Vasectomy Experience

Recently Jared and I decided that we did not want any more kids. We have been going back and forth wondering if we should try for another in later years, but decided against it once we traveled to Wisconsin for Thanksgiving. The travel was hard enough with well behaved children we couldn't imagine if they acted up and REALLY couldn't imagine a third in tow.

December 22 was the scheduled day for Jared's vasectomy. He hinted to me that he would like me in the room with him and I casually dodged the question each time it was brought up. Deep down I thought the doctor would not let me in the room and how odd it would be if I was. The day came and it turned out that the doc didn't mind if I was in the room. So off I went.

**caution do not read on if you are offended easily**

Jared was really nervous (rightfully so). The doc prescribed him a few Valium to try to relax him. I think the Valium did the trick because he was chatty Kathy during the entire procedure. Lets back up a bit.... This is the experience from my perspective.

The nurse took us back to the operating room and instructed Jared to strip from the waste down. For those of you who know Jared he is not one to be shy about anatomy, in fact he has probably streaked more times than I care to count. So he began to undress and was showing off his shave job to me so proud like. He shaved EVERYTHING! The doc came in and started telling us what to expect and how long the procedure would last. He undraped Jared and exposed his precious jewels. This part of the procedure was the most uncomfortable for me because it was weird to see another man touching Jared's stuff. The experience was disturbing for me even though it was a medical procedure. Watching him rub the iodine all over this area very thoroughly was uncomfortable. Once this part was over it was smooth sailing (for me).

I expected a lot of blood, but honestly there wasn't that much. Watching the doc insert the needle to numb this area was painful for Jared, but I tried to keep our conversation up so he had the chance to think of something else other than the obvious. The incision (hole) was small and the actual tube looked like a small piece of spaghetti noodle about a 1/4 of an inch long. The entire procedure lasted about 45 minutes.

Jared is expected to make a full recovery and bounce back hornier than ever I'm sure!

Target's Return Policy is Ubsurd!

I love shopping at target. The store always has things I want to buy; baby clothes, baby toys, nick knacks for the house, etc...

Since I have had to return a baby monitor that was given to me as a gift I have decided I am boycotting this store until they change their policy. By the time I was finished with the "customer service agent' I was so angry I almost told her where the sun doesn't shine.

This is how it started. I walked up to the counter and explained nicely that I already have a monitor and would like to return this item for store credit. She 'nicely' explained to me that if I didn't have a receipt there was nothing she could do because it had been so long since the original purchase and my baby registry expired so there wasn't proof that it was bought from Target.

While this girl was explaining this to me all I could think about was that if I went to Walmart they would exchange it with almost no questions. That is customer service. It's not that I was asking for a full cash refund, only a store credit. This girl would not budge and the line behind me was growing longer and longer.

I was so mad by the time I left I vowed not to ever shop at Target again. Until I hear that they have changed their return policy I am not a Target consumer.

Birthday Celebration!

Jared's birthday was last Wednesday (Nov. 19) and we went out to dinner and drinks with our close friends and family. It wasn't a formal celebration, just a last minute get together with those who could make it.

Mom and Dad, Mike D., Marne & Paul, John & his date Wanda. We all met at The Elks. I know, I know nothing classy, but that's kind of our place to hang out with friends. We have a lot of memories there.

This was the first time I had truly gone out since Audrey was born. I had a few drinks and actually had a good time. Normally I stress about the nightly feedings and early morning wake ups! I guess there is something to say about good company.

Thanks for all that came. You made it a great night for both Jared and me!

Swinging at the Park

Every day on the drive home from picking up Audrey at daycare we pass by the Bloomington park. It is a nice park and I've wanted to stop there for a while to let Audrey play. Today I took the opportunity and she loved it!

I put her in the little kid swing and she thought that was the coolest thing. She grinned from ear to ear showing off her 4 teeth! There were 2 other boys swinging too and she kept looking over at them to get their attention. She is a people person just like her dad.

Audrey slid down the slide twice but didn't think that was as cool as the swing. All she wanted to do was either put bark in her mouth or swing. Needless to say we didn't stay too long because her attention span is one of a 16 month old.

Halloween Party

This year Halloween was a blast. My mom and dad threw a big party with a mix of family and friends. Most everyone dressed up.

Jared was Dr. Seymour Busch, PHD, Melissa was a nun, Audrey was a bumble bee, and Izzy was a pea pod.

Audrey loved her Halloween costume I think mostly because of all the attention it brought her. This is the first year she could take part in judging the annual chili cook off. Grandma's was her favorite!

Izzy lasted about 10 minutes in her costume. She didn't particularly care for her first Halloween. She slept most of the night in her swing. At least she gave mom a break!

Energy Derived from Motherhood

Recently someone asked me if motherhood brings on energy you never knew you had. At the time I wasn't quite sure how to answer, but I quickly answered yes because I felt embarrassed that I never experienced it before. I have been extremely tired emotionally and physically and felt like I have been short changing both of my children.

Today I came to a realization, I am my own worst critic. I woke up with yet again little sleep, but in such a good mood because I was happy and proud to be apart of Izzy's and Audrey's life and to be able to take care of them. My imagination tends to get the better of me and I think of devastating situations; the 'what if'' game.

Circling back to my main point. Today is the first time I felt like I finally found my 'hidden' energy deep inside. It felt very rewarding. Hopefully I'll have more days like today!

Housing Market

For those of you who are not up to date with our current situation.

We decided last Christmas we were going to move back to St. George from Pueblo. We finished the remodel of our home, Jared's job at the time was not what he wanted to do, my job offered me to come back full time in the office instead of working from home, and most importantly we wanted to be near family. So we made the decision to put the house up for sale and move in with the parents.

At the time we thought this was going to be maybe 3-4 months, 6 at the most. We are going on 8 months. Don't get me wrong we are VERY appreciative that they have made a place in their home for our family. But God I wish we could sell our house! I feel like such an imposition.

The market in Pueblo is at as much of a decline as any other housing market. Houses are selling - just not ours. I fear with the economy the way it is and Wall Streets numbers diving like they are that our house will take even longer to sell.

I do not regret moving to Pueblo and buying a home and I do not regret moving back to St. George. I just didn't think it would be this hard moving back.

Anyone that is thinking of moving to Pueblo we have a beautiful home for sale! http://www.realtor.com/search/listingdetail.aspx?zp=81005&mnp=22&mxp=21&typ=7&sid=4b80c8c3b87b449781d595d4d1ee8995&lid=1098568958&lsn=8&srcnt=18#Detail. Contact Melonie Hausman at Coldwell Banker or better yet lets do the transaction without her because she's really not doing her job like I think she should. We can split her cut!

Izzy's Surprise Arrival

Isabella Marley Miller
Birthday: September 5, 2008
8 Ibs. 5 oz. ~ 19" long

Our newest addition, Izzy, arrived earlier than expected. We were scheduled for a csection on September 12th and my official due date was September 20th.

Jared left for Colorado on September 4th, thinking we had an entire week to finish our preparations. Izzy was eager to meet us. I went into labor the night of September 4th. I called Jared and I'm sure he thought I was over exaggerating, I tend to do that at times! It turned out that it was truly labor. My mom drove me to the hospital and they admitted me that night. Knowing my husband was out of town they tried to slow the contractions down, but with no avail. The docs took Izzy by csection Friday morning. She arrived at 8:27 am.

My sister, Jen, was in the room while she was delivered. I am so lucky to have such a supportive sister. She was wonderful. She had Jared on the cell phone so he could be apart of his daughters birth as much as possible. She made sure I was okay, but also gave me updates on Izzy. I was really nervous because I could hear Izzy struggling to breath. She went over to Izzy to get an update and came back with this huge expression in her eyes and says 'she has so much dark hair!'. She explained to me that she had a lot of fluid in her lungs, but she will be fine.

Jared made it back to St. George Saturday night and was so tired, but excited to meet his newest daughter. I was so relieved to see him because I never imagined having to do all this without him.

Audrey met her sister for the first time, but wasn't quite sure what to think. In fact I don't think she cared much at all. Being that she is only 14 months old, it is difficult for her to understand. She did give her little sister an open mouthed kiss!

Now our family is complete!

Audrey's Camping Adventure

As a family we took a camping trip with Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Jen, Uncle Jon and several friends. This was the last excursion out as the Miller family of three. And one that will never be forgotten!

I try to keep Audrey on her schedule as best as possible when we are travelling. I put her down for her afternoon nap in my parents camping trailer. Knowing how tired she was I thought she would go right down.

The first time I checked on her she had taken her pants off, but she was laying down trying to sleep so I didn't disturb her. So I left - big mistake! When I peeked in on her she had this confused look on her face along with fists full of brown stuff. I looked down to find her diaper off and a huge mess of POOP! She was mashing it in her hands, remnants of it in her mouth, all over her body, and of course all over the pack n' play.

I picked her up at arms length and waddled outside (9 months pregnant at this point) to meet Uncle Jon, Grandma, Aunt Jen, and Lauren. 'What do I do?' I said. Everyone looked in bewilderment.

Luckily there was a shower that I threw her in. It took three different showers to officially call her clean. Her hands did smell of poop for a day or so, no matter how many times I washed them. Thanks go Jon and Jen for cleaning the pack n' play. I think they got the worst part of the clean up. Thanks to Grandma for helping clean Audrey and the blankets!

Of course Jared is off on the 4 wheeler having a grand old time. While I was stuck back at camp to tend to Audrey's discovery of poop!