Going Private

So, I am going private. Several friends have been dealing with a few bad comments here and there and have gone private. I didn't think I would need to, but I have been getting some crazy comments, so i guess I need to restrict who can read my blog as well.

If you would like to continue to read my blog and stay up to date on what is going on in our family, email me your email address so I can add you to the list. You can be friends, family, church family, blogger friends, friends of friends, etc. Just let me know how you found my blog if I don't know you personally so I can know who to invite. Anyway, I will leave this up for a week before I go private officially. My email address is aprilcsimpson@hotmail.com.

Update on Me...

I went in yesterday for MORE bloodwork to see where my beta hcg levels were. They were 89 last week and I need them to get down below 2. So, today my friend, Nurse Carolyn, called to let me know that my levels are at 15. I was hoping they would be below 2 this week, but they were not. So now I have to go back again in 2 weeks for MORE blood work. It's pretty sad when the nurse that draws my blood everytime told me Monday that she wanted me to know that she didn't mind taking my blood because I am easy and my blood flows fast.....lol....I guess that is good?

Until next time....

Lots of Pictures....Few Words.....

This past Saturday was the big #1 Memphis vs. #2 TN basketball game. So, on Friday, Tatum wore her Memphis jump suit to school. I attempted to get a good picture before we left home. Here is how it went....
The picture above is probably the best picture. Check out all of her teeth!!! She has 16 now(and has had those for a while). I am not sure if we should be expecting any more in for a while cause I don't see any room for more.

Because my sister in law(Tatum's Aunt E. E......aka Eliana), was nice enough to keep Tatum ALL weekend, Antonio and I got to spend some time together eating out, bowling with friends, sleeping in on Saturday, cleaning ALL day, and then going out with friends to watch the big game.

Here are some pics of all of us together watching the game....

Jennifer and Jessica...

Ashley and me....
and the boys...the back of Kevin's head, Scott, Tim, and Antonio...
me and Antonio....
Ashley and Kevin...they were both Memphis cheerleaders back in their college days(that's why they are so darn cute!)
Kevin and Antonio being silly...

Scott and Tim....
This next picture is Ashley saying...."NO PDA!!!"
Jennifer and Jessica...
and then the game was over....Memphis didn't come out on top...and we were all shocked and sad!

Jessica and Scott sucking it up for a second to take a happy picture...

"What went wrong??"....

We had a great time with wonderful close friends.

Our feelings were hurt this night in more ways than one. Now Antonio and I have to decide....do we forgive and forget? How many times can we/should we do that?

More Valentine's Day Stuff

I already posted some about Valentine's Day, but I have a little more to post.

We LOVE the daycare where Tatum goes to school. The teachers are great and they take really great care of our little girl. On top of doing all they do to take care of Tatum, they also do lots of little projects ALL the time. Since I will probably not be that mom that keeps EVERYTHING Tatum makes from now until she turns 18(I'm not that organized), I figured it might be a good idea to just take pictures of them.

So here are a few from Valentine's Day.





This next thing is her bag that she had all of her Valentines and candy in. I think it is my favorite because it just cracks me up everytime I look at it.
This next thing is a card she made for me and Antonio.

And finally, this is a video from the Saturday after Valentine's day. We let her eat a little chocolate. You will see if she liked it or not.

Getting Better...

I just got my WEEKLY call from the nurse and she told me my hcg levels went from 799 last week to 89 this week, which is GREAT! This means I will probably only have to go back to the dr. one more time for this and then hopefully the next time I go in that office I will be pregnant again or in for my annual(that gives me 12 months).

The nurse commented that she feels like I am her new best friend since we talk on the phone so much...lol...she is super sweet, but I have never met her in person. She has been super supportive through all of this and has answers to all my questions whether they are medical questions or just random questions.

Okay now that you think I am a WEIRDO for befriending my nurse through my miscarriage, I must say things are getting better and better. I got to take off week last week and it was good for me so I had time to get better physically and emotionally. Because I was off for 5 days straight, my company said I needed to do short term disability so that I didn't burn up so many sick days. Well, because of the paperwork dance that goes along with STD(that is short term disability) I couldn't go back to work yesterday because the company that handles STD for our company was closed. That meant that I couldn't go back today either. They have to receive a note from my dr's office releasing me back to work and then they have to contact me and tell me I am free to work.

Yesterday I didn't think this protocol was such a big deal, so I went to work anyway and my mgr told me to go home when she found out I was out in the field. I am ready to get back out there but was told we have to do it by the book.

So, I am sitting at home today not doing too much. I feel like I am taking advantage of the situation, but I guess I need to do it by the book.

Also, I have found out in the past few weeks of SO MANY friends finding out they are pregnant. Some have approached me to tell me delicately i guess fearing that I wouldn't take the news so well. So, if any of you are reading this, this is my reaction....

While I DO wish I was pregnant WITH you, I am not. Even with everything going on, I am SUPER excited for all of you. I know how exciting finding out you are pregnant can be. Enjoy your pregnancy. Cherish everything and even when you feel HORRIBLE and having your worst day ever, always know that IT IS ALL WORTH IT! So, I may be a little jealous(I would have been jealous even if I had never had a miscarriage. I LOVED being pregnant until week 37-38), but that doesn't take away any of the excitement and happiness that I feel for your growing families. CONGRATS TO ALL.

BREAKING NEWS.......

..................SHE SAID YES!!!!
I just got word that the 'missions was accomplished' and my bro popped the question to his long time girlfriend and she said yes.

It has been a hard secret to keep that this event was going down this weekend, but I managed to not tell anyone except Antonio. I don't have many pics of the two together, but here is what I have....

Stephanie and Matt again. How cute are they?? We just love her and can't wait for her to be a permanent part of the family!
Stephanie is finishing up LAW school and will be done in May(I think). She is SUPER smart and sure keeps Matt in line....lol...that is a good thing. He finally found someone that can battle him in the political area better than anyone else. I am sure that Stephanie has been treated like a princess by my bro too. He is GREAT at wining and dining his lady! Hopefully, she is appreciative of this great character in Matt.

So, here is a picture that was taken last year of what our family looks like. HUGE and COMPLETE! (please disregard the fact that my sis and I don't look the best because we had just had babies.)

CONGRATS MATT AND STEPHANIE!!!!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY EVERYONE!!!

Tatum had a very busy Valentine's Day. She got dressed up in her V-Day outfit and then I attempted to take 'the perfect' picture to capture the day. Here was my attempt at that...

I tried bribing her with the keys...that didn't work too well.

This next one is probably the best one. She only sat still for a second though...
then she turned her back on me...

After the mini shoot before daycare, Tatum went to school. Let me just say that Tatum's teachers are the BEST!!! Ms. Carol and Ms. Courtney are too good at spoiling me. I just throw my camera in her bag when she has a special day at school and they take pics for me. That way I get to see a little bit of what I miss out on by not being there.

These first two pics are of Tatum standing by the teacher's desk.

Notice in this one....NO HANDS!

Below are some of the other kids in class....from left to right...Lainee, Afton(Tatum's boyfriend at school) and Evalyn.
Cassidy and Tatum
All the girls in class...Lainee, Evalyn, Cassidy, and Tatum

Her whole class...left to right...Afton, Jackson, Lainee, Evalyn, Cassidy, and Tatum. I can't believe they are all sitting and being good!
Tatum sitting in her chair at the table for lunch. She is looking at Afton sitting beside her.

This is how they eat snacks and lunch. Let me just tell you the first time Tatum went in this class when she was only a year old, I NEVER thought she would sit in her chair without trying to get out, but she does it everyday. How cute are they!?!?! Their names are on the table in front of them, so they know where to sit I guess?

Notice, by lunchtime, her ribbons are already gone out of her hair.



So from Antonio, Tatum, April, and ALL of Tatum's class at daycare....

Hope your Valentine's Day is filled with LOVE!!!