Christmas 2009

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Christmas was a little different for us this year. I had no energy to put up and decorations or get anything ready. Christmas Eve was really fun - we were invited to the Manwill's for some yummy food and a wonderful BBQ'd turkey. Deep Fry and BBQ Turkey I think are my favorite ways to eat a turkey these days.

Christmas Morning - Yes this is a felt Christmas tree that we put our presents under:)

Bruce enjoying his Christmas Gifts. I was very proud of the bow on the package. I can't believe I still remember how to make pretty bows.

Oliver and his stocking. I hang the stockings early but Santa has to put the stuff in them. Poor Oliver he sits under his stocking everyday and wants to get it down so bad. He is always thrilled with his stuff.

All in all our last Christmas as just the three of us was perfect and I can't wait for next year when we get to celebrate Christmas with our two new little friends.

Ultrasound #1

Today was the first day of ultrasounds. I was nervous and excited all at the same time. I have had many friends who have had good results with blood work only to go in and find no heart beat. As we were waiting I was getting more and more nervous but Bruce was cool so it kept me calm.

As we were waiting for the doctor to come in, Bruce and I were having fun talking about whether it was one or two babies. I think we were both hoping that both embryo's took but again I was still nervous. As we went to find heartbeats - the doctor paused and said oh my - which my response was what are there four babies - he said no only two. As we heard the heart beats I could see the excitement on Bruce's face. Baby A strong heat beat of 135 and Baby B heart beat was 127. My friends who are nurses said 135 and above usually means girl and 134 and below means it is a boy. I wait wait to find out what they are:)

I am so grateful that this process has worked - however I could do without getting super strong abs from losing whatever is in my stomach on an hourly/daily basis...

IVF Cycle Two Results

So after enduring another round of IVF we found out that it worked:)

Home Pregnancy Test 11.23.09

On Monday November 30th - I went in for my first round of blood tests. I was scared because of what had happened last time. Shane our nurse at REACH called that afternoon and let me know that yes indeed I was pregnant with my HCG in at 770 - the normal was 50. This could be an indicator of twins but the only real way to find out was

with an ultrasound.

On December 3rd it was more blood work and the HCG level had gone up to 2,493 which could still indicate twins but no ultrasound yet.

December 7th Blood Test number three and my HCG was up to 9,433.

I was so excited to have made it through all my blood tests

to see this pregnancy taking and growing stronger and stronger.

On December 7th I had my first day of morning sickness. I had just finished teaching Krista Pilates and we were off to Costco to pick up a few things and I pulled the car over and learned very quickly how to miss me and the car with the yucky puke.

December 11th Krista brought two little boys into the world - Jonas Robert and Elliott Thomas - we went up the next day to visit and bring Krista some real food none of this hospital stuff:)

Jonas Robert (Left) Elliott Thomas (Right)

Thanksgiving

This year for Thanksgiving we got the chance to celebrate with friends. Krista who was 8 months pregnant hosted this at her home. The Jimenez Family was there complete with their new addition baby Eli, Krista & Matt, Kristen (Matt's sister), and then the Pritchett's. Thanksgiving is probably my favorite Holiday, no expectation on presents just yummy food and great family and friends. Matt & Phil deep fried a turkey - yes we live in the south. I made a brined turkey just in case something went wrong with the two engineers and a lawyers plan..

Thanks for hosting Faulkners!!!

Food is ready - let's eat:)

Angie's Mom - who was visiting from Canada, and me:)

Salad - I love a yummy salad with lots of goodies in it....

Bruce carving the brined turkey.....

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!!!

Happy Anniversary

This year our anniversary was #4. I can't believe it has been four year of marriage. I am grateful for Bruce and what he adds to my life. I truly am a better person because he is right next to me.

Here are our gifts to each other. I was at a youth stake fireside and the Stake President was talking about the paintball gun that is the best. As you know Bruce loves to play paintball. So here you go - Bruce got a new gun which he broke in right away and flowers for me.

It's a Dog's Life

Bruce and I always joke that we want to come back as Oliver in our next life. In the morning Bruce usually will take him out, and then Oliver will run back upstairs to catch some more sleep. More often than not, we find him upside down with his legs in the air, sleeping away. We just love this little guy!!!

IVF Cycle 2

Here we go again. We started our next cycle of IVF in October. In November it really kicked into high gear, and we did the transfer on November 17th. This time I wasn't afraid of the shots or the transfer. I am just afraid to hear the results of whether it worked or not. All looks good for now and we will know more on November 30th. Thanks for all of your prayers and support--I know that we have been blessed by them and I can't express all of gratitude I feel.

Calendar on the Fridge to help me track everything:

Thing 3 and Thing 4. We just can hope and pray that they take and turn into babies.....

Halloween 2009

This year we still had all the ghosts, goblins, fairies and more... here are some of my favorite shots from the neighborhood

..

Fall is here in the Queen City

I just love fall. To me it feels like a time to review what the year has been and think about all that has happened in our lives as the trees get ready for winter. Here is a tree in front of our house; its leaves are starting to turn. I hope next year we can get up to the mountains to see more fall foliage.

UT Trip

This past weekend we headed to UT for Bruce's ordination to becoming a High Priest. It was a jam packed weekend but we are so glad we went. We arrived on Friday Oct. 9th and checked into the Hotel, Bruce left to go to a Business Mtg. From there we headed to Bountiful to see my parents and extended family. After our visit with my family we headed to Nelson's Frozen Custard a must if you are in Bountiful. From there we headed to the Hendrix home. Finally we went to sleep at 1:00 Mtn. time. Sat. morning we woke up and were up and running - We went to Beto's to get my favorite Bfast Burrito and then down to Springville where Kent's parents live to see some homemade apple cider in action. After that Bruce and I headed to BYU so that I could see Shani and Theater Ballet. Bruce went to the bookstore which is always an interesting idea. From there we headed to Bruce's parents house for the Bruce's ordination to a High Priest. We were joined by so many friend and family - We are ever grateful that so many of our friends made the trip to Provo for this very special day. After the ordination, we headed to Brick Oven Pizza and got a chance to visit with the Pritchett family. Last stop was to Steve and Brooke's to see there Halloween Decorations. I wish I would have taken pics because Brooke did such a great job with everything. We miss our friends and family in UT and can't wait to head back in the spring:)

Hendrix Apple Orchard

Some of the apples that make the best Apple Cider you have ever tasted:)

The Boys hard at work. In the bucket is the pulp from all the apple leftovers.

Even the horses on the property like the apple cider process.

The Men at Bruce's Ordination

From (Left to Right: Rian Robison, Uncle Matt Asmus, Bruce Brown, Dad Swihart, Dad Pritchett, Todd Davis, Buddy Blakenfeld, Kent Hendrix - who you can't see is Daren Palmer of the Stake)

U-2 in Charlottesville, VA

So, as many of you know, I am a huge U2 fan. When I heard that they were doing a new tour I couldn't wait. I wasn't sure if they were coming to Charlotte or not, so when I heard that they were coming to Charlottesville, VA I decided that was close enough, and I bought tickets. Krista, Bruce and I headed up on Thursday. Yes, I made a U2-specific playlist for the road trip and made everyone listen only to U2 while we drove. Bruce had never been to one of their concerts before, so he had no idea what he was in for. After they finished playing, Bruce said it was the best concert he had ever been to :)

Ticket for the big event:

Bruce and I at the concert. (Yes, Bruce was hungry so he was eating something in this pic)

U2 Stage and Set (Rolling Stone called it the biggest concert ever, or something like that)

All lit up and ready to go!

Part of the set had this enormous, expanding TV screen. Here is the last shot I got of it.

Thanks, Bruce and Krista for indulging me in my favorite rock group!!!

Happy Birthday #32

Today I turned 32. It was a pretty low-key day as I felt like just relaxing with friends and family after the August we had. Bruce and I went to lunch after a Doctor's appt. to talk about where to go from here. It was a good appt. so I was really happy. We went to lunch at Brio - an Italian restaurant - and then it was off to Nordstrom for me to buy a new B-Day handbag and then to work. For dinner we got Sangam and watched TV - Like I said it was relaxing. Krista and Matt came over with a peach pound cake made by Krista herself.

Later that week Toni organized a luncheon with the girls from Church. It was nice to visit with everyone and catch-up on what is going on in all their lives. I am grateful to be surrounded by women that inspire me to be more charitable and better then who I am right now.

Thanks for all the Birthday wishes and I am excited to see what the new year will bring!

Cake from Krista - Can't you just taste it through the photo:)

Beautiful Flowers from Bruce!!

My new handbag and flowers from Kati!

Trial and Tribulation

After a ton of work and 20 days of intramuscular Progesterone injections (with a 22-gauge 

1 1/2 inch needle) we found out that the transfer on 8.5.09 did not work.  Here is a picture of the embryos on Day 5 (Wednesday, August 5) right before they put them into my body.  

What the next week was like: on Wednesday (8/5 and Thursday 8/6, I had to be on bed rest, lying flat on my back either on the sofa or in bed.  The girls came over and we watched a lot of my favorite girl movies and TV shows.  On Friday I was able to sit up and by Saturday I was able to move around but still had to take it easy.  The next week was a little better.  Monday and Tuesday  I spent my days being super productive at Krista's.  Wednesday was shopping and then I took a home pregnancy test and it came back pregnant. I was overjoyed and relived that I wouldn't have to go through this again.  I showed Bruce and we both 

were so happy.  That night Bruce and I went out for a special dinner at Dressler's to celebrate.  

The rest of the week was crazy.  Bruce was off with the scouts to the New River and I had the YW over for a sleepover.  However I think the only person who slept

 was me:)  By Sunday I was back on my feet and headed to church.

Then on Monday, I started spotting and cramping more than seemed normal.  Then while I was driving, I got a phone call from the doctor's office that my hCG levels were low.  They told me to prepare to miscarry by the end of the week.  I was devastated.  Broken and hurting.  The kind of loss I was feeling overcame me, almost to the point that I couldn't drive anymore.  I called Bruce and he hurried home to meet me.  I also called a few other friends (Nicole, Sherri, Krista, Laney) and they kept me driving on the road.  I didn't know where to go or how to feel.  I was trying to make it OK, but it wasn't.  I felt like my life had become a game of Candy Land and every time I got closer to the castle at the end of the trail, I got the gum drop and had to start all over again.  I didn't want to start all over again. I wanted so badly for this to work.  I wanted so much for Bruce and I to have a family.  I got home and Bruce was there for me and just held me while I sobbed.  Shortly after that, Krista and Sherri came over and stayed with me for several hours.  Lots of crying again.  Later that night Carrie came over and we just cried together.

Tuesday wasn't much better.  I still cried most of the day.  I'm so thankful that I was never alone all day.  Bruce was here for me in the morning, then Sheri M. came over and Bruce left, and when Sheri M. left in the middle of the afternoon, I went outside with Oliver and talked with Beth.  Then Nicky came over with Jefferson, and Heather stopped by with flowers just to make me feel better.  Bruce got back home right has Nicky was getting in her car.  With the help of friends I got myself to a place where I could ask for help.  I asked Bruce and Curtis to give me a priesthood blessing.  They did, and I am so grateful because I felt peace and knew that it wasn't just about me, and I wasn't alone any longer.  The alone feeling was something I prayed really hard to go away.  I wanted to feel supported and healed, and I did.

Slowly and surely Wednesday morning came and I started telling a few more people, Shani called and we talked and I felt myself talking about what I learned and how much I found that I was never alone.  By Wednesday night I was able to head to church and hang out with the girls and found myself laughing which was a surprise to me and thought wow I am laughing and it feels really good.  By Thursday I was done crying and ready to move forward.  I had my last shot with Paige in the morning and I was happy that I knew I wouldn't have to do that for a while! Thanks Paige for being willing to stick a 1 1/2 inch needle in my bottom every morning - What a friend.  I headed into the doc. and at 11:00 am got the phone call that it is confirmed which I already knew and as I was talking to the nurse I felt myself say OK what about next time. I am not going to give up on this dream.  Shots and all I think that it will work. Sheri M. gave me a quote that I really love and it states "There is no telling how many miles you will have to run while chasing a dream."  I really feel this is true on more levels then one but I am going to chase this dream.  

Thursday afternoon I went to the mall and got some new jeans which I have been putting off because I was saving for maternity clothes which I don't need right now but I think I will at some point.  That night we headed out to the movies with Teresa and Matthew and saw 500 days of summer!  It is  great movie.  It was so honest.  We were sitting there and Paige and Curtis walked in so it was even more fun.  What are the odds of going to the movies on a Thursday night and running into friends.  

It is now Friday morning and Bruce and I are heading to Isle of Palms to get away and just be together.  What a week it has been and I am so grateful for an amazing husband who supported me, cried with me, and keeps dreaming with me. I am grateful for wonderful friends who helped me, cried with me, prayed with me, and allowed me to feel everything I was feeling.  It has been a sad week but now I am filled with hope and a renewed sense of who I am and where I am going.  

Where we are now....

What a lucky girl!! Flowers, books, white chocolate popcorn, oh my...

photo by: Krista Faulkner

July 31st was a big day for the Pritchett family: I went in for the retrieval of the eggs from my ovaries.  We got to REACH at 10:30 for my 11:45 procedure.  At 10:45 they brought us back to the pre-op/post-op room and had me change into the standard hospital gown.  Then they tried to put the IV needle into my wrist, but they hit a nerve or something and a burning pain started shooting up my whole arm.  I was gripping the bed handrail with my other hand so tightly, trying not to cry out, that it turned white.  So they had to take it out and switch to a baby needle and put it into a vein on the top of my hand.  

At 11:45 we met the Doc that would do the retrieval procedure - Dr. Wing - one of the country's best in infertility.  He was on Good Morning America just a week or two before.  Then they walked me back into the surgery center and I laid down on the table and started talking about Pilates and how great it is and before I knew it the procedure was over and I was waking up. Bruce was awesome and was right next to me the whole time.  

After it was all over we headed for home where Krista met us with some yummy chicken noodle soup and a bouquet of flowers. Then a purple delivery truck showed up and dropped off another bouquet of flowers from Nicole and Nohel. Lastly Bruce came home from picking up Oliver with another bouquet of flowers in tow.  I am so grateful for everyone that supported us.  In the evening Sheri Manwill brought us some yummy potato soup which was exactly what we all needed after such a fun day.

The next morning we got a call from the Doc.  He gave us the good news: 10 eggs were retrieved and 9 were mature.  7 of those eggs were successfully fertilized.  Bruce said "Wow, we have 7 little Pritchetts growing in the lab."  Now we are ready for the next phase.  Thanks for all of your prayers, love and support!!

And so it begins

After several months of going back and forth about when to start IVF (In vitro fertilisation) - we have finally decided to start now.   We are going to REACH -- a leading clinic that specializes in treating infertility.   It has been a very hard time in our household as we are starting a journey that will with any luck permanently change our family forever. 

It is hard to imagine that all these drugs are going to be put into my body for the next month.

However, there is light at the end of the tunnel - my very good friend Krista went through this process, and now she is expecting twins.    Thanks to her for being such a great example.  There have been moments when I felt that I have hit my brick wall, but then I see that I am still here and moving forward.    We also really want to thank all our friends and family for supporting us.  Your smiles, friendship and laughter really do make a difference.

Here's for hoping...........

Happy Birthday Bruce!!!

This year for Bruce's B-day I went all out.  Starting on Tuesday June 9th - I gave him his 1st present of an i-pod touch.  The scouts convinced me that he would love this present and were they ever right.  On Wednesday June 10th - Krista and I went to Best Buy to install the new stereo for the Jeep.  After getting a fancy I-Pod you need to have a cool stereo right?  Then on Thursday his actual B-day he got the Apple TV.  Now his Apple entertainment products are complete.  That night we headed to Bucci's - Bruce's favorite Italian Restaurant in the area.  The for the big finale I invited 50 people over kids/families to celebrate in style.  Krista and I spent the day cooking Cafe Rio style (a great Mexican restaurant in Utah) for the big party.  We had two Pinatas and cupcakes for the kids and cake for the adults.  My carpet might not look the same after this big bash but it was all worth it to make the man that I love smile like that on his special day. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRUCE!! I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

New York City with the Pritchett's

In May we went to New York City to meet up with Mike and Pat (Bruce's parents).  We found out that they were going up and we wanted to be there.  We flew in on Friday morning and meet up with them Friday night.  We went to dinner at the View which is a revolving restaurant at the top of the Marriott in Times Square.  From there you have a great view of the whole city.   

On Sat. Bruce and I spent the morning walking up and down 5th avenue.  Literally we walked up and down 5th from 48th-36th about 5 times.  I ended up with shoes and we also got a new camera since ours broke:(  That evening we met up with Mike and headed out to the Ballet. Pat was going to join us but she wasn't feeling well. New York City Ballet was doing Coppelia which is a ballet I danced several times as a young dancer with the West Coast Ballet.  We went into what use to be the New York State Theater.  I just love being at the theater.  The music started and the memories flooded right back to my body.  The only thing that made us sad was that Pat wasn't there.  After the ballet we headed back to our hotel and had a late night bite.  Another great thing about New York City you can have dinner at 8:00 or at 11:30:)  We all talked about it and I noticed that TKTS had 1/2 price tickets for the same show.   The next day we went to Mike and Pat's hotel.  They were staying at the Marriott in Times Square.  Bruce went over and got the tickets for NYCB 2:00 show of Coppelia.  Yes it is the same ballet as the night before but you can't get enough of a good thing right?  We went and had breakfast at Rue 57.  Then headed over to the ballet.  We finished our quick weekend at Ray's pizza and then Bruce and I headed to the airport.  What a fun weekend and we are so glad we got to play in the city with Mom and Dad Pritchett.

Bruce and his parents in front of the curtain at the theater.

Us in Lincoln Center

Bruce and his Dad at Lincoln Center

Easter

We held our puppy Easter Egg hunt this morning and Oliver and Lula couldn't have been happier.

Here is the living room all decorated with doggie treat filled eggs.

Oliver checking it out to see what is on the floor

Oliver opening the eggs and finding his treat.

Lula wasn't sure what to do but once she saw that there were treats inside she got the hang of it right away.

General Conference

Today was General Conference on Sunday AM and we did the usual big breakfast.  We were happily joined by Matt and Krista, and Mark Hanline.  

Here is the fruit plate

The food spread not including Krista's yummy cinnamon rolls which were still baking:)

I am so grateful to be able to spend time with friends and family being edified by the spirit.  What a great way to spend our Sunday.

Checkers Hockey Game

One of the perks of working with the youth is that you get to hang out with pretty cool kids.

The ice....

Here we all are at the Checkers Hockey Game

Bruce and I hanging out in the seats.

Alison, Murphy, Max, and Hunter with the Charlotte Bob Cat..