tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54841899722530447102024-03-12T22:26:31.963-06:00 The Adam and Emily ShowEmilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06418915758852702155noreply@blogger.comBlogger301125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484189972253044710.post-64183152874264144142015-06-08T23:05:00.003-06:002015-06-08T23:05:59.049-06:00New Blog<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hi Friends! If anyone happens to stumble across my blog, I have created a <a href="http://www.andthencamebaby.com/">new blog</a> and will be posting there from here on out.<br />
<br />
Cheers!<br />
Emily </div>
Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06418915758852702155noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484189972253044710.post-22561013153849746262014-03-24T13:48:00.001-06:002014-03-24T14:17:31.317-06:00Cade's Birth<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i>Hi Everyone, </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Thank you so much for the support and love the past few weeks. I wrote this story a few days after Cade's birth and finally feel it is ready to post. I plan to do this story as part 1 and a part 2 as his death story. I miss him so much and don't want to leave out too many of the details of his story. Hopefully it isn't too gross or scary. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>xoxo, </i><br />
<i>Emily </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
My water broke as I was laying in bed on March 6<sup>th</sup>,
2014 at about 10pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was 30 weeks, 2
days pregnant. I quickly jumped up, started screaming for Adam.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We literally jumped in the car and started
driving to the hospital.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had no
hospital bag packed- we didn’t even know exactly where to go once we got to the
hospital as we hadn’t taken our birth class or done the hospital tour yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I kept thinking “it’s too early… it’s too
early…” but I also knew that we were well passed the viability week (24 weeks)
and medicine is amazing so I also was excited to potentially meet our little
guy which I have been SO ready to do for a long time. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When we got the hospital, the doctors came in and educated
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just because my water broke doesn’t
mean that I am actually having the baby. There are some things they can do to
slow down/stop my labor… and the goal is to keep baby boy in me as long as I
can hold off (ultimate goal was 34 weeks).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My contractions that night never got very strong – although they were
2-3 mins apart- and by mid-morning on the 7<sup>th</sup> I was actually feeling
pretty good overall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That day, we met with a high-risk pregnancy doctor at the
hospital that did an ultrasound and tested my amniotic fluid for
infection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The doctor was amazing, but
definitely had some concerns with the ultrasound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our sweet baby wasn’t moving near as much as
past ultrasounds and his mouth was open in the womb, which is rare, although
not unheard of. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He thought his jaw
looked a bit recessed and pointed out that the arms and legs were about a 1-2
weeks behind in growth<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(when they had
been tracking correctly before in the past ultrasounds).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mostly, he was concerned with the amount of
fluid I had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had more fluid left than
most pregnant women have during pregnancy AFTER my water broke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was concerning for several reasons
(mainly because this could mean some sort of defect- most likely the baby wasn’t
swallowing). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As parents, we were
concerned but you quickly brush stuff off and make excuses for things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Well, the baby was sleeping, of course he wasn’t
moving a ton”, “All of our past ultrasounds have been fine- so he is fine” “if
something major was wrong we would have already seen it”, etc., etc., etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really have had a great pregnancy- I assumed
it was MY body producing too much fluid. There is no way it was because our
baby wasn’t healthy. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God wouldn’t let
that happen to me after all we had been through to get pregnant. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
March 8<sup>th</sup> came and went with no baby drama.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The 9<sup>th</sup> was great until that night
when my contractions came back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, I
was put on close watch and the doctors tried to put off labor but also prepared
the NICU just in case baby was on the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Somehow I made it through the night without giving birth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a close call that made for a miserable
night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lets just say I HATE catheters
without pain meds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then the 10<sup>th</sup> & 11<sup>th</sup> came.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had another close call the night of the 11<sup>th</sup>
(not has bad as the 9<sup>th</sup>) but when they checked my cervix I still
wasn’t dilated so it wasn’t super concerning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>On Wednesday the 12<sup>th</sup>, the contractions returned and I could
tell these were the strongest I had had so far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They weren’t super close together, but really intense when they did
happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A doctor came in to see if I was
dilated and whoa – I was dilated to a “generous 4”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was happening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the time I got wheeled back to labor &
delivery I was dilated to a 5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They started
me on a magnesium drip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had been on
this the Sunday night before, but basically they use it for preemie births to
help protect their brain from a brain bleed during birth (in my case).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The side effect is that it can slow down
labor quite a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The nurse literally
forced me into getting an epidural.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
was really hesitant because I knew I was having a tiny baby and the
contractions were really intense, but tolerable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am no wimp and thought surely I could do it
without “help”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With encouragement from
my mom and Adam I FINALLY agreed to the epidural. This was a super smart
decision because the magnesium definitely slowed down my contractions…. So much
so that by 8am the nurses weren’t so sure I was having a baby anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The doctor came in to check me and basically
told me that if I was still dilated to a 5, they were going to take me off of
everything and try to hold off labor AGAIN.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Well…. I was dilated to an 8 so we were back into baby mode, except my
contractions were still not close together. So we waited and waited and labored
and waited (meanwhile I had not eaten since about 3pm the day before and they
wouldn’t let me eat or drink anything while on the mag and epidural).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank goodness for popsicles!<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Ready to get this show on the road</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jk365yDhgx8/UzCQ1Ud2wrI/AAAAAAAABrA/xK9Hgyh3MJc/s1600/IMG_0465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jk365yDhgx8/UzCQ1Ud2wrI/AAAAAAAABrA/xK9Hgyh3MJc/s1600/IMG_0465.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The other issue we haven’t discussed is every time they
checked me I had so much fluid that there was a large sack of fluid sitting
between the baby’s head and my cervix. This wasn’t allowing the baby’s head to
drop. Which is why we kept waiting and waiting to see if my contractions would
help push the head down, except I still wasn’t having many contractions for
being dilated to an 8, then 10.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So then
I was put on Pitocin to see if that would help drop the head by speeding up my
contractions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No luck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At this point it was like 5pm, I had been in
labor for about 24 hours, dilated to a 10 for several hours and was just
hanging out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was time for plan B. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Plan B was really scary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My doctor was going to try to pop the sack of fluid stuck between the
baby’s head and my cervix.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The goal was
to make a small hole that would allow the fluid to drain slowly BUT there was a
chance that the fluid would come rushing out and pull the umbilical cord with
it, smashing it under the head and cutting off the supply to the baby, which
would mean emergency C-section.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got
asked so many times while pregnant if I was afraid of anything and my response
was always “if I have to get a C-section”. They gross me out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So at this point I was freaking out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They decided to pop the sack of fluid in
the O.R. and prep me for a C-section, just in case.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were wheeled into the O.R….. I was
praying SO hard at this point, literally shaking from nerves. So many unknowns.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here goes nothing the doctor said. 3-2-1.
<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Prepped for the O.R.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZlY9GACWX80/UzCQ0Y4tj_I/AAAAAAAABq4/4SM_84smS5g/s1600/IMG_1179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZlY9GACWX80/UzCQ0Y4tj_I/AAAAAAAABq4/4SM_84smS5g/s1600/IMG_1179.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a></div>
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Well, I guess you could say the “popping” went well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of the gush everyone prepped for, it
came out nice and slow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It came and came
and came. The most any of the Docs or nurses had seen EVER. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then it was time to push.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was one of the most amazing, magical
experiences of my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I delivered
right there in the O.R. with the most amazing team of doctors and nurses around
me and Adam holding me the whole time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I would literally give birth 1 time a week if I could.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cannot put it into words but I definitely
will never forget the way I felt, the lights, the team around me for as long as
I live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cade
James Griffin was born into this world at 6:04pm on March 13<sup>th</sup>,
2014.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>3 pounds, 1 oz and 18 ½ inches
long. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His sweet little whimpers and the
way he looked at me is still something I can remember so clearly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was perfect…. to me. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sqCArn1El5Q/UzCSxQTO5SI/AAAAAAAABsE/PZR3yYfL5MU/s1600/IMG_1030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sqCArn1El5Q/UzCSxQTO5SI/AAAAAAAABsE/PZR3yYfL5MU/s1600/IMG_1030.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
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Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06418915758852702155noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484189972253044710.post-48802939788154338712014-03-12T10:13:00.004-06:002014-03-12T10:13:59.811-06:003.12.14/Steady<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I am still pregnant as of this morning. Every day is a different adventure - I happen to have a uterus that loves to have contractions pretty much all day. Luckily they don't seem to be changing my cervix so I am not in "real labor". <br />
<br />
All in all, bed rest hasn't been too terrible. Between all the text, emails, calls and visitors I really can pass the day fairly quick. And lets be honest, I can sleep at anytime of the day (any where and pretty much under any circumstance). <br />
<br />
We should get part 1 of some test results today- so fingers crossed they look OK! <br />
<br />
Love you all. Your prayers are so appreciated. <br />
<br /></div>
Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06418915758852702155noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484189972253044710.post-38944961530320860022014-03-11T09:20:00.001-06:002014-03-11T09:20:10.731-06:003.11.14/31 weeks!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Today there isn't a lot of news to share. I made it through another day and I am officially 31 weeks pregnant! I am still getting contractions that are fairly painful, but they aren't super close together at this time. <br />
<br />
This is my 5th day post water breaking which is a feat in itself. This baby really wants to come out and I feel like it is pure will power (and some clinching?) that is making him stay in for now. I will know soon enough what real labor feels like but I do think I have been in mild labor for like 5 straight days. <br />
<br />
I am talking with HR today on my options for leave from work. I work for a great company but just hope that we can work something out as I don't want to spend my entire maternity leave at the hospital or in the NICU. Need to save some of it for when he comes home. I just keep reminding myself that there is a prize at the end of this tunnel. And I keep making my mom promise it is worth it. :) ha.<br />
<br />
Happy Tuesday everyone! </div>
Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06418915758852702155noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484189972253044710.post-71127035274782346142014-03-10T10:58:00.003-06:002014-03-10T10:58:58.679-06:003.9.14/This is hard<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hey Everyone. Yesterday I woke up feeling pretty good, all things considered. We had a few visitors, I went on a wheel chair ride outside (my new version of fun) and took a tour of the NICU. <br />
It really put it into prospective when I saw the NICU- it did not help me feel better but just a lot sadder. Realizing that this baby is going to be whisked away at delivery without getting to hold him is going to be rough. At his age we also just aren't sure what to expect. It sounds like babies born at 30/31 weeks are on the bubble for lung development. Some come out crying and some will need help ASAP.<br />
<br />
At around 4pm yesterday I noticed some contractions coming on. My mom was getting into town around 6 and between 5 and the time she arrived my contractions were getting much more strong. Back went the IV and they put me on Magnesium (which is used in case this was real labor and the baby is coming- to protect brain bleeds in preemies). The doses are so high that they won't let you get out of bed the entire time you are on Magnesium because it makes you feel like cronk. Since I couldn't get up, they put a catheter in. So between having labor contractions, a catheter and magnesium it made for a very long hard night. Everyone thought the baby was coming (including my self and the docs). At some point in the middle of the night, I started to feel slightly better. All of the sudden my body was able to relax and I just knew that I wasn't going to give birth. So here I am, recovering from the hellish night I had- thankful I still have an inside baby (rather than an outside baby). I don't know if I can have another night like last again and make it. I wanted to die.<br />
<br />
At this point my doctors say that I will probably give birth sooner than later since my body seems to be "trying". Tomorrow I turn 31 weeks. My goal is not even to make it to 32 + anymore but just 1 more day. <br />
<br />
Thanks for checking in everyone. </div>
Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06418915758852702155noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484189972253044710.post-13726287042035550512014-03-09T07:31:00.001-06:002014-03-09T07:31:54.759-06:003.8.14/ No news is good news!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Yesterday was pretty uneventful which is a great thing. Physically I felt much better (not like I was going into labor) and your prayers are working as both Adam and I were in much better spots mentally. Do you know the hospital I am staying at delivers between 300-320 babies PER MONTH???? How crazy is that? And I guess March is a really busy month for them for some reason- everyone has too much fun in June, I suppose.... swimsuits and short shorts. <br />
<br />
The only thing on the docket today is a tour of the NICU this afternoon. Just to 1) mentally prepare our self for how small this baby will be. At the ultrasound 2 days ago the weight estimate was 3lb 4oz. If I can keep him in the oven, he could make it to over 4 lbs in the next few weeks potentially. 2) Our birthing class/hospital tour was scheduled for the beginning of April.... so we haven't even seen this place before. I am going to try to cancel and get our money back. Adam was joking we should still show up to the class WITH our newborn. <br />
<br />
Today we are thankful that Baby G is still safe and sound inside of me, we are at a great hospital (the best in Denver for having a baby), Janon Otto is on her way out today- woohoo for moms!, and I personally am very grateful that Adam works from home. Which means he gets to hang with me pretty much this whole time at the hospital. <br />
<br />
Prayer request are similar to yesterday:<br />
<br />1) Healthy Baby<br />
2) A baby that would like to stay in there for a few more weeks<br />
3) God to continue to calm our anxiety<br />
<br />
*** The goal is 34 weeks, which if I make it is April 1. Of course I would have a April fool's baby :) 23 days to go! </div>
Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06418915758852702155noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484189972253044710.post-23171348553791891782014-03-08T06:40:00.001-07:002014-03-08T06:40:29.583-07:00A very surprising Thursday/3.8.14 Update<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I decided to start blogging the updates because between friends and family it is really hard to keep up with everyone! I so appreciate the texts/emails, etc. keep them coming :) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This past Thursday (30 weeks, 2 days pregnant) I was laying in bed and my water broke. Not a trickle, like a literal scene out of a movie type of gush. Strangest/scariest thing when you are only 30 weeks pregnant. We jumped in the car to head to the hospital, assuming I was going to be having a baby that night. Once we met with the doctors we learned that this can actually happen in rare cases and they will try to keep the baby in you for as long as possible by slowing down your contractions with medication (the medication works about 80% of the time). "Best case" is they can take me all the way to 34 weeks pregnant, assuming my labor stops. About 50% of the people that this happens to can make it a few extra weeks if baby lets them. I got a steroid shot to help with the baby's lung development, a quick ultrasound, IV, and hooked up to different monitors (one for baby's heart and one for my contractions) and then the waiting game started. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">All night/the next morning my contractions were 2-4 mins apart and some of them were beginning to get painful. But once they started to get painful, they actually slowed down and then slowly started tapering off- thank the Lord! I was told I was going to meet with a high risk doctor that day. Once your water breaks there is no barrier between your baby and outside bacteria (since your amniotic sack protects the baby) so they needed to test me for infections. Basically if I had any infection they needed to induce me immediately. This test was going to be through amniocentesis. If you have not been pregnant before, this is a genetic test that is optional preformed earlier in your second trimester where they actually pull amniotic fluid out of your uterus using a needle. It ended up being as sucky as you would imagine. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">When we finally met with the high risk doctor they did a few ultrasounds and found some things that were slightly alarming. First, my water had already broken but I still have more than the average amount of fluid left in me (no wonder it won't stop coming out!!!). This is a bad thing. There are several reasons someone may have too much fluid: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span>
<ul style="color: #111111; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px 0px 12px 24px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 6px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>A birth defect that affects the baby's gastrointestinal tract or central nervous system</b></span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 6px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Maternal diabetes</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 6px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Twin-twin transfusion — a possible complication of identical-twin pregnancies in which one twin receives too much blood and the other too little</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 6px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A lack of red blood cells in the baby (fetal anemia)</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 6px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Blood incompatibilities between mother and baby</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="color: #111111; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Often, however, the cause of polyhydramnios (technical term for "too much fluid") isn't clear.</b></span></div>
<div style="color: #111111; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Scary list, but obviously some of these have already been ruled out. The bolded are the options that are still pending for me and Baby G- notably, the birth defect option. <b> </b>Long story short, Adam and I are pretty terrified. We are going to have a preemie, but then to have the uncertainty of a potential birth defect or chromosome issue adds a whole different layer of stress. My doc went back through all of my ultrasounds and everything has tested and looked great up until this point (including the 12 week NT scan we did!) so I am just hoping and praying that I am one of the "unknown causes". We won't know the answers until he gets here or if the amniocentesis results come back before he is here ( takes about 2 weeks). On the bright side, they have been monitoring baby's heart since I have been here and through all of the contractions, my stress, etc. he seems to be unfazed. As I am typing this it is 6 am on the 8th of March and I am still pregnant- so that is awesome and all of my tests for infection came back clear so no need to get induced (at least today!). </span></div>
<div style="color: #111111; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I am going to be in the hospital until he comes. So potentially a month to get me to 34 weeks- I am just starting the morning of day 2 and feel like it has already been a month. Please please please keep us in your prayers. We are trying to stay positive but it feels like something in the universe just doesn't want us to have kids (easily). Not sure what we are supposed to be learning from this just yet. </span></div>
<div style="color: #111111; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> I'll update this as I know more. </span></div>
<div style="color: #111111; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Main prayer requests: </span></div>
<div style="color: #111111; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1) a healthy baby</span></div>
<div style="color: #111111; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2) to have Baby G continue to hang out for as long as possible safe in my uterus (they said each day he stays in is equal to about 3 days he won't need to be in the NICU)</span></div>
<div style="color: #111111; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3) Sanity for Mom and Dad!! </span></div>
<div style="color: #111111; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #111111; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06418915758852702155noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484189972253044710.post-86453605223993294812014-02-14T15:41:00.000-07:002014-02-14T15:41:49.426-07:00A real babymoon! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
If you read our <a href="http://theadamandemilyshow.blogspot.com/2013/12/hey-blog-long-time-since-i-have-seen-you.html">getting pregnant story</a>, I mentioned how our St. John trip was supposed to be our babymoon. Once I got pregnant for real I was excited to book a "real" babymoon. We decided on Hawaii for a few reasons. 1) It was the US. If something were to happen, our health insurance would be accepted. 2) Adam had never been to Hawaii 3) I wanted an active trip. I knew I wouldn't be laying by the pool sipping pina coladas on this trip so having other stuff to do was a must! <br />
<br />
We traveled to Kauai for 8 magnificent days and stayed at the <a href="http://www.koakea.com/">Koa Kea Resort and Spa</a> (which we LOVED!). We have decided we are definitely the boutique hotel type of people as all of our favorite hotels have been boutique style. <br />
<br />
Highs:<br />
<br />
- First and foremost, getting 8 uninterrupted days with each other. Adam and I really love traveling together and getting a break from the real world was needed.<br />
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<br />
- The food. I mean, I am pregnant so this was obvs a high. We had a lot of good meals & ice cream daily.<br />
- Our hotel. The service was the best I have experienced maybe ever. <br />
- Sporting my bump. People are just really nice to you when you are pregnant. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oswNtkp-Fdc/Uv6YdtyQxQI/AAAAAAAABpU/M2NkshG9Zl0/s1600/1921065_10101479493305521_161596474_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oswNtkp-Fdc/Uv6YdtyQxQI/AAAAAAAABpU/M2NkshG9Zl0/s1600/1921065_10101479493305521_161596474_o.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
- The Na Pali Coast. Unbelievable. We must go back and hike much further.<br />
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- Getting warm sun when it was snowy and freezing back in Denver<br />
- Our original rental car was a Town & Country minivan (apparently we are already getting profiled) that was light blue. We named it Sparkles. And it wasn't near as nice as this picture below. Ours was leaking fluid and the check engine light was on. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pyaj3FdpKgM/Uv6W5qrDpGI/AAAAAAAABoo/rMVRVbMAuos/s1600/car.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pyaj3FdpKgM/Uv6W5qrDpGI/AAAAAAAABoo/rMVRVbMAuos/s1600/car.jpg" height="162" width="320" /></a></div>
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Lows:<br />
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- Adam got a stomach bug the 2nd day we were there and spent the majority of the day in the room, while I had an epic pool day and got fried:)<br />
- Rain. The weather wasn't perfect and complaining about the rain in Hawaii isn't really something to complain about, but we could have done with slightly less rain. <br />
- Honestly, I am starting to get comments about how big I am. Not to be a loser, but when you are asked if you are 8 months pregnant or if you are having twins it kinda makes you feel like a COW.<br />
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And some faves...<br />
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We literally were hiking to a random beach and stumbled across this sign. Of course, I was actually freaked out. </div>
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The fruit in Hawaii is delicious. Tangelos are my new favorite fruit. </div>
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Saw lots of these beauties! </div>
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Surfers everywhere.</div>
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I still think my most favorite place so far is St. John, but Kauai is a very very very close 2nd!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Brag time: Adam was published in Men's Fitness today! Very exciting! <a href="http://www.mensfitness.com/training/pro-tips/the-one-hour-per-week-that-can-change-everything">One hour per week that can change everything</a>)</span></div>
Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06418915758852702155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484189972253044710.post-8440435292910149792014-02-04T16:37:00.005-07:002014-02-04T16:37:53.737-07:006 months pregnant! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I am 26 weeks pregnant, which is 6 1/2 months pregnant if there are 4 weeks per month.... but only just about 6 months if I am actually counting the months. Which is it? Lets just say I am ready to meet this baby!! <div>
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Overall, my pregnancy has been pretty good. I was never that sick, things seems to be on track but I am definitely not that girl that LOVES to be pregnant. I think all the waiting I had to do to actually get pregnant really made me anxious for the actual baby.... so I could skip pregnancy and be completely OK with that! I hate to say I have complaints because I am not complaining but if I had to narrow it down to the 2 most unenjoyable parts of my pregnancy here they are: </div>
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* Braxton Hicks. Holy moly.... all the time, non stop recently. </div>
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* Early in pregnancy (maybe around 16 weeks) I was working out and felt a small pop in my abdomen muscles. My very top right one. I know I either pulled it or potentially tore it. Not a big issue but since I am growing like crazy it won't heal and just keeps getting worse and worse. To the point where I am super nervous to see how my last 14 weeks go with it. I have nightmares that my muscles are tearing apart inside of me and I can't even touch the area because it feels so bruised. There is really nothing I can do about it either. </div>
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On a happier note: this baby moves ALL of the time. Enough to where it will wake me up in the middle of the night which I kind of love. I felt him at exactly 19 weeks, 3 days at about 10 in the morning and I will never forget the moment. And thank you thank you thank you Amy Landers for the doppler. I love listening to his little heart beat! </div>
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I went back through my early pregnancy pictures and thought I would share some good ones! </div>
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Transfer Day!!! Do I look pregnant yet? </div>
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Our Embryos. One took- one didn't make it Ready to be knocked up! </div>
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LOTS OF SELFIES! </div>
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Right around 12 weeks</div>
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17 weeks</div>
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18 weeks</div>
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20 weeks. When I went from no bump to a definite bump! </div>
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22 1/2 weeks</div>
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25 weeks!</div>
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And the baby!!!!! (had to post this... practicing on my new OBaby app)</div>
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I kind of went from 0 to 60 on the bump meter. Enough to be asked by a Doctor in the grocery store if I was 8 months pregnant. And someone else to ask if it was twins!! Always makes a girl feel awesome... :) </div>
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Babymoon update is coming next! Fourteen weeks left... I can do it, I can do it. </div>
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Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06418915758852702155noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484189972253044710.post-27815364901296649222013-12-23T22:21:00.000-07:002013-12-23T22:21:56.484-07:00It's a BOY!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Yesterday was SO SO SO fun. I knew we wanted to do something more exciting than have an ultrasound tech say "it's a boy/girl" so we decided to involve our families in the surprise. You can read about that <a href="http://theadamandemilyshow.blogspot.com/2013/12/he-or-she.html">HERE</a>. It was better than I imagined! <br />
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My mom hosted our families and a few close friends. We had a "pregnancy buffet" with typical things that pregnant women crave (including pickles, ice cream, ice chips and more!), played a game and ended the the party with the actual reveal. <br />
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And onto the main event!<br />
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To say we are excited is an understatement. I was SO surprised. I come from all girls, so even though I had been feeling "boy" all week, I just figured it would be another girl in the family. We just feel so blessed that this is actually happening to us. Every stage of this process has been so incredible. We don't have a single boy name picked out (of course, we had 3 girl names we liked!) so bring on the suggestions!!! May can't come soon enough- we are READY! Twenty weeks to go....<br />
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Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06418915758852702155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484189972253044710.post-12015648184605178742013-12-18T09:15:00.001-07:002013-12-18T09:15:50.732-07:00He or She?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This week was our 19-week ultrasound/gender scan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was so excited to get to the doctor I could
barely get anything done at the office. <o:p></o:p></div>
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In true Emily (or I should say Otto) fashion, it didn’t go
quite as planned but was still amazing! <o:p></o:p></div>
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About 5 minutes into the ultrasound I started feeling super
sick. Like pass out/puke sick. The tech was so sweet and promised me it has
happened before – sometimes when you are pregnant, laying on your back can do
that since the weight of your uterus can press down on your aorta, limiting the
blood flow back to your brain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
about 5 minutes I started to feel better and we got back to the scan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until it happened again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ha.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Needless to say, it took us awhile to get through the entire scan
without me puking and/or passing out on the table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quite embarrassing. But it was amazing to see
the growth since our last ultrasound and confirm that something is still in
there (I still haven’t felt any definite movement).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I say this is typical of Ottos because
my mom, my sister and I have a history of passing out periodically… Adam is used to my episodes by now. <o:p></o:p></div>
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So what are we having?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Well, we still don’t know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Tech wrote it in a card and sealed it up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I put the card in the mail to my mom’s best friend back in KC and they
are throwing us a gender reveal party on Sunday with our families.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gotta add some suspense!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been thinking it is a girl this whole
time, until yesterday morning I woke up feeling boy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we shall see! <o:p></o:p></div>
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How cute is this hand and foot? <o:p></o:p></div>
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An Adam or Emily profile? </div>
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And a 19 week selfie in the work bathroom before I headed to
the doctor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I really suck at taking cute bump pics. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--MOvaGDRUKE/UrHJmtGv_qI/AAAAAAAABlw/I_VB-hjaUt4/s1600/IMG_0311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="386" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--MOvaGDRUKE/UrHJmtGv_qI/AAAAAAAABlw/I_VB-hjaUt4/s400/IMG_0311.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Four more days until the reveal- I CAN'T WAIT! </span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
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Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06418915758852702155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484189972253044710.post-84828138087016729262013-12-11T17:30:00.000-07:002013-12-11T17:30:05.280-07:00Hey Blog... long time since I have seen you. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I'm not sure if I have any followers left... so if you happen to stumble across this blog post- just know that this post has been a work in progress for months. It was really hard to put this all into words with the right tone. Here goes nothing!<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Disclaimer: </i>There is A LOT of information below. Some people may think it is <i>too</i> much information. Just quickly scan when it gets really boring :)<br />
<br />
I'm pregnant!! Lets just cut to the chase. Every time I say those words- out loud and public I can't help but feel overjoyed and a little apprehensive at the same time. You see, getting pregnant was REALLY hard. And there is a side of me that doesn't want to put on this fake-happy "yay we are pregnant" show without people knowing what our story <i>actually</i> looked like because it was filled with a lot of tears, stress, financial stress, and hopelessness at times. People post their perfect lives on social media (myself included) but my life isn't perfect. So here goes nothing. <br />
<br />
When Adam and I got married in 2009, we knew we wanted kids, not right away of course... but we definitely didn't NOT want them enough to ever really prevent it from happening.... we "sort of" prevented. In November, 2011 I thought I was pregnant. I was 4 days "late" and just had a feeling. I had actually never taken a pregnancy test in my life so with shakey fingers I did my first at-home test. When it came back negative, we were both a little shocked and bummed. Surprisingly really bummed. We decided then that we were definitely more than ready to start trying for real. I remember thinking how it was so crazy to think that by the Holidays 2012 we would have a baby or at the very least, I would be pregnant. We were both young, healthy, take really good care of ourselves. Poster children for fertility. <br />
<br />
We then tried and tried and tried and every month got the same result. Negative, negative, negative. By month 7 & 8 we were getting frustrated and I set up a regroup with my OBGYN. She, of course, thought there were no issues and that we just needed to give it more time. She also reminded us that only 50% of couples get pregnant in the first 6 months of trying and we were obviously in the second half of that. Another month came and went and we talked her into letting us do some preliminary testing. When the results came back- my blood work looked great. Adam's collection (I'll keep it PG) looked good- but not "perfect". There was 1 attribute they tested for that he came back 1% off.... which really wasn't a big deal. Since we had been trying for 10 months at this point, reluctantly my OBGYN went ahead and referred us to a fertility specialist. I think she wanted to stop dealing me more than anything.<br />
<br />
Adam and I first met with Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine (CCRM) in November 2012. CCRM is the best in the country so we knew we were in good hands and very thankful that we lived in Colorado! People fly in from everywhere, including internationally, to get help from CCRM. I definitely think this is one reason why God led us to Colorado in the first place. <br />
<br />
The next 6 weeks or so we underwent testing and more testing. By this time, we were in 2013 and finally had a chance to regroup with our doctor. At our meeting, I found out I had cysts in both ovaries and severe endometriosis. So severe that one of my tubes was completely blocked and the other looked to be open, but they weren't quite sure. Basically, I needed surgery. They needed to clear out as much of the endometriosis, remove the cysts from my ovaries and see if there was any hope for my tubes. To say we were shocked was an understatement. I hate getting my blood taken. The very last thing I was expecting to hear were the words "surgery". Surgery was then set for March.<br />
<br />
Remember that amazing trip you may have seen pictures of us in St. John? Well, funny enough- that was our babymoon. Yep. Lets just say I was "so sure" I would be pregnant by Feb. 2013 that I booked a babymoon. So we went on our "babymoon" with no baby-to-be. It was still a much needed trip. But behind all of our smiles was a lot of stress. Lets just say we weren't looking forward to coming home to our everyday lives. <br />
<br />
There were three parts to my surgery:<br />
1) remove the cysts from both of my ovaries<br />
2) exploratory: check out my tubes (how did they look, are they salvagable, etc), how bad was my endometriosis, etc. We were 99% sure I would be coming out of surgery with no right tube, as my previous testing showed major blockage which is pretty much impossible to remove. We had hope for my left!!<br />
3) lazer off as much of the endo as possible from other areas<br />
<br />
Waking up from surgery first of all was the most painful experience of my life. I can't even describe the emotions and feeling when I came to. While I was waking up, I heard two doctors discussing me and heard the words "IVF". Needing IVF was "worst case" for me because that meant both of my tubes had to be permanently closed off. <br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>(Many people have asked my my tubes were blocked off during surgery. Basically since they were so swollen, my chance for ectopic pregnancy (tubal pregnancy) was really high. Secondly, since they were almost closed, they hadn't been able to sufficiently drain for years. This means, all of the fluid and gunk stuck in there was super toxic. If i ever got pregnant, it would be bad news if toxic liquid was dripping back into my uterus). </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Lets recap: I have no tubes anymore. I am telling you this because many people have said things like "maybe you can get pregnant naturally on the next round". Ummm no. I can't.<br />
<br />
Meeting with Dr. Brown after surgery brought another surprise. My IVF process would be unlike most of the people you know that do IVF. Since my endometrosis was so bad, she wanted me to do an IVF cycle but freeze everything. I then would be on medication called Lupron that puts you into menopause. Stopping my cycle completely would allow my endometriosis to heal some before the actual transfer of the embryos. <br />
<br />
Not familiar with IVF? Here is a crash course. A women is put on medication that stimulate her egg production. Instead of producing one mature egg like you do in a real monthly cycle, the medication allows you to produce LOTS of mature eggs. Right before you ovulate, you go into a simple surgery where you are put under, a needle is put up through your vagina and into your ovaries. They suck out as many of the eggs that they can get. While this is happening, your partner is doing his part in another area. After your eggs are out and semen is collected- they put them together one of two ways. The first is the traditional way where they leave an egg overnight in a petre dish with 50-100,000 sperm. You can assume there is a great chance of that egg getting fertilized. The second way is the "high tech" way where a single sperm is injected directly into an egg. This is called ICSI. Once the eggs have been fertilized, you wait. The embryos start to grow day by day. Some die off or "arrest" as they call it. The ideal situation is to have some left over at least by day 3 but even better if they make it to day 5. Most IVFers go in either on day 3 or 5 to get them transferred back into their uterus. On day 5 is when my batch of embryos were frozen.<br />
<br />
So where are we? Oh yes, I have frozen embryos and I am now in medically induced menopause- truly. Hot flashes, night sweats, the whole shabang. It actually really sucked but it gave us the whole summer to let loose. Not worry about getting pregnant and just relax for once and prepare for our transfer scheduled for Aug. 26th. <br />
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Oh August 26th. I will NEVER forget Aug. 26th. It had been a looming "finish line" date in our heads for months! The transfer was the most simple, painless, quick procedure. An embryologist comes in the room with our little baby embies (we transferred 2), the doc sucks them up into a straw and basically shoots them into your uterus. Then you wait for 9 days to take a pregnancy test. <br />
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Waiting is the underlining theme to our whole story. I had waited for months to get to this point so actually 9 days was a piece of cake. <br />
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September 3rd was the date of my pregnancy test. Just like anything, it didn't go as smoothly as planned (I had woken up to some spotting that really freaked me out). My test was at 7:30am and I didn't get the call with my results until 4:30pm- it was a VERY stressful day but it ended with the happiest news of all- I was "very" pregnant (which is how the nurse worded it). <br />
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Today I am 18 weeks, 1 day. I still can't believe it. I cry frequently out of pure happiness..... just can't wait to meet this baby in May!!!<br />
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Lastly, If anyone reading this is going through something similar- please don't hesitate to reach out. I had a great support group that consisted of a few other "IVFers" - they were life savers! <br />
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That's my story,<br />
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Emily<br />
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Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06418915758852702155noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484189972253044710.post-35731361635798520912012-10-10T22:36:00.001-06:002012-10-10T22:38:58.300-06:00That just happened<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Sorry for my brief hiatus folks :) About 2 weeks ago I sat down on a Friday afternoon at work and wrote a blog post, uploaded pictures, double checked it for typoes and hit "publish". I decided to check the blog just to make sure it posted correctly and the formatting looked OK. I was SHOCKED because someone had changed by blog background!! As I sat there and stared at the blog it started sinking in 1....2....3.... SH*T! I just posted my personal blog post to my company's internal blog... no one changed your blog background idiot. In a panic I logged back in and hit delete as quick as possible. Then I Skyped the person who runs our blog:<br />
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me: "hey! I accidentally just posted my personal blog to the internal blog. I just deleted it but wanted to let you know in case you get an alert! :)" <br />
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Pedro: "the alert goes out to Denise (VP of Sales), Jim (our CEO) and Michael (General Counsel)" <br />
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Me: "I am going to jump off a bridge now"<br />
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Pedro: "dying of laughter"<br />
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I jump from my desk and run over to Pedro, reiterating the fact that I am going to jump of a bridge because I just posted my blog "My new roomies" to our companies blog. Obviously embarrassing. <br />
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So the long of the short- this happened. But luckily we figured out the alerts runs every 15 mins. So we waited a good 15 mins- no alert went out- thank goodness I deleted it within 15 seconds of posting it.<br />
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So now we are here and I would have loved for you to actually read my amazing post that was deleted in a hurry.... so here is the summary.<br />
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We have new roommates!! Georgia (who owns CrossFit Lodo and has become a great friend) and her 2 lb teacup Chihuahua, Mike, now rent out our basement. Our basement in the meantime has gotten a little facelift. New paint, carpet and closet. Pics of them to come. <br />
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We still have another guest room so don't hesitate to come visit :) Cheers!<br />
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Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06418915758852702155noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484189972253044710.post-84254502418265463752012-09-19T20:31:00.000-06:002012-09-19T20:31:01.682-06:00My Best Friend's Wedding<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Last weekend one of my very best friends got married. Allison and Mikey's wedding weekend was amazing- almost a trip back in time to when I was in high school (hanging with the girls, catching up on life, laying out on my parent's deck). At one point I was thinking how if KC was like that all the time I would consider moving back.<br />
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The rehearsal dinner was at Boulevard Brewery. The ceremony was at Holy Spirit. The reception was at Drexel Hall. It was all perfect. Allison was THE MOST beautiful bride. I am so thankful that Allison has been in my life for the past 13 years. Mikey and Alli couldn't be more perfect for each other.<br />
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Emily, Sam & I</div>
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Being silly... </div>
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Bridal Luncheon</div>
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Before... </div>
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After!</div>
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And there are about 1 million other pictures on Facebook! Happy Wednesday!<br />
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Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06418915758852702155noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484189972253044710.post-37463186718239564682012-09-12T16:05:00.003-06:002012-09-12T16:05:54.765-06:00Project "Get Fit" <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Tyson got fat. Its not really any ones fault considering he was literally immobile for about 6-8 weeks after his surgery. On top of that, he was on a lot of pain killers which decreased his apetite which led to us feeding him treats, home cooked meals, etc. so he would actually eat. <br />
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Lets just say the vet was not too excited when we took him in this week. <br />
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Tyson before surgery: about 65 lbs<br />
Tyson today: 80.4lbs<br />
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OOPS!<br />
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Tyson is now on a 'get fit' plan. Daily walks and runs no. matter. what. Adam has done the best job of waking up really early the past few weeks in order to take Tyson running. I am more of the weekend trainer. <br />
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Showing off his amazing balancing skills</div>
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Hi mom! I'm having fun. </div>
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Chillin with Mike (more on our new roommates later...). Excuse the blurr. </div>
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Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06418915758852702155noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484189972253044710.post-81766845895269589392012-09-05T10:56:00.001-06:002012-09-05T11:01:24.117-06:00Love <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I am obsessed with weddings. Which means I am equally excited about engagements considering that is step 1 to getting married. So when Nick Paradise told us his engagement plans for Labor Day weekend it was hard to contain myself for the next two weeks! Not to mention that Nick and Maddie where staying with us the TWO nights before the proposal happened... talk about having to check myself every time I spoke!!<br />
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The Date: Friday, August 31<br />
The Place: Frisco, CO<br />
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Nick and Maddie had planned to be up in Frisco for Labor Day weekend. The plan that Maddie knew was that Adam and I were going to join them after work on Friday to stay for the weekend. What REALLY happened is that Nick had invited their families and friends from all over to come surprise Maddie after he proposed on Friday night.<br />
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So with about 15 friends and families waiting (hiding) patiently up at Saphire Point in Frisco, Nick got down on bended knee and asked Maddie to marry him. The pictures probably tell it best. <br />
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The View</div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Beginning</span> to propose</div>
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Surprise!</div>
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Ok, now lets actually put the ring on :) </div>
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Cheers!! </div>
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The group! Minus a few... </div>
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(and, yes, she saw Adam there... Nick had told Maddie this is where they were meeting up with us... when he started to propose it began with "I am really glad Adam is here to document this special moment..." )<br />
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After the proposal, Nick then surprised Maddie with the mountain house he had rented for everyone for the weekend. Yes, folks, not only did he pull off an amazing proposal, but he made sure everyone that came was well taken care of with a place to stay + food + beer. <br />
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The rest of the weekend went something like this: drinking, eating, staying up WAY too late, repeat. Hiking, recovering.<br />
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Congrats to Nick and Maddie! So glad we could be a part of it!<br />
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Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06418915758852702155noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484189972253044710.post-9338633165316851122012-08-29T16:20:00.000-06:002012-08-29T16:20:05.458-06:00Back on the blogging train!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Yes folks, believe it or not I am going to get back on the blogging train. Remember when I was so funny and interesting? Ya- me neither... but I loved being able to document parts of my life. Then things got crazy busy and I took on way too much responsibility. I finally hit a breaking point this month. I am going to make changes and start blogging again, decorating, going to happy hours and spending more time with friends. <br />
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First up, a weekend recap. I LOVED last weekend. We hung out with 4 other people the entire weekend. <a href="http://themannsworld.wordpress.com/2012/08/29/now-entering-his-29th-year/">Phillip and Nikki Mann</a> and Adam and Jamie Smith (yes Nikki, I just jacked all of your pics from your blog- don't hate me). I love these people. Although Adam and I are not related like the four of them, we like to think we are!! This family is the shizzz. (And to clarify- only Phillip and Jamie are related *cousins* not ALL of them are related to each other. That would be weird.)<br />
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It was this guy's bday weekend: <br />
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So we did a little pub crawl adventure on Friday. Adam and I may or may not have shacked at the Smiths (and I did the walk of shame in heels and skirt to the car the next morning).<br />
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We had planned to get out of town to go hike and camp by 9/10 am on Saturday morning. Well... about 2 pm we pulled out of town. Six hungover adults trying to pack for a camping trip = delays galore. <br />
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Now- lets see if I can keep this blogging thing up. No more excuses :)<br />
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Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06418915758852702155noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484189972253044710.post-14367161703612425552012-07-20T09:35:00.000-06:002012-07-20T11:27:32.078-06:00Our Russian Adventure 2012<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
My sister is awesome. I have been so many places I would probably never go all because of her. In high school, Kayley traveled during her summers to go on mission trips. She has been to Jamaica several times, South Africa, Alaska, studied abroad in Japan and most recently- decided to work at a Russian orphanage.<br />
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When Kayley decided to go to St. Petersburg my overly generous Uncle Greg called to say that he would pay for our trip over to Russia if we wanted to go with. Obviously we couldn't say no :) So a few weeks ago we drove to KC to get on a flight from KC to Detroit, Detroit to Paris and Paris to St. Petersburg Russia. </div>
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St. Petersburg is amazing. Very surprising... beautiful, HUGE buildings that completely out-do any America architecture. It was so fun to hang out with my sisters for a solid week, explore another country with Adam and experience what it is like to see Greg in a country where vodka is king. Honestly, getting good pictures of the buildings was a challenge because they are HUGE. </div>
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Before we get to the pictures, here is what I learned/experienced in Russia:</div>
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- People don't smile there. When you are out of a hospitality setting, people literally do not smile. Russians smile when they care or sincerely like someone. Therefore, they think Americans are "shallow" and look stupid because we all walk around smiling at people we dont know. This also stems from when it was a communist country and people tried to stay to them self and not draw any attention their way. </div>
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- We experienced "white nights". St. Petersburg is on the same latitude line as Anchorage, Alaska and for a few weeks every summer- the sun barely sets. Pretty surreal. Sun down about 1:30am and up at about 3am. </div>
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- Russia is SUPER expensive. There are more billionaires that live in Moscow than any other city in the world. There is extreme rich and extreme poor. Every car on the street was a Mercedes, Porche, BMW, etc.... even the taxi's in some cases. Eating out, drinking, shopping, touring = lots of money spent. Think of NYC, Paris and London prices on everything. On top of that, Foreigners are typically charged more than Russian civilians for almost everything. </div>
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- Hardly anyone speaks English. I thought getting around in Japan was easier than Russia. We walked away learning THREE words. Da (yes) Niet (no) and Spaseeba (Thank you). Their language is SO challenging to pick up. </div>
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There was your Russia quick lesson... now onto the pictures! </div>
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"White Nights" At the top of The W, about 11:30pm</div>
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St. Isaac's Cathedral </div>
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This is a real bear... drinking OJ out of a bottle.... it was a thirsty bear- we couldn't get a good pic</div>
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Remember the story of Anastasia? This is her family.... </div>
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The Church on Spilled Blood</div>
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The Heritage- Second to the Louvre in Paris</div>
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</div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06418915758852702155noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484189972253044710.post-16515807453990059912012-06-18T12:45:00.004-06:002012-06-18T12:45:59.851-06:00So Behind!I am so behind on gift giving. For all of you out there who have had wedding showers, bachelorette parties, weddings, baby showers, babies, birthdays, anniversaries, etc., etc. I know I owe you a gift (or several!?!?!) and I am thinking about you guys all the time. I really miss everyone and being at these huge life events. If I were rich, I would be at ALL of them. This whole "I commute two hours a day and have two jobs thing..." really limits my free time and therefore, my shopping and gift giving time!! <br />
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I PROMISE you will get something from me in the mail sooner than later. Thats the goal!!<br />
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Speaking of being busy, I was watching this man all weekend.... <br />
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So proud!Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06418915758852702155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484189972253044710.post-28414210646758090262012-05-30T20:38:00.002-06:002012-05-30T20:38:11.239-06:005 yearsFive years ago from this past Saturday (May 26th), Adam's best friend Jordan Mann passed away in his sleep. <br />
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Adam has been wanting another tattoo for a long time. Something in remembrance of Jordan. We actually went to a tattoo parlor in Costa Rica, but LUCKILY it was too sketch. I had been trying to talk him out of it all day. Adam had some friends in town this weekend, so on Saturday they took the plunge- 2 out of 4 got a Jordan tattoo of some sort. Although I am not a huge fan of tattoos (especially those on my husband) I do have to admit that this one is kinda cool.<br />
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This was taken right after it got finished and, yes, this is Jordan's actual signature which is pretty neat. <br />
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I am still getting used to it but I guess I have a tatted up husband now....Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06418915758852702155noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484189972253044710.post-73632763356918521002012-05-30T20:14:00.002-06:002012-05-30T20:14:29.550-06:00Nikki and Phillip get hitchedFollowing the crazy bachelorette parties, Nikki and Phil's wedding came next! I have ever said out loud how much I love short engagements?! Nikki and Phil got engaged last November and after 6 very short months, they tied the knot. Which is good for me. Because I LOVE weddings and sometimes waiting for them is hard. :)<br />
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Adam and I were blessed to both be a part of their big day. And guess what? They had us walk together down the aisle, which made things kinda extra fun. <br />
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Their event took place at Milldale Farms. They ended up renting out the entire space which means the entire weekend happened there. The rehearsal dinner was followed by a slumber party in the main house and then the wedding and reception the next day. It was awesome and super relaxed!<br />
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Nikki looked absolutely amazing. She wore a blusher while walking down the aisle (which is the first wedding I have been to where that happened) and it definitely added to the drama. Here are a very few pics! <br />
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It was an amazing wedding. The details were to die for. Mason Jars, summer brew, wooden signs, etc. etc. etc. You should stalk her facebook profile since I obviously didn't take pictures :)<br />
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Rehearsal Dinner</div>
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Getting Ready :) Oh yea... </div>
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She's ugly</div>
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Pre- Wedding fun</div>
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You are married!!! Mr. and Mrs. Mann</div>
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LOVE YOU MANN'S! </div>
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<br />Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06418915758852702155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484189972253044710.post-65553236366096131442012-05-06T21:58:00.002-06:002012-05-06T21:58:26.557-06:0027 going on 21While a lot of my friends are pregnant and having babies, I have recently taken the opposite approach....<br />
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I am in a few different weddings this year and this month has ended up being packed full of bachelorette parties showers and weddings (we have THREE weddings next weekend!!). And as old and un-fun as I can feel sometime, the bachelorette parties have been a good way to realize that I haven't lost "it". I can still drink, do shots, dance and stay up to the wee hours of the mornings. Oh ya..... :)<br />
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First up this month was Nikki's bachelorette party. Let me tell you, it was SO FUN. It was out here in CO and started with night #1 at their family cabin in Evergreen. We were in our PJ's by 9pm drank lots of wine, had an amazing meal cooked by her sister, played games and had lots of great/hilarious conversations with her college friends (which are the sweetest and funniest group of girls). The day time consisted of wine tasting alll day long and night #2 was in downtown Denver. Margs, Cowboy Lounge, 70's- it was a blast!! I can't wait for the wedding this weekend. Love this couple so so much. <br />
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Then this past weekend was one of my oldest best friend's showers and bachelorette party. Allison Day and I been best friends since high school. It was so fun to spend quality time with my favorite friends from Olathe East. Sam and Emily both came in from San Fransico and New York (me from Denver) and it was just like old times. I have to say Allison's lingerie party was one of my favorites.... P&L didn't disappoint either. I am pretty sure I thought I was a really good dancer this night... haha.<br />
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LOVE THESE GIRLS! Sam kept saying "I am so happy" that night. We all were- good to be back together.<br />
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I am so blessed to have such great friends from my different phases in life. I am home for three days and then back in KC on Thursday! My body hates me...Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06418915758852702155noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484189972253044710.post-56689741135907662512012-04-22T18:34:00.001-06:002012-04-22T18:34:18.993-06:00BetterOur green kitchen needed a new color. This is one of those paint jobs that we have never really liked. I thought I could be fun and a little out there and tie it all together with my amazing decor ideas.... well, that never happened so today our kitchen went from this:<br />
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To this: </div>
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Progress.</div>
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So there is a lot of gray right here. I might be painting the buffet, but at the very least, we need some bright-ish artwork. Disregard the clutter in the living room. </div>
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These are lilacs from our yard.... and I.am.obsessed. They smell delicious!</div>
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<br />Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06418915758852702155noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484189972253044710.post-82250928338316777552012-04-11T10:23:00.006-06:002012-04-11T10:53:55.963-06:00Happy Home<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; text-align: left; ">Even though last weekend was pretty stressful with the whole Tyson situation, we still managed to turn it into a pretty descent Easter weekend. We visited Tyson a bunch, worked out, went to church and did some gardening! Planting flowers definitely turns your house into a happy house. As Adam said "Don't tell anyone, but gardening is kind of fun."</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; text-align: left; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; text-align: left; ">Here are some before's and afters of the WHOLE yard!</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">PS: This is my first "gardening" experience so lets just say that I am happy with my choices, but I would change it up next time. You can't even see the hot pink flowers in the front.... oh well. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">Before:</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-in7JN0jC9Nk/T4Wzo0uyXsI/AAAAAAAABSc/UhK9fMilmNw/s1600/photo%2B%252819%2529.jpg"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-in7JN0jC9Nk/T4Wzo0uyXsI/AAAAAAAABSc/UhK9fMilmNw/s400/photo%2B%252819%2529.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730183614829846210" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a>After! </div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CLI-fyLyuKw/T4WzovF5lPI/AAAAAAAABSQ/atoP70RwEnY/s1600/photo%2B%252818%2529.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CLI-fyLyuKw/T4WzovF5lPI/AAAAAAAABSQ/atoP70RwEnY/s400/photo%2B%252818%2529.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730183613316175090" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div><div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y12m_8l8is8/T4WzpTjG_qI/AAAAAAAABSk/eHWK7j11IOg/s400/photo%2B%252820%2529.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730183623102365346" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; ">Now lets talk about the backyard. See the fence to the right side of the porch? Here is walking into that gate (sorry for the shadows):</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7jFkT9yD39k/T4WzpwI0rMI/AAAAAAAABSw/SfIEq0RzDok/s1600/photo%2B%252821%2529.jpg"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7jFkT9yD39k/T4WzpwI0rMI/AAAAAAAABSw/SfIEq0RzDok/s400/photo%2B%252821%2529.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730183630776741058" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xOkPAu-IBOI/T4WzqCezIuI/AAAAAAAABTA/WZSx2oiTzV0/s1600/photo%2B%252822%2529.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xOkPAu-IBOI/T4WzqCezIuI/AAAAAAAABTA/WZSx2oiTzV0/s400/photo%2B%252822%2529.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730183635700753122" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F04hZM2lSTs/T4W0OApfpdI/AAAAAAAABTM/vEyiDQRbHHM/s1600/photo%2B%252823%2529.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F04hZM2lSTs/T4W0OApfpdI/AAAAAAAABTM/vEyiDQRbHHM/s400/photo%2B%252823%2529.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730184253684032978" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9hS2EZxWB6I/T4W1tkl7KmI/AAAAAAAABT8/-OJx0baOYo8/s400/photo%2B%252828%2529.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730185895420308066" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-family: Times; font-size: medium; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><br /></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cHy_H3X2-Cs/T4W0Oy8yt0I/AAAAAAAABTY/RjkrLwKSPTA/s1600/photo%2B%252825%2529.jpg" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size: 100%; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cHy_H3X2-Cs/T4W0Oy8yt0I/AAAAAAAABTY/RjkrLwKSPTA/s400/photo%2B%252825%2529.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730184267186747202" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><br />So the obvious elephant in the room (backyard) is our hand-me-down patio furniture. This is probably next on the list of things to buy. That is, after we recover from our astronomical vet bill.... </div><div><br /></div><div>*******<br /><br style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; "><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F04hZM2lSTs/T4W0OApfpdI/AAAAAAAABTM/vEyiDQRbHHM/s1600/photo%2B%252823%2529.jpg" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size: 100%; "></a><div style="text-align: left;">I have officially decided that my favorite flower is the Tulip. Check out the tulips in Boulder right now! This is my goal for next year.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jS1bKpZ8LWo/T4W0P3uAZFI/AAAAAAAABTw/YnVYijs5zgo/s1600/photo%2B%252827%2529.jpg" style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jS1bKpZ8LWo/T4W0P3uAZFI/AAAAAAAABTw/YnVYijs5zgo/s400/photo%2B%252827%2529.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730184285646775378" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VQkDYXmTpvs/T4W0PeHRbCI/AAAAAAAABTk/_xXYDXO8zv4/s1600/photo%2B%252826%2529.jpg" style="font-size: 16px; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VQkDYXmTpvs/T4W0PeHRbCI/AAAAAAAABTk/_xXYDXO8zv4/s400/photo%2B%252826%2529.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730184278773427234" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><br /></div><span ><span style="font-size: 100%;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xOkPAu-IBOI/T4WzqCezIuI/AAAAAAAABTA/WZSx2oiTzV0/s1600/photo%2B%252822%2529.jpg"></a></span></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">Tyson is home today and recovering (FINALLY). Happy Wednesday! </div><div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; "><br /></div></div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06418915758852702155noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5484189972253044710.post-25743045662125557132012-04-07T22:05:00.002-06:002012-04-07T22:56:49.292-06:00A Really Bad Day<span ><span style="font-size: 100%;">Friday morning we woke up to our alarms to get ready for work. First thing Adam said was "where is Tyson?". I thought about it and had no idea, but figured he was probably sleeping on the couch. Tyson has a doggie door and we sleep with the door open so he can get up and go outside whenever he wants (this is also because we are SUPER lazy) and sometimes he will come back in and just sleep the rest of the night on the couch. </span></span><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">We get up, call his name. He doesn't come running.... so I start to get worried and of course have some terrible thoughts run through my head (like is he dead some where in our house). Adam looks everywhere with no luck. The last place to look is our backyard. Adam goes outside and immediately starts running to our front gate. I see him put his hands over his face and I know this can't be good. Adam and his friends had been out for a few drinks the night before and had come back in through that gate (which we NEVER use). Someone didn't latch the door and therefore, it was open and Tyson was gone. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div><span ><span style="font-size: 100%;">At this point and I am not freaking out because Tyson always comes back. He has never been a dog that runs far from home. But we jump in the car to start strolling the streets. We </span>purposely<span style="font-size: 100%;"> left the gates to the fence open, so by chance he came back while we were out, he could get back in. First loop around the neighborhood was </span>unsuccessful<span style="font-size: 100%;"> so we split up. I took the car, Adam was on foot. I went to the local vets and started calling around, while Adam's focus was walking the neighborhood again. By 8am or so, I was feeling less hopeful. </span></span></div><div><span ><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span >At this point in the game, we had been looking for him for close to 2 hours. I was past the freaking out moment and Adam was barely holding it together. Adam went to Kinkos to make some "missing dog" signs and I tried to get creative. I placed "missing dog" ads on Craigslist, filed a lost dog report with the City of Denver and started searching through our files looking for his microchip information. The catch to this whole situation is Tyson was not wearing his collar. When we figured this out, we were devastated. He ALWAYS has a collar on and this was a one-off chance where he wasn't wearing it. This means that he could be anywhere and no one would know where he lived or who he was. Which is why I started searching endlessly on the internet to figure out how to update his microchip. I knew it had some of our information on it, but I couldn't remember what number was on it or what address it had. In the midst of this, I ended up registering him on PetLink.com. If the microchip didn't have our correct info, then at the very least I could register our current info with PetLink so if someone did a search on the microchip, maybe it would link back to us?!? </span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >Its about 10-10:30am at this point. Adam is back home and we were brain storming of any other search options we hadn't already exhausted. Finally, Adam's phone rings and it is the City of Denver. All they say is "we think we have your dog- he was hit by a car and is at the vet right now." They couldn't tell us if he was dead or alive or what vet he was at. They said we had to go to the City of Denver's Animal Shelter first to pay some fines blah blah blah because he wasn't wearing a collar and Animal Control had picked him up. We jump in the car and were on the way to the Animal Shelter (20 mins away) when the phone rings again. It was the City again and this time they say that the report did say he was hit from behind and was at the vet on East Alameda St. This was semi-relieving because this gave us some hope (hit from behind is better than getting hit in the front-right?!). I found the vet's number (thank God for smart phones) and was put on hold for about 5 mins then FINALLY was put through to the Doctor.</span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >First thing I asked before she started talking was is he dead or alive? Dr. Long let us know he was alive and stable (good news!!!!!!! The BEST news!!!!!) The bad news is he was hit by a car and his back-right femur was broken in half and would need surgery. The two options for surgery were to 1) place a rod and screws in his leg or 2) amputate it. Of course we were going to go with option 1, considering she thought he would make a full recovery with the rod. </span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >We got done with the City of Denver Animal Shelter, we headed to the vet to hopefully talk to the Dr. and pay the deposit for surgery. Once we got to the vet, there was no holding it together (emotionally) poor poor Tyson was there and was so pathetic/confused/injured/scared. It was so great to see him (he actually looked better than you would think), but it was SO hard to see him like that. The Dr. showed us his xrays (terrible) and let us know the plan of action. One of the hard parts for me with this story, is his surgery got bumped to Monday. Since he was at the emergency vet, the life-threatening surgeries are priority and since this happened on Friday and Ty was stable, he got bumped to Monday. This means this whole weekend he has to tough it out to get to surgery. This KILLS me. </span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >Friday was honestly one of the worst days of my life. Tyson is like our child. He is our family. He brings us so much joy. He is our one-main responsibility and Adam and I can't help but feel responsible for the situation. Ty goes into surgery on Monday and should make a full recovery in about 8 weeks. We are so thankful he is going to be ok. He has visiting hours this weekend and although it is really hard seeing him, it has been great to be able to check in with him and make sure he is still alive and kickin. </span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >Moral of the story?! If you ever take your collar of your dog for some reason, put it back on ASAP. Is your dog microchipped? If not, get it done. This is how Ty was matched back with us. Remember how I had registered his ID# on PetLink? Well, I am pretty sure this was the piece of the puzzle that linked him back to us. The vet had scanned him and saw he was registered to an Emily Griffin and I had registered that lost dog report with the City of Denver. Thank God he was microchipped or I am not sure if we would have found him. </span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >Thank you for all of the calls/texts/emails. It has been a stressful few days and we are just SO thankful Tyson is alive and will be coming home this week. We still need some prayers for his surgery on Monday, as it is a pretty intense surgery. Recovery will start on Tuesday and the doctor says in about 8 weeks he should be his normal self. </span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >We love Tyson SO much. We are just so blessed that he is going to be Ok. If we would have lost him, we don't know what we would have done. </span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span >I hope everyone has a great Easter weekend! Thanks again for every one who has checked in on him. Love you all!! </span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div><span ><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06418915758852702155noreply@blogger.com3