Happy Holidays from the Cox Family 2023
I hope this finds everyone well.
So much has gone in the last few years that we wanted to send out an update en masse. I (Jenny) have also been super busy and (not a slacker but…) needed to send out thank you cards for all the wonderful shower gifts we received for Baby Cox last year as well. In my defense I was pregnant/postpartum and in a fellowship working 70+ hours a week. You know me, I never half ass things. To bring you up to date…
During 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 Marc has been traveling and working in Urgent Cares across Wisconsin including Sheboygan, Marionette, Wausau and is now in Appleton until February 2024 (with plans to return home permanently). 2020 saw Jenny in the Emergency Room, the ICU through the height of Covid and then Urgent Care. She really enjoyed her ICU experience and decided to find a fellowship to further her education and so started applying in early 2022.
Our IVF journey has been ongoing for quite some time. We kept waiting for it to be the right time, for both of us to have jobs and to be in the same place. After 9 years we finally stopped waiting for that time to come, knowing that things would turn out just how they were supposed to. 2 egg harvests provided 75 eggs which were narrowed to 14 embryos that were sent for testing. The result was 1 perfect embryo which was implanted with a 30% chance of success. Needless to say, neither of us thought it would take but baby cox had other plans and decided to stick around.
Within two weeks of finding out that the pregnancy was viable, Jenny was accepted into the Critical Care Fellowship in Pittsburgh at UPMC, the birthplace of Critical Care. Before Jenny was to start her grueling schedule, we went on a cruise with some of our dearest friends in a memorial tribute to Jenny’s dearest friend who passed in 2021. The trip even included a distillery tour which Jenny had to unfortunately abstain from.
While on our trip we found a beautiful painting to add to our collection and look forward to eventually displaying it when we finally build our forever home (most likely in the library).
Jenny also enjoyed her annual participation in the Dogwood Festival 2022, knowing she would have to miss the 2023 festival.
Jenny made the move to Pittsburgh while Marc continued working in Wisconsin. Less than a week in the new apartment, Jenny got to spend fourth of July with Bernice, her co-fellow and soon to be dear friend and co-troublemaker.
Marc continued to work in Wausau for almost 2 years with a great crew who got to cheer him along as Jenny went through pregnancy in Pittsburgh. Jenny found amazing support through all the Fellows in the Critical Care Fellowship (APP and MD alike) with 70-hour work weeks, projects, journal clubs, education hours, constant stress and drinking from a fire hydrant on little to no sleep.
In September 2022 Jenny had the opportunity to go to the Pittsburgh Renaissance Fair, plus she had a virtual baby shower. In October she had the opportunity to get Maternity photos despite 40-degree windy conditions.
Baby Cox made his arrival into the world on November 1st, 2022, with Marc (and Jenny) in attendance on the third push after 13 minutes of active labor and was dubbed Ronan Alexander Cox. Marc returned to Wisconsin and Bernice kept Jenny sane after his departure by taking Jenny and 4-day old Ronan to the Zoo. Jenny was visited by Marc’s sister Laura as well as her own Sister Cat. She additionally traveled down to visit along the way to the Myrtle Beach Ren Fair 2022, getting to visit with Carol (dubbed Grandma Carol) and Papa Barry, Deidra, Barb, Bob, Brian and the rest of the South Carolina Crew including Anita and Ro. Jenny’s Mom joined for the Ren Faire and Granny Sue Ellen and Papa Randy (Marc’s parents) were on the visitation list while in Myrtle Beach. When Jenny returned, Cat arrived, and newborn photos were taken.
We still managed to maintain our Christmas tradition of lights with a trip to Wisconsin right before Jenny returned to work from her 6-week maternity leave. Christmas was spent with Heather and her family (one of Jenny’s coworkers) who were supportive and welcoming. Ronan was dubbed Ro-Ro and they even had gifts for the little man.
The next 7 months were mostly a blur. Jenny was supported by two amazing nannies who helped with sanity and ensuring that Ronan was raised in a loving environment with other kids while Jenny was working to fulfill her fellowship goals. Amber (one of Ronan’s nannies) even introduced him to his first girlfriend, 7-month-old Even and Ronan met when he was just 7 weeks old. Ronan had the opportunity to visit the Children’s Museum, the Heinz History Museum, the botanical gardens, the Zoo, the National Aviary, and a multitude of parks while in Pittsburgh.
Jenny graduated in June of 2023 alongside Bernice and many other gifted clinicians with Marc, Ronan, and Kevin (Bernice’s significant other) in attendance.
In July Ronan started swim lessons and has since lived up to his name Ronan which means “little seal” in Irish.
Marc was home the month of August, and Jim (Jenny’s dad) came up for a trip to Niagara Falls. Ronan had the opportunity to begin his international travel and we all had the opportunity to see the falls, the Niagara power plant and Bird Kingdom. Marc had the opportunity to eat at a hard rock cafe and checked that off his list (now he doesn’t have to eat there again). We even had the opportunity to see Falling Waters while Jim was visiting.
The job search for Jenny provided the unexpected opportunity to make a move to San Antonio and work in a Cardiothoracic and Transplant ICU which is building an APP (Advanced Practice Provider) program. Interestingly one of Marc’s brothers by choice retired to San Antonio. The decision was an easy one.
October saw Marc thankfully home for the move to San Antonio. The house was packed, and the two-week journey began. Along the way we had the opportunity to stop and see many of our friends and family (and do lots of laundry after begging use of their washers and dryers). Ronan’s extensive visited states list now includes WI, PA, NY, VA, WV, NC, SC, GA, AL, MS, LA, TX, and CO (and technically IL airport). He has been on many flights (4 trips) and has charmed many flight attendants and passengers.
During the Month of November Jenny brough Ronan on a trip to go to the Myrtle Beach Ren Faire as well as Denver for thanksgiving. While there, Ronan was knighted as the youngest member of the Order of the Dragonfly and got to spend quality time with the Queen and other knights of the realm.
Of course, this holiday we continued the tradition of Christmas lights both in Denver during Thanksgiving as well as in San Antonio and of course, a visit with Santa.
Sending all our love and best wishes this Holiday Season to every one of you. Know that you are a part of our family, and we appreciate all the support you have given us in the last few years on this crazy journey we call life!
| Always, Marc, Jenny, and Sir Ronan |