3rd anniversary

This post is late, I realize. But I started it several days ago if that means anything. Anyway...

On August 25th, we celebrated our 3rd anniversary. We didn't do too much because I had to work all day and by the time I got home I was already tired. But we exchanged gifts and then went out to dinner and a movie. It was a really nice evening despite the fact that I fell asleep during the movie. That's one expensive nap!

Thinking back on when we got engaged, a funny story comes to mind that I'd like to share. I'm a little rusty on the details because I'm not one for journaling and my mind can't remember EVERYTHING. But you'll get the idea!

First a little back round. When we started dating in California, we both knew it was just a summer fling. So when the selling season was over (pest control) and Kris told me he was going to move back up to Utah, I was devastated (even though I knew it would happen eventually). We decided at that point to just be "friends" for the last 2 weeks until he went home, but that didn't last long. We still spent every day together and he was the best boyfriend a girl could ask for. The last night we had together before he went home, we talked about marriage for the first time. Phew. At least I knew that this guy was serious enough about me to bring up the "m" word, and that we could make a long distance relationship work if we had to. This was mid-October.

So the next time we saw each other was for Thanksgiving when I went up to Utah to spend time with him and his family. We even took engagement pictures at that time. I thought for sure I would be coming home with a shiny new engagement ring. Wrong. Come the last day of my trip, still no ring. But he bought himself a new computer. (He swears that he didn't buy the computer "instead" of the ring...that he had money for both. It just wasn't the right time yet.) LOL.

So with that in mind, Kris came down to California to spend Christmas with me. This, I thought, was it. I was finally going to be an engaged woman. But then he proceeds to tell me how sorry he was, but he might as well let me know so that I wouldn't get my hopes up. The ring wasn't ready so I was going to have to wait a little longer. Should I believe that? I don't know... So I waited until he got in the shower one day and started to peek through his luggage. Needless to say, without much "peeking" I felt this perfectly sized box-thing through the front pocket of his backpack. Should I open the bag? No...YES! I couldn't help myself! And there it was - a beautiful little gift box which I assumed housed a jewelry box. Should I open the gift box? OF COURSE! I had to be sure, after all. Plus, I wasn't going to ruin the wrapping or anything because the box top came off easily like a shoe-box cover. He would never know! And there it was - the jewelry box...the perfect size for a ring. Should I open it? Absolutely! I already went through all this trouble, LOL, not to mention I needed to make sure it wasn't hideous. And if it was... (Yeah right! But hey, I needed to rationalize it to myself somehow!)...I needed to practice having a happy expression despite the ugliness.(We never went ring shopping together...I left that part of it up to him.) So of course I opened it and it was prettier than I imagined! The next question: Do I try it on? Well, long story short, I did end up trying it on.

Later that night when Kris purposed on the beach (so romantic!) I totally acted surprised and actually kept this sneaky story to myself for probably over a year. One night when we were out to dinner, I told him that I had a secret that if he didn't guess before we left the restaurant, I wouldn't tell him for 30 years. Well, after our extended dinner stay and a game of one-billion questions, he laughed so hard when he found out what I'd done. Thank goodness for a great sense of humor! I love that guy!!!

the story

I am awake. It's not even dawn. After the third time of getting up in the middle of the night for my new-routine-restroom-break, I am unable to fall back asleep...probably because of the news we received yesterday. TWINS. I am still in complete shock!!

I know many of you are wondering, so here's the story...

Kris & I have been married for 3 years now and have (until recently) unsuccessfully tried to get pregnant during that time. Last September, we finally gave in and decided to see an infertility specialist to see if they could figure out why we still weren't pregnant. Many tests later, it was determined that our chances of conceiving were slim to none without some level of intervention.

So our journey of infertility treatments began. After countless prayers, dozens of "negatives," thousands of tears (and the lowest point in my life), 1 surgery, several rounds of Clomid, 3 IUI procedures (and with this last one, 2 shots of hCG), and not to mention lots of hard-earned (and well-used!) cash...we are FINALLY pregnant!

Words cannot express the joy we felt. My heart is overflowing with gratitude to my Heavenly Father for his hand in this miracle.

Once I took a home pregnancy test and saw the positive test-result, I was scheduled for some blood work to check my hCG levels and make sure they were rising appropriately. My numbers were excellent, they said, but didn't necessarily indicate multiples. I always knew there was a chance for multiples because of the medication and procedure, but the chance of that is so slim that I talked myself out of believing I would ever be pregnant with more than one. Plus, the fact that I had 3 eggs during each previous round of IUI, and both the first and second trial were a failure, I seriously doubted that more than one egg would be fertilized this time...I was only expecting one. I was so ecstatic at the prospect of having one child...that finally being pregnant with one baby was an absolute miracle in and of itself. So when we had our first ultrasound yesterday and the first thing he said was that there were two, I was (and still am) in complete shock. Kris wasn't as surprised as I was though. From the get-go, he has been whispering to my tummy every day, "Grow babies, grow."

It was determined that the babies are fraternal twins. It looks like each baby has their own sack and that they don't share anything except for my womb. So only time will tell, but it could be 2 girls, 2 boys, or one of each. We were able to hear the heartbeats of both babies - this was so exciting, and most definitely reassuring. The Dr. said that both babies look beautiful and healthy, and that this looks like a very healthy pregnancy. Lets pray that it continues that way!

I have been very tired lately, and had some nausea and an overall feeling of being sick. But I am happy to report that up to this point so far, I am tolerating the symptoms well. And although it can be very uncomfortable, it makes me so happy to know that my babies are thriving within. So I say, BRING IT ON!!!

twins

Kris and I are so excited and happy to announce that we are expecting TWINS!!! My due date is April 22, 2010. I am too excited to type right now, so more details on this miracle to follow...