Monday, October 31, 2005

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!!!!



So NO ONE and I mean NO ONE ever comes to "Trick-or-Treat" at our house....even though we have friends with kids that live 12 minutes away (Yes you guys, I have it TIMED!). :-) However, Gerry STILL went out and bought THREE bags of candy on the CHANCE that we might have one lone "Sponge Bob", "Princess" or "Bob the Builder". The only one eating the candy......you guessed....GERRY! He said, "What we don't give away, I will take to Jim's hunting". I rolled my eyes. I think if he could dress up in a costume and shrink about 3 feet, he'd knock on the door all night.


****Okay, so in the MIDDLE of my muttering about no "trick-or-treaters", we had a pile of kids show up! (Thanks Shawn & Dee). I had to take a picture because this will go down in history as the SECOND time in SIX years that we have had children come to the house!

Generally, because we don't get the excitement of kids coming to our house, I have a lot of fun putting together little "scooby snacks" for friends and their kids. I only got to see one of the kids open their little package of "scooby snacks". Miss Abby said, "Is that my name spelled out"? I giggled and said, "Yes"! Once I opened the treats for her, she wanted to know what was in the little additional bag, so I opened it for her (it's nail polish) and she said, "It's PINK...that's my FAVORITE color"! Then, she proceeded to show me her other nail polish collection. TOO CUTE!!!

So, to all of my friends whose kids I didn't get to see....email me some pictures! :-)

Sunday, October 30, 2005

A Day with "Auntie"


I NEVER thought I would be so thrilled to walk into "advanced" pre-school to pick up my best friend Leslie's twins! They were so excited to see me and even more excited when I told them we were going to McDonald's for lunch! Little Miss "Princess" wanted the Bacon Ranch Tossed Salad, specifically, with "crispy chicken". I'm thinking, "What about kids wanting a burger or chicken nuggets.....SALAD"?? "Mr. Man" was more interested in playing games than eating! :-) They managed to manipulate some quarters out of me to play some games. One was Air Hocky....I sat back, acutally impressed at how good they played. "Mr. Man" ended up winning the game...6 to 3! Not bad!!!!!!!!!!! It was touch and go for a while as Little Miss "Princess" had the lead!

We ended up back at their house playing "monsters" and Little Miss "Princess"... protecting me with her "Magic Jump Rope" to ward off the evil monster.....who her brother was pretending to be! Ha, ha, ha! The one new thing learned was that the little lizards they got at school, when thrown, stick to the ceiling!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ha, ha, ha!

The BEST part of the day was curling up on the bed with them and reading a pile of books. They were suppose to be "resting" their eyes but I continued to let them bring me books because I was so happy to have them snuggled around me.

They are little treasures. Leslie and her husband tried for FIVE years and ended up pregnant on their LAST treatment. I've got most of their hand-me-downs, stored and in order of age, just waiting to put them to use someday with our own kids!!!!!!! LOVE you guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Friday, October 28, 2005

"These flowers are from my husband"?


So, I'm sitting at my desk at work on Thursday when flowers came through the front door. I disregarded because clearly they were not for me. :-) Marjorie said, "Tonya, these flowers are for you". At first, I giggled and said, "Nize must have sent them" (my sister-in-law). I opened the card and it was revealed.....the SOFTER side of Gerry!!!!!!!!!! :-) Happy Anniversary!!!! The expression on my face: PRICELESS!! Now, it's been six years since my last batch of flowers were given to me by my husband. I still have that picture in a FRAME! Ha, ha, ha!

A little history:
Gerry and I met six years ago (married for four). We both had come out of ended relationships and healing....at least I was healing. My best friend, Leslie, told me at work one day, that "when I was ready", she had a guy that I needed to meet. Without much hestiation, I agreed to the "blind date". Being nervous and several changed outfits later, I end up getting to the Sea Dog LATE!!! Gerry was NOT impressed and being the "duchess" and not feeling like I was properly greeted, I said to myself, "THIS is going to be a short night". Well, a few drinks later and the "softer" side of Gerry appeared. Then, I said to myself that I was NOT going to leave until I kissed him! I did! A year and a half later, Gerry asked me to marry him. Well, he didn't actually ask, he said (as he handed me the diamond in the box), "Here, try this on and see if it fits". :-) All of you that know him, can appreciate this.

Some of the things I enjoy about my husband is that he likes to cook AND will often, pack me a left over lunch. He loves me for everything that I am and everything that I am not. He challenges me to be all that I choose to be. He actually says, "NO" to me and doesn't fall for my manipulative tactics (like the rest of you guys). He's going to be a great father someday....soon (we're hoping). He takes care of me & loves to make me happy. He let's me have my independence and is not jealous. He has three sisters that consider me their sister and a wonderful father-in-law----who is a gadget freak like me. So thanks babe, for growing with me over the last six years!!!!

Wednesday, October 26, 2005

The "Drug" Run....


So yesterday, I went to Acupuncture & Herbs in Hallowell because the fertility doctors suggest combining I.V.F./Hormone therapy along with acupuncture, can increase our chances of getting pregnant. So, I do this and it is SUCH a treat. I have always loved acupuncture. To complete the evening, my friend Justine and I meet for dinner. On our way home, it's sleeting and the temperature is dropping to the "freezing mark". Gerry and I agreed that it would be best for me to stay overnight in Augusta. Well, it dawned on me later into the evening, that I didn't have my BCP's and that I was scheduled for my first Lupron injection. I called Dr. Hartog's answering service and immediately received a call back, to find out WHAT I should do....given that it all seems so "critical". Dr. Hartog assured me that it was FINE to start the Lupron the follwing day but that I NEEDED to get my evening dose of birth control!!!!! It was 8p.m. and ALL pharamcies closed. So, Justine and I started calling EVERYONE we knew, that could potentially donate to the cause. We FINALLY find a friend (THANK YOU ERICA) that had a new pack so we drive over to Mark & Erica's to secure "the pill". On our way out the door, (mind you, Justine and I are BOTH dressed in our PJ's). I lost my footing on their steps and crashed HARD on my butt!!!!!!!!!! It took my breath away. Of course, I started laughing as my butt is soaking wet and Justine is doubled over, hysterically laughing! Both Mark & Erica in the background asking if I'm alright. Oh, the fun you don't know you can have getting ready to go through I.V.F. I had all I could do to sit and stand today. My butt hurts soooooooooooooooo bad!!!!!!!!! I've considered the possibility of something being chipped on my tail bone but I have no evidence of that on an x-ray!

Morals of the story:
1. Don't leave home unprepared. You never know where you will end up without your drugs or what you will have to do to get them!
2. When your friend tells you that wearing her flip flops is taking your life in your own hands because they are dangerous, LISTEN!!!!!!!!!!!

Sunday, October 16, 2005

BIRTHDAY BASH!!!!!!!!



Happy Birthday Melissa!!!!!!!!!! Last night we celebrated Melissa's 30th birthday right in the heart of Camden!!!!!! What a fabulous time! It was GREAT meeting new people and being a part of all the fun energy. The limo ride into Camden was such a nice surprise and the band playing at Gilbert's was GREAT!!!! I don't think I've been up until 3:30a.m. since I was 21! Melissa and I have known each other for almost two years. She and I have both been involved with Landmark Education and have also shared fertility frustrations. She has been a source of inspiration for me on my journey with Gerry in getting pregnant. She was told she would never have children but I would agree that God has the last say. Her son, Jackson, celebrated his first birthday this past summer.....

So thank you Melissa, for being such a beautiful friend and such a contribution to my life and everyone else who has the opportunity to be loved by you!

HAPPY 30th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thursday, October 13, 2005

Holy Needles Batman!!!


When Village Pharmacy called to confirm shipping information to send my fertility drugs, I was surprised to find two boxes waiting for me...packed with so much stuff! It didn't hit me until I started pulling out all the needles and hormone concoctions, that what we're about to do is HUGE!!!!!!!! Although very exciting, a little overwhelming. I never take OTC pills and it's a RARE occassion if I take Ibuprophen to clear a headache. I only take Synthroid because I HAVE to. So, this will be interesting.

Gerry and I had our first consultation in Lexington, MA at the Reproductive Science Center. This was to sign a bunch of legal consent forms and to meet with Dr. Summers about Preimplantation Genetic Diagnois (P.G.D.). P.G.D. identifies genetic abnormalities in embryos. We found out today that couples who have genetic abnormalities, specifically with chromosomes #13 and #14, have nearly 65% of their sperm/eggs contaminated with this DNA deficiency. By using P.G.D. to test our embryos, we are given a 40% chance of conceiving. There is only a 5% chance of error using P.G.D. to check for contaminated embryos. This 5% error means that there may be no conclusive diagnosis/status of the embryo...of which we still have the option to implant and wait to "see what happens". DISAPPOINTING INFORMATION: we can go through all of this and end up not having ANY healthy embryos or only one because of the genetic factor. So please, keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

The most enjoyable part of the day was the conversation that Gerry and I had, thinking about names. To keep some positive energy going, I thought it would be nice to talk about it. Gerry tossed out Thomas Anthony (if we have a boy). He also threw out Mary, Gertrude or Geralyn (I crinkled my nose in disagreement). I agreed with him on Thomas Anthony or Thomas Bauer. For a girl, I am really attached to Olivia Marguerite. It was nice to dream out loud!

That's it for now! Hope you all are having a fabulous day!

Wednesday, October 12, 2005

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!!



So, you may all think this is the MOST unusual cake for a 32 year old. HOWEVER, I chose to re-visit my past for the first time! My mother asked, "What kind of cake would you like for your birthday"? I recalled the years that she had made what was re-created in this photo. Although, at that time, the panda bear seemed ENORMOUS! Today was a wonderful day. Being greeted with birthday hugs, birthday cards/e-cards (Thanks Spammy, Anne, Aunt Eva),home-made salsa (Dr. Shumway's $1million dollar salsa), my parents calling and singing, Dunkin Donut's Gift Cards (Thank you Mikki & Peter!!!). Phone calls from friends (THANK YOU ALL). My "favorite sister-in-law" having flowers sent in my honor (love ya Nize). My father-in-law who knows me as the "Gadget Queen" sent me a USB Port Hub (Thanks DAD!). To make my day even more special, my best friend & mother, drove all the way to Augusta to take me out to dinner (Gerry's out of state) with my Niece! You're the BEST mom!!!! The best has yet to come....Gerry will be coming home later tonight after being gone to NJ all week!
Thank you everyone for being such a contribution to my day. Love to you all!

Monday, October 10, 2005


Hello! I'm very pleased with myself!!!!! This is my first picture that I have posted on my own & successfully done! Posted by Picasa

For All You Libras

My Horoscope today reads:
"Just when you thought it was safe to come out, you're attracted to someone. Someone who's unusual, yes, but also somehow managing to give off reassuringly grounded vibes. In other words, whether you're interested in them for
friendship or love, you're fascinated enough to think about investing some time and energy just one more time. It's okay. You're a Libra. Relationships are your job. Now, get to work -- and don't forget to smile that smile when you introduce yourself"!
I usually giggle at these when they come in my morning email. Some days they are SO true and others, maybe just a fraction. I do find relationships interesting and always wonder what draws two people together.... both in friendship or in marriage. Can there be some level of energy that brings two people together??? What keeps people together? Why are so many married people unhappy? Why do friendships end? These are just a few of the thoughts that run through my mind, being curious about people and relationships. That is the one reason that draws me to coaching people in their lives. I am facsinated with people and relationships and how they co-exist!!!! The one thing I am sure of, is that anyone can have a wonderful, happy relationship... and that it begins with yourself. Each person is the source of all that happens in their life. As one of my favorite authors states, "Usually humans go into relationships as the hunter. They look for what they feel they need, hoping to find what they need in the other person, only to find that it's not there" (Don Miguel Ruiz).