The Sinykin Site

From Infertility to Ethan - Part 2

2011-05-01T14:36:00.000-07:00

Take two?

Ethan is 3 ½ - so everyone wants to know when we are going to have more kids. Yeah, I would like to know also. While it was never very likely that we would conceive without intervention – we have been trying for over 2 years. We have not used any preventative measures since Ethan was about a year old. Well – obviously no luck. So, we are at a crossroads of what to do next. Only child? Back to the fertility dr? Adoption? And let me tell you – everyone has an opinion ;0)

Only child- not my favorite option. I would love for Ethan to have a little sibling. I don’t “feel” that our family is complete. That being said – I would be fine if it was just the 3 of us. We have a good thing going.

Fertility dr - Yes, it worked the first time. However - That is no guarantee that it would work again – or so quickly. Insurance does not cover most of this expense – and it is EXPENSIVE. (Each “round” of the drugs alone was about $800 and that is the European price – not the cost of buying it in the US. ) As I said, we were lucky and got pregnant on the second month – many people do not. Also – there is the chance of high order multiples. (Think John and Kate Plus 8)

Adoption – I am adopted so I always said that I wanted to adopt a child. I have zero doubt about loving or having our family love an adopted child just as they would a biological one. However, money is a real issue – adoption ranges from $15,000 to $30,000 or more). And…there is also no guarantee that we would place with a child. So……

I get so tired of people telling me that a child would be “worth any amount of money”. Yeah, I get that – that is really not the issue. We just don’t have that kind of money lying around. Yes, there are loans out there and some grants – but we would not qualify for many of them because we do already have one child. It hurts my heart when people think that we have not started either process because we don’t want to spend the money – right now it is just about figuring out how we are going to get the money. Most people don’t have to choose between a retirement account and starting a family. We don’t know what path we are going to take. We are weighing options, talking, researching and PRAYING. Yes, we are 34 (and 33) – but we still have time – we are not that old!

Venting and thinking. (AKA My two cents)

Infertility sucks. If you have not dealt with it – you don’t get it. Period. Just like I don’t understand things I have not gone through – you don’t either. Being told that your basic “lady” parts don’t work right sucks. I would like a refund of the years of condoms and birth control pills!!! Drugs and shots and tests and hormones and all of that sucks. Don’t tell me that you had to try for “x” months before you got pregnant. You got pregnant didn’t you?

Infertility is hard on a marriage. Finding a way to pay for it is hard (many people get 2nd or 3rd mortgages, deplete savings, cash out IRAs etc. to pay for this) Having to make love at a certain time takes the spontaneity out of your life – ‘cause you have to do it even if you are not in the mood, or if you are sick, or if you are mad at the other person …you don’t want to “waste” that money or that months worth of drugs. There are hormones (ok, that was me) and blame and wondering. I am lucky – Jason never once said anything that was not 100% supportive…he never outwardly blamed me. Maybe he did in his head – but that never was spoken. I am lucky – our marriage is stronger now. This showed me what an amazing man I married and what we can handle. (He got up at 6:30 every morning to give me my shot ;0)) He kept track of my apts. So he could be there, he knew what drugs I was on etc. It mad us have hard conversations that we may not have had if we would have gotten pregnant right away, on our own. He was truly my partner in the experience and I believe that made us better.

I (still) have to bit my tongue when people CONSTANTLY complain about being pregnant – you know what ? I would give anything to be in that position. I still get jealous when people around me get pregnant. Esp. those “fertile myrtle” types who don’t even have to try! I hate it when people ask me if we are going to have more – b/c then I have to spell out the whole story for them. Then I have to hear how worth it it is. Yes, I know that. Trust me, I do. I get mad a God sometimes. I get mad at my uterus sometimes. And, some days I am glad I only have one boy running around. Do I want to go back to work full time in order to save money to pay for this – I don’t know. Do we want to adopt? Do we want to go back to the dr? I just don’t know. We have had some great conversations about it lately – but I still don’t know.

I believe that God has/knows the plan. I believe that all things happen for a reason and in the perfect timing for God’s plan. I would not take back our experience for anything. I am glad I had the experience of being pregnant - It was perfect. If we have another member of our family someday – that will happen in it’s perfect way also. I just have to remember that. It is about our journey – not anyone else’s.

From Infertility to Ethan....part 1

2011-04-21T14:34:00.001-07:00

Many of you know our story – but some of you don’t. Some of you care and some of you don’t – and I am ok with that ;0) This is the story of how Ethan got here and what is next.

This post stems from reading an article that a friend sent me about infertility and how people deal with it. It really hit me hard – because I know first hand how it feels to deal with infertility. (and because everyone wants to know if we are having more kids)

http://www.self.com/health/2010/08/breaking-the-silence-on-infertility?currentPage=1

The story of Ethan:

Way before Jason and I got married – we started talking about kids – how many we wanted, when we wanted to start a family etc. That normal conversation that couples have when they start talking about the future.. I always had the “feeling” that getting pregnant might not be easy for me – don’t ask why – just one of those things. So we talked about the possibility of adopting – I have always said I wanted to adopt a child. ( IF you don’t know already, I am adopted.) I wanted to make sure that he was ok with that.

When we got married – we were 24 and 25 – and we wanted to wait a while and “be married” before we had kids. So we did. We hung out together, we worked, traveled, Jason finished college , I finished my graduate degree and we built our little life. I am SOOO glad we did that! Then – around my 27th b-day we decided that we wanted to start our family. So….we started trying….and trying….and trying. After a few months I went to my GYN and she said – “Oh, just keep trying”. No luck. Every month when I got my period – I felt like a failure. Women are supposed to get pregnant – that is just how it is! Seems like a lot of people do it when they don’t even want to! Anytime I was tired or didn’t feel well – I would pray it meant that I was pregnant. Everyone told me – “Oh, just don’t stress out and it will happen”. Well guess what, it didn’t. And – everyone else was getting pregnant – all of our friends. Everywhere I looked there were pregnant ladies. There were times I would cry every time I saw a pregnant women – or heard someone complaining about being pregnant. Don’t get me wrong – I was so happy and excited for our friends – but there is also envy and anger that comes along when others have something you want so badly.

So after almost 2 years of trying my doctor suggested I go to see a fertility specialist – they call themselves “reproductive endocrinologists”. (She also suggested we try 3 rounds of Chlomid – so we did that also – yeah, that was not so much fun. I felt foggy all the time! Didn’t work anyway! ) So, after doing some research , we settled on a doctor and off I went. For some reason, Jason could not make it to my first appointment - I was terrified, depressed and just sad to have to be there. However, the doctor (and his staff) were great. He was reassuring and confident that he would be able to figure out our issues and did not speak down to me. So, lots of tests and blood work later – we found out that we did, in fact, have fertility issues. Now there were things to talk about and decisions to be made. We finally decided to go ahead and give the fertility treatments a try for a few months to see what happened. The next few months would turn out to be some of the most difficult of our marriage “so far”, but also some of the best – but more on that later. After 2 rounds of treatment – I got pregnant! I was very luck – many people have to try much longer. After the first trimester - My pregnancy was pretty normal – a few issues here and there but nothing major. Then, on Dec. 22, 2007 our son was born. Our lives would never be the same in the most wonderful and amazing way.

The story of Ethan – part 2…

I am pretty sure most of you don’t want the details about our issues - so the “light” version is that I have “distressed mucous” - so (simplified) – the sperm just were not getting where they needed to go. Also – Jason’s swimmers are slightly on the slow side – though that itself would not cause an issue. How did we figure this out you ask? Tests, lots and lots of tests. But, once we knew what was wrong – we could move forward. Our first “step” was to try medication and IUI (Intrauterine Insemination). The first month – I was on quite a cocktail of medication – but none of the “heavy duty” fertility meds. This process is all about timing – and when I went in it was “time” to start the meds and we did not have time to get the other ones. Then next weeks were a blur of meds, doctors visits, and Ovulation testing. Once I had a positive ovulation test – off to the dr. I went for the procedure. Then we had to wait….2 weeks….seriously??? Anyway, the test was negative…did not work. We were devastated.

The article talked about how these couples were hiding their treatments from their families because they did not want anyone else emotionally invested in the process. I kinda understand that – I made Jason call everyone and tell them it did not work. We were not going to have a baby. I just could not handle having to tell everyone that new. The article also talks about treatment not working being as sad as losing a loved one….while I am not sure about that. I was devastated. I will never forget sitting in Jason’s lap in our Lazy boy and just crying. Why didn’t it work? Why us? He was devastated also and would have done anything to make me feel better (looking back that would have been the perfect time to ask for a new car or a vacation ;0)) Anyway, we had to decide pretty quickly if we wanted to do this again the next month. After a LOT of discussion – we did.

This time included more medicine and all of the heavy fertility meds. (Getting these meds is another funny story I will have to tell you at a later time). Anyway, during this round I was on about 15 different meds ranging from baby aspirin and garlic to twice daily injections. I had to go to the Dr. every other day to check my “egg growth”. When I finally ovulated it was back to the dr. for another round of insemination. (It is funny, this time Jason and his sister were on the way to a memorial service – so I can always tell Ethan that his Aunty Pumpkin was in the waiting room when he was conceived) Another 2 week wait…..brutal. Then, finally, two weeks after the procedure I went for the blood test – and took the day off work to wait. Jason came home at noon so we would be together when we heard. While I will never have a story about taking a pregnancy test – I do have the story of the nurse calling us Mommy and Daddy Sinykin! POSITIVE!!!!

The “fun” was not over…for the first 3 months I was on Progesterone and heparin shots (2x a day) to make sure that little Ethan’s new home had plenty of hormones and blood flow to keep him happy! With the exception of some VERY early ultrasounds and a few minor issues at the end – the rest of my pregnancy was normal. We had our little Ethan .

I'm back....

2011-04-21T14:33:00.000-07:00

Hey there to the few of you that follow this blog ;0) The last few months have been a blur...but I am back (or I have good intentions). The next few blog posts are a little different than usual ;0)

Summer on the Sun

2010-07-07T14:31:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I posted - for those of you that follow this - we have been pretty busy.

It is nice and hot here in Az - so we have been doing lots of indoor things! There are only so many "inside" things to do - but we are trying to be creative. And, of course- we swim a lot!!

Ethan is growing like a week - I can't believe that he is 2 1/2 years old!!! He is such a little man. It amazes me how much he talks and the sentences he comes up with - also how much he understands and remembers from what we say. He also loves to sing and make up his own little songs- it is just toooo cute. Our biggest challenge is still eating - I miss that little baby who would eat anything. The kid has got to be sick of chicken nuggets and mac and cheese by now! Oh well - he eats lots of fruit.

I hope that you are all having a wonderful summer! I know that we are!!

Looking at the construction workers in the street.Ethan and Baxter and the D-backs gameEthan and Tyler are the bounce place

Riding the train at Chandler mallJason, Ethan and Miss Jen at the ADA Walk at the zoo

Ethan and Mommy

Viva Las Vegas!

2010-04-25T13:27:00.000-07:00

Even though Jason and I were just there in Jan. We were back in Vegas last weekend for my wonderful sister-in-law's (Jill) 40th birthday!

Jason and Jill drove up on Wed. to spend the night with thier dad - then Robyn (other sis-in-law) and I flew up on Thursday morning - EARLY!!! Some other friends met up with us later that day!

After they picked us up at the airport - we went to Denny's (on the strip) for some food - starving! And -Jill had a piece of birthday cake at 9 am ;0) OH well... We stopped by Larry's (Jason, Jill and Robyn's Dad) office to say Hi.

Robyn, Jill, Larry and Jason

Then we headed to the outlet malls for some shopping! Jason was a trooper and seemed to really enjoy helping us shoe shop! Oh yeah - and Jill was rocking her birthday "outfit".

Once the shopping was done - it was off to the Hotel to check in and have a little rest before we went out for the night. We had to make it visit to the "Las Vegas Sign" and then drove down to the M Hotel and Casino - it is way off the strip - but worth the drive. We had a wonderful dinner at ??? . It is on the top of the hotel and has a great view looking back at the strip - however the pics did not turn out at all ;0(

Part of our dinner...the Mac and Cheese was to die for!!

After dinner we headed to the Imperial Palace for the "Diva's Las Vegas" Show - it is a female impersonator show, definatly adult - but still lots of fun.

Friday was the "big day". Once we were up and moving, we hit the strip for a while

Fun at M & M World

All the ladies

Yummy "lunch" at New York New York

Then, after another round of naps - we were off for our night on the town. We started at the Outback for Dinner - and Jill's amazing cake (made by a friend of ours who works at the Aria)

Then off to dance the night away at "Tryst" night club at the Wynn.

Cool falls over the lake at the club

The dance floor

Nuff said

It is fun to be married to a guy with long arms ;0)

We did not stay at the club long - just not our "scene" - so back to the hotel for Jello shots.....

It has been a long time since I saw 3 am...and it did not involve feeding an infant!

Whew - sorry - this is the longest blog ever ;0) On Sat (or Recovery day for some)...a few of us ate breakfeast at Hash House a Go Go - lots of fun and huge portions!!

Chicken and Waffles

Me and my plate - that is a biscut with a sprig of Rosemary in it...

The rest of the day was just hanging out and shopping - then Sunday - the dreaded drive home...next time - I am flying both ways ;0)

Anyway - we had a blast and Jill had a wonderful birthday trip!!!

In other news...

2010-03-12T07:56:00.000-08:00

So, what else has been going on? We are keeping busy! School is going great - though I am ready for spring break! Jason is busy at work also - but that is better than bored!

Ethan is doing really good - he has his "2-year old" moments for sure - but they are few and not that bad! (So I say now) He loves music, playing with his drums, golf clubs and doing puzzles. He is talking up a storm!!! He is very independent and likes to do (or at least try) things himself!

Riding with Dad!

Waiting in line....

Wanna play 1 on 1???

Jason thinks it looks like he is playing hackey sac....really - just dancing in the sand ;0)

Oh yeah - I am cute.

He loves sand...so talked Daddy into a sand vollyball game!

Other exciting news? My good friend Megan was in town for a few days from Oklahoma. We had a blast. We spend quite a while at Scottsdale Mall (drooling) and even got to catch a Suns game - in the suite (Thanks Diney). Anyways - here is Ethan loving on Auntie Megan - but not posing for pics.

But...was all about story time!

I was looking back through some old pics and decided to post a couple from the past two Marches...what a differance 2 years makes...Love ya little Monkey Man!

March 08

March 09

Zoo People

2010-03-12T07:44:00.000-08:00

Ok - so Jason and I are zoo people - always have been. When we go somewhere new - we check out the zoo. So - naturally - We take Ethan to the zoo - often. Usually we go at least once a week - maybe twice if we go with Jason on the weekend....so here are a few pics of Ethan playing around at the zoo!

Driving the Tractor

He loves to ride the camel - this one is "Dale"

He also likes to feed the giraffes with Daddy -

Another new favorite - the petting zoo

We have really been taking advanatage of the nice weather - because we know that 110 is just around the corner!!!

Mark your calendar and set your DVR

2010-03-01T14:02:00.000-08:00

Some of you may remember that Jason and I took a trip to Vegas in January. You may also remember that we went to a couple of tapings of "Lets Make a Deal" while we were there. Sadly - we did not get chosen to make a deal with Wayne....but you will be able to catch us in the audience!! Just look for a farmer and her chicken!! Our shows air on March 4th and 5th. It is carried on CBS - you folks in Phoenix that is Ch 5 and it is on a 2. The rest of you check your local listings!!! The show was a lot of fun - hope you can catch it!!!

Some pics...now that the computer works!

2010-02-25T14:37:00.000-08:00

Ok - so I finally figured out the problem and was able to upload some new pics...so here you go!

Here are a couple from our VIP Elephan trip.

Me feeding the Elephant

Ethan's triumphant return to the train!

Playing in the sand....for you who don't live in AZ - notice the shorts!!

Climbing the ladder at the park - such a big guy!

They run the exact same way - so cute!

My boys were TIRED out!!

The Olympics made me do it...

2010-02-24T20:40:00.000-08:00

So, obviously - I am not so great at keeping up with my blog! Oh well! It has been busy around here the last couple of weeks! And, of course, they Olympics have been on - so we are up late every night - watching sports we don't really like! Right now - women's bob-sledding!

The semester is in full swing - and I like most of my students! Teaching Public Speaking at 8:15 am is much different than at 1:30 pm! I really enjoy my Learning Community and my teaching partner, Heather. It does keep me busy however!!
On the "health" front. My dad is doing great - getting back to his old self a little more every day! Bob (Jason’s step-dad) is home and doing amazing! There is no explanation for why he is recovering so well - but we will take it! The only one we still need to get well is my niece Heather who has been at Phoenix Children’s Hospital for the last week - so sending lots of prayers her way!
Ethan has been busy as always. After our bad experience with the hay ride around Halloween - he has not been interested in riding any trains etc. However, a couple of weeks ago - he decided he was over it - and has been on the train at Desert Breeze Park a few times and even rode a Camel at the Zoo with Jason! He is talking up a storm and sooo independent right now. "Ethan do it by his-self" is a statement I hear 100 times a day! While I have been loving the rain here - Ethan is going a little stir crazy - and ready for the ground to dry out so he can play!
One of the most exciting things going on the last month (for me at least) was getting the "behind the scenes" tour of the Elephants at the Zoo. A friend of a friend is an intern there - and she set it up for us. It was a great time and we got some great pics.
Oh yeah - why no pics? Something is "amiss" with our computer - so it will not let me upload pics. Hopefully I will get it figured out in the next day or so and post some new ones!

Momma needs some earplugs........

2010-02-02T13:37:00.000-08:00

I believe I have said before that my son is addicted to drumms. Everything is a drum or a set of drumsticks. He had gone through 2 sets of "kid" drums so far. For a while - we improvised. That would be a cookie tin, on top of his laundry basket - played with chopsticks....

However, this "band-aid" was only temporary. He wanted real drums. He went to the music store and played a real drum set. He told us he wanted "real" drums. So, after going back and forth about getting him a real snare drum - or something else.....Jason came home with the solution. My 2-year old son is now the prould owner of his very own Remo Tunable Drum Pad - and a set of "real" drum sticks.

He loves them. He playes them all the time. First think in the morning - he asks to play the drums. He puts them in a special palce at night. I am sure he would sleep with them if I would let him!

1, 2, 3, 4..........

So - in my next house - I will need to have a soundproof room, because I think these drums are here to stay! Really, I am ok with that - he can do whatever he wants! However, I may need to stock up on some advil and buy some good earplugs. I know how thoes drummers are :)

Practicing his best rock star grin....

Running the "turn table" with Tutu.....

Outside of drumming, he also loves Mickey, playing outside and running around. I swear the kid does not stop - I get tired just looking at him! He is doing great - going through a little phase right now where he is pretty whiney if he does not get his way - but I think that goes hand in hand with being 2! We are so lucky -he is such a great little boy and the light of our lives!

In other news - today Jason and I are celebrating our 8 year wedding anniversary. I can't believe it has been 8 years - time sure flies! We have had quite an adventure so far - and I am truely looking forward to whatever comes next!

Sunrise in Las Vegas

2010-01-19T14:25:00.000-08:00

Jason and I spent last weekend in Las Vegas - it was a Christmas, Jason's birthday, Anniversary trip - and we had a blast. I had not been to Vegas in a few years - so it was nice to see what was "new".

Ethan wanted to go in Jason's Bag

Day 1.....

We got in Thursday night, got checked into our hotel (The Monte Carlo) and had a bit of time to kill before meeting his dad and step-mom for dinner. So, we went to the Coke store, the M & M store and the "Millenium Mall" - under Planet Hollywood. After killing a couple of hours (and loosing some money at BlackJack) - we had a great dinner with Sue and Larry! Since we had been up early that day - we hit the hay early as well. I told Jason if we went to bed that early again (before 11) that they would kick us out of Vegas ;0)

Jason and his birthday drink - Gingerbread Cookie Martini

Day 2...

Friday morning we got up and just hung out untill it was time to head to the Tropicana. We went to a taping of "Lets Make a Deal" - oh yes - it is back, hosted by Wayne Brady, and films at the Tropicana!! Since we don't make it to LA or NY much (where most shows are filmed) - we figured this would be a fun, new thing to do in Vegas! It was a blast!! Sadly, we did not get chosen to make a deal with Wayne - but we will be on TV for both of the episodes we taped...I will let you all know when they will air once we know! Look for the farmer in the big hat....and her chicken. Sadly - no pictures to post because we had to leave them in the hotel room - and Jason was not keen on getting back into the chicken!!! If you are in Vegas and have a day to spare - it was a lot of fun...a lot of sitting, waiting and sitting - but a fun thing to do - and hey - you might get picked!! I did find it funny that you had to go through more security for the taping then at the airport ;0) After our day of filming, we grabbed dinner and went out to the new hotel - The M....it is really pretty - but about 15 miles south of the strip! Jason had some luck with BlackJack there - and I won $5 plaing craps!!

Day 3...

We walked over to the new Aria hotel at City Center and walked around - it is really beautiful and modern! We ate at the pastry shop there - yummy- and then spent a little time looking at City Center - lots of great art...and thier own fire station!

"Boat" art by the Aria

Fire Station under walkway to Aria

I needed to check into my online class - and instead of paying $20 at the hotel to get onto my laptop...we went to Jason's dad's office and hung out for a bit. Then, we hit the outlet mall - oh yes there is one in Vegas!! After lunch and shopping - we went to the Wynn, Venition and the new Palazzo. All very nice - and we love to just walk around on the strip and people watch! We also went to the "Bodies" exhibit wich is at the Luxor. If you get the chance check in out in Vegas or the traveling exhibit. Very Cool!

In front of the lake at the Wynn

In the Bellagio Garden

Day 4.....

Sadly, time to hit the road for the LONG drive home. I swear the ride home from Vegas always seems longer than the drive there!

However, I was very glad to get home to my little monkey. Ethan spent the weekend with my folks and had a great time, I am told. They played lots, went potty on the potty chair, went to Costco and Ethan "helped" Tutu around the house also!! We are so lucky to have such great babysitters so close!!! And...so willing! I am sure Tutu slept good Sunday night!!!

Oh yes, why did I call this Sunrise in Vegas.....because 2 out of 3 mornings there...we saw the sunrise over the strip! And no...not because we were still up from the night before. Because, apparently, even on vacation we have lost the ability to sleep in. Ok - so Vegas is an hour behind Phoenix...but still....7 am - come on. Oh well, it was pretty to see the sun come up over the MGM......

One more "baby" step to toddler-hood

2010-01-09T20:42:00.001-08:00

I am very lucky for 2 reasons (ok- so I am very luck for many reasons - but these are the two I am talking about today)

1- I have been lucky enough to stay home with Ethan most of the time - so I have been able to witness most of his major milestones. First smile, first word, first food, etc.etc.etc.
2- Those that I have misses have been witnessed by either Jason or my mom (AKA Tutu) - and knowing they were there are just as good!

It is also important to note - that since having Ethan - I have become one of "those" moms, I get a little teary-eyed when things happen that mean he is "growing up". Not that I want him to stay a baby - but I can't believe how fast he is growing.

When he was 8 days old - his umbilical cord fell off - while I was in the shower - I cried. The first time he rolled from his back to his tummy - I was at work - so my mom called to tell me - I cried. You get the picture.

***Upcoming potty talk - so if you don't want to hear about it - stop reading***

Well, for the past few months - we have been talking about the Potty Chair. We let him pick out a potty chair - a cool green one from Ikea. (We got one for Tutu's house also). Now, we have used it as a hat, TV chair and bucket. However, he has been starting to "get it" - he tells us he is poopy or wet. When we go to the "potty" he comes in and sits on his chair. We even had a couple of close calls - "MOMMY, poopy in the potty" But - by the time we got in there and got his diaper off - we missed our time.
My mom - apparently - has the skill.
Last night, we dropped Ethan off with Tutu and Popy while Jason and I went for a quick dinner. Near the end of dinner - I got a call from my mom's house (now any of you with kids know that a phone call from the sitter while you are out is usually not good) - and it was my little boy telling me that he went poopy on the potty at Tutu's!!! Everyone at the restaurtant also heard me tell him how proud I was of him for going poopy on the potty!! ( Apparenty, After dinner - she noticed the "look" - and asked him if he wanted to use the potty - and he did! )
Now, I don't expect this to mean diapers are leaving soon - but we are moving in the right direction!!

However, now I have to step up my game. In the 45 min. between that call and when we got home...Tutu had already made a snazzy "Potty Chart" for the bathroom, put stickers on it, gave Ethan a sticker (and a bath) and had celebratory M & M's!!

So...another step for Ethan away from my "baby" to my "little boy".

And no.....we did not take any pictures of the "event!"

The Blog-wagon

2010-01-03T20:54:00.001-08:00

Well - since we are now in 2010- I thought it was time to jump on the bandwagon and start a blog.....since I know there are just tons of people waiting with bated breath to hear more about what is going on here ;0)
I make no promises of frequency - so we will see how it goes.

Ethan turned 2 on Dec. 22 - how can that be? Anyway, he had a great time at his "Cars Ethan's Birthday Party" - he talked about it for days! On his actual birthday - Santa came to visit at a good friends house - then we came home for more cake with Tutu, Poppy, Aunt Kerri and "soon to be " Uncle Bob.

Christmas was wonderful also - we are so truely blessed. Christmas Eve - we drove out to Jason's folks for dinner and presents - and to celebrate our niece Brooke's 16th b-day. Then, Christmas day - we opened the presents Santa left at our house - then to Tutu and Poppy's for more fun!

That is all for now...stay tuned ;)