I never thought I would type this, but here goes....

We are PREGNANT!! Yes, it is true! After 14 years of just Greg and Alicia we are finally expecting a baby! We found out on June 27. I am nine weeks pregnant and we are ecstatic! We are thrilled, excited, happy, and maybe just a tad nervous!

Now you ask how did this happen? Well, I think we all know that one, but I will give you a little more info. Last September I went to the OB and said "I want a baby. Our China adoption is going nowhere and I am sick of waiting". I talked to my Rheumatologist who said he would support my decision, but that I would need to realize my pregnancy could be difficult with my RA. I said "I will be miserable for nine months to have my dream come true". I was told I had to get off three medications before we could begin trying. By November I was off one medicine, by Feb. the second one was gone, and on June 4 I took my last RA medication. We were to start Fertility drugs in June, but you guessed it....we didn't need them, we got pregnant on our own!!! My OB says it is because I lost weight and was so determined to make this work! Yeah!!! Talk about amazing!!

We have had two ultrasounds already and we are asking for prayers. I have a lovely thing called Factor V. It is rather scary, but I will fight with all my might and I know our baby will too. This baby is our "miracle" baby. I just can't tell you how happy we are. I have huge tears as I type this. They are tears of happiness that I never thought I would have.

Greg and I celebrate our Anniversary on July 9. We will be married 14 years! There is no Anniversary gift that could compare to this. My heart is overflowing with joy. I am just so happy. Thank you all for your love and support. Thank you especially to my sister, who has listened to this know it all for so many years. In case you don't know this....I know everything. But let me tell you this...I know nothing about being pregnant. Heather, has given me so much information about being pregnant, she has researched Factor V, she has been my best friend and I am so thankful God blessed me with her as my sister.

Ok...I will keep you all updated. We see the OB in three weeks for another ultrasound. I have a feeling we are going to be regulars for ultrasounds.

With much love,

Alicia

A little about me...

After my post about starting my new jogging regiment I was pumped. I was going to become a runner! Little did I know that sometimes the best laid plans don't always work out! For those of you who don't know me that well, I will tell you that eight years ago I was going to college, at the most awesome school in the world the University of Kansas. I started having pain in my shoulder and hips. I thought "I sure am out of shape, this back pack is killing me". I had no insurance and there was NO way I could be sick. But this pain wouldn't go away. It started to spread. Like into my hands and wrist. What is this that is going on? Luckily, for Greg and I we worked for a Family Physician and of course he saw me for free. He did labs and said "you need to see a Rheumatologist". He gave me a lovely medication called Prednisone and in about a week I felt fabulous! So obviously nothing was wrong with me...right? Not so fast....after canceling my appointment with the Rheumatologist (I wasn't sick afterall) I continued to feel well for about two weeks. And then this ugly monster snuck up and wouldn't go away. My doctor wouldn't give me Prednisone due to the fact that he worried I would never go see the Rheumatologist. I remember that time and honestly I was barely able to move. It was ugly. Long story short...I found out at 25 years of age that I had Rheumatoid Arthritis. I guess you could say I was in complete denial. I was told on my first visit to the Rheumatolgist that I would start another lovely drug...Methotrexate and children were out of the question. Which totally blew all the plans Greg and I had. Our plan was to get an education and then start a family. Well Greg was to graduate that December and this was October. Getting pregnant in January suddenly wasn't going to happen. Denial came and didn't leave for two years. I was depressed, I gained weight, I just couldn't believe our luck.

That was eight years ago and wow has life changed. I have taken many medications for my RA. And finally found one that works well for me. RA is very different than Arthritis. It actually is an autoimmune disease that primarily attacks joints, but can attack organs..which is scary! I have great days where you would never know there is something wrong with me and then I have those days where I just never want to get out of bed. Luckily I have more great days now. But when I get out of bed I resemble an 80 year old woman.

So where is this going? I guess I wanted to tell you all why my running program failed. I made it to week two. And then it was horrible. My knees were on fire, my hips throbbed all night, and my ankles well that was just a nightmare. My joints were hot and red, and swollen. In eight years I have learned that when this happens it isn't good. Also, I must tell you that I proudly told my Rheumatologist about my newest adventure and he was far from impressed. He warned me this would probably not work...he didn't discourage me, but said he only has one patient that has the ability to run and her RA is very different than mine. RA varies from person to person. My RA has been pretty crazy at times. That is a different story. I will share it with you someday.

So there you have it I am not a runner. When Mr. Summerville, asked, during my 7th grade run, "what's your troubles bubbles," I should have said "someday when I am older I will have RA and running just won't be in the cards for me"! I am back to walking my three miles a day and am adding a few extra blocks a week. My RA still isn't back to normal, but I know it will settle down. It just takes time. If you don't have a cause to donate too please consider donating money to the Arthritis Foundation. The link is on this blog. My mother has Lupus (which is another autoimmune disease) so this disease is definately genetic in my book and most of the doctor's.

I hope I haven't bored you to death. I just wanted to let you know. Some of you were so supportive and I must say I am embarrassed that I failed. My good friend Jinny, sent me an email saying how I inspired her. Wow...that felt amazing, but on day five of my jogging journey my joints were already flaring. So I knew this post would be coming soon.

It is very hot in Houston...I mean HOT! We celebrated Greg's 33rd Birthday on Monday! I am five months older than him so it is nice when his Birthday finally rolls around!

We are enjoying a trip in Ft. Worth while Greg attends some meetings for work. We have been able to see some of our friends. Which is always fun!

I hope this finds you all doing well! I will post some pictures soon!

Trying something new....

Ok, well I was told I no longer can practice Bikram Yoga. Long story, it is perfectly safe, and I encourage everyone to do it, but a lot is going on and my doctor doesn't want me in the heat. So, it has been about two months since I did my last Triangle Pose (which by the way was my LEAST favorite pose, but it did get my heart pumping) and I am going through withdraw.

I have this friend, Laura, who I met at Bikram and she is a health/fitness maniac! Really...she amazes me. I told her my walking just wasn't giving me the "high" that Bikram gave me. She said "well how about running?" Running...are you serious? I could never do that! Well, today I had my first session with Greg. I signed up for a nine week course at www.active.com called "Couch to 5K". In nine weeks I will be ready to run my first 5K.

Now I must tell you the last time I "ran". I was in the 7th grade, in my favorite teacher's class, Mr. Summerville. He was getting old back then...and he ran every single day...which amazed me back then and still does now. I don't know why, but he was also the coach for some sport, maybe Track? Long story, but my parents believed you tried out for EVERY sport...track, now that was just crazy! And my school was small so of course, everyone made the team. Just my luck! Our first day was a running day and I could not do the run and he said "come on bubbles you can do it". He always said "what's your trouble bubbles". Can you tell I really liked him? Well, I was second from DEAD last on that first run. I did make it, but I was almost last. So for me to even attempt this is amazing, crazy, scary, and super invigorating!

Laura, Greg and I are all going to run a 5K in August. Laura, is training for "Couch to half Marathon", but she said she would do it with me. It will be the hottest month in Texas, but I can do it! If I have learned anything in the last year it is this...I truly can achieve anything if I want it bad enough and nothing that is worth doing is easy. I'll keep you posted on this journey!

No news as far as the adoption. I would say adoption from China is at a standstill. Others may not agree, but when you are told it could easily be three more years, well to me, that means they aren't getting anywhere. It is still a very SORE subject.

Greg and I are looking forward to going to our hometown in June to see our good friend, Steve, and our Grandparents. It will be a short trip, but a very needed one. I hope you all are doing well. Check back for my progress on my new adventure!

Adalynn Brooke is here!

Saturday, April 19, at 4:03 p.m. Adalynn Brooke was born. She weighed 7.8 pounds and was 20 inches long. She is just as sweet as Summer and Lilly! Greg and I are excited to be Uncle Gregie and Auntie Alicia again! Please keep Heather and her girls in your prayers!

More pictures of Kansas games!

 

 

 

 

We had such a fun time! My sister and her husband got FREE tickets to the games. Lucky dogs. Anyway my sister was quite the trooper! She is VERY pregnant..due any day and she went. Her doctor said "you must really like basketball"! haha!

Have a great Tax Day!

Love,

Alicia

Kansas...National Champions! Go Kansas!

Greg and I had a wonderful time cheering our Jayhawks to a National Championship! We had such a fun time being at the games and cheering with the thousands of Kansas fans!

The Kansas vs. North Carolina game was a real treat! To those out there that thought the game was boring...well, you must not be a Kansas fan. That game was awesome. Our boys wiped the floor clean with the Tar Heels. We had many NC fans sitting by us, and let me tell you they were very quiet! Sweet Victory!

Going into the game on Monday I assumed Memphis wouldn't be a problem. Oh boy, was I wrong! I guess I should have known by the hurting they put on UCLA, but I was naive. When there was two minutes left and we were down by nine I thought "this is it, we are going to lose this game". Then Memphis didn't make their free throws and suddenly there was a chance.
Mario Chalmers....YOU ROCK!!! When he made the three pointer to tie up the game and we went into overtime I really knew then that the Jayhawks would win the title of National Champions!

We had such an amazing time! Greg has wanted to go to the Final Four since he was a child. I have to say there is no one I would rather have been at the games with than my husband Greg. Thank you Greg for such a wonderful time. You will always be my favorite Jayhawk, even though Mario is pretty high on the list!

Rock Chalk Jayhawk! K!! U!!

More pictures to come...Alicia

Final 4 here we come! Rock Chalk Jayhawk!!!

Christmas morning is about here! Greg can hardly contain himself! The Jayhawks are playing UNC on Saturday and WE ARE GOING!! We are so excited! Greg just bought our tickets to all the games!

The game on Sunday was such a nail biter! We yelled, cursed, screamed, and cheered, and low and behold our boys did it!! It will be so wonderful if we can beat ole' Roy in San Antonio! It will be awesome if we win the Championship! We will cheer extra loud for all our friends!

Rock Chalk Jayhawk...Go KU!!!