My Poor Baby!

Here is a picture of Jack. He is a little under the weather. While we were out of town on Wed and Thurs he hurt his back leg. The poor thing could hardly walk. This was a picture of him on Friday after we took him to see Dr. David. He got his yearly shots and a shot of cortisone for his leg. He also had an ear infection so he got drops for that. If he isn't better by next Friday he has to go in and be sedated to get x-rays and his ear scoped. Look how pitiful he looks. I hope he is up and about soon.

4 Months and a Day!

Well, yesterday was our 4 month anniversary for our LID! I tried to post a message about it yesterday and by mistake posted it on our March DTC gift page. Once I realized what I did I had to erase it and then decided to forget it. Anyway, now I get to say we are 4 Months and 1 day. I am trying to stay positive but it is really hard since we are hearing that the referral batch for this month only runs through 7/13/05. I was hoping that they would finish all of July. Now we glad that I'm not doing it every month. I just love all of these swaps. Since August is in sight I need to start working on my secret pal gifts for August. For our Feb group the theme is Something for Mom and our March theme is Animals.

I have been reading all of these blogs and it seems like everyone is meeting. It sure makes me want to meet someone, anyone! Maybe one day I can meet some of my fellow bloggers!

Weigh In Wednesday, a day late!

Well, sorry I didn't post on my usual Wednesday but I was computerless (is that a word?) This is my Saturday to work at the hospital so I had Wednesday off. Instead of relaxing I decided to take a little overnight work trip with Mike. It's always nice to get to spend a little extra time with him! I did however weigh in on Wed. morning before we left. I was happy to see a little more results! I am down another pound. This brings my total to 15 lbs! I feel like I have definately worked to get it off but it hasn't been to bad. I couldn't do it without Mike doing this with me. I want to report on his progress too, hopefully he won't mind. He has lost 18 lbs! I was teasing this week that maybe we are saving a little gas money since together we are 33 lbs lighter! They say the lighter the car the less gas you will use.

We had a nice little overnight trip. I know we were working but I always have a good time spending a night away. It seems like a mini vacation. Well, we are back to reality and tomorrow is Friday. Have a good weekend!

Happy Birthday Lisa!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LISA!

I JUST WANTED TO SEND OUT A SPECIAL BIRTHDAY WISH TO MIKE'S BIG SIS. I HOPE YOU HAD A WONDERFUL DAY AND KNOW WE WERE THINKING ABOUT YOU. DON'T WORRY, I WON'T TELL ANYONE HOW OLD YOU ARE!!

Our new additions!

Mike has been taking pictures of all of our babies so I thought I would share them with everyone. Maybe one day we will have pictures of Emma to share with you but for now here are our baby ducks. Momma duck has been hanging out in our creek for the last 2 years and last week we got a glimpse at her new family. They have already grown so much. This is the duckling family as they head to dinner!

Not only do we have baby ducks but baby deers! This picture was taking this morning as they hung out in the back yard. I could just sit and watch them all day. I love seeing these momma's with their little ones and can't wait to post a picture of this momma with my little one. One can only dream for now!

It's Mealtime!

When I got home from work on Tuesday this box was sitting on the steps leading into the house. Mike left it there so I would see it as soon as I pulled into the garage. Of course I had to run get the camera and start taking pictures of everything! Check out how cute the box is decorated.

Here is a look inside the box as I opened it. We were really getting excited now! And then...

Mike and I pulled out the items one by one. Look at all these goodies. We got Bibsters and tray covers (both are wonderful inventions). All my friends talk about theses! Then we got a dishwasher basket for bottles and lids and a bottle brush. Check out the cute spoons that change colors when the food is too hot and last but not least, the Tide on the go pen! Mike has been wanting to buy this but he promised he would save this one for Emma. Our pal must know how I always spill things on me when I am eating and thinks our little princess will do the same (just joking!) We all know Emma is going to be perfect! Thank you so much secret pal. We love everything and can't wait to use every item. I love the card and your messages too!

Now I know today is Thursday and I missed my Wednesday post but hey things are busy around here! Work has wore me out this week so last night I just took it easy. Anyway, if you checked in for my weigh in, here goes! I lost 1 lb! Now, don't get too excited. I had gained .5lb last week so this just puts me down .5lb. I'm not complaining. I am now up to 14 lbs!

Today I took a little side trip with DeeAnna to go pick up Charlee from dance camp. We got to see her compete today and she did awesome. Way to go Charlee! The camp was up at UK. She went from Monday to Thursday and now Courtney is there for her dance camp until Sunday. Tonight we went for our walk. It has been so hot this week that we didn't get out much so tonight we backed the walk off to 1.5 mile. Well, that's all I have been up too, what about you??

Ladybug Sighting's and My Pal!

Today when I got the mail I had a package from my Feb Secret Pal. I ripped it open and look what I got! Isn't it the cutest thing ever, a ladybug magnet. That was the sweetest thing. I can't believe how thoughtful my pal is. It had been such a busy and hectic day and a ladybug sighting was exactly what I needed. Thank you so much Feb. Secret Pal, I love it! You sure know how to make me smile.

Yes, it is also Wednesday. My last day of the week, sorta. I am doing a favor for a friend at work and taking her call on Friday. It is a busy day but if I do get called in, I at least make good money for it. Today is also Weigh In Wednesday. Disappointingly I gained .5lb. Not good but not too bad. I'll have to try a little harder this week. I do have to shout out a big "atta girl" to Lisa, she lost 5lbs. in the last 2 weeks! Thanks for keeping me motivated girls. Can't wait to hear how everyone else is doing!

I've been tagged!

Okay Lisa! I am always up for a challange so when I got home tonight I headed to the kitchen for some photos. Mike couldn't believe I could take pictures of the pantry and fridge before cleaning them but oh well. Here we go... As you can see above (since I can never get the photos to go on right!) My fridge has more condiments than food. Mike did put some pork chops in to marinade. Of course if you notice in the freezer there are a ton of Weight Watchers meals and ice cream. I have to have something to eat during all of this dieting. The pantry is a mess! I try to clean it out every couple of weeks but somehow it always ends up a mess again. So there you go Lisa. Now I must tag someone and I tag.....Kim and Catherine. Well, gotta go clean up the pantry!

A relaxing weekend

Not a whole lot going on here. All I do have to report is that it was one relaxing weekend! It makes me so happy to say this since we usually run nonstop. We went out to eat a few times, worked in the yard and then of course did some walking to help take of the pounds we gained eating all this good food. Friday we went out to Red Lobster and did a little shopping in E-town. Saturday we got all of our running out of the way and headed out to P.F. Chang's for dinner. What I want to know is how do the Chinese people stay so skinny when the food is all so bad for you (on the weight side). Today we hung out around the house and got 2 walks in over at Bernheim Forest. What a beautiful weekend! I just hope that all of this good eating doesn't add the pounds on. I guess we will find out on Wednesday.

It's Wednesday Already?!

I can't believe it is already Wednesday again. It was so nice only having to work 2 days this week. I did really work hard the 2 days I was there but I could sure get used to this. I will be happy with just being off a few days.

Now on to more important things like Weigh In Wednesday. I have to say that I was very nervous about the weigh in today as I didn't behave as well as I should have this week. I really did try but sometimes you just can't help yourself. I am excited to report that I have some good news. I lost 1.5lbs. I was happy (to say the least). This brings my total to 13.5lbs! That's all for WIW this week. I'll update you next Wednesday!

Happy 4th of July

Stevie, Courtney and Tyler waiting for the fireworks
Gage and Charlee catching lightning bugs
DeeAnna and Dad

Check out this crew!

These were just a few pictures I took from last night. We had the whole Gathof crew over for a cookout and fireworks. It was a beautiful night and we couldn't have asked for better weather. I am just hoping that next year Emma is here to celebrate with us. I keep thinking that it might be possible. If the referrals stay at 12 months (and that is a big IF) we will get our referral next March or April and would travel May or June. I guess only time will tell. Hope everyone had a wonderful 4th!

Thinking about my boys!

Today I was thinking about our time in Ukraine and my mind started thinking about the wonderful boys who touched my life. For those of you who don't know me well, in Jan 05 we traveled to Ukraine to adopt a child. The system was really changing at the time and we went through a lot of heartache. We spent 2 1/2 weeks there and came home without a child. It was the hardest thing I have ever done. For those of you who are infertile I know you understand. Mike and I have gone through 7 miscarriages, 2 surgeries, and lots of fertility treatment all of which were very hard but none affected me the way our trip to Ukraine did. For those of you not familiar with the how adoptions work in Ukraine here is how it works. You actually go to the adoption center on your appt date and go through hundreds of files of children and pick out your child. Sounds easy enough until you are sitting in the seat in front of the pyscologist and he tells you (through translation) that there are no healthy children under 5. That was what we were told as we looked through book after book. We were finally given a file of a little girl Olena. She was turning two. We were told she had a cleft palete and needed some therapy on her shoulder. We decided to go see her 4 hours away. When they brought her into us she was absolutely beautiful but appeared the size of a 3-6 month old. We were on the floor playing with her when we decided to take a look at her shoulder. As we pulled down her outfit we were presented with the most devastating sight. Olena had spinal bifida which they denied (because they didn't know what it was) we were also then told she only had one kidney. It was the hardest thing we ever did but had to turn down our referral. We spent the next two weeks in Kiev waiting to see another child which never worked out. This brings us back to the boys. We were able to spend many days at the children's hospital in Kiev with these orphan boys. When the police find a child on the streets they bring them to the hospital where they sometimes stay for up to a year. They stay in the room in the above photo and never come out. They eventually are sent to shelters or orphanages. I feel in love with these boys and would have done anything to bring them home with me. Not a day goes by that I don't think about and pray for them. In the picture above from left to right: Valladi, Mike, Andre, and Kosta. Valladi was left because his mom had too many kids to take care of, Andre and his brother were abandoned and he has a heart condition (his brother is in a shelter) and Kosta's mother left him under a bridge. I pray that one day they are able to be adopted and find a forever home. I know that they will always have a place in my heart.