Easter

After the Easter Bunny had made an appearance, the eggs were found, and we headed to church we spent the day at Grammy and Papa's. We had a big turn out this year. Not only was it my family, but my cousins and their families came and Jeff's parents. So Luca got to spend the day with both sets of grandparents. We had another egg hunt there that the kids really enjoyed! Baby "Monster Truck" even got an Easter basket! (Monster Truck is what Luca calls the baby)

35 and 30!

Jeff and I both celebrated big birthdays this year. We celebrated Jeff's by going to Chicago. Him and a friend used to always rent out a bar and have a big bash every year on their bdays. They hadn't done this in quite awhile so the decided it was time to do it again. We got a hotel, had some pregaming drinks, Spanish food for dinner and the after a few too many drinks we danced the night away! So much fun!!! Little did I know this would be my last hurrah! On Jeff's actual Birthday, two days later, I found out we were pregnant. Luca and I wrapped up some pink and blue balloons and this is how Jeff found out we were having a baby! What a great Birthday surprise after two years of trying! THis year was my 30th! And since I was preggo and unable to have some Bday drinks we kept it low key. Jeff booked me a day at the spa. A prenatal massage, facial, and pedicure. It was very relaxing. We then had a nice dinner at Verucchi's and cake the next day with my parents. We have so much to be thankful for and a very exciting year ahead!!

Snowstar

Snowstar is a winter sports park out in the Quad Cities. We had been wanting to try out the tubing section of the park, so J, Carmen, and the kids came out to join us. It was so much fun! They have a magic carpet that pulls you up the hill, so no climbing up on your own! Luca sat in his tube and never once got out. We just pulled him the whole time. You could go down alone or all tied up together! It was a fun day and we will definitely go back next year!

Keeping Busy!

I havent blogged in awhile. But I have been keeping Luca busy in these cold winter months. He is a very active little man, and getting him out of the house is a must! So he has enjoyed taking swimming lessons, gymnastics, and kid yoga! We've also played in the snow as much as possible! We are looking forward to warmer weather and being outside! Soccer starts next!

So FLIPPIN EXCITED!!!

So I've posted before on Jeff and I's struggle to have baby number 2. We started trying back when we still lived in Spain and it's been a long emotional road. But after 2 years, 50+ pregnancy test, a million ovulation kits, way too many drug, countless blood work, several ultrasounds, 3 IUI's, trigger shots, tears shed, fights, raging hormones, financial stress, a husband who stood by me and did way too many shameful test/acts, a totally F'ed up sex life...........we are beyond EXCITED to say I am PREGNANT!!!!!! I think I am in total shock! I am writing this post before announcing this news to anyone! Once I finally post this our news will be shared with our family and friends. But it is such a hard secret to keep right now. So writing about it may help! We stared the new year praying and hoping for a miracle. We knew this was our last attempt to get pregnant with help from our specialist. Our next step was in-vitro and at this time it just wasn't an option for us. Our insurance has not and will not cover anything infertility related. From here on out if we got pregnant it would be the old fashion way by pure luck! In december, our final IUI was set up. I did not feel comfortable when the time came around to get this done. We had had 2 unsuccessful IUI's and I just felt something wasnt right, timing, something. So we didnt do it. I was bummed, I took drugs that made me feel awful, and felt it was a total waste. I begged the doctor that on our last attempt we try something else. So we monitored my ovulation closely with ultra sounds, and did at home injectibles (giving myself a shot=horrible). At this point I really didn't think it worked and was trying to mentally tell myself a family of 3 was fine for us, thats how it was meant to be. I didnt take a million pregnancy test this month and just went on with life. I actually felt great. In the past during the two week wait of finding out if I was pregnant or not, I had always felt sick, nauseous, totally pregnant. And never was! So, Monday Jan.28th, Jeff's 35th Birthday. I was well over 2 weeks past my IUI procedure. They tell you to test on day 14. I decided to finally go buy a test. I really did not want to take it. I could not handle another negative test. I took it and saw TWO lines! WHAT! I did not believe it! Is this real! I called my doctor and they said well the shots can give a false positive, you better come in for blood work. I instantly drove to their office with Luca to see. Poor Luca has seen his Mommy get blood drawn way to many times! They told me they would call in one hour. On the drive home I told Luca, we need to pray. He goes, "In the car Mommy? Thats weird, whatever you say." Three hours later and they still hadn't called with my results! I couldn't take it anymore and called them. They said, Yep you are definitely PREGNANT!! I went back every 48 hour for blood work monitoring! and each time the numbers kept going up! AWESOME! Since it was Jeff's Birhtday, I decided to wait until he got home to tell him. This was hard. I wanted to call him right away with the news! I went and bought a bunch of pink and blue balloons tied them to the positive pregnancy test and wrapped them up. I don't think he believed it when he saw it either! So right now I am about 6 weeks along. We have a sonogram scheduled and I am hoping I can hold out telling anyone until then. We are beyond thrilled. I am so so so thankful. I truly never thought this day would come. Thank you to everyone who has supported us along the way. It feels great to have beaten the infertility battle. For anyone going through it them selves, I am so sorry! It sucks. You never truly understand until you go through it yourself. It's not something you really give any thought to. I am so fortunate that it worked for us and I pray for those who haven't been so lucky or who are going through this struggle right now. I can only hope and pray for a healthy and smooth pregnancy! Fastward a few weeks! The news is out! We have had our 1st Ultra Sound. And there is ONE healthy heartbeat!!!

Ringing in 2013!

We went low key this year. I always have high expectations of New Years eve, and it usually turns out pretty lame. This year we decided to stay home, just the 3 of us. We ordered some live lobsters, rented Brave, and rang in the New Year New York style, at 11:00! On New year's Day we head to my parents for their annual party! Happy 2013! I'm hoping this is a good year for us! 2012 was a long, frustrating and emotional year for us! I'm glad to see it go! Bring on 2013! Good things are going to happen!!;)