New Year and New Cycle

My parents headed back home early this morning.  Our family had a New Years day meal together and enjoyed each other's company before saying our goodbyes.  The girls, Jeff and I said our goodbyes before heading to bed.  In the morning I heard Seren get up and talking to herself go into our guest room.  She stayed there for a minute or two and then wandered toward our room.  I called her in and she asked about Grandma B and Grandpa B.  I told her they had to go home and she pouted got upset a little.  I told her that we would see them again soon and she got upset and said "not soon...right now".  She was a sad little girl and I was sad too not being able to make it how she wanted.  Kendall slept in this morning and also was upset to learn they weren't here anymore.  I usually cry at my parents departing but this morning it was tears at the sight of my sweet girls being so disappointed.  We are hoping they will be able to move back close to their kids and grandkids soon (this year maybe...crossing fingers) if they can find a house they like.

As to matters regarding cycle, I hope that the new year means new changes.  I started the FET cycle on January 1st out of luck and my body's independence to do what it wants (I had one pill of provera left).  So we are basically on track for a transfer the week of January 20th.  I called the IVF nurses and set it up today.  I always find it interesting how I don't fall into the norm for even an IVF procedure.  I skip the birth control week(s).  I don't remember and have never dealt with "cycle day __?" so those questions always throw me off.  It usually ends up with me on hold while they clarify that it is indeed done this way.  I'm nervous.  I'm hopeful.  Definitely not high hopes this time though.  We went to the biopsy appointment (which wasn't that bad) and discussed the thawing of both straws and letting them try to grow but were told it wasn't necessarily beneficial and that history at the clinic and morulas would indicate that best odds if financially possible would be to thaw them one at a time.  The topic of transferring 3 was not really on the table this time.  I think Dr H has a memory or eye for the quality and forgets that those are not left.  So we'll see what advice is given on transfer day.  I am set up to transfer the week that he is on the schedule so that is good...how we would like it be so we get his advice at the last decision and not someone unfamiliar with our specifics and case.

Happy 3rd Birthday...

Happy Birthday to our sweet girls!!  We once again had a very simple celebration this year.  I bought a birthday banner at the dollar store along with some plates and napkins.  I was going to make a cake but the time didn't end up allowing for it.  So we bought a cake and cute little Frozen dolls to go on top of it.  Kendall and Seren are still obsessed with Frozen (or "new girl" as they call it).  They were excited for their birthday visitors and birthday hats.  They loved the cake.  We sung to them separately and each waited their turn.  Then we sung to them again together because they wanted to blow out the candles again.  It was an enjoyable evening.

They received some clothes and a doctor kit from my parents, some candy and birthday money from Jeff's parents (I think we'll get them swimsuits with it when summer comes) and a big box of crayons from my sister.  They also received some cute homemade bags from my best friend Lisa and her little girl (who is two months younger).  They had a great time and birthday. They are getting so big and smart and sassy (in a good way).  Love them!

Update: 3 Years Old

Height/Weight:  Kendall is 36.26" (26th percentile) and 25.79 lbs (5th percentile) and 13.79 BMI (3rd percentile).  Seren is 37.20" (48th percentile) and 29.54 lbs (34th percentile) and 15.01 BMI (28th percentile) -- as of February 5, 2014.

Clothing:  They are wearing mostly 3T stuff but still some 2T stuff (skinny enough for it just not short enough usually).  Still require elastic band pants or a little hemming in the sides to stop pants from falling down (especially with Kendall). Shoe Size:  Kendall is 7 and Seren is 7 1/2

Eating:  Feeling like they eat enough is a struggle again.  I have continued using Carnation breakfast in their milk (as per the doctor) to add in calories but don't use gummy vitamins anymore. 

Foods They Like:  Mac&Cheese or White Shells and Cheese, yaki soba, bananas, apples, oranges, blueberries, strawberries, carrots, corn, sour cream, pancakes, biscuits and gravy, tortellini, popcorn chicken/chicken nuggets, yogurt, apple sauce, homemade pizza, sausage, etc.  Kendall's Favorite: chicken spread sandwiches and beans.  Seren's Favorite: chicken nuggets and fries. 

Foods They Don't:  They are more open to trying something new.  Seren is more likely to try new things and like them.  Kendall often snubs food and says "this don't taste very good"  (after I told her it was rude to say "yucky")

Favorite Things:  Almost any Disney movie (Beauty & the Beast and Snow White lately) and Frozen, soft baby blankets, dancing with Jeff, parks, etc.  Kendall loves motorcycles (she always points them out and says how she wants to ride one...oh boy!).  Seren loves cuddling lately and reading by the fire.  Books:  Seren likes and has started memorizing quite a few books (various nursery rhymes, itsy bitsy spider the story, Snow White, etc) and Kendall likes the little books and anything she can tell you about or count.

Dislikes:  Being told what to do and time outs.  Sharing.  Accepting help even from each other.

Favorite Toys:  Their play kitchen.  Puzzles, coloring books and play dough.  Little toy cameras that my parents put in their stocking, dog purses from my brother and his girlfriend (they named them Harley and Kitty).  I re-purposed a dresser into a dress-up chest and they are kind of getting into dress up clothes.

Their Accomplishments:  Goodness so much.  They help in the kitchen to put dishes in the sink and load/unload the dishwasher.  Kendall talks all the time...probably more than Seren at this age.  They are mostly potty trained (not naps or bedtime...I haven't dared).  Seren puts on her own shoes/socks and coat.  They love independence.  
  
Verbal:  They are verbally on target now.  I'd almost even say they might be a little above the mark, at least compared to some peers that I know.  I still have to ask them to repeat some things and don't catch it all but it's coming quickly.  They use 5-7 word sentences and are learning new words all the time.  You can really hear their imaginations and vocabulary emerging with what they say. 

Our Accomplishments:  We survived a 33 hour road trip with them this summer.  We survived seeing each other very little this fall with Jeff working a second part-time job.  I've been focusing on being more patient and it has helped.  

Sleep:  They sleep about 12 hours a night.  Naps are only a couple times a week now.

Looking forward to:  Summer again...I'm horrible, it's barely winter but I want summer, warm days, parks and water play back.

Favorite memories:  Them laughing together, chasing each other around the house, watching them learn to socialize with other kids and adults.  When they started calling Wendy's the "nug-nug house", trick or treating with them (Kendall saying "chicken treat" haha), the funny things that they say and do.   Taking them to their first movie.  Teaching more about Santa and Jesus and the excitement they have for both.  I wish I could remember them all.  Seren telling us "the boys like me" (oh boy...trouble already).  Kendall saying things like "great idea", "I'm a good sharer" or "You're great at sharing mom"...I hope that means I usually talk positive towards them.  I loved seeing them around family during the holidays.  They loved the time and attention and have missed Grandpa and Grandpa B from the moment they woke up to find they were missing.  Here's hoping that 2014 might be the year we get to have them close to home again. 

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!!  Happy Holidays!!  Wishing everyone in blog land and real life a very happy season.  We have been enjoying our time with family and friends.  The girls went to see Santa and it went much better than last year's attempt.  Kendall was still a little reserved (she managed to tell him her name and Christmas wish) but Seren was right at home and had a nice little chat with him.  We also saw the animals and holy cow the camel was huge this year.  Both Kendall and Seren were able to hand him some hay to eat and they loved it.  They also saw reindeer, two donkey and a couple horses.  We went on a tractor pulled hay ride and managed to get a decent selfie picture of all of us together (amazing).  Such a good day.

Santa Visit 2013.  Well it's a slight improvement from this....

Santa Visit 2012...oh the horror

Holidays and Hopes...

We have been having a wonderful holiday season.  We have been busy with my parents and the girls have been soaking their time together which I love.  They get so excited to get in the car and go see Grandma and Grandpa at my siblings homes.  I can only imagine their excitement when it's our turn to have them as guests.

I am scheduled for the endometrial biopsy on Friday.  They had availability today but I opted to do it after Christmas.  I'm a little more nervous for this one as I know it can't be comfortable and I've only been instructed to take about 800 mg of Ibuprophen before hand.  I hope there isn't too much to it.  I hope that it does the job in increasing our odds of success, which is our reason for having it done.

I had a dream the other night that we went in for a transfer and our RE told us that the embryos were some of the worst quality they ever transfer and that it might not even be worth it at this point to try.  I don't believe in dreams telling the future but more of just an escape for your mind and expressing subconscious or conscious thoughts.  I know I've thought about it more and worried more.  I've considered the idea of thawing both straws and seeing which ones make it and which seem to be growing the strongest...if they would allow us to do something like that.  I worry letting them thaw and try to grow would cause them all to not make it though.  We haven't talked about it with our RE either so it's a question to address at Friday's appointment.  I also hate the idea of thawing both if that means wasting some or throwing a second chance out the window.  But then I stress at the idea of money also.  Although I'd rather live with and pay a little debt then feel like the wrong decision was made.  We are tentatively set for a transfer the week of January 22nd.  I'm definitely beyond more cautious about the idea of it now.

But in the meantime I am excitedly awaiting Christmas with our girls.  I have a big project from Santa to still finish tonight when they go to bed but I love it and they will love it I'm sure.  Excited to do some fun last minute baked goodies with the girls (yep I need to join procrastinators anonymous).  And quickly following Christmas will be Kendall and Seren's 3rd birthday on Saturday.  Our busy and over scheduled time of the year for sure but what a blessing.

I hope all of your projects and shopping is done (unlike mine) and I will get around to another post in the new year.

Christmas Memories...

We took the girls to their first theater movie on Dec 7th.  Disney's Frozen.  It was such a cute show and they loved it.  They still beg us to put it on the TV and although YouTube clips help quench the desire for them a little it usually just adds to the lack of understanding that we don't own it and therefore can't play the whole movie again.  Kendall tries to sing the song "Let It Go" and those are all the words she knows but it's so cute to listen to that little voice singing.  It does add to my shopping list that I think I will get them a Anna and Elsa doll for their birthday.  My sister suggested it since they are a blonde and red-headed sisters just like my girls.  And now that they adore the movie so much I think they would be thrilled with the dolls.  We'll see if the budget allows it.

Jeff took the girls for doughnuts and a local shopping outdoor mall with a fountain this month while I spent the evening with my sister.  Kendall and Seren reiterated what Jeff told me about it the next morning.  They saw the colorful fountain and ran into Santa who didn't have time to talk (closing time) but he was very friendly and said "Ho Ho Ho" to them.  They were so excited about it.  I'm hoping that this will make future hopeful visits with the jolly man go smoother than last year.

Christmas is Coming...

We decorated the house for Christmas on Saturday.  The girls were so excited for the tree and helping with the ornaments.  When all was said and done and the lights were on they were absolutely giddy.  They jumped up and down and kept exclaiming "Me so happy!" and saying how pretty it was.  We talked a little about Santa and how he brings presents to us.  They are starting to catch on now.  We asked what they wanted for Christmas from Santa.  I suggested a doll or toys and Seren  says, "No.  I want nug-nugs (chicken nuggets)."  We laughed a little and asked "That's all you want is nug-nugs?"  She then thought about it for a minute and said "I want nug-nugs and fries".  Too funny.  We asked Kendall, who was sitting on Jeff's lap, what she wanted for Christmas and she said "I just want you daddy".  So tender.  Gotta love toddlers before they experience consumerism.

They love the lights and have to go out and see the lights on the house every night when Jeff turns them on.  I imagine this won't remain a nightly tradition for long but who knows.  At any rate I love this time of year, especially with our girls involved more now.  My parents will be coming to town in mid-December to visit with family as we all live in the area, which makes it super nice.  Hoping to create lots of memories.