We should play the lottery…

The average couple has a 20% chance of getting pregnant in any month of trying.

With our In Vitro procedure, we had a 78% chance of being pregnant right now.

But we're not.

Once again, we have defied the odds. We will try again, but it has been hard. We are so grateful for the amazing people we have pulling for us. We're sorry that we don't get to tell you that your prayers did the trick, but we are still in this fight. We get to try again in January--until then, we get to enjoy Christmas and get into our own place.

Tomorrow's the big day. To be honest, between the holiday weekend and some trouble I've had getting a hold of the lab, it might be a couple days before we know our results. Also, if we take a few days to process before we shout out "yay!" or..."nay," don't be surprised.

What is everyone doing for Thanksgiving? You know how some families have traditions on Turkey Day? Like going around the table and saying what they're thankful for or playing football in the mud? We don't really do those things in the Galbraith/Burnett family, but we have our own traditions. Although the meal is hosted by different branches of the family each year, there are some things that never change. Always the table is beautiful and tasteful. Aunt Ginny's might be a little fancier and Aunt Susie's a little more intimate, but the men wear slacks and button-down shirts and the women wear skirts or nice trousers. There are hors d'oeuvres around the coffee table, and we eat in the evening (we aren't an afternoon meal family). Everyone brings something--a pie and something else. All Burnetts make good pie.  All of them. Doesn't matter who's making the apple and who's making the pumpkin and who's making the pecan.  The pecan pie always has dots of whipped cream piped around the edge of the pie with a pecan stuck in the middle of each whorl. And after the meal, when the food has set in, the cousins usually go back for more pie, and the board games might come out.

Aunt Susie's

See?

Scategories

Cousin Sarah, Aunt Susie, Aunt Ginny

A previous Thanksgiving at Aunt Ginny's



Feeding Austin pie on the table. See? We know how to loosen up. (Note the pecan pies.)


Maybe this sounds stuffy to some who might miss comfy clothes and football in the background, but not me. This is my family's big get together of the year, and I wish I could see my Aunt Ginny's beautiful table and my cousin's little girl whom I've yet to meet. Maybe next year.

We are looking forward to spending time with some of our favorite extended family of Jesse's though. Grandma Thorson flew in a couple days ago, and she's always a hoot. And we can't wait to see Jen and Carston from far away in Montana. And the rest of the gang, of course.

What are your Thanksgiving traditions?

Um...what?

Today I told Jesse:

"I hope I don't have skinny babies."

To which he replied:

"We won't--look at you!"

Yeah. And he didn't even try to back-pedal. Something about me not having been a skinny baby, but no back pedaling. Totally unrepentant. But it's ok, because later, when he asked if a certain shirt made him look fat, I tried to make him feel better by comparing him to Jim Balushi in Return to Me. Oops. Oh well.

Still waiting. By the way, if you do a Google image search for "chubby baby," amidst all the cherubic and obese babes, there is a picture of Hitler.   ?

Waiting on the world to change

Hey, is everyone as excited as we are for The Muppets? Out next week. On the 23rd. A good omen? I sure hope so.

And because it's almost this time of year:

I was raised on this Sesame Street Christmas Special, and I swear, I can still taste those typewriter buttons!

Just killin' time.

Promised Update

We're camped out here at the hotel in Portland, watching Food Network and being lazy louts. And it's Thanksgiving week on Food Network! But that's not the good news. We had our transfer yesterday! Everything went as well as our doctor could have hoped. We had two beautiful (yes, beautiful) little 4AA grade embryos tucked back in all cozy. If you're curious, that means they're already at the top of their class. And and aaand, the embryologist called this morning to tell me how many they were able to freeze. Ready for this? Seven. Yeah. Seven. And they were all of the best quality! So 9 out of 10 little guys (including the ones we used this transfer) made it, and made it to the highest grade. That's amazing. This is why we picked this clinic. Now we wait until the 23rd.

And I have to say, we have felt your thoughts and prayers very directly. Thank you so much.

Back in the Rose City

After church, Neil and I headed down to Portland. Poor Superman had to work. Tomorrow's the big day, and we're thinking happy thoughts. Thanks so much for all your support, guys. Keep ya updated.

Leggo My Eggo: IVF's a Blast(ocyst).

I've been hesitant about writing about this on our blog, but really, anyone who reads this blog knows we've been on the infertility train for a while now. Although we're both really grateful for all the opportunities we've had while we've been trying for kids, we're sooo done with this crap. 4+ years is a long time (yeah, sometimes I throw out that number when I'm feeling sorry for myself). We started the IVF process in August, and we're down to the final push now. We chose Oregon Reproductive Medicine in Portland because their success rates are the highest in the nation, and we've been really happy with them. So our Portland vacation wasn't exactly just a vacation, even though we had a blast. I had doctor's appointments most days where they did ultrasounds and blood work. This is what I see when I close my eyes. Someday, we're going to have an ultrasound, and Jesse will hold my hand, and there will be a heartbeat in there. And I will cry.

Shots everyday the past month, you get the idea. On Wednesday, we had our extraction, and they were able to get 20 eggs. Of those, 14 were viable, and 10 fertilized. The goal is to have 2 really good-looking embryos to use and some left over to freeze, so we'll see how many make it to day 5.

Now we wait. How weird is it that any biological children we may have are sitting in a dish 6 hours away? I'm actually already attached to those embryos, strangely enough. Some of those blobs are our kids! On Monday at 2:00 is our implantation. This is a painless procedure involving a catheter. Then bed rest for a few days. Then we wait 9 more days until our blood pregnancy test.

Needless to say, Jesse and I are going a little nutso. It's all we can think about. Anyway, I'm posting this because sometimes we're the only ones in the world who have ever had trouble having kids. Which is not true. But gosh, especially when you're LDS, it can really feel true. I can't express how grateful we are to all the people who have been praying for us and sending good thoughts our way. We feel loved. I'll keep you posted.

Foxy Family

On Sunday, after eating lunch and visiting with Annie's dad and step-mom, we popped over to Sav's house so Jesse could say hi (that's wife for "I want to see my bestie again"). Savannah had made killer enchiladas and apple crisp, of which I had seconds.

The best thing about being an aunt--even a pretend one--is spoiling the kids. What's this I have in my purse? A Reese's Peanut Butter Cup? Better get rid of that...

Love this girl. Can't wait until Carter's old enough to bribe with chocolate. (What's this in my purse? Pureed Peas? ...)

Good days

Today, Jesse and I had a doctor's appointment today--all is well! Then we hung around downtown Portland. We ate at P.F. Chang's and  walked over to Sur le Table (drool puddle) and Powell Books where we sat in the aisles reading all the Little Golden Books from our childhoods (is there anyone who doesn't love Richard Scarry?). And Jesse found his favorite Dr. Seuss book.

We also found this little number for Sarah who has a slug phobia:

We wandered around Clackamas Town Center (mall) saw The Help, which (as promised) was really good. It's been so nice to just hang out with my buddy!

Though not the most beautiful thing at Sur le Table, check out this wiener dog cookie cutter! Almost bought it. Should have bought it. Could have made Molly-shaped dog biscuits in my fictional Martha life.

After I picked up Jesse from the airport, I wanted to take him to Jam, an mmmm-delicious breakfast place Annie and I visited, but there was quite the waiting list. So, we headed next door to Hotlips Pizza (which, I'm told, is a Portland staple). Oh yum. Crispy thin crust but still yeasty, good sauce, foldinhalfable--totally Ninja Turtle Pizza.  (You know how it always looked so good, and then next time your family finally ordered pizza, you wished it had cartoon pepperoni and banjo-cheese?)

We're headed back to Spokane on Wednesday, then back here on Sunday afternoon.

More Portland

Portland is beautiful in the fall! Yesterday Annie and I drove around Laurelhurst, one of the old and swanky neighborhoods in the city. The trees met over the streets and the houses were all different--some Victorian, some craftsman, some Cape Cod--all lovely. We walked around a park nearby and had fun dog-watching.

Then I was introduced to New Seasons, a very Portlandy grocery store. Aaaand then we got our hands on some Thai food. Rejoice! Green curry...mmmmm. Today I got to spend the afternoon with Sav and her amazingly brilliant, beautiful, happy kids. No really, they are. It was so nice to have some time to just hang out and chat and watch the kids climb on their mama.

Annie and I made a trip to Voodoo Doughnuts for a good shot of "Portland weird." And boy was it.

A few more days until my Jesse joins me down here. I miss that guy. For now though, Annie and I are keeping busy with the Robert Downey Jr. episodes of Ally McBeal...

Halloween in Portland

I'm here in Portland with Annie Face. I drove down last night and Annie made me a yummy dinner and she introduced me to one of her childhood movies, Ladyhawke. It was so nice to just hang out watching cheesy movies and eating popsicles. Today we cruised around the city and went to Mio Sushi, which lived up to the hype. We tried to buy a pumpkin at several stores, but they were all out. By the way, it's hard to tell who's in costume in a Walmart in Portland... Then we happened to drive by a pumpkin patch! The pumpkin is now carved and the candy's ready. Now we just need to decide what not-so-scary movie to watch. Happy Halloween!


Update: we watched The Rocketeer, and I'm re-in love with that flying man. Had a great night. Will post pictures.

Jagger

Tomorrow is my dear friend Sarah's birthday. This is a flashback on how we celebrated last year.

 At the London Dungeons...

 We were totally traumatized afterwards.

 Pizza Express

 YoSushi

 Visiting Peter

Hanging out at Covent Gardens.


Sarah, we miss you and hope you have a truly legendary birthday!

Just a little update

We made it to Spokane. To be honest, it's kind of pretty up here right now--lots of fall colors. Jud had a grand reunion with Molly, and we had a grand reunion with Jesse's dad, sister, and cousins (our great friends). Jesse's job is going well, and I've been keeping busy doing yard work, house-hunting, and cooking. That's right--house hunting. We're thinking of taking the grown-up plunge into homeownership. But, that's still a little ways off.

Jesse will be flying back tomorrow evening to the little town of Medford. Back to my lovely parents and the lovely valley, where he will spend the night and drive back up here on Saturday with our car and the rest of our stuffs. So tonight, he's taking me on a date! We're going to Madeleine's (my favorite restaurant here; just picture it--smokey cassoulet with grilled, buttered baguette and butternut squash bisque with crab meat) and then we thought we'd stroll over to Williams Sonoma to spend our two-year-old gift card there.

This is the park by our house.

So that's what we're up to. What's everyone doing for Halloween? Think we'll be handing out candy.

Tribute to Jim

Since July, Dad and I have been going on a 5-mile loop walk. A few things usually happen on this walk. We try to avoid being hit by cars on Hwy 238. Generally, we stop to eat blackberries (and Dad has to wait around while I pick "just one more"). We pass the sunflower field and the walnut trees. And before the field of Burros or the mother and daughter Beagle team, we visit Jim.

Jim is clumsy, but loves to dance. He's small compared to some, but seems to be a born leader. And Jim is always smiling. We call him Jim, because he looks like my Uncle Jim--somewhere around the eyebrows and amused upturn of his mouth. I've gone on jogs during the day, when all the other llamas are in the shade of their barn, and there's Jim, standing sentinel at the door. 

A really really really good day: probably too many exclamation marks

So, while we were soaking up some California sun, Jesse was back at the ranch. Monday (yesterday), he had his last day teaching Seminary. His kids made him a HUGE card with quotes from him and bits of things they learned during the last 6 weeks. He really made an impression on the kids. We are so grateful for this new job, but we've promised each other that Jesse's still going to be a teacher someday.

Which brings me to the good stuff...

Jesse had his first day at Avista. He was the bearer of good news yesterday. He called while we were at Grandma and Grandpa's house to say...we passed our theses! We have Masters degrees! Yahoo!

Then, he texted me some more great news: we have full benefits!  And three weeks paid vacation!

So when he got home, we broke out some sparkling cider and he was the toast of the town. A good day indeed.

Weekend in California

This last weekend, I crashed my parents' super romantic long weekend trip to California. Really though, I wanted to see some family and friends down there, and we don't get to that neck of the woods very often (hey, they asked if I wanted to come!).

We headed down to my Aunt Maxine and Uncle Jim's house in the Bay Area and had a nice visit with them and spent the night. 

Since I was little, my birthday cards have been signed  "Maxine, Jim, Patches [may she rest in peace], and Marshall." Marshall is now 21 years old and walks like the Tin Man before oil. He can't weigh more than 5 pounds, and he's a little hollow around the edges, but he is one well-loved kitty. Or Cakeface, Bob, Buffy, Pooky, El Pooko...you get the picture.

Then we walked around downtown Walnut Creek and window shopped at Restoration Hardware, Williams Sonoma, and Pottery Barn. Mmmm. We had a delicious dinner at Mom's friend Julie's house. It's nice to see people you've known your whole life. The next day we headed up to Redding to Aunt Susan's house for a dinner and games. Yesterday we continued north to Ashland for lunch with my grandparents and good chat. So that's what I did this weekend. Where was Jesse, you want to know?

More on that in the next post.

Head 'Em Up

Jesse and I celebrated our fifth anniversary in September.

5 Years = 2 dogs, 2 bachelors' degrees, 2 masters' Degrees, 3 states, 10 countries visited, and 7 addresses.

(Between the two of us) we have been a tutor, personal trainer, roofer, logger, boutique clerk, retail worker(s), donut fryer, mortgage inspector(s), set painter, waitress, nanny, gym membership salesman, and HR specialist.

Student life.

So here's the big news. We're about to add to our jobs/addresses. Now that Jesse has made it official with work, we're moving to Spokane. Jesse got a really good job with the utilities company up there, and he starts training on Monday. Yeah, this Monday.  He'll train for a week at their offices down here, and then he'll begin the next week in Spokane. This has thrown a wrench into some of our long-term plans, and we're a little dazed still, but it's a really good thing. However, we'll miss our family and the beautiful Rogue Valley so much. 

But, we'll get to see more of this guy:

 and this guy

 and these guys.

We're excited for all the exciting things in the works, and we promise promise promise we will not spend our whole lives in Spokane. So there.

Harvest Weekend

Last weekend, while Dad was working on his steps...

Mom and I went a-harvesting at Seven Oaks Farm in Central Point.

We saw heap-big pumpkins,

 went on a hay ride,

 and bought a few pretties.

We love fall!

Power Tools and Jam: 26 Things to Master While 26

So my friends Carrie and Liz like to make new goals every birthday. I'm a little late on this, but here are my 26 things to do while I'm 26 (the pink ones are done, the blue are in progress):

1. Learn to can/make jam

2. Make a table/learn how to use power tools!

3. Make a wreath

4. Get published, even if it's in a teeny tiny magazine
5. Become a really good visiting teacher
6. Go camping. This seems silly--especially for Jesse and me, who love camping--but we've never been camping together.
7. Run 5 miles without stopping. I'm getting close. Or rather, I got close once...
8. Learn to hem pants
9. Go to the temple by myself
10. Sew something I can actually wear
11. Unpack all our stuff that's been in storage for 2 years
12. Surprise Jesse. With anything. I've never been sneaky enough to do this
13. Make a chocolate souffle
14. Experiment with "raw food"
15. Make a blog book of our England adventures
16. Start a family
17. Build something out of pallets
18. Make my bed everyday
19. Fly a kite
20. Visit a new state
21. Have our own Christmas tree
22. Join a Zumba class (I spy on this class in the gym and laugh at the old guy who shakes his booty and the girls who get really into the moves, but it's only because I'm jealous...)
23. Make some kind of artwork that I actually want to put in my house (painting, photograph, etc.)
24. Throw a croquet party
25. Sing in a community choir
26. Read at least 10 novels for fun (sounds strange for a girl with an English degree, but I've completely gotten out of the habit in the last few years).

Here are some of my finished goals:

 Raw food's cool and stuff, and I found a few recipes I really really like (like chocolate frosting made with avacado!), but I love to cook. And that involves some heat.

 This wreath is a first attempt, and yeah, it turns all funky-parallelagram on me and isn't sturdy, but I like it.

 Jesse and I made this table. We picked out the wood (some of which was rescued from the sideyard) and built it from the ground up. I love it. To find the plans, visit ana-white.com. She posts tons of free plans and works with lots of salvaged wood,. I was shocked at how cheap it can be to have nice furniture, provided you're willing to invest the time. This is the "Tryde Side Table" plan.  Our ambitious plans include making a matching coffee table, building Ana's "Farmhouse Dining Table" and the "Farmhouse Bed".