A Year in Review

So, 2014 was definitely a tough year! I still laugh at how I feared that 2013 would be unlucky. Here is a look back at the good and the bad that transpired.

January

• Ran two 10K races in an improved time. Find that Cross-Fit is allowing me to run faster with less training. Score!

February

• Ran two Half Marathons.
• Auto accident claims the life of a friend and co-worker. Miss her very much.

March

• Compete in two swim meets. Relay teams earn two USMS Top Ten finishes.
• FET#1 "The Chosen One" yields a BFN.
• Days after my BFN, I learn that two other women in my office are pregnant and a male colleague's wife is expecting.
• Run the final Across the Bay 12K. Will miss this race. It was one of my favourites.
• Twins arrive a little early for Kimberly, but everyone is thriving! 

April

• Travel to Nashville with my Dad to watch the University of Connecticut Women's Basketball team earn their record setting 9th National Championship. Unexpected highlight of the trip: The UCONN Men's team also wins the National Title. Second time in NCAA Division I Basketball history the Men's and Women's Champions are from the same school. Second time in history; it's UCONN.
• Clean out the freezer with FET #2 "The Leftovers" to no avail. Officially nothing to show for our first IVF cycle.            
• My aunt is diagnosed with breast cancer.
• 90 year old grandmother fractures her hip.

May

• Compete in USMS National SCY Swim Meet. Other competitors include Olympian Josh Davis, Olympic Gold Medalists Anthony Ervin and Matt Biondi, as well as the current 100 Metre Free Olympic Gold Medalist Nathan Adrain. Relay team just misses top ten finish.
• Beloved cat Angus receives a fatal diagnosis.
• A beautiful baby girl is born to The Gypsy Mama!

June

• Second stim cycle produces a baker's dozen plus one. Seven blasts are biopsied and four are euploid. Regret that we didn't cancel the retrieval from my first cycle.
• Hearts are broken as we say goodbye to Angus.
• Recovery from stim cycle limits training for Long Course Metres Championship. Enter fewer events, but manage PB in 50 Free.
• Maryland friend gives birth to her second daughter. She received the BFP with her firstborn the same month we started TTC. We have officially become 'lapped'.
• Molly joins the Beloved Burnt Toast family! 
• Fellow member of the 5 Transfer Club, Aubrey delivers twin boys!

July

• Nearly decapitate the tip of my finger in a Mandoline slicer accident. Fortunately, it heals well.
• My Jetta dies after nine years and 145,000 miles together. Find a great deal on a new used one.
• Welcome kitty Tyler into our home and into our hearts. The only possible understanding for Angus's death is that it was to bring Tyler into our family.
• Jessah learns she is expecting her baby sunshine thanks to a very special egg donor! 
• Aramis brings home a unique souvenir from the Czech Republic - a Chalupa Batman!

August

• Two outstanding new colleagues join our practice.
• After a long and full life, my Grandmother passed away.
• FET #3 "The Hopeful One" is yet another failure. We really suck at IVF.
• Lilee Davey becomes 'that girl'!

September

• Pass Re-certification Board Exam. I can keep working. Yay.
• Amanda announces her exciting plans for adoption!
• CCRM finds the right formula to bring My Lady Bits her first BFP!

October

• Trip to the East Coast to visit my parents and Myrtle. Pleasant surprise as I get an opportunity to meet up with Maryland friend who is visiting her parents in Boston. Watch Husband umpire top level NCAA field hockey teams including defending (later to be repeat) Champions, UCONN.
• Run 10 K and 5 K (post transfer).
• A year after the painful loss of her twins, Conceptionally Challenged welcomes her Strawberry Baby!
• A successful hysteroscopy helps put a plan in place for The Run Away Stork.
• Urban Legend Torthuil gives birth to her baby girl!

November

• FET #4 "The Kitchen Sink" produces a BFP!
• My aunt completes her adjunctive cancer treatment just as a close friend and swim teammate is diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 42.
• At last, initial ultrasound reveals a viable fetus! We celebrate by attending UCONN/Stanford women's basketball game. Stanford prevails in overtime. How long are the odds of us having a good scan on the day when UCONN women lose a game? Must be a sign of the Apoclypse.
• Run 10 mile race, a 10K and a half marathon.
• Shay welcomes her baby boy!
• A long awaiting BFP and viable ultrasound arrives for Maddie!
• Meet up with Isabelle for lunch IRL. Toast the five embryos from her mini IVF cycles.
• Pre-eclampsia brings an early delivery for Nina, but her little boy is a fighter!

December

• My mother officially retires.
• After two and a half years, I am finally able to leave my RE.
• Run 10 K trail race. Blow past a young and fit looking guy. Tempted to tell him "better speed up your game bro, you're getting beat by a preggo".
• While kicking for two, still manage a sub 8 minute finish in USMS Postal 400 Yard Kick for Time.
• After many failed cycles, a close friend in England has a BFP to bring her baby#2!
• Infertile Girl in a Fertile World has success with her first IVF cycle!
• Thanks to a very special surrogate, Suzanne receives a BFP for Christmas!