Today has been a great day - I'm loving it and it's not even over yet! It really hasn't been anything special except very relaxing. I should backtrack and tell you that we went to the Miami Heart Gallery last night with our friends Jeff and Jen. It was really amazing - the photography was great - I hope that some of these kids get adopted. Then we all went to Swenson's and had sundaes. That was wonderful except that I never eat sundaes so my stomach really hurt afterward, but it was so delicious.
Today we shot maternity photos for a coworker of mine - a woman who was actually my first boss at The Children's Trust before the whole health project took off and my department got created. She's amazing and super-smart - she's one of the smartest people I know. It was really fun and we did the shoot at their house. We didn't intend to when we planned doing a shoot with them, but they are finishing some renovations so they had to stay near home-base. I think it really worked out for the better because Lori is 37.5 weeks - so she could really go at any time. I know that she was kind of uncomfortable so I think it was good that she was at home in a comfortable environment.
Afterwards, Alex and I went to a diner that I like a lot and had breakfast. I had an amazing egg white omelet. I have to thank my friend Chrissy for urging me to try these a couple of weeks ago. I LOVE egg white omelets now! Not only are they delicious but they are healthy and have practically no calories - score!
Then we decided that instead of going to the beach - which is always such a mission - we would just pack up the dogs and go to his parents house to play in their pool. This was excellent b/c since his parents are out of town we got to bring the dogs. They would never be allowed in the pool otherwise! Oh man - this was the first time we've brought Miles here and he was such a goofball - he LOVED swimming in the pool (maybe a little too much). He has successfully bruised and scratched both of us - as we couldn't swim laps in the pool without getting him excited and then jumping in the pool almost on top of us and then trying to 'play' with us - which just meant that he would scratch the heck out of us. Poor alex has three solid red lines down the entire length of his back!
And Pete....poor Pete hates the pool. Despises it. He gets so angry seeing us in it that he just barks at us. We don't think he likes swimming much b/c he is solid muscle so he kind of sinks in water. Nevertheless - we always throw him in at least once because it's funny. Today we learned that we can't do that with Miles the pool-maniac around. When threw Pete in, Miles dove in practically on top of him and then proceeded to try to 'play' with him by pawing him which just pushed Pete under the water. Pete was hysterical - I tried to get in to save Pete but Miles would scratch me (remember all dogs are swimming during this process!). I finally got Pete and launched him onto the side of the pool, out of the water. Now I'm sure he'll hate the water even more. Poor thing.
Tonight, Alex and I will be going to Acqua at the Four Seasons. We go there for dinner every year now for our anniversary - we love it. I'm so excited!
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Friday, June 13, 2008
WAY better than expected
Hi people - So today we finally had our appointment at the fertility clinic to review 'take two' of the semen analysis. It was WAY better than I expected!!
I'll just get to the good news right away -- while we're still not 'normal', the doctor did say that that we 'could' conceive naturally. I can't believe it!!! She said that there is a chance. Her first comment when she looked at the pre/post-surgery analyes was that we had "marked improvement". She confirmed that we would never in a million years had conceived on our own with the previous spermie stats, but now there is a chance. She was impressed that the improvement was so good considering that the 2nd analysis was done only 4 months after the surgery - she thinks that we should keep trying and do another analysis in August or September after we pass the 6-month post-surgery mark - 'unless I miss a period before then". If that happens, then she said call the office ASAP so that they can do a blood pregnancy test.
I am so thankful! I realize now, and have to confess, that I had a lack of faith. I only realize that now by how surprised I was to hear that we could conceive naturally. Please continue to pray for us as we are below normal. But as the Bible shows time and again - God rarely (only one time, creation) makes something out of nothing. But over and over again in the Bible He makes something amazing out of very little. If you want to hear the sermon that really spoke to me on this exact topic go to Elevation Church.
I'll just get to the good news right away -- while we're still not 'normal', the doctor did say that that we 'could' conceive naturally. I can't believe it!!! She said that there is a chance. Her first comment when she looked at the pre/post-surgery analyes was that we had "marked improvement". She confirmed that we would never in a million years had conceived on our own with the previous spermie stats, but now there is a chance. She was impressed that the improvement was so good considering that the 2nd analysis was done only 4 months after the surgery - she thinks that we should keep trying and do another analysis in August or September after we pass the 6-month post-surgery mark - 'unless I miss a period before then". If that happens, then she said call the office ASAP so that they can do a blood pregnancy test.
I am so thankful! I realize now, and have to confess, that I had a lack of faith. I only realize that now by how surprised I was to hear that we could conceive naturally. Please continue to pray for us as we are below normal. But as the Bible shows time and again - God rarely (only one time, creation) makes something out of nothing. But over and over again in the Bible He makes something amazing out of very little. If you want to hear the sermon that really spoke to me on this exact topic go to Elevation Church.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Miami Heart Gallery Opens TOMORROW!
Tomorrow is the inaugural opening of The Children's Trust Miami Heart Gallery. This will be a traveling art exhibit that features photography of foster children as artwork. Each child is available for adoption. There are over 500 foster children in Miami who are currently available for adoption. Please attend if you or someone you know has room in their home and heart for a child.
Watch the video below to see how these are just normal children who really need to see that someone can love them!
Watch the video below to see how these are just normal children who really need to see that someone can love them!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Happy Anniversary to my Hubby!
I am continually thankful for being blessed with Alex. Today is our third anniversary! And while it seems that so much has changed in the last three years there is also so much that hasn't changed. The constant throughout the years is that he is my best friend. Our friendship has such depth that stays fresh and new time and again.
I love those moments when we are watching TV and one or both of us begins to sniffle and we realize that we're both teary eyed from something stupid, and we both laugh at each other - like that Humane Society Commercial with the dog that looked like Miles. I love you so much for the great, big heart that you have!
Thank you, Alex, for challenging me in so many areas in my life. You challenge me in my faith, my logic and decision making. You help me to be a better person and definitely a better Christian and wife. You are teaching me to challenge my own thoughts and understand where they come from. This makes me a better wife, because sometimes, I get to take that skill and use it on you when I recognize that you need to think deeper about a particular thing. This balance that we have to challenge each other and keep one another accountable is so valuable!
You are a complex person! I still believe that you are most unique in that you are so talented artistically and creatively - but then also so extremely 'left-brained' as well - always needing to learn more and grow intellectually. I truly hope that I help you and challenge you as you do for me.
I am so excited to see what God has in store for our lives! I love you so much!
Wifey.
I love those moments when we are watching TV and one or both of us begins to sniffle and we realize that we're both teary eyed from something stupid, and we both laugh at each other - like that Humane Society Commercial with the dog that looked like Miles. I love you so much for the great, big heart that you have!
Thank you, Alex, for challenging me in so many areas in my life. You challenge me in my faith, my logic and decision making. You help me to be a better person and definitely a better Christian and wife. You are teaching me to challenge my own thoughts and understand where they come from. This makes me a better wife, because sometimes, I get to take that skill and use it on you when I recognize that you need to think deeper about a particular thing. This balance that we have to challenge each other and keep one another accountable is so valuable!
You are a complex person! I still believe that you are most unique in that you are so talented artistically and creatively - but then also so extremely 'left-brained' as well - always needing to learn more and grow intellectually. I truly hope that I help you and challenge you as you do for me.
I am so excited to see what God has in store for our lives! I love you so much!
Wifey.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
April & Joel's wedding
This is an excerpt from my blog post on the Candidly Elegant blog. Please, please go check it out...
Last weekend Alex and I had the great honor to shoot a wedding at our own church, Christ Fellowship. We've had the pleasure of knowing this family for some time now and they are so cool. Alex and I were crying half the day while shooting. This was one of the most heartwarming and meaningful weddings that I have had the pleasure of witnessing. I think that this is because the wedding itself was such a very small part of the day - it was really about the marriage. April and Joel are truly amazing people. They treasure each other and recognize that each of them is a gift from God. I am so thankful that I got to participate in their marriage.
When Alex and I have kids, I want to sit down with Sammy and Linda, April's parents, so that they can teach us everything they know about parenting - because we want children like theirs.
Read the rest and see the pictures at the Candidly Elegant Blog.
Last weekend Alex and I had the great honor to shoot a wedding at our own church, Christ Fellowship. We've had the pleasure of knowing this family for some time now and they are so cool. Alex and I were crying half the day while shooting. This was one of the most heartwarming and meaningful weddings that I have had the pleasure of witnessing. I think that this is because the wedding itself was such a very small part of the day - it was really about the marriage. April and Joel are truly amazing people. They treasure each other and recognize that each of them is a gift from God. I am so thankful that I got to participate in their marriage.
When Alex and I have kids, I want to sit down with Sammy and Linda, April's parents, so that they can teach us everything they know about parenting - because we want children like theirs.
Read the rest and see the pictures at the Candidly Elegant Blog.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Amber Alert
Alright, the weirdest thing has happened. I have lost a pair of shoes. I think that it is actually fairly difficult to 'lose' shoes. I have a really cute pair of silver flats (those new trendy ballet-like flats). They match almost everything. They took about a month to really break in and they had recently just gotten the perfect fit. And I can't find them anywhere. I know that I didn't take them to Orlando b/c I only took heels for the conference, flops and then a different pair of flats. That was over a week ago now.
So today I started looking EVERYWHERE. I have looked under all of the furniture, in the closets of the spare bedrooms, in drawers, in kitchen cabinets, in the garage, in the cars, on the patio. They are nowhere to be found.
How do you lose shoes like that? I mean I pretty much always come home with shoes on - so it's pretty hard to leave them somewhere. I called my mom, I haven't left them here. I haven't called Ann Marie yet and I sometimes change at her house to workout - but she would have told me. Ann Marie - when you read this tell me if you've seen shoes.
Weird.
So today I started looking EVERYWHERE. I have looked under all of the furniture, in the closets of the spare bedrooms, in drawers, in kitchen cabinets, in the garage, in the cars, on the patio. They are nowhere to be found.
How do you lose shoes like that? I mean I pretty much always come home with shoes on - so it's pretty hard to leave them somewhere. I called my mom, I haven't left them here. I haven't called Ann Marie yet and I sometimes change at her house to workout - but she would have told me. Ann Marie - when you read this tell me if you've seen shoes.
Weird.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Update :)
Ok - so here's what has happened since last night's post.
I have an appointment with another physician at the fertility clinic to review the semen analysis. But I have also been emailing my regular fertility doctor's nurse (I love that they make themselves available to patients - they are very good at that). She felt for my frustration and encouraged me to see one of their other doctors. I have an appointment for June 13 - the same time that we would have met with the urologist's PA. Next Friday.
Here is the email from her which has made my day!
Good morning Shaleen,
I am sorry you are so frustrated but I have good news. Yes you can see another doctor in the mean time and they will discuss the results with you. Also there has been improvement in your husband’s last Semen Analysis, it is not completely normal yet but there has been significant improvement.
---
Isn't that GREAT!?
I have an appointment with another physician at the fertility clinic to review the semen analysis. But I have also been emailing my regular fertility doctor's nurse (I love that they make themselves available to patients - they are very good at that). She felt for my frustration and encouraged me to see one of their other doctors. I have an appointment for June 13 - the same time that we would have met with the urologist's PA. Next Friday.
Here is the email from her which has made my day!
Good morning Shaleen,
I am sorry you are so frustrated but I have good news. Yes you can see another doctor in the mean time and they will discuss the results with you. Also there has been improvement in your husband’s last Semen Analysis, it is not completely normal yet but there has been significant improvement.
---
Isn't that GREAT!?
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