My Baby Turns One!

Newborn on left, 1 year old on right

I can't believe I have a toddler! I know I have not updated since I last announced I was expecting, so I have A LOT to catch up on but she was not born in July (clearly, ha). I had good 'ole preeclampsyia and while I was heavily monitored and two visits to L&D, I had an emergency c-section when I went in for my routine appointment at 36+5. Apparently my kidneys were failing and she had low amount of amniotic fluid. Did I mention she was measuring super small? Intra-Uterine Growth Restriction (IUGR) prevented my baby from getting the nutrients she needed to grow (thanks placenta!) so at birth, she weighed 4lbs 6oz. My itty bitty baby had to stay in NICU for 10 days so she could learn to regulate her own body temperature and feed via bottle not through a feeding tube, but overall she was completely healthy. Now she is a chunky 19 pound toddler! 

We just celebrated her birthday and I wanted to make her first birthday memorable, for me basically. Lots of months planning, money spent and late night craft sessions later... her Twinkle Twinkle Little Star themed birthday was pulled off! Phew... -wipes bead of sweat off brow-

The dessert table came out pretty nice!

I love the prints and decor and will put these in her nursery.

This was my favorite part of the party. It's a journal that guests were able to snap a polaroid picture of themselves, tape it into the book and write a message to Autumn that she can look back on years to come. I also love the Fuji Instax - yay for bringing back polaroids!

Also, what kind of first birthday would it be without monthly growth photos?! 

Food table & party pictures :)

My brother-in-law is known for his smoked BBQ and it was a huge hit!

Only picture of her in the tutu - she hated it!

Oh man - she did not know what to do with the cake and was confused by all the people staring at her. She didn't eat any, but liked playing with it.

She had fun with presents.... well, the paper and bows. 

The favors were chocolate star lollipops that I made

**********

Tiered cake: Co-worker

Smash cake: Harris Teeter (they do free smash cake's ya'll!) 

Cupcakes: Made by me

Cookies: 3 Friends Bakery

Dipped strawberries: Made by me

Birthday Stat sign: Livpartyboutique

Happiest Day of Our Lives sign: Prettiest Print Shop

Gifts, Monthly Photo banner & One is Sweet sign: Kattygoodparty

Star garland: DesignElementsByErin

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star garland: SunnyLuLuDesign

Guestbook: PrintSmitten

Guestbook & Know How Loved You Are sign: littlebirdieprints

Highchair garland: DuryeaPlaceDesigns

Grown So Much Come So Far sign: SprinkledDesign

Tutu: JustTutus

1st Birthday Onesie: PickledPinkPeonies

Pregnant! Due July 2016!

We did it! After over a year and a half of trying to conceive, we actually did it! Seeing those beautiful two pink lines seemed so surreal that I couldn't believe it. But, here we are!! We are extremely thrilled and looking forward to this chapter in our lives.

We don't know why we couldn't conceive naturally, so our doctor recommended Intra-Uterine Insemination which they take the best of the best sperm and use a catheter to place them inside my uterus. Five minute procedure that was a breeze compared to my first HSG. The statistics of first time IUI's are the same as a normal couple conceiving without assistance which is is 25-30% chance. I didn't set my hopes high due to the statistics. 

After the procedure, there is a two week wait as TTCers may know. The first week I didn't even think anything of it, keeping myself occupied with friends and activities. Five days out from supposed period (10 days past IUI), I decided to take a test on a cheapie (a test strip without the fancy cassette) and it showed the faintest line. I didn't believe it so I took the best of the best tests; First Response. That didn't show anything, so I kept wondering. Two days later, another cheapie was taken and a slightly darker line. The moment of truth, another First Response.... TWO LINES!! I was like that kid who was drugged up from a dentist visit asking "is this real life?!" I showed Dan and he was happy in the manliest ways. We were able to conceive on our first IUI <3

Next was to confirm pregnancy at the doctor's office through an ultrasound. 

5 1/2 weeks

I saw the gestational sac, only one in there.. that's good! Here are the other ultrasounds so far:

6 1/2 weeks

8 1/2 weeks

8 1/2 weeks, 3D

10 weeks

(Dan and I saw the baby move and was very active. Pretty neat to see!)

13 weeks

13 weeks

I told my co-workers with sweet treats because who doesn't like free food?! 

I haven't had any morning sickness really, waves of nausea but that's about it. Currently I am 15 weeks in two days and I can't wait for the moment to feel the baby move. I don't feel pregnant, but my clothes are getting a little snug so that's a good reminder that I am growing a baby. 

This journey is going to be amazing with speed bumps here and there but I can't wait and to experience this with my super supportive and loving husband, Dan. 

Simply Jillzy isn't so simple after all...

Who knew Trying To Conceive (TTC) would be so hard and long? Dan and I have been on this journey to parenthood for a year now. According to him, this is our first real month trying because the past year never happened. Here's why....

Around December 2014 I finally sought out fertility help and see why I haven't fell pregnant yet. My OBGYN took my blood work around 7 or 8dpo (days past ovulation) and confirmed a pregnancy, but I got this call while I was enjoying another menstrual flow (not!) and they asked if I was pregnant. I told them no and that I received my period so they claim it was a chemical pregnancy. Good news, I can conceive! They also suggested I lose weight and watch what I eat.. so I started clean eating and exercising beginning of January (Lost 40 pounds since!). We also had Dan check his swimmers during a Semen Analysis and everything was normal. Then they mentioned I should get an HSG and an MRI performed to see if there are any abnormalities inside my uterus. Well, lo and behold.. the HSG confirmed a septate uterus. Which basically is a pointless septum with no blood supply so if a fertilized egg implants, it would not survive due to no nutrients and can also take up space for a growing pregnancy. See image below, thanks Dr. Google!

(ABNORMAL: I had a septum on the top)

 

(NORMAL: No septum)

 

 

At this point, my OBGYN referred me to a well known Fertility doctor in the DC area. We scheduled the Hysteroscopy in May for a Septum Resection, quick and painless procedure and he was able to remove most of my septum. Yay! He gave us the OK to continue TTC naturally in June and for a few months until we look at IUI (Intra-Uterine Insemination). I also want to mention that Dan has been taking vitamins to increase his swimmers for better chances.

 

Well here we are, a year later and back on the TTC wagon after my septum removal....... and got my period. Sigh. So this is why Dan is saying to pretend last year never happened and we're newbies at it again, just happen to know way too much about TTC.

 

 

Not to mention Dan's insurance carrier has changed so dealing with all that and what they do and don't cover is going to be an emotional rollercoaster. Oh and my current fertility doctor is not in the new insurance carrier's network. Awesome, thank you. That's totally what I needed thrown at me.

 

Only if we could conceive naturally without using assisted conception like how most couples do it for free.....

 





Two years of Marital Bliss..... what is that?

Don't get me wrong, it hasn't always been rainbows and unicorns with our marriage but it has been a real eye opener with compromise and lots and lots of love. They say the first year is usually the toughest, which was true, but so has the most recent one.

July 2013 we bought my in-laws house for a reasonable price in exchange they live with us for a few years. I think that's where it started with the ongoing troubles and tribulations for me, anyway. I feel bad for Dan being the brunt of my complaints but he has been my rock through all of this. I always dreamed of going house shopping, touring the insides daydreaming of decorating and living as newlyweds in our new home. Instead, we opted to help out family and in the long run, benefit us. I'm not going to lie, it's been tough on all parties involved... but the house has a never-ending list of renovations and I want to live as husband and wife alone, I want my peace.  So finally a date has been made, Spring of 2016 of when we will be in-laws free! Don't mistaken me by saying I dislike my in-laws, I don't. Just after while, who doesn't want their own space?! Then the feeling of resentment comes along - trust me, I don't want it to! I really do love my in-laws, I ain't lying.

So October 4th we celebrated our two year anniversary, even though our date is October 5th, we just decided a Saturday night dinner would be better. We went back to the place we celebrated the night of our engagement, The Chart House in Old Town Alexandria. Being the fine dining guests we are, we were not pleased with our meal. We could have received much better quality food elsewhere such as Morton's or Ruth Chris. Not to mention, there was a very loud party going on behind us which the only thing separating the party from the other diners was a partition. Yep, a see through average height partition. We were practically screaming at each other to converse. Our waiter apologized, but not how I envisioned our anniversary dinner. 

We have made some progress with renovating our home, which I still have yet to take after pictures. I am just waiting for that "Yes! It's completely done" decorated look before I take the pictures. Although, the half bath is completely done just lazy to take a picture. Here is what is completed:

• Half bathroom
• Master Bedroom (needs few wall art/decorations/crown moulding)
• Master Bathroom (wall art)
• Living room (needs new paint job, crown moulding)

Next on our list:

• Guest bedroom
• Kitchen (this will be our second biggest renovation expense)
• Various rooms

So that's what is going on in my life. Did I mention we're trying to have a baby? Please say a prayer for us if you're the religious type, wish for us and just send us any luck you may have. We've been trying for awhile now and your support means the world. Thank you!

Springing into Summer

Sorry to all my 3 followers that I haven't been around to bring you exciting, fun and tasty entries as of late. But alas, I have returned!

I got a new job two months ago and I absolutely love it!! Morale and kindness go along way in a business setting.

I've been baking and trying out new recipes found on Pinterest which I love experimenting and receiving feedback from others. Here are my latest creations:

 

Small, healthy and light Watermelon Cake with whipped cream



 



(Sorry for bad iPhone picture..)

Cupcake Cones

 

My only tip with the cupcake cones is that they will be inhaled eaten once decorated as the cones tend do become soft and not crunchy.

 

 

Also, every year our group of friends try to make it to Smith Mountain Lake for a mini-vacation by renting a lake house, pontoon and speedboats. This year we had a large group of 16, so it was a great time. However, I went to the ER in Bedford to get my wedding band cut off as I had an accident on the boat causing my ring finger to swell. Good times, good times.

 

 

 

June is also a busy month of birthdays and anniversaries. Dan's friend's birthday is two days before his and his friend celebrated at a winery in Clifton. Dan is not a wine drinker so this was his first winery experience and looks like a pro, can't you tell? Dan's parent's also took us out to a very nice restaurant called Old Angler's Inn to celebrate Dan and his brother's birthdays plus their anniversary. The food was so delicious but I only remembered to take a picture of the dessert.

 

 

For Dan's birthday I got him two tickets to see Redskins vs. Eagles in December being the awesome wife I am :) We also went to a hibachi restaurant to celebrate his birthday with our group of friends. I'm really happy so many of his friends made it and had a good time! Here is a memento we received at the end of the night.

 

Sorry for this post being so picture heavy - maybe I need to update more frequently :)









Easter 2k14

I hope everyone's Easter was joyous and delicious! My mother-in-law always prepares a big breakfast, serves hors d'oeuvres and a big dinner. Her table settings always match the holiday and unfortunately I forgot to take a picture, but it's the same almost every year.

Easter 2013 (I think)

I also like holidays because it give me an excuse to bake (without feeling guilty!) This year I decided to make Old Fashioned Butterscotch Pie. The older women at my former job raved about this and I've never had it, so I searched for the recipe on Pinterest and gathered my materials.

Butterscotch Pie

(link here)

Ingredients

Pastry:

• 1 + 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup shortening
• 4 - 5 tablespoons cold water

Filling:

• 1 + 1/4 cups packed dark brown sugar
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 2 cups whipping cream
• 3 egg yolks
• 3 tablespoons butter, diced
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Topping:

• 2 cups whipping cream
• 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions
 
1. Make the crust: Stir together the flour and salt. Cut in the shortening with a pastry blender or 2 knives used scissor fashion until the mixture resembles small pebbles. Add a tablespoon of water at a time tossing with a fork until the dough comes together. Pat into a disk and refrigerate 20 minutes.

2. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Roll the dough out into a 12-inch circle on a lightly floured  surface. Place in a 9-inch pie dish and trim so the pastry hangs 1/2-inch over the edge. Fold the extra pastry under, and crimp. Poke the crust all over with a fork

3. Line the crust with a double thickness of foil and bake 8 minutes. Remove foil and bake 5 - 6 more minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire rack.

4. Make the filling: In a medium saucepan combine 1/2 cup of the brown sugar and 1/4 cup butter set over low heat. Stir until butter melts and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat.

5. In a small bowl stir together the remaining 3/4 cup brown sugar with the flour and cornstarch. Add this mixture to the butter mixture and stir until combined.

6. Stir in the whipping cream a little at a time. Place the pan over medium heat and continue stirring until thick and bubbly then reduce heat to low and continue cooking for 2 more minutes. Remove from heat. Set a wire strainer over a bowl and strain the mixture pushing it through with a wooden spoon. Return the strained mixture to the saucepan

7. In a small bowl lightly beat the egg yolks and gradually whisk in about 1 cup of the hot filling. Whisk the yolk mixture into the saucepan. I forgot to take picture of this step because it was about timing here.

8. Set over medium heat and stir constantly until it starts to boil, reduce heat to low and cook 2 more minutes. Remove from heat.

 Don't be afraid to taste - mmmm butterscotch!

9.   Stir in the 3 tablespoons butter and the vanilla. Pour into the cooled pie shell (if there is any stuck to the bottom of the pan DO NOT scrape it up). Place a piece of saran wrap over the surface and chill at least 2 hours.

10. Make the topping: Beat the whipping cream with an electric mixer on medium until soft peaks form then add the confectioners' and vanilla. Continue to beat the topping mixture until stiff peaks form. Spread over the cooled pie or use a piping bag to decorate. Store in refrigerator up to 3 days.

I let the pie refrigerate overnight until it was ready to be served after dinner. Let me tell you, this pie is full of sugary goodness! The texture was a little grainy, but not sure what to expect, I went with it. Still very good though!

Then Dan surprised me with this...... :)

How was your Easter and what kind of goodies did you receive and eat?