A long awaited thank you

We visited my NaPro doctor on Friday (left) and our Creighton instructor (right).  The visit seemed surreal.  I went to many previous appointments feeling frustrated with the IF journey but knowing my health was in good hands.  This time, we sat in the doctor's office with our baby girl.  With a girl who played with his stethoscope.  With a much different perspective than before.  With a familiarity with HCG shots, which have been added to my medications again (separate post forthcoming).

Our doctor and Creighton instructor walked with us the entire 3.5 years of IF.  They played a vital role in our baby coming into this world, for which we are forever grateful.  I feel more in tune with my health thanks to them.  As we left his office, my doctor said, "You are no longer patients, but fellow soldiers in this fight."

So true.  And now this photo, which I never fathomed would happen, will now appear in KB's baby book.

Quick Takes Friday

1.  Mother Nature corrected the unseasonably warm weather earlier this week: as I type this post, flakes are falling.  At least we have a Ma.tt Mahe.r concert tomorrow night to keep the cold away.  His music is absolutely amazing. :)

2.  Some KB (who will turn 15 months tomorrow) milestones: imitating!  She can drink out of an empty coffee cup (gee, where did she learn that?), rub her hands (as if with sanitizer), brush/comb hair, and mimic words.

3.  The HHS mandate for Catholic institutions has been in the news this week.  I think cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan succinctly explains in a WSJ editorial why this is such a big deal to Catholics.

4. In reference to #4, I am a non-partisan voter.  Always have been.  Several of my friends and family who work for the church could lose their health insurance if the mandate goes into law. The mere idea of the government imposing its will on a religious group and its tenants scares me.  So the issue is not about partisan politics or whether or not people agree with the Church's teachings; it's about religious freedom.

5.  Soapbox over. Now that KB is one, a new chapter will begin in the coming year.  I think More Like Mary, More Like Me really hit the nail on the head about wanting more children but also afraid of what that can hold, and knowing things will get wishy washy!  Truly, I hope to post more about the matter when not confined to the boundaries of KB's nap time.

6.  I have an appointment with our NaPro doctor next Friday to discuss our quest to TTC for #2.  Two very strange cycles have emerged the past couple months that are disconcerting, so some questions need to be answered.  Oh Lord, here we go again.  Help us to keep walking though fears assail us!

To end this post on a funny note, here is one of my favorite You.Tube videos of all time.  Relax and enjoy a hilarious take on the classical symphony!

3 Things I am Grateful for Today

Today, I am so grateful for:

1.  A 48-degree day in February, with sunshine to boot!

2.  The lovely ladies, especially my mom, who posted on my blog giveaway. :)

3.   Hebrews' insightful post hits the nail on the head: more people seem to come out in support of pregnancy rather than infertility.  In my particular case, once I talked about IF more frequently, more support came my way.  However, that is rather atypical.

4.  MIRACLES.  Congrats to All Things and my BLOOD TEST BUDDY.  Some of you readers from  my early adventures may recall Blood Test Buddy, who has been TTC for almost 6 years.  She is 10 weeks pg!  She's the one that accompanied me during my harrowing blood test panel. Praise God for giving the gift of Life to these women!

Blogoversary Giveaway!

Friends, lurkers, and countrymen! On January 18th, my blog turned 3 years old.  Wow, time has really flown!  I'm so grateful to have discovered such kind friends in my IF journey and beyond.  There are more deep thoughts to share, but let's get on to the important matter: a giveaway!

To celebrate my blog's small milestone, I am giving away TWO beautiful flowers courtesy of my friend Wendy's handiwork, Ruby Handmade.  She kindly provided both handmade flowers.  And should you want something custom made, just say so in your comment and I will pass your info along to her.

This flower (about the size of my fist) is a pin, but she can also add a hair clip if you ask for it.  The flower adds a pop of color to shirts, sweaters, and handbags. :)

This little flower is a barrette.  The small size works in adults' hair (like a subtle splash of color) or could also work in a child's hair.  I think KB could even sport it too.

SO, if you wish to enter the contest, please leave a comment AND a favorite quote.  Silly, serious, religious, whatever, just keep it clean.  On Friday I will randomly pick two winners and mail them the flowers.

Again, many thanks to all of you for walking with me the past 3 years!

Quick Takes Friday: Favorite Things Edition

Chasing Joy penned a fun post about her favorite things, so I've decided to follow suit.  My upper respiratory infection from last week returned as a sinus infection this week, so my head has been a bit cloudy for forming coherent thoughts.  Here's a run down of some of my current favorite books & items. :)

1.  The Keuri.g coffee maker.  My hubby gave this to me for Christmas and I've used it almost daily.  The coffee maker brews coffee in a flash and also dispenses hot water.  It's nice to have a quick mug without having to brew a pot or go to st.arbucks (gasp!)

  2.  Along with my current coffee love affair, I've fallen in love with Bailey's Irish Cream Creamer.  Great for hot chocolate too.  It's like having Irish Coffee in the morning sans alcohol. :)

3.  The Kin.dle.  I've mentioned it before, but the portable nature of the electronic book has made reading easier.  A one-year-old little girl can easily tear pages of a real book or take a bookmark.  But the Ki.ndle holds my place and I like switching back and forth between books.  The only problem is that KB likes to pilfer my Kin.dle too!  I can't keep her away from technology.






4.  The Catholicism Project & Word on Fire.  Fr. Robert Barron recently debut the Catholicism Series, which I look forward to viewing. My husband gave me Fr. Robert's companion book to the series, also called Catholicism.  Whoa.  Very deep but rich reading.  Great insights and a mix of history and theology.  Fr. Barron's Word on Fire blog is also very informative and covers a variety of subjects.  He also has several YouTube videos where he addresses multiple topics.

5.  The Words With Friends ap.  Very addictive and fun to play ongoing games with my family on the other side of the country. :)

6.  Pinterest.  Oh wow, I have become addicted to that website.  Maybe one day I'll actually craft, bake, or cook the many items on my pin boards.

7.  I've grown to love the Organizing Made Fun blog, as there is now an ongoing quest for organization in our house.  The author also has a page of fun and useful printables. 

In other news to save for next week:

The SHE IF support group will turn 3 tomorrow!
My blogoversary was a while ago, so that means it's time for a cupcake. :)

Have a fun weekend!

Valentine's Day Card

Here's the card I made for my hubby on Valentine's Day.  :)  Shutterfly rocks!

5x7 Folded Card

View the entire collection of cards.

Wordless Wednesday/ Thought for Thursday

Little curls.  I never get tired of looking at them.

Also, I loved Stra.wberry Short.cake as a kid.  She's come back into the toy scene but with an updated look (way to make me feel old!).  Upon seeing t-shirt at Ol.d Nav.y, I had to buy it for KB for old times sake.

Thought for Thursday:

Don't imagine that, if you had a great deal of time, you would spend more of it in prayer. Get rid of that idea; it is no hindrance to prayer to spend your time well.

-St. Teresa of Avila