I could watch these shortened clips on repeat (especially Deklan's):
The first week of the month started with a checkup with my OB. I've been having weekly blood draws since miscarrying my 3rd pregnancy the first week in August. Yes, you read that correctly, since August. That's 13 weeks of HCG testing - and continually testing positive for pregnancy, mind you - after my miscarriage. Although my levels have been slowly dropping, they've never reached zero. Traditionally, I'm all about taking the natural route. I'd made the decision to let my body carry this process out on it's own since the "diagnosis." However, I just knew that my levels should have returned to zero by now and that something was off. I requested an ultrasound, which showed remaining, albeit minimal, "products of conception." Coincidentally, the blood draw that I had performed on that same day showed increased levels of HCG in my system.
At that appointment, I made the decision to have a D&C scheduled and was able to have that surgery performed at the end of the week. After over 3 months of a lingering miscarriage, it brought a welcome feeling of closure to know that my body could finally release the entire process. And, I'm lucky to have not experienced any sort of infection as a result of the remaining tissue.
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| This is the picture I sent Bryon to let him know "all is well." |
Week 2? Follow up appointments, per usual. Also, I was lucky enough to have a crown procedure performed at my dentist's office. More anesthesia! Equally as notable, Maksim requested to enroll in dance class. My heart melted a bit....well, into a gigantic puddle.
Let's all take a minute and learn proper posture from a 4 year old:
He's absolutely LOVING each and every class. We actually took trial classes at two different studios and let Maksim pick his favorite class. Not surprisingly, he chose the studio with both tap & ballet! Sadly (for me), parents are not allowed in the studio at the second dance company - we just watch on a television in the waiting room. We can't wait until the recital next June!
Here's his very own dance class pep rally:
The 3rd week of the month was scheduled for surgery on my hip. However, at 8pm on the evening before my 6:30am arrival for OR-prep, I received a call from the surgical staff letting me know that my insurance was holding things up and we were going to have to reschedule. It may sound funny, but this nearly put me over the edge. I've been waiting for a "fix" for this injury since it happened in 2009. Luckily, I was able to reschedule for the following week - just before Thanksgiving. We made sure to fill the remainder of this week with seasonal/house repairs - annual pellet stove cleaning, a visit from a plumber, painters, and a concrete crew. Oh, and a car repair to boot!
4th week of November and my surgery went through without a hitch! I had 1 rough day (the day immediately after surgery/immediately before Thanksgiving) when Bryon went back to work and I was nearly bedridden at home with both boys. I even carried out a consult with a gentleman for a concrete work - used my crutches to hobble down to the basement and all. With the help of A LOT of movies, anti-inflammatories & ice, we all survived.
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| Less than 24 hours post-op. |
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| Thankful to have FINALLY had this surgery. Now, for the 12 month recovery process. |
Thanksgiving was low-key. Thank goodness. We didn't go anywhere or have anybody over. We actually drove to Whole Foods Market on Thanksgiving day and just picked up pre-made food to bring home and plate. No prep and virtually no clean up either. I couldn't have managed anything more anyway! Oh, and now I have a 4 year old who thinks cornbread is AMAZING. (Sidenote: Bryon managed to walk out of the store with not 1 or 2...but 3 pies! THREE!!!)
You'd think Thanksgiving would basically be the end of the month, right? Think again. Black Friday I actually had an MRI performed. (No worries!) It's just that after a handful of years of neglecting my own Dr. visits due to pregnancy, nursing, pregnancy, nursing, pregnancy (miscarriage), parenting, moving across the country x 4, and life-in-general...I'm way overdue and booked everything seemingly at once in an attempt to play catch-up! Prior to the MRI, Bryon had some shopping he wanted to complete (he's the Black Friday shopper in our house). Typically, he has a list of items he's actively watching for sales both online and in stores. This year was an exception. He just went to the Columbia & LL Bean Outlet stores down the road and stocked up on heavily discounted cold-weather gear. We finished the afternoon by taking the kids to see Moana (ok, we really wanted to see it for ourselves, too). IT'S SO GOOD! Maks has already asked to get a full body tattoo.
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| I've never really shopped on Black Friday. (Maybe just online.) Go be surrounded by people and buy things? No thank you. Then there's my husband. And this year he's stoked about his Black Friday snow bibs. |
The weekend concluded with our very first date night since moving here in June. Luckily, being on crutches didn't interfere with the tickets I'd purchased a few months prior to see the Trans Siberian Orchestra. I've always wanted to see them perform and was pleasantly surprised to see that their tour was booked right where we live. It was nice to get away from the kids for a few hours and gave us a nice push into the Holiday spirit!
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| Photo credit is NOT mine, but belongs to a neighbor. #Imightbetheperfectmidnightsnack #ormykids #ormydog #wewillbeindoors |
I'm so torn between enjoying the mild start to this winter and anxiously awaiting snowfall & hibernation!
**Not to outshine the enormous Bobcat that was found on the trail cam a month earlier. Seriously! My preference is...NEITHER!**
Bring on December!
