I'm a bad blogger...

So it's been 20 days since my last post and the only thing that's really happened since then is Algonquin Founders Days. Jeff & I had to sleep in the RV down at the park Friday night and it rained 5 inches overnight. The park flooded and we walked thru the over-its-banks creek, (it was up to our mid-calfs), in order to get to our car. They had to cancel all activities in the park for Saturday and Sunday due to flooding. In the 50 years it's gone on, that's never happened! It was so sad to see all the board members faces. It was like they woke up Christmas morning only to hear Christmas was canceled. Months of planning, hours and hours of work down the tubes.
:( The parade & fireworks still happened and we enjoyed them as much as we could all while knowing that the lost revenue will hurt next years fest. We walked around before the fireworks to collect donations and I'm sure there will be other fund raisers to come. The after party is in three weeks at Kevin's and should be fun.

Vacation

We got back last week from vacation with Jeff's side of the family in North Carolina. I enjoyed our day trip to Savannah, GA the best. The history & architecture of historic downtown is so interesting! And the "Forrest Gump" stuff was, of course, awesome. Oh, and lunch at Paula Dean's? Please! Damn that woman can cook! Aside from that we saw Fort Sumtner where the civil war started and spent time chilling on the beach. Found out just how much Jeff is not a "beach" guy. And actually, I've always like on or two days laying by a pool but I too am not much of a beach person. I got really really sick the day we left with a stomach bug. Never do I want to have to be in the car for 11 hours when I'm that sick again. But now for a week it's been back to work and the daily grind. After the great interview before we left for vacation, I hope to be working at an ad agency in Huntley by months end and quit Target. Especially since my tennis elbow has come back and the doc recommends physical therapy and "finding a differant job". Ha! I hate it, so I have no problem with the recommendation, now if only it will work out!! Founders Days is in two weeks, so Jeff's busy with that. I'd like to be able to quit and have my last day be the day before the fest starts so I can enjoy those four days and then start at the new job. Fingers crossed!

Happy Anniversary!!!!

So one year ago today I married my best friend. It's been a wonderful day thinking back to that day and the laughs and memories! Jeff's parent's took us to Breakfast this morning and in half an hour we will going out for a romantic dinner for two at Cucina Bella, the little Italian restaurant on old Main Street downtown Algonquin. In some ways I can't believe that it's only a year. It seems like we've never been apart. In other ways it's like I can't believe it all went by so fast! It seems like only yesterday we were spending Sunday's watching Bridezilla and talking about what our wedding would be like.
This afternoon for "lunch" we pulled out the top of our cake and ate a slice (as is tradition and supposed to be good luck). Who ever came up with that? After being in the freezer for a year I would not say it's inedible but it's so dry!! Except for the buttercreame, nothing can kill buttercreame. After having our one slice I agreed with Jeff that there is no need to eat the rest of it.
Well, I'm off to go re-do my makeup before dinner. Happy Anniversary baby & here's to many many many more!

RE apt. set

So on Wednesday I set up our first RE appointment. It's set for Monday at 8:15am. Jeff took the day off in order to go with me. I'm scared but excited to at least hear what lies ahead. Scared of - what if we can't afford it right now? The paper work came today. Good Lord!! I've filled out over 10 pages and there is at least 6 more. Needed a break. This is a short post because game six of the Stanley Cup finals is on. Blackhawks are up 3-2 at the end of second period. Go Hawks!

So we got the results of Jeff's SA yesterday and it doesn't look too good. Count is 19 million (they like 20 million or more). Motility (ie. how well they swim) they like to have it above 50%, Jeff's was at 16%. And finally morph (how normal or abnormally shaped/healthy they are) they like 14% or better and Jeff's was at 9%. I guess having an answer is better than wondering but it's still upsetting to hear. Jeff took it well, I guess. He was kind of stone faced when I told him the news. We will set up a appointment with a RE (reproductive endocrinologist) soon to learn what our next step is but it's looking like it's going to most likely be IUI in order for us to get pregnant.

June Already?!?

I can't believe it's June already! It's funny but with each cycle of trying to get pregnant it feels like time is moving so slow but then when you look at the big picture and think "a year ago it was less than two week until the wedding"; it's like - that wasn't that long ago at all!

We've entered a contest thru Lou Malnati's to renew our vows on a rooftop across from the Cross Town Rival game on June 13th between the Sox & Cubs. We've made it to the final 15 but I don't think we're going to win. But at least as finalists we got a $50 gift certificate to both Lou's and Home Run Inn Pizza as well as VIP Chicago tickets so it will be date night no matter what.

We find out on Friday if we win. We also find out Friday on Jeff's S/A and will then plan ahead of what to do next for our trip towards becoming parents. If it's OK then I think we will wait until after our vacation at the end of this month because I don't want to have to deal with medications/shots etc. when I can't be monitored for ten days. And then the next cycle would be cycle 15 but one full year. If, however, it's bad news we might at least meet with the RE to find out what the future holds. It's Tuesday, and I am hoping this week goes by fast.

The pic above is from last July and was used for the contest.

Debbie Downer today

So it looks that cycle 12 is a bust and we will officially move on to an RE (reproductive endocrinologist). I fear all that will lie ahead with this... possible infertility diagnosis, having to take injections, hormones wrecking my "normal" feelings, weekly blood work or ultra sounds to see how things are going.
One thing I hate, is that the procedures are so unknown to the average person. I have to explain to my mother (who is a nurse for goodness sake) what and why are the next steps. And none of my friends have dealt with it so it's all so unfamiliar to them. They want to seem supportive, yet they just can't understand. The worst is people who make comments without thinking, like "are you sure you guys are doing it right?". I know they don't know what to say so they are just trying to be funny, but seriously? Don't they know how rude that is for people who have been desperately trying to have a child of their own?! Obviously I don't wish infertility on anyone but sometimes I wish the awareness & knowledge was more common so that I didn't feel I get to be the "educational ambassador" for everyone around me. *sigh*