Our German plans...

About 5 years ago Sam and I got to travel to Raimstein Air Base in Germany. We loved it and continued hopping that one day we would get an opportunity to live overseas. About a year ago that fantasy seemed like it might actually come true for us. Sam was offered a few choices on his next job, and fortunately for us Germany was where one of those jobs was located. I was ready to jump at the opportunity to not only visit but live in Europe for a couple of years. Sam was more cautious, he talked to people he trusted in his field and asked for thoughts on the actual job that was offered in Germany. I got lucky again when it was agreed that the new job was a good prospect for Sam’s career. Everything appeared to be falling into place it looked as if we would be heading to Germany!
It was very frustrating that there wasn’t much to do for the move so far out. We researched the area talked to people who had gone through the overseas moving process before, but there was nothing we could officially accomplish until the move got closer. Sam and I were more than ready when it was finally time to start the process, we knew it could and probably would be a long tedious, paper heavy process. We thought we were prepared.

A Sane Plan...

I am so relieved that Laura’s surgery is behind us. Tuesday definitely made it into the top worst days of my life, although the days leading up were not the best either I tormented myself with worry. I honestly haven’t been sure I would make it through the last few days. I’m still not sure I made it through sane. Now all that’s left is an overseas move to Germany. No biggie right?

A planned fortune...

Lately in an attempt to save money and get us ready for our move outside of the U.S., away from some of our favorite chain restaurant, I have been trying to prepare some of the dishes we would usually enjoy out at home. One of my absolute favorites is Chinese food from PEI WEI, specifically Dan Dan noodles. I have been experimenting with recipes to make this at home for years, but nothing beats good old Chinese takeout. A couple of nights ago for my Birthday we splurged on PEI WEI, I had been looking forward to it for days. After my Dan Dan Noodles and Sam’s boring Pork Fried Rice were eaten we moved on to Laura’s favorite part of the meal, fortune cookies. The message inside my cookie read: Your wish will come true next month. This makes me happy and as usual I have floated all my hopes on this small piece of paper!

No Joking Plan...

As part of our straining moving process Laura and I had to get checkups this morning on base. The doctor offices here insist on asking me questions I consider stupid, they just don't get me.
The form I had to fill out asked: Have you had a recent weight loss? I wrote "I wish”, apparently you were supposed to just check "yes" or "no" not add any comments.
The next question was "How long have you had the issue that brought you in today?” my response "I've had my body my whole life".
Then we got to see a nurse he asked me "what are you taking clomid for?" this one actually left me speechless, no smart retort came to me, I eventually recovered and said "UMM to have a baby". He seemed to find this answer acceptable.
Laura's doctor asked me if she has ever stop breathing in her sleep, I said "I guess not, she's always been alive in the morning".
The pediatrician thought that Laura was now “mature” enough to handle the tough questions and she asked “what would you do if a stranger pulled up with a car full of puppies and asked you to go for a ride?” Laura just looked at her, why would she get in a car full of dogs? When did the creepy pedophiles stop offering candy and adopt so many pets?
Don’t think that I haven’t learned anything in the last 8 years of military doctors though. I learned the hard way that when they ask “Are you having any suicidal thoughts?” Do not answer with “Not recently”.

An Old Plan...

Today is my 29th Birthday, I feel old. Recently when I go to the mall I have more in common with the parents waiting outside the load, dark and trendy stores then I do with the teenagers shopping inside. When did this happen? I still feel like the same me I was 9 years ago, but now I’m considerable closer to 30 then 20.

Sam and I 9 Years ago. (April 20, 2002)

Another Planned Surgery...

A few months ago being the responsible parent that I am, I took Laura to the Dentist. After the x-rays were taken and her teeth were all shinned up the dentist came in for his exam. Then he told me there was a problem, I was shocked. Sam, the actual responsible parent, does an excellent job overseeing Laura’s dental hygiene. The dentist was concerned about the size of her tonsils, he told me that he looks in kids mouths all day and he was stunned by the size of Laura’s tonsils. He explained that cosmetically larger tonsils can effect kids jaw growth and give them a bigger overbite, he suggested we see an ENT. Because as I mentioned we are “responsible parents” we headed to the ear, nose and throat doctor. The ENT told us that her tonsils are undeniably large but he was more concerned with what we couldn’t see, he would have to perform some test. A few minutes later the test were done and we had a little graph to show us the results, fluid was trapped in Laura’s ears by her adenoids. The doctor expressed his concerns about how this is affecting her hearing and a contributing factor to her speech problem. He suggested that we remove her tonsils and adenoids before it becomes an emergency situation. I went home to discuss this news with the Sam. Ultimately we decided that the best move for us would be to have the surgery done over Laura’s spring break from school. On Tuesday April, 19th we head back into the operating room, for Laura’s second surgery. Her first procedure, a removal of a cyst under her eye, can fairly be called an abysmal day for me. Not only was I a ball of nerves before and during but when Laura woke up combative from the anesthesia, pulling at her one little stitch I was no longer useful. A couple hours and one up chuck onto grandma later, Laura was back to her typical self, asking when she could go swimming. I have been assured that the stitches and wounds from the tonsillectomy will not be visibly oozing, so I have hope for me yet.

Laura's eye after surgury: May 19th, 2009

Another year of planing...

Somewhere in the last couple of months we arrived at our 1 year of trying to conceive mark. This is not a milestone I wanted to reach, but here we are. This not so wonderful juncture called for a visit to Dr. J. she assured us that despite the fact that some of our test had to be redone in the last couple of months everything was in perfect working order, nothing was wrong. After the last year this news was less comforting then one would expect. Now that a year has passed we have some, but not many, options. Sam and I could visit a “fertility specialist” although once here are options would be limited, ultimately all the specialist would be able to do that Dr. J. hadn’t was force a conception via invitro or artificial insemination. A specialist no matter how special she was cannot get us pregnant naturally. Therefore Sam and I decided to try the next option another 3 Months of Clomid to try to conceive as independently as possible. I had already completed 2 months of this fertility drug and wasn’t excited about another couple months. We were assured that all the test show that this drug was unquestionable doing its job, while on Clomid I was defiantly ovulating. Because of the risk of multiples while on this medication Sam was initially not 100% committed, but I quickly squashed any concerns with “I will take any babies I can get”. Hopefully in the next couple months my uterus gets the message and is on board with the program!

A Dam of paper work.....

As it turns out moving overseas is damn hard, and not like blocking water dam! Sam has a lot of paper work and meetings on the subject. We have to get a bunch of forms filled out for various reasons. I still have to confirm this, but I think him making me do these forms counts as spousal abuse. I have to get a form filled out by my doctor and dentist along with Laura's doctor, dentist and school. None of these places are together some require appointments, some you can just walk in, some are only open in the afternoon and some have no idea what I am talking about. Out of the 5 forms that have been delegated to me I may have a lead on one. I can always resort to my old standby: If I ignore it long enough maybe it will go away.