Monday, April 25, 2016

Baby Saville #1. Week 14 Update.

    14 week photo


How far along?
 14 Weeks


Size: Peach

Total weight gain/loss: + 9 lbs

Maternity clothes? I have made the plunge into a combo wardrobe. 

Stretch marks? No, but some stretching.

Sleep: Not bad...but some middle of the night waking up is happening at random. 

Best moment this week: My mom and I went and got several cute maternity things this week. I have enjoyed feeling good in my clothes again! 

Movement: Nothing I can feel yet - too early.

Food cravings: Pineapple still! Lol

Anything making you queasy or sick: SMELLS SMELLS SMELLS!

Have you started to show yet: still hotly debated. 😂 
One person will tell me how big my "cute little bump" is getting and then the next will say "you don't even have a bump". 
PS--why do people feel like it is their right to talk about, touch, ask to see your stomach?! I truly do not understand and find it very odd. 

Gender: we'll know so soon! 

Belly Button in or out? In.

Wedding rings on or off? Pretty much off all the time. 

Milestones: Trimester two!!! Getting some pregnancy belly and needing maternity clothes. 

Major Happenings: baby is probably sucking his/her thumb and wiggling toes! (S)he is also creating urine through a functioning urinary system. For a science teacher who teaches the intricacies of these systems, that is incredible!!! 

What's Been Going On: Feelings-wise, getting good sleep for the first few hours and lying awake the rest of the night. 😁
 Life-wise: the beginning of the end for school, track, soccer, etc! So, so busy! My house is a wreck again, which causes me major anxiety. However, I can't seem to stay on top of it. 


Looking Forward To: The end of testing at school. This is a long and stressful week and I'll be grateful when it is done! 



Friday, April 22, 2016

Friday Favorites--the baby years

When moose and I got married, I was certain we would wait awhile to have kids. We were in a weird place where our friends were either older with kids or younger than us and not even married. Grin. 

TWO (can you believe it, Andi) years ago, the first of our little squad added a kiddo to the mix. Hi years of youth and baby Liam! Lol

Then ONE year ago, Shannon and Bryan welcomed precious Henry. 

This year, it seems is the year of the baby. It didn't work out for the Savilles to join the baby-having party until now and God's timing is so perfect. Several of our friends are having kiddos in 2016 and we are thrilled that our babies will get to grow up and be friends like we are. (Because you know, those who grow up in church together are automatically pals...grin....we hope the forced friendships and arranged marriages won't be too much of a problem!)


So this past week, the first of the 2016 baby brigade was born. We have loved watching our little group grow over the years wth friends, as well as with new additions! 
Here we are welcoming Weston. 


The first three babies all came and were delivered on the same floor at Anmed hospital. The next wave will all be born at GHS. It's so fun to have these memories to share. 

So, so grateful for these people and their current and future kids!!!! This stage of life is definitely....and will be remembered as...a FAVORITE. 









Thursday, April 21, 2016

Moose's Vegas Casino Bash!

For years, the running joke in our family is that the Roberts do birthday parties big and the Savilles do family time. Moose has said often, "our last birthday party was when I was 8." We love to tease him about this and his limited memory of childhood. :) 

However, I have known for awhile that I wanted to do something big for his 30th birthday. When we found out we were having a baby, I upped the ante (pun intended) a little and decided that we were going to have a major birthday bash--turning thirty the year before you have a child is sort of a big deal--after that, it's all changing ;) I don't necessarily believe that 100%, but it is the number one tidbit of info we get, so I figured I would use it myself. Ha!

 I utilized Pinterest and came up with a super fun casino theme. I slowly swindled a little bit of money at a time and started planning. I could NOT have done it without my mom. I have said often on the blog that she and I together make a great party planning team. We certainly couldn't do it alone...our brains work much better together!

 I just loved the invitation I designed! Sometimes I feel proud of my designs and sometimes they're just "eh". I really liked this one!

We had so many stations. Confession--I've never been to Vegas and I've been to a casino one time (when I was 16...to eat). So, it may have not been the best idea for me to plan a casino party, but thank goodness for the internet!

The photo booth sign made it feel so authentic!

The check in table had $200 of chips for each person. Later we switched out the basket for cookies (poker chips) for them to trade out and take home. It also had a spot for cards for Moose and some  cute decorations. We put the "rules of the night" i.e. take the chips, feel free to reload if necessary, turn them back in, it is all for fun, etc. on this table. Throughout the room, we hung rules for each game station. We also hung signs with chip values for those of us who have a hard time remember if green or blue is higher!!! To be honest, I dealt mostly in red and white...and lost those!


I ordered all of these things from Amazon (except the poker chips. We had several sets and borrowed a few from friends. Poker chips aren't cheap.) The felts made the stations feel way more realistic!!! Mom found felt for fairly cheap at our local fabric sale and we covered the poker, blackjack, and underneath of the other stations. We put the purchased mats on top of the felt. I loved how that turned out. The "wood-like" signs added a nice touch and made it feel more professional. 

We asked several friends (and family members) to be dealers at each station. I ordered a green visor for each of them and they wore them to distinguish their position. Loved this touch!

We had a roulette table:
If you do this, make sure you buy a substantial roulette wheel. This one was 16 inches and people could actually see the numbers inside it. Many on the internet were much smaller. As you can see, I put a diagram of the board and how you could bet on the end of the table as well as chip values. I wanted people who had NO CLUE what they were doing to feel comfortable playing. Mrs. Anna, the dealer did an excellent job of convincing people to play, bet, and win! 


A craps table:
I have no idea how to play this game, still. But, it was a HIT! Lots of opportunities for betting, winning, and getting loud is all I got from the chaos at this table. Micah rocked this table out and everyone who went over there had an absolute blast!!!



Some blackjack tables:
This is, of course, the one that most people knew how to play. Still, I had the rules at the table. I also used a chalk pen to draw the "casino layout" on the felt for a more authentic look. I put change at each station so the dealer could handle money at each location. My blackjack dealers were so varied--one was laid back and easygoing (Tim) and one was a little more Vegas-serious (Gregg). I loved that we got variety!


Some poker tables:
My dad ran Texas hold-em and let me tell you, this table was SERIOUS! I'm not sure if the crowd left that table for the first hour. It totally cracked me up. My 90 year old grandpa was one of the players and I think he enjoyed himself more than anyone else there ;)
 


Dominoes:
I set up this table for anyone who was too reluctant to play the casino games. However, we had none! I was so glad that everyone got in the spirit and at least tried one or two things. 

and FOOD!

Some other decor throughout:



For the food, we had "high roller meatballs", chicken salad sliders, "chips and 'poker' dip", strawberries, layered marshmellows, cookies and cake.


I ordered the cookies from Lisa Cassidy (Mrs. Cassidy's Confections)
I LOVE THEM! They were both delicious and beautiful :)

The cake was the brainchild of myself and my co-teacher Mrs. Cooper. She bakes on the side and I knew I wanted her to do the cake. We looked and looked on pinterest and finally found several different ones we liked to combine.
It turned out AMAZING!

The poker table was so serious! People stayed there forever, but it was definitely not for new-bies! The blackjack area had two levels. Easy and a little more complex. I think everyone took a turn on the blackjack table.






Craps and Roulette were the crowd favorites! My dealers for those (Mrs. Anna C and my brother, Micah) were so outgoing and loud and fun. They called people over, riled up the crowd, and taught the game as they went. People definitely won or lost big at these tables.




I really think Moose was surprised!!! 

One of my favorite things about this party was actually a reflection of our community. We go to church in a traditional church setting and it is times like this party that remind me why I am so in love with that. We go to same-gender small groups with people from 20 to 70, our Sunday morning class is co-ed and has friends from all walks of life, but are all in the same age range. We go to a Wednesday evening small group that is about as diverse as they come and includes some of the sweetest friends--and several of them have kids who are teenagers or older. Being able to enjoy the company of so many diverse people and ages makes life fun. You have so many built in mentors and people to love on you...and yet, you're called to do the same thing. Traditional church blends ages, families, races, and genders to come together in so many varied settings. I would SO miss that if we ever went to fewer meeting times or fewer options. I just love our church and the people we get to know and love because of it.

That being said, the guest list for Moose's party was extensive and extremely varied--and that is what made it so special!!! Older friends, younger friends, friends who were family, friends who feel like family, etc. They love us so well and I am ever so grateful!!!!

Happy Birthday Moose! I hope 30 is the best one yet :)
I love you much!


Monday, April 18, 2016

Baby Saville #1. Week 13 Update


13 weeks


How far along?
 13 Weeks


Size: Lemon

Total weight gain/loss: + 9 lbs

Maternity clothes? Loose and cozy still! Lots of stretchy waistbands

Stretch marks? No, but some stretching.

Sleep: Not bad...but some middle of the night waking up is happening at random. 

Best moment this week: Moose's Birthday party--I know, not baby related, but my husband is 30! And he's going to be a daddy this year! So it's sort of a big deal. 

Movement: Nothing I can feel yet - too early.

Food cravings: Pineapple still! And I might be making a daily run to get an egg and cheese croissant. There goes our budget! 

Anything making you queasy or sick: SMELLS SMELLS SMELLS!

Have you started to show yet: Hotly debated. 😂 
One person will tell me how big my "cute little bump" is getting and then the next will say "you don't even have a bump". 
PS--why do people feel like it is their right to talk about, touch, ask to see your stomach?! I truly do not understand and find it very odd. 

Gender: less than a month!!!

Belly Button in or out? In.

Wedding rings on or off? On during the day, off at night. Ouch. 

Milestones: This is the end of trimester one!!! Baby is growing like crazy! 

Major Happenings: sweet baby Saville is entering the growth stage. Baby has teeth, vocal cords, and fingerprints. God's hand on this tiny 3-inch long baby is amazing! 

What's Been Going On: Feelings-wise, still having headaches a good bit. Tired, but not ridiculously so. 
 Life-wise: the beginning of the end for school, track, soccer, etc! 
Also-our dear friends, the Hendersons, had their baby Weston this week! This is the year of the baby for our friend group. One down and many more to go in 2016! I'm so excited for our church nursery to be flooded with new additions over the next several months. Congrats PJ and Michael. We love Weston already!!!



Looking Forward To: Serious track meets over the next couple of weeks. Having a not-so-crazy week this week so we can get some things done around the house! I die inside when my house is a wreck, but it is the first thing I let go when we get busy. It is a constant struggle these days!!! 




Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Fertility, Infertility, and Faith

The first time we got pregnant, it was easy. We didn't do much planning or thinking. We just decided we were going to have a baby and a few months later, I got a positive test result. Really. It was like that. I mean, we had the conversation, eliminated anything that could be preventing a baby, and then like 4 months later...


However, on Halloween carnival night, I noticed something weird...and the next morning went to the doctor. It ended as badly as one could expect and we lost that sweet first baby. See recap here. We had some precious people who God allowed to walk through that stinky time with us.


That was October of 2014. It is now April of 2016. If you count the four months we tried for baby number one, we are talking almost two years of waiting for good news.

After the miscarriage, I talked to my doctor about things like "did I DO something wrong?" and "how soon can we start trying again?" and "how can I be SURE next time?" We got some answers we wanted and some that were scary. The scariest of the answers was that they don't do any tests until after the second miscarriage, which God-forbid, I wouldn't reach. So, we will never fully know why we lost that first pregnancy (more on that in a bit). We were told to wait until the cycle got back to a new normal and then we could begin trying again.

A year passed. A long year of hoping each and every month that a certain event would not take place. A year of crying. A year of wondering. I don't really know why I didn't call the doctor during that year. I really felt like "normal" families wait quite some time for a baby. In my brain, it took a few months for us to get back on track after the miscarriage and we had a lot going on and I was stressed, so it could just be awhile. Looking back, I wish I had called her after like 6 months....but who knew? I would advise you, if you are trying to have a baby and you aren't getting results, to go talk to your doctor! They are so very helpful. 

I said out loud a lot during 2015 that I know God is good. I know God is faithful. I know God's timing is perfect. I know God has a precious baby for us and it will come in HIS timing, not ours. But friends...I had a really really hard time believing it month in and month out. I cried at the beginning of each cycle thinking "why not this month?" I don't know that I'll ever know that answer this side of heaven. I truly just have to rest in the fact that God IS good. God IS faithful. and God's timing IS perfect. His love endures forever and His faithfulness to the sky. 

I went for my check up in October of 2015 and blubbered like a baby to my (new) doctor. Dr. Walvoord was amazing at my miscarriage appointment and was amazing once again at this one. I truly believe that God placed her in our lives for such a time as this!!! I truly do.

She explained that even people who do ovulate can have difficulties getting pregnant for a variety of reasons. She also explained that just because it was easy once does not mean that every conception will be easy or that we would never need any assistance, whether that be hormonal, IVF, or whatever may come our way. She told me we could do some blood tests and she said if we got decent results, we could have a conception in at max 6 months. For someone who had been taking a pregnancy test on day 28 for literally 12 straight months "in faith" (y'all. that's a bad way to do things, by the way...and very expensive...and very sad), that made me cry all over again. I didn't want something to be "wrong" with us, but at the same time, I desperately wanted something to be wrong so that she could fix it and we could get pregnant. My hormones were already all over the place and I was just so ready to have a baby. 

By this point in time, literally EVERYONE was either having a baby, pregnant, or just had a baby (I know, I know...every woman goes through this. It's like when literally EVERYONE is getting engaged and you aren't :)! )

After the blood tests, we met again. My ovulation existed but was very low on the scale. My progesterone levels are insanely low. In fact, progesterone is one of the key things that makes baby implant and "stick" (which is what Saville Baby Numero Uno did not do). We were able to get a little closure when we realized that this hormone imbalance may have actually affected/caused our miscarriage and that baby would never have developed properly without a progesterone supplement. 

Moose had some tests done as well and we determined that some fertility meds on my end might be just the thing that would push us to baby Saville. I'm so grateful that my OB/GYN was gracious and knowledgable enough to handle all of our issues in her office. We never had to go to a specialist and I am grateful for the financial burden that saved us (though the tests and medicine aren't covered by insurance. Apparently infertility is not a "sickness"; rather it is "elective"). 

The first med was a disaster and did not work at all. Ironically, a dear friend of mine was going through this at the exact same time and the same med did not work for her. Let's just say it was a crash and burn...and more tears. My progesterone level became nonexistent and we had to jump start the next cycle.

The second med did exactly what it was supposed to do...but no baby.

In month two of med two, we hit the jackpot :)

I woke up on day 27 feeling sure I was pregnant. I just knew it was working and that this was the month. I took a test (I'm telling you ladies...bad) and it was negative. I was crushed because I'm telling you--heartburn, bigger chest, gassiness, tired...I was SURE! But, then I (in my insanely self-aware self) remembered that I ovulated later this month. I took another test on day 32 and sure enough...


For those of you who read my miscarriage post (or clicked the link above for the recap), you know that my sweet doctor declared that I would be a hot mess when I saw those words on that stick and that I should call her immediately. She also told me they would do absolutely everything possible to inform me of what was going on this time around, to help baby implant and stay put, and to calm my hot-mess-ness. Well, Dr Walvoord stuck to her word! We got to do blood and hormone tests that very week. Then, two weeks later, we did an ultrasound to ensure that the sac was forming properly and implanting the way it should. Two weeks after that, we did the official 8 week ultrasound...and we told the world. Went back week 10 and on week 12. God is so gracious to give us people in our lives to calm our little crazy fears, is he not?

In each of these appointments, we were assured that the hormone levels looked good and baby is doing exactly what baby is supposed to be doing.  I do have the history of the miscarriage, as well as a few other little things that they are watching--but for the most part, this journey has resulted in a healthy pregnancy. 

That above picture that has been so comical to me...the big eyes, the no glasses, the in-the-moment joy...I sent that to my family like 30 minutes after taking it. Moose and I had a quick moment of celebration and I was just ready for our people to know. We did it secretly the first time and it did not work out well. I understand that the reason you keep it under wraps is so that you don't have to tell everyone if you lose the baby. I'm not a private person; I am a sharer. I want to share in sorrow. I need to share in sorrow. I want to share in joy. I need to share in joy. It broke me that we had to tell our family and friends that we were pregnant and lost the baby in the same moment the first time around. I knew that the next time, I would do things differently. Family would know immediately. The joy and the sorrow is worth sharing if it came to that. There should have been time for the joy before the pain. 

After two years of waiting. Months of pain and loss over our first pregnancy. Months of crying over negative tests. Months of fertility. It was time for some joy. 

Ps 30:5
"His good favor restores one's life. One may experience sorrow during the night, but joy arrives in the morning."


We are so grateful that our fertility story has come to this beautiful conclusion. We are aware that this is not the end of our story; rather, it is the beginning of a new story--our journey through this second pregnancy and God-willing, our first child this side of heaven. Our season of sorrow is over and I couldn't be more grateful.

While we are so eternally thankful that the fertility medicine worked for us, I can't help but think of so many friends who are desperately praying for their miracle. Praying for adoption. Praying for this month to be the month. Praying that baby will stay alive and well inside mommy for just awhile longer. Praying desperately after loss. Praying in this fallen world for a completed family and for redemption. 

I'm grateful that you all have joined us in our joy...but let us not forget to join these precious friends in their sorrow. Please remember these families with me.

Romans 12:15-18 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.




Sunday, April 10, 2016

Baby Saville #1 Week 12 update

12 weeks


How far along?
 12 Weeks


Size: Plum

Total weight gain/loss: + 7 lbs

Maternity clothes? Um...not technically! Stretchy pants and ponytail holders across the button holes for now! 

Stretch marks? No, but some stretching.

Sleep: not as many naps this week! 

Best moment this week: A great Dr's appointment! Got to hear the heartbeat and had some good news. 

Movement: Nothing I can feel yet - too early.

Food cravings: Pineapple; still liking Apple (and other) juices. I also switched to Unsweet tea. Sweet was too much! 

Anything making you queasy or sick: still smells! My hyper sensitive nose is crazy! Also, I've entered the headache phase and when the headaches get bad enough, that ends in some "yuck". Still, though, better than it could be! 

Have you started to show yet: Well, one of my precious students told me this week "Mrs. Saville, your belly gettin' bigger." So, apparently, yes. 

Gender: don't know, but I am finally starting to wonder a little! 

Belly Button in or out? In.

Wedding rings on or off? On during the day, off at night. Ouch. 

Milestones: This is the last week of trimester one!!!! How crazy that we're (sort of because they're not equal) 1/3 of the way through?!

Major Happenings: sweet baby Saville is entering the growth stage. (S)he is about to grow like crazy. Reflexes are developing and all vital organs are in place. 

What's Been Going On: Feelings-wise, we've moved past early belly stuff and into headache/migraine stage. My doctor laughed at me because he said my symptom timing was almost textbook. Dude, we've been over the fact that I'm uber self-aware and I swear, I'm not googling ahead of time (that MIGHT make me crazy). Life-wise, track, teaching, and more track. It's  what we do. Love it. 

Looking Forward To: We only have two more months (less, really) of school left and I am really wanting to soak up these last few weeks with my babies. I just love them so so much! 
Moose's birthday is Sunday, so we are going to celebrate with family. He doesn't always care too much, but I love a good birthday! 






Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Life Lately-February and March 2016

February came and went with the speed that earns its shortest month title! Oh my gosh. It happened in a blink. Then came March. Y'all. WOW.

So, the past two months have been insanely crazy and full of activity! Track season and Mackenzie deciding to play school soccer on top of regular school, church, and oh, you know, this pregnancy thing have left me whooped.

Here's what we did over the past two months:

Fun school things: spirit week, projects, new pencil sharpeners (grin), and fun!







Sports:
Basketball wrapped up, track and soccer started






Church:
Preschool and Children Valentine and Easter parties, serving fundraiser lunches, a trip to Great Wolf Lodge, B-stud went skating, Women's group studied and built the tabernacle. SO MUCH STUFF!









Home/Friends:
Hosted PJ's Shower, found out we were having a baby, got a new drive way, switched some furniture around, told people we were having a baby, had lots and lots of family time...and didn't clean our house once ;) Hey--priorities!

















That's life lately!