ColumBUS

We had a great time in Ohio this weekend. We've always been so close with our cousins, so it was a lot of fun to catch up and hang out with one another. My cousin, Rick is in the National Guard and his unit gets deployed in September. Good Luck Rick - we love you! Here are some pictures from the party!

In the car on the way to Ohio...Mom & I were the lucky ones who got to sit in the way back...Tripsy did an awesome job in the car -
she slept for most of the ride!

Trip & my cousin's Beagle, Copper

Copper pinning Trip

Momma & Daddy-O

me & Aunt Malo, my Godmother

me & my cousin, Megan

Megan's daughter, Hailey Rachel & I
Hailey is named after me!

the little girls, Maddy and Hailey
Maddy is my cousin, Kim's daughter

me & Bri

my sister, Kristen & Uncle Ba (her Godfather)

The hosts! Jen & Rick

cousins!
Lizzie, Meg, Kris, Jen, me & Kim

whew! it was a long day!

on the car ride home...Trippy was whipped!

she made sure to get some time watching the world go by
...that is Lizzie sleeping!... ;)

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T-1 day...

Rocco Dominic Valvano

We finally made it over to our friend's Dominic & Adrienne Valvano's house last night to meet their new son, Rocco! Rocco was born on July 24th. He is the first baby this summer we were unable to visit in the hospital - Brian & I feel terrible - but it was the "rollercoaster" weekend and we were going through a few things of our own at the time. I am pretty sure Rocco forgives us!

me & Rocco

a close up of his handsome face

Brian & Rocco

Dominic & Adrienne

The Valvano Family!

Mommy & Baby

Things always get a bit silly when we're hanging out with Dom and it wasn't anything different this time. I have a smile feature on my camera that when set makes it possible to aim your camera at a person and as soon as they smile it snaps a picture. Brian & I assume it's for parents who want to catch their babies or little kids smiling in a picture. We were telling Dom & A about it and of course we had to try it out on the boys...

Brian smiled really big!

Dom figured it out that all you really have to do is show teeth!

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We have a Rocco Domenic in the Milazzo family too! Rocco's mom is my cousin Julie. He is going to be 2 on October 20th. I thought I would share pictures of our Rocco... (isn't it too funny that they are both named Rocco Dominic?! Rocco Milazzo just spells Domenic with an e)

Mackenzie is Rocco Milazzo's Godmother

Here he is this past January dancing the night away at Grandpa's 80th

He's getting so big!

Brian & Roc at Sal's (my cousin) First Communion

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The countdown to Tuesday is ON! Keep thinking positive! Have a great weekend!

Love you!

Good To Go!

Had blood work taken this morning, so I thought that I would give you the update...

I received the call this afternoon that everything looks GREAT and that we should just keep doing what we're doing - we are not to change a thing. We are very excited that they didn't have to change any of my medication or increase any of the injections - WHEW! It's just smooth sailing until next Tuesday when we find out if I'm pregnant or not. I have such a great feeling about this! Everything seems to be falling right into place.

You may remember me referencing a party this weekend for my cousin's husband, Rick, in Ohio. My mom and dad were pretty insistent that I get clearance from Dr. Hickey before just getting in the car and driving the 6 hours. So, along with the blood work information the nurse told me that YES, Dr. Hickey said that it is fine that I go out of town this weekend, the only restriction is that we have to stop every 2 hours on the drive for me to get out and walk around and get the circulation moving. Not a problem! Obviously once we get there I really won't be able to do much but just sit around (no games, no drinking) but I am A-OK with that! It has been way too long since I've seen my cousins and I'm really looking forward to catching up and hanging out with them. Oh! ...and taking pictures of course!

I know that you guys don't appreciate it when I don't have pictures, but I don't really have any to go along with today's post. So, I'm including some pictures of our vacation down to West Palm Beach, Florida, this time last year. We visited my cousin Joe for a wonderful week full of golf, beach, sun, pool, and resort. Ahhh, I wish I was there now!

"The Square Grouper" a bar right on the inlet
the tables are right on the sand next to the water...awesome...

we are so tan!

move over Annika Sorenstam

I can't help but edit everything I read...check out the way they spelled Florida

The best host ever - my cousin Joe!

PGA National Golf Course...holes 15, 16, 17 are called "The Bear Trap"
I liked calling them the Bear Claw though...fun holes to play

these boys could golf all day every day
me...I'll stay at the pool today!

I know the pictures were random, but what can you do...can't believe it was a year ago this week already! Man, I love Florida. Why do we live in Chicago??? I wonder it all the time!

D-O-N-E, done, done, done!

Bed rest is over - I definitely won't say finally because now that I'm officially done, I'll admit I kinda miss it! :) Dr. Hickey told me to remain a sedate activity level - no working out of any sort (I know, darn!), no lifting anything over 10 pounds - for atleast the next 8 days. I am on strict orders (from my mom and Katie mostly) that sedate activity means that I really can't do much of anything. Thank goodness Brian scheduled his vacation for next week, because I was wondering how my classroom/office was going to get moved and all set up. It'll be a real fun vacay for him! :) Tripsy is sure seeming to enjoy being back to normal today, I think she likes our days together.

Today I have my transfer follow-up acupuncture appointment at 1:30 and then tomorrow I have an appointment for blood work to be taken. They'll just be checking my progesterone level, which helps to maintain my lining, and then will help to support pregnancy. A week from tomorrow - the 11th - I will go back in for another blood draw, this time for both progesterone and pregnancy. This is the date in which will we find out - I've debated back and forth on whether or not to share that information, but the more I thought about it the more silly it seemed. You have all been through hell and back with me on this blog and it just seems ridiculous to keep that information to myself - plus, you know I'll be busting through the seams! I just ask for your continued thoughts and prayers whatever the outcome.

Here are a few pictures of my last day of bed rest - Sunday -

at one point we found Trip in her cage...she NEVER just goes in her cage...
"what's wrong tripsy girl???"

YAY!! I graduated to the couch!
Brian let me migrate to the living room around 5:30pm.
The shirt is from our friends Matt & Michelle Shiles, they actually got me a pj set to make my bed rest more comfy, but it was just too hot for the pants! You can't see it, but Snoopy the BEAGLE is on the front - how thoughtful are they! Thanks Shiles Family!

me & my beagle cuddling together

Bed Rest Day Two

Well, I have almost made it, I can finally get up and walk around this evening. So far, I've only been allowed to get up to use the bathroom and for Brian to administer my injection. So needless to say, I'm getting a bit restless. I've played a bagillion computer games, checked my email, checked facebook, watched almost all of season two of "How I Met Your Mother", watched movies, read books, read magazines, and have also just layed here. My favorite thing has been when my friends have come to visit. I have amazing friends and family who have stopped by both on Friday and Saturday. It has definitely helped pass the time for both Brian & I. Thank you everyone for your thoughtfulness - we are so greatly appreciative!!!

Trippy loves Katie & Momma
...she was hoping they brought Parker & Pepper!...

me & bestest, Katie
Thanks Kate for the venti Starbucks (decaf for me!)
and the magazines, you are the best!

me & Lizzie

watching "13 going on 30" all together in my bed

We couldn't believe Dominic took time away from his newborn son,
Rocco and stopped by with Blizzard's - we couldn't ask for a better friend

My old roommate, Greg came by late night to have
some beers with Bri and to make me some of his delicious guacamole

Dad brought McDonald's breakfast for us this morning,
before heading out to his 3rd Sox/Yankees game. Love you Daddy-o!

I forgot to let you know yesterday but, my lining ended up being 11.9!!! Awesome, huh!? Dr. Hickey was quite impressed. It's amazing how everything falls into place when it is supposed to, you just have to trust in God and his plan no matter how difficult that can be.

Bed Rest Day One

Here I sit on bed rest, thanking Kristen for the wonderful idea of grabbing a laptop to help keep me busy! I have the BEST husband in the world who has waited on me hand and foot while still taking care of our Tripsy. Here are some pictures of our day yesterday...

Brian & I in the car on our way!

Everything went really well yesterday for the transfer. We had four embryos in total. One was at an 8 cell development, one was 7 cells, one was 6 cells, and one was 5 cells. With the help of the embryologist (?) we decided to transfer 3 embryos. The 8, 7, and 6. For frozen embryonic development the best quality is 8 cells. So, needless to say, we were very excited about the embryos we were given. (yes, there is a chance for triplets - but a very small chance)

in the procedure room waiting...

All in all, I'm not sure how long the whole process took. After our decision of how many embryos to transfer they gave me valium and we waited about 30 minutes for it to kick in. It didn't seem to take very long to make me sleepy - I was definitely relaxed! After the 30 minutes, Dr. Hickey and staff came in and began the transfer process. Brian was able to be in the procedure room with me the entire time - thank goodness!

The nurse had the ultrasound wand on my stomach so we were actually able to watch the embryo's being placed into my uterus. It was really neat. They gave us a picture of it too - you can actually see them in there! When it was all said and done, I had to lay there on my back for about 20-30 minutes before they would let us go home. Mackenzie was in the waiting room during the procedure and then they brought her back to be with us while we waited. It was so special to have her there with us. She has been part of this whole thing and it only made sense for her to be there for this too.

me and the procedure table

me and my favorite nurse, Victoria

picture of our embryos - we used the top two and the bottom right one

Brian & our embryo's...those are the three we transferred!

Mackie & I after the procedure

me & Bri

What a great picture! I love you guys!

Right when I got home I was greeted joyfully by my mom and Kristen! It was nice having the company while I was just laying here in my bed. We had a delicious lunch from a new place called, Spicy Pickle! Yum!

Mack, Kris & I

Me & my Momma...and Tripsy too!

Mom and Kris brought these flowers for me -
they are pink and blue with baby's breath!

me with my favorite puppy

I know I look dreadful, but I had just woken up!
This DELICIOUS and BEAUTIFUL edible arrangement was
sent to me from our friends Laura, Cale & Ella Lucas. Thanks guys it was awesome and yes, it is just about gone - I'm telling you, this was the freshest fruit! Added bonus...pineapple is really good for implantation! :) Thank Lucas Family - you guys are the BEST!