Today is THE DAY

"Today is the day that The Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it."  Psalm 118:24

I took the most amazing nap ever yesterday afternoon after I blogged.  There was drool everywhere when I woke up- evidence to me of a good sleep!

This was the screenshot I sent out yesterday to our faith family.

As soon as I woke up I went through all of the text messages I had received and saw a bunch of notifications on Facebook.  I immediately saw posts from my friend Toni in Oklahoma.  They had bad storms the day before but I had no idea they were continuing.  We texted and I watched the live coverage on The Weather Channel.  She was only a mere ten miles from the destruction path of the storm.  As my eyes were welling up with tears I called out to God asking for Him to keep her safe.  At that moment I promise you that I watched the tornado disappear back up into the clouds.  In my own selfishness I had only prayed for her, along with her husband and daughter.  The three of them were fine, but the tornado left behind so much devastation and many lives lost.  This is not one of the happy memories that I wished to record on the day before my daughter's birth.  My heart is at rest knowing that my friend and Elliana's honorary Aunt Toni is alive today, yet I still grieve for all of those who perished.

My experience with the first two cervical checks was easy.  I left the office feeling the same way as when I walked in.  That cannot be said for the past two- last Wednesday and yesterday.  My belly feels even lower and I have battled more contractions and back pain.  It actually felt like my tummy could fall off of my body.

Weemail is hilarious. (It's a free app in the apple store)  You get a "message" from the baby everyday.  Some of them are funnier than others and this one is one of my favorite so far!

Brandon had to run to a few meetings with customers yesterday and wasn't home until close to 4 pm.  He worked until past 5:30 pm trying to wrap things up knowing that he wouldn't be able to fully sit down and take care of people until next week.  My pain and anxiety level from watching the storm coverage kept me from doing much at all until he was able to help me.  We did wash, dry, and put our sheets back on the bed. I absolutely love the smell of Gain and having clean sheets!  We packed the diaper bag, snack bag, car seat, and nursing pillow in the car to get a jump start on today's packing.  We finished up two additional loads of laundry and reevaluated our hospital bag.  Brandon did a quick clean of both of our bathrooms again and vacuumed throughout the house one more time.  All of the trash has been taken out and this is about the cleanest I've EVER seen our house!

I added this PicStitch collage to Instagram yesterday.  I've taken so many pictures of my growing belly throughout the pregnancy.
I can't believe that I'll look so different when I return home at the end of the week. 

Once we finally stopped running around we decided to go ahead and get gas in the car and grab some dinner.  We could have went out for a nice sit-down and romantic dinner but I was feeling too crappy honestly!  We grabbed McDonalds instead and I enjoyed my last fully-loaded caffeinated Dr. Pepper.

Joy was here at the house when we got back and we spent some time with her and the kids, and Dad showed up as well.  Joy prayed over me and I surprisingly only shed a few tears.  After she left Dad came in for just a few minutes and then he went home as well.

God has blessed me with an amazing family.  Joy's kids call my Daddy "Pops" now.  It's so awesome how your family doesn't always have to be blood related.  My faith family chooses to be a part of my life and I am blessed by them.

My Joy.
Where would I be today without her?
This is my favorite picture of us because we could pass for sisters.  She is like a sister to me.  She know all of the personal serious stuff and the embarrassing things too!

I have no idea how I went to bed.  I guess I was tired.  But here I am now not able to sleep anymore.  This is about my usual time to wake up and drink loads of water or sweet tea before falling back asleep on the couch.  I'm being good and am NOT drinking anything (doctor's orders for induction).

A friend I met through Joy is also in labor right now.  Brandi's water broke yesterday morning and she has been at the hospital since.  They are planning her c-section today and I know that she is beyond ready to hold her daughter as well.  Her labor experience has been long and hard and she has failed to progress past 4 cm.  They have two beautiful children through the gift of adoption, and God also blessed them with Miss Annalise after a severe battle with over twenty miscarriages.  Please remember Brandi today.  She's been through so much already and I'm just praying that her c-section is quick and that she recovers swiftly.

I messaged with her earlier telling her that I had an inkling our daughters would share a birthday.  My hope was that I'd magically go into labor yesterday after my cervical check... not that she would labor and labor and labor through the next day.  But she and I were both products of what Joy calls "Nesia's baby dust."  I've only met Brandi once, at Nesia's first birthday last year.  In that one week Nesia was with us at the fertility clinic during the FET and then saw Brandi and her husband during the time they must have conceived their own miracle baby (who thrived with one of the LOWEST progesterone levels I've ever heard of).

So here we are today.  I should be sleeping right now but I'm wide awake.  I may regret not getting more rest later, but for now I am glad that I've been able to type away more memories.  Elliana's arrival is getting closer and closer and I cannot even comprehend the amount of love I will feel for her as I give birth and she is placed in my arms.

I have some anxiety and nerves about today, but for now I feel God's overwhelming peace flowing through me.  He brought us to this day and I will trust Him to help us through it.  Our journey doesn't end today because Elliana will be born.  Our journey is just beginning as a family of three, but I will never forget what it took for us to get here.  The friendships and relationships we made along our infertility path are so special to us and we will never be the same because of them.  I would not trade our journey for anything.  Brandon and I are so lucky and blessed to be on this side of infertility now, but know that there are still so many others waiting to complete their own families.  We will always pray for those still in the family building process-no matter how they are trying to achieve their forever family.  He and I do not know what our own family future holds, but I do know that we will continue to trust God and rely on Him.

Induction Date Set for....

Brandon and I are so excited.  After our appointment today, Dr. Ross went ahead and scheduled our induction for TOMORROW!

I had progressed a little at

1 cm / 90% / -3

Dr. Ross did ask me if I had underwent previous surgeries on my cervix.  Of course I had two different hysteroscopies, as well as the egg retrieval and frozen embryo transfer.  He seemed to think that may have played a factor in my cervix's slow progression.

Nonetheless we are thrilled to have our induction set for tomorrow.  We have to be at the hospital at 6 am and all of the fun will start from there.  I will try to update as much as possible so that I can remember everything!

Please keep us in your prayers!  There's so many little things that I need to do to prepare, but I am trying to enjoy these last moments with Elliana as a part of me.  God has been so good to us.

39 Weeks and Bumpdate

How many weeks:
39 Weeks
This could very well be our last Bumpdate!

How big is Ellie:
The size of a watermelon

Maternity Clothes:
My shorts all fit as long as they have elastic and stay up under my belly.  My bathing suit bottoms also still fit and I've been trying to get a little bit of sun before d-day.

Weight Gain Alert!
161 lbs
Gained this week:  38 lbs
Total weight gain:  0 lbs (I actually lost weight since last week)

Movement:
Sometimes it feels like she's trying to beat me up in there.  My entire belly moves when she's flailing around.  It amazes Brandon at how strong she is.  If I had to stay pregnant much longer I think she'd break one of my ribs!

Food Cravings:
Ice, Ginger Ale, and Popsicles

Food Aversions:
I don't really want to eat much at all now.  I battle nausea throughout the day and am only able to function by drinking lots of fluids and the occasional Zofran pill.

My Current Eating Pattern:
Not eating much these days, but I try to make it count when I am able to eat.

Symptoms:
Lost mucus plug!, BH Contractions, super EMOTIONAL, low belly, frequent urination, fatigue, NESTING, carpal tunnel syndrome, swollen hands and feet, cankles, anxiety about baby coming soon, excitement, quick to get angry, loss of appetite, constipation, busy feeling, boredom when I'm home

Sleep:
I would get more sleep if I didn't frequent the potty so much!  When I do get up it takes me much longer to sit up and make it to the bathroom.  If Ellie's been asleep she snuggles up on whichever side I've been laying on.  My belly aches a lot at night, but I'm still able to go to sleep.

What do I miss:
Nothing now.  I'm so excited to meet our daughter soon, and I want to try and enjoy the last days of being pregnant (which is easier said than done).

Best moment of the week:
Finding out that we made some progress at our cervical check and making it through the sweeping of my membranes like a boss!  I also lost my mucus plug and know that labor could happen soon on it's own!!

Worst moment of the week:
I had some emotional days, but I'm hoping they're behind me now.

What am I looking forward to:
More contractions to get Miss Ellie here!  We've moved up our next doctor's appointment to Monday and will schedule an induction from there if I'm not already in labor on my own.

Milestones:
We're 39 weeks pregnant and it's now a completely safe time for our baby girl to be born!

"Ellie weighs around seven to eight pounds now and could measure 19 to 21 inches.  Her measurements won't change much from now, but her brain is still growing and will continue until she's around three years old.  Ellie's pink skin is now more white and her head has dropped into my pelvis making it easier for me to breathe!"
from What to Expect When You're Expecting

Bumpdate

Passed my Mucus Plug!

Last night I felt better after I blogged.  I was able to go back to sleep once my words were out of my head.  Not long after Brandon got up this morning, I decided to get up as well.

I went to the bathroom and............

MY MUCUS PLUG WAS COMING OUT!

Talk about excitement and nastiness all at the same time!  Brandon and I went for a walk around the block and came home.  I took a two hour nap and have had a few contractions.  Best part is I had the contractions while resting so they're the real deal now!

I had passed a tiny bit of my mucus plug before, but there was NO DOUBT that I was passing the real thing today.  It's so funny to be excited about something this gross!  Labor could be hours or days away now, but we're making progress.

Diary Blogging in the Last Days

I haven't wanted to write much lately because I'm so down.  My emotions are crazy and all over the place.  When I wake up I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to hold it together or not.  I spent the better part of yesterday in tears over silly stuff.

I am so excited that our daughter could be here any day now.  Our house is as ready as it will ever be and our bags are packed with all of the essentials.  All of the pregnant women around me are having their babies and it's hard to not be jealous.

We started trying to get pregnant in July 2010.  That's how long I've waited to hold my baby.  Now that we're within days of her arrival I find myself so filled with emotion that I can barely get through each day.  I'm glad that I have been able to identify jealousy as the culprit of my recent sadness.  It's just difficult when I feel like I have been pregnant for so long.  It's not like I took a test early, we know exactly which days everything occurred for Ellie to be about to make her grand entrance.

After our appointment on Wednesday I was so full of energy and joy.  I had contractions off and on all day and really felt like something was happening.  On Thursday, nada.  I barely had five contractions all day.  It was such a discouragement.  Walking usually makes the Braxton Hicks start again but I barely have the energy to walk anymore.  I laid in bed almost all day long and cried over every little thing.

Now I'm sitting here wishing it was time to be awake because sleep has grown so difficult.  The nightly visits to the bathroom aren't awful, but I wake every time thinking that I should be getting up to start the day.  I feel so bad for Brandon because he never knows if I'm angry, happy, or about to burst into tears.

Today makes us 8 days away from our estimated due date.  Remember us in your thoughts and prayers.  I'm trying so hard to hold it together each day and to continue to pray for patience and peace.

May 15th Appointment and Cervical Check

Today's cervical check was not terribly disappointing.  I wish that I would have had more progression, but the Braxton Hicks really fired up yesterday and obviously caused a little bit of movement.

1 cm / 70 % / -3

This explains cervix effacement

This explains the "station" of the baby
(both photos taken from Prepared Childbirth book we were given at Brookwood)

Dr. Mac stripped my membranes today*.  This was something I was honestly terrified about, but it ended up not being too bad.  Cervical checks are not my favorite at all due to some issues with severe pelvic pain.  While he was checking, he continued to talk to me and then stripped the membranes in hopes of firing up more dilation and contractions.

Our original plan was to go ahead and schedule an induction for next week.  My step-dad and brother are leaving for China at the end of the month and I do NOT want them to already be gone when Elliana is born.  If we were to schedule the induction now, I'm at risk for a painful labor experience.  My cervix is NOT ready yet.  Right now our plan is to get to my next appointment on Wednesday, May 22, and schedule and induction from there if necessary.  But I could have my dilation progress or my water break between now and then too.  It's all a waiting game and I'm excited.  I've been opposed to an induction from the beginning because about 85% of them result in a c-section delivery.  If Dr. Mac doesn't think that we've made enough progression at my appointment Wednesday we will definitely schedule an induction as soon as possible from there.  It is very difficult for me to walk around now without feeling pain, but I'd rather keep baby girl safe and healthy until she's more ready to come out!

I've been nesting like crazy and find myself cleaning the most obscure things that I've never thought about before.  I walked outside in the backyard with Logan for 15 minutes yesterday and I had the worst BH contractions in this pregnancy to date. I ended up calling the nurse because they were so frequent and they told me to lay down, drink water, and take Tylenol.  Well if it happens today I'm not doing it.  I resolve to stay on my feet and keep them coming!

And whoever said that BH contractions aren't painful LIED!  Mine aren't terrible, but they're not pain-free either.  But now this truly feels real and my baby girl could be here with a matter of days or a week.  God is so good and I am overwhelmed with joy and happiness!

*Stripping the membranes. The doctor will insert a gloved finger into your vagina and move it back and forth to separate the membrane that connects the amniotic sac to the wall of the uterus. This is called "stripping the membranes," and it causes the body to release hormones called prostaglandins, which ripen the cervix and may lead to contractions. You may feel some cramping and have some spotting after this procedure. Usually this method of inducing labor is done in your doctor's office, and you'll be sent home to wait until contractions begin.

My First Mother's Day

You would think that I would have been looking forward to this day all week.  Don't get me wrong, I have!  I had a realization earlier this week that I didn't have to be sad on this Mother's Day.  Elliana may not be here yet but I am a Mother.  I don't have to skip church or hide from Facebook today.

Last year Brandon and I escaped to the beach with Brian and Sheri on Mother's Day weekend.  I had just finished a crazy week at work and also received my IVF calendar in the mail.  I keep recounting all that we were going through this time last year.

When we have infant baptisms at church now, I only cry because I can just see Brandon and I standing before the church dedicating our own child to the Lord.  So much has changed, but I still feel scarred from what we endured to get here.  I feel guilt for wanting my water to break or contractions to start.  I feel bad for wanting the pregnancy to end so I can meet Ellie.  I should still enjoy being pregnant, but my anticipation builds each day that we get closer to our due date.  I am grateful for the gift of pregnancy because of Elliana, but my body is so tired and nothing could have prepared me for this part of the journey.

Coming home from dinner last night I told Brandon that it still doesn't seem quite real.  Nine months have flown by and he and I have gotten used to seeing my belly grow larger each week.  Feeling her kick and jab has become common.  My bladder stays full, and I'm just getting used to people staring at my tummy and asking me when she's due.  But she is real; an answered prayer.  She will be here soon and our lives will change forever.  I've always hated that statement, but it's true.  It won't be just the two of us anymore.

For me, it was never about just having a baby.  I truly realized that yesterday while we were at lunch and little six year old girl's eyes caught mine.  Then we were at the store and I saw a girl about the same age grocery shopping with her mom.  Having a baby is going to be amazing, but I can't wait for ALL of it.  The tea parties, birthdays, shopping trips, and even the fights.  I can't wait to see Brandon dance with his little girl and teach her about superheroes.  I cannot believe that God trusted us with this gift of a child.  As hard as it would have been, I would have still loved Him if we never had a baby of our own.  Today I am thankful to celebrate this Mother's Day knowing that Elliana can be here any day now.  Thank you, God.  You are so good and I continue to be amazed by your love.

Happy Mother's Day to all of the women in my life.  All women are mothers in their own right.  God provided me many opportunities to "mother."  My prayers today are with all of the women longing to be mothers.

The Wide Spectrum of Mothering

To those who gave birth this year to their first child—we celebrate with you 

To those who lost a child this year – we mourn with you 

To those who are in the trenches with little ones every day and wear the badge of food

stains – we appreciate you 

To those who experienced loss through miscarriage, failed adoptions, or running away—we mourn with you To those who walk the hard path of infertility, fraught with pokes, prods, tears, and

disappointment – we walk with you. Forgive us when we say foolish things. We don’t mean to make this harder than it is 

To those who are foster moms, mentor moms, and spiritual moms – we need you 

To those who have warm and close relationships with your children – we celebrate with you 

To those who have disappointment, heart ache, and distance with your children – we sit with you 

To those who lost their mothers this year – we grieve with you 

To those who experienced abuse at the hands of your own mother – we acknowledge your experience 

To those who lived through driving tests, medical tests, and the overall testing of motherhood – we are better for having you in our midst 

To those who have aborted children - we remember them and you on this day

To those who are single and long to be married and mothering your own children - we mourn

that life has not turned out the way you longed for it to be 

To those who step-parent - we walk with you on these complex paths 

To those who envisioned lavishing love on grandchildren, yet that dream is not to be - we

grieve with you 

To those who will have emptier nests in the upcoming year – we grieve and rejoice with you 

To those who placed children up for adoption – we commend you for your selflessness and

remember how you hold that child in your heart 

And to those who are pregnant with new life, both expected and surprising –we anticipate with you This Mother’s Day, we walk with you. 

Mothering is not for the faint of heart and we have real warriors in our midst. 

We remember you.

Amy Young

38 Weeks and Bumpdate

How many weeks:
38 Weeks

How big is Ellie:
The size of a pumpkin.


Maternity Clothes:
I have one dress from my summer wardrobe that I was able to wear this week.  Other than that, it's all maternity mixed in with some XL t-shirts and leggings when I'm in the house.

Weight Gain Alert!
162 lbs
Gained this week:  0 lbs
Total weight gain:  39 lbs

Movement:

Food Cravings:
I drink a LOT of water throughout the day and want to eat fruit mostly.  Since the belly dropped, I have more room to eat larger meals but I'm not that hungry anymore except for at dinner time

Food Aversions:
Fried food seems disgusting.

My Current Eating Pattern:
It's been difficult for me to eat during the day.  Nausea has made me feel all but miserable when it comes to food during the day.  I drink a lot of water and Ginger Ale and snack.

Symptoms:
NESTING, a little bit more energy mixed with FATIGUE, sciatic pain, frequent urination, some fatigue after moving about, carpal tunnel syndrome, acid reflux, indigestion after meals, pregnancy brain, clumsiness, loss of balance, emotional, weepiness, potty mouth, tender and growing belly, occasional breast tenderness, leakage of colustrum, sense of confusion at times, vision changes, swollen feet and hands, awesome hair!, long nails!, "pregnancy glow"

Sleep:
I've actually been sleeping a little bit better as far as pain in concerned.  I still get up to go to the potty frequently, but I'm usually able to go back to sleep quickly.

What do I miss:
I do miss having energy for small everyday tasks.

Best moment of the week:
Getting everything organized and put away for our baby girl, and having help from Kate with the process

Worst moment of the week:
This weird nausea that I have each morning.  I didn't have morning sickness in the first trimester so this is all new to me!
Not progressing at our second cervical check.  I'm so ready to meet our daughter!

What am I looking forward to:
Meeting Elliana Joy Boyington for the first time and celebrating my first Mother's Day.

Milestones:
We're now TWO WEEKS away from our estimated due date.  We've made it through this pregnancy without any major issues and I am grateful for that.

"Ellie isn't so little anymore and is most likely weighing close to seven pounds and measuring around 20 inches in length.  Her fetal development is nearly complete as she's shedding her vernix and lanugo.  Ellie's also producing MORE surfactant, which prevents the air sacs in her lungs from sticking to one another once she starts breathing.  Most changes in her development are now small, but still very important!  She's still adding fat and fine-tuning her brain and nervous system."
from What to Expect When You're Expecting

Bumpdate

Diary Blogging for May 8-10

I've been extremely tired for the past few days.  I've been waking up around 3:30-4 am not able to go back to sleep.  I made hairbows one morning and worked on my scrapbook the next.  Kate came over on Thursday afternoon and helped me around the house.  She ran the vacuum cleaner and even cleaned the baseboards in my hallway!  She put away the remainder of Ellie's clothes we received at our last baby shower and helped me clean out my closet.

Even if I'm able to sleep in until 7 am I still need a nap.  I'm trying to get at least a two-hour nap every day.  My body feels like it's starting to wear down, but I did run myself ragged over the past month and a half.

When I'm out in public people just stare at me because my belly has grown so large.  An older gentleman in WalMart thought I was about to deliver in the check out line and helped me take out all of my purchases from the cart.

Driving in the car isn't that bad, but getting out is.  For me to comfortable reach the pedals, my belly is all but touching the steering wheel.  I have to move my seat backwards to get out and I still struggle.  I'm trying to limit my outings and only go somewhere when I don't have to drive.

My thoughts are all so jumbled right now.  I'm 38 weeks pregnant today and growing impatient.  Everyone says that babies are born when they're ready, but what about the mother?  I'm ready.  My body isn't super uncomfortable, but I long to hold Elliana in my arms.

May 8th Appointment and Cervical Check

Our cervical check was a little bit disappointing.  Since last week I've made no progress.  I was just sure that I'd have moved along with effacement and dilation but nothing.

Fingertip / 60% / -4

The results from my Group B Strep were negative so I will NOT require antibiotics at birth.  My blood pressure is still great, and I have no swelling issues.

I know that she will come when she's ready, but the anticipation is building now.  Everyone said that the last month of pregnancy would drag.  Well, I've stayed so busy that it hasn't until.  The days still pass quickly, but I am eager to hold my precious daughter in my arms.

Diary Blogging for May 6

It's amazing how much stuff I can fit into one day.  Being a stay-at-home-mom/wife is much harder work than anticipated!

Brandon and I stayed up Sunday evening organizing Ellie's bathroom, but there was still a LOT of work left to be done.  I woke up Monday morning completely overwhelmed by the amount of gifts still left to attend to.  Also, I'm a sucker for keeping all gift bags and tissue so I had to go through all of that and get it organized!

The sad part is that I have two bags like this already in the closet so I must consolidate them together.  Organizing has taken over my life in the past few days and I'd be on cloud nine if I had a label maker!

It took me a while, but I was able to get all of my dishes moved to the kitchen from the banquet, cleaned out my Vera bag to be my labor/delivery hospital bag, organized the pantry, organized the linen closet, and removed all winter Maternity clothes from my closet and put them in a tote.  It doesn't sound like much, but every small task accomplished takes so much energy for me now.

I had to travel to Alabaster to WalMart to buy MORE baby coat hangers and pick up photo prints from the weekend's events.  I promise you that I walked over half of the store on purpose for some exercise.  The attendant in the garden center asked me if I should be quickly heading home.  He thought I was about to have the baby right there in the store!  Too funny!!  Apparently I am super huge to ALL who see me now.  HeeHee.  Then I stopped by the store to see Paul and the girls, as well as to pick up my watch and necklace I had left the week prior.

By that time Brandon was finished with his work day so Dad brought him to meet me so we could head to Buy Buy Baby to purchase the last remaining items that we needed for Ellie's arrival.  That was exhausting!  Who knew that it could be so difficult to find the right size diaper changing pad for the changing table AND then find the correct sized sheet.

We only had to make a few small purchases and we were on our way.  I did get a little pissy when the girl messed up all of my coupons but we were both ready to go and I just didn't care anymore.  I was starving and my back was killing me!

We decided to splurge and eat at LaPaz!  It was so yummy, and it wasn't busy since it was only 6pm on a Monday evening.

I never get tired of looking at my husband.  I hope that my clinginess and mushiness towards him never fades.  Yes, we've been married almost 4 years now and together for 6, but my love for him grows every day.  He's even sexier now that he's the father of my daughter.  We may not lead an exciting life, but I enjoy sitting in my recliner beside him each evening.  I couldn't imagine growing old with anyone else but him.

This is what I had for dinner!  The Tamarind Citrus Chicken.  It's Teriyaki glazed chicken served over coconut rice with mango salsa and fresh avocado.  Don't worry, I cleaned my plate!

Brandon got the taco basket and couldn't finish his meal (pansy)!  We left stuffed and I was happy.  I was so stuffed that I bypassed the recliner and went straight to bed!  I needed to lay out since I had so much for dinner.

I did think to take a picture in the mirror before I changed into pajamas.  If you can believe it, the dress I'm wearing is NOT maternity.  It's just a medium sized dress from Old Navy that I purchased last summer.  I felt very pretty and comfortable yesterday.

Once I was laying down, I was waiting for a very important announcement on Facebook.

My dear friend, Liz, is expecting her second child.  We met in college and I remember her telling us that they wanted children but it had never happened.  She got pregnant with "Bugga" or "H" after we finished graduate school.  She had been trying for a second child only to find herself having trouble again.  I had been urging her to see the doctor sooner when they got pregnant with this second bundle of joy.  I just think it's a little girl and I'm calling her "Lil T" for now.

Moving on to today........
I started the day by seeing that a small mass had become a LARGE mass on our doggy's chin.  I took him to the vet and they sedated him to get samples to send off.  They think it's cancer.

He threw up in the vet's office and has just been acting different lately.  We are picking him up around 5 pm this afternoon (in about 2 hours) and will know what the mass is by the end of the week.  It's hard to see in the pictures, but the mass is over the size of a golf ball.  It doubled in size over night.  It's not infection because they drained it some while I was there and only got blood from it.

To say that we're upset is an understatement.  I cried after I left him at the vet.  Logan, aka Lil Buddy, is over 10 years old.  He's supposed to be happy and healthy and ready to play with the baby.  I will update on our furbaby as we know more.  Please keep him in your thoughts!

Mother Daughter Banquet 2013

It's amazing what a difference a year makes.  My new cycle began with the Mother Daughter Banquet last year that prepared us for IVF.  I had my reservations about attending and hosting a table, but moved forward with the event and had a great time.  It was that night that helped me open up even more at church and become more involved.

This event sponsored by the JULIETs (Jesus Unifying Ladies in the Eternal Truth) of the church helps raise money for the STEPs baby shower, Father's Day Fiesta, Women's Retreat, Beautiful Youth Trip, and 3rd Grade Princess Dinner.

This year is so exciting as we're anticipating Elliana's arrival.  Mom, Beth, Gran, and Granny attended with me this year.  (Next year Elliana will have her own place setting!).

We host tables each year with the theme of our choice.  I decided to make Elliana the theme and named my table "Elliegance."  My decor was simple with a pink table cloth, my parent's wedding china, monogrammed silverware, tall stemmed glasses, and gifts for my guests for Mother's Day.

Our welcome table with name tags, coloring books for the little girls, and voting slips for the tables

Eleanna with her table guests.  She and her Mother do such a great job preparing all of their (6-8) tables each year!  I just hope to be planning my table themes in the coming years with Miss Ellie.

The men in the church served at the banquet this year.  Last year there was mass chaos with the table hostesses getting drinks for each table, and there was a long line at the service buffet.  We all enjoyed being waited on by the men in our lives.  Both Brandon and Daddy served.  Everyone was so tickled at my Dad asking if he had been a waiter growing up.  He had plates lined up his arms!

Daddy beside the Christmas themed table

Brandon in the kitchen with a scary smile

The men did a fabulous job serving and even made an assembly line to make our desserts

I don't even have words

On the day before the event, the photographer let Eleanna know that she couldn't make it.  We were both stressed out and upset at the thought of not having someone taking pictures during the event.  I texted Randal and she was more than willing to photograph the evening for us.

I'm pretty sure she took around 800 pictures of the evening!

Myself and Momma
I think the resemblance here is unreal and our hair is the exact same color now!!

Beth, Myself, and Momma

I absolutely love my little sister.  She's finally the age where we can talk and do fun stuff together.  She's so helpful since I'm so big, and I just know she's going to be great with the baby.  Ellie will love her Aunt Roo since they'll be closer together in age than her other aunts and uncles.

Brandon with Nesia

Me with Nesia
Her dress was so cute!

Granny had never been to our church before.  She was overwhelmed with the kindness from all of the women.  She's currently trying to sell her house to move to Calera.  There's no doubt where she'll be attending church once she moves.

With Katherine!

Beth

Haha

Momma

The banquet is my favorite event that we have each year at church.  This was my second year to participate and I plan on being at each and every banquet in the future!  Every year will become more memorable with my precious daughter present, making this event a tradition for my family.