Simple goals.....

Today's goal? Not to cry!

Sad realization

So, today I'm sitting here at the kitchen table of hour home. Looking at the picture of Sean and I in his K3 class during his Christmas Party (building gingerbread houses) with the HUGEST smile on his face. I look at this picture a lot and it causes me to smile - momishly. Today, it brings me heartache for whatever pain, confusion, disbelief, readjustment it will require of him and Sam. See today, we decided to let our home go. In a nutshell a perfect storm has ammassed over us. The combination of a refi with the arrival of our current property assessment has made it EXTREMELY clear that the American Dream is no longer what it once was. To purchase a home ten years ago and loose $40k in equity over that time period, now means that we find ourselves like lots of other homeowners - UPSIDE down, owing more on our home than its assessed at and can be sold for. Why am I crying??? Because this is the home I purchased with my new husband. This is the home I've gotten pregnant in 4 times. This is the home I've brought 2 precious baby boys home from the hospital to. This is the only place they know as HOME. The backyard is they're adventure zone. Its where they watch me garden. Its where they learned to drive a rider mower. Its where we have morning noon and night meals during our short six week span of summer. Its where they chase Sasha around and where they both learned to ride their bikes. Its where "Monster Jam Stadium" is whenever their hearts desire (ramps and all). Will they be OK? I'm absolutely sure they will be. Will they remember this house in 20 years......if they have my memory - YES! Will a move to a rented home cause them to loose their sense of stability (as such a TV commercial put it - touting home ownership)? I'm not sure. Will we be able to afford a home in our preferred school district? Probably not. Over my dead body will they attend public school. But will they have a better remainder of their childhood if Daddy's around more (not working crazy hours) just to keep us afloat? Will they learn to love their new neighborhood? Will they make new friends in their new neighborhood? Of course they will! They are 5 and 2 and cute little chatter boxes. Really, will it impact them negatively in ANY WAY to leave this house behind and start fresh in a new one? I pray everyday from now until we move......NO. The really sad reality is that I just pray we don't end up in the inner city (or city period).

That AWESOME week I referred to back in late April.......I was pregnant. And it happened naturally. Sadly, three weeks later I was in the hospital having a D&C for a gestational sac that continued to grow without a viable fetus inside. Heartbreak!

In a few weeks.......

Remind me to come back and tell you how AWESOME this week was. #Place holder

Spring Break 2015

Yes, its been almost 2 years since my last post, but hey, I've got a 4.5 and 2 year old keeping my busy! :-) Here's what went down this year for spring break!
Good Friday - stayed in the granny while mommy had a spa day & date night. Fast 7 was released! Very symbolic tribute to Paul Walker.
Saturday - Chicago, play date with Taylor & Thalia. Portillo's. Spring Hill Suites Schaumburg....yucky pool.
Monday - rained, so we only made it to the park in the am, and napped the rest of the day. YAY!
Tuesday - We hit the downtown library - and YES, I received another ticket :-(
Wednesday - Jumping Country and swimming!
Thursday - RAIN RAIN RAIN!! Flooded streets, grocery shopped and played in the rain.
Friday - CHICAGO! Legoland Discovery Center (parents this place is a money pit!) Giordano's Streamwood (so-so) Holiday Inn Express Roselle (off the beaten path, but nice)
Saturday - CHICAGO! Shedd Aquarium. LOVED the quick stroller entry and no line to obtain wristbands (pre-purchased online required for this and HIGHLY recommended. The line to enter/purchase tickes was upwards of 2+ hours. YIKES) Total Experience passes are a MUST! The Aquatic Show was short but nice. The 4D "When monsters swam the earth" was super cool. A little shopping before heading home at Prime. Sean is "rocking in his new shoes" (in my pete the cat voice).
Pics to come....

TGIF!! (ROUGH WEEK)

Boy oh boy, we've never needed a family vaca SOOO badly!! So, Wednesday while I'm heating my lunch up and prepping dinner, the school office called to say Sean was in the office, in pain and couldn't walk. Naturally, I was flew there in 3.5 minutes. (No lie) Get there, he's in the office, screaming bloody murder. Ms. J is on the floor with him, says he couldn't walk upstairs from lunch, pain was too bad in his legs. He hobbled down to lunch, got to the table and burst into tears, didn't eat lunch, cried the whole time. yata yata. He can't walk to the door of the office so I end up carrying him to the car. The car seat hurts the back of his legs, so he gets to ride in the front seat with the seat belt on and seat laid back to minimize pressure on the back of his legs. Get to Dr. Barb and she says...... He needs to POOP!!! Good Lord. This kid..... That same evening while prepping Sam for bed, I get light headed, I've been feeling off for a few weeks and on a downhill slide for a few days. Pressure in my neck starts to build, throbbing in my face, forehead, dizziness, etc. start around 630pm. Daddy calls Nanny to come check on me. She gets to the house at 8. Checks my bp, blood sugar and pulse. I'm 140/78, 123 and 102 respectively. Intense chills set in. 30 minutes later she rechecks my bp/pulse. I'm now 143/117 and 100 - Nurseline is called. RN says drive me to ER or she sending an ambulance. We call Dad to take me so Nanny can stay with the boys. We get to Aurora - Grafton around 915pm. Discharged around 230am diagnosed with: Dehydration and Exhaustion. (Biggest joke in the world for moms with little ones) Uncle left for his new job in TX yesterday. Mommy is still super sad. I haven't told you yet that your cousin is moving away. I know its going to crush you. So I'm waiting..... Today was grandparents day at school - there was a program and activities this morning. Granny was the only one who made it. You guys had a great time. We are leaving for vaca TONIGHT. Mommy still doesn't feel good. You aren't 100% yet either but we're getting the heck out of dodge to get some fresh air and RELAX!!!

We're FINALLY catching up.....

Random cute vid of Sean (almost 2 at the time)

Surgery Day

Its, Tuesday, September 17, 2013 and Sean is here at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin for a scheduled tonsilectomy and adenoidectomy (the removal of his tonsils and adenoids). Last month, you came down with a serious case of strep throat. As a precaution, Dr. Barb sent us down to radiology to have an xray of your tonsils and adenoids. Turns out her hunch was right. Your tonsils are 3x the size they should be and adenoids are 4x the normal size for this age. You were referred to Dr Beste here at Children's who at first glance didn't seem too interested in kids (go figure) but turned out to the best surgeon. He used a plasma knife to remove both. Daddy and I took a flashlight and had you open wide so we could see. Man, does it look horrible in there. We won't show you the pics, otherwise you'll never eat again. (smile) Overall you did GREAT!! You HATE IV's though......no fun. Your surgery was planned for 45 minutes to n hour but took only 35 minutes. Dr Beste said your adenoids were blocking 90% of your nasal breathing.....super scary for mommy and daddy to hear that. You are sleeping now while I'm typing this up. You are doing well on your medication schedule and I'm sure you'll do great once we get home and take your meds for mommy and daddy just as well as you have for Nurse Heather. Here's some video clips from last night taken of you and your brother playing around post-bed time. Get well soon baby!
Take 2

They gave you some "happy juice to drink about 10 minutes before I took this video clip of you. Daddy had to hold you because your legs were like silly string! lol....

Pics from your stay at the hospital. As you can see, the first two were right before and immediately after surgery. You were quite miserable and in a lot of pain, but after a few hours, you felt better.

Happy Father's Day, Daddy!!

Well, its been a while and this week will be filled with LOTS of updates. But 1st things first.... HAPPY FATHERS DAY to the best daddy on earth!!

3.5 months worth of "catching up"

Video 1: Video 2: Video 3: Thanks for hanging in there with me while I got you up to speed with Gilmore Baby#2.

Pregnancy, Weeks 1-9 (We're 5w3d today)

http://www.babycenter.com/2_video_10302602.bc

6dpt

Egg Transfer

u/s pics of two embryos separate, then in utero:

Update

Mid Stim Update (d7)

Stim Check

Results: E2 - 289 Follicle Counts: LEFT 13.42, 12.41, 10.72, 10.58, 8.07, 6.84 < 10mm 5 to 7 RIGHT 13.98, 11.01, 10.35, 10.2, 9.68, 9.57, 8.97, 7.95 < 10mm 5 to 7 Endo Thickness-14.21

Its STIM START day!!!

The eve of it all....

So, here we are, Thursday, May 31st. Tomorrow is one of MANY upcoming "BIG" days...... Yesterday, I had blood work (E2) and ultrasound at InVia at 745am (yes, I got up at 445....) Here are the results: Endometrium lining: 5.73 Left Ovary: 8.44, 7.51, 7.33, 7.1, 7.09, 6.56, 5.71, 5.52 < 10mm 8 to 9 ----- 8 follies Right Ovary: 9.27, 8.96, 8.64, 8.5, 8.04, 7.17, 6.83, 5.57 < 10mm 8 to 9 ---- 8 follies The daily 10iu Lupron injections since 5/14 have successfully suppressed my ovaries and we're CLEAR FOR STIM START!!! Tomorrow I will most likely post a quick vid so stay tuned.....we're just getting started for what is SURE to be an EXCITING roller coaster called "June".

Lupron Start! BCP Stop!

IVF2 Vlog #1

Easter/Spring Break 2012

We spent Easter week in California! Mommy had business travel to SoCal for the entire week, so you and Daddy came along to keep me company. We flew into Sacremento to go see Great Mommie and all your great TT's and uncle Jerome. We had a great time in Stockton before we trekked down to the LA area (Irvine) for my training. We spent a day in the San Diego area and decided, WE'RE MOVING!!! Eventually. The plan is to relocate there by the time you go to school (next 2 years). We are going back for Spring Break 2013 and we're looking forward to it. We took pics of you on Mission Beach (where we'll be staying next year for spring break) as well as other Southern California Beaches. We spent two days in LA, went to the Griffith Observatory and snapped family pics in front of the "Hollywood" sign. You had such a great time in California. Just a few pics below from our trip! Enjoy!

Hmmm....

I'm thinking I just might be pregnant!

another week or so and we'll know.....

Lots of updates in to do.

5 weeks to go!!!

We return to Dr V. Karande at Invia Fertility in Hoffman Estates IL on 12/5 for our 2nd round of IVF in hopes of getting pregnant with Gilmore Baby #2!!

Wish us luck!

All prayers are WELCOME!

Friday Night

So. Were in the car while Paul is inside picking up car parts for the 442. Sean shows me he's learned how to shake it. Lol.

June stay-cation

Mommy took a week off work following your party so we could EXPLORE together!
Monday - We went to Story Time at Barnes & Noble as usual. You found a few new books you liked, so we bought those home for you to read over and over again. We also learned a new song, called 5 Little Monkey's - its cute. I sing it to you a few times a week now. It goes,
5 little monkey's swinging in the tree
Teasing Mr Crocodile "you can't catch me"
(Quietly speaking) Along came mr crocodile as quiet as can be
(Speaking loudly and CLAP) and SNAPPED that monkey right out of the tree
4 little monkeys......and so on until you get to none.

I know, a little violent for your age, but you like it and its innocent - so we'll go with it.

Tuesday -


Wednesday - Went we to the ZOO!!!


Thursday - This is your usual play date day, so we met up with Hilda and Grant at BayShore and let you guys get all wet in the center court water show!


Friday - we needed a day to recoup, so we slept in!

Saturday - We spent most the day outside playing with your new water tablem, courtesy of your God-Mommy, God-Father and God-sisters. Later in the day, your friend Jesmeen came over with her mommy/daddy and granny for dinner. You two played for a while until it was time for you to head to bed.

You're ONE!!!!

The morning of your birthday:





Daddy so eloquently reminded me that you won't remember this day, so not to worry, we took tons of pictures to help refresh your memory when you look back at your 1st birthday party.

Karls Event Rentals came to setup tent/tables and chairs..........

Then I distinctly remember someone saying again, "Tiffany, don't go overboard on this party, he won't remember it!" - Good thing I didn't listen - hehehehehe.

Then it was time to decorate!

TIME TO PARTY!!!!!!

Your cousins Jadyn & Shalamar and God Sisters Azariah & Ayanna

Grandpa Gilmore

You & Grandad

Grandma Sheryl

Granny Gilmore

Team Burks

Ms. Trina

Myunghee & Max



Mommy & You

Group shot (minus a few babies being changed and a few kids playing)
Great Mommie, Nanny, TT Paula and a few cousins are in the house (missing from photos)
YOU had a FABULOUS party and managed to stay awake for all of it!

HAPPY 1st Birthday Sean!

Preparing for the BIG ONE!

As I was sitting, remembering, smiling, enjoying, the memories of Sean's life here on earth and planning for his 1st Birthday Party, it made me realize that I wanted to capture his 1 year old portraits the same as my maternity and his newborn sessions; with Allie - a GREAT photographer who I met thru our mutual Bradley Method birthing coach.

Allie has since moved to the Grand Rapids area of MI but often travels back to WI for her clients. I went in search of Sean's newborn gallery on her website and came across her blog post, yes, of Sean. Enjoy!

http://proudtointroduce.com/blog/2010/09/yes-the-smiliest-newborn-ever/

HE'S WALKING!!!!

At 10 months, he's WALKING!!

He's been taking a few steps here and there for a few weeks now, but finally made it from the hallway all the way to the sofa, (I think 12 steps). But of course I didn't have the camera on.

So here's a short clip of him in his first few steps.....Enjoy!

First Mother's Day

I think almost every blog post since last June has started with the word "First" lol....fun times!

Even though the days events changed suddenly nmid-morning - my boys came thru. Sean and Daddy took me shopping at Gurnee Mills Mall. We stopped on the way down for dinner (which was previously planned as a brunch - but turned out WAY better!!) at Long John Silvers! lol...cheap dinner but I LOVE thier chicken and havent been able to have it for a LONG time.

The last time I had Long John Silver I blacked out behind the wheel of my car and crashed it. Ordered chicken was given fish (which I'm HIGHLY allergic to). So now I can only have it under strict supervision - not to mention the closest one to us is 30 minutes away - just not worth the sacrafice.

So dinner at Long Johns went GREAT! Sean ate a whole chicken plank by himself AND two hush puppies! He's growing sooo much. Then shopping! I still had more gift $$ to spend and planned to stop at Kenosha Prime Outlets to finish up my shopping but my boys were starting to poop out, so we came home.

I had a GREAT day! simple! Just my boys! I hope all the rest are JUST like this!

Muah!!! Smooches, from this ridiculously HAPPY MOMMA!!!

FIRST EASTER!!!

Although we completely forgot to take a family picture this Easter, we were able to grab a few of Sean.

He really enjoyed himself, playing with cousins and eating lots of table food from Mommy's plate. Sean ate, mac & cheese, yams and chicken. Think its time to move on from the purees - don't you?! SMILE.

 Sean getting Dressed

 More....

 Almost there....

 Sean's 1st Easter Bunny Cake (don't laugh - lost its definition with the icing)

 The cake tin to show what it looks like with no icing.

Sean with his Easter basket and cake on the patio

Sean with cousin JJ at Easter dinner

His Christening!

We realized we were RAPIDLY approaching Sean's first birthday and still had one big thing to check off the list: His Christening.

Sunday, March 26, 2011
Sean Christian Gilmore
was christened at
New Life Presbyterian Church, Milwaukee, WI (Granny's church)


Sean's Christening Ceremony



Pics from the event :

The Gilmore's and The Bryant's (Sean's God Family)

 

The Gilmore's  (Grandpa and Granny)
 

The Burks' (Grandad & Grandma) 

The Burks' (Uncle Tommy, TT Tasha and cousin's JJ and Shalamar)

The Brooks' and Nanny (Great TT Marie and Great Uncle Jerome - Cali Family) 

Family/Friends that attended the ceremony

CAKE!!!

Spring 2011 G-parents card

Picture In Landscape 5x7 folded card

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Teeth numbers 3 and 4 reporting for Duty!

Over the weekend your third tooth cut through! FINALLY. This one really worked you over. You ran a temp for three days, LOTS of diarrhea and cranky days of short naps.

Then, without incident your fourth tooth popped thru two days later.

Today I took a "look see" around your gum line to see what else was going on in there. Looks like #5 will be here soon! Hopefully it won't be as bad as #3.

So to date, you have two bottom center teeth and two top center teeth and you LOVE chomping and making the biting sounds with your new teeth!

To take care of them, we're using fluoridated water in your formula and dry cereals (Mixed Grain and Oatmeal). Mommy also "washes" your teeth every night before bed. We'll be moving to a very soft tooth brush with no paste when tooth number 5 comes along though.

Good dental health starts early Baby Dumplings!

Mommy is..........

32. Yep, I said it. No shame in it. Just a number. Took me a while to get to this point, but I'm so VERY Thankful to be a Mommy, wife, sister, daughter and friend.

I am truly blessed!

Blizzard of 2011

Well, we woke up to 21" of snow this morning.

Inside, you were going to have a cranky day regardless, becuase you have two more teeth trying to cut through. Your two top middle teeth (same as your bottoms) look like theyll cut thru in the next day or so. So of course you're not feeling too ot today. Drinking LOTS of milk, not eating much food and VERY clingy and fussy.

Luckily, your teeth cut pretty quickly so you should be back to normal in no time!

Oh, BTW, Puxatauney Phil didnt see his shadow today. Apparently we'll have an early spring. Shhhh...we'll keep our fingers crossed even though we KNOW better!

I'm 7 months old

And look what I can do....

I'm pulling up to a standing position, all on my own!!

This has been a rough week for us:
Saturday - your first swim class
Monday - Mommy Group
Tuesday - you got sick from playing at mommy group
Wednesday - you started to recover, but still didnt feel well
Thursday - Mommy's first swim class
Friday - Mommy, Daddy and Nanny sick
Saturday (yesterday) - Grandad and Grandma sick and you stay home from class

Milestones:
You're crwaling (still with belly on the floor most times)
Sleeping thru the Night - bed time is 730/8pm and you sleep til 630am or later
You're pulling up on things
You've graduated to your High Chair now and are eating Stage 2 & 3 foods, as well as drinking water everday
You have been moving objects from one hand to the other for almost two months now
You are cutting two top teeth to add to the two bottom that are already up
You are babbling in long sentences now. Not consitantly saying mama or dada yet, but you're getting close
You have started developing seperation anxiety from mommy this week (Not a good thing; cute, but not good)
And the list goes on........

Mommy stopped breastfeeding you this week, so you're going thru all the pumped/frozen milk thats stored before we move you over to formula. I have LOVED the bonding experience that breastfeeding has provided us. I will truly miss it each and every day. I remember our first day home from the hospial when your feet barely made it to the other side of my body while you nursed in the cross-carrier position. Now, your knees, legs and feet dangle off the side of the glider arms. You truly have grown by leaps and bounds since June 30th.

We LOVE YOU Baby Dumplings!!!!

2011 Valentine's Day Card

Cocoa Trio Valentine's Day Card

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