So much to talk about, so little time...

Okay, so I know it's been a long time since I posted last. Things have just been a little (no, scratch that, a LOT) crazy lately. Where to start? Okay, since my last post was about our benefit baby shower, I'll start there.

Our shower was a HUGE success. I was overwhelmed by the generosity of not just our friends and family, but of the community in general. As previously posted, our story was in the newspaper which led to countless telephone calls and emails from women who have had similar experiences in the Cardinal Glennon NICU. We received SO MANY donations. Seriously, it's all taking over Beth's house. We were able to complete about 100 parent care kits, and received something like 500 baby hats, 150 baby blankets, 100 burial outfits, wedding dresses, and tons of material and sewing notions. (Those counts are approximations.) All of these things will be donated in loving memory of our babies who passed away last year.

That leads me to another part of the craziness. June 16th was my son's first birthday. That was the hardest day I have endured since his death. I'm not kidding when I say I had a nervous breakdown. I'm not sure why, but the anniversary of his death (the 22nd) wasn't nearly so bad. My friend is calling that his "Angel-versary" and I think that's very appropriate. I just can't believe it's been a year. It's so hard when I wonder what he would have looked like if he were still here, and thinking about the party we would have held for him, etc... It was also very difficult because around this time last year, I was very certain that we would have a baby by now. But here we are, still without a baby and without even the prospect of a baby in the next year or so. I know what most of you are thinking, "you've only been married for about 3 years, you aren't patient enough." But you have to understand, three years of worry, pain, grief, and mourning is torture. And it's hard to see that it will ever end. But since then, I have been able to perk up again. I suppose each year as we remember his birthday and his "angel-versary" we will feel sad. But I honestly hope that there will never be a year as bad as this one was.

On the fertility treatment front, things are slow as molasses. I guess that's pretty standard though. I did clomid again at the beginning of this cycle. I'm up to 3 times the lowest dosage. Now we wait. Hopefully it will get me to ovulate, I'll have a blood test done to check that. If this doesn't get me to ovulate, I think the RE will move me on to more serious treatment. We'll see I guess.

In other news, that has nothing to do with any of the previous news, hubby received an additional fellowship for his PhD program. Essentially, that means a higher salary and less menial labor. This is both a good and a bad thing. It's good for obvious reasons-money. With the combined income of a job that I will be getting and his annual salary, it is entirely likely that we will be able to get out of graduate school with ZERO DEBT! I know, that's practically unheard of. But so long as hubby continues to excell with his schoolwork, I think we'll be able to accomplish it. Plus, we will also be able to save enough for a downpayment on a house when we get out of school!

However, the raise in his salary means that we won't qualify for rent controlled housing. So... we had to find another place to live when we get out to Utah. But we found a townhome that sounds like it will work out perfectly for us. It has 3 bedrooms and 2 1/2 bathrooms. And Central Air Conditioning!!!! (Just imagine the choirs of angels singing!) My brother took a look at it for us, and he said that it looks great! So we'll probably be signing a contract with them this week. Hubby and I are both just glad that we have a solid plan so that we won't be homeless in 5 weeks!

Okay, this leads me to our last piece of news. This is where we will need all of your help. And don't worry, I'll be contacting you about this later, I just wanted to give you a heads-up. We have decided to adopt! Both hubby and I have thought a lot about this, and we both feel good about going this direction. For the first time in a long time, I have a glimmer of hope in my heart.

We have already received the first packet of paperwork to complete from LDS Family Services. When we move, we will begin the process in earnest. Essentially, we will just be waiting until we can pay the $1000.00 fee that is required upfront. Where can you help? (Since I'm sure you're just dying to know...) The adoption agency tells us that the best thing we can do to adopt a baby is to network. A birth mother is much more likely to place a baby in a family that she has at least some connection with. That way she has contact with someone who can vouch for our character. We need to let as many people as possible know about us. Once our profile is available, we would love to send all of you referral cards that you could give to anyone you might have contact with who might place a baby or who might know someone who wants to place a baby for adoption. Basically, we just need you to tell everyone you know our story. And when I say everyone, I mean EVERYONE- regardless of religious views, ethnicity, race, financial background, etc... Simple enough? Well, we know that "by small and simple things are great things brought to pass." This is the way Heavenly Father works miracles in our life. And like I said earlier, I will be giving all of you more information as things progress.

Patterns

Patterns for the items we are asking for can be found at:

http://www.newbornsinneed.org/html/baby_patterns.html

In the newspaper!

Yesterday my friend Beth and I were interviewed by reporters from our local newspapers- The Register News in Mount Vernon and the Sentinel in Mount Vernon and Centralia. The newspapers published articles about our Benefit Baby Shower! This is such a great way to get the word out. Thank you newspapers! If you want to read the story in the Sentinel, I think you'll have to buy one because I can't find a link to the story online. However, the link to see the Register News article online is:

http://www.register-news.com/local/local_story_162105646.html

Items for Cardinal Glennon Care Kits for Parents
Both male and female items are needed
(All items must be new)
Travel size, sample size, or hotel size (we will take any)
-Soap/Body Wash
-Shower Loofa/Washcloth
-Shampoo/Conditioner
-Lotion
-Disposable Razor/Shaving Cream
-Tooth Brush/Toothpaste/Mouthwash/Floss
-Comb or Brush
-Notebook/Journal/Pens/Pencils
-Crossword Puzzles/Word Searches
-Handled Gift Bags for Delivery
Items Requested by Newborns In Need
Both boy and girl themed items will be accepted
but in honor of our boys, we request boy themed items
-Receiving blankets or small blankets for burial
-Preemie and newborn outfits
-Wedding dresses or white dresses. They will be taken
apart by volunteer seamstresses to make burial outfits.
-Large shopping bags with handles, used for delivery of items.
-Plastic Ziploc Bags, all sizes
Fabrics (because of allergies, please do not use wool fabrics)
-Flannel, Fleece, Poly/cotton blend, Cotton interlock, Single knit
Stretch terry, Bunting fleece, Quilted fabrics
Yarns (baby or primary colors, no wool)
-Baby or fingering weight, Sport weight, Worsted weight
Notions
-Ribbon, Lace and Lace edging, Serger or regular sewing thread,
Quilt batting, Polyfil, Plastic snaps, ¼ inch double fold bias tape

Benefit Baby Shower

Dear Friends and Family,

First we would like to thank you all for the support you provided to us during the hospitalization and loss of our dear sons. It is because of the support of our loved ones that such a crisis is bearable. You are each a special blessing to us. Now you can also be a blessing in the lives of many other families in need.

Every year thousands of babies, like Gavin, Daniel, and Andrew, are admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU’s) for specialized care. Many of these babies are premature, some weighing less than 1 pound! The size of these precious newborns makes it very difficult to find clothing to fit their tiny bodies. Newborns in Need provides layettes and other necessary items for these precious little infants and their families. The most heartbreaking need that we must provide for is the beautiful, tiny burial layettes for the babies who die and need only one last outfit and blanket to be snuggled in. Without them, many of these babies would be buried in a paper bag because of their small size. The burial outfits help comfort the bereaved family and hopefully make the memories a little less painful.

During the time we spent at Cardinal Glennon Children’s hospital, we each recognized a need for support of the parents whose children are being cared for in the NICU. There are times when families are called to come to their child’s side in a sudden emergency and must stay for days. These parents are often times without even the most basic of creature comforts such as a toothbrush or a comb. While these items are taken for granted in everyday life, they can be the simplest way of providing comfort in times of crisis.

With your help, these items can be a great source of comfort in a situation that is one of the most painful experiences in life. Any donation would be greatly appreciated. Donations may be brought to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Mount Vernon Illinois, or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Centralia Illinois. Otherwise, you may send them to either Brittany Willis, or Beth Ouellette. Or, bring them to our Benefit Baby Shower June 14th. For more information, please contact me.

Sincerely,

Brittany Willis
Beth Ouellette

Just one more picture

It was so cold outside! All that snow is pretty, but we were already getting tired of it.

More Graduation pictures

This is at our apartment. There's a box in the way, because we were moving. That was the craziest week EVER. We were taking finals, graduating, and moving all in the same weekend. Add to that a bunch of family from out of town, and you get the idea. Thank goodness for our family who helped us pack up and white glove though. Otherwise I'm sure we wouldn't have even been close to being prepared to move. Thanks guys!

Graduation

Yay! We graduated from BYU-Idaho in December 2008. It was really neat that we were able to graduate together. Even better- (You'll have to allow me to brag a bit) Hubby graduated Magna Cum Laude! He had a GPA of 3.99 with his B.S. in Biology minor in Chemistry. I think I married a genius! :) Me on the other hand, well.... I was just normal. But I still got a degree! I received my A.S. in University Studies. Now that may not sound like much, but to me it means a lot. Because there aren't many women in my family who have received any degree beyond High School. And after we move for Grad. school this fall, we'll apply for state residency. After THAT (because we can't afford to pay out of state tuition for me), I'll go to the University for only 2 or 3 more semesters, and I'll have my B.S. I only need 30 more credits. Then I think I'll be done with my formal education. However, Hubby still has quite a while to go. According to his timeline, he should graduate with his PhD in Biochemistry in December 2013. It seems forever away. But, it will all be worth it I'm sure.

Short and... short.

I know I haven't posted in a while, but it's been a busy week. More later. For now, I just wanted to let you all know that tomorrow is appointment number 2 with Dr. Reproductive Genius. I hope he might have some answers for me. I'll let you know. In the meantime, pray for us please!