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

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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.