Happy Kids

Why are these 2 so happy?

  They are going to be a big brother and big sister in the spring! 

  

   I am 8 weeks pregnant.  We had an ultrasound a week ago and saw one precious heartbeat and our baby measuring perfectly.  We did have 2 embryos that went in, so for awhile we had the possibility of having twins again.  However, that is not the plan the Lord has for us and while we were a little sad that both of our embryos didn't make it, we are thrilled that we are getting the chance to be parents again and add to our family. 

  I am very nauseous all the time, and have started a combo of medicines that are helping a lot and allowing me to at least function and take care of 2 two year olds.  I've been super tired too and try to take a nap a few days a week :) 

  Quinn and Riley seem excited about this addition to our family.  They will tell you that baby is in mommy's tummy and that they want baby to come out.  We tell them it is too soon and baby has to grow big first. 

  We would appreciate your prayers for this pregnancy, you can pray with me for a healthy full term baby that gets to come home from the hospital with me!

Weekend Trip to Uncle Pete's

We all went and spent a fun weekend with Geoff's brother, in his 1 bedroom loft apartment! We were creative (i.e. pack-and-play in a closet) with sleeping arrangements and made it all work out. Well, except for when I tried to sleep in a bed with Quinn and he was giving me kisses and cuddling with me, which is super cute, but at 2am I just wanted sleep. It was like he woke up and I was there, and it took him forever to get back to sleep. When he finally did, he tossed and turned and kicked and let's just say I was on the floor before morning. Other than that we had a great weekend! We went out to eat, played in the pool, visited the local aquarium, played at the park, and had a great time with Uncle Pete.  It seems I didn't take very many pictures from the weekend so thanks Uncle Pete for taking lots of pictures with your phone! 

Quinn catching air at the pool

Riley's so light he scared me a little when he threw her up

A game of "catch the kid"

Two little fish taking after their Uncle Pete

Sometimes cuddling with your Uncle helps you to wake up after nap time

Quinn didn't want to go on the train and was kissing me goodbye

He kissed his sister too; love this!

Then he decided he did want to go and got on at the last second!

Trying to "pet" the sting rays

 

The Aquarium was pretty Awesome!

Our Condiment Queen, girl loves to dip her food!

Thank you Uncle Pete for treating us to the Aquarium!

Swinging in the park after a yummy dinner and a Krispy Kreme donut flavored milkshake:)

Uncle Pete and his dog, Bobo, were great hosts! 

Can't wait to go back :)



The Journey Continues

I have shared here before that we have dealt with infertility.  We went through in vitro and had an unsuccessful round before we got pregnant with Quinn and Riley.  When we started the process years ago we committed that we would give every embryo that we created a chance at life, going through the process as many times as that took.  We believe those embryos are life, especially seeing how Quinn and Riley came from that embryonic state.

Infertility is something that I have come to appreciate for what what we have learned from the journey.  While it does not define our lives, it is always with us.  To expand our family, it is never just a decision to start "trying."  It always involves saving up to pay for it, meeting with doctors, medications, a transfer, and lots of emotions. 

When we had Quinn and Riley we knew that we had 2 more embryos that we would use at some point, and that time is very close.  We are about to go through in vitro again.   Lots of emotions.  We feel so very blessed to be parents and are so in love with our two children.  I think that's part of what is hard going through this as parents, we know how amazing it is to have children, and would love the blessing of more.  We are completely resting in the fact that our family and future is in the Lord's hands.  This is not an easy process and I wanted to share here so that you could keep us in your prayers.

It will be a few weeks or so before you hear more about this here, so until then we would really appreciate you just continuing to pray for us and this journey.  We are ultimately praying for the Lord's will for us, but our hearts are desiring more children! 

I also wanted to share so that others going through this or a similar situation would know that they are not alone and I love to talk about our journey if you ever want to contact me.   

Wedding Weekend!

Our good friends Eric and Teresa got married at the end of June.  We had such a great wedding weekend celebrating with them!  Oh, and my dream came true, Quinn and Riley got to be in a wedding!  I don't have any pictures of them holding hands and walking down the isle, but hopefully I can get some from the amazing photographer :)  This spring Eric and Teresa's little boy Jace, who is also 2, spent several afternoons with us a week.  Quinn and Riley absolutely love him like a brother and they light up when they get to see Eric and Teresa as well! 



Teresa and Riley at the rehearsal dinner!

A beautiful bride-to-be

Jace and Riley having so much fun!

The Bride and Groom

Eric cooked a pig all night long for a yummy BBQ dinner!

Quinn's so happy when he's playing outside :)

Jace investigating the pig!

This boy loves trucks!

Riley loved looking at Eric's amazing garden!

The girls getting ready on Wedding Day!

Here comes the bride...

Beautiful curls :)

Kids playing in the fireplace at the reception!

Riley with Sarah Kate, another beautiful flower girl!

Riley and Mommy!

I can check making a wedding cake off my bucket list!

Of course, I did not do it alone and am so thankful my amazing friend, Emily, came to help me.

Truth be told, Emily's much more expert that I am, and I just helped her :)

Grammie and Riley

Grammie and Quinn

Kisses with my sweet girl!

Teresa and her friend Stephanie made the bouquets, they turned out amazing!

Goldfish make great centerpieces :)

I had to put another cake picture in :)

The very happy bride and groom!

Teresa in her gorgeous wedding dress!

Dancing with Quinn

Dancing with both my kiddos!

It seems Geoff was taking all the pictures and isn't actually in any of our pictures.   It was so fun being a part of Teresa and Eric's wedding!  We are so excited for them and this new chapter in their lives :) 



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