In a hard spot....

For the first time in a while, I am posting with no pictures or Emily updates, just some thoughts to get off my chest. When we started this blog it was shortly after Emily was born, and was a place to record the events leading up to her existence and her ensuing life. And it has served this purpose well. But part of me is torn, and I just really need to get these thoughts out somewhere. We have 2 good couple friends of ours who are struggling with infertility and going through treatments to get pregnant with baby #1. While none of them have ever said anything to us, or ever would, just because they are wonderful people, I feel an incredible sense of guilt at times, that we have Emily, and that even though we went through treatments to get her, our road was much easier than so many others. I know they all love Emily dearly, but I also know that every time we see them, or every time they come to the blog, they are going to be reminded of their pain. I wish I knew the words to say, or how to comfort them, knowing that at times, we bring them pain that no one should feel. My heart breaks, becuase I have been there, and know their pain, but also know I can't take it away, no matter how much I desire to. I wish I had all the answers, but I don't. If any of you are reading this (you know who you are!) please know that it is one of my deepest desires for you to feel the joy that comes with a child and you are in my prayers every single day! And we will totally understand if you need to at times distance from us because of the struggles occuring in your own lives! Love and prayers to you all!

Busy couple of weeks....

We've had a busy couple of weeks--here's just a quick review--


We spent Memorial Day at Nai and Pop's in Indiana, it was a wonderfully relaxing weekend and got to hang out with lots of family--


Playing with cousin Camden--

My first taste of hot dog at Hot Dog day, definitely didn't like it!

Reading on the couch with papa-

Sleeping on the ride home with Aunt Martha's new puppy Wrigley-

This weekend we drug out the pool that our friends gave us and had a great time in it!

Happy Belated Blasty Day

Blasty Day was "celebrated" on May 7th....with not much fanfare....but still a day to recognize.


Two years ago today this was "Emily", at that point she was named Blasty--





And on Blasty Day 2 years later---


Our amazing miracle!

2 years!

Two years ago today, Emily came into existance as a 2-celled organism in a petri dish in Iowa City. On May 2nd, 2007, Chuck and I were in Iowa City for the egg retrival that created Emily. So many memories in the coming days...it seems like it was just yesterday, and watching her today toddling around in the back yard....she is such a miracle! I have a few pictures to mark the occassion, but haven't gotten them onto the computer yet, maybe tomorrow!

Emily's week in review....

This was actually supposed to post on Sunday-but a small person living in my house turned my computer power strip off, so it never happened, let's try again!
Just a few snapshots from our week--

Emily's first skinned knee--we spent Sat. afternoon playing outside, and she discovered the joy of running down the driveway and down the street...she got running a little too fast and went down..but bounced right back up-seemingly unphased.


Emily's cute green dress reading one of her favorite books....thanks Aunt Martha for both!

Trying to eat spaghetti...because she doesn't need help from mommy and daddy!

As promised...

Pictures of Easter Weekend..the only thing missing is Em in her Easter dress, which will have to come later, because the picture didn't get taken! Oops :)



Emily at the Easter Egg "hunt" at the zoo...she was perfectly content picking up her 2 eggs and shaking them---




Meeting the Easter Bunny---more intrigued by his big tongue than anything else.


Riding on the train for the first time--great fun!


Getting her 1st haircut from Aunt Cathy--and coloring with the crayons that came in her Easter present from mama and papa....

The results of the 1st haircut--we can see her eyes again!!

Ear Infection #5

Em has had an on and off snotty nose and cough for about a month...and it had come back Weds. Since I had the day off today, I decided to call and get it checked. I was convinced they would tell me it was just a cold and there wasn't anything we could do about it, but I was wrong. Em has ear infection #5 :( We have another round of antibiotics, if the antibiotics work, we go back in 3 weeks to check and decide if we want to get tubes or not. If it doesn't work, we go back sooner and definitely get tubes. Glad I took her in...not thrilled with the results though! Also thankful that Em is not horribly cranky with this infection, had I not taken her in, at this point we wouldn't have even known it was infected...so at least she is a happy sick baby!
On a happier note, tomorrow Em is going to her 1st Easter Egg hunt at the zoo....be watching for pictures! Also very excited about the Easter dress Aunt Jen bought her :)