Fall 2011 Family Pictures

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Round 5

We have just started another round of IUI. Tonight was my fourth night of Menopur injections. For some reason, this time around the shots hurt. They used to hurt when I was actually pushing the medication in, but now it hurts from the moment I try sticking the needle in until I pull it out. I have heard from some other people that I know through a board I am on that this has happened to them, too. I wonder why it is? I do feel different this time around in the 1-2 hours after my shots. I feel twinges coming from my ovaries. Hopefully that is a good sign. I think those of us who are TTC look for any potential "good signs". I suppose it could be something else, but trying to remain positive. I have also been doing my Circle and Bloom relaxation exercises each night, but school has been so exhausting that I keep falling asleep through them. I must be getting really good at them if I can become that relaxed :) If you know me, I have a hard time relaxing. I always feel like I should be doing something else, or thinking about something else.

The other night, as I had the needle in my stomach, who comes into the bathroom? Jake! He looks at me with worried eyes and asks me, "Are you okay, Mommy?" I assured him that I was okay. I tried yelling for Joe, but when you have a needle inside you, it is hard to do that. I told Jake to go get daddy and Joe came back to the bathroom and I told him what Jake saw. We just told him that I was taking medicine. I wonder if he said anything to anyone at preschool or daycare. "My mommy was putting medicine in her tummy last night!" Not what I really want to be explaining to everyone!

Jake's Preschool Songs

Jake wanted to show off the songs he has learned at preschool. I think he did an amazing job! I used to teach my kindergarteners these same songs. I love listening to him sing them instead :)

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day

Yesterday was Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day.  It is one of those days you really wish did not have to exist.  Nobody should have to go through the loss of a child, no matter the age of the child.  There was this one blog that I received the link to that I felt was a good one for people to read if they know someone who has had a miscarriage.  I would highly suggest taking a look at this link.  It gives tips on how you should approach a woman who has suffered a miscarriage.  
http://gbbcwellnessblog.com/?p=271


I have been doing really well the past few months at not getting too sad about the fact that after so many months, we are still not pregnant.  I have even been okay when learning of friends who have announced their pregnancies.  Now seeing friends in person who are pregnant...that is a whole other story.  Not quite ready for that.  I think it is the visual reminder of what I don't have that makes it too difficult.  I lost it this week when I watched the most recent episode of Parenthood.  If you do not watch that show, you should start!  It is one of my favorites.  Just when you think your family life is chaotic, the lives of the characters on this show can bring you back to reality.  Anyways, one of the characters has a daughter that is in first or second grade.  She and her husband have been trying to get pregnant for a second time.  They have had a lot of difficulties.  To make matters worse, her brother and sister-in-law get pregnant.  They weren't planning to, as they have two older children.  In the episode I watched, the pregnant sister-in-law gave birth to her little girl and the sister who has been having infertility problems was so excited while visiting in the hospital room.  She was the first one to hold the new baby.  I was crying like a baby during that scene.  I think it is because I have been thinking a lot lately about the possibility of my sister-in-laws getting pregnant in the near future, before I do.  Not saying that will happen, but what if it does?  Will I be able to handle it?  Will I be able to see them?  Will I be able to be excited for them?  


A lot of "what ifs" going on in my head today.

The Best Father/Daughter Dance EVER!

Brittany and her Dad did the best Father/Daughter dance ever.  My dad and sister have their work cut out for them for next October!

A Fox Family Wedding

Last weekend, Joe and I went with my family (minus the kids) out east for a wedding in Annapolis. We had an amazing time, despite the fact thatthe weatherin MD was colder than the weather here. Who would havethought that would happen the first weekend in October.

It was our cousin's wedding. Well, Brittany is not technically my cousin, but we call each other cousins. Our dad's were best friends growing upand our families have remained close eversince. Brittany comes to MN to visit family about once a year. We always make sure to have a Knutson/Fox family get together. Ourfamily has gone to MD to visit Brittany and her family. Most recently, Brittany and her now husband (!) are living in Las Vegas. Jamie and I have been out there a couple times and just were out there for Brittany's bachelorette party at the end of July. When we found out the date of the wedding, we were all excited for a mini-vacation.

I was more than ready to get on a plane after a crazy couple of weeks of school. It was a lot of work getting things ready for a sub for 1 1/2 days. The one thing I was looking forward to was catching up on some sleep. I definitely did!

While we were in Annapolis we were able to spend time at the Fox house for a bonfire the night we got into town. We went to a bridesmaid's brunch in the marina and shopped in downtown Annapolis. We ate dinner at a crab house. No crab for me, but most of my family was very excited for that meal. We haddrinks at this great bar/restaurant. The downtown of Annapolis has all these historic brick buildings with amazing architecture. The wedding was at a historical botanical garden in a town close to Annapolis. Most of all, we were ableto spend time as a family, and spend time with Brittany, her family, and their extended family.

Here are a few highlights of the trip!

Katie, Me, Mom, and Jamie

Me and the Bride-to-Be

Me, Brittany, and Jamie

All of us

The Knutsons and Britt and Taylor

Out after the Groom's Dinner at The Sly Fox (great name...coincidence?)

Joe and I at the wedding

Brittany and her dad during the BEST Father/Daughter dance