Maddie

I can't not explain the feeling that came over me when I read about this little girl Maddie, who I've been reading her mom's blog for awhile now. I haven't been over to check out the blog lately, and when I did I read some of the most heart touching and amazing posts from a hurting mom.

Kellie and James lost their little girl while she was at the baby-sitters. Kellie and James were both and work. It makes you wonder and think about a lot of what-ifs...However, Maddie went to be an Angel without being scared! She is now in heaven watching over her mom and dad and helping them through their hard times.

I couldn't imagine what it feels like to loose a child who you've known for 4 months. When we had our miscarriage and we'd only known we were pregnant for a few short weeks I thought that was the end of the world. Actually holding, kissing, playing with that little baby and then they're gone is unthinkable for me.

Please keep this family in your thoughts and prayers. My heart goes out to them. If you'd like to read their story you can find it here at www.kandjstaats.blogspot.com Kellie (the mom) does an amazing job sharing her and her husbands journey through what has been the worst time of their lives.

Seeing the good in something bad!!

So, today was my HSG procedure. I was super nervous because I knew it was going to be painful, and I know 800mg of Ibuprofen only goes so far for pain! I got into the procedure room and since they decided to do my procedure in Harlan there were about 8people in the room. I was the first of this procedure to be done in Harlan in about 6 years so they were wanting people to learn what to do for it.

Once he got the catheter and the camera up into my fallopian tubes (it does sound uncomfortable and trust me it was!!!) He showed me on the screen that the fallopian tubes were 100% blocked. And at that moment I started crying because what he was doing hurt so bad, and also because FINALLY I know why we're not getting pregnant when I'm ovulating every month! Even though having blocked fallopian tubes isn't a good thing, it is an answer. And at that moment my doctor flushed my tubes with this dye, and used extra fluid to flush them clean! And then he he showed me that now when he flushes the dye you can see it flowing through very nicely. And we're DONE!

We ended the procedure by him telling me I have a beautiful uterus. (good to know :)) And he also told me to spend the entire weekend with my husband and "Have Fun"! I'll let you use your imagination! So here is to fingers crossed...if not this month hopefully the next!

I was getting so discouraged with our journey of trying to conceive. After this procedure even though it was so painful, I have a whole new look on it. All the days I've pouted and cried about why...why can't I just be pregnant. I have an answer. There was no way to get pregnant when the things your body needs in order to conceive can't meet up with eachother...totally makes sense. I'm done being a negative Nancy about the situation and am greatful that we got some answers today!

Thank you so much for all the prayers!

Ugh...

The title of my blog is honestly how I feel about my fertility doctor!! Yesterday Brent and I spent the ENTIRE afternoon sitting in a waiting room with no one giving us answers why it was taking so long. I was supposed to have a hysterosalpingoraphy (HSG) procedure done at 2pm yesterday. We were to arrive at 1pm to have some blood work done before they'd get started. No big deal, we left our house around noon to give us plenty of time to get to Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs. Got right in for the blood work, like clock work they came for me around 1:45 to get me changed into hospital scrubs and to wait for my doctor to come in for the procedure......

Now, its 2:45 and we're still just sitting there waiting and no one has come to talk to us. FINALLY around 3 the nurse comes in and says Dr. Sotolongo had an emergency surgery he'll be over in about 15 minutes. OK, no big deal those things happen....3:30 comes around and still NO doctor, and no one is telling us what is taking so long.....They come back around 4 to inform me he just went in for a second surgery...Yep, my attitude was GONE...I was completely annoyed, why would he schedule my procedure the day he is the on-call OB doctor? Makes no sense to me.

We finally told the nurse that we're going to re-schedule this was ridiculous...not ridiculous that the emergency surgeries had to take place, that is not what I mean, when I say ridiculous I mean because NO one was communicating with us!

Thank you Metro OB/GYN for wasting my 1 day off during the week. I understand my procedure wasn't a "priority" to them...but it sure was to Brent and I. This is another step in our journey of becoming parents. And it is not covered by insurance and will cost us around $2500.

So, we have it re-scheduled for Friday....Now, I have to use PTO which I'm trying very hard not to use any PTO for anything because my work doesn't offer paid maternity leave so I'll be using my PTO, thank goodness we can carry over our PTO from the previous year, I have about 160 hours saved up...but I guess using it for this procedure will be worth it. I just hope we don't have another day like we did Tuesday!!!!

On a good note from yesterday, I had my second weigh in for weight watchers and I am down 5 pounds! I am super excited. I have a recipe I will be posting on here later this week!

Weight Watchers

Yesterday I celebrated my 25th birthday by joining weight watchers. I am very excited about this program and I know its one I can stick to long term. I have been browsing the website for recipe ideas. I will try to share a new recipe every week. I will also keep you updated on my WW progress!!!

Happy Birthday Brent!

Today is my best friends 27th Birthday! We have been together 5½ years and married a little over 1½ years. I couldn't ask for a better husband! We have been through so much in the last year and I thank the Lord I have such a strong and amazing person to go through everything with! I LOVE YOU BRENT!!!





Hope everyone has a wonderful Valentine's Day!

Maybe Wrigley isn't Dumb!

Ok, so I've always wondered how "smart" Wrigley was. The reason why I wondered was because he kept digging in our mulch after being scolded MANY times! However, Brent wanted to see if he could learn how to shake. It took 3 seperate tries to teach Wrigley how to shake! (Full credit to Brent). First night he just wanted the biscuit. 2nd night he did it if he knew you had a biscuit in your hand. 3rd night he did it just because he knew to do it without smelling the biscuit. Here is a video of Wrigley "shaking" for Brent!

Correction

So, Brent read the blog post about him!! However, I stated that Brent is reffing and he is a ref. He informed me he is an official and he officates. Referee is a position with the football "Officials"! Just wanted to clear that up!!!

Reffing and a Surprise Party

Brent has spent many of his afternoons and evenings reffing wrestling. He does middle school, JV, and some varsity. This being his first year he doesn't do much varsity but will probably be doing a lot more next season.

Brent also just signed on to do varsity football this fall with a crew from Avoca. His cousin Kyle is one of the refs, so he should have a good time. Brent was a sub for them last fall and did a few JV games with them. This fall (2011) he'll be gone every single Friday night! That will be an adjustment for me, but its only for a few weeks!

Here are a few pictures of Brent reffing a varsity meet in Avoca.

January 28th was my best friend Amanda's 25th birthday! Her husband contacted me about a week before her birthday saying he was going to put together a surprise party in Iowa City for Amanda. We of course made it work with our schedule!

We decided to drive to Washington that morning and spent some time with my grandparents. We had lunch with them and Jaron was able to be there too. Then my grandma and I went shopping on the square and she showed me the hospital gift shop. I wish Harlan had cute shops like Washington does.

However, talking to Amanda on the phone multiple times during the planning process wasn't such an easy process. Amanda knew something was up, but she had no idea that we were coming.

Her husband Troy planned the perfect evening for her friends and family. We ate supper at 3 Samurai. That is a fun restaurant and GREAT food. After supper we headed downtown Iowa City!! And to end our night a 1am stop at Pancheros never hurt anyone. (Until the next morning) :)

Here is a picture of Amanda cracking an egg over the spatula. She of course got in on the first try

I think some egg shell went into the rice. No big deal, Amanda fished it out!!!

Brandi (Amanda's sister-in-law) and me enjoying supper!

The adorable Birthday girl and her charming husband Troy posing with our crazy chef!

Hope everyone had a great weekend and enjoys watching the Super Bowl tonight! I am super excited for the commercials.