Friday, December 20, 2013

Five On Friday

One.  IUI #2
This past Monday I had my 2nd IUI procedure done.  It went well, it’s a very quick procedure, and it’s the waiting two weeks that’s tough!  We did the procedure a bit earlier this time around so I have to wait a full 14 days before I can get my blood test done.  Last time we only had to wait about 10 or so days.  I’m hopeful that the rounds of injections will be more effective this time around.  So far I feel differently than I did last time.  Last time I felt delicate and fragile, I didn’t exercise, I didn’t drink, I was very cautious, this time around I feel like I will try to live like I normally do, (sans drinking) exercising, eating whatever I want, maybe even enjoying some Christmas punch next week.  Just want to give a quick thanks to everyone who has sent us messages, texts, emails, etc. this week.  You are all so wonderful to be thinking of us during these times, much love.



Two.  Olmsted Family Christmas
This weekend is the annual Olmsted Family Christmas.  The Olmsted family is Joe’s mother’s side, & what a blast they are.  This party will consist of an absolute TON of food, and an absolute TON of Christmas Vacation quoting.  Practically all conversation will have some line from the movie in it.  Uncle Robbie will wear his Santa hat with the little jingle bells on it just like Clark Griswold did.  We will exchange gifts & have a ton of fun with family.  Each year the siblings (Linda, Joe’s mom, Lori, Leslie, & Robbie) switch off hosting.  Leslie and Robbie live near each other about 3 hours away from our house & Linda and Lori both live here in town so some years we travel & some years we stay close to home.  It’s always so much fun.  This will be the first big kick-off to the Christmas season & I can’t believe it’s already here!




Three.  More Christmas Festivities
Actually, this entire weekend is filled with Christmas festivities of some sort.  Friday night we will go to my parents for Garzanelli’s (local, awesome, Italian food) this will be our first Christmas without my grandma.  We won’t be exchanging any gifts, just getting together with a small group of family members. Probably will trim the tree at my moms and enjoy a nice fire.  Then Saturday is the Olmsted Family Christmas, followed by Sunday’s Shields Family Christmas.  Love this time of year!!  I can’t wait to see all my family members, eat too much food, and exchange gifts.



mom your house is beautiful, but this is they view I'd really like to be enjoying! wow!

Four.  Starved Rock Stay Over
We live right next to Starved Rock which is more well-known then we locals seem to realize.  It’s a beautiful State Park with an enormous lodge, right on the Illinois River.  There’s tons of hiking on trails, through canyons, & under waterfalls.  Truly a very beautiful place that we sometimes take for granted.  Every year for the last few years Joe and I have stayed on Christmas Eve Eve in one of the log cabins with my aunt, uncle, two cousins, & their girlfriends.  We eat a nice dinner, then bring board & card games into the lodge & enjoy a few cocktails & a ton of laughs!  It’s one of the most relaxing things that we do around the holidays.  We missed it last year since we were visiting family in North Dakota so we’re really looking forward to it this year.

Five. TTC Timeline
Be on the lookout for a new page being added to the blog soon, our TTC timeline.  It will be a timeline from our wedding day to current.  I will try to keep it as updated as possible.  I'm also planning on including the cost of what all of our procedures, doctor visits, & medications have cost.  I will include both before insurance coverage & after.  I know everyone is different, but I think this will be great information for those who are going down a similar path & also a good record for me to keep track of when things were happening & how much they were costing us.  I got this idea from Jessah @ Dreaming of Dimples and Megan @ A Brink Adventure.  Thanks to both of these brave ladies for sharing their amazing stories!!


Happy weekend everyone!!

6 comments:

  1. What a beautiful place to stay, and what a super fun tradition!

    Hope everything is going well procedurewise, sending you prayers and good vibes!

    stopping by from the linkup! merry Christmas

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    Replies
    1. It is so fun, I love that we just relax while were there before the craziness starts!!

      Thanks for stopping!

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  2. WOW is that Christmas tree and fireplace ever beautiful! Stunning. Starved Rock looks like a great place to visit - hope you have fun at the cabin! Thinking of you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I would die to have a Christmas tree that big!! Happy weekend thank you for thinking of us! Xo

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  3. Elizabeth and JustinDecember 20, 2013 at 4:04 PM

    Keeping you both in our thoughts! *Baby wishes*
    Merry Christmas hun!

    ReplyDelete

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