"2"

So in fairness to the fact that I've been talking so much about Larkin's b-day (mostly because I've been trying to be better about blogging more regularly), I need to go back to February to recount Kellen's b-day!

My little Kk The Destroyer who was our surprise time and time again is now TWO years old.

First Father's Day- Surprise you're ovulating on your own.

Two weeks later- Surprise you're pregnant.

One trimester later- Surprise you're actually STILL pregnant.

Early ultrasound with the high-risk ob- It's a girl!

Big u/s with the same high-risk ob weeks later- Surprise it's a BOY!

29 weeks gestation- Surprise you're having contractions and going on modified bed rest.

35 weeks gestation- Surprise I'm here early!

Going home two days later with no NICU time or jaundice scare- Surprise I'm not as complicated as my sister was!

To celebrate, we took the kids to the downtown Aquarium for the first time. Patrick and I used to love to go there, and there were many times I(we) drowned my(our) infertility sorrows in a chocolate martini (black and tan) at the cute little bar there. It was awesome to go back as a family. We went through the exhibits, had lunch at the Aquarium restaurant, and rode the shark train. The next morning, we had brunch and La Madeleine and went to the park to play. A very Kk-fun filled weekend. Of course, we all know Kk doesn't think that rules apply to him...and that things are just made for climbing (luckily the aquarium was not very crowded first thing in the morning!). He touched a sting ray...and then held his hand waiting for it to be cleaned... There's a what behind us?

Kk's cake...LOVE our cake decorator, she is AWESOME!

At the park...it was a little windy...

The Puma twinkies...he made his Daddy run all over the place He's 2...and so began my almost 2 months of having two 2 year olds ; )

Larkin goes to a party...

So I've been a bad (non)party-going mother over the past few years pretty much due to my inability to be flexible with the kids' naptime and bedtime rituals. Because of this, my poor kids have missed out on most parties, and even when we've gone, they've usually had to go home before the cake. I know, I know, where's my sense of adventure.

So last weekend, our good friend Ben had his 5th birthday party. It just happened to be at the same place I had selected for Larkin's party that's coming up this weekend. We decided to leave the boys at home (Kk would have enjoyed himself, but never would have made it through presents without screaming for a snack...I need to prep for that this weekend...), and the girls would go and maybe even stay for the whole party. Total success! We stayed the whole time, and she had such a blast.

She ran...

She launched rockets (pretty well if I do say so myself, better coordination than I expected!)... She smiled A LOT (and high pitched squealed while running full speed)... I find it intriguing that her default "legs up" pose is a half lotus with her right leg on top...which is my exact default pose anytime I'm on the ground...LOL! We even stayed for cupcakes (she picked vanilla...really?...her Daddy's genes at work!)... I discovered that my children are always going to make me look like I need a tan... And I'm so glad we got to go. I found myself tearing up quite a bit several times during the party. To see her so happy, to have contained myself NOT to follow her every step to make sure she didn't get hurt, to finally be one of the moms off to the side watching their kid play, well it was a really nice moment. I had prepped Larkin prior to the party that this was "Ben's party not Larkin's party" and that her party was next week. So on the way home she said "Ben's birthday is over, now it's Larkin's birthday!"

Sweet girl, if you only knew all the preparation we've all been doing for you this week (and this lifetime...).

Spring Retrospective

Edited to add: I find it funny that no one (especially me!) noticed I put "4 years ago" and "3 years ago" effectively making my kids one year older a piece than they actually are...LOL!

So this time of year holds a lot of memories for me. For quite some time, I found blogging to be good therapy. I’ve yet to really allow this blog to serve that purpose for me, but I think it’s time to start! Spring has been an interesting season for us over the past few years…truly heaven and hell.

6 Years Ago in the Spring…

In simple terms: I found out I was pregnant for the first time. I found out what it was like to miscarry for the first time. Neither of those being the last of those occurrences.

In complex terms: My infertility journey really got interesting. I jumped from the “I can’t get pregnant” to the “I can’t stay pregnant” category. Both categories suck. That spring brought me the honor of being a statistical anomaly. I had an ectopic pregnancy, oh but wait, we’re sorry, it was a heterotopic pregnancy (that would be one in the tubes, one in the uterus…at the same time), oh but hell, what does it matter, you lost them both. Then we find out I have a uterine septum (big divider going down the middle of my uterus…not supposed to be there for those of you who never paid attention in health class), get that removed and we’re off and running.

The next few springs….rinse and repeat. More positive pregnancy tests, still no baby, more subsequent surgeries to fix whatever the hell new problem they found (increasing my prowess as a statistical anomaly…everyone knows I’m an overachiever).

But then 3 Years Ago in the Spring… And then 2 Years Ago in the Spring… Turns out there’s a lot more “good” to celebrate every spring than “bad” to mourn!!! But in the end, I still remember all of the “bad” like it was yesterday. My scars run deep, the physical are fading (I don’t even see them anymore), but the emotional will always be there I think. For those of you that remember, I think I’ll always still consider myself “that girl” when it comes to that journey in my life. I still never hesitate to share my story with anyone I think it might help. And every now and then, I still get that urge to write that book that people have encouraged over the years…one of these days maybe. I still have a lot to get out…but in the end, as I always say, I am one of the lucky ones…and things like making cookies will always take priority over writing a book ; )

Shellac Update Day 5

Here's what the Shellac manicure looks like on day 5 while I have done the following in the meantime...

* washed dishes

* done laundry

* typed ... a lot

* gone dancing

* bathed the kids numerous times

* worked out

* unpacked boxes in my office

* and basically bashed my nails into more things than I can count the past few days!

While I can see the smallest of nicks on my right thumb, I've NEVER had polish last this long my entire life. So far I'm impressed and would consider doing it for conferences, special occasions, etc. Let's see how long it will actually make it though...

I also got it on my toes on Saturday, so we'll see how it holds up against heels, running, etc. It survived unscathed after dancing with Patrick in open toed shoes though ; )