Lots Going On...

Since my last post, I started to write about three different entries...and they're all sitting in my drafts folder. So, I am committed to finishing this one (and will come back to the drafts...or maybe not).

Upcoming Cycles and Congratulations
June seems to be buzzing with exciting activity, so I first wanted to take a moment for a few "personal" shout outs...

A HUGE congratulations to Cinda from Our Lives and her amazing beta! Read about it here:
http://adamandloucinda.blogspot.com/2012/06/finallya-bfp.html

To my few blog readers whose cycles are coming up in July and I've been corresponding with via e-mail or I know IRL, I am beyond excited for you and can't wait for next spring!

To my Gonal-F donor, I was ELATED to hear that you brought home your twin girls earlier this month!

To my CCRM girls whose babies just turned one or will be reaching that milestone in the next 30 days - I have one word...UNBELIEVABLE! Since we live across the miles, please keep the pictures coming...

So much good news!

Telling Kids About Donor Eggs
One question that seems to come up often is how to tell your kids about DE. Carole had a wonderful post on this last week that I've bookmarked for future reference:

http://fertilitylabinsider.com/2012/06/talking-to-your-donor-conceived-child-about-their-conception/

Not sure if you read my blog, but if you do...thank you Carole! The way you generously share your knowledge - both online and off - is astounding and you are a beam of light in this confusing IVF world.

A Quick F&G Update
I feel like we have reached a "setpoint." Aside from growing, the twins aren't really doing anything new.

We've had a string of 100-plus degree days and I can tell the heat saps them of their energy. Typically they go to bed between 8 and 9:30 pm. Last night, F fell asleep in my DH's arms at 7 pm and drank his last bottle with his eyes completely shut. G gets crabby...she fights her hardest to stay awake, but ultimately sleep always wins.

We continue to keep them on formula and pureed fruits and vegetables. We recently introduced peaches...and there is nothing cuter than a baby sitting in their chair in a diaper with peach juice dripping down their cheeks, stomachs and belly.  Summer at it's finest!

Travel
As is typical, we're almost at the halfway point of the year and I've only taken about three days off - so I've started to get serious about making plans. Since I've been with my company for over ten years (and we were originally part of a European organization), my vacation benefits are generous compared to most American companies.

We're planning to start with a short trip to the mountains for a music festival. It will feel good to get out of the heat of the city, but know we're close enough that if we need to come home, it's only an hour away. Looking forward to good music, beautiful views and swimming with the kids.

Next month I am going to be more ambitious and take the kids to NY by myself to visit family. Flying with them to Vegas helped me realize a direct flight to NY was probably possible. Looking forward to all my east coast friends and family finally meeting the twins!

As for a bigger vacation, I've started to think about that too. Since we're not "beach people," the best trip for us right now is a mix of driving a maximum of 2-3 hours per day and stopping at points along our journey. Since the kids fly free until they're two, it makes sense to take advantage of that - so I think another plane trip will be involved too.

While lap children don't collect miles, when I fly alone I have to buy an extra seat - so G is already starting to build up a cache. Yesterday, she received an email welcoming her to the frequent flyer program and a gift of 1,000 free miles if she books a ticket before the weekend. Geez...they have her age on her account...don't they realize she often mis-types her credit card number because pounding the keyboard with closed fists doesn't work?!

That's about it from this end of the planet. Hope you all have an awesome 4th of July!