We found the ice cream man!

Cib heard the music and we couldn't say no to the spider man ice cream. Yummy!

Learnin to make the swing go

Daddy Day!!!

BEANS Weekend

We've had a lot of F-U-N in Feb! We started off with our Annual BEANS weekend, this is (usually) a siblings only weekend when we laugh, eat and generally are up to no good....but this year we needed childcare reinforcements.

Cib with Aunt Lindsey and Caroline

Cib sits in his first deer blind. Dont worry, no guns involved.

Cib LOVES his uncle Lukey (as he calls him) so much.
I have a feeling they were very similar that Cib's age.

All the guys our of a ride on scrambler - Cib's fave Bandera activity!

The siblings are off for our dinner! Sorry no pics, all the babies were crying so we fled the scene. Thank you Captain Jim and Granny for watching them!
Here Captain Jim serves up some Valentine's cookies...yum!

It's hard to imagine what Nancy did before she was a Granny because she is SO good at it. These babies love her very much!

Tureky 14 weeks

Today we had our first appt with the Maternal Fetal Medicine doctor after graduating from the IVF doc last week. Our sweet baby looks perfect and healthy! 10 Fingers and 10 Toes!

And most of all Turkey decided to tell us who's in there today.
Starting with a nice wave! Hi guys!

It's a GIRL!
Introducing to do MISS Emerson Renee' Fatheree
You can call her Emmie.

Just because this is our child does not mean the alien quality of this last pic is lost on us. :)
But she has time to develop those heart stopping looks before her big debut.

Playin in Mommys shower cap

Happy Birthday Daddy!

This guy was the one who taught me how to fish.
He taught me how to be responsible. (which stuck a little later in life than he would have liked.:))
He gave me my first car after working tirelessly to make it perfect.

He gave me away on my wedding day.
He cried the day my sweet Cibbers was born.

This man has been the one I have measured all other men in my life against.
He has always been there. Always put himself last. Never complains. And gives to his family without limits. I am proud to be his daughter.
I love you daddy!

Baby Turkey 13 weeks

Sucking his/her thumb!!

Turkey 12 Weeks

Still the baby....

For a little while at least.

Turkey Sono

Here is our Turkey wiggling and jiggling.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWYTWtlm8zY

Turkey 10 1/2 weeks

Turkey is upside down facing the camera. You can see hands and feet in this one!
The nurse seems to be amazed at what a lil mover and shaker we have on our hands!
The nurse did mention at this stage the body would appear much longer than the arms/legs....but she obviously hasn't seen Bits! When turkey appeared on the screen his/her arms and legs are almost twice as long as his/her body! The nurse said, "Well, look at Mom & Dad!"
It brought to mind this picture of Bits. It has taken him two years to grow into these legs!
Baby Turkey, Your big brother can't wait to meet you! His kid quote from school last week was, "Cib has a baby in his belly!" Hmmm....maybe not, but we know you'll be the best big brother Bits! Cib's current prediction is that Turkey is a baby girl. We shall see!

Baby Turkey 10 Weeks

Sorry this is sideways. This is our turkey at 9 1/2 weeks. Note the arms and legs!
We wanted to thank everyone again for all the support. I think we are finally coming out of fog a little and owe it to every prayer, phone call, email, blog comment. We can't wait for the world to meet our second miracle baby!

Filling Daddys Shoes

Cib has been amazing ray of sunshine the last two weeks for Austin and I. He told me this morning he was a big boy like Daddy, then I caught him in this cute moment.
Well Cibbers, You still have a ways to go before filling Daddys shoes, you couldn't have picked a better person to model.

Update

Today we got to see our beautiful baby rubbing his/her eyes and kicking wildly. The baby has very long legs!! (Cib, BTW is sure it is a girl) It was amazing salve for our aching hearts to hear and see that our remaining baby is healthy and strong.

Thank you for every call, email, voicemail of comfort. It means so much to have your support.

Below is an awful picture of the sono (the scanner is still down) but it's something for all those Nanas and Grandmas busting at the seams to see that Turkey.

The Same

My fingers cramp as I type. We've lost one our precious babies. This feels entirely too familiar. We are angry, stricken with grief and screaming, "WHY!" It would seem our road to parenthood is partially paved with loss. I personally have never felt more stupid. I knew better. I have been here before. I spent weeks guarding my heart from excitement and acceptance of the news that we would have multiples. Despite my best efforts, I gave in. I had to begin the search for a special OB for the babies. There were mountains of books to read about multiples. And everyone around me had embraced the news. So I went head first into excitement mode, into worry mode, into acceptance. Yet here I am. Feeling stupid for my excitement and having to tell folks that we have lost another baby.

Please pray for Austin and I. We are in shock. This is exactly, almost to the day, when we lost the twins during my pregnancy with Cib. A pattern is emerging. We meet with the doctor this afternoon.

Pray for comfort. Pray for this remaining child to be healthy and strong. That as my body absorbs the other baby that our remaining child will be unaffected. That God will fill our hearts with joy that will over come our sadness. That we can be excited and wait hopefully for our remaining child. And that our hearts will antipate meeting the one we lost in heaven.

Zombie Child

Christmas 2010

We spent Christmas in East Texas this year with Amber's family.
Cib LOVES to visit his Nana, Papa, Grandma & Grandpa.

We ventured out in the very cold weather to see some infamous Christmas Lights. A spectacular maze of themed lights with music on a 10 acre plot of land. With a 1 mile long route of over 3 million lights, including more than 50 different musical scenes and 50 motion controlled lighted scenes in addition to 7 tunnels and 10 arches, each a different color. . Cib absolutely loved it. And after an hour of looking at the lights, he said, "Do it again!"

Cib's sweet smile on Christmas Eve was priceless! He giggled through the church service and was very excited to see Santa the next morning!

Austin, my sweet husband, sat up until midnight with a bottle of Christmas Cheer putting together Cib's Train Set complete with 66 Thomas & Friends Trains.
(Thank you Granny Nanny!)

Santa brought Cib a Cement Mixer Truck, A Garbage Truck and A Tricycle!

In other 'Cib news', Cib asked for Austin to take this pic of him to show momma how handsome he is!

We spent New Year's in New Orleans with some good friends sans Cib (Thank you again Granny Nanny!) Pictures could not be displayed of such rowdy fun.
We hope you all had a peaceful and joyful holiday!

Cib at the children's museum

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0gvEeUX2LA

Merry Christmas Everyone! This year has been crazy fast! We are approaching a 1 1/2 back in Houston. This time last year we were planning for our last Frozen Embryo Transfer and wondering what God had in store for our family's future. It's amazing how many changes can happen in a year. This year I have spent being a full time mommy to Cib and it's amazing just how busy that has kept me. I do want to thank Nancy (aka Granny Nanny) for ALL the endless help she has given us. Without her, we literally would not be where we are. Thank you Nancy!

We are enjoying our Christmas with the Templeton family this year in East Texas. We can not wait to see Cib's face in the morning. He is very aware of Santa this year and is on pins and needles....don't you remember that excitement?!

Today, amidst severe preggy sickness, I am counting my blessings. I have a husband who is employed and whom I adore. I have a son who is amazingly sweet spirited and well behaved. I have two sweet babies on the way, who will change our lives in the most amazing ways. Family who I love very much. Friends who are so much family it's hard to know the difference. And most of all a Saviour who gives gifts far beyond what I deserve. There is no gift under the Christmas tree this year better more wonderful than all this.

Priase the Lord - A King is Born!!!

Turkey Turkey

Sorry for the bloggy break but we've have been trying to wrap our minds around this news before sharing it. It looks like our little Thanksgiving Embryos turned into TWO TURKEYS in the oven; or as we are (affectionately) calling them - Turkey 1 and Turkey 2.

On Tuesday, the 21st we saw two strong heartbeats. We are overjoyed and our heads are spinning...just a little. It is still early (almost 7 weeks) and our past has made us a bit leery but as for now things look great!



How you can pray for us:

Prayers for continued health of both embryos.

Prayers for a ceasing of the 'all day' nausea plaguing Amber.

And Prayers for peace of mind as we move forward into a world of to do lists, doctors visits and preparation to become the parents to three.

Merry Christmas!!!

Here are some photos that Meena Jeanes took of us this past weekend. She is such an amazing photographer!

http://www.meenajeanesphotography.com/Fatherees_2010

From our Family to Yours-
Christmas Blessings!!!
Austin, Amber, Cib & ???

YES YES YES!!!

We are SO blessed! I am pregnant!!! We received an HCG (blood pregnancy) test result of 500 today! (50 is pregnant) We are overwhelmed with joy!! PRAISE THE LORD!!!

Prayers for rising numbers as they continue to monitor my HCG. And the end of next week will be our first sonogram to find out who's in there.

Thank you all so much for your prayers and endless support!

Cibs school project

Austin is singing Christmas carols and doing Cib's school craft. He's such a great dad.

Cib Meets Santa!

Well, meeting Santa actually went better than I expected. There was no wild screaming. But we did have a bad case of being 'star struck' by Santa. Cib was so shy. (And Cib doesn't do shy.)

Cib wouldn't even go near poor Santa. He wanted to hide behind momma.

BUT he didn't want to miss the opportunity to put in his wish list. So Cib told me, to tell Santa, the three things he would like from Santa.

So Santa and I had a nice chat with Cib listening intently to make sure I got every detail right.
1. Some new Thomas the Trains
2. A green garbage truck
3 A blue cement mixer

Santa said he would do his very best to meet Cib's wishes. And blew us a nice kiss!

Cib & his cars

No, he isn't spoiled.

Thanks Granny!

Meet our littlest ones!

We had 5 grade AA embryos this morning. (the doctor said this is aome of the best ivf results he seen. With 70% fertilization rate and all embryos with highest possible ratings)

We placed two embryos back in mommys tummy. (see pics below) She is resting and watching Macys Parade. She will be on bed rest till Monday morning and light duty until heart rate sounds in three weeks.

Here we go!

Bits even lent me his lovey.

My portion

It's amazing to me how God always gives me the perfect portion. I too often doubt that it will be enough and alas it always has been.

Yesterday they retrieved 7 mature eggs. I found myself disappointed and feeling like a failure. I had high hopes of more. Isn't that true of most of our desires? More Lord. This is a constant prayer for me.

Yet the Lord beams through with my perfect portion. Today I was told we have 5 growing embryos. Today I am a proud momma of Gods perfect portion for me.

Thank you Lord for grace on this imperfect sinners life.

Austin and I are excited about our transfer on Turkey Day!

Off and Running...

This Saturday is the big egg retrieval!!! Please pray for a successful & safe egg retrieval. For a high fertilization rate; with lots of healthy embryos. And ultimately a healthy happy baby.
We are hoping to get 10 eggs based on the sonogram this morning.
And our embryo transfer is tentatively scheduled for Thanksgiving Day!!! Cibbers will be in Austin with Granny Nanny & Cap'n Jim. Austin & I will be home alone but all for a good cause.

Thanks for your prayers friends!

Cheers!

Wassell!!!

Fun with noises

Project Winter Wonderland

We, here in the Fatheree house, love getting Christmas stuff up with enough time to enjoy it before it's time to take it all down again. Cibs reaction when he awoke from naps to this was priceless. Happy Holidays!!!

It's Begun

With the arrival of the first Christmas toy catalog, Cib has asked for a marker to remember all things he would like to ask Santa for. He's been at this for 20 minutes!
Happy Holiday season y'all!

Fall Cookin Ya'll!

I had to share my utter excitement for this cooler weather! So with my red wine in hand - I share with you some tasty Amber original recipes (and our dinner tonight) to get you in the mood for fall.

Butternut Squash & Apple Bisque
By Amber Fatheree

3 tbs butter, unsalted (not margarine)
3 Leeks, Whites only, cut into thin slices
3 cloves garlic, rough chop
2 med. granny smith apples, diced
1 large butternut squash, cubed, about 4 cups
4 cups chicken stock (homemade is best, but you can use the boxed kind, but not broth)
Dash each: Nutmeg, Cinnamon & Sage
3 tsp. Kosher Salt (adjust down to 1 tsp if you using table salt)
3 bay leaves
1/2 cup of heavy cream, creme fraiche or half and half (I use what I have)

Preheat oven to 400. Toss squash with Olive Oil. Cook for 35 to 45 minutes. Squash should be tender.

Heat butter in dutch oven over medium heat until melted. Add leeks and saute for several minutes (5 to 7 min) or until leeks begin to look translucent. Add garlic and apples. Saute for another 5 minutes. Add stock, seasonings and bay leaves. Add cooked squash to pot. Simmer for 45 minutes on stove top or in crock pot on medium.

Remove bay leaves. Puree with stick mixer or blender until smooth. Temper half and half by adding a small amount of soup to it, which will bring it to room temp. Then add half and half back to soup pot. Stir and serve warm with rustic bread or gourmet grilled cheese. (I am doing 12 grain bakery bread with Vermont white cheddar and pesto spread, tonight.)

Buttered Rum Glazed Apple Sauce Cake
Serves 6 - Betty Crocker
Cake:
1/3 cup butter (not margarine, it will not give you nutty flavor)
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 cup applesauce
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt

Glaze:
2 tablespoons butter (not margarine, it will not give you nutty flavor)
1 cup confectioners'' sugar
1/2 teaspoon rum flavor
3 - 4 teaspoons milk or half-and-half

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 8-inch square pan. (Amber used a 9x6)

In 1 1/2-quart saucepan, melt 1/3 cup butter over medium heat. Cook 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally until butter begins to brown. Immediately remove from heat. Stir in sugar, applesauce and vanilla extract.

In large bowl, mix flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Stir in applesauce mixture. Pour into pan. Bake 30 minutes or until a wooden pick comes out clean.

In 1 1/2-quart saucepan melt 2 tablespoon butter over medium heat. Cook 2 - 3 minutes until beginning to brown. Immediately remove from heat. Stir in remaining glaze ingredients until smooth and spreadable. Pour over warm cake. Cool 30 minutes. Serve warm.

YUM-O! Happy fall ya'll!!!

M&Ms anyone?

Cib's 1st Trick R Treating

He did so well. He said Trick Treat! And Thank You! He loved it!

A lone super hero

The "chicken park"

This what Cib calls the play area at Chickfila.

Classic "it's mine" moment - Ugh!

Cib & Percy slide!

Off to the game

4th