Cullen is now two (pictures of his birthday to come once I pull them off my camera), and the one thing I love about this age is the things that come out of his mouth sometimes. Example:
Cullen walks out of the laundry room with my bra wrapped around his chest saying, "My boobies, my boobies". Then he drops it on the ground, looks at me and goes, "Where'd my boobies go?"
Lol, love him.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Back to my roots
Ya know, it's funny, when you go through IF even when you aren't trying, anything that has to do with your "cycle" takes your brain to that TTC place. For example, I am currently off BC. No, we aren't trying right now, and I was fairly happy with the BC I was on (Nuvaring) but Thomas and I were trying to cut any extra monthly expenses out and barrier methods (ie spermacide) are a lot cheaper. Plus I'm going back to my gyno in Jan and I am going to try and convince her to give me the patch (which I love)....however if not (because she really doesn't like it) I am probably going to stay off BC because we *might* starting trying in about a year or so. So this is my first cycle off BC and here have been some of the things I have been keeping "track" of...
CD....currently(based on the fact it's technically the 26th) I am on cd30
CM....mostly creamy, no EWCM to speak of
FD....because of our schedules this month we have only FD'd once, on cd12 to be exact.
Signs of impending AF...I know since this is my first cycle it may take a bit to adjust, but this week I have been super bloated and my boobs are tender so I'm hoping these are signs of her arrival. My cycles off BCP were usually 30-36 days. Even though we aren't trying, being "regular" is comforting...at least I know what to expect.
I am also trying out different barrier methods other than condoms. So far I have tried the films...hated them, plus it gave me a yeast infection...blah! And now we are going to try the little spermacide inserts instead...we will see. Has anyone had any experience with these? Like, dislike?
Lastly, has anyone out there experienced weight gain after coming off BC, particularly the nuvaring? While on it, I maintained my normal weight....however since stopping it at the end of last month I have gaind 6-7 lbs! No diet changes, no activity changes....the only thing that changed was coming off of BC. Is that normal? When we started to try back in 2005 I was coming off the pill and never had this problem. Any thoughts?
CD....currently(based on the fact it's technically the 26th) I am on cd30
CM....mostly creamy, no EWCM to speak of
FD....because of our schedules this month we have only FD'd once, on cd12 to be exact.
Signs of impending AF...I know since this is my first cycle it may take a bit to adjust, but this week I have been super bloated and my boobs are tender so I'm hoping these are signs of her arrival. My cycles off BCP were usually 30-36 days. Even though we aren't trying, being "regular" is comforting...at least I know what to expect.
I am also trying out different barrier methods other than condoms. So far I have tried the films...hated them, plus it gave me a yeast infection...blah! And now we are going to try the little spermacide inserts instead...we will see. Has anyone had any experience with these? Like, dislike?
Lastly, has anyone out there experienced weight gain after coming off BC, particularly the nuvaring? While on it, I maintained my normal weight....however since stopping it at the end of last month I have gaind 6-7 lbs! No diet changes, no activity changes....the only thing that changed was coming off of BC. Is that normal? When we started to try back in 2005 I was coming off the pill and never had this problem. Any thoughts?
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness
Ok, so technically the observation week occured back in Sept., the 13-19 to be exact, BUT I just found this and wanted to participate. Im not even sure CF can be considered an "invisible illness" but by all accounts it should qualify b/c you can look at me and "see" something wrong. So, here we go.
30 things about my invisible illness you may not know.....
1. The illness I live with is: Cystic Fibrosis
2. I was diagnosed with it in the year: 1985
3. But I had symptoms since: I've never been without them, it has always been normal.
4.The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is: It has been different during different stages of my life. As a child I was very selective who I spent my time with in regards to friends bc some of the symptoms can be embarassing. Growing up it was just constant doctor visits, and during my teen years my diet adjustment was the biggest deal. Now that I've been hit with more of the respiratory issues of CF, I have to watch I dont get overexerted doing "normal" things like running errands or playing with my son, but that is geting better every day.
5. Most people assume: Hmm, Im not sure...most of the time people are very surprised to find out I have CF
6. The hardest part about mornings are: coughing up yucky crap
7. My favorite medical TV show is: Anything on Discovery Health. I like true, unusal cases and stories.
8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is: In regards to CF, or in general? For CF, it would probably have to be my inhaler.
9. The hardest part about nights are: Again, coughing up yucky crap and just breathing in general.
10. Each day I take __ pills & vitamins. Now, I only take one pill on a regular basis because my digestive stuff is under control with diet; however growing up I easily took 20 pills a day. I really should be on more now though. Im horible at remembering to take pills.
11. Regarding alternative treatments I: Think they can work if you find the right one. I do pilates for my breathing.....yeah, I love the muscle tone benefit as well, but I notice a huge difference in my breathing when I do it regularly.
12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose: Invisible, it's all I know.
13. Regarding working and career: I used to not think about how it impacts my career, but more recently it has. Just recently I gave up education on a nursing career because the direct patient care was constantly keeping me sick and I was missing a lot of work. Working nights hurts my health too, more than the average wear and tear.
14. People would be surprised to know: No surprise, but Im really stubborn about my disease.
15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been: That I am actually sick. Although I have lived with CF my entire life, it has more recently caused me problems that bring my reality to the forefront of my life. Most days I dont feel sick, and for that I am thankful.
16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was: conceive, birth, and breastfeed my son.
17. The commercials about my illness: None
18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is: I cant' answer this....however I have never not done something on a normal basis bc of CF.
19. It was really hard to have to give up: My education and career in nursing. I still have a bachelor in Science, but I wanted more.
20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is: CF is the reason I started pilates. I love it.
21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would: Well, I am lucky to feel normal a lot more than most, but I would greatly appreciate a day without coughing....not sure what I would do special though. Run a marathon maybe? haha
22. My illness has taught me: Perspective
23. Want to know a secret? One thing people say that gets under my skin is: Nothing really. There isn't a lot to say about CF.
24. But I love it when people: Say how healthy I seem.
25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is: Music gets me through anything. Especially Christian.
26. When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell them: You aren't alone, treatments are better all the time, and I truly believe a cure will be found.
27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is: How normal it is.
28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was: My friends and family lift me up in more ways than I can count.
29. I’m involved with Invisible Illness Week because: N/A
30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel: Like you care
30 things about my invisible illness you may not know.....
1. The illness I live with is: Cystic Fibrosis
2. I was diagnosed with it in the year: 1985
3. But I had symptoms since: I've never been without them, it has always been normal.
4.The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is: It has been different during different stages of my life. As a child I was very selective who I spent my time with in regards to friends bc some of the symptoms can be embarassing. Growing up it was just constant doctor visits, and during my teen years my diet adjustment was the biggest deal. Now that I've been hit with more of the respiratory issues of CF, I have to watch I dont get overexerted doing "normal" things like running errands or playing with my son, but that is geting better every day.
5. Most people assume: Hmm, Im not sure...most of the time people are very surprised to find out I have CF
6. The hardest part about mornings are: coughing up yucky crap
7. My favorite medical TV show is: Anything on Discovery Health. I like true, unusal cases and stories.
8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is: In regards to CF, or in general? For CF, it would probably have to be my inhaler.
9. The hardest part about nights are: Again, coughing up yucky crap and just breathing in general.
10. Each day I take __ pills & vitamins. Now, I only take one pill on a regular basis because my digestive stuff is under control with diet; however growing up I easily took 20 pills a day. I really should be on more now though. Im horible at remembering to take pills.
11. Regarding alternative treatments I: Think they can work if you find the right one. I do pilates for my breathing.....yeah, I love the muscle tone benefit as well, but I notice a huge difference in my breathing when I do it regularly.
12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose: Invisible, it's all I know.
13. Regarding working and career: I used to not think about how it impacts my career, but more recently it has. Just recently I gave up education on a nursing career because the direct patient care was constantly keeping me sick and I was missing a lot of work. Working nights hurts my health too, more than the average wear and tear.
14. People would be surprised to know: No surprise, but Im really stubborn about my disease.
15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been: That I am actually sick. Although I have lived with CF my entire life, it has more recently caused me problems that bring my reality to the forefront of my life. Most days I dont feel sick, and for that I am thankful.
16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was: conceive, birth, and breastfeed my son.
17. The commercials about my illness: None
18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is: I cant' answer this....however I have never not done something on a normal basis bc of CF.
19. It was really hard to have to give up: My education and career in nursing. I still have a bachelor in Science, but I wanted more.
20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is: CF is the reason I started pilates. I love it.
21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would: Well, I am lucky to feel normal a lot more than most, but I would greatly appreciate a day without coughing....not sure what I would do special though. Run a marathon maybe? haha
22. My illness has taught me: Perspective
23. Want to know a secret? One thing people say that gets under my skin is: Nothing really. There isn't a lot to say about CF.
24. But I love it when people: Say how healthy I seem.
25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is: Music gets me through anything. Especially Christian.
26. When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell them: You aren't alone, treatments are better all the time, and I truly believe a cure will be found.
27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is: How normal it is.
28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was: My friends and family lift me up in more ways than I can count.
29. I’m involved with Invisible Illness Week because: N/A
30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel: Like you care
Saturday, November 6, 2010
From my parents computer
My parents spend a lot of time with Cullen and consequently they have a lot of photos of him too on their computer. So, in honor of the fact my son is turing two in 12 days, I wanted to post a few pictures from over the years that they have taken.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Update needed
Apparently I need to update things around here. For those who wondered (btw, thank you!) I did make it out of the hospital that Monday after a 5 day "vacation". Unfortunately however 2 weeks later I got sick again with chest congestion and a fever....fun days, let me tell ya...but since then I have been feeling pretty well and Im back to working out again, which helps tremendously.
Other life happenings have been going on as well....my Father in law passed away in Sept. and we went to the beach in mid October. Im still working nights as of right now, but I've been actively trying to find a new job.
I am going to write a more in depth post about each thing, but right now I will leave you with some of my favorite shots throughout the last few months.....
Other life happenings have been going on as well....my Father in law passed away in Sept. and we went to the beach in mid October. Im still working nights as of right now, but I've been actively trying to find a new job.
I am going to write a more in depth post about each thing, but right now I will leave you with some of my favorite shots throughout the last few months.....
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