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Real Life

July 28, 2009

I always hear that blogs are always about everyone's happy stories and don't necessarily reflect real life.  Sometimes I think that is true after all who wants to read about someone's problems but today I am going to write about real life.  A painful day in the life of the Boyle's.  Today's story will be out of order because of course I am behind on my blogging so be patient when this is one month out of order but I wanted to write down my feelings when they were fresh.

So everyone knows that we have been trying to get pregnant for some time now.  Everything we do seems to take a long time after all I am a planner!  We revisited the idea of fertility but thankfully it did not come to that.  Friday I missed my period and took a pregnancy test, which was positive!  YEAH!!!  It was a light line but according to the directions it did not need to be a dark line.  I could not wait to tell Mike when he got home from work.  I phoned the doctor and made appointments to be seen and mentioned that I have a history of low progesterone with Liam.  They wanted me to have some initial blood work done, HCG levels and a progesterone.  I had those drawn on Friday and would get the results on Monday. 

So now I had to find a creative way to tell Mike...I decided on balloons, pink and blue with a welcome baby one in the middle.  Liam and I made a special trip to get them and I wanted to surprise Mike with them by tying a pregnancy test to the bottom and having Liam walk down the hall with them when he came home from work.   Of course Mike got home from work early on Friday and met us in the garage.  I pulled Liam from the car and the balloons and Mike looked at me blankly and said "What are all the balloons for?", I waited for him to figure out the colors and put 2 and 2 together but he seemed to be processing slowly.  I said "I am pregnant!"
  
He was so excited and gave us a big hug and kiss.  We talked about how great it will be to have 2 children, how the dogs would take one more step down the ladder of importance, how Liam would form that deep rooted bond that Mike has wanted so badly once the new baby comes.  The Boyle house was filled with excitement and anticipation.

The weekend was great but being medical I am always a little pessimistic that things won't work out.  I called first thing Monday morning looking for those test results.  After the 4th call I finally had the nurse tell me that I needed to have the blood work redrawn.  I started to ask questions and found out that the hcg was low and we needed to see if it went up over the weekend.  I was sad and had a feeling that I was going to loose this baby.  I called Mike at work in tears, he was so supportive and loving.

I woke up this morning bleeding.  I now know that it is over.  No baby this time.  The nurse side of me realizes that this is probably for the best.  The baby was not healthy.  The mother side of me is so sad, I wanted this baby so badly.  Even though I was not far along it still breaks my heart knowing what could of been.  I have rationalized this over and over.  We want a healthy baby, at least I know that I can get pregnant, thankfully it was super early in the pregnancy but no matter what it still sucks.  

I am thankful for having a loving and caring husband who understands how sad I am and holds me when I cry.  I am thankful for beautiful Liam, some women don't ever experience a pregnancy much less a beautiful child.  I am thankful for knowing that I can get pregnant and will get pregnant again in the future.  I am thankful for friends that hug me and support me when all I can do is cry.  I am sad that there will be no baby this time but am hopeful for the next time I get pregnant. 


Happy 4th of July!

July 4, 2009

Happy Birthday USA!  Today we celebrated the Fourth of July with friends here in Grand Rapids (Mike was on call so we were unable to make it to Chicago).  We started out at the parade here in EGR.  We had fun but it was a little disappointing, no bands just a lot of candy! We met friends there and headed back to our house for a bit.
That afternoon we went over to the Powsner's house.  We bought our current house from them and became friends with them.  I know totally random and a little crazy.  We had a great time swimming, eating, and enjoying great friends.
We closed the weekend out up at Kamp Kendall!  One of Mike's partners has a house up in Fremont on the lake so we went and had a wonderful afternoon.  Liam really got into the spirit of it all by digging into this watermelon.


First Trip to the ER

July 2, 2009

About a week ago we had our first trip to the Emergency Room with Liam.  It was a normal evening, we had a great dinner and we were heading to the park.  I left the kitchen to go to the bathroom and Mike was cleaning up from dinner.  While I was in the bathroom I heard a loud bang and shortly thereafter Liam was screaming.  I thought all was well, then I heard Mike say "Oh SHIT!".  I raced into the kitchen to find Liam with a bloody face and Mike telling me that he put his teeth through the skin below his lower lip on a kitchen drawer.  After some tears of my own we decided that he would need stitches.

At this point the big question became where should we go and who would stitch him up?  We decided to go to the children's ER for some conscious sedation.  By the time we got to the er the little guy was not crying anymore and was actively sucking on his pacifier and cuddling his favorite blanket.  After what seemed like a long wait we met the first year resident, after some discussion and letting her know that Mike was a plastic surgeon she sent the attending in :)  After a long talk with the attending we decided that he would sew Liam up with Mike's supervision :)  (ah the joy of medical parents!)

Liam had an IV started for his sedation and it worked like magic, he was in mid cry as the drug took effect.  Once I made sure that he was comfortable I left the room and let the boys get to work.  Here is a picture of their handy work....

It took four stitches to close up the outside and the inside will heal on its own.  Liam was a trooper and the doctors and nurses at the ER were wonderful.  Hopefully we will not be seeing them for a while!

Daddy Time

July 2, 2009

We continue to go to the zoo, sometimes multiple times per week :)  Today we went as a family and Liam was really into spending time with his Daddy, a pleasant change.  Mike just soaked it up!

The ducks and flamingos are the first thing we see upon entering the zoo and they are one of Liam's favorites.  He spends lots of time on the bridge hanging on the rope and saying "duck, duck, duck"  over and over.  Oh, he has also started pointing (a big deal in the world of development!).

Another favorite is the petting zoo.  He thoroughly enjoys the goats!  He does require lots of reminders to be gentle but then quickly leans in to kiss them.  So cute but OH so gross!  

Today we even found a chicken to pet,  who would of guessed that this little guy would just sit here ever so patiently while my toddler whacks him repeatedly!  


Happy Father's Day!

June 2009

Dear Daddy,

Happy Father's Day!  From the moment I was born and I saw that look of total amazement on your face I knew I was loved.  It was truly a miraculous moment that neither of us will forget.

From that day on we have continued to have moments that were only meant for a father and son.  I know that I am always not the easiest guy to understand, especially when I was still nursing, but these last few months have just started to give you a glimpse into what our future holds. 
I love you for teaching me the finer things in life like feeding the dogs from the high chair, screaming at the top of my lungs,  and encouraging me to burp!  Thanks Daddy for loving me no matter what and being the best ever!

Love, 
Liam

Pool Fun!!

June 2009

Today Liam played in his new pool and water table in his birthday suit.  He had a great time.  


The Nichols Family Visits

June 20, 2009

My BFF Jenny came to visit Michigan with her daughter Danielle.  Danielle was in a skating competition here by the house.  We had a great time but the visit was way too short.


Sad News at the Zoo!

June 18, 2009

We have a zoo membership so we visit almost every week!  Liam is very fond of the petting zoo and loves to play with all the animals.  I have grown fond of specific animals too.  The cow is always a favorite because she is so sweet.  She is so big and soft and Liam loves to pet her.

My all time favorite is Joe, a funny looking goat.  He towers over Liam and has no ears (normal for his breed of goat).  The real reason that I love him so much is not only for his crazy looks but for his quirky personality.  He is always stealing maps and eating them and even will chew on people's clothes!  He is such a great guy!

I am sad to report that both of our favorite animals are "retired".  Joe now spends his time up in a pen where the kids can't get him.  Although I miss him something terrible I can still see him and know that he is happy.  The cow has retired at an employee's farm, or so I am told.  I have a sneaky suspicion that she died but the keeper will not confirm this for me.   Anyhow I know that they will both be happy but we will miss them so.