Christmas 2010

Another Christmas down...
More gifts than we can imagine...
More love than we feel...
And...I am finally starting to feel a little better!! (though you can't tell in this picture, because I wasn't on Christmas itself...) But am now.

Leah's fairytale Christmas included an American Girl doll that looks just like her!

Dana and I got way too much...as you can see...but our favorite is the fire pit from my parents!

Celeste got her "purple, peace sign bike"- that she has begged for...and a walking dog..Dana's favorite! ha ha

Alex, too got a bike and lots of games and music and fun stuff- so spoiled.

Every year we take a group family picture that includes Sean's family too- but since I was too sick to make it to his house, we just got this one with us and my parents...with my new camera and tripod- Thanks, Dana!! And I put a copy of this in the Hallmark ornament my Dad gets me each year- I look forward to putting it on the tree next Christmas!
My house is still a disaster zone...I am hoping in the next few days to get enough energy to start getting things in order for the New Year. The new medication seems to be settling into my system better and I am hoping to feel normal very soon! Happy New Year to me! oh, and to you, too!

2 Things....

A couple weeks ago was my annual girls shopping trip to the outlet malls...I haven't written about it because I have still been sick and haven't felt like writing a whole lot. I probably shouldn't have gone...to be honest- it was super fun, of course, but I was more miserable than I thought I could be...but darn-nit-I was NOT going to miss this once a year trip with my favorite shopping friends!

I didn't find that many deals- I bought things, of course, but they were things that I could've gotten on another trip when I actually feel like shopping...wait...I actually said "feel like shopping?!" I ALWAYS feel like shopping! That is ME- a huge part of who I am...but lately with all these crazy body changes, I have felt like doing nothing more than staying in my house and rolled up in my bed.

However, one purchase made the trip worthwhile- (not to say that being with the girls wasn't- it was FABULOUS!). I had been on the look-out for stocking holders...at our new house we have this beautiful mantle and visioning stocking hung on them was picturesque...however, we only have crappy old holders that will fall over if just one ounce is in them- they are from our condo- old... Anyway, I hadn't found what I was looking for, until I stepped into Pottery Barn...good gosh, could I live in that store- but my word, I can barely afford a bowl- even at outlet prices! But Ashley, who knew what I was looking for, found a bin of these lovely, silver, heavy duty, perfect for my family stocking holders- in boxes, no less!! Originally priced at $30 (yeah right!), on sale for $4.99- seriously?! I need 6 - like now!

I love that they are open with a hook on them...perfect for an ornament or something inside each one...but what? The next store on our list was Bath and Body- where I found these perfect 2x3 silver and gold glitter frames, that I could rip apart and hang with red/silver ribbon inside each one- with everyone's perfect face...and for $1.25 each, I was sold!

Here is the finished (without presents in them) product:
You like?Next year, there will be one more, and probably different stockings since the order is all thrown off with this 4th angel coming! But aren't they nice?! I love them!
Okay, so I went to an Endocrinologist this week...
I have never in my life felt more miserable than I had last weekend- I even went to the ER- yeah, that miserable...
They gave me Zofran (a wonder drug) to take the nausea away, and sent me home. Then the specialist gave me a new form of thyroid medication that is natural without fillers and additives- I started that two days ago- I have yet to feel wonderfully better- but I am very hopeful that I will soon- I was hoping by Christmas but she didn't give me much hope for that. I am still a tad emotional- to be candidly honest, it has been an emotional journey...I have spent hours sobbing uncontrollably- and the slightest thing can bring me to that point- I have spent hours on the cold floor of my bathroom, hours sitting outside in the cold - anything to keep my body temperature down...hot flashes and fevers have ruled my days...Headaches like nothing - even my RX won't touch- thankful forever for Dana who has not complained a single word and has done every single thing I have needed and wanted- he has shown me a side I knew he had but thankfully I had never needed before this point. I have struggled with not being able to physically get out of bed, or accomplish even the smallest task...I have not been me, and that is hard on me...
BUT, on a good side- it should all change soon-
Hopefully, right?!
The endocrinologist found tumors on my thyroid that have probably been there a long time...they are called Hashimoto's nodules- and though I can't feel them- the largest one is 3cm...apparently big for them...so...it has to be drained and biopsied after the baby comes in the Spring. It is hard to tell what is causing all my symptoms- because I am pregnant and hormones are crazy some could be attributed that just that alone. But because the nodules finally caused my thyroid to stop working, I have to take meds forever to produce that missing hormone- lucky me!! I don't think I will mind doing that if they make me feel better. I was having anxiety attacks all the time and even at night. I don't think I thought that is what they were, but she confirmed that is normal when your thyroid is not working and you are in symptom overload. That actually made me feel a little better.
I like to think of this little girl as a blessing in many ways- I could tell you all of them, but just one way is with this disease...had I not been pregnant when my thyroid stopped because of the tumor, it would've taken a long time to get diagnosed...just waiting to see an endocrinologist is usually several months- but because I am pregnant, I didn't have to wait at all! So nice!

Today we are going out one last time before Christmas- just a few last minute simple things to pick up- I am going to attempt to get 2 things done today- that will be interesting....

Christmas Card 2010

As many of you know, I have been pretty sick this pregnancy...I have never had any issues with any of the others, but this one has thrown me for a loop...

To make a very long story short...my thyroid is very low and not working at full capacity...many people suffer with hypothyroidism, so I know I am not alone in this...it took 20 weeks of crappy feeling to finally diagnose...then, I started the generic form of Synthroid, and after 5 days I got worse...worse as in: headaches not being touched by my prescription headache meds, fever, hot flashes, excessive sweating, insomnia, lack of appetite, and more tired than I thought I could be. So bad at times, that I felt like a hermit...never leaving the house in fear I would have these symptoms in public.

Finally on Sunday, after suffering and barely getting out of bed most days, I called my doctor. She quickly changed my prescription to the real Synthroid and gave me half the dosage- seems I was over medicated and needed less and the real meds instead. I started that today...

So, instead of being the typical "me" and being "superwoman", I have been much less...and it has taken it's toll...thankfully I have an amazing husband who has done nearly everything I can't do, and my children who are so loving and forgiving of all I can't do too. I have had a hard time dealing with not being able to take care of everything and being that it is around the holidays, has made it worse. I am very hopeful that in a few days I will be better and good for the holidays and from here on out. I will be on this medication for the rest of my life, so I will be happy to get the right dosage so I don't have this type of reaction again.

That being said...I didn't get to send out as many Christmas cards as I normally do or have hoped to do. So, I am posting it here as well. Our love goes out to you this Holiday season. I hope to do more next year and in the upcoming months as well.


By the way, we have chosen to name our new little gem Elaina Blake... at least I can cross that off my to do list!! Thanks for all the suggestions on naming her- it was such a tough decision. We are very happy with it and look forward to seeing her in April!

New and Improved...

The poor kid will actually be able to see now!! He is thrilled- and is loving them...so far! He even got a cool blue case for them- he will probably not sleep well tonight, just dying to wear them in the morning! Isn't he too cute?!
Amazing what a couple hundred dollars will do!

Light Up the Night

Over Thanksgiving break, we took the fam, along with the big fam to the zoo lights. My new camera was super fun in getting good shots- though I still need lots of help when it comes to all it's features. (On a side note, Dana ordered me a camera bag this week, so that will be much nicer than carrying it solo.) It was freezing, of course, but we had a good time, nonetheless.

I know it's hard to see how fat I am...this coat barely buttons!

We plan to go again, so we can see more lights...as you can see, we went with so many people, that it made it hard to go through fast and see it all. We loved it, though. Next time, we have to get hot chocolate...

Thanksgiving 2010

We were blessed this year to have another wonderful Thanksgiving!! Dana's mom and brother flew in from the West and were able to spend a few days with us prior to the holiday, and then, after stuffing ourselves at my parents, we got to spend the evening with all of Dana's siblings and nieces and nephews! It couldn't have been a better holiday! Here are some highlight pics:

Oh how they love their Uncle Chris!

Gee Gee and her babies all grown up!

Alex and Isaac share birthday cake!

Leah loves Evey!

Charlie's Angels...

All the crazy grandkids!!

Aunt Esther passes out stockings filled with Christmas gifts!

Family is awesome! Love that we got this time to be together with those we love.

It's Official...

Now we need to pick a name for this angel....
Any ideas?!
The winning name will get a prize- from me!!
Here's our only request for suggestions:
Either her first name or middle name has to be Blake.
We are open to any variations....HELP!!

Pic of the Week #4

Good jeans (thanks, Lisa) make life better....but bigger and bigger is what is happening- at least I got a great haircut! ha ha

Terrific Tuesday #6 (Cool Caterpillars)

It seems that everywhere we look, we see these amazing little creatures....we have found 4 caterpillars this fall! Leah had found and "rescued", later killing (on accident) 2 of them, and then when Alex and I were taking his picture, found this one. We brought him home, but instead of putting him in a jar, we put him in a small tree in our yard. But first I snapped these- and man, do I love this camera! I haven't even learned a fraction of it's features, but just being able to snap these up-close, is so nice!

Pic of the Week #3

I can't just post these without a disclaimer for my adorable 10 year old son:

Celeste LOVES footed jammies- she has one pair that are getting too small-so I asked my mom to get her a new pair for her birthday.

She calls from Target and says, "are you sure you want the 6?" I say, "Yes, she is getting too big for 4/5, so go ahead and get the next size up."

She is insistent that they will be far too big. I disagree and tell her that she will be fine if they are a little too big- buy them in the 6 and they will be great.
So, she does as I ask, and this is the size 6. When Celeste opened them and held them up- we all gasped and I felt awful that I insisted that she get the 6.

Sean quips quickly and dares Alex to put them on for a dollar-

a dollar...

my son, carefully saving his money for whatever, leaves the room with them in his hand.
He appears out of nowhere...
I snapped the top shot as fast as I could, holding back the tears of laughter.
Everyone is dying at this point, and Sean nearly wets himself.
He gladly hands him the dollar and
I exchanged the jammies for the 4/5. They are still too big....

Priceless.