Christmas at the Swissler's

It's never been widely published,but last christmas was our first christmas married,I was working a crap job for $8 an hour,we had no money,were in debt to our eyeballs,the kids got 2 or 3 presents each, and that is also when our marriage started going south. So needless to say last christmas is one I never want to relive.

This christmas however,was fantastic. Mike and I couldnt be happier with our relationship,my wonderful job (and Mike's) allowed us to go way overboard on presents for the kids,and just the simple fact that Mike,Alex,Ashley and I all woke up in the same house on christmas morning for the FIRST time ever,was amazing. My family came over on christmas eve and we all talked,I made mom's homemade eggnog (which is a must in the Howard's family; It's amazing beyond words) and after all the guests had left we put the kids to bed in our room so Mike could sneak their new bunkbeds into their room! So Mike spent an hour doing that while I layed in bed with the kids,rubbing Ashley's back for 30 minutes and watching one of their gifts; Despicable me! So Mike and I slept on the couch while the kids had our room,and 5 hours after sleep we were pounced on by an 8 and 11 year old at 5:30am ready to open presents. Needless to say the kids had a great christmas this year,as did Mike and I :)

Here are a few pics from the day...forgive me it was 5:30 am and I had only gotten a few hours of sleep!

                                                         Ashley was hiding in the box

                                                                      The loot

                                                       Sasha was helping Alex apparently

                                                           New helmet and skateboard!

                                                                    Cheesy Smile ;-)

                                                                 Kids new bunkbeds!

Oh Christmas Tree....

So I have had real Christmas tree's all my life. I can't do a fake one,I have to have the smell encompassing my house and all. Well I decided the week after thanksgiving was time to get our real tree. Like some miracle we found the PERFECT tree and I couldn't have been happier. Sadly though we noticed said tree was not soaking up any water. I prayed and prayed for my perfect tree to make a comeback,but last night we laid it to rest in the dumpster, and had to go out and get another one...which I'm still deciding if I like or not. So here is my memorial for my most perfect tree,that didn't make it.

 

 

We made it through....

This is my first blog on here so please forgive me!

The past year has been a crazy one,but we made it through it. As most of you know, Mike and I filed for divorce after an awful first 8 months of marriage,but through God,lots of counseling,and finding each other again,we made it through and are now happier than ever. There is so much pressure these days on married couples to be perfect and story book like their first year of marriage,that most of us forget to turn off WE TV and take a look at reality. That first year is tough! But Mike and I are the perfect example,we came back from that hell and now work every day on improving our marriage,love,and friendship.


So that leads us to where we are now....babies! Some of my closest friends and family know that from early childhood I was told that I would never be able to have my own baby....that I would have to rely on a sister or egg donor to conceive.I have what is known as a roberstonian translocation of chromosomes 13 and 14. Essentially I have only 45 chromosomes instead of the normal 46.Growing up this never really phased me,but at about 19 I started to realize that it was a big deal. After Mike and I made it through our rough patch,it was an even bigger deal. My everyday thoughts were consumed with baby baby baby. So in November we finally decided we were ready to meet with doctors and start exploring options. We met with a general OB who told us that it was a "crap shoot" and my chances of having a normal healthy pregnancy were less than 20%. Not great news. So after spending countless hours online,calling all over Tx for IVF clinics,and plummeting my credit rating by applying for countless loans (IVF can run upwards or $20k) I was left hopeless. I was beginning to accept I might never be a mom. We decided to go ahead and speak with a geneticist/genetic counselor last week...and it's a decision I'll never regret. We were told that A) My former OB needs to keep his mouth shut about genetics and B) We have a higher than 60% of having our own healthy baby. To hear this was a feeling I'll never forget. I can be a mom. The only difference between "normal" women and me,is that I do have a slightly higher risk of miscarriages,and I will be considered high risk up until 10 weeks. So imagine hearing you will never be a parent,to this....pretty incredible. Understandably Mike is worried about my emotional health as well as physical if we do have to endure a miscarriage,but to know we still have that 60% is music to my ears.


So needless to say I am on the baby-making train of thought all day! I traded in my sexy sports car,and got a mommy-mobile and couldn't be happier. I take my prenatal vitamin every night,stopped alcohol completely,began weight watchers again and started working out regularly. I want my body to be in as best shape as possible for this bundle of joy; whenever God should choose we are ready. It may be uncomfortable to change every aspect of my life at once,but I am completely okay with it. That baby is way more important than any sweet or fried food any day! So as I end my first blog (eek!) I ask you all to keep us in your prayers, as we will have a rough road ahead but know we will make it to the other side at some point. We just don't know when.

God Bless!