Tell me she's not the prettiest little thing!

I had a post ready about my failed IVF and the struggles and heartbreak.  I've decided not to post it, because it really doesn't matter.  I'll just say that it failed (obviously), that I hated the nurse at Evansville's Advanced Fertility Group, and that I will NEVER recommend anyone to go there.  At first, I assumed it just wasn't meant to be there, but since I have seen a new dr. and she explained a few things to me, I have a little , um, "unlikeness" towards AFG.  Ahem.

So, my dr. referred me back to St. Louis, Washington University.  I have been there once, many years ago.  I saw a different dr. this time, Dr. Sarah Keller.  She was oh-so-nice and very thorough.  The consult we had with her lasted 1.5 hours.  The consult at AFG was 10 minutes with mostly the nurse. 

She explained so many things in greater detail than I had ever heard them.  She pointed out a few things she would have done differently, which makes sense when she explained them.  AND after reading the report on the frozen embryos we have left at AFG, only 1 is viable for a pregnancy.  There are 3, and they led me to believe all were great.  Apparently not.  Thanks AFG. 

Before we can start another IVF, I will be going through a round of lab tests.  She said the goal was to get me pregnant, but they wanted me healthy before we got there.  I am not unhealthy, but looking for hidden problems.  She wants a full hormone workup, thank goodness, because I think I am definitely out of whack.  I have PCOS and she is going to do  a full workup for that too.  I will be tested on insulin levels and iron, have a biopsy, and a couple ultrasounds.

I wish I had just chose to go here in the first place, but I didn't and need to stop beating myself up about it.  We're on a different course now, with the ultimate plan unchanged.  I am hoping to be pregnant by the end of the year, but only time will tell.  One step at a time!

What would a blog be without a picture?!  Since this is my first blog of July (I think......how absurd, I had promised to be better!) lets look at a picture from the 4th of July!  You are looking at the new Kopec 4th of July!  My dad, Raymond, and Raymond's father in law Rex took the time to set this all up and their hard work paid off.  We enjoyed probably one of the best firework shows in West Frankfort!  Hope your Independence Day was great too!

I've been trying to revamp my blog tonight and I just can't get it.  I think I'm just too tired!  Anyway, below are several collages from Raymond's wedding.  I don't think they need much explaining!  It was a great time and I'm glad it's all over!  They are back from Hawaii and had a great time.

How bad of a blogger am I?  2 posts in all of June?!  I will be better, I promise!  For now, I have a 2 year old nephew who will be beating the door down at 6:45a.m. so I'm heading to bed!!  Enjoy the pictures!

Many of you know, my IVF did not work AGAIN. Sigh. This post will not be about that (I have a whole separate post just for that!) but will just be about whatever.

My brother is getting married in a week and couple days. He's happy, so that makes me happy. Erin is a very sweet girl and will be a nice addition to our family. Wow, that made it sound like we are buying her or something! I assure you, we are not. Back on track. I remember the days of youth when we couldn't stand our brother. He was so squirrly at times, he would do anything to annoy Amy and I. We were mean sometimes, putting makeup on him, stuffing socks in his face, gahhhh; that's awful!! When I think of it now, it literally makes my eyes well up with tears. I genuinely feel bad about it. Wonder if he feels bad for being so annoying? I'm sure he does not! But, that's what little brothers do! Raymond had turned into a fine young man who is funny, handsome, and knows everything. Don't believe me? Just ask him. Haha! Anyway, can't wait for the wedding. I'm sure it will be a beautiful, fun day! I just hope it doesn't rain, as it's an outside wedding! We shall see.

Chace is growing so big. His vocabulary amazes me. He will tell you his ABC's and will sing certain songs, when he's not being bashful. He will be the ring bearer in Raymond's wedding, I pray that he does well! He has been going through a shy stage, but hopefully he will want to bask in his ring bearer glory that day! Amy is still putting together toys from his birthday; yes the one that was a month ago! Next year, any toys given must be preassembled!

My other little nephew Richie will be coming home next week!!! Yeah!!! I haven't seen him since he was a newborn and he will be a year old next month. I can't wait to hold him and kiss his little face. Wonder how Chace will deal with that?! He gets pretty jealous sometimes!

I was shocked to find that my dress I bought for the wedding still fits. Amy and I had been doing weight watchers and at one point I had lost 19 pounds. After going through my IVF and then the failure of it, I gained back 6 pounds. I'm trying not to be too hard on myself about it though. 13 is still good, in my eyes. Food is my grief relief. I hate that. I wish I could be one of those people that let exercise be their outlet. But I hate to sweat. Maybe one day!

What would a post be without a set of pictures?! We went on a little trip last week to cave in rock, elizabethtown, and rosiclare. Grace had never been, and she loved it. I will warn you though, when you visit the cave, wear tennis shoes. Flip flops and wet, muddy sand on rocks do not jive. We almost slipped a couple of times. No, not while we were "up" anywhere, just on the ground. Grace collects rocks, so I found the American Flourite Museum in Rosiclare. It was just a little building at an old mine, but it had a lot of neat rocks. I think Grace thought she was surrounded by million dollar gems! It was a fun day, I am looking forward to more little trips like this!




















So, that's it for now. I'm getting ready to go to Evansville for probably my last trip there. More on that in my IVF post. Have a great day!

I took some pics for my Aunt Patty, her kids and grandkids were all here, and they needed an updated faily picture. I think they turned out pretty good for 10 minutes in their front yard!