We're Back! No, I have not purposely abandoned the blogging world so here is an attempt to give a month to month update on how our lives have progressed since last fall. Prepare for a few captions and a whole lot of pictures...
We had a great visit from Grandma and Grandpa Pulsipher. They made it here just in time to go to Ashlyn's first swimming lesson. Let's just say the lesson could have gone better, but she eventually got better at paying attention to the teacher.
We went to the Mesa Temple grounds and Visitor Center where Ash helped to plant her pretend flowers.
We love it when they visit and Ashlyn loved having Grandpa play trains with her. He makes much more elaborate track set ups than mom and dad do!
Derek worked out of town for a couple days so Ashlyn and I decided we'd have a homemade pizza party. They didn't turn out much to look at, but we sure had fun and they were pretty tasty!
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| Note the blue lollipop tongue! |
More swimming lessons...
This was just cute and a photo she'll hate me showing later in life!
The puppies have definitely grown...
Family Home Evening ~ Painting Pumpkins for Halloween.
Fun at the Arizona State Fair!
Ashlyn has a love of pirates....go figure.... and she wanted to be Captain Hook for Halloween. Derek said, "But you're my little princess". So we settled on something in between and she became a Pirate Princess. Here we are ready for the ward trunk-or-treat party. No photos of Derek. He was embarrassed enough by me and it was good enough that we got him to put on a football jersey and come with.
NOVEMBER
So after a much needed emotional break from all the fertility stuff, we started to see the specialist again. On the 3rd of November I had an exploratory lady parts surgery and the doctor found that my right tube was completely blocked off, possibly since birth, and that my left tube had adhesions. She was able to puncture open the closed tube and make both sides open flowing. It was a relief to know and have a legitimate reason for the difficulties and be able to move forward with a little more hope. It also confirmed what a little miracle Ashlyn is in our lives!
Aunt Mitizi was awesome and came down the day before surgery to be here to help with Ashlyn and my recovery. Though I wasn't up for a ton, we did all go and discover a local petting zoo at a working farm.
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| The Zonkey (zebra/donkey mix) |
Posing for a few pics...
Checking out the Christmas Lights at the Temple Grounds...
Santa's Village at the Pro Bass Shop. Ashlyn asked Santa for a Baby Doll that Eats.
Christmas with the Family in Utah...
JANUARY
The Gilbert, AZ Temple under construction.
So exciting to be getting one this close - it's right by the Costco we go to all the time!
One Saturday we decided to drive to Safford, AZ to see the Temple and grounds there...
Blowing Bubbles for the dogs - she would blow them and they would chase and pop them - too cute!
4 YEARS OLD!!!
January 30, 2012
We decided not to throw a friends party this year and thought it might be special for her if we just spent time doing things that were all about Ashlyn. Well, maybe we should have done that last year when she didn't quite get the concept of birthday parties. She kept asking the whole day when her friends were coming and where all the decorations were. Great - I stink! She wasn't exactly thrilled, but we still attempted to make it a fun time. Next year she'll probably be getting a party.
She wasn't quite sure what to think when they were all singing and calling attention to her while they sat her up on the special birthday saddle.
Though she was a bit more excited when she got her very own bowl of ice cream.
Then we went to San Tan Village where she got to hang out at the playground and go to Build-a-Bear Workshop to pick out and make her present. Didn't take her long to decide on a stuffed cat - which she aptly named "Kitty Cat".
She seemed to like it and was so excited about picking out clothes. Of course those clothes are never on the cat now and as we were leaving the store, she saw a dog on roller skates that she pouted about wanting all the way home. Little booger!
I asked her what kind of a cake she wanted. She was consistent for weeks about wanting a pink and blue smurf cake with "Papa Smurf and Smurfette, but no Jokey." After some trial and error with coloring molding chocolate and a few hours of work, this is what came out...
We Love You, Baby Doll! Happy Birthday!!!
4 Year Pics...
We had another IUI on the day after Thanksgiving. Because of the close monitoring involved, we'd known soon afterward but here are the official 12 week ultrasound images and yes....
WE ARE PREGNANT WITH TWINS!!!!!
We didn't know at the time, but later found out they are both Girls...yay! (Poor Derek)
Super Nervous and Super Excited at the same time.
Technical Due Date is August 18, 2012.
MARCH
During their spring break, we were excited to get a visit from cousins! Aunt Heather, Madeline, Spencer, Brynleigh, and Derek's Parents came down to stay for a few days. It was great to have them here. Of course I didn't get many photos and am always wishing for more afterward. Good thing Grandma carries her camera around.
Perfect time of year to go to the Phoenix Zoo!
We had an awesome visit from Grandpa James. My dad and Virginia had spring break from school and she went to visit Maren and Matt who are stationed on Oahu and I was so glad that Dad decided to come down and spend some time here.
We went and toured around Tombstone....
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| Ashlyn, being not shy as usual, told him..."You a Cute Cowboy!" |
We gave Grandpa a project. I was thinking just a small, square sandbox with 4 pieces of wood stuck together. He went above and beyond and made this huge sandbox with benches under the shade of the back tree.... Thanks, Dad - it's awesome! We still need to get more sand in it, but at least it's a designated spot for Ash to dig and not get in trouble for making holes in the yard.
Ashlyn also "played" soccer during March and April. I use the term played very loosely because a lot of her on field time was spent waiting for her turn to kick the ball, playing with the grass in the middle of the field, or pouting when they all ran past and she didn't get her turn. She eventually got the hang of running back and forth with the crowd. I guess it's not a bad thing to know she needs to take turns, but we kept trying to tell her this is the one time she can take the ball away from other kids. Was a fun try, but she didn't even care enough to attend the last two games. Oh well..... was worth a shot.
APRIL
Mariah came down with her girls to spend Easter with us. I did have my camera a lot this time and took plenty of pics to remember the trip by. Since we had gotten a season pass to the zoo when Derek's family was here the month before, we were able to go back with her girls and have more fun...
What a bunch of monkeys!
Cooling off after a hot day in the sun...
Swimming at the YMCA.
And this is why we like a good day of swimming & shopping...
Then we got to watch a fashion show...
Poor Taylor was so embarrassed when her mom and I insisted she get these... I've become a big fan of thrift shopping and we found these pajamas at the Goodwill. They were still brand new and only cost $1.00!!!
Fun with Coloring Easter Eggs...
The Easter Bunny found us the next morning and the girls had fun hunting for all the eggs around the house.
It also worked out great 'cause Aunt Mitizi and Pam came to Scottsdale for vacation. They were able to come over for Easter Sunday dinner and hang out. Then when Mariah went back home the next day, Ash and I were able to spend more time with them later that week. March and April were definitely busy with visitors and we had a good time. It's nice spending time with everyone when we don't get to see them very often.
21 Weeks and Counting!
Fashion Icon in the Making?
This was actually a day when it had hit the 90's. She insisted on wearing her coat and pajamas as we went to Walmart. Unless it's important, I'm letting her explore and pick out her own clothes so I didn't argue much though we did get some strange looks.
MAY
Daddy's 36th Birthday - We Love You, Babe!
More swimming lessons this month.
Before I was way too pregnant to move and our lives are soon turned upside down, we wanted to make a quick trip to visit family as a bit of a vacation. We went to meet Derek's parents and stay in St. George for Memorial Day Weekend. I ended up driving up for a night and day to see my family. Quick trip but worth it since it will be several months before we can do it again...
Here's Ash getting a little baby holding practice when we met her cousin Kembree for the first time.
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| KaraLee and Ashlyn |
Back in St. George we spent some time at the Temple grounds.
Thanks for letting us come stay!
JUNE
After months of contemplation and prayers, we made the difficult decision to find new homes for the dogs. I really hated that we were doing this.....again....and that it not only involved us, but it effected Ashlyn more. To justify: though both were just over a year old, they still have a lot of puppy stage in them. I've been sick and less & less able to work with them. We really wanted them to have homes where they won't be neglected and can get the love, attention, and training they deserve. If we weren't having twins it probably wouldn't have even been a discussion, but we were not comfortable bringing home babies with them being as active and overly loving as they were. We've tried to make the best of it and feel like things worked out in getting them appropriate homes. Ashlyn's been really sweet about it. Sometimes she plays like her stuffed animals have to go to new homes. That breaks my heart a bit, but we made the best decision for our growing family. We certainly will not be taking on the responsibility of pets or especially dogs for any time in the foreseeable years to come!!!
Malone Man Baby and Harlie Girl : (
In other news....
31 Weeks and Counting!!!
Early Father's Day Celebration
You're an amazing Dad and We're So Lucky to Have You!
Dinner and a little relaxing reflexology treatment.
JULY
Happy Independence Day!
We just stayed at home and lit a few fireworks in the street. Ash liked the sparklers, but went in the house crying and wanted to go to bed instead of watching all the fountains. Poor thing was forced to stay outside with us and light them off since we'd spent money to do it! She eventually warmed up and by the time we were finished, she wanted more....ugh!
Just cute....but I'm noticing she does wear this shirt a lot.
Big Buddha Belly!
The babies are growing and doing great. C-section is scheduled for August 5th and we're hoping they come on their own a bit sooner. At this point, they're 5 lbs 6 oz and 5 lbs 12 oz. They've definitely got the Pulsipher healthy sized heads - both in the 98th percentile. Doctor says it's good I'm having the c-section and I would agree!
Ashlyn was so excited that she got to have a day of going to work with Daddy. So sweet!
Think that's about it for now.... hopefully the next update will be with us as a healthy family of five!
1 comment:
I can't wait to see the new babies! It was great catching up!
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