shallot (rinsed)
4 large red a

nd yellow (or heirloom) tomatoes (rinsed)
1 Deli chilled

rotisserie chic

ken (plain or flavored)
2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
1/3 cup extra-

virgin olive (or avocado) oil
1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup crumbled feta, goat, or blue cheese

Steps

Slice basil into thin strips; set aside. Chop parsley coarsely and shallot finely. Cut tomatoes into 1/4-inch-thick slices.
Remove meat of chicken from bones (discard skin and bones). Chop chicken coarsely (wash hands); measure 2 cups (reserve remaining chicken for another use).
Prepare dressing by combining in medium bowl, vinegar, oil, Italian seasoning, pepper, parsley, and shallots; whisk until well blended.
Arrange salad on serving plates, alternating tomato slices, chicken, basil strips, and crumbled cheese. Drizzle with dressing and serve

Sunday: Day trip to Manatee Springs State park where we spent some time strolling through the campgrounds, marking down our favorite sites for reference for a future camping trip we may take there . We watched the canoers and kayakers enjoying the beautiful day paddling the Suwanee River. Other park visitors spent time in the cool Manatee Springs on the hot summer Day. Sarah also finally "swung" by herself on the swings at the park playground. She FINALLY got the "bed your knees, straiten your legs while leaning back rhythm and she was a-swinging all by herself (she is almost 5!). Sarah enjoyed an Italian Ice while John and I went straight for the Oreo Cookie Good Humor Bar! YUM-O!

Sunday Evening - Spent at our local hang out, International Beer Garten - great beer with great friends. After that we all went back to one of their houses and the kids got to hang in the pool (some adults had some pool fun too!) More great beer and conversation with AMAZING friends!

Monday - To my Mother In Law's (the best one on Earth I tell you - I am SOOOOOO lucky) for a family party with more pool fun for the kids. We were there when our Miracle cousin Ian got to get in the pool for the first time (he is 5!) Yea Ian!!! Love spending time with the family. Such a blessing to have such a loving family!

I love weekend's like this.. fun, fun and more fun.

So behind

noreply@blogger.com (Erika) — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 03:49:00 +0000

I am sure you all think that it is all doom and gloom around here lately.. at least that is what all of my blog posts seem to be focused on... but it is so not true. SO much fun stuff happening lately!

1. Sarah started VPK (Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten) at a new school at the end of August. I am IN LOVE with her school and her teachers are beyond amazing. Such an improvement over my experience last year with her preschool. Here she is a LO I did of her first day

2. Sarah started dance class last Thursday. WE have been on the waiting list for one of the programs in Tampa and we finally got in (super great rates and terrific program)

3. We booked our 3rd annual winter North Carolina Trip with our friends the Taylor's. This year we are changing locations. For the past 2 years we have stayed at the Cataloochee Mountain Cabin and LOVED it but this year we are going to a different part of North Carolina. This is where we are staying at this rocking cabin.. Doesn't it look amazing??

4. I started nannying the cutest little 5 month old girl 2-3 days a week and she is a real gem. I am enjoying taking care of her and Sarah is LOVING having a baby around. I wish I could show you how cute Sarah is with her!

5. I have been doing lots of scrapping lately. This LO in particular was featured here and it also earned me a spot in the Scrapping the Music Hall of Fame. How awesome is that! Here is a LO I did yesterday about my dad

6. I have been spending time praying for a few of my cyber friends. Zorina and Carrie.

7. Sarah got an ADORABLE haircut

8. I signed up for an amazing 2 day holiday workshop at my LSS, Ruban Rouge. WOO-HOO!!! I love this event so much last year and I can't WAIT for this one.

9. Our cousin Rachel just found out she is expecting baby #2 - Congrats Rachel and Caleb!

10. It's a LONG holiday weekend and we will spend Monday with family! YEA!!!

We had a Dr appt on Friday but I won't go into that now. Happy Labor day all!

If I could hug you all!

noreply@blogger.com (Erika) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 01:29:00 +0000

Life goes on you know.. I mean really, it does. I have so much to live for, be thankful for! Like thanking my Mom for taking me to the Brunchery for Breakfast this morning. MM is was so good, I had the Brunchery Benedict - YUMMY (Poached eggs on an English muffin with ham, mushrooms, Swiss and hollandaise) . It was so nice to hang out with her and just chat.. We don’t get to do that often enough even though we live 10 minutes from each other. Thanks Mom! I needed that!

I am OVERWHELMED by the support that you all have given us: family, old friends, new friends, cyber friends and perfect strangers. We have received cards in the mail, ecards, beer delivered to our door (thanks Kathy!). Friends taking me out for a drink.. phone calls, facebook posts, Blog comments, text messages, hugs, tears, prayers.. you name it.. I am so amazing by the blanket of support that we have received. THANK YOU. You have NO IDEA how much it means to me (us). One thing that was especially touching was a note I got in the mail from my dad (who lives across the state):

It is all I needed to hear.

A new day

noreply@blogger.com (Erika) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 13:24:00 +0000

It has been a rough few days. As we try to dig our way out of this pit of unanswered questions, the hardest part for us is the not knowing why. 4 years of trying to grow our family – 3 IUIs, 2 IVF’s, and lots of trying naturally and still no baby. John and I are both reproductively healthy. UGG.

Let me start by saying that I am a FIRM believer that everything happens for a reason and that God only gives us as much as we can handle. But man – it sure is HARD when our plan and God’s plan aren’t the same. I am just not sure what to make of this whole thing.

Here are answers to some questions you are asking.

Will you have to have a DNC? – I doubt it, I haven’t starting bleeding yet and I was only 5 weeks so my body should take care of it on its own.
Do they know what happened? No – we have no answers – and probably won’t ever get any.
Will you do IVF again? Yes we will try once more in January.
What about adoption? I would LOVE to adopt but we are BLESSED that insurance covers 90% of our infertility treatments (up to 3 IVFs) and ZERO for adoption. So we are going to exaust all fertility treatment options before moving on to adoption. But YES, we will research adoption if we are unsuccessful in January.
How did Sarah take the news? She was SOOOOOOO sweet. When they Dr office called with the bad news… I was A MESS, crying hysterically. She asked me what was wrong and I told her the baby died. She was gone for a few minutes and came back with a drawing of me holding a baby. I said “Sarah, there is no baby” she said “ I know mommy but it is what you always wished for” She was sad with me and kept saying she wanted a brother or sister. All day I couldn’t stop hugging her. She told me she loved me all the way to the top of her heart. I love that girl
How is John? He doesn’t know what to think. Angry there are no answers. Just wants to figure out the next steps. Really wants a sibling for Sarah and a another child for us to love. We are just supporting each other through this.

We are so THANKFUL and know how overwhelmingly blessed we are so have Sarah. She brings us so much happiness (and headaches – LOL) and I never knew you could love someone so much. So through all of this we do not lose site in that. There is so much to be grateful for!

Since we are talking about Sarah, look at there cute pics I took of her the other day! They make me smile. I created this Layout for this week’s Scrapping the music challenge.

Thanks everyone, for everything!

House of Pain

noreply@blogger.com (Erika) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 00:28:00 +0000

Today ranks up there as one of the worstdays ever. My BETA test was 39 today. No viable baby growing inside me. I expect to miscarry/get my period any day now. There was nothing that could have prepared me for the emotions that struck me when I hung up the phone from the Dr's office. Devastation. Heartbreak. Anger. The hardest part is not knowing why. Seriously, 3 embryos transferred and we walk away with ZERO children. I DON'T UNDERSTAND. John and I sit here angry, sad and confused. I will update more over the next few days but for now..... I think I'll have a beer.

Look at your own Risk

noreply@blogger.com (Erika) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 00:33:00 +0000

I did this LO for the BASB challenge that had to be about our own school memories. Alright so this layout did not turn out how I would have liked it too but I still had to post it here because of it's sheer ridiculousness. I will let the picture and journaling tell the story

Journaling reads: It's bad enough being in Junior High but having this hair cut also! All I know is I hated it! I remember how mortified I was to see these pictures. SO embarrassing. It is the LAST time my hair was short AND Note to self" if I ever have the desire to cut my hair short again, i just need to look a t these pictures to remember that it's a BAD idea! 9th Grade - 1986

I mean really - who thought this would be a good idea????? MOM?????

Update on me: Tomorrow is my Second BETA test - I pray my numbers look good. I have to say I have been very nervous and "uneasy". I will feel better after the call tomorrow. Some other things to note. My Progesterone shots have really been hurting me the last few days. I actually woke up in the middle of the night a few night ago almost in tears. My butt/leg hurt so bad. I came downstairs and put a heating pad on it but OUCH. They are not fun, they weren't bad last year so I don't know what is up. On the up side I haven't had any headaches in a week - WHEW! Loving that! Check back tomorrow to see how my visit went!

188.79 - Doesn't it sound nice?

noreply@blogger.com (Erika) — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 00:56:00 +0000

Before I get to the big news.. Here is a Layout I did for this weeks challenge over at Scrapping the Music. It is my first time participating with them but I have been a LURKER on their site for awhile now and here is what I can up with:

The journaling reads: This was part of our Christmas Shoot in 2008. I love this picture. I wish we could do this all the time. John and Erika 12/08 Photos by Kelly Noel

I had my BETA (pregnancy hormone) test this morning. They like to see the number above 100, mine is 188.79. YIPEE. I am OFFICIALLY pregnant. I go back Tuesday and then Friday to repeat the test to make sure my numbers are increasing the way they should. So let's hope and pray that everything looks good. Cause last year at this time, my numbers didn't double properly and we all know how that ended up (after 10 weeks) :(. So Now, we remain cautiously optimistic, extremely happy and feel so blessed. We told Sarah today. We asked her if she wanted to be a big sister, she said no (she is always BEGGING for a Bro or sis so we had no idea where that came from). I was like, Alrighty then, well there is a baby in my belly, she smiled and walked away. Later tonight she told me she WAS excited. She says "I want a sister cause I don't like brothers, well, I like brothers but I like sisters better :)". She kissed my belly a few times also.

Speaking of Sarah, I snapped these shots of her today and they really make me teary eyed. I mean, she will be 5 in October, she is growing up SO fast. I just want to squeeze her and not let her grow up.

Creative Juices

noreply@blogger.com (Erika) — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 01:55:00 +0000

hey've been a-flowin' lately. Here are a few Layouts I have dome the last few days:

This one was for the Studio Calico Kit for August Over the rainbow.

This next one was a Challenge over on the Studio Calico Blog. You could only use 5 products: 1 piece of Patterned paper, metal, paint, bakers twine or floss, letter stickers (plus a card stock base and pen or computer).

Here is my take on the challenge:

You would think I work for Studio Calico - but no, I just {heart} them so much that their kits are usually the first thing I go for when I scrap these days.

Tomorrow is BETA #1, I can't wait to share the news with you.. so stay tuned, I will chat with you tomorrow!

noreply@blogger.com (Erika) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 00:47:00 +0000

Last night I went out to a great local restaurant with 16 fabulous woman for our Mystery Mom Reveal Party. You know who my Mystery Mom was?? The fabulous Nicole:

and she was SO good to me. Let me explain the Mystery Mom program. Here is the description that is on our Mom’s group website:

Interested in getting spoiled by a fellow member, doing the same for someone else and doing it all anonymously? Then Mystery Mom is perfect for you! You will be assigned a mom to spoil and a mom will be assigned to you to fill your days will happiness. Guidelines for Participation

* Send at least one email per week (You will create a special mystery mom email.)
* Send something Via mail or delivery at least once a week
* Spend at least $5 but NO MORE than $10 per week on your Mystery Mom (final gift to be valued at $20)
* Communicate with the Mystery Mom that is assigned to you, when she does something nice for you let her know you appreciate it!* Remain anonymous
* Have fun. Get Spoiled. Be spoiled. Learn about other moms in the group. It was so much fun!

Over the six weeks, Nicole got me some pretty fantastic stuff. I think my 2 favorites were the homemade key lime cheesecake and the card with the $10 drinking money in it because she knew I was going out that night! My final gift was a gift card to my LSS Ruban Rouge where I will GLADLY go spend every penny! Thanks Nicole – You rock. If you live near Tampa, she makes a mean cupcake and has a great little business going on check her out,

Cupcakes by Nicole!

The lovely lady I got to spoil was Deanna (that's her on the left and me on the right) -I had such a BLAST! I think my favorite thing I got her was Her final gift. It was this cool necklace that I got from Tiny Tokens Designs on Etsy! I think she loved it

ME:

Lots of people are asking how I am feeling.... Today I actually feel great but Sunday night through last night I had a MAJOR headache.. the kind that makes you nauseous - it wasn't a migraine but it was pretty close. I felt so yucky. I took Tylenol since that is all I am allowed to take but really the only thing that works for me is Advil so I suffered through. Other than that I feel fine - just WAY tired. I am still taking those LOVELY Progesterone shots in my butt with that 1 1/2 inch needle (don't be jealous). Friday is my BETA and I am counting down the hours! T minus 47 hours to go.

** photos from the evening courtesy of Denise (run DMT)

We interupt this broadcast

noreply@blogger.com (Erika) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 02:03:00 +0000

There is something I have been meaning to tell you all day. Houston, we have 2 lines here! Seriously, Can you believe it…? I (we) were in total shock. Here is how it went down:

Yesterday, Sunday August 16^th woke up in the morning and POAS – NEGATIVE. I was beginning to lose hope at this point because I had been looking at this online poll of other IVFers that did a 5 day transfer. 200 people took the pool and everyone except 20 people had their positive HPT by day 6 (yesterday was my day 6). So yesterday I was feeling pretty yucky and sort of losing hope.

Then last night at 10:30pm I took another test…. Looked at in for a sec and assumed it was going to be negative. Came down stairs to get something went back up a minute or so later and there were 2 LINES! OMG. I ran downstairs to show John and asked him if I was imagining it, Nope, indeed there were 2 lines.

I was still a little freaked out so I “asked” if he would go and get me the digital test that says Pregnant, not pregnant and THIS was the result.

Then this morning I took another normal test and 2 cute pink lines showed up. Now we are cautiously optimistic and looking forward to the blood test on Friday to see what my BETA is. I sure hope that everything comes up okay because another heartaches would STINK!

I knew I couldn't’t keep it from you for much longer. So glad you are sharing in this journey with us!

Nothin to see here

noreply@blogger.com (Erika) — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 13:35:00 +0000

Only one line.

noreply@blogger.com (Erika) — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 01:46:00 +0000

How is everyone’s weekend so far? Good? You already know my POAS was Negative today.. My weekend started Friday night with some scrapping with friends Jen and Kelly. Jen made a YUMMY dinner and the most AMAZING ice cream cake. I was so lame and unprepared for scrapping. I only got 1 layout done but I was happy to finish one of the projects from the Teresa Collins class – so that was good!

Today we went to our niece’s 1st birthday party. Fun times! Sarah loves playing with her cousins. The birthday girl REALLY got into her cake.. don’t ya think?

And that Tutu! Ahh..

Here is one with Sarah and her cousin (the birthday girl’s sister).

We love seeing the family and hanging out!

I forgot to mention that it was my week in a 3 week babysitting co-op. SO Tue-Th this week I babysat 5- 8 kids from 930a-1230p! It really was a blast. Friday I decided it was hair day. I wanted to give the boys spiky hair but most of the boys had hair that would not cooperate because of the length. My nephew's did good though. We still tried and then sprayed their hair green. Seriously, they all loved it! The girls weren’t interested in having green hair so we just put sparkles in theirs,

Fun week.. no major issues having all of those kids over. Really I am not kidding. What's new with you?

Quick post

noreply@blogger.com (Erika) — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 14:52:00 +0000

Just wanted to let you guys know that my POAS was Negative again today.

I will post later but have to get ready for the day now :)

Queen of Hearts

noreply@blogger.com (Erika) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 13:31:00 +0000

Whoo. A night out with the girls, just what I need! Too bad I won’t get to partake in the adult beverages but it’s all good. Have you ever played Pokeno? . The thrill of Poker and the suspense of Keno. Players attempt to cover five spaces in a row on their board as cards are called out. Easy and clean fun in this classic bingo-style game. The girls play once a month, usually about 20 of us. It is a BLAST! Everyone brings an Appetizer or dessert to share. Also a gift valued at $10 – this month’s’s theme is “anything for the kitchen”. If you win a round of Pokeno then you pick a gift. Once all the gifts are gone we set the timer and play for the allotted amount of time for round 2, when you win that time, you STEAL a gift! FUN FUN! I think the most anyone has gone home with was 5 gifts! Some people go home with nothing.

POAS has been negative.. just what I expect at this point. Since everyone always asks how I am feeling I will tell you that physically, I feel normal…. Just like I always do. I do feel nervous and excited though! I have such a good feeling that we will be having a baby this time… How do you not get your hopes up? Because you know a Negative BETA on the 21^st would break my heart. But not to worry, I remain positive and happy and praying!

PLEASE do not try this at home.

noreply@blogger.com (Erika) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 02:05:00 +0000

er
1DP5DT UPDATE (that means 1 day post 5 day transfer) Yesterday’s transfer went just lovely. I took a valium so to say I was relaxed is an understatement! The only part that was a little sad for me was that out of our 8.. Only 3 made it to day 5 – which is great since that is all we wanted to put it. But their grading wasn’t the greatest either. Since they are Blasocysts, the grading system is different and harder for me to understand what it all means if you feel like reading up on it, you can do so here. But our 3 were graded like this, 2BA, 2CB, 1CC.. So not the best but still totally viable! So we continue to pray, pray and pray some more, and we would love it if you would too! We got home about 9:45 yesterday morning and I proceeded to Sleep ALL DAY. Seriously, the Valium knocked me out! Then I slept through the night with no problems and that brings me to today. I feel great.. Refreshed and ready to wait until the 21st for my BETA Prego test.

What I am about to say may be hazzardess to your well being, sanity and overall health – but not mine because I am a FREAK – OCD, worry wart and this actually makes it easier on me.. But please, don’t try this at home! I PEE ON A STICK EVERY DAY! I know you are SOOO not supposed to for sanity purposes. The Trigger shot that I took 3 days before the egg aspiration is the pregnancy hormone HCG – that hormone stays in your system for a little while (7-14 days). Stay with me here people…. If you start POAS before the HCG shot is out of your system you will get a positive test. SOOO, I test until I see a negative (that way I know it’s gone) Then if the test turns positive again then I know I am Prego (for that moment at least). It has been 7 days since my HCG shot and my first POAS result was negative which means it is out of my system.. Every morning I will pee on my stick with the hopes of 2 lines!

SCRAPPY - Here are a few layouts I have done the last few days. The first one was for a Challenge over at BASB . The challenge was to use a peice of memorabilia on your page.

The LO was for a challenge that Heidi Sonobol posted over at Studio Calico. You had to use 7 or more photos on pne page.

Thanks for reading my LONG and winding post.. I will keep you posted on my POAS results!

I can't stop smiling

noreply@blogger.com (Erika) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 02:45:00 +0000

Seriously - I am SO EXCITED that I can't stop smiling. Every time I think about tomorrow a grin just takes over my face.

Tomorrow morning 3 embryos will be placed in my uterus. How you ask? Kinda like a pap smear.

Here is what Wikipedia says (I edited a little to be more specific to my Dr.):

The embryo transfer procedure starts by placing a speculum in the vagina to visualize the cervix, which is cleansed with saline solution or culture media. A transfer catheter is loaded with the embryos and handed to the clinician after confirmation of the patient’s identity. A vaginal ultrasound is inserted to ensure correct placement, which is 1–2 cm from the uterine fundus.The catheter is inserted through the cervical canal and advanced into the uterine cavity, where the embryos are deposited. The catheter is then withdrawn and handed to the embryologist, who inspects it for retained embryos. Anesthesia is generally not required.

Don't forget that I have to have a FULL bladder during this.. FUN, HUH? They also gave me a Valium to take before the procedure to help relax my uterus.

So there you have it. I will report back tomorrow with all the details! Keep us in your prayers :)

Time

noreply@blogger.com (Erika) — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 03:58:00 +0000

32 hours till our babies come home!