So weird.....

Last night I woke up coughing because I had a tickle in my throat (probably a dog hair, but that's beside the point, lol). In my sleepy state I remember thinking that my 20th body part hurt, close to the 19th, but not quite. Um, wth? Apparently I was associating my throat with the number 20, and I have NO idea why. Maybe a synesthesia moment? Or maybe I have seen way too many numbered models of the throat in A and P, haha.

Last night was fun!

So, last night was super fun! We had a nice dinner, and then headed to the comedy show. Our seats were AWESOME....only 6 rows back from the stage. The opening act was really funny, and surprisingly I laughed a lot at Car.lin too. He's a bit funnier in person than on the many CD's I have listened to in DH's car; plus it was new material, so that was nice.

Comdey Concert Tonight

So, DH and I are going to see G.eorge C.ar.lin tonight. I'm not a huge fan, but DH LOVES him and as soon as he found out he was touring in our town we just had to get tickets. I'm actually really happy DH is so excited about it (he even bought new shoes, lol), and I'm happy I get to go on a date with the hubby so basically it's a win-win situation =)

I applied for a new job

Maybe not the best timing in the world, but I HAVE to get out of where I am now. It takes a special kind of crazy to put up with (and ignore) the crap that goes on here, and I just don't have that ability anymore. Basically the new job is a lot like my one here except for the fact I will be over just one type of lab-microbiology to be exact-rather than ALL the labs in the whole department. However, I will not go for less than what I am making now plus the gas difference due to where the job is located from my house, so even if I am qualified (which I am) and get an interview (which would be nice) I may not be able to pull that salary (even though it is well within the pay band listed for the position) and won't take the job.

My heart is breaking......

One of my very best online friends in the whole world, Nancy, just received some devastating news today. She needs tons and tons of support right now-she's pissed, she's hurt, and she has every right to be. I feel so helpless at the moment, and my heart simply breaks for her......

Happy Easter Everyone!!!

Hope you have a great day and enjoy spending time with your family (if you do that sort of thing). God Bless!

I made soup!

So last night I made a variation of a natural soup remedy for chest congestion, and it was super yummy (and super easy!). I just took celery, onions, cabbage, and chicken (I used breast strips) and put it in a pot with chicken stock and water (just enough to cover it), and seasoned it with a little salt, pepper, 1 tsb of curry powder and 1 tsp of cayenne pepper. You can also add chopped garlic if you want, but I forgot to pick it up at the store.

Anyways, it is a really nice soup to eat if you are sick and don't really feel like (or can't tolerate) eating a lot. It feels good on your throat/chest when swallowed, and the ingredients (onions, curry, and cayenne to be exact) actually help fight off the cold symptoms itself.

To-Do Meme *updated*

I have been tagged by Jenn for the to-do list.

Rules:

Step 1. reference back to the blog that sent you.
Step 2. make a list of 5 things you have to get done this week, no matter how small.
Step 3. tag two other people

So, since I am doing this on Friday, can I include Sunday too? Hehehe

1.) Go to a work colloquium today. It will probably be a bit boring, but at least they serve lunch.
2.) Help DH clean the house....I mentioned it was a disaster right?
3.) Take Ginger to the vet.
4.) Give the dogs a bath.
5.) Go to lunch at my aunt's for Easter. Unfortunately DH won't be there because he works =(

OK, I now tag Julie and Monica. =)

**So, the colloquium was actually very interesting, but the lunch....not so much. I took one look at it and knew I couldn't even remotely try to eat it. Fortunately however the cafeteria on campus was serving some yummy vegetarian chili so I ate that instead =) It was wonderful AND it felt so good to my chest when I swallowed.

Well, that's new

So I come home from work for lunch and discovered that Ginger had a huge diarrhea blow-out in her cage. She has NEVER done that before....however, we are in the transition of switching her foods, so apparently that was not a good idea. See, we have been giving her Science Diet Original, but it gave her a lot of gas so I thought it may be upsetting her tummy a little bit. So, because of this DH and I thought changing to Lamb and Rice would help the issue......yeah, guess not.....back to the original it is. I can deal with a few farts, but THIS, no thanks.

I felt so bad for her though because she was so ashamed when I walked in. Her tail was tucked and she didn't look at me. Luckily she is a very clean dog so she folded over her blanket so none of the poop was showing or could get on her.....poor baby.

My dogs love me

So, for those who don't know I have been sick these past few days and trying very hard to keep my fever down. Well last night I decided to run the AC and put the fan on in hopes of freezing it out of me, lol (btw, it worked!), so I slept on the couch so DH wouldn't be disturbed. Well, Ginger decided to sleep with me on the couch while DH and Buster slept in the bed; however around 3:30 Buster had to go outside and when he comes back in he jumps right onto the couch with me. So, from 3:30 to 6:15 the dogs and myself slept on the couch while my husband got the king bed all to himself....someone tell me how this happened again? =P

Oh, and since there has been at least one sick person in my house for a week now it is a complete disaster zone...spring started today so I guess I will have to do some spring cleaning this weekend!

Yay Buster!!

Last night was the first night since we got Buster he didn't have to get up in the middle of the night to potty! When we first got him it was 2:30 or 3:00 every night, then it slowly moved to 4:00, then most recently 5:00 or 5:30....last night though, he didn't have to go out until after I was up and showered. Rock on little buddy! =)

OK...so it might be official (trigs)

I tested yesterday...and sure enough it was a BFP. Can I tell you how weird it feels to write that? How surreal it seems? How it hasn't sunk in yet? I have created a blog, here, specifically related to this pregnancy, so those who want to keep up with my everyday life can still find me on this blog sans the reminder of all things baby.

And now begins the longest wait yet.....

Personal Dog Trainer

So, because my dogs (well, ok really just the ONE dog) is crazy; DH and I hired a personal dog trainer to come to our house and help us teach them manners. I have trained dogs before, but Ginger takes the cake, and I knew I needed extra help and suggestions. The trainer (named Katie too) came over on Friday and spent about an hour and half here. She gave us all sorts of tips and tricks to better communicate with our high energy dog, and gave up plastic prong collars to work on the pulling (btw, it works!). All in all we are on our way to a happy, controlled doggie household =D

And, because I am talking about my dogs I will leave you with a few pictures:

Update and busy weekend

Yeah, it's been a few days since I last posted. There isn't a lot going on, and I am just getting through the 2WW. Speaking of 2WW I am 7dpo today and my temp shot up this morning, you can check it out here. The chart overlay you see is from my IUI in Sept. that resulted in my first BFP. So, in lieu of all of this I am going to start testing Sunday at 9dpiui rather than Monday at 10dpiui just because I can. I found my IC HPTs in a drawer so I am ready to go! LoL. I think I have three left so I will test Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Then if I haven't gotten a BFP yet I will grab a test from work and test Wednesday which will put me testing through 12dpiui....then I'll stop. Sounds completely reasonable right? haha.

The good thing is I do have a lot to keep me busy these next couple of days. My dog trainer is coming at 1:30 this afternoon, and then after that DH and I have to go out to buy gifts for my niece and nephew. Then tomorrow I am leaving at 9:00am to drive upstate (DH is staying home with the dogs) for my niece and nephews birthday party, and will be gone all day. Lastly, on Sunday I have to work for a few hours and clean the house. So all in all it is going to be a fairly busy weekend. *If* by some miracle I get an early BFP on Sunday I will definitely let everyone know....if not I probably won't post again until Monday. Have a great weekend all! =D

You might be infertile if.....

You might be infertile if....

...You've had dye and/or saline injected into your uterus.

....Your husband actually knows what EWCM stands for and asks if you have any.

.....Your husband and the sterile cup have become good friends.

...Your preferred method of sperm/embryo delivery is a catheter through your cervix.

....You've had more than 3 appts a week with the love wand. Actually, you might be infertile if using the phrase "love wand" in conversation is normal, and you are not referring to anything resembling "The Rabbit".

....You get excited over the size of your eggs, and better yet....if there is more than one!

.....You actually get excited over injections, and think the Follistim (or Gonal-F) pen is one kickass tool.

....Anyone at the RE's office knows you by name.

So, what do you think? Ring a bell? ;-) Feel free to add your own in the comments section! =D

Shorts and Photos

I bought shorts yesterday. Now, I know what you are thinking....no big deal, it's a normal purchase...spring is around the corner and shorts are a staple in the summer. However, this is a big deal for me. Number one, I don't really like to wear shorts. Although I am average for my age and height most of my weight is carried in my legs (it's a lovely trait I got from my Dad's side of the family, I mean come on....at 5'1 my legs can only be but so long!). Number two (and maybe the most important) is ever since we began TTC I refuse to buy clothes one season ahead of time because in my heart I just know I will be pregnant by then so I won't be able to wear what I buy AND I of course will be needing to buy more clothes (maternity obviously) by the time "next season" rolls around. But yesterday.....yesterday I broke this ridiculous state of mind and actually bought shorts.....shorts for spring and shorts for summer (very cute plaid ones I may add!). I'm actually a bit proud of myself!

Next, the photos.... After DH and I got back from a little morning shopping his mom came by to drop off some baby pictures of DH for something his work is doing. Now, up until yesterday I had never seen a baby picture of DH...in the only picture I had seen he was around 3 or 4. So, because of this it has always been hard for me to truly picture what our baby would look like ....I always imagined our kid, but never baby.....until yesterday. Yesterday I saw pictures of DH as a baby (around 6 months) and obviously knowing how I looked as an infant I finally got a real idea of what our future might hold. It was such a bittersweet moment....and it made me want this IUI (or one very soon) to work more than ever. DH really was a sweet looking baby....although he always disagrees with me ;-)

IUI complete!

I had some light bleeding/spotting during the procedure because of the catheter (thanks pliable cervix!), but he said it went in fine and all is well. Doc said the sample was excellent (which DH always likes to hear) and told me to take an HPT in 14 days (um, does he know me....my first testing time is St. Patty's Day-10dpiui) and if it is positive call the nurse to schedule bloodwork. *If* it is positive I WILL wait until 14dpiui to actually call them because any sooner they will tell me it might still be the trigger shot.

So, all in all.....everything went well, and now we wait! =) Hmmm, maybe it is a good time to write a letter to my body and politely ask to actually get pregnant today ;-)

Trigger shot done!

Actually, the self-given IM shot wasn't any harder than the subQ ones; I can definitely see how the left side would be harder than the right though. So....the countdown is on.... IUI is T minus 34 hours. Grow follies grow! =)

Milestones

27w2d......third tri......yeah, that's crazy. I can't even imagine being there right now. Although it is odd because there are times I find myself looking in the mirror, and in my head I am imagining my supposed to be belly.....wow, I am talking a lot about my m/c lately, huh?

Speaking of milestones....my EDD for this IUI would be Nov. 28th. If my baby is born between 37 and 38 weeks it will arrive the week of my loss. How is that for timing?

Oh and Jen....to answer your question about whether you think you will be jealous (envious and upset maybe?) of people with babies around the same age yours should have been.....I can say I already do that. For example, a few weeks after my m/c I went to the salon to get a pedicure and while I was there a woman brought in a baby around 6 months old. Now, this baby was her granddaughter and in all honesty I pictured some unwed, teenage child as her mother because the comment was made that they all live together......but anyways I digress. So after a few minutes it hits me....my babies would be right around that age this time next year (next year being 2008, as this happened in 2007). I couldn't even stand to look at that baby anymore (and she was super cute!)....I started to get teary eyed so it was a good thing I was just finishing up and didn't have sit there any longer. I think there will always be that part of your heart that imagines what life would have been even when life is great. Even when another baby comes around, there is always that thought of "this should be my second". I can't stand the fact I am no longer "prima gravida" and no baby to show for it. Of course you will love the new baby with that same fierceness....similarly like I am hoping and praying for a second chance just as hard as I wished for the first....but it is always there. At least I think it is....maybe others would disagree.

RE Update

Just got back from my follie check. I have a 19mm and a 14mm on the left and a 16mm on the right (all rough estimates since he never tells me the exact number, I just watch the screen as he measures). The doc actually wants me to go ahead and trigger tonight rather than do one more day of Follistim and then trigger. Not exactly like last time, but hey, thats OK right? Actually, I think it's because he really tries to avoid doing a Saturday IUI at all costs and he knows Monday would be too late, but thats just me. However, I am going to remain positive about him and this cycle, so I will trust him and trigger tonight. The way I figure it, if they grow 1mm per day (including the rest of today since my appt. was so early) they will be 22(will release), 17 (probably won't release) and 19mm (most likely will release too). So, we are looking at 1 or 2 contenders....I'm good with that. I mean hello, thats all we had in Sept. and it worked and in Jan we had 3 (possibly 4) and nada...so it really is quality, not quantity.

I have a secret to reveal here....I actually bumped up my Follistim last night by a notch (roughly 10IU's) so I'm not *too* worried about the lack of meds tonight. Plus Dr. JA (hmm, maybe I should use a new abbreviation since I am in fact going back to him) always says the trigger usually adds a mm or two right before O, and I don't O until at least 36 hours post trigger.

IUI is set for 8:30 on Friday morning. So, we are going to BD again tonight around 8ish (to keep up with our EOD pattern) and that will give us about 36 hours of abstaining, which should be fine since DH has run a consistent 60mil/mL.

So, thats it.....testing begins around St. Patrick's Day, give or take a day, and AF(should she arrive) will show up around the 21st or 22nd. Also, that gives us one more shot for a 2008 baby if this is a bust.

All in all....I'm good right now, and I am going to try and stay that way =)

Boyscouts and a baby belly

I had to (ok, I agreed) to stay after work today and help my co-worker do a few science experiments with her sons boy scout troupe....no biggie. Well of course one of the mothers there was around 6 months pregnant....just like I would have been. To top it off she had these great mommy boobs too.....damn I miss those! I want them back!!!! =/

Ahhh-Mazing

There is something wonderfully perfect about eating my lunch outside on a soon to be spring day (it's 66 and sunny here right now), watching my puppies play outside in the yard together. The angel food cake for dessert made it an extra yummy stress-free moment too! =D

Cycle speed

Ya know, it always amazes me that my IUI cycles go by so much faster than those where we just wait and see. Maybe it is because I have something to do each night to pass the time....Clomid for 5 days, FSH for 3, then an u/s, more FSH, trigger, then IUI. I'm already on the first day of my Follistim, which is crazy.....time is flying by this time around. Only a weekish until the IUI, and hell, I will know if anything worked by Easter. In like a lion, out like a lamb right? ;-)