2007: A Year in Review

Tonight, Meg stays with Granddaddy and Grandma, and Jim and I get to spend some time alone together and with friends to celebrate the end of a very special year for our family. Before the celebrating begins, I wanted to spend a few minutes reflecting . . . thinking about all that 2007 meant to me.

Here is my year in review . . . (complete with photos, of course)

January: Started with a BANG on Jan 4th when my dad was unexpectedly admitted to the hospital from the emergency room for his second bout with throat cancer. He was in the hospital off and on for most of January, must to our family’s dismay. I won’t lie – it was very, very hard for me to juggle my new family and all the responsibilities it brings and handle the situation with my father. It was a cold January, and I’ll remember it always because of many, many cold early morning trips to the hospital. Jim and I celebrated our 28th and 29th birthdays (me being the elder), and Meg was 6 months old. While I was taking care of my dad, she was busy mastering things like eating solids and sipping from her cup. She also began taking swimming lessons for the first time, which was much fun for all.

February: This month was also clouded with my dad’s cancer and recovery. He was to have his major surgery on Feb 14th . . . but it was delayed a week at the LAST minute (literally – he was on the table ready for surgery) because of equipment complications. His surgery ended up being completed on Feb 21st, and it went as WELL as we could have possibly hoped. He went into the surgery with the possibility that he might lose his entire voice box, and came out cancer free without even a stitch on him – the surgery was able to be done with lasers. It was an amazing time. After about 4 days in the hospital, he recovered at our home for another week. I will also remember that time because I was hit with a terrible stomach virus just one day after he came home to my house . . . and I was deathly afraid I was going to pass it to him. I didn’t --- but he did find himself recovering AND helping me care for Meg for a 48 hour period! Jim was fantastic in this time, and was home to help us quite a bit. He even managed to get Meg to begin taking naps on her own (no rocking to sleep) during his time on daddy-duty.

March: By mid-March, life was back on track. It had truly been a long two months, but we made it through and everyone was feeling better. Meg and I enjoyed being together all the time again . . . and we were busy with consignment sales, swimming, and a visit from Nana and Papa that month. It was a take-it-easy kinda time, recovering from all that January and February had held for us. At this time in the year, Jim and I really started thinking about putting our house on the market . . . and we began talking to mortgage brokers and real estate agents about this idea. We also started looking for a new home, and we spend many March and April weekends driving around, house hunting.

April: Spring time and many, many events filled our April 2007. My dad and I took Meg to Sanford Stadium for a (COLD!) G-Day game . . .and I nursed Meg in the bleachers! We visited the Dogwood Festival, had a wonderful Easter dinner with our friends the Bartholomews, and welcomed a new friend, Henry Maguire Brune, at the end of the month. During this time, my photography business was picking up a little . . . I did my first “newborn shoot” for the Brunes, and I took Easter pictures for the Harvell Family. I think this must have been about the time that I was starting to hear the encouragement to get out and start my own business . . . but little did I know it would all happen so fast.

May: Our family made an awesome trip to the Beach with our friends the Kibbes and the Winbushes to celebrate my first Mother’s Day. Meg was walking just a bit at that time . . . but not enough to handle the sand, of course. Instead, she just ate a lot of it. Jim’s family came for another visit and helped us truly get our house ready for sale. By mid-May, we had a “For Sale By Owner” sign in front of 1239 Cameron Creek . . . and by the end of the month, we were officially listed with Harry Norman relators. It was a scary and exciting endeavor for us . . . but we KNEW it was the right decision. And, by end of May, we had a full-blown walking toddler at our house!

June: Ah, so much in June. We started out with a family trip to Hilton Head . . . the driving was a bit of a disaster on the way there and home, but the time at the beach was fantastic. We spent 4 days together, playing at the beach and watching our daughter enjoy the new sights and sounds. After returning home, it was full steam ahead for the one year birthday celebration. Meg’s 1st birthday party was QUITE a bash – with over 70 guests in attendance. It was simply perfect, thanks to all of our family and friends. Jim also celebrated his first father’s day this month, which I know was special to him. Photography was really kickin’ in now . . . I had temporary business cards and a make-shift website that made me feel as if this photo business thing might actually turn into something. The house was on the market, but times were slow at first . . . a few lookers, not too much activity . . . and then a BIG bite at the very end of the month.

July: The month of our mid-west tour. We left for a wedding in Chicago on July 4th, spent 5 fun-filled days in the city, then journeyed over to Kansas for a week with the Dahlbys. More family joined us, and we spent another week at the family lake house at the Lake of the Ozarks. It was an unforgettable trip – mostly because we found out we were expecting a baby one day into our Chicago visit. This surprise was outstanding and so amazing . . . we were giddy for the entire trip. The house also sold in July – yahoo!! And . . . after much back-and-forth with the real estate agents and a relocation company . . . we purchased 3236 Talimore Circle. We closed on the homes just days after returning from our 18 day trip to the Midwest, and we were sleeping at the new place by the last weekend in July. WHEW – what a whirlwind that was. And – because of the hasty timing – we moved OURSELVES! It was a crazy month, but ended with a new baby and a new house, so we were certainly beside ourselves.

August: Quite a bit of August was spent settling in to the new place, as could be expected. Meg and I enjoyed a week-long music camp, in between unpacking and unwrapping. Our 4th wedding anniversary was on August 16th, and I woke to find an email with a website link to the Barbados getaway Jim had planned for us to celebrate. Unfortunately, August 16th was also the day that I miscarried and we lost our second baby. It was all taken care of so quickly, and my family was a huge help in my physical recovery. Emotionally, I was a wreck for a while to come. Meg stared her one-day-a-week preschool program in August, and it was a BIG hit. She loved it from day one. Leaving her on that first day was a strange feeling, but knowing she was having so much fun made it easier for me. The month ended with another wedding celebration – this time for our friends Cliff and Erica. August wasn’t the best month of the year, but we made it through.

September: I just have to say it: I was sad for most of September. The miscarriage had hit me harder than I ever thought it would, but I managed to keep my head above water and try to enjoy things with my life and my family. My September, HD Portraits was truly in full swing, so I dedicated a lot of my free time to that in the month of September. I began working on my “real” website, to an official logo and “real” business cards, and began planning for holiday shoots. The new house was coming along great – in September, we had new kitchen counters installed, as well as a new tile backsplash. Meg got her first haircut, and we took her to Iowa to attend a Dahlby wedding. Another football season began, and our weekends were spent watching Georgia and Georgia Tech . . . and arguing over how we should dress Meg for each game. Meg had her first real illness – a battle with Rotavirus that never actually ended up with a doctor visit, but many phone calls and about 10 days of no eating. She continued to love preschool, swimming, and music . . . all of which kept both Meg and I very busy.

October: was a good month. Jim and I spent 5 days in Barbados, forgetting our troubles and drinking beer by the pool. More and more photo shoots were booking, and I was so so busy with my new business. And, I got pregnant again . . . which was just a wondrous, miraculous, fabulous miracle. How LUCKY we were to be able to get pregnant the first time we tried after losing Baby # 2 . . . and how MUCH it helped to lift my sprits and boost my moral. October ended with several Halloween celebrations, all of which were entertaining for kids and parents alike. We trick-or-treated in our new neighborhood, 16 month-old Meg dressed as a black cat and Jim, Me, and my parents tagging along behind her.

November: SWAMPED with holiday portraits, that is what November meant to me – and to Jim, who was super-dad and took care of Meg on many weekend days while I was off shooting. So so busy and so so delighted that business for HD Portraits had taken off as it had. Meg and I battled a stomach flu together – which I’ll NEVER forget. That sickness aside, I felt great off and on in November . . . my pregnancy was still new, and I did battle the normal early-pregnancy side effects. I was SO nervous for most of this month – on 11/27 we had a 9 week ultrasound with was perfect and helped to ease my nerves (just a bit). Thanksgiving was spent with my parents in Newnan, a nice, cozy, quite weekend with them. We also attending the Georgia/GT game – which Georgia won – and had a really fun time (well, at least I had a fun time). Lots of shopping and holiday preparations began early . . . and plans to head west in mid-December to see Jim’s family were in full swing.

December: this month, which has flown as fast – or maybe faster – than the preceeding 11. I cranked out over 2000 holiday cards for 20+ families, plus shoot after shoot after shoot. It was phenomenal to have had this much business in my first year IN the business. We went to parties, took Meg to parties, and just partied ourselves for several weeks. Meg began to talk more and more – and now has several words in her vocabulary (including Oreo). On 12/17, we had our 12 week prenatal checkup and heard a strong heartbeat (160+) . . . I cried like a baby. A lot of relief was felt that day. We went to Kansas and Iowa to join in the Dahlby family Christmas celebrations. We returned home and had our own Christmas HERE with my family on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. And, as the year ended, we just spent time together, enjoying our family and planning for 2008.

Writing this really had allowed me to reflect on what an up-and-down year 2007 was for me and my family. The downs of my father’s illness, my miscarriage . . . the ups of our wonderful getaways, Meg’s first birthday, and two pregnancies. What a year. I wonder what 2008 will hold . . . another new baby, we know . . . but what else? We have grand plans for our house . . . no vacation plans to date . . . and just hope to be as healthy and happy as we’ve been this year. I certainly do pray that the “highs” will higher and the “lows” will be fewer in the year to come.

Happy New Year, Everyone!

THIS is How You Handle It

Written exactly one month ago . . . and a very important, heart-felt blog that I simply HAD to post . . .

I’m nearly out of the 9th week as I write this, and I’ve started telling a few people our good news. The truth of it is that I’m so excited that we are where we are in the pregnancy, I can’t wait to share. We had a fantastically normal ultrasound at the beginning of the 9th week, which really helped to set my mind at ease. And, I’m started to pooch a bit – looking fat more than anything – so I would rather just tell people I’m pregnant than let them think I’m gaining a ton of weight.

The reactions I get to our news is, well, different than I expected.

There are 2 reactions I’m getting – actually, three reactions, if you count the "good" one that I like the most.

The first reaction is the “Crying Wolf” response. When I’ve told a few people, they act almost like, ‘Okay, well, great. You were pregnant just a month or two ago, so all right. We congratulated you then, so congrats again . . .’ Almost as if they used up all their happiness for us on the news of our summer pregnancy. It’s a bland response. Like, ‘Enough already, you were just pregnant.’ What they say is “See – everything happens for a reason!” I think these people are just ready for us to have another baby so I’ll stop talking about it all.

The second reaction is – what most people call – “cautiously optimistic.” These folks aren’t trying to get too excited for us because – in their view – they don’t want us to get all hyped up because of the possibility we’d miscarry again. They think they are being so loving and careful with our feelings. They say things like, “I’m sure everything will be great this time.” or “I’m sure you are anxious to get through this first trimester.” I get it. It’s still not the appropriate way to respond.

The third reaction is just joy and happiness for us. That is the reaction I like most.

And then I had the WORST response at all – it doesn’t even fall into a category because it is so insane. But I have to tell you about it. I ran into a friend at the mall, told her I was pregnant, and when I mentioned I was 9 weeks she said, “Well, didn’t you get that far last time?”

I wanted to hit her. That was the most insensitive response I can imagine. And I call her a ‘friend.’

I glazed over it, of course. I sucked in my stomach that had just felt a huge *punch* and mentioned that, actually, we lost the last baby at 9 weeks but carried it for 2 more weeks and didn’t miscarry until right at the 11 week mark. It was a silent miscarriage. She nodded, said some pleasantries . . . then I think she realized what she’d said and offered me a huge hug in congratulations.

I left and immediately thought, “I must blog about this.” I need you all to know – for the future, for other people who experience this – how you should react when someone tells you they are pregnant after a prenatal loss.

HERE is how you respond: EXACTLY AS YOU WOULD AS IF THE MISCARRIGE HAD NEVER HAPPENED.

Just be super excited. Just hug them, tell them how happy you are, how wonderful the news is. Pretend it is their first pregnancy – ask all the questions about when they are due, how they’re feeling, do they want a boy or a girl. For Heaven’s sake, stop reminding them that this new pregnancy is following a miscarriage. THEY KNOW THAT. Don’t say ANYTHING about the previous experience – don’t say, “We are praying for you” or anything to make them think that you are not 100% confident that they are going to deliver this baby at term. Just BE EXCITED. Those are the best reactions. Joy and happiness.

People that are just excited for us make me feel like they ARE genuinely happy for us – like they are ready to help us move on and share our lives with this new baby. That type of response truly and honestly helps me and my confidence in the new pregnancy. God knows I want someone to tell me everything is going to be OK – and by just being excited and asking all the pregnancy questions, that is exactly what those people are doing. That is what I want people to say when they find out I’m pregnant. A simple, “Yeah!! How fantastic! When are you due?”

Now, if you’ve reacted in one of the other ways – you cannot feel bad about it. If you’ve never experienced this situation, there is really no way to know how to respond. As long as you were kind and genuine, we (me or any of others who have had this happen) KNOW and totally understand your reaction. It’s perfectly normal.

I just wanted you to know what I think is the best way to respond. Just be excited. And then, if you need to, you can hold your breath for them . . . and pray for them . . . until that 12th week . . . just don’t tell them you are doing it.

Healthy 9 week ultrasound -- a bit like a gummy bear, right?

7 Weeks, 4 Days . . .

Written about 7 weeks ago . . .

So paranoid.

I just battled that terrible stomach virus that took over our house . . . and now I’m so paranoid that something could go wrong with this pregnancy.

This might be the LONGEST 12 weeks of my life, and I’m not kidding.

I went to the bathroom a little while ago – consider this your TMI alert! – and there was a tinge of color in what I saw when I wiped. Not red, but not clear or white. Just a tinge of something different.

I freaked, called the doctor, and moved my 9 week ultrasound up by 4 days. As silly as that sounds, it made me feel better.

Now I just have to make it through tonight.

Meg has been such a good girl these past few days. She was sick, I was sick . . . now I’m still not 100% but I know she’s dying to get me off the couch and out of the house. At least tomorrow she can go to school and associate with less zombie-ish people.

We’ll make it. And I’m not going to miscarry. I’m not going to miscarry. I’m not going to miscarry.

4 weeks and 4 more days to go.

The Skinny on Our Christmas

I realized that I had not mentioned much about the 2nd half of our Kansas visit, our return home, or our holiday here in Georgia . . . so I thought I’d catch you up today. After all, isn’t everyone trying to do a little catching up today, this day-after-Christmas?

Picking up from where the Kansas Blog left off, we did make the trek up to snow-snow-snowy Iowa last Friday (which was 12/21). The trip was uneventful – about 4 hours of Backyardigans episodes and a few minutes of snoozing sums up the ride. We were excited to welcome Jim’s cousin, her husband and new baby (and his aunt and uncle too) later on that evening. We had not met baby Madigan – now 3 months old – so we were excited to check out our newest cousin. Meg LOVED her, brought her toy after toy to play with, and kept wanting to hold her and feed her bottles. The interaction was truly adorable.

With the Moens (Jim’s mom’s family) all piled into one house -- 11 adults, 2 babies, and 1 dog -- we celebrated our Christmas together on Saturday. The highlight was that his cousin Audra got a Wii from her husband – which was a total shock to her and so fun to watch. The girls (Meg and Madigan) got tons of toys and 3 or 4 matching outfits . . . apparently, Jim and Audra used to get matching clothes, so this is a bit of a tradition. It was a great Christmas with that side of the family . . . last year we were not able to celebrate together, so we were very excited to see everyone this year.

Sunday was one of my favorite parts of our holiday adventure each year: The Dahlby Family Christmas. You think the house was full over at the Moens, multiply that by at least 2 and you’ve got Dahlby Family Christmas. This year was a “small” gathering – only 24 adults and 8 of the 11 great-grandchildren. It’s so much hustle and bustle the entire time you are there, I love it to pieces. Everyone is in a great mood, eating, drinking, laughing . . . playing with kids and participating in a “White Elephant” gift exchange . . . it’s quite a day. And this year, we were able to share our exciting news of New Baby, so it was all the sweeter. Leaving that gathering is sad . . . but there will be another next year, and if we have any way of making it, we will certainly go.

Returning home on Christmas Eve was not quite as easy as we thought it might be . . . that wintering Iowa weather threw us for a curve. Instead of leaving the evening before our flight and staying in a hotel in Minneapolis (where our flight was and a whopping 2 hours from where we were in Iowa), we left EARLY on the morning of 12/24 because the weather was going to be at it’s best then. I mean EARLY, friends. Dark for the entire ride early. 4AM early. We journeyed to the airport with no problems – so I guess the early morning was worth it (rather than a dangerous drive the night before). Meg was exhausted after the car ride and airport fanfare, so she CRASHED on the plane and slept nearly all the way home . . . including the one hour delay in Minneapolis. The lady behind us commented that we had such a well-behaved daughter . . . I just thanked her and thought that SHE was a lucky lady to have caught Meg on such a sleepy day!

Now that we were back in Georgia, the holiday was not over yet . . .

My parents arrived at our home in Marietta about 2 hours after we brought our bags in the door. They were SO excited to see Meg and share Christmas with us. Together, we threw together a really nice dinner, sat down, and enjoyed catching up on what we’d missed in the last week. After dinner, Meg opened a few pre-Christmas presents, then off to bed with the sleepyhead and on to Santa duties.

It was our first Christmas playing Santa, and BOY it was fun! We only had a few things to put together, so the 4 of us stayed up and chatted while we went to work. Meg got doll furniture and a piano from us and a mini-kitchen from my parents, and both tasks took us the better part of 90 minutes to complete. It was so fun, though . . . and it keeps me looking forward to many late-Christmas-Even-nights to come.

And NOW . . . the moment you’ve all been waiting for . . . Christmas Morning. (If you’ve read this far, then I thank you. You really ARE interested in our lives!)

Meg – the star of the show, as usual – slept in a bit, but was wide awake and ready for fun by 8:15am on Christmas morning. Daddy brought her downstairs . . . we all eagerly aniticpated her reaction . . . Mommy had camera in hand . . . but Meg was distracted when she saw Grandma and Grandaddy standing in the kitchen and she ran right to THEM! It was cute. They quickly turned her around and showed her what Santa had left . . .


I think she was confused as to why a toy store was opening in her living room!

We took the next 2 hours and playfully opened package after package, Meg enjoying the contents of each and every one. She not only opened hers, but she helped everyone enjoy their packages, too. Meg received so many wonderful toys, games, books, etc . . . she is one lucky little angel. It was so awesome to watch her face light up with each gift. Of course, she has not idea about the whole Santa thing . . . but just watching her enjoy her morning with us all was a true treat.

Christmas morning was capped off with a delicious breakfast made by Jim, then Meg promptly went back to her crib and took a long snooze, with visions of Sugarplums dancing in her head, I’m certain.

All in all, it was a great, great holiday. From Georgia to Kansas to Iowa and back, everything was perfect.

HOW are we going to top this next year?

Happy Holidays to you all!! Hope you enjoyed your day as much as we did.

Grateful at Christmas

As Meg sleeps soundly in her crib after a full day of holiday excitement, I am finding myself very grateful for many many things in my life this Christmas night.

Our fantastic trip to Kansas reminds me of how grateful I am for my husband and his wonderful family. We had 7 fun-filled midwesterd days, packed with shopping, visiting, eating, sleeping (yes, lots of naps for Mommy!), and other doses of merriment. It was a wonderful visit, and I am grateful that I have become part of such a wonderful family.

As we flew home, I was told by another airline passenger that I have a "very well-behaved" baby. She is simply an angel -- and I don't need another happy Delta patron to remind me of that. I am so incredibly grateful for her, my heart cannot hold it. There are just no words. On this day and every day, I thank God that I have been blessed with our wondeful Meg. Our first born and our little bean. There is so much MORE I will be grateful for when it comes to this daughter of ours, I just can't wait to experience it. This holiday with her has been one-of-a-kind, and I am forever grateful for that.

Returning to our home in Marietta and having my family join us at our house helps me remember how grateful I am to have my own family so very close. I take that for granted and huff and puff about the hour drive to Newnan . . . but on days like yesterday, when they arrived at our house to find a super-smiley granddaugther so happy to see them, I remember how much I love them and love having them here. I love that we can share so much of our life with them -- honestly, I don't know what I'd do with out them. I am especially grateful for my dad -- one of my best friends -- and for his love and adorable of my entire family.

A few hours were spent lounging on the couch today -- nauseous with some of the left-over first-trimester glories of pregnacy. Even still -- in my total discomfort -- I was grateful (SO GRATEFUL) that we are welcoming another child into our family this summer. This pregnancy and New Baby have a whole new feeling -- so different from the first or second pregnancies and still so amazing just the same. I know you all (my faithful readers) understand that being pregnant this holiday season was my one true Christmas wish. I guess if you starting wishing early enough, things can happen that make you so happy you can even stand yourself.

As we put Meg to bed tonight, she gave her daddy a Merry-Christmas-Good-Night-Kiss, and I was flooded with the remider of how much I love my husband. I could never ever have imagined my life could have turned out this great. I could never have dreamed I was lucky enough to be with someone that loves me so much -- that adores me in the same way that I adore him. I am spending my life with someone that loves every ounce of me -- my good and my bad (both of which have been displayed over the last week). I love him just the same, and I hope he knows it. Just like there are no words to express how much I love my children (Meg and New Baby alike), there are no words to describe my feelings for Jim.

So, I'm sorry to disappoint any gift-givers when I say that tonight I'm not really thinking of how greatful I am for all the stuff I got this Christmas. I'm grateful for the people who gave me those things -- and for the love they share with our family.

Merry, Merry Christmas to all our friends and family. I hope you are all settling down tonight with someone for whom you are extra-grateful for, too.

Hi From Kansas

Hello from Chilly Kansas City, KS!

We are having a great time with family and friends here in the midwest. We arrived on Tuesday with no problems . . . Meg was even a good girl on the plane. Only minor fussiness when she got a bit over-tired, but that was squlched when Mommy was able to get her to take a plane-ride snooze. She's having a total BLAST here -- running and playing and getting oh-so-spoiled by the grandparents. She even starting calling Jim's Dad "Papa" all the time. It's too much!

After a day full of Christmas shopping, the Dahlbys hosted a holiday party last night. We got to see so many family friends and enjoy hearing how everyone has been since we were home this summer. Meg had a wonderful time, roaming through the party calling for "DaDa" and "Papa" -- and sporting the cutest holiday dress ever. I totally dolled her up, and when people commented on her cuteness (I can say that -- she IS cute!), I just explained that THIS was the reason that God gave me a girl.

We also introduced Meg to SNOW yesterday. Granted, there is not much left from the storm a week or so ago . . . it's really only remaining in the shady parts of the yard . . . but it was enough to entertain us Georgia folks. Meg really wasn't QUITE sure what to make of it all, but she tromped through it with a smile on her face and let Daddy take her for a sleigh ride in his old sleigh. When we get to Iowa later this week, I think she'll get a taste of what REAL snow is all about -- that will be a real experience for all of us.

Today is another day full of shopping and spoiling, I'm sure. Tonight Jim's sister arrives from her over-seas business trip, and tomorrow morning we are off on a 6-hour car trip to Iowa. There we'll meet up with a LOT more extended family and enjoy the holiday season to it's fullest. Then Monday -- when Santa is doning his reindeer in another part of the world -- we'll hop on a plane and head home just in time to enjoy Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at our house.

We hope you are all enjoying your week as much as we are -- more later for sure!

Happy Happy Holidays (Part II)

Just a few pictures I wanted to share from our Northampton Holiday Party yesterday. Meg had a great time (despite the fact that Santa WAS in attendance) . . . and I think we captured some of my favorite pictures from this season :)

Happy Happy Holidays

I believe her expression was something like, "Ho Ho HOLY CRAP!!"



I guess I don't have to say that Meg did not enjoy her visit with Santa this year. I anticipated it -- I was not so sure she'd enjoy that jolly old man. As we waited in line for our visit, my girlfriend and I chuckled about how Meg might react . . . and I could feel Meg's body getting more and more tense with each step toward the old man. By the time we were ready for our turn, she was holding on to me for dear life and pitching quite a fit NOT to sit with Santa.



You see what a cruel mother I am. Even Santa said, "Be fast on that camera trigger, Mom!"



The funny thing is -- from a distance, Meg LOVES Santa. She points and waives and giggles. She enjoys him, really. From about 10 feet away, he IS a right jolly old elf.



So, we thought we'd try again. We took Meg to another Santa at an outdoor mall -- just one day after the above scream-fest.


You can see in the pictures, from a distance he's the coolest. She peeks over the wall, points -- anything to get our attention to Santa.

But, if you ask her, "Meg, do you want to SIT with Santa?" You are met with a resounding and absolute, "NO."

That's OK, Meg. Maybe next year.



Aside from Santa visits, we've been busy around here finishing up all of our holiday exitement and getting ready for our trip to Kansas. We actually leave tomorrow and return on 12/24 -- just in time to have Christmas at our very own house. I, personally, am very excited to have Christmas at our house!

We hope you all have a wonderful and very Merry Christmas. Thanks for all the well-wishes for New BAby -- we are happy to share that news, and I'll post a few more back-logged blogs as the days go on. If you know me at ALL -- you KNOW how I've been dying to share that news with the world. I couldn't, but I blogged instead . . . so you'll have a few more insights into our first 12 weeks as the blogs continue.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
Love,
Jim, Heather, and Meg (but NOT Santa)

November 11, 2007 -- And Then There Were Two

Written about 5 weeks ago . . .

No, no. Not two babies for us. No – as fun as that sounds – we found out at 6 weeks that there is just one more little Dahlby joining us in the summer.

And then there were two pregnant friends – me, and my very bestest childhood friend. We are pregnant together . . . she just told me today. I’m just at 7 weeks (6w5d, to be exact) and she’s 4w1d. We are 2 ½ weeks apart. Life really couldn’t get any sweeter.

This is my dearest friend whom I have known since the 6th grade. We really became good friends in 8th grade, and we’ve pretty much be inseparable ever since. We made it through all of the ups and downs of high school together – hit a brief hiccup in our relationship right as we graduated – and then were back together within a few months to journey into adulthood together.

To say that our lives over these past 17 years have been a little different would be a HUGE understatement. As summer of 1996 approached and we were leaving the halls of East Coweta High School, we each took our own path. For me, it was a road to Athens, then graduation and a job in Atlanta, marriage at 25, graduate school in my mid-twenties, and babies at 28 and (soon to be) 30. For my dear friend, she began her road with marriage and a new family, a move with her young family out west for 5 years, college and her own graduation, a second baby, a move back to Georgia, and a fantastic, rewarding job with her church.

Now, as we both turn 30 in January of 2008 – 17 years after we met in 6th grade – our paths are merging again. We will both be new moms this summer.

Isn’t it funny how life always seems to go full circle?

I love my dear friend with all of my heart. I’m so thrilled that she and her husband (of 11 years!) are going to welcome a third child into their awesome family. I’m delirious that they are taking this big step. And what a step it is for them -- they have 11 year old and a 5 year old daughters. But – she’s always told me – they never really thought they were “done.” Nope, they weren’t. They had one more out there, and we all get to meet her (or I guess it COULD be a boy) in July 2008.

I can’t even believe that we are going to share this fantastic experience together. The only thing I worry about is my ability to be there for her . . . I already want to loan her things, to share with her all the baby stuff that I can . . . but I can’t because I’ll need it, too. I wonder when the babies arrive -- will we be able to be there for each other like we’ve always been? Maybe, and maybe not. Maybe it will be hard for us for a little while . . . but that is OK and, really, to be expected. We both are going to have a lot going on for a little while. It’s certainly nothing that our friendship can’t handle.

Wow – this is really cool news.

Like I said, life is so sweet.

(Sorry, not the best pic, but you get the idea!)

November 6, 2007 -- The Woods

Written about 6 weeks ago . . .

Today I am six weeks pregnant. Today we saw the heartbeat for the first time. Today was a great day.

Yet, I realize we are not totally out of the woods.

When I took the pregnancy test 2 weeks ago, I was so confident that this baby was going to stick. I’m still that confident – I really am – but I just don’t want to take anything for granted. Naturally, I began to worry a little more as this doctor’s appointment approached – will it be all right? Will there be a heartbeat? Will it be good and strong?

Yes, yes, and yes. I feel so much better today.

I realize that each day that goes by is one step closer to begin out of those dreaded and figurative “woods” we are in, and I am trying to take it just one day at a time. I have to remember that the chances of us having another miscarriage are NOT likely – not any more likely that the chances we had the first time. Sure, 1 in 4 women miscarry . . . but I’m looking at that like 75% of women DON’T miscarry.

Our doctor said to us today, “Well, I guess we can just start calling you Mr and Mrs Fertility, right?” Wow. I guess we are pretty fertile. THAT is the silver lining.

We are scheduled to see the doctor again in 3 weeks for another ultrasound. And about 3 weeks after that – on Dec 14 – we will go in for the 12 week appointment. THAT is a big milestone for this baby. 12 blissful weeks. I’ll be able to push the branches aside and leap from the woods. I think that will be a truly fantastic day.

And after that day, just 28 more weeks to go.

Moving On

Written About 8 Weeks Ago . . .

It all started back in mid October – October 21, to be exact. Ironically, it was the same day as the “hell in a handbasket” photo shoot you heard about in a previous blog. On the way home from that shoot . . . as I was contemplating how to make my mistakes up to the family I’d just worked with . . . I stopped at Rite Aid and bought 3 First Response pregnancy tests.

It was the end of the fabulously long “two week window” – as those in infertility-land call it. The “leutal phase” of your menstrual cycle -- the two weeks between ovulation and the ability to take a reasonably accurate pregnancy test. It can be a long, long 14 days. Honestly, that Sunday was NOT quite the end of the two week window for me. The next day – Monday, 10/22 – was. But, I couldn’t wait any longer. I had to know. It was our first attempt at trying to become pregnant again following the miscarriage and one successfully “normal” cycle . . . my body was back to itself, and we were able to try for Baby 3.

I knew I was pregnant. I just did. Our timing was impeccable . . . we’d gotten pregnant with such ease back in the summer . . . I was felling like, “How could I NOT be pregnant?” I couldn’t wait to take my tests. I had previoulsy researched on-line which test was the best at early detection – which was what led to the First Response purchase. Supposedly, they were the best . . . and since I couldn’t wait one more day, I took a chance that the all-knowing creators of internet information were right.

I came home to find Jim and Meg playing in the driveway. I told Jim briefly about how terrible my shoot had gone . . . but, somehow, that was already behind me. I held up the pregnancy tests and said, “I got some pregnancy tests. Should I take one now?” It was noon – so not the best urine for a test (sorry, TMI). But, I had 3 tests in my kit, so why not use one now?

Jim eagerly agreed that I should test. I took the test in our downstairs hall bath. I set it on the shelf and left the room. I think I got a coke or something . . . I told Jim it was early, and we’d have to wait the recommended three minutes.

Then I went back in there and only saw one line, dark and prominent.

I said out loud, “Ohhhh . . . I’m not pregnant.”

I showed the test to Jim. We both took another look.

The second line was there. Very faint . . . getting oh-so-slightly darker.

“Do you think I’m pregnant?” I asked.
“I don’t know . . .” said Jim.
“You can’t get a false positive . . . and that’s another line . . .” I replied.

Jim opened another test so that we could compare an unused test to ours. We were afraid that maybe the line was slightly there to begin with . . . so our test was probably negative.

The unused test was TOTALLY white.

Jim jumped on the computer, looking up “faint line on pregnancy test” and other such topics. He found all kinds of information I didn’t want to hear about . . . eptopic pregnancy, post-miscarriage false positives . . . I just wanted to believe that I WAS pregnant. Jim also found information saying, basically, a line is a line is a line. No false positives are possible . . . that I was, in fact, pregnant.

I called my parents to tell them what was going on. My dad was confused. Jim’s mom happened to be coming in town that afternoon, so we showed her the test when she got to our house. She too, wasn’t sure.

I spent the rest of the day thinking I probably WAS pregnant, but not sure. We had decided to wait until the next morning to take another test and hope the line was darker.

We didn’t make it until the next morning.

At about 10 o’clock that night – 10 hours after the first test – I made Jim go to Walgreens and get me a digital pregnancy test. Those read “Pregnant” or “Not Pregnant” – there is no guesswork involved. My only worry was that it was still too early in the pregnancy to tell if I really was pregnant.

Jim came home with a box of 2 tests. He took one out of the box and handed it directly to me. Jim’s mom (still visiting with us that night) was standing right there . . . and I love her, I do, but I wanted to take the test in privacy . . . without everyone waiting outside the door. I made a casual remark about doing it when I was finished with something else . . . then I ran upstairs and took it.

I knew I was pregnant.

“Pregnant” came back right away.

I took it down stairs and showed Jim (and his mom). We smiled . . . I felt like my face might explode . . . and we were satisfied in knowing that yes, I AM pregnant. We went to bed that night very, very happy.

The next morning, I took another First Response test. The same faint pink line . . . I was just curious if anything might change. (Incidentally, I took the 3rd and final test about 2 days later – the line was finally darker.)

I also called the doctor that Monday morning, and they saw me that very same day. My doctor was fantastic . . . he peeked his head in my examining room door, looked from my chart to me and said, “Clearly, you have no problem getting pregnant.”

Music to my ears.

They did blood work twice that 4th week of the pregnancy, and everything was normal. They scheduled our first ultrasound for 6 weeks. I asked if they would see me again at 9 weeks – the point at which the last baby died – and they assured me they would. If for no actual medical purpose, they’d see me to help put my mind at east. My doctor said, “We’ll get you there.” I love him.

I kept thinking that, as long as I get through the next few months, I’ll feel great. I actually felt GREAT about everything that entire 4th week. The 5th week I was a little shakey and super anxious about the ultrasound.

If I’ve posted this blog, then we’ve made it to 12 blissful weeks. I’m not shakey any more.

I think that, after I post this blog, I’ll go out in my yard and scream, “I’m pregnant!!” My neighbors know me well enough by now to know I’m not too crazy. Heck, I don’t think any of them are home during the day, anyway.

Here’s to July 1, 2008. Here’s to Baby Dahlby # 3.

Can I Just Suggest . . .

Don't ask someone if they are pregnant.

There really is no good answer, as far as I can see.

If she isn't pregnant, then you are just reminding her that she's not. If it's someone that is trying very hard to have a baby, the question of "Are you pregnant?" or "Any baby news?" gives her a pit in her stomach and a sinking feeling that she'll NEVER be able to say "YES!" to those questions. If she's not actively trying, then it's not quite as bad of a question -- instead, it just comes across as you being a bit nosey. Nobody likes a busy-body.

If she is pregnant and not ready to spread the happy news, then you could be forcing her to lie, which sucks. You are putting her in a situation where she has to tell you 'no' and make up some story. Then when she is ready to tell, she has to explain it all to you . . . why she didn't tell you when you asked before. OR, on the other hand, you are forcing her to tell you before she really is ready. She has to say "Yes, but I'm only this far along . . ." and that is no fun. As a pregnant person, you have in your mind who you are going to tell when, and if that gets screwed up, it sucks. Either way -- the lie or the truth -- why put her in that position?

Unless she is your sister or your very, very best friend, there is really no need to ask a woman if she is pregnant. She'll tell you if she is, trust me.

Just a suggestion I wanted to make.

Oh, and Fab-o-Fun Friday is tomorrow!

One Year Ago

Since I didn't have much to blog about today . . . and since I do seem to have more time for blogging again lately . . . I thought I'd look back to one year ago today and see what we were up to. Since we've taken pictures around here almost every day since Meg arrived, I thought it would be fun to reminisce.

Well, we took pictures on Dec 11 last year, but then the camera must have broken or something -- we didn't take another picture until December 14.

So -- here we were, one year ago (Friday):

I remember all of this. Meg was eating cereal for maybe the 3rd or 4th time. She seemed like such a big girl then . . . opening wide and taking in that soupy mess. I was so excited to be branching out into a new area of motherhood . . . feeding my baby more than just breastmilk. It was going to be so great. I was so anxious for her to be a big girl.

Now I look back and simply cannot tell you where this year has gone. Meg went from needing me for her sole nutrition, to eating solids plus milk, to not even needing mommy at all (among various and sundry other milestones). Tonight she had turkey, peas, and mac & cheese for dinner. And she told me when she was done. And she helped me wash her messy cheesy face when dinner was over.

It's fun to look back -- but when I found these pictures, it made me a little sad, too. She's just not a baby any more!

Countdown to Fab-o-Fun Friday: 2 days (well, I guess really just ONE day)

Wake and Bake

That title alone should make you laugh. So will my failed attempt at making cookies (again).

Contrary to the “stoner” that thinks of wake and bake as a usual occurrence, Meg and I made cookies this morning right after breakfast. Still in our jammies, we got out our materials and set out to try chocolate chip cookies this time. My dear cousin’s wife recently posted a yummy-sounding cookie recipe on her blog site (http://mommyisme.blogspot.com), so we thought we’d try it out.

Why is it that her cookies look so perfect from the oven, and mine look totally ridiculous?

We did 3 rounds – one on a cookie sheet with parchment paper (a la Cooking Light), and two on my baking stones. We tried big and small cookies. I took some off the pan right away and cooled them, some I left on the tray and let them cool there. I baked some for 15 minutes, 17 minutes, and 20 minutes.

And none of them seem right! They are too “cakey” – more like little brownies or cakes that cookies. UGH!

When you can’t do something, you should just admit it. Just fold in the towel, and give it a rest. I’m all for giving it the old “college try” – but there comes a point when you just have to say that you cannot do it.

I am starting to reach that point.

Are cookies really this hard? The first batch I made last week (in the C is for Cookie post) were just okay. Jim ate them, but he also drinks soda that has been sitting out overnight (Sorry Jim). I would say he isn’t the best barometer of fine baking. I will boast that my icing was pretty good – so at least I’ve got that going for me. That basically has 2 ingredients (milk and powdered sugar), so I really can’t mess that one up. But the cookies weren’t great, so I wanted to try again. Oh well – not much better luck this time.

I did suck it up today and purchase a package of pre-made cookie dough mix . . . the kind to which you add water, eggs, butter, then go. I know those will turn out. And I’ve got my good icing, so there you go.

I did also find that I can make white-covered-pretzels like a mad woman. They are delicious, and all you do is melt and dip. I’ve made 2 rounds of those so far. THOSE I can give away to neighbors and friends with confidence. I know they won’t stand around in their kitchens laughing at me when they eat the pretzels . . . but, trust me, if I gave out my cookies, they would.

As usual, Meg was a great help. She stirred and licked and smeared all morning as we baked. I guess as long as she is having a good time, the results don’t matter. It’s about spending time with her, and that is the most important thing.

If I try again and am not successful, don’t expect me to post. That’s just too embarrassing. You’ll only hear of future cookie-baking experiences if they have a successful outcome. Wish me luck.

Countdown to Fab-o-Fun Friday: 3 days