Christmas

    This was my oldest daughters 1st Christmas dress she wore 13 years ago...today Ella wears it.

My little monkey

And here she is with her 3 brothers and big sissy

Americas Funniest Home Videos

So exciting! Our Microsort baby won Americas Funniest Home Videos and we fly out in 8 days for L.A. You can watch it October 23, 2011 on ABC. Wish us luck=)

I just wanted to UPDATE you all: we took 2nd place and won $3,000.00. It was an amazing experience! It aired last Sunday and El was awake to watch it, when her clip came on, she sat straight up and pointed at the TV! lol I can't wait to tell her all about it when she's older, but for now she has a few memorabilia pieces: stuffed gerbil the hotel gave her, AFV tshirt, and a copy of the show on DVD.

The family

Our Microsort baby is ONE

Ella turned one on June 28, 2011. We celebrated with family on July3rd. That morning my husbands parents and his sister drove up from Fairfax, VA to spend the day with us. My parents were also present and visiting from Alaska. It was a Sunday so we all attended church where we had Ella dedicated to God. Here is a photo of our whole family: Pastor Coon, baby Ella, John (Daddy), Sarah (Mommy), back row: Jen (John's sister), MomMom Sue (John's mother), PopPop Rich (John's father), Noni Robin (Sarah's mother), Papa Don (Sarah's father), Front row siblings: Tavin, Tanton, Torin, and Megan.

 

After Church we went for Brunch at IHOP, this was Ellas Favorite place to eat when i was pregnant with her. 

Then it was home for the festivities. I made the fabric banner, the cake, and the cupcakes. You will notice in the photos that Ella does not like to be messy=) Daddy's face gets the cake and she helps him get cleaned off by eating the cake on his face. lol

  

11 months

SERIOUSLY FUNNY! She's mastered the fit and it turns off as quick as it turns on. ahahaha

Fun in the sun; El and her siblings=)

Ella's new Kitchen

I love her tippy toes<3 my little ballerina!

10 months

Genetics&IVF Institute 25th Annual Baby Reunion

I had the pleasure of attending the 25th Annual Baby Reunion, it was our very first time;as Ella is only 10 month old. Dr. Jones was not there, he's recently retired. And Nancy Gallucci was also absent, due to a family emergency. You both were missed and prayers have been sent your way Nancy! I spoke with Stephen R. Lincoln, MD, FACOG, he was my main hands on doctor when we made Ella. He spoke of his twin 15 year old boys. I said, "O, so you used IVF as well?" He replied that he in fact did not and believes God has a sense of humor considering his profession. lol Ah Yes, you have to laugh with God on that one:) Here is a photo of Dr. Stephen and Ella:
I also spoke with Joseph D. Schulman, MD the GIVF founder. I was shocked and pleasantly surprised that he knew of this blog! We spoke for quite some time on all matters. I asked more about when Microsort was to be FDA approved and he stated that they are still gathering the study data and waiting on a court date. I was honored that he asked if i would consider speaking at the hearing. I believe wholeheartedly in Microsort and have tried to be a voice for them through this blog, www.in-gender.com, and personal conversations. Currently Microsort is closed to gender selection and they are only open to those with genetic disorders at this time. I spoke with several families at this renuion and each one had their own unique story. It seemed that in every direction there were single, double, and even triple blessings! The very first GIVF baby was in attendance with her husband=) How awesome is that! Here is a photo of her, in the white sweater cutting the cake:

There was another mother and daughter (daughter in her twenties), my mind drifted off into thoughts of when Ella grows up and how year after year this will be such a special event. Everyone was so friendly and it felt as if it was an extended family. There was yet another family with their two red headed boys ages 8 and 3. She told me how they were created at the same time, but the younger child was frozen until they went back again to conceive. Trying to wrap ones mind around that is baffling. Twins, yet born years apart! All these families, all these very much wanted children, all the love you could feel, gratefulness, and gratitude. And the gracious, friendly doctors who feel like they are part of the family, THANK YOU! I must add that the stuffed animal they hand out is an already adored lovey:

Here's additional photos of my older 4 who enjoyed the clowns and face painting. 

El's old man laugh...she cracks us up!

~ Eight months ~

Ella playing baby dolls

7 Months old

6 months

6 months old

12-28-2010 Ella turned 6 months old. On that day we were at Mount Vernon touring George Washington's home where Ella got her 1st tooth. This will be such a loved memory. I purchased a Christmas ornament to remember that day as well as a 2007 ornament to remember the day my Hubby and i were there in 2007 while on our honeymoon=) Here are some photos of Ella and one of us at G.W.s home.