Transfer Anniversary (Thing 1 & Thing 2)

One year ago today we held our breath as two little embryos were transferred.  It was one try of many ... IM had undergone six  cumulative cycles of IUI and IVF herself and we'd attempted IVF twice already with me - we prayed that this would finally be "it".  I remember how K treated each cycle as if it was the first, she never let the past discourage her and each try brought new hope.  She's one of the most amazingly resilient women I've ever met.

We waited in our lucky socks to be brought back and the procedure went off perfectly - well almost.  ("Transferred!") After that we waited a very long 4.5 days to test and were excited, but very cautious, when we saw that very first BFP. ("We Have An Overachiever").  Then there was a week of doubling betas, with slightly higher than average numbers, followed by a series of confirmation ultrasounds which let us know that yes indeed, there was not just one but TWO babies snuggling in. ("Two for Two!") It was a month long high filled with anticipation, excitement, and emotion.  Wow, how things can change in a year.

Happy Transfer Anniversary K&S, Ryan & Mason !!!

5 day old embryos

Ryan and Mason - 4 months

Love you guys,
Miss Tiffany

Family Pictures

Picture sharing time!  Finally, for the first time in probably what's been four years, my family had pics taken.  My dear friend Daisy's husband joined us at our new home for a lil photo shoot and the pics turned out wonderful.  The new lil family also had pics taken recently.  I've added a few to the PHOTO ALBUM here on the site.  The boys are getting so big and are just adorable!

I had the pleasure of helping K celebrate her birthday in Chicago last weekend.  Of course no visit would be complete without some snuggles.  The boys are "talking" and giggling and such happy guys.  They are just adorable together, cooing and smiling away at one another.  They have no idea how lucky they are to have each other and no doubt will be best buds.

I also recently chatted on the phone with Giovanni.  He's a lil chatter box and had no reservation telling me all about his Christmas.  They headed out this week for another visit to Europe, this is his third trip and this time he'll be seeing the sights in Paris. 

Here are a few of our family pics and don't forget to check out the others in the album. 

Isabelle (5)  Abrienne (18)  Chloe (12) & Lauren (8)

photos by Jacob Mathison

Happy Holidays (an update)

I've missed you all!  These last few weeks have been so busy it's unreal and my blogging time has been limited.  To catch you up to speed real quick.  While on maternity leave I decided to close my home daycare - a very hard decision but, it felt right for the entire family.  I'd invested six years into my business, one that I was very proud of but, with Izzy in Kindergarten now my passion to be at home wasn't as strong and I felt it was time to move on.  I was very excited to be hired back at my previous job returning to my position as a dental assistant.  Also during all of this Jason and I came across a house that we fell in love so, we've purchased a new home!  We moved in a few weeks ago and are getting settled day by day.  It's been a crazy few months and then throw in that we were right in the middle of the holidays and ... Yikes!!  Things are all falling into place.  We are adjusting to the new schedules and LOVE the setting of our new home - we've been blessed.

Ryan (L) Mason (R)

As for surro news, things have been fairly quiet.  I stopped pumping for the twins late November which is always bittersweet.  It was the end of me nourishing them and providing for them but, I'm happy to have my body back and be able to focus on me again.  K&S and the boys came out for a visit and final milk run early December and I was able to get in some snuggles.  Ryan and Mason are lil chunky monkeys full of smiles and cooing - just adorable.  (click pic to enlarge)

They all spent their Christmas in Minnesota visiting K's side of the family and made a few stops along the way.  One of those was to the ER, poor lil Ryan wasn't well so they spent the better part of a day in the hospital while the staff observed him and ran some tests.  It turned out to be a UTI, poor guy!  It sounds like after lots of TLC from mom and dad and antibiotics he is doing better.  We'll be seeing on another again in just a couple of weeks when Jason and I head into the city for K's bday - we plan to stay overnight and I can't wait to get in some cuddles with the boys that next morning before we head home.

I've been checking in on Giovanni and family this holiday season as well.  They spent Christmas with family in the area and have headed out to Myrtle Beach for their annual vaca.  They'll only be home for a short while before they travel to France end of January.  I'm hoping we can all connect soon and have them out for a visit after they return.

A year ago this time I was starting meds for the cycle that would bring about the twins - it seems like just yesterday.  This has been an amazing year for many reasons and I feel very blessed to have two beautiful surro-families and so many other loving friends and family.  Thank you all for a beautiful 2012 and can't wait to see what the new year brings!!

Happy Holidays and wishing you all the best in 2013!!!

Thankful for these Little Turkeys

How can Thanksgiving pass us by without a post of how very thankful I am for my surro families.  These lil faces and Mr. G's  are so very special to me and I feel so blessed to have the three boys and their parents in my life.

Catching Up with A&T and Lil G

I had a great visit with A&T and my first lil surro-guy this weekend.  We had a nice warm (although somewhat drizzly) November day to visit the local apple orchard.  I really enjoyed following Lil G around watching him play, climb and explore.  He's full of energy and your typical on-the-go two year old.  We said hello to the animals, snacked on some delicious cider donuts and checked out the big barn full of more yummy treats.  After awhile we headed back to our house for a simple dinner - we ordered pizza since our house is kinda torn apart right now getting ready for our upcoming move.

Giovanni and the girls played well into the night while the adults laughed and enjoyed several bottles of wine. We filled them in on all the latest; the delivery of the twins, our new home and my "new" job back at the dental office I worked at previously.  They've been busy doing some unplanned renovations to their condo, working, gearing up for the holidays and looking forward to a trip to France early next year.

We probably won't see one another again for awhile so I'm glad we snuck in this visit before our schedules got crazy.  It's always such a treat to hang out with my surro-fam.  I can't believe that this past week marked five years since we were matched by the agency and our lives were all forever changed.  A&T, thank you again for the opportunity to help you build your family and for the very special relationship we continue to share. 

Check out the photo album for a few new pics. :)

Surro Love

OMG look at this lil chunk!  I just love the full round cheeks and the squishy muffin top (his is much cuter than mine).  This is sweetie pie Mason sporting the onsie I made for the babes at the baby shower.
~ Love ~