Bittersweet Birthday

Today is my 28th birthday. It is also the day that my Grandfather went to be with God. I don't have many details, he passes around 7am this morning and went peacefully. I will be flying out soon to be with my family during this difficult time. Please heat for everyones hearts to heal and also to rejoice and celebrate what a wonderful life Anthony Boccitto had!!!

Happy New Year???

The new year started off with a BANG!... and not in a good way! Late one night Wes and I were laying in bed, when I heard a huge bang. I immediately thought it was someone in the house(thank you vivid imagination). Wes rolled out of bed and searched high and low. No burglars and no sign of what caused the bang! We chalked it up to the cats messing around and went back to bed.
The following day I was going to the bathroom when I heard the sound of running water. I didn't really think much of it and went about my day. About 2 hours later, I returned to the bathroom and could still hear the rush of water. I ran into our master bathroom to check and see if the toilet was running...nope! Think Christina, think! That's when the light bulb went on! BASEMENT! I ran down the 2 flights of stairs, flung open the door and was greeted by water all the way up to the bottom stair of the basement! Disbelief,anger, and anxiety ran over me like a freight train! I ran through the 3 inches of water to rescue the brand new wooden kitchen set we got, I mean Santa got the girls for Christmas. I moved that to dry land and then proceeded to crawl in the storage unit and disable the water. Wes was called somewhere in between and was on his way home.

After we assessed the situation, Wes retreated outside to try to fix the busted pipe. He spent over 3 hours working on it. I forgot to mention, the reason the pipe broke was due to sub zero weather that brought wind chills of -30 degrees and lasted for a whole week! We then spent the evening shopvaccing and dumping buckets of water! The pipe was fixed and fans were drying out the carpet.

Flash forward 1 week.

I was starting a load of laundry and noticed the water pressure was about 50%! Didn't even wait for the lightbulb this time.

Sadly, I knew!

I immediately opened the basement door and was greeted by... Wait for it...wait for it...more water! Seriously??? The pipe re-burst!! I yelled to Wes who was home(Sunday) and he just shook his head! We then called our insurance co, and called a plumber! The plumber came out and capped off the pipe and said he would return the following day. The insurance co came out the next day and assessed the damage. They quoted us at around $5,000 for all the damage and estimated repairs! We contacted a company that would clean up all the water and make sure the walls were dry. Wes and I ripped out all of the carpet on our own, backbreaking does not begin to cover it! So now we are just drying out the walls and waiting to re-carpet!

Later that night...

Ping...ping...ping!

So due to all of the ice build up on the roof our kitchen ceiling began to leak! When it rains it pours, or should I say, when it snows it leaks?!? We put pots under the leaks and cleaned te snow from the roof. There is nothing we can do about the ceiling until we thaw out! I lts just one thing after another, and all within a week!

I want my fully functioning house back. I want to be able to send the
girls to play in the basement, I want to boil pasta in my pots not catch brown leaky roof water! I can't wait
to sell this crap hole and move! Once that carpet gets installed the sign is going in the yard! DONE!!

The Plan of Action

Today I had my much awaited for Dr.apt! Sono first followed by seeing Dr.Cooper! I am first off so relieved that my Dr. cares about me and took my concerns seriously. I called last week due to mid-cycle spotting. The nurse said she would talk to Dr.Cooper and get back with me. I was expecting her to have me come in for blood work but instead she set me up for a sono and apt! I got called back fairly quickly and we began the sono. The tech checked everything, she focused in on my right ovary and took many pictures, that's when I knew it was definite...PCOS! She said it is an average presentation and that with the right meds I will be fine. I was told to head back into the waiting room until the Dr was ready to see me.

I got called back after waiting for quite a while,just enough time to count 7 pregnant women pass through! I was led to an exam room and told to take a seat and wait. Just so happened that room was where I had originally found out I was pg with Ava. Ahhh, memories! I heard the familiar sound of a Doppler in the room next door and with every ounce of composure I cracked a smile. I shouldn't be envious or bitter towards pregnant women, for it is a miracle to carry a child and that point had been CLEARLY made throughout my ordeal.

Dr.Cooper gently knocked on the door and sat down next to me! She explained the findings if my sono and said we have some options.

A. We could continue to take the Provera monthly and hope I ovulate on my own
B. We could start Clomid

After going over the statistics and pros/cons of fertility drugs, I went for plan B!! I am soooo ready for this and I can't fathom the thought of going another 6 months without success! We came up with a "plan of action" and she wrote everything down For my reference! With Clomid the chance for multiples(twins) is up from 1%to 8%, which isn't that much(no watch me be the 8%)!

"PLAN OF ACTION"

1/6/2010-begin 10mg Provera
once af begins count cycle day 1.
CD3-7 I will take 50mg Clomid
CD13-20 take opks
CD21-full panel blood work up, progesterone levels checked for ovulation.
CD35-hcg test for pregnancy!!!!
If neg we will continue the cycle but up the Clomid to 100mg.

Sounds like a crazy,crazy mess of numbers and meds but I have done my homework and due to my previous charting I am use to counting cycle days and taking ovulation predictors! I will also continue to temp and somewhere in there find time to have sex!LOL!!! If all goes like planned I should be pregnant within the next few months!!

We appreciate every ones thoughts and prayers and hope that our dreams of expansion will
happen soon! I will update throughout the months!

Love to all!!!

Making a list and checkin it twice...

Wow, can you belive it? Only 3 more days until Christmas! I know I'm repeating myself when I say this, but this year is just flying by! The girls have been out of school since last week and we are filling our time wisely! So much too do,so little time!

My parents are set to arrive Christmas day around 1pm. For those that don't know, Kansas is one of the most unpredictable states when it comes to weather! As of today, we are awaiting round 1/2 storms! The first will bring heavy rains with possible thunderstorms. Yes, I said thunderstorms! Part deux, will included a major "winter storm"! Snow!!! As I am the first one to jump up and down for snow, I am apprehensive to it since my parents will be set to arrive in it's midst! We will go with the flow!

Wes and I have completed all our shopping! I must say, our girls don't realize just how good they have it! Just when you think the house can't house one more toy, you buy three! I have been so busy orchestrating menus and activities for the upcoming week! I have planned a nice quiet evening on Christmas eve with just the four of us! We are going to try out the "family service" at Elise and Ava's school! After we will be dining on my spinach and roasted red pepper lasagne with homemade sauce(per request from wes) and salad and bread!
We then will be up till the wee hours of the night trying to put together all the "must assemble" toys we bought! Christmas morning we will be off to the inlaws by 11am to open presents and eat lunch! Then, weather permitting off to the airport to pick up the Kane grandparents!! I have planned a feast for Christmas dinner and really need to get my lists in order! What a crazy couple of days we have ahead!

Please pray for safe travels as my parents embark on their long journey! Also pray that the family all gets along during Christmas! I can't wait to update with pictures of christmas morning!! Until then, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Congratulations...

What a blessed holiday season so far!

My Sil called tonight with news of a surprise BFP!! I am so happy for the whole Ringle family!! The new baby is predicted to arrive in early August! Baby Natalie and new baby will only be 18 months apart!! Sounds like Elise and Ava!! Hard work but totally worth it! As I heard the news I of course was filled with many emotions. I couldn't be happier for them and wish them all health and happiness inthe following months to
come! I struggled with wanting to share out struggles and before I knew it I blurted it out! I explained how we have been trying for what seems like an eternity to no avail! Like the gracious and kind hearted woman she is, Nancy apologized for her news! That wasn't my intention at all, and I hope (Nancy) if
you read this you know just how happy I truly am!!!! Our struggles are out of are hands and rest in that of our God. He will provide me with a child when he sees fit and we are accepting of that! I do however hope that we can be preggo together and share our gripes,concerns and joys with each other!!!

In other news, the Dr office called back and said they have no
explanation for my breakthrough bleeding! The nurse was so
kind and actually listened to what I had to
say!
I explained that I am beyond frustrated with not ovulating and having to
use synthetic drugs to produce a period. She said that if nothing happens by January to set up an apt and talk fertility treatments! This scares me too death but gives me a Ray of hope! I will continue to
temp this month and take my provera as needed. I am going to research the
drug Clomid Which is most likely what will be Rx to me. I really didn't want any medication to aid in conception but at this
point I am just flat out frustrated.

Please pray that I can have a calm heart and easy mind! I know that God has all his
plans laid out already, and I just pray that we will be blessed with his presence soon!

Tis the Season

I hope everyone is getting into the Holiday spirit! I'm happy to say I have all my gifts bought and just waiting to be wrapped! The girls are going to be receiving quite the load of gifts this year! This will be the first Xmas that both girls truly understand! I can't wait to see the look on their faces as they come down Xmas morning. We have been filling our time with making cookies,decorating ornaments, and watching holiday movies! The girls love all the Xmas songs that have been playing on the radio. They each have one more day of school and then are done until January! This year had just flown by! It seems like last week I was going to meet their teachers and now were headed into Xmas break! I guess when my weeks consist of counting days and waiting for signs it can totally consume you!

I have put in a call to Dr.Cooper due to a sudden onset of bleeding yesterday. It was not alot but enough to raise a red flag! I am hoping it is a sign of ovulation(since I haven't since July) I am wondering if it's a build up of follicles that finally burst! Hopefully something happens this month and we can be done with this stress! Of course the Dr was joy in the office today and they will consult with her tomorrow and get back to me! I wonder if they'll want to see me?? I will update after I talk to them tomorrow!

In other news, it has been subzero outside! I mean freezing, I wouldn't mind so much if there was snow on the ground. I miss the snow covered ground all winter, the bushes and trees sparkling like a million diamonds! It was hard to explain why the snow melts and doesn't come back, Elise asked if we could go to the pool since I Said the snow melted because it was too warm out. Bless her heart!

My Mom and Dad will be arriving Christmas day and we are all very excited! I will attempt a prime rib! That is one expensive cut of meat that I do not want to ruin! I can't wait tomspend the week with them! I always enjoy their
company and hate when they leave! I wish my sister Jess was coming but due to
personal reasons and school she will remain back east! Pray for her heart to heal so she will not miss another family get together again! Also if you could pray for my dear sweet grandfather! He is in complete heart and renal failure and is now refusing to eat! We are all walking on pins and needles as the sound of the phone sends us into panic! I hope
god will ease his pain and he can enjoy the time here he had left!

Sending you and your family's much peace and love during this holiday season!!
~ Christina

Holiday madness

The wonderful Holiday season is upon us! We celebrated thanksgiving at my inlaws. The food was great and it made me miss my family back east all the more!

Elise celebrated her 4th birthday yesterday!! Wes, I and the girls headed out to the Legends and ate at TRex cafe! It is comparable to the Rainforest Cafe! Both girls were in awe of the giant moving dinosaurs and all the sounds and lights that surrounded us as we ate! You deffinitly pay for attmosphere! Elise had a great day!! We had her party over the weekend, she sure walked away with some pretty cool things! I felt very nestalgic last night as I reminiscised of the day she was born! I sat and replayed all the evnts and emotions I had, made me sad to think it has already been 4 years! I wish we could freeze time and let them enjoy their youth before they grow up!

We are still struggling with my whacky cycles. I once again had to take Provera to being AF, so therfore I know I have not ovulated! This is very discouraging to me but I am trying not to stress out about it. I did some research online about "natural" ways to induce ovulation. I found many sites for an herb called Soy Isoflavones, it is an Estrogen based plant thar increases natural estrogen during af to stimulate follical release! I took them cd3-cd7 and am hoping it works! I chose not to use opks this month but to continue to temp! I was so obsessed with the opks that I used them all up within a few weeks! Hopefully with the pending crazyness of gift giving and cookie baking I will forget about this struggle and relax!