I lied yesterday. An out and out lie to my mom. We went to dinner and she asked me if I was tttc. The question really caught me off guard and I was pissed at myself because I know she asked because she saw the progesterone in the fridge. I have been hiding it when she comes and forgot yesterday in the stress of spotting and cramping. Damn! So, I told her that I wasn’t trying yet and that maybe sometime after the summer. I think she knew I was lying too as I don’t lie very often and am very bad at it. But, she didn’t call me on it. Afterwards I was pissed (as well as feeling guilty) at 1) not hiding the progesterone in the first place. I know better. 2) being caught by surprise like that 3) not coming up with a truth that avoided the issue like “I am not currently trying”, which is technically true. Or, I prefer not to discuss the detail of my ttc plans and will let you know at some point in the future. Or, something like that. Instead, I said the first thing that came to mind (after cursing myself for the progesterone and getting myself in the situation to begin with), which was a lie. I feel bad for it, but not bad enough to admit to the lie just yet.
While I am confessing, let me say that I also lied to a fellow SMC friend (who has put ttc on hold and dating) on Friday when I had lunch with her when I told her that I wasn’t going in for a beta until Monday. She called on Monday and I told her it was positive and then told her I actually had the first one on Friday before we met, but didn’t have the results yet but wanted a bit of time between getting the news and having to tell people. I think she understood.
I feel a little bad for my fibs (sounds better than lie, huh?), but sometimes you just don't want to talk about things and people ask pointed questions. I guess I should just have the strength of character to tell them in a polite way that is none of their business or that I don't want to talk about it.
I almost never lie and here I lied twice in one week. I had better get myself into Church to reform my ways. It has been a month or so since Max and I made it to a service.
So, the blood was dropped off hours ago and it is now 7:15 pm PT and I do not have my results. I wasn’t really expecting them until my RE said they would get back to me today. I ask the nurse drawing my blood if he was serious and would I really get them back today. She said yes. Good thing I didn’t count on it. I know they are in cycle and it was a really late blood draw so I am fine with not getting them today. But, since they said I would, I am a bit worried that the results are bad and they are waiting for Dr. N to tell me and he either is still busy working or had to get home to the family. Okay, maybe I am a bit worried and anxious for the results.
The several handfuls of peanut M&M’s I had as a mid afternoon snack are making me feel a bit ill and shaky. I know that much sugar isn’t good for me, especially so late in the day. Sigh! That is what I get for 1) stopping by the store on the way home (but, I really needed food for Max who is currently boycotting…by either spitting forcefully or slowly dribbling the food down his chin…my sweet boy) 2) bringing my enemy (as my former ww instructor would say) home with me. Big sigh!
I was feeling much better after going to the clinic and talking to my RE who came in to the waiting room to see me when he saw me and asked how I was doing and didn’t make me feel like a looser for being a PITA and worrying. He said my numbers had doubled fine and that it didn’t matter that they started out much lower than Max, they were solid. And, that I did the spotting and cramping thing with Max.
I wish they hadn’t told me I would get the results today. They always have the Dr. give the bad news at my clinic. Okay, I guess I don’t know that for sure so I would say…I have always been given my bad news directly from my doc. The good news is a 50/50 deal, sometimes is the nurse first with a follow up from the RE or sometimes it is from the RE directly.
Enough stalling. Time to go clean up Max’s toys, finish putting the groceries away, and prep a meal for this weekend. It became very clear yesterday when Max devoured a good portion of my meal in the restaurant last night and made a good dent in the left overs today, that I am going to have to start cooking again. Something I haven’t done really since I was pregnant with him. But, I want him to eat healthy fresh meals and a wide variety while he is still too young to have strong preferences. His nanny mentioned mac-n-cheese today. Yes, it is easy and most kids like it. Shoot, I like it. But, I am hoping to wait a year or so before he gets hotdogs and mac-n-cheese and many other American kid staples. This means work and planning and prep for me.
PS. Only bright red blood today on and off with one instance of watery pink blood on the TP. When telling a friend about my black undie strategy, she suggested a niche market for blank panty liners. On the way home from the clinic, I added black TP. Personally, I think this is a grand idea. What you can’t see will not stress you out? If black TP and liners were available, would YOU buy them? I would. I really would. Even if they were double the price of the tidy whities. They would only be used for “special” occasions. Takers?
As I told my RE, I am doing okay today because it is only the spotting. If I am only spotting or only cramping, I can usually maintain a relatively calm attitude. It is when I both spot and cramp at the same time that I worry, obsess, get really really scared.
Boy, results tonight would be nice. Sigh. 7:45 pm PT. It is not going to happen. I really should focus on the tasks on hand and get my “chores” done.
Damn!
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
My Brilliant Boy
I am sure that every mom feels this way about her kid, at least I hope she would, but my Max is clearly brilliant as well as cute. And, yes, he does have a great personality!
Max Today Waking Up From Nap
The other day, he clearly made the baby sign I have been using for “no more”, palm down waving hand back and forth. In the past, I could tell he understood because when I would do the sign or say “no more” he would do his old favorite of fingers over the mouth and go wa wa wa wa wa. He is progressing to waving his hand across the tray of his high chair causing whatever is remaining to go flying. Not exactly what I was going for, but he is getting his point across. LOL. I acknowledge these cases with a prompt removal from the highchair, but really praise it up when he does the sign without the food flying bit. He can wave “Bye Bye/Adios”. He can “kiss” (open wet mouthed smackerou). Now, I am working on the baby sign we are using for “eat”, fingers to the lips. The kid is smart. He seems to “get it”.
Over the weekend, I was letting him play in the back yard while I swept leaves. As usual, he tried to put them directly into his month. However, unlike in the past, when I told him to “not eat the leaves” he smiled and put them down. Of course, I had to tell him that about 20 times, but each time, he looked at me, smiled, and put them down to move on to another part of the back yard and new leaves. LOL.
His word recognition in both English and Spanish is quite phenomenal, if I do say so myself, which I do. However, unprompted, Naomi has told me the same thing. She says his is “very intelligent” (in Spanish). So, it is not just me. (smile)
One early morning when he was in my bed with me playing with “his” TV remote (the one that doesn’t work anymore). He took the back off where the battery goes. I looked at him amazed. I put it back on and handed the remote back to him. Once again, he took it off. I put it back on and gave him back the remote. A third time, he put his little finger on the lever and took the back off then gave me a big smile, like “yes momma, I do know how to do this”. He is not yet 10 months. How did he figure that out? Incredible!
I have this big entertainment center in the living room that has three sections and each section has a cupboard at the bottom with a door that opens up. We have been putting his toys and books away in there. Sometimes, he just likes to open and close the doors. A few weeks ago, when he was mastering this he couldn’t get the door open because he was sitting in front of it, he started fussing and getting frustrated because the door wouldn’t open and yet he knew that it could/should. I told him to not get frustrated, that he had to move his body to the side and out of the way of the door. He looked at me. Moved. Opened the door. And, beamed. Now, he is mastering pulling everything off each and every shelf and throwing it to the floor, just because he can. He can clear each shelf in about 20 seconds with a nice swipe of his arm.
What else?
He will look at flowers when you point them out to him. He finds the airplane in the sky when he hears one or you tell him one is flying high in the sky. We were watching a Baby Einstein DVD the other day and as typical I said the word of the object on the screen and act as narrator. When I said “ball”, he crawled over to the ball sitting next to him and touched it, rolled it around, and beamed to me in recognition/making the connection. I, of course, told him how brilliant he was and that he was absolutely correct that was a ball.
He has this great soft little chuckle when he is pleased with something like when I give up trying to rock him back to sleep in his room and bring him into bed with me. Or, when he slides out of my lap after a bottle or quick cuddle, and gets his feet on the ground and realizes he is “free” (and not off to bed). He has this “he he he he he” type of chuck/sigh of happiness.* It is a delight to hear.
He has the most contagious laugh. He has been sick and teething (yes, looks like at least one tooth has broken through with 3 more on the way/just behind it) so he hasn’t laughed much lately. But the other day on the way home from our walk, our neighbor (who is 4) came over with his puppy to play in the front yard with us. Max just laughed and laughed and laughed to see the puppy run around and laughed even harder when the puppy licked his feet, his hands, and his face. It was just the best and made me want to get a puppy for him so badly. I have had to repeat countless times to myself since then that now is not the time and that it isn’t fair to Shadow, who was safely in the backyard away for the puppy energy. Shadow dislikes the puppy energy and much as Max seems to love it.
When I read to Max, I usually hold up two books and ask him which one he wants to read. He will crawl over and “pick” one by touching it or taking it into his hands. Once, he didn’t pick either which I thought was strange so I held up two different books and he smiled and picked one of them. Apparently, he just didn’t want to read either of the firsat two choices just then. It is just adorable and I can tell that he really does know what he is doing because his preferences change every few days. Sometimes, he will actually sit on my lap or next to me and “read” an entire book. Often, he will move around and just look back as I turn each page to see the picture. The book picking is especially fun when he is about to crawl out of his room into the hall and I ask him to pick and he excitedly crawls back to let me know which book I should read next.
Maybe most of this maybe normal almost 10 month old behavior, but I think my son is just brilliant. That’s my story and I am sticking to it. My kid is just great and I am reminded daily about how fortunate I am that he is in my life.
* We actually never co-sleep anymore and he only fell asleep in my bed one morning for a few hours during the height of his sickness last week, but sometimes I bring him to bed to cuddle and give him his bottle if he seems just a little too awake in the middle of the night/too early in the morning and we cuddle a bit before I take him back to his bed to fall back asleep.
Max Today Waking Up From Nap
The other day, he clearly made the baby sign I have been using for “no more”, palm down waving hand back and forth. In the past, I could tell he understood because when I would do the sign or say “no more” he would do his old favorite of fingers over the mouth and go wa wa wa wa wa. He is progressing to waving his hand across the tray of his high chair causing whatever is remaining to go flying. Not exactly what I was going for, but he is getting his point across. LOL. I acknowledge these cases with a prompt removal from the highchair, but really praise it up when he does the sign without the food flying bit. He can wave “Bye Bye/Adios”. He can “kiss” (open wet mouthed smackerou). Now, I am working on the baby sign we are using for “eat”, fingers to the lips. The kid is smart. He seems to “get it”.
Over the weekend, I was letting him play in the back yard while I swept leaves. As usual, he tried to put them directly into his month. However, unlike in the past, when I told him to “not eat the leaves” he smiled and put them down. Of course, I had to tell him that about 20 times, but each time, he looked at me, smiled, and put them down to move on to another part of the back yard and new leaves. LOL.
His word recognition in both English and Spanish is quite phenomenal, if I do say so myself, which I do. However, unprompted, Naomi has told me the same thing. She says his is “very intelligent” (in Spanish). So, it is not just me. (smile)
One early morning when he was in my bed with me playing with “his” TV remote (the one that doesn’t work anymore). He took the back off where the battery goes. I looked at him amazed. I put it back on and handed the remote back to him. Once again, he took it off. I put it back on and gave him back the remote. A third time, he put his little finger on the lever and took the back off then gave me a big smile, like “yes momma, I do know how to do this”. He is not yet 10 months. How did he figure that out? Incredible!
I have this big entertainment center in the living room that has three sections and each section has a cupboard at the bottom with a door that opens up. We have been putting his toys and books away in there. Sometimes, he just likes to open and close the doors. A few weeks ago, when he was mastering this he couldn’t get the door open because he was sitting in front of it, he started fussing and getting frustrated because the door wouldn’t open and yet he knew that it could/should. I told him to not get frustrated, that he had to move his body to the side and out of the way of the door. He looked at me. Moved. Opened the door. And, beamed. Now, he is mastering pulling everything off each and every shelf and throwing it to the floor, just because he can. He can clear each shelf in about 20 seconds with a nice swipe of his arm.
What else?
He will look at flowers when you point them out to him. He finds the airplane in the sky when he hears one or you tell him one is flying high in the sky. We were watching a Baby Einstein DVD the other day and as typical I said the word of the object on the screen and act as narrator. When I said “ball”, he crawled over to the ball sitting next to him and touched it, rolled it around, and beamed to me in recognition/making the connection. I, of course, told him how brilliant he was and that he was absolutely correct that was a ball.
He has this great soft little chuckle when he is pleased with something like when I give up trying to rock him back to sleep in his room and bring him into bed with me. Or, when he slides out of my lap after a bottle or quick cuddle, and gets his feet on the ground and realizes he is “free” (and not off to bed). He has this “he he he he he” type of chuck/sigh of happiness.* It is a delight to hear.
He has the most contagious laugh. He has been sick and teething (yes, looks like at least one tooth has broken through with 3 more on the way/just behind it) so he hasn’t laughed much lately. But the other day on the way home from our walk, our neighbor (who is 4) came over with his puppy to play in the front yard with us. Max just laughed and laughed and laughed to see the puppy run around and laughed even harder when the puppy licked his feet, his hands, and his face. It was just the best and made me want to get a puppy for him so badly. I have had to repeat countless times to myself since then that now is not the time and that it isn’t fair to Shadow, who was safely in the backyard away for the puppy energy. Shadow dislikes the puppy energy and much as Max seems to love it.
When I read to Max, I usually hold up two books and ask him which one he wants to read. He will crawl over and “pick” one by touching it or taking it into his hands. Once, he didn’t pick either which I thought was strange so I held up two different books and he smiled and picked one of them. Apparently, he just didn’t want to read either of the firsat two choices just then. It is just adorable and I can tell that he really does know what he is doing because his preferences change every few days. Sometimes, he will actually sit on my lap or next to me and “read” an entire book. Often, he will move around and just look back as I turn each page to see the picture. The book picking is especially fun when he is about to crawl out of his room into the hall and I ask him to pick and he excitedly crawls back to let me know which book I should read next.
Maybe most of this maybe normal almost 10 month old behavior, but I think my son is just brilliant. That’s my story and I am sticking to it. My kid is just great and I am reminded daily about how fortunate I am that he is in my life.
* We actually never co-sleep anymore and he only fell asleep in my bed one morning for a few hours during the height of his sickness last week, but sometimes I bring him to bed to cuddle and give him his bottle if he seems just a little too awake in the middle of the night/too early in the morning and we cuddle a bit before I take him back to his bed to fall back asleep.
Nerves of Steel
Anyone who has ttc clearly knows that you need to have nerves of steel to not let every little thing get to you because it is a roller coaster. Things will go wrong. No cycle is perfect. Perfect cycles often fail. And, it is easier said than done. It is hard not to get all worried about every little thing. I was reminding myself of that this morning as I woke up to bright red bleeding on the toilet paper and “particles” in the toilet. I was not amused but implemented my SOP (standard operating procedure) in cases like this 1) take a dose of progesterone if it “almost” time for my next dose 2) put on black panties and 3) take Tylenol under the theory that I stress less if I don’t see the blood stains on my underwear and can’t actually feel the cramps. Then, of course, I sent an email to my RE telling him and asking to be allowed to add even more progesterone to the 600 mg/day I am already taking and ask if it would be beneficial to go in even earlier for the “extra” beta I already talking him into on Friday. We will see what he has to say.
It did not help that I woke up feeling very energetic and refreshed. As tired as I was last night, I could not fall asleep. My mind was spinning in overdrive so it was at least 10:30 – 11 pm that I finally fell asleep. Max waited until the 4 am hour (4:30 am I think?) to wake me up, but then fell back asleep about 40 minutes later (? It is a bit of a blur?) and then I was up, but I must have dosed off and woke up refreshed. Then, saw the blood. I know from experience that pregnancy symptoms come and go, but I would much rather have them than not. I would rather “feel” pregnant than not. It is just good for my physique. Glad I am back to my extremely tired state now. FWIW, bleeding is NOT a pregnancy symptom. It is a miscarriage symptom. Bleeding and cramping together are worse than either bleeding or cramping. I have heavily researched this topic. No matter how many times I remind myself that I did, in fact, both bleed and cramp with Max for months, I still do not like it. It doesn't necessarily mean that the pregnancy will fail. Nerves of steel. Got to have them as much has possible.
However, clearly, I am not able to focus on work, even though there are a few things that I really should do. So, I thought I would write a few blog entries of things that have been on my mind.
It did not help that I woke up feeling very energetic and refreshed. As tired as I was last night, I could not fall asleep. My mind was spinning in overdrive so it was at least 10:30 – 11 pm that I finally fell asleep. Max waited until the 4 am hour (4:30 am I think?) to wake me up, but then fell back asleep about 40 minutes later (? It is a bit of a blur?) and then I was up, but I must have dosed off and woke up refreshed. Then, saw the blood. I know from experience that pregnancy symptoms come and go, but I would much rather have them than not. I would rather “feel” pregnant than not. It is just good for my physique. Glad I am back to my extremely tired state now. FWIW, bleeding is NOT a pregnancy symptom. It is a miscarriage symptom. Bleeding and cramping together are worse than either bleeding or cramping. I have heavily researched this topic. No matter how many times I remind myself that I did, in fact, both bleed and cramp with Max for months, I still do not like it. It doesn't necessarily mean that the pregnancy will fail. Nerves of steel. Got to have them as much has possible.
However, clearly, I am not able to focus on work, even though there are a few things that I really should do. So, I thought I would write a few blog entries of things that have been on my mind.
Monday, June 12, 2006
Today’s Beta
Just home from Mommy Day. Exhausted. Didn’t make the movie. Saw a friend at the clinic and talked, had to stop for gas, traffic and constrution. Sigh. It would have been nice, but...the best laid plans. Got the beta call on the way home. Today’s beta was 77.80. It more than doubled. Yeah! I’ve been cramping and spotting today. Having a hard time not worrying/obsessing, although easier after the acu appointment and after taking Tylenol (so I don’t actually feel the cramping). It is much better and I freak out less when I don’t actually feel the cramps. I was slightly wrong on Friday’s beta. I have updated my Beta History with the correct number. I’m going to ask my RE for another beta later in the week, like Friday. I’m going to go lay down for a few minutes while I have a chance. I’m very, very tired. Yes, Exhausted. So much more I want to say, but no energy. Kind of glad that Max didn’t have an afternoon nap so both of us can have an early bedtime.
Beta History
Cycle 2 – Result = M/C
Beta 1= 52.16 (16 dpo); Beta 2 = 110.54 (18 dpo); Beta 3 = 155.23 * (22 dpo); Beta 4 = 61.43 (23 dpo); Beta 5 = 12.70 (26 dpo)
* only done because I started spotting and cramping over the weekend indicating a likely m/c
Cycle 4 – Result = Max
Beta 1 = 73 (13 dpo); Beta 2 = 196 (15 dpo)
Cycle 6 – Result = TBD
Beta 1 = 29.05 (13 dpo); Beta 2 = 77.80 (16 dpo)
Beta History
Cycle 2 – Result = M/C
Beta 1= 52.16 (16 dpo); Beta 2 = 110.54 (18 dpo); Beta 3 = 155.23 * (22 dpo); Beta 4 = 61.43 (23 dpo); Beta 5 = 12.70 (26 dpo)
* only done because I started spotting and cramping over the weekend indicating a likely m/c
Cycle 4 – Result = Max
Beta 1 = 73 (13 dpo); Beta 2 = 196 (15 dpo)
Cycle 6 – Result = TBD
Beta 1 = 29.05 (13 dpo); Beta 2 = 77.80 (16 dpo)
Sunday, June 11, 2006
Monday = Mommy Day
I decided to take tomorrow as a vacation day. Originally, I was thinking of maybe taking Max to the zoo or something like that, but decided to make the day all about me. Can’t remember the last time I even took part of a day for myself. I just finished the tentative/flexible plan.
1) Drop blood off at clinic
2) Go to Movie
3) Go to Acupuncture
4) If time, go to store before heading home for groceries
That should just about take the entire day if things go according to plan. For example, I would need to be at the clinic by 10 am and out of there by 10:30 am to make the 11 am movie so that I can be out and to my acupuncturist’s office by 2.
If things don’t go on my time table and I don’t make the movie, I will just tool around and maybe take myself to lunch, maybe go to the beach, relax.
I could tell you about my brilliant son. But, I will save that for another day as I am tired and plan to head to bed. Yes, I did doze of during both Max’s morning and his afternoon nap, but I am just wiped out. Max still isn’t feeling well, but isn’t feverish. He woke up from both naps crabby (which is unheard of for him), but snapped out of it eventually both times.
I spotted a bit this afternoon. I was not amused. I took a deep breath and reminded myself that I spotted (and cramped) the entire first trimester with Max and it doesn’t, necessarily, mean something bad. I have been able to stay in the moment and not freak out or obsess. Tomorrow’s numbers will be what they will. Personally, I am hoping for 240 or above. However, for the record, I would prefer NOT to have regular spotting and bleeding this pregnancy. It is never good. It may not be bad, but it never good.
Off for a quick shower cause I feel slimy and dirty even though I did shower this morning. Then, to crash for the night. Hmmm. Maybe I should eat some dinner first. Just remembered that I didn’t really do that yet.
1) Drop blood off at clinic
2) Go to Movie
3) Go to Acupuncture
4) If time, go to store before heading home for groceries
That should just about take the entire day if things go according to plan. For example, I would need to be at the clinic by 10 am and out of there by 10:30 am to make the 11 am movie so that I can be out and to my acupuncturist’s office by 2.
If things don’t go on my time table and I don’t make the movie, I will just tool around and maybe take myself to lunch, maybe go to the beach, relax.
I could tell you about my brilliant son. But, I will save that for another day as I am tired and plan to head to bed. Yes, I did doze of during both Max’s morning and his afternoon nap, but I am just wiped out. Max still isn’t feeling well, but isn’t feverish. He woke up from both naps crabby (which is unheard of for him), but snapped out of it eventually both times.
I spotted a bit this afternoon. I was not amused. I took a deep breath and reminded myself that I spotted (and cramped) the entire first trimester with Max and it doesn’t, necessarily, mean something bad. I have been able to stay in the moment and not freak out or obsess. Tomorrow’s numbers will be what they will. Personally, I am hoping for 240 or above. However, for the record, I would prefer NOT to have regular spotting and bleeding this pregnancy. It is never good. It may not be bad, but it never good.
Off for a quick shower cause I feel slimy and dirty even though I did shower this morning. Then, to crash for the night. Hmmm. Maybe I should eat some dinner first. Just remembered that I didn’t really do that yet.
Saturday, June 10, 2006
Baby Cocktails, Jinxes, and More
I served Max up a baby cocktail at 3:30 this morning when he woke up feverish and congested which contained Tylenol, Benadryl, and Mylicon. After sucking that down, he downed about 5 oz. of formula and was back asleep in his crib. His mamma wasn’t so lucky and never really did fall back asleep, but maybe I did doze off because I remember having this really weird dream where I was traveling and I forgot these two ruby and orange colored beads when I was boarding an airplane and these two young girls brought them to me telling me that I had left them. Then, I left them (again) on the plane when I departed and the same two girls brought them to me again. I was thanking them and apologizing for being so forgetful when one of them ask me if I was pregnant. I smiled and said, yes, in fact, I am, I just found out today. The one girl said to the other girl as they were walking away, see, I told you. LOL. I can still picture the beads in my mind and know that they were worthless money wise and that I had never seen them IRL before. Very odd.
I have been thinking of jinxes lately. I was telling someone a few weeks ago that Max never spits up and had only done so twice in 9 months. Right after that, he spit up two days in a row. I commented to someone else that City Boy hadn’t vomited in months and how nice it was. Right after that, he vomited two nights in a row. I posted on the SMC mothering list in response to someone worrying that their infant hadn’t had a BM that Max isn’t regular and had actually gone 14 days at one point without a BM. Some one responded appalled saying that surely that was a typo and my poor child…how could I let him suffer like that. In my response to THAT post saying it wasn’t a typo and how basically Max is a happy easy child but that gas, irregular BM’s are just part of “him” and I have been told it can me normal for some children. In that post, I said that Max has rarely been sick. D@mn it! I should have kept my mouth shut. LOL. Cause now here he is sick. I know. I know. Likely me mentioning these things did not jinx them, but it is kind of coincidental. On the other hand, if just talking about things fixed them, my little one would be a nice regular BM kind of guy, and he just isn’t.
Max’s BM’s and lack there of, are in the front of my mind because Max just screamed and screamed and screamed going down for his nap. He was feverish and gassy and hasn’t had a bowel movement in days. However, he has been sleeping soundly now for hours. On the plus side, I think he is on the mend cause he is eating and drinking a bit more than he was (but still a far cry from normal).
I was thinking this morning while tossing and turning and not being able to go back to sleep after my nice 3:30 am wake up call, that even if this pregnancy fails, I am enjoying it more already than I ever was for my pregnancy with Max. Yes, I am tired and crampy and have already thought once when Max was fussy and crying earlier today “OMG, what have I done by trying to have a second so soon”, but I know that trying to have a second (or third) is the right choice for me. I am at peace in a way I was never able to be in my pregnancy with Max.
Having said that, I am not “counting on” a successful outcome just yet. This beta was the lowest starting beta for me. My beta 13 dpo with Max was 71 compared to 29. I guess I am not too worried about it because I really think implantation likely didn’t occur until June 4th, which would have been later than normal. Now, I do know the stats on late implantation tend to indicate a higher incidence of m/c, but for some reason, I am just not worked up and worried about it. If the pregnancy fails, I will be sad, but will deal with it. For now, I am able to stay present in the moment and enjoy the now. I will be thrilled to be past another milestone on Monday if the beta shows the proper rise. I will be very relieved if we see a heartbeat in a few weeks. But, for now, I am being very un-characteristic for me and enjoying the here and now and what I have today…A beautiful 9.5 month old boy and, at least for now, a sibling on the way for him.
Beta History
Cycle 2 – Result = M/C
Beta 1= 52.16 (16 dpo); Beta 2 = 110.54 (18 dpo); Beta 3 = 155.23 * (22 dpo); Beta 4 = 61.43 (23 dpo); Beta 5 = 12.70 (26 dpo)
* only done because I started spotting and cramping over the weekend indicating a likely m/c
Cycle 4 – Result = Max
Beta 1 = 73 (13 dpo); Beta 2 = 196 (15 dpo)
Cycle 6 – Result = TBD
Beta 1 = 29.6 (13 dpo); Beta 2 = scheduled for 16 dpo
I have been thinking of jinxes lately. I was telling someone a few weeks ago that Max never spits up and had only done so twice in 9 months. Right after that, he spit up two days in a row. I commented to someone else that City Boy hadn’t vomited in months and how nice it was. Right after that, he vomited two nights in a row. I posted on the SMC mothering list in response to someone worrying that their infant hadn’t had a BM that Max isn’t regular and had actually gone 14 days at one point without a BM. Some one responded appalled saying that surely that was a typo and my poor child…how could I let him suffer like that. In my response to THAT post saying it wasn’t a typo and how basically Max is a happy easy child but that gas, irregular BM’s are just part of “him” and I have been told it can me normal for some children. In that post, I said that Max has rarely been sick. D@mn it! I should have kept my mouth shut. LOL. Cause now here he is sick. I know. I know. Likely me mentioning these things did not jinx them, but it is kind of coincidental. On the other hand, if just talking about things fixed them, my little one would be a nice regular BM kind of guy, and he just isn’t.
Max’s BM’s and lack there of, are in the front of my mind because Max just screamed and screamed and screamed going down for his nap. He was feverish and gassy and hasn’t had a bowel movement in days. However, he has been sleeping soundly now for hours. On the plus side, I think he is on the mend cause he is eating and drinking a bit more than he was (but still a far cry from normal).
I was thinking this morning while tossing and turning and not being able to go back to sleep after my nice 3:30 am wake up call, that even if this pregnancy fails, I am enjoying it more already than I ever was for my pregnancy with Max. Yes, I am tired and crampy and have already thought once when Max was fussy and crying earlier today “OMG, what have I done by trying to have a second so soon”, but I know that trying to have a second (or third) is the right choice for me. I am at peace in a way I was never able to be in my pregnancy with Max.
Having said that, I am not “counting on” a successful outcome just yet. This beta was the lowest starting beta for me. My beta 13 dpo with Max was 71 compared to 29. I guess I am not too worried about it because I really think implantation likely didn’t occur until June 4th, which would have been later than normal. Now, I do know the stats on late implantation tend to indicate a higher incidence of m/c, but for some reason, I am just not worked up and worried about it. If the pregnancy fails, I will be sad, but will deal with it. For now, I am able to stay present in the moment and enjoy the now. I will be thrilled to be past another milestone on Monday if the beta shows the proper rise. I will be very relieved if we see a heartbeat in a few weeks. But, for now, I am being very un-characteristic for me and enjoying the here and now and what I have today…A beautiful 9.5 month old boy and, at least for now, a sibling on the way for him.
Beta History
Cycle 2 – Result = M/C
Beta 1= 52.16 (16 dpo); Beta 2 = 110.54 (18 dpo); Beta 3 = 155.23 * (22 dpo); Beta 4 = 61.43 (23 dpo); Beta 5 = 12.70 (26 dpo)
* only done because I started spotting and cramping over the weekend indicating a likely m/c
Cycle 4 – Result = Max
Beta 1 = 73 (13 dpo); Beta 2 = 196 (15 dpo)
Cycle 6 – Result = TBD
Beta 1 = 29.6 (13 dpo); Beta 2 = scheduled for 16 dpo
Friday, June 09, 2006
I’m pregnant
Dr. N let me test early. Beta = 29.6. Just got the news less than an hour ago. I go back on Monday for a follow up beta and hope/pray the number doubles. But, at least for now. I’m a pregnant lady. Wahoo!!
It makes up for the fact that I am short on sleep and tired; that Max is sick and had an elevated temperature for 4 days now; that the pediatrician said he will likely get worse before he gets better; that I am missing my local SMC meeting tomorrow because we are sick.
None of that matters because I have passed the first milestone in what I hope become a brother or sister for Max. If all goes well, I should have the best birthday present ever come next February.
Hip Hip Horray!
I have to yell and cheer and be happy here because I have told/am telling so few people. A few good local friends knew I was cycling and I will tell them the good news and I told me cousin who is under strict orders to tell no one except her husband until I say so.
Hip Hip Horrah!
Grow little embryo. Grow. Double. Triple. Develop according to plan. I really, really want you little one. My family will not be complete with out you.
It makes up for the fact that I am short on sleep and tired; that Max is sick and had an elevated temperature for 4 days now; that the pediatrician said he will likely get worse before he gets better; that I am missing my local SMC meeting tomorrow because we are sick.
None of that matters because I have passed the first milestone in what I hope become a brother or sister for Max. If all goes well, I should have the best birthday present ever come next February.
Hip Hip Horray!
I have to yell and cheer and be happy here because I have told/am telling so few people. A few good local friends knew I was cycling and I will tell them the good news and I told me cousin who is under strict orders to tell no one except her husband until I say so.
Hip Hip Horrah!
Grow little embryo. Grow. Double. Triple. Develop according to plan. I really, really want you little one. My family will not be complete with out you.
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Tired, Anxious, Obsessing
I’ve been thinking/meaning to post every day since last Friday. How the time flies sometimes.
If I wrote on Friday, I would have described my progesterone test experience (of which I still do not have the results at this moment) and how I called and went to a local hospital to get the blood draw after a laborious check in so I could get the results that day to 1) find out after the blood draw that they send that test out and I would NOT get the results until even longer than if I had gone to the regular lab 2) in all of my planning realized (as I was waiting, waiting, waiting for the blood draw) that I had forgotten to actually take my progesterone that morning.
If I wrote on Saturday, I would have talked about my great nap and my evening with my married friend with twins (whose hubby was out of town). I took my pack-n-play and put Max to bed there so we had an hour or so for dinner and discussion when the kids were asleep for “real” conversation. It worked out nice.
If I wrote on Sunday, I would have talked about how much I really hoped I was pregnant and how “maybe” I was since I napped not once, but twice when Max slept. And, how I was so tempted, but resisted buying an HPT when I was at the pharmacy picking up my PNV (pre-natal vitamin) refill.
If I wrote yesterday (Monday), I would have talked about how my poor little guy didn’t take a morning nap (recipe for disaster), only napped 1:15 min which is well below his 3 hour average, had major, major gas pain, and may be teething? He SREAMED and SCREAMED and SCREAMED on and off yesterday evening/night/this morning. Yes, I am very tired today. Thanks for asking. If someone heard from the street, they probably thought the poor kids was seriously injured or being abused. It got so bad at one point, I thought, what if something is REALLY wrong with him (other than tired, gas, and possible teething) and maybe I should take him to the emergency room. Then, I took a deep breath and helped him work it through. Funny guy that he is, I took him out to the garage to meet the poll workers and help set up (today is election day here and my garage is polling place for my precinct) since he clearly wasn’t going to sleep anytime soon even though he was overtired. He is such a charmer that he stopped crying, hung out, and flirted with all of the ladies for awhile. This relaxed him enough to fall asleep for about 2 hours until the gas built up again and he woke up screaming again.
Since I am writing today, I will tell you that I am tired. I still haven’t decided how I am going to vote or even look at the ballot and I have no excuse for not voting since it IS in my garage. I will tell you that I am starting to obsess on the am I, am I not pregnant debate. I don’t “feel” pregnant. But, I do feel tired and am sleeping great (baring wake ups from the kid) AND my body seems to actually be absorbing the progesterone instead of leaking it all out (although still plenty of leakage). And, I have been a bit crampy and felt some pulls and tugs in the uterine region. All inconclusive. Probably the progesterone. But, I am sure that I didn’t feel this way when I WASN’T pregnant. Beta should be on Saturday. May try to talk RE (and think I will be able to if I want) into letting me test on Friday instead.
Please oh please oh please! Let me be pregnant right now.
Ugh! Can’t concentrate at work between the obsession about being pregnant or not; being tired; and the distraction with the election today. Sigh! Maybe I will call my RE’s office and bug them to see if my progesterone results are FINALLY in. That’s what I get for trying to “game the system”. Maybe I will go look at my ballot and decide how to vote and go do my civic duty.
Speaking of civic duty. I am on call for Jury Duty this week. So far, so good. Not called in yet. Not that I mind serving and have done so several times. Just doesn’t seem such a good time right now with my concentration what it is and everything else going on.
Did I mention that Max had an elevated temperature this morning? 100.7. Poor guy. Maybe he will get some teeth? He has had a watery runny nose since Memorial Day weekend with no other sign of illness. Maybe this means we have to miss our monthly SMC meeting this weekend. Can’t take a sick kid cause I would hate to pass on an illness (unlike the less than considerate mother last month who ended up getting Max and I sick).
What else? I think I had one more thing on my mind, but…lost it. Hmmm. Can’t remember. Oh yeah. I have been having this very sharp pain in my leg on and off since Memorial Day weekend. Over the last 24 hours, it has been increasing in frequency (about 20 “painful” episodes in the last 24 hours) enough that I researched blood clots, spider and varicose veins and talked to a nurse line provided by my insurance. Still no idea what is causing it, but it is unlikely to be fatal (as near as I can tell) based on symptoms, so I am going to continue to ignore it unless it gets REALLY, REALLY bad or unless I feel inspired to call my primary care doctor and go in for a visit, which I really don’t feel up to at the moment. Although, she is in the same building as my OB (who is married to me RE). Maybe I can get a 2-fer or 3-fer and talk one of them into letting me do a blood HCG. I really don’t want to do it at my RE’s office because they started sending it out and now charge a $30 handling fee. I wouldn’t mind the fee if I didn’t have to drive so far, but with the fee and the drive I want to try to find a local lab. But, I want immediate (or at least same day) results.
D@mn. I hate this waiting. Maybe I should just go buy a HPT. But, it will likely be negative this early either way. And, I have never gotten a positive HPT before I have gotten a positive beta. However, on the cycle I got pregnant with Max, I was so sure it didn’t work that it didn’t even occur to me to test. I was to busy planning my next two cycles, moving sperm, etc.
Okay, enough rambling for now. Summary: Tired, Anxious, Obsessing.
If I wrote on Friday, I would have described my progesterone test experience (of which I still do not have the results at this moment) and how I called and went to a local hospital to get the blood draw after a laborious check in so I could get the results that day to 1) find out after the blood draw that they send that test out and I would NOT get the results until even longer than if I had gone to the regular lab 2) in all of my planning realized (as I was waiting, waiting, waiting for the blood draw) that I had forgotten to actually take my progesterone that morning.
If I wrote on Saturday, I would have talked about my great nap and my evening with my married friend with twins (whose hubby was out of town). I took my pack-n-play and put Max to bed there so we had an hour or so for dinner and discussion when the kids were asleep for “real” conversation. It worked out nice.
If I wrote on Sunday, I would have talked about how much I really hoped I was pregnant and how “maybe” I was since I napped not once, but twice when Max slept. And, how I was so tempted, but resisted buying an HPT when I was at the pharmacy picking up my PNV (pre-natal vitamin) refill.
If I wrote yesterday (Monday), I would have talked about how my poor little guy didn’t take a morning nap (recipe for disaster), only napped 1:15 min which is well below his 3 hour average, had major, major gas pain, and may be teething? He SREAMED and SCREAMED and SCREAMED on and off yesterday evening/night/this morning. Yes, I am very tired today. Thanks for asking. If someone heard from the street, they probably thought the poor kids was seriously injured or being abused. It got so bad at one point, I thought, what if something is REALLY wrong with him (other than tired, gas, and possible teething) and maybe I should take him to the emergency room. Then, I took a deep breath and helped him work it through. Funny guy that he is, I took him out to the garage to meet the poll workers and help set up (today is election day here and my garage is polling place for my precinct) since he clearly wasn’t going to sleep anytime soon even though he was overtired. He is such a charmer that he stopped crying, hung out, and flirted with all of the ladies for awhile. This relaxed him enough to fall asleep for about 2 hours until the gas built up again and he woke up screaming again.
Since I am writing today, I will tell you that I am tired. I still haven’t decided how I am going to vote or even look at the ballot and I have no excuse for not voting since it IS in my garage. I will tell you that I am starting to obsess on the am I, am I not pregnant debate. I don’t “feel” pregnant. But, I do feel tired and am sleeping great (baring wake ups from the kid) AND my body seems to actually be absorbing the progesterone instead of leaking it all out (although still plenty of leakage). And, I have been a bit crampy and felt some pulls and tugs in the uterine region. All inconclusive. Probably the progesterone. But, I am sure that I didn’t feel this way when I WASN’T pregnant. Beta should be on Saturday. May try to talk RE (and think I will be able to if I want) into letting me test on Friday instead.
Please oh please oh please! Let me be pregnant right now.
Ugh! Can’t concentrate at work between the obsession about being pregnant or not; being tired; and the distraction with the election today. Sigh! Maybe I will call my RE’s office and bug them to see if my progesterone results are FINALLY in. That’s what I get for trying to “game the system”. Maybe I will go look at my ballot and decide how to vote and go do my civic duty.
Speaking of civic duty. I am on call for Jury Duty this week. So far, so good. Not called in yet. Not that I mind serving and have done so several times. Just doesn’t seem such a good time right now with my concentration what it is and everything else going on.
Did I mention that Max had an elevated temperature this morning? 100.7. Poor guy. Maybe he will get some teeth? He has had a watery runny nose since Memorial Day weekend with no other sign of illness. Maybe this means we have to miss our monthly SMC meeting this weekend. Can’t take a sick kid cause I would hate to pass on an illness (unlike the less than considerate mother last month who ended up getting Max and I sick).
What else? I think I had one more thing on my mind, but…lost it. Hmmm. Can’t remember. Oh yeah. I have been having this very sharp pain in my leg on and off since Memorial Day weekend. Over the last 24 hours, it has been increasing in frequency (about 20 “painful” episodes in the last 24 hours) enough that I researched blood clots, spider and varicose veins and talked to a nurse line provided by my insurance. Still no idea what is causing it, but it is unlikely to be fatal (as near as I can tell) based on symptoms, so I am going to continue to ignore it unless it gets REALLY, REALLY bad or unless I feel inspired to call my primary care doctor and go in for a visit, which I really don’t feel up to at the moment. Although, she is in the same building as my OB (who is married to me RE). Maybe I can get a 2-fer or 3-fer and talk one of them into letting me do a blood HCG. I really don’t want to do it at my RE’s office because they started sending it out and now charge a $30 handling fee. I wouldn’t mind the fee if I didn’t have to drive so far, but with the fee and the drive I want to try to find a local lab. But, I want immediate (or at least same day) results.
D@mn. I hate this waiting. Maybe I should just go buy a HPT. But, it will likely be negative this early either way. And, I have never gotten a positive HPT before I have gotten a positive beta. However, on the cycle I got pregnant with Max, I was so sure it didn’t work that it didn’t even occur to me to test. I was to busy planning my next two cycles, moving sperm, etc.
Okay, enough rambling for now. Summary: Tired, Anxious, Obsessing.
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
More on the weekend
I am so very, very tired. As wired as I get on stims is as tired as I get on progesterone. I would dearly love to go lay down even if I didn’t nap, but it isn’t in the cards since today is Wednesday and my mom will be here soon for our weekly dinner. Plus, my sister and her friend are joining us today and will get here a bit after my mom.
So, since I don’t get to nap (imagine a big pout), I thought I would talk more about my weekend.
It was really nice to hang out with an older boy to see what they find fun and annoying and entertaining. I could see Max acting the way my friends 4 year old “C” did in many situations when he grows into that age. C is a slow eater and gets really distracted. I can totally see that being Max at his age. This is direct contrast to her twins. Max could be in the high chair eating for at least 10 – 15 min. before they fed one twin, then the other, and cleaned up and Max would still be working on his meal. Same with the bottle. It can take Max 30 – 40 min. to drink and 8 oz bottle. I think they would finish theirs in about 10 minutes. I wonder if it is hereditary and they are born that way. Most of me says yes, but a part of me wonders. I wonder because Max has started spitting food (and water out). I have asked his nanny and she says he doesn’t do this for her. Unless, I am around. This makes me think that I am doing something to re-enforce the behavior. Since it is around food, it is pretty hard to ignore so I have been asking him if he is “all done” and making the “all done” baby sign and ending the meal if I really think he is done. Or, I may try to give him solids like cheerios or small pieces of meat or fruit if I think he is still hungry. If he eats that great, if not than I move on and end the meal. I don’t want him to think this is a game or make it a control issue (as my friend who is a ped said can happen in these cases).
My friend has a dog named Max who was at the beach house with us. It was funny talking with “C” about dog Max or baby Max or “his” Max and “my” Max. Max and I were able to keep up our normal “routine” of walking in the morning and the end of the night and dog Max went with us. He is a great dog and so happy to go along and be out. It was a bit bitter sweet because it really pointed out how old and slow my Shadow has become. She would not have been able to walk even a fraction of what we did. It also reminded me how long it has been since I have done any kind of hills while out. I didn’t really notice any stiffness while there, but yesterday my calves were really tight and I could hardly walk without stretching them first. Today, they are still a bit sore.
Under the title of “it’s a small world”, I was out moving my car and started talking to one of the neighbors who has a daughter about a month older than Max. She asked who had the baby and I laughed and said there were 3 of them in there. She came over the next day to visit when some of the other SMC’s my friend invited were their and she asked how we all knew each other. We explained through the SMC organization and it turns out that she is a member and had actually tried and conceived (but, m/c’d) via donor sperm and was now in a relationship with her baby’s father who she may or may not marry at some point in the future, but maintains her membership. Now, what are the odds. On a side note, she was still breastfeeding, and it made me a bit whimsical about the good ole days. Sigh.
I think there were a few more points I wanted to ponder, but my mom is here now and I should probably go visit. And, I am too tired to remember what they are right now.
So, since I don’t get to nap (imagine a big pout), I thought I would talk more about my weekend.
It was really nice to hang out with an older boy to see what they find fun and annoying and entertaining. I could see Max acting the way my friends 4 year old “C” did in many situations when he grows into that age. C is a slow eater and gets really distracted. I can totally see that being Max at his age. This is direct contrast to her twins. Max could be in the high chair eating for at least 10 – 15 min. before they fed one twin, then the other, and cleaned up and Max would still be working on his meal. Same with the bottle. It can take Max 30 – 40 min. to drink and 8 oz bottle. I think they would finish theirs in about 10 minutes. I wonder if it is hereditary and they are born that way. Most of me says yes, but a part of me wonders. I wonder because Max has started spitting food (and water out). I have asked his nanny and she says he doesn’t do this for her. Unless, I am around. This makes me think that I am doing something to re-enforce the behavior. Since it is around food, it is pretty hard to ignore so I have been asking him if he is “all done” and making the “all done” baby sign and ending the meal if I really think he is done. Or, I may try to give him solids like cheerios or small pieces of meat or fruit if I think he is still hungry. If he eats that great, if not than I move on and end the meal. I don’t want him to think this is a game or make it a control issue (as my friend who is a ped said can happen in these cases).
My friend has a dog named Max who was at the beach house with us. It was funny talking with “C” about dog Max or baby Max or “his” Max and “my” Max. Max and I were able to keep up our normal “routine” of walking in the morning and the end of the night and dog Max went with us. He is a great dog and so happy to go along and be out. It was a bit bitter sweet because it really pointed out how old and slow my Shadow has become. She would not have been able to walk even a fraction of what we did. It also reminded me how long it has been since I have done any kind of hills while out. I didn’t really notice any stiffness while there, but yesterday my calves were really tight and I could hardly walk without stretching them first. Today, they are still a bit sore.
Under the title of “it’s a small world”, I was out moving my car and started talking to one of the neighbors who has a daughter about a month older than Max. She asked who had the baby and I laughed and said there were 3 of them in there. She came over the next day to visit when some of the other SMC’s my friend invited were their and she asked how we all knew each other. We explained through the SMC organization and it turns out that she is a member and had actually tried and conceived (but, m/c’d) via donor sperm and was now in a relationship with her baby’s father who she may or may not marry at some point in the future, but maintains her membership. Now, what are the odds. On a side note, she was still breastfeeding, and it made me a bit whimsical about the good ole days. Sigh.
I think there were a few more points I wanted to ponder, but my mom is here now and I should probably go visit. And, I am too tired to remember what they are right now.
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
My weekend = Wonderful
My weekend started with me pulling out the carpet, carpet tacks and the old tile under the carpet (which I am told could contain asbestos because of when they were made – in the 50’s) on Friday night from the toilet overflow problem with my mother on Wednesday because the stench was pretty unbearable and I did not want to leave an stinky or unsafe environment while gone this weekend.
On Saturday morning, I had my IUI. I was very pleased because I had, in the end, a better response than I had expected/hoped. I was REALLY glad that I stimmed and extra day. I had the following: 30, 20, 16, 16, 12. And, now I wait. I have a 7 dpo progesterone test on Friday and a beta the Friday after that if I don’t get my period first. I feel like I may have a fighting chance on this cycle assuming I have any kind of egg quality left. Time will tell.
After my IUI I came home and loaded up the car and Max for a lovely weekend at my friend’s family beach house. It worked out great to have Naomi on Saturday morning watching Max for both the IUI and getting the car loaded.
The weather was great and I had a terrific time at the beach. It went all too fast and I am feeling very tired today. There wasn’t really any down time because Max was gassy, constipated, and didn’t sleep well. In contrast, he slept great last night from the time I put him in the car to come home until morning if you don’t count the 10 minutes between 4:44 and 4:54 when he woke and was hungry. He fell back asleep in bed with me until 6 am. He slept from 9:30 am – 12:55 today and had a HUGE BM when he woke up. Ahhh! That kid of mine. LOL. How can he sleep all morning on the day I have to work and have his nanny here, but barely sleep when I have a chance to relax and read a book or stare into the ocean. Doesn’t he know that timing is everything? LOL. What can I say? I love him anyway even if he frequently let’s me know what I can do with my plans.
It was wonderful to see Max interact and observe (don’t think you can really call it “play” at this age) with my friends twins and will be more interesting to see as they grow older. Max seemed to be similar in personality to Jamie. It will be interesting to see if they butt heads trying to be top dog as they get older. Her other twin John is just so easy going and mild mannered you can see him getting along with anyone. Max was (mostly) not jealous if I was giving attention or playing with one of the other kids, but did maneuver over a few times just to make sure Jamie realized that I was “his”. LOL. It was very cute and all of them are so adorable. It made me re-think my desire for twins and make me want them all the more at the same time, if that makes sense.
It was also really interesting to see my friends older son (who I am pretty sure is 4 or 4.5) interact with the “babies”. He actually “played” and interacted with Max a few times, but pretty much ignored his brothers most of the time. He got a little out of sorts a few times when all the babies were awake at the same time, which didn’t happen all that much actually since they are on pretty different schedules/routines, but rebounded with a little extra TLC and attention just for him.
All and all, it was a terrific weekend and wonderful to get away with good food and great company.
On Saturday morning, I had my IUI. I was very pleased because I had, in the end, a better response than I had expected/hoped. I was REALLY glad that I stimmed and extra day. I had the following: 30, 20, 16, 16, 12. And, now I wait. I have a 7 dpo progesterone test on Friday and a beta the Friday after that if I don’t get my period first. I feel like I may have a fighting chance on this cycle assuming I have any kind of egg quality left. Time will tell.
After my IUI I came home and loaded up the car and Max for a lovely weekend at my friend’s family beach house. It worked out great to have Naomi on Saturday morning watching Max for both the IUI and getting the car loaded.
The weather was great and I had a terrific time at the beach. It went all too fast and I am feeling very tired today. There wasn’t really any down time because Max was gassy, constipated, and didn’t sleep well. In contrast, he slept great last night from the time I put him in the car to come home until morning if you don’t count the 10 minutes between 4:44 and 4:54 when he woke and was hungry. He fell back asleep in bed with me until 6 am. He slept from 9:30 am – 12:55 today and had a HUGE BM when he woke up. Ahhh! That kid of mine. LOL. How can he sleep all morning on the day I have to work and have his nanny here, but barely sleep when I have a chance to relax and read a book or stare into the ocean. Doesn’t he know that timing is everything? LOL. What can I say? I love him anyway even if he frequently let’s me know what I can do with my plans.
It was wonderful to see Max interact and observe (don’t think you can really call it “play” at this age) with my friends twins and will be more interesting to see as they grow older. Max seemed to be similar in personality to Jamie. It will be interesting to see if they butt heads trying to be top dog as they get older. Her other twin John is just so easy going and mild mannered you can see him getting along with anyone. Max was (mostly) not jealous if I was giving attention or playing with one of the other kids, but did maneuver over a few times just to make sure Jamie realized that I was “his”. LOL. It was very cute and all of them are so adorable. It made me re-think my desire for twins and make me want them all the more at the same time, if that makes sense.
It was also really interesting to see my friends older son (who I am pretty sure is 4 or 4.5) interact with the “babies”. He actually “played” and interacted with Max a few times, but pretty much ignored his brothers most of the time. He got a little out of sorts a few times when all the babies were awake at the same time, which didn’t happen all that much actually since they are on pretty different schedules/routines, but rebounded with a little extra TLC and attention just for him.
All and all, it was a terrific weekend and wonderful to get away with good food and great company.
Friday, May 26, 2006
Mind Games
TTC can play havoc with your emotions. I decided today that the 36 hours after trigger and before IUI are probably my most stressful of the entire cycle. Then again, maybe I say that at every step? This process can play such tricks on your mind. Typically, during this time after trigger and before IUI I am convinced I am going to ovulate early. I have called my RE on at least half of all my cycle and gone in for an u/s to check and an early IUI because the pain in my ovaries is either so intense I am sure they grew and collapsed releasing the egg OR I don’t feel them at all (like last night and today) and are sure the eggs have already been released. Today, I realized that there is no making me happy during this time. I am worried if I have ovarian pain and worried if I don’t, both for the same reason. I have already ovulated and the IUI will be too late. I have had to force myself not to call my RE these last two cycles to tell him I am sure I am ovulating or have ovulated early. The thing is…in FIVE cycles…it has never happened. Not once. I think it is going to every single time and it never has. If I call my RE, he will say “why don’t you come in and we will check it out and then he will do an IUI to appease me”. But, I started R2 with only 5 vials to have a full sibling for Max. Since R2C1 was a bust, I am down to 4. And, anyone of them could be a “bad” vial upon thaw causing me to go further into my reserves. This has happened. Only once, but it did occur. These vials are a precious resource not to be used willy nilly because of neurotic mind games. I even had a panic that maybe I missed my LH surge somehow by having diluted urine since we let my follicle grow so large and most people would have had an LH surge already with a follicle that size. I got so concerned that maybe the brand I used (generic drug store) didn’t work with my urine that I tested today after the HCG trigger just to see the “other” line change. I have had to “talk myself down” all day to keep myself from calling my RE and begging to be seen just to make sure my follicles are still there. I will be so relieved when I go in for the IUI tomorrow if I see my follicles still around. I will be thrilled if I have two possible contenders, but will be happy if at least one is still there just about ready for release to meet up with the swimmers. If I ever say that any other part of the cycle is “the most” stressful, remind me of the 36 hours prior to IUI. I hate this time. The timing is so critical to the whole thing. If you get the timing wrong, the rest doesn’t really matter. I mean, unless Dr. N recommended against it, I would likely do an IUI anyway, just to make sure, but thawed swimmers just don’t have the endurance as fresh ones. Timing is key. AHHHHHH. Tomorrow morning can’t get here soon enough for me.
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Yesterday
As bad of a day as yesterday was being tired, sulking over my poor response, my mom flooding my bathroom which is going to cause me to recarpet the back of my house since the pads are soaked. As bad as that was, a bad day with Max in my life is better than the best day without him. Here are some pictures of him that I think show how much he has grown and how charming he is.
Max - 8/24/06 playing with his bottle.
Max - 8/24/06 checking out the plants, which are normally behind the baracade.
Max on 8/24/06 swinging.
Max - 8/24/06 playing with his bottle.
Max - 8/24/06 checking out the plants, which are normally behind the baracade.
Max on 8/24/06 swinging.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
cd13 update
Very, very tired. So tired, I can hardly think/see straight. Max hasn’t really been sleeping that great. I just keep remembering my mothers day present - 6 am. That is the last time I have seen that number on the clock upon wake up. Not to mention, not being able to fall asleep due to the stims. This morning, the wake up call came at 3:x5, with x being either a 4 or 5. It is a tad foggy.
Saw my RE today. I really do like that guy. He said it was my call to either trigger tonight for a Friday IUI or stim one more night, trigger tomorrow night, for a Saturday 10 am IUI (assuming I don’t get an LH surge). I’m going for another night of stims. My lead follicle was 22 today and the next closest was 15. If I stim another day, the lead should be about 24 and the smaller about 16 ish, which is the exact combo I had on the day of trigger I had on the cycle I got pregnant with Max. I guess if I can’t have volume, I can at least try to make conditions as close to what once worked. The odds aren’t great, but better than none.
I’m feeling a tad better about the “poor responder” label. It isn’t as if I didn’t KNOW I had a poor response based on my FSH and quantity of drugs, but it just stung to hear it out loud. Plus, I am too tired to care much at this point.
Max is out swimming with his nanna right now. Let Naomi go early. My mom was thrilled. I think Naomi was equally happy with the situation.
We are going to do a low key dinner tonight.
My son is so incredible. Yesterday, he was crawling around the living room and was trying to open the door of the entertainment unit. He was getting frustrated because he couldn’t get the door open, because he was in the way. I could see his little mind spinning and trying to figure it out. He moved out of the way and the door flew open. He turned to look at me with the biggest smile. He was so proud of himself for figuring it out and I was cheering him on. I just can’t believe how quickly he is growing and developing.
I think I wanted to say more, like what my RE said about moving to IVF and all that, but I am too tired. Maybe tomorrow or Friday. I’m spending the weekend with a friend (after the IUI). I am so looking forward to getting away and just relaxing a bit, as much as you can relax with a 9 month old who needs supervision, attention, and cuddles.
Saw my RE today. I really do like that guy. He said it was my call to either trigger tonight for a Friday IUI or stim one more night, trigger tomorrow night, for a Saturday 10 am IUI (assuming I don’t get an LH surge). I’m going for another night of stims. My lead follicle was 22 today and the next closest was 15. If I stim another day, the lead should be about 24 and the smaller about 16 ish, which is the exact combo I had on the day of trigger I had on the cycle I got pregnant with Max. I guess if I can’t have volume, I can at least try to make conditions as close to what once worked. The odds aren’t great, but better than none.
I’m feeling a tad better about the “poor responder” label. It isn’t as if I didn’t KNOW I had a poor response based on my FSH and quantity of drugs, but it just stung to hear it out loud. Plus, I am too tired to care much at this point.
Max is out swimming with his nanna right now. Let Naomi go early. My mom was thrilled. I think Naomi was equally happy with the situation.
We are going to do a low key dinner tonight.
My son is so incredible. Yesterday, he was crawling around the living room and was trying to open the door of the entertainment unit. He was getting frustrated because he couldn’t get the door open, because he was in the way. I could see his little mind spinning and trying to figure it out. He moved out of the way and the door flew open. He turned to look at me with the biggest smile. He was so proud of himself for figuring it out and I was cheering him on. I just can’t believe how quickly he is growing and developing.
I think I wanted to say more, like what my RE said about moving to IVF and all that, but I am too tired. Maybe tomorrow or Friday. I’m spending the weekend with a friend (after the IUI). I am so looking forward to getting away and just relaxing a bit, as much as you can relax with a 9 month old who needs supervision, attention, and cuddles.
Monday, May 22, 2006
Our Appointments
Max and I both had doctor’s appointments today. His was his 9 month well baby exam. Mine was my cd11 follicle check. Max’s went better than mine.
Max is 29 ¼ inches long, 18 lbs 8 oz, and his head circumference is 17 7/8. Or, 75% in length (still), 25% in weight (which is an increase), and “average” head, which I took to mean 50th percentile (and I forget what he was before, but think about the same). Dr. H said he was perfect and all is well. He gave me a list of food no-no’s for the next few months, several of which I have already given Max. It has something to do with being more likely to develop an allergy to them later in life if they are introduced earlier and stopping now will help. Okay, no problem. Max had a TB test so he has to go back on Wednesday or Thursday to have it “read”. I could have waited until his 12 month appointment, but new I would have to be going back on Wed. or Thurs. anyway for my cycle so decided to get it done and over with.
My appointment left me feeling sad. I am officially a “poor responder”. The funny thing is that I have known that I haven’t had a great response, but getting the label stung a bit. It is like knowing you are obese and having someone tell you you are. I wrote a success story for my clinics web page. It got posted the other day and I went to take a look. Under diagnosis, it said, “poor responder”. I had wondered if Dr. N had told them that or they got it from what I wrote. I re-read what I wrote and I say right in there that I responded poorly, but seing it in black and white it stung a bit. Then, today, during my u/s I was asking my RE if moving to IVF was really the next best move since I wouldn’t produce enough follicles to make it worth while, Dr. N used the term for the first time…the “poor responder” label. We talked about his poor responder study and he said I likely wouldn’t qualify because I haven’t been on the maximum dose of stims and I had to remind him that I was now over 40. But, I wouldn’t really want to be in the study anyway because I wouldn’t want to be in the control group. He said he would give me the most aggressive protocol for poor responders they have. We both agreed it would help if my right ovary decided to participate. He said it is caused by decreased blood flow that could be a result of my surgery or just old age and that one ovary usually “stops” before the other. Lovely. Like the pressure and baby time clock wasn’t ticking as loudly already.
Anyway, a few more follicles decided to show up. One in the lead at 18, then a 12, 11, 9, 7. He thought we could maybe get 3 out of it if we continued to stim me for a few more days and I don’t get an LH surge. I go back on Wednesday for another u/s. He said 75% chance I would trigger Wednesday night for a Friday IUI. If not, it will be cutting into my weekend travel plans. But, I am not going to stress about that, but I am going to try to line up someone to watch Max on Saturday or Sunday just in case. The hard part is that I have told so few people that I am cycling. And, so many people are out of town. I guess I can see if Naomi wants to earn extra money.
Work is going pretty crumby right now. I need to make some decisions around that, but the timing is just wrong on that. I decided to talk to one of my bosses, but we didn’t connect today. I wish that conversation was done because my stomach gets a huge knot every time I think about it.
I am really missing my acupuncturist. She has been on my mind for the last few months, but I haven’t had a chance to call and no way schedule wise I can get in right now. I hadn’t realized how much the acu treatment helped with stress and to counter balance the insomnia and anxiety I get on stims.
I am also really missing my Lucky at this moment. I have found that when I am down and feeling sorry for myself, like now, I tend to miss her a whole bunch more. She was my cuddle bunny. She would be at my feet licking them right now or trying to climb into my lap because I am crying. She loved me like no one else ever has in my life and I miss that all the time, but especially right now and when I am feeling low.
I think I will send a few emails out and then go cry myself to sleep. I think I really need the stress relief and since Sex and acupuncture are out….
BTW, I do know that this cycle CAN still work. Shoot, I got pregnant on a much worse one. But, that was a once in a life time miracle. I can still happen, but the odds are not that great. The logistical, emotional, and financial toll for each cycle is high. Since I am a “poor responder”, the cost/benefit ratio is just not there.
Yes, I realize that Max has gotten a lot less “press” lately. But, I am contents under pressure. I am the author so I can make it all about me if I want to..if I need to.
Max is 29 ¼ inches long, 18 lbs 8 oz, and his head circumference is 17 7/8. Or, 75% in length (still), 25% in weight (which is an increase), and “average” head, which I took to mean 50th percentile (and I forget what he was before, but think about the same). Dr. H said he was perfect and all is well. He gave me a list of food no-no’s for the next few months, several of which I have already given Max. It has something to do with being more likely to develop an allergy to them later in life if they are introduced earlier and stopping now will help. Okay, no problem. Max had a TB test so he has to go back on Wednesday or Thursday to have it “read”. I could have waited until his 12 month appointment, but new I would have to be going back on Wed. or Thurs. anyway for my cycle so decided to get it done and over with.
My appointment left me feeling sad. I am officially a “poor responder”. The funny thing is that I have known that I haven’t had a great response, but getting the label stung a bit. It is like knowing you are obese and having someone tell you you are. I wrote a success story for my clinics web page. It got posted the other day and I went to take a look. Under diagnosis, it said, “poor responder”. I had wondered if Dr. N had told them that or they got it from what I wrote. I re-read what I wrote and I say right in there that I responded poorly, but seing it in black and white it stung a bit. Then, today, during my u/s I was asking my RE if moving to IVF was really the next best move since I wouldn’t produce enough follicles to make it worth while, Dr. N used the term for the first time…the “poor responder” label. We talked about his poor responder study and he said I likely wouldn’t qualify because I haven’t been on the maximum dose of stims and I had to remind him that I was now over 40. But, I wouldn’t really want to be in the study anyway because I wouldn’t want to be in the control group. He said he would give me the most aggressive protocol for poor responders they have. We both agreed it would help if my right ovary decided to participate. He said it is caused by decreased blood flow that could be a result of my surgery or just old age and that one ovary usually “stops” before the other. Lovely. Like the pressure and baby time clock wasn’t ticking as loudly already.
Anyway, a few more follicles decided to show up. One in the lead at 18, then a 12, 11, 9, 7. He thought we could maybe get 3 out of it if we continued to stim me for a few more days and I don’t get an LH surge. I go back on Wednesday for another u/s. He said 75% chance I would trigger Wednesday night for a Friday IUI. If not, it will be cutting into my weekend travel plans. But, I am not going to stress about that, but I am going to try to line up someone to watch Max on Saturday or Sunday just in case. The hard part is that I have told so few people that I am cycling. And, so many people are out of town. I guess I can see if Naomi wants to earn extra money.
Work is going pretty crumby right now. I need to make some decisions around that, but the timing is just wrong on that. I decided to talk to one of my bosses, but we didn’t connect today. I wish that conversation was done because my stomach gets a huge knot every time I think about it.
I am really missing my acupuncturist. She has been on my mind for the last few months, but I haven’t had a chance to call and no way schedule wise I can get in right now. I hadn’t realized how much the acu treatment helped with stress and to counter balance the insomnia and anxiety I get on stims.
I am also really missing my Lucky at this moment. I have found that when I am down and feeling sorry for myself, like now, I tend to miss her a whole bunch more. She was my cuddle bunny. She would be at my feet licking them right now or trying to climb into my lap because I am crying. She loved me like no one else ever has in my life and I miss that all the time, but especially right now and when I am feeling low.
I think I will send a few emails out and then go cry myself to sleep. I think I really need the stress relief and since Sex and acupuncture are out….
BTW, I do know that this cycle CAN still work. Shoot, I got pregnant on a much worse one. But, that was a once in a life time miracle. I can still happen, but the odds are not that great. The logistical, emotional, and financial toll for each cycle is high. Since I am a “poor responder”, the cost/benefit ratio is just not there.
Yes, I realize that Max has gotten a lot less “press” lately. But, I am contents under pressure. I am the author so I can make it all about me if I want to..if I need to.
Sunday, May 21, 2006
Blowing Bubbles and Forgetfulness
My son is just the cutest little guy, even if he was a tad fussier than normal and boycotted his afternoon nap once again.
Tonight, in the tub, he bent over so his face was in the water and started blowing bubbles. He was so cute and so proud of himself. He did it 4 or 5 times, then swallowed some water and started choking. After being able to breathe again, he put his face right back in the water to do it again. LOL. It was very funny, except for the few seconds when I could see panic in his face/eyes after swallowing the water until he could catch a breath again. I wonder if he just picked that up on his own or if Naomi showed him how to do that in the pool. She has been swimming with him in the afternoon.
Earlier today, when we were at lunch with a friend, I was giving him a drink of water from a water bottle. He put his whole mouth over the spout and instead of drinking like normal, he started blowing air into the bottle. My friend and I just laughed at his antics. I brought Chicken, Squash, and Apple Sauce for him. After about ¾ of the jar of Chicken and about the time our meals arrived, he started spitting out the baby food. Funny kid, he knows I don’t like it so he looks right at me and does it with a smile. Oh my, am I going to have my hands full with this one. So, he ended up eating half a pickle; some of my roast beef sandwich; and even a small piece or two of grilled onion and loved every bite. None of that got spit out. LOL.
On my way out the door for lunch, I peed in a cup because I am supposed to be checking an OPK to make sure I don’t get my LH surge early by stimming to fast. A few minutes ago, I remembered that I was supposed to do my stims and had forgotten. I go in the bathroom to mix and shoot up and saw the pee cup sitting there. LOL. I tested that sample and took another, more recent, one. Both indicate that I have not yet surged.
Now, I just need to take my pre-natal. Load the dishwasher. And, call it a night. After I go check in on my cute little bubble blowing, food spitting kid who was asleep by 7 pm tonight (fell asleep in my arms again) he was so tired.
Tonight, in the tub, he bent over so his face was in the water and started blowing bubbles. He was so cute and so proud of himself. He did it 4 or 5 times, then swallowed some water and started choking. After being able to breathe again, he put his face right back in the water to do it again. LOL. It was very funny, except for the few seconds when I could see panic in his face/eyes after swallowing the water until he could catch a breath again. I wonder if he just picked that up on his own or if Naomi showed him how to do that in the pool. She has been swimming with him in the afternoon.
Earlier today, when we were at lunch with a friend, I was giving him a drink of water from a water bottle. He put his whole mouth over the spout and instead of drinking like normal, he started blowing air into the bottle. My friend and I just laughed at his antics. I brought Chicken, Squash, and Apple Sauce for him. After about ¾ of the jar of Chicken and about the time our meals arrived, he started spitting out the baby food. Funny kid, he knows I don’t like it so he looks right at me and does it with a smile. Oh my, am I going to have my hands full with this one. So, he ended up eating half a pickle; some of my roast beef sandwich; and even a small piece or two of grilled onion and loved every bite. None of that got spit out. LOL.
On my way out the door for lunch, I peed in a cup because I am supposed to be checking an OPK to make sure I don’t get my LH surge early by stimming to fast. A few minutes ago, I remembered that I was supposed to do my stims and had forgotten. I go in the bathroom to mix and shoot up and saw the pee cup sitting there. LOL. I tested that sample and took another, more recent, one. Both indicate that I have not yet surged.
Now, I just need to take my pre-natal. Load the dishwasher. And, call it a night. After I go check in on my cute little bubble blowing, food spitting kid who was asleep by 7 pm tonight (fell asleep in my arms again) he was so tired.
Melt Downs and Worries
We are still sick around here. I thought Max was getting better, but this morning was very congested again and having major melt downs. A few warranted, like having his nose suctioned. Most not, like not wanting to wear his hat on the walk this morning, Shadow moving away from him, his bottle running out when he wanted just one more ounce. He hasn’t wanted to fall asleep in my arms in quite awhile. This morning he did. I love the cuddle time, but not at the price of illness and him not feeling well. I would rather him be feeling up to par and wanting to get into everything.
The last two mornings I have given him Tylenol and Benadryl with breakfast to help the aches and pains I know he must have and the congestion. He is clearly hungry, but has no interest in food or drink when he is feeling so icky. While I hate to dose out the drugs, I have found they really do help him for the rest of the day. The suctioning is only effective for about 3 minutes and he throws such a fit that all the crying and tears just gets him more congested. The medicine has been the most effective method of help so far. That, and momma cuddles and kisses. Poor guy.
These tears and tantrums can be very trying and tiring. And, yet, I still really want more. I hope he isn’t on his way to getting another ear infection. We have his 9 month well baby exam tomorrow. I guess we will find out then. I need to write out my questions for the Dr. so I don’t forget during the appointment.
I still haven’t been sleeping great. I did manage to doze yesterday morning while Max napped, but slept light and crappy again last night. Not only does that suck because I am tired and not feeling so great myself, but it gives me more time to worry.
I’ve been worrying about my cycle, my body, growing my family, and work.
Taking them in reverse order, I was hoping some changes at work would help fix/change the situation at work that has been bothering me since I was out on maternity leave. It looks like that isn’t the case. I’ve decided I am going to talk to one of my bosses about it next week, the one that I have yet to talk to about my issues and concerns. We will see how that goes. I have been wishing the problem would go away, but with some recent changes, it has made it a bit worse.
On the ttc and growing my family front, this process is just full of so many lows with an occasional high. I’m really a bit depressed and bummed out by how this cycle is going so far. I wish I had a better response to the meds. When I was up not sleeping last night, I sent another email to my RE asking if how or where I was injecting the stims could be causing the right ovary boycott or the lack luster response. I figure it is pretty unlikely, but that it couldn’t hurt to ask since I was up and working about in anyway. Most of the time, I think I will likely be able to conceive another child even it if isn’t right off the bat, but when I am feeling tired, but wired on stims; physically sick; and worried about work I lose the faith.
Last night, when I gave myself my shot, I realized how unattractive I look at the present moment. My belly is all soft and big and filled with stretch marks. My butt is a lumpy wide load with ample space for more shots without hitting the same real estate. My boobs are smaller than they have been in awhile and saggy and soft. I am only about 5 lbs heavier than I was when I cycled for Max, but I just feel huge and ugly right now. Normally, I am not so worried about body image because I eat reasonably well and get out and exercise/walk twice a day. I figure I am who I am and with my gene pool, I can only do so much. But, with the reduce exercise, the drugs, the lack of sleep, and the being sick, it is eating into my psyche on this.
I wish my cycle were going better. I know it can still work, but the whole point of doing the stims is to get more follicles/eggs to improve the odds. It is hard to pay the physical, emotional, and financial price for such a low return.
I still miss my Lucky an awful lot. Yesterday, we did a trail that I don’t think we have done since she was gone. Shadow looked really happy to be there and did the whole thing. It was all I could do not to sob my way through it. I really wish she was still living and part of my everyday life instead of just my memories.
I guess it doesn’t help that we have had damp drizzly weather and gray skies lately.
Yesterday afternoon, we did a bunch of errands and I got some gates to block off parts of the house from Mr. Max. They weren’t exactly what I was looking for, but the first two stores didn’t have ANYTHING so I decided to give a try to what the third store had. I guess it will work.
I wish I could go crawl in bed and try to take another nap since I slept so poorly last night, but I made brunch/lunch plans so must go shower and get pulled together.
I know that this funk is just a short term thing caused by many, many factors, but I really hate the anxious out of sorts feeling I have had lately.
Big sigh. Big yawn.
The last two mornings I have given him Tylenol and Benadryl with breakfast to help the aches and pains I know he must have and the congestion. He is clearly hungry, but has no interest in food or drink when he is feeling so icky. While I hate to dose out the drugs, I have found they really do help him for the rest of the day. The suctioning is only effective for about 3 minutes and he throws such a fit that all the crying and tears just gets him more congested. The medicine has been the most effective method of help so far. That, and momma cuddles and kisses. Poor guy.
These tears and tantrums can be very trying and tiring. And, yet, I still really want more. I hope he isn’t on his way to getting another ear infection. We have his 9 month well baby exam tomorrow. I guess we will find out then. I need to write out my questions for the Dr. so I don’t forget during the appointment.
I still haven’t been sleeping great. I did manage to doze yesterday morning while Max napped, but slept light and crappy again last night. Not only does that suck because I am tired and not feeling so great myself, but it gives me more time to worry.
I’ve been worrying about my cycle, my body, growing my family, and work.
Taking them in reverse order, I was hoping some changes at work would help fix/change the situation at work that has been bothering me since I was out on maternity leave. It looks like that isn’t the case. I’ve decided I am going to talk to one of my bosses about it next week, the one that I have yet to talk to about my issues and concerns. We will see how that goes. I have been wishing the problem would go away, but with some recent changes, it has made it a bit worse.
On the ttc and growing my family front, this process is just full of so many lows with an occasional high. I’m really a bit depressed and bummed out by how this cycle is going so far. I wish I had a better response to the meds. When I was up not sleeping last night, I sent another email to my RE asking if how or where I was injecting the stims could be causing the right ovary boycott or the lack luster response. I figure it is pretty unlikely, but that it couldn’t hurt to ask since I was up and working about in anyway. Most of the time, I think I will likely be able to conceive another child even it if isn’t right off the bat, but when I am feeling tired, but wired on stims; physically sick; and worried about work I lose the faith.
Last night, when I gave myself my shot, I realized how unattractive I look at the present moment. My belly is all soft and big and filled with stretch marks. My butt is a lumpy wide load with ample space for more shots without hitting the same real estate. My boobs are smaller than they have been in awhile and saggy and soft. I am only about 5 lbs heavier than I was when I cycled for Max, but I just feel huge and ugly right now. Normally, I am not so worried about body image because I eat reasonably well and get out and exercise/walk twice a day. I figure I am who I am and with my gene pool, I can only do so much. But, with the reduce exercise, the drugs, the lack of sleep, and the being sick, it is eating into my psyche on this.
I wish my cycle were going better. I know it can still work, but the whole point of doing the stims is to get more follicles/eggs to improve the odds. It is hard to pay the physical, emotional, and financial price for such a low return.
I still miss my Lucky an awful lot. Yesterday, we did a trail that I don’t think we have done since she was gone. Shadow looked really happy to be there and did the whole thing. It was all I could do not to sob my way through it. I really wish she was still living and part of my everyday life instead of just my memories.
I guess it doesn’t help that we have had damp drizzly weather and gray skies lately.
Yesterday afternoon, we did a bunch of errands and I got some gates to block off parts of the house from Mr. Max. They weren’t exactly what I was looking for, but the first two stores didn’t have ANYTHING so I decided to give a try to what the third store had. I guess it will work.
I wish I could go crawl in bed and try to take another nap since I slept so poorly last night, but I made brunch/lunch plans so must go shower and get pulled together.
I know that this funk is just a short term thing caused by many, many factors, but I really hate the anxious out of sorts feeling I have had lately.
Big sigh. Big yawn.
Friday, May 19, 2006
Follicle Recruitment
Follicle recruitment is something I have decided I suck at. Suffice it to say that today's u/s didn't go that great. Only 3 follicles, one, of course, in the lead. Here is my latest email to my RE. Next u/s Monday afternoon. I likely will not hear back until Monday during my u/s. In the meantime, I am sick and not sleeping because of the stims. I raelly hate this process and just want to be pregnant already, darn it!
Dr. N - I was thinking on the way home from the u/s today that it really makes no difference what my FSH and E2 are because no matter what protocol I am on, I seem to produce about the same number of follicles. You know that if this cycle didn’t work, I was planning on joining the July IVF cycle. But, after the results of today’s u/s and looking at my past history (which I have summarized below), I am not sure that would be the best decision because the amount of stims doesn’t seem to make much difference. I seem to get about 3 – 5 follicles on my left to start and end with 1 or 2, my right has never been a contender and hasn’t even participated in the last 3 cycles. On the other hand, I seem to get pregnant every other cycle so if that trend continues, this cycle could work and I wouldn’t need to worry about moving to IVF. Do you have any thoughts as to why I seem to not recruit and grow that many follicles and is there anything that can be done about it? If this cycle doesn’t work, do you really think that IVF is the next best step based on my history? I just don’t see where I would make enough follicles to make it worthwhile, especially with my right ovary choosing not to play. Based on my FSH and E2 with the amount of stims I have taken, I feel like I should be producing more. Thoughts? Ideas? BTW, my prediction for Monday’s u/s is that I have one large dominate follicle, 1 smaller follicle, and the third will have disappeared entirely. Debbie
Debbie Cycle History Summary Chart**
** This was an excel spreadsheet, but I can't figure out how to align thing to a table here so I am just going to leave it even though it makes it harder to read, because I am tired and not in the mood to fiddle with it.
Cycle 1
Date: April 2004
Cycle Day
10
13
15
17
18
Right
8
12
17
19
10
Left
9, 7
13, 13, 9
18, 16, 7
18, 15, 9
23, 20
Lining
9.8
9.7
10.1
9.9
Protocol
Clomid, No Trigger
Procedure
IUI cd 17, IUI cd18
Result
Negative
Cycle 2
Date: June 2004
Cycle Day
9
13
15
Right
12
18
?
Left
10, 8
14, 12
?
Lining
5
9.6
?
Protocol
Clomid, with Trigger
Procedure
IUI cd 15
Result
Pregnant, M/C
Cycle 3
Date: September 2004
Cycle Day
9
11
13
Right
13, 11
15
Left
16, 10, 9
20, 14
23, 18
Lining
8.14
9.1
9.3
Protocol
2 amps Repronex/Pergonal, Viagra, with Trigger
Procedure
IUI cd 13
Result
Negative
Cycle 4
Date: December 2004
Cycle Day
9
11
Right
Left
24, 16, 13, 12, 10
27, 16
Lining
8.44
?
Protocol
L5
Procedure
IVF Cxl, Converted to IUI cd11
Result
Pregnant, Max
Cycle 5
Date: April 2006
Cycle Day
5
7
9
Right
?
Left
?
17, 13, 10
21, 10
Lining
?
9.6
10.2
Protocol
Natural, with Trigger
Procedure
IUI cd 12
Result
Negative
Cycle 6
Date: May 2006
Cycle Day
8
11
13
Right
Left
13. 8, 8
Lining
9.1
Protocol
2 amps Gonal F, 1 amp Repronex
Procedure
IUI cd ?
Result
TBD
Dr. N - I was thinking on the way home from the u/s today that it really makes no difference what my FSH and E2 are because no matter what protocol I am on, I seem to produce about the same number of follicles. You know that if this cycle didn’t work, I was planning on joining the July IVF cycle. But, after the results of today’s u/s and looking at my past history (which I have summarized below), I am not sure that would be the best decision because the amount of stims doesn’t seem to make much difference. I seem to get about 3 – 5 follicles on my left to start and end with 1 or 2, my right has never been a contender and hasn’t even participated in the last 3 cycles. On the other hand, I seem to get pregnant every other cycle so if that trend continues, this cycle could work and I wouldn’t need to worry about moving to IVF. Do you have any thoughts as to why I seem to not recruit and grow that many follicles and is there anything that can be done about it? If this cycle doesn’t work, do you really think that IVF is the next best step based on my history? I just don’t see where I would make enough follicles to make it worthwhile, especially with my right ovary choosing not to play. Based on my FSH and E2 with the amount of stims I have taken, I feel like I should be producing more. Thoughts? Ideas? BTW, my prediction for Monday’s u/s is that I have one large dominate follicle, 1 smaller follicle, and the third will have disappeared entirely. Debbie
Debbie Cycle History Summary Chart**
** This was an excel spreadsheet, but I can't figure out how to align thing to a table here so I am just going to leave it even though it makes it harder to read, because I am tired and not in the mood to fiddle with it.
Cycle 1
Date: April 2004
Cycle Day
10
13
15
17
18
Right
8
12
17
19
10
Left
9, 7
13, 13, 9
18, 16, 7
18, 15, 9
23, 20
Lining
9.8
9.7
10.1
9.9
Protocol
Clomid, No Trigger
Procedure
IUI cd 17, IUI cd18
Result
Negative
Cycle 2
Date: June 2004
Cycle Day
9
13
15
Right
12
18
?
Left
10, 8
14, 12
?
Lining
5
9.6
?
Protocol
Clomid, with Trigger
Procedure
IUI cd 15
Result
Pregnant, M/C
Cycle 3
Date: September 2004
Cycle Day
9
11
13
Right
13, 11
15
Left
16, 10, 9
20, 14
23, 18
Lining
8.14
9.1
9.3
Protocol
2 amps Repronex/Pergonal, Viagra, with Trigger
Procedure
IUI cd 13
Result
Negative
Cycle 4
Date: December 2004
Cycle Day
9
11
Right
Left
24, 16, 13, 12, 10
27, 16
Lining
8.44
?
Protocol
L5
Procedure
IVF Cxl, Converted to IUI cd11
Result
Pregnant, Max
Cycle 5
Date: April 2006
Cycle Day
5
7
9
Right
?
Left
?
17, 13, 10
21, 10
Lining
?
9.6
10.2
Protocol
Natural, with Trigger
Procedure
IUI cd 12
Result
Negative
Cycle 6
Date: May 2006
Cycle Day
8
11
13
Right
Left
13. 8, 8
Lining
9.1
Protocol
2 amps Gonal F, 1 amp Repronex
Procedure
IUI cd ?
Result
TBD
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Stimulants
I can’t remember the last time I had caffeine. I wasn’t hard for me to give up while ttc and/or pregnant because I didn’t drink it very often anyway. It amps me up too much. If I would have even a small amount after 1 or 2 pm, I would have trouble sleeping.
I will almost never have dessert or something sweet after dinner or even late afternoon. If I am going to partake, I will do so in the morning or early afternoon. I get a little too much of a sugar high and it causes me to have trouble sleeping. Not as badly as caffeine, but enough for me to notice.
Even with Tylenol PM, I have only slept 4 – 5 hours since I started the stims for this cycle. I had forgotten how badly I react to them. They seem to stim not only my ovaries, but my bowels and my entire body. I lay down to sleep and can feel the blood speeding through my veins. I can’t relax. It is not really an anxious feeling and I don’t actually get the shakes, but it is similar. I just can’t sleep. I forgot how much it affected me and how much I don’t like that feeling.
In my previous cycles, I did acupuncture to help counter balance the affect. I just can not fit acu trips in my schedule right now. And, I am feeling it. I am so tired, I can’t see straight and can only think about sleeping. Plus, I feel like crap and think I am getting the cold Max just got over. However, it could also be part of my reaction to the meds because I remember my acu telling me that I say that I don’t feel well and think I am coming down with something every time I stim.
In general, I am a pretty crappy sleeper. Maybe that is why having an infant doesn’t really seem that hard to me most days. I am used to lack of sleep. Actually, on average I am pretty sure that I get more sleep post Max than pre Max.
However, I am feeling it today, baby. And, as tired as I am right now, once I inject myself tonight, I will lay there wired and not be able to sleep.
While I am complaining, I am also getting this really big zit right in the middle of my chin and it hurts.
I really had better get pregnant this cycle to make up for how badly I feel. I know. I know. There is no justice in the ttc process. There is no consideration for pain and suffering, financial and/or emotional expense. Only if there is a good enough egg and a good enough sperm that join to form and healthy enough embryo.
Still, I can hope and pray over here that my round 2 ttc journey is faster, less painful, and less money than my first round, can’t I?
On the bright side, I am so glad I tested my FSH and E2. My FSH was better this cycle than in 2004.
Date 4/5/04 5/16/06
FSH 6.5 5.5
E3 31 48
Not bad for an overweight, sleep deprived, advanced maternal age, over 40 gal.
Have I mentioned how tired and crappy I am feeling? Oh, I have?
I will almost never have dessert or something sweet after dinner or even late afternoon. If I am going to partake, I will do so in the morning or early afternoon. I get a little too much of a sugar high and it causes me to have trouble sleeping. Not as badly as caffeine, but enough for me to notice.
Even with Tylenol PM, I have only slept 4 – 5 hours since I started the stims for this cycle. I had forgotten how badly I react to them. They seem to stim not only my ovaries, but my bowels and my entire body. I lay down to sleep and can feel the blood speeding through my veins. I can’t relax. It is not really an anxious feeling and I don’t actually get the shakes, but it is similar. I just can’t sleep. I forgot how much it affected me and how much I don’t like that feeling.
In my previous cycles, I did acupuncture to help counter balance the affect. I just can not fit acu trips in my schedule right now. And, I am feeling it. I am so tired, I can’t see straight and can only think about sleeping. Plus, I feel like crap and think I am getting the cold Max just got over. However, it could also be part of my reaction to the meds because I remember my acu telling me that I say that I don’t feel well and think I am coming down with something every time I stim.
In general, I am a pretty crappy sleeper. Maybe that is why having an infant doesn’t really seem that hard to me most days. I am used to lack of sleep. Actually, on average I am pretty sure that I get more sleep post Max than pre Max.
However, I am feeling it today, baby. And, as tired as I am right now, once I inject myself tonight, I will lay there wired and not be able to sleep.
While I am complaining, I am also getting this really big zit right in the middle of my chin and it hurts.
I really had better get pregnant this cycle to make up for how badly I feel. I know. I know. There is no justice in the ttc process. There is no consideration for pain and suffering, financial and/or emotional expense. Only if there is a good enough egg and a good enough sperm that join to form and healthy enough embryo.
Still, I can hope and pray over here that my round 2 ttc journey is faster, less painful, and less money than my first round, can’t I?
On the bright side, I am so glad I tested my FSH and E2. My FSH was better this cycle than in 2004.
Date 4/5/04 5/16/06
FSH 6.5 5.5
E3 31 48
Not bad for an overweight, sleep deprived, advanced maternal age, over 40 gal.
Have I mentioned how tired and crappy I am feeling? Oh, I have?
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
9 months - today
My baby is 9 months today! I’m loving it. Even on tough days like this when I have been up since 3:30 and he is sick. Really, he has been back to his pleasant disposition (mostly). Monday was really the worst day where he cried at pretty much everything. He is still a bit fussier than normal, but it isn’t soooo bad.
Is it me, or would this just be a great month to get pregnant? Max would be 18 months old. In 9 months from now, double his age, he could have a sibling. Not counting on it, but it sure would be nice.
Feeling lots of pressure on my left ovary. It actually started before the stims after the baseline u/s. I think it is that small cyst that has been bothering me ever since last month. I may ask Dr. N about draining it on Friday if he can tell the difference from the others still.
Shot went well last night. I’m glad that I had the PIO and HCG shots under my belt before starting the medicated cycle to get me back into the groove.
It has been so hot here that Naomi didn’t even want to take Max to the park. She said the equipment is too hot and could burn him. I told her whatever she thought was best. It was great timing because the suits I ordered came. Well, the two I ordered for me came and one of the ones I ordered for her. Her other one is on back order until the end of the month. Her eyes lit up when it came and within 10 minutes she had Max out in the pool. She said it fit just fine and that she was happy with it. I’m really glad that I offered to get a few for her. I also told her I was fine with her inviting some of her friends from the park to come and swim. I think it make it a bit more fun for both her and Max. We will see if she does.
Not much else new.
When I was up in the middle of the night not able to go back to sleep, I came up with that I think I will put on the memorial plaque for Lucky. I had written up what I wanted to say and then I was told I only have 3 (4 if I want to push it) with 22 characters including spaces for each line. Here is what I think I am going to go with.
Lucky
A zest for life.
A friend like no other.
A special bond forever.
I want to ponder it a day or two. Feel free to give thoughts or ideas.
My mom is back from a Cosco run for me (and her) so I suppose I should go help her unload. Or rather, go unload, because she will not bring it in and will just whine and leave it in her car.
Happy 9 Month B-Day to my cute, adorable, good natured, boogger boy!
Is it me, or would this just be a great month to get pregnant? Max would be 18 months old. In 9 months from now, double his age, he could have a sibling. Not counting on it, but it sure would be nice.
Feeling lots of pressure on my left ovary. It actually started before the stims after the baseline u/s. I think it is that small cyst that has been bothering me ever since last month. I may ask Dr. N about draining it on Friday if he can tell the difference from the others still.
Shot went well last night. I’m glad that I had the PIO and HCG shots under my belt before starting the medicated cycle to get me back into the groove.
It has been so hot here that Naomi didn’t even want to take Max to the park. She said the equipment is too hot and could burn him. I told her whatever she thought was best. It was great timing because the suits I ordered came. Well, the two I ordered for me came and one of the ones I ordered for her. Her other one is on back order until the end of the month. Her eyes lit up when it came and within 10 minutes she had Max out in the pool. She said it fit just fine and that she was happy with it. I’m really glad that I offered to get a few for her. I also told her I was fine with her inviting some of her friends from the park to come and swim. I think it make it a bit more fun for both her and Max. We will see if she does.
Not much else new.
When I was up in the middle of the night not able to go back to sleep, I came up with that I think I will put on the memorial plaque for Lucky. I had written up what I wanted to say and then I was told I only have 3 (4 if I want to push it) with 22 characters including spaces for each line. Here is what I think I am going to go with.
Lucky
A zest for life.
A friend like no other.
A special bond forever.
I want to ponder it a day or two. Feel free to give thoughts or ideas.
My mom is back from a Cosco run for me (and her) so I suppose I should go help her unload. Or rather, go unload, because she will not bring it in and will just whine and leave it in her car.
Happy 9 Month B-Day to my cute, adorable, good natured, boogger boy!
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
cd5 baseline u/s update
I just got back from my cd5 baseline u/s. My RE laughed when I told him I was thinking about canceling the cycle*. I am still laughing at his response. I am in a much better mood after the appointment. Most of the time, I am always in a better mood come away from that place than going in. We agreed to do a lesser dose of stims. I think he was geared up for a “discussion” to convince me. I told him I was right on board with that and of the same opinion. I had a small cyst left over from the last cycle, but it was small enough to proceed without draining. I refrained from pointing out that I “knew” that and that was why I suspected that I hadn’t ovulated. He said he saw 10 antral follicles on my left. My right was typically hard to find with nothing to show for itself. The lining was thin, but good for so early in the cycle.
I stop by the pharmacy to get the meds, which rang up to under $50. I guess they have the benefits wrong because insurance was not supposed to pay. SCORE! It should have been over $1K, since we only got enough from now until Friday. If I had known insurance was picking it up for just the co-pay, I would have gotten more. LOL.
Dr. N talked to me about the possibility of having to convert the other way to IVF depending on my response. I think all those antrals made him a tad nervous.
We will see how things look on Friday.
I talked him into letting me have my E2 and FSH tested. If this cycle fails, we will test again on cd3 prior to moving to IVF. If it is successful, I want to know what the number is incase I foolishly decided to try this again down the road.
Okay, got to go and spend the evening with Mr. Max who isn’t eating much, is coughing and sneezing, and has a drippy nose, but seems to be feeling much better than yesterday.
*and I didn't even tell him (yet) about being due on my b-day if this cycle is successful.
I stop by the pharmacy to get the meds, which rang up to under $50. I guess they have the benefits wrong because insurance was not supposed to pay. SCORE! It should have been over $1K, since we only got enough from now until Friday. If I had known insurance was picking it up for just the co-pay, I would have gotten more. LOL.
Dr. N talked to me about the possibility of having to convert the other way to IVF depending on my response. I think all those antrals made him a tad nervous.
We will see how things look on Friday.
I talked him into letting me have my E2 and FSH tested. If this cycle fails, we will test again on cd3 prior to moving to IVF. If it is successful, I want to know what the number is incase I foolishly decided to try this again down the road.
Okay, got to go and spend the evening with Mr. Max who isn’t eating much, is coughing and sneezing, and has a drippy nose, but seems to be feeling much better than yesterday.
*and I didn't even tell him (yet) about being due on my b-day if this cycle is successful.
Cancel?
Guess who is sick? Yes, Max and I have both caught the cold after being exposed this weekend.
My little experiment: Yesterday was a very hard day for Max. My usual happy, easy going guy was replaced with a boy who cried at the smallest things. He just plain did not feel well. After work, I was playing with him a bit to wait for the outside temperature to drop a bit before taking our walk so that it wasn’t so hot for Shadow. But, Max had one meltdown after another so we went on a nice long walk; talked to a few neighbors; sang a few songs; and he was fine. When we got home, I put in Baby Bach and we cuddled and watched it together. At some major injustice (can’t remember what now exactly, he couldn’t reach a toy he wanted or something and was having a major crying fit over it), I just cuddled him close. I was remembering fondly breastfeeding which was a terrific soother. So, I decided to try this little experiment I have been thinking about for awhile. The how would Max react if presented with the boob now that there is no milk in it. I decided that now was a fine time to try it. So, I brought out my boob. He just looked at it and put his mouth over it and started laughing. He didn’t even try to suckle, but I think that was his only laugh all day and snapped him out of his bad mood.
On canceling: I have been thinking that I should cancel and not cycle this month; that conditions are less than ideal and if I am going to pay the $2K+ for meds, use another vial of precious sperm, have all the monitoring, etc. I should wait. That is the logical/practical me. The emotional, I want to be pregnant now, me says that despite a less than ideal start., this month could be the month. Unless, my RE recommends NOT moving forward this afternoon at the baseline u/s, I will move forward.
On self torture: I have this terrible, terrible habit. Each time I do it, I swear that I will not do it again. And, yet, next time, I do it all over again. When I was thinking of canceling, I thought. Hmmm. I wonder what the due date will be if I do conceive on this cycle. Based on LMP (last menstrual period), the due date would be …..drum roll…..
FEBRUARY 15, 2007
Which just happens to be my 41st Birthday.
My little experiment: Yesterday was a very hard day for Max. My usual happy, easy going guy was replaced with a boy who cried at the smallest things. He just plain did not feel well. After work, I was playing with him a bit to wait for the outside temperature to drop a bit before taking our walk so that it wasn’t so hot for Shadow. But, Max had one meltdown after another so we went on a nice long walk; talked to a few neighbors; sang a few songs; and he was fine. When we got home, I put in Baby Bach and we cuddled and watched it together. At some major injustice (can’t remember what now exactly, he couldn’t reach a toy he wanted or something and was having a major crying fit over it), I just cuddled him close. I was remembering fondly breastfeeding which was a terrific soother. So, I decided to try this little experiment I have been thinking about for awhile. The how would Max react if presented with the boob now that there is no milk in it. I decided that now was a fine time to try it. So, I brought out my boob. He just looked at it and put his mouth over it and started laughing. He didn’t even try to suckle, but I think that was his only laugh all day and snapped him out of his bad mood.
On canceling: I have been thinking that I should cancel and not cycle this month; that conditions are less than ideal and if I am going to pay the $2K+ for meds, use another vial of precious sperm, have all the monitoring, etc. I should wait. That is the logical/practical me. The emotional, I want to be pregnant now, me says that despite a less than ideal start., this month could be the month. Unless, my RE recommends NOT moving forward this afternoon at the baseline u/s, I will move forward.
On self torture: I have this terrible, terrible habit. Each time I do it, I swear that I will not do it again. And, yet, next time, I do it all over again. When I was thinking of canceling, I thought. Hmmm. I wonder what the due date will be if I do conceive on this cycle. Based on LMP (last menstrual period), the due date would be …..drum roll…..
FEBRUARY 15, 2007
Which just happens to be my 41st Birthday.
Monday, May 15, 2006
Yesterday vs. Today
Yesterday – I got to sleep in until 6. Today – I was up at 5:15 am.
Yesterday - Max was in a good mood and took good naps. Today - Max has been fussy and had three short naps.
Yesterday - Max was healthy. Today - Max is getting sick (cold/cough); isn’t feeling well; lost his balance; cut/bruised his eye; screamed for 10 -15 min.; then fell asleep; causing a trip to the pediatrician to rule out something serious and/or a concussion.
I am not feeling so happy with a new SMC member that came to our meeting on Saturday when her son, who is a few weeks younger than Max, was “just getting over something” because Max now has what he was “getting over”. I liked her and I liked her son. It will be great having another kid right in the same age for Max to grow up with, but life is so much harder when Max gets sick. Then, I get sick. I have to drag Max and Naomi to the doctor. Max didn’t get any time at the park today and had to eat lunch in his car seat on the way home. I know that kids will get sick. I am not ultra paranoid about germs and what he is getting exposed to, but it just inconsiderate to me to blatantly expose other children like that. Right now, I am Listening to Max totally whine as Naomi tries to give him dinner and I must say it is really annoying.
I emailed our group organizer and told her I was going to say something to the mom next time about not bringing her kid if he is sick or just getting over being sick. As much as I love going to the meetings, I have passed when we were feeling under the weather. Maybe when the kids get older it will not be that big of a deal, but at this age it is just too hard and not worth the few hours of socialize for days of a sick, fussy whinny kid; even when that kids is as good natured as Max is. You can’t give them anything but Tylenol or Motrin to help the aches and nothing for the stuffiness. If this turns into another ear infection, I am going to be really upset.
Yes, I am feeling a tad grouchy at the moment. It hasn’t helped that I totally bled through last night all over my sheets and panties. And, then again, right before I left to take Max to the doctor. I finally used one of the big mega pads left over from delivering Max. Not pleasant.
Today is not as good a day as yesterday was.
Yesterday - Max was in a good mood and took good naps. Today - Max has been fussy and had three short naps.
Yesterday - Max was healthy. Today - Max is getting sick (cold/cough); isn’t feeling well; lost his balance; cut/bruised his eye; screamed for 10 -15 min.; then fell asleep; causing a trip to the pediatrician to rule out something serious and/or a concussion.
I am not feeling so happy with a new SMC member that came to our meeting on Saturday when her son, who is a few weeks younger than Max, was “just getting over something” because Max now has what he was “getting over”. I liked her and I liked her son. It will be great having another kid right in the same age for Max to grow up with, but life is so much harder when Max gets sick. Then, I get sick. I have to drag Max and Naomi to the doctor. Max didn’t get any time at the park today and had to eat lunch in his car seat on the way home. I know that kids will get sick. I am not ultra paranoid about germs and what he is getting exposed to, but it just inconsiderate to me to blatantly expose other children like that. Right now, I am Listening to Max totally whine as Naomi tries to give him dinner and I must say it is really annoying.
I emailed our group organizer and told her I was going to say something to the mom next time about not bringing her kid if he is sick or just getting over being sick. As much as I love going to the meetings, I have passed when we were feeling under the weather. Maybe when the kids get older it will not be that big of a deal, but at this age it is just too hard and not worth the few hours of socialize for days of a sick, fussy whinny kid; even when that kids is as good natured as Max is. You can’t give them anything but Tylenol or Motrin to help the aches and nothing for the stuffiness. If this turns into another ear infection, I am going to be really upset.
Yes, I am feeling a tad grouchy at the moment. It hasn’t helped that I totally bled through last night all over my sheets and panties. And, then again, right before I left to take Max to the doctor. I finally used one of the big mega pads left over from delivering Max. Not pleasant.
Today is not as good a day as yesterday was.
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Great Day!
Today was a wonderful day. Just exactly how I wanted it to go. Max, Shadow, City Boy, and I just hanging out. Okay, well, as usual, Shadow and City spent most of the day outside avoiding us, but they are in with me now. I guess they have already forgiven me for the bath/shower they got this evening after our walk/before dinner even if they are not yet completely dry. LOL. It HAD to be done. I have been meaning to do it. The clincher was when Shadow laid down and got all wet in a water puddle on the walk. I figured, she was already wet, I may as well get her clean. And, poor City, he came around to see what was going on and I got him in on the wash. He was less than thrilled, but need it just as badly as Shadow.
Max gave me a wonderful present. He let me sleep until 6 am. I was not expecting the night to go so well because we were running all day Saturday and he napped in the car, we got home and to bed late. Usually, this means a wake up or two and an early rise. He slept through until 6. We will see if I can be so lucky two nights in a row.
The park that we walked around this morning has a matted play area instead of sand so instead of just swinging with Max as has become our morning routine. I let him crawl all around. Then, he crawled up and around the actual structure itself between my legs to prevent him from falling over one of the sides. I guess he really wore himself out because we came home, had a bit of breakfast, and I put him down for a nap. The kid slept 3 hours. We just played around the house all afternoon and Max helped me find more things I need to child proof. Around 2:30 he got a bit whinny, but I didn’t think he was tired enough to sleep so I tried a bottle. He happily cuddled and sucked down 4 oz. before wanting to play/crawl some more. Around 3:30, I tried to put him down for a nap and he sucked down another 4 oz. but just wouldn’t settle to sleep even though I could tell he was tired so I offered him more formula and the kids sucked down another 4 oz. for a total of 12 oz. of formula within 90 min. (that is a record for him) and took a 60 min. nap. I tried to give him dinner, but I guess he still wasn’t hungry so we took our evening walk, washed the dog and cat, then had dinner, played a bit more, had a bath, and he was in bed by 8 pm with no fuss and no muss after drinking another 8 oz. of formula.
Really, it was perfect. Okay, well, not perfect, exactly, since I am having a heavy enough period that I ended up bleeding through and not realizing it until after we finished dinner and I saw “red” on the chair cushion. And, I saw a flea on City while I was bathing him, which I killed, but freaked me out a bit because I detest fleas. He will be getting a flea treatment tomorrow as soon as I can get some stuff for him. I am brining in the mail/watching one of my neighbors houses while they are out of town and one of their sprinklers is leaking (so I turned off their water and left a message for them). So, maybe NOT perfect, but very nice. Exactly the day I wanted to have.
It was nice for us just to be home and hang out with each other. Max was able to play independently for stretches at a time while I did things like make sure all the sharp knives were out of the drawers that he (probably) couldn’t reach, but after the lamp incident, I am not taking chances. He found the small metal/mesh colander in the drawer in the kitchen and had a wonderful 15+ min. playing with that. Then I gave him the wooden rolling pin and that kept him entertained for another 5 or so minutes. So, Max wandered and explored the house and I made sure that everything poisonous was out from under the sink, all of the metal hooks were off the entertainment center, etc. We read book. We walked several times around the house, away from my fake Fichus Tree, which is a particular draw of his second behind getting to the dog food and water bowl (which were put up on the counter for the day to avoid choking and/or drowning…after all Shadow didn’t mind since she was outside all day anyway).
I talked on the phone to many people, but not too much. While Max napped, I got the house straitened, the dishwasher empted, sent a few emails, and stuff like that. But, mostly, Max and I just “were” today.
It was very nice. And, I am now very tired.
Max gave me a wonderful present. He let me sleep until 6 am. I was not expecting the night to go so well because we were running all day Saturday and he napped in the car, we got home and to bed late. Usually, this means a wake up or two and an early rise. He slept through until 6. We will see if I can be so lucky two nights in a row.
The park that we walked around this morning has a matted play area instead of sand so instead of just swinging with Max as has become our morning routine. I let him crawl all around. Then, he crawled up and around the actual structure itself between my legs to prevent him from falling over one of the sides. I guess he really wore himself out because we came home, had a bit of breakfast, and I put him down for a nap. The kid slept 3 hours. We just played around the house all afternoon and Max helped me find more things I need to child proof. Around 2:30 he got a bit whinny, but I didn’t think he was tired enough to sleep so I tried a bottle. He happily cuddled and sucked down 4 oz. before wanting to play/crawl some more. Around 3:30, I tried to put him down for a nap and he sucked down another 4 oz. but just wouldn’t settle to sleep even though I could tell he was tired so I offered him more formula and the kids sucked down another 4 oz. for a total of 12 oz. of formula within 90 min. (that is a record for him) and took a 60 min. nap. I tried to give him dinner, but I guess he still wasn’t hungry so we took our evening walk, washed the dog and cat, then had dinner, played a bit more, had a bath, and he was in bed by 8 pm with no fuss and no muss after drinking another 8 oz. of formula.
Really, it was perfect. Okay, well, not perfect, exactly, since I am having a heavy enough period that I ended up bleeding through and not realizing it until after we finished dinner and I saw “red” on the chair cushion. And, I saw a flea on City while I was bathing him, which I killed, but freaked me out a bit because I detest fleas. He will be getting a flea treatment tomorrow as soon as I can get some stuff for him. I am brining in the mail/watching one of my neighbors houses while they are out of town and one of their sprinklers is leaking (so I turned off their water and left a message for them). So, maybe NOT perfect, but very nice. Exactly the day I wanted to have.
It was nice for us just to be home and hang out with each other. Max was able to play independently for stretches at a time while I did things like make sure all the sharp knives were out of the drawers that he (probably) couldn’t reach, but after the lamp incident, I am not taking chances. He found the small metal/mesh colander in the drawer in the kitchen and had a wonderful 15+ min. playing with that. Then I gave him the wooden rolling pin and that kept him entertained for another 5 or so minutes. So, Max wandered and explored the house and I made sure that everything poisonous was out from under the sink, all of the metal hooks were off the entertainment center, etc. We read book. We walked several times around the house, away from my fake Fichus Tree, which is a particular draw of his second behind getting to the dog food and water bowl (which were put up on the counter for the day to avoid choking and/or drowning…after all Shadow didn’t mind since she was outside all day anyway).
I talked on the phone to many people, but not too much. While Max napped, I got the house straitened, the dishwasher empted, sent a few emails, and stuff like that. But, mostly, Max and I just “were” today.
It was very nice. And, I am now very tired.
Friday, May 12, 2006
R2C2CD1
Today is R2C2CD1 (Round 2, Cycle 2, Cycle Day 1). Yep, last cycle was negative. I was spotting yesterday and got my period today. Just talked to the nurse who confirmed a negative blood HCG. This puts cd3 on Mothers Day. The office is closed. My RE (I got the impression both RE's) aren't/weren't planning on being in on Monday. And, I have 5.5 hours of work meetings on Monday scheduled. There are trying to work it out and will call be back. I will likely be in work meetings and miss that call. And, to add to the mix, when I got home from giving my blood to confirm the negative, stopping by the vets to get a refill on a prescription for Shadow, and getting groceries, my home phone line is dead with no dial town and the earliest a technition can get here is sometime between 1 - 5 on Monday.
Emotionally, logistically, and finacially the ttc process just really sucks. I don't know how else to say it.
Emotionally, logistically, and finacially the ttc process just really sucks. I don't know how else to say it.
Thursday, May 11, 2006
B #1 – Bath
I really think that taking a bath might be Max’s favorite time of day/thing to do. He gets so excited when we go into the bathroom and he hears the water running. He laughs when I take of his diaper. He goes ballistic (in a thrilled happy way) when I take the hand held water head and spray his head, face, shoulders, back, etc. He just lights up. He started "really" crawling the first time when I put him down in the hallway outside the bathroom and started filling the tub. He had made it to the bathroom before I could turn around with this big grin on his face. LOL. I was just trying to give him a bit of incentive. LOL.
He also really likes to swing on the swings on the park and will laugh and get this big ole’ smile on his face while swinging. However, I think the “bath event” is the big winner. He gets excited when he knows he is getting a bath. He gets excited and enjoys the actual bath. He even gets excited and enjoys the “after” bath.
What is “after” bath? It is where I wrap him in a towel and he stands at the side of the tub looking in while I dump the baby tub water out and he watches the water go down the drain. This is a very important part of the bath ritual that can’t be skipped at least at this point in time. He is so fascinated by it.
We end the bath ritual by me holding him and looking in the mirror signing look at that baby in the mirror song. You don’t know it? Look at that baby in the mirror, the mirror. Look at that baby I see. Look at that baby in the mirror, the mirror. Yes, the one looking back at me cute as can be. Okay, so it is another dumb made up song, but it amuses my kid so who cares if I am a dork.
The only part of this whole bath thing that Max dislikes is getting dressed again afterwards. If he was dressed and you change him, he doesn’t have a problem. But, after a bath, even when he was an infant, he has hated to get dressed afterwards.
The only problem I have with bath time is how wild and dangerous it is. Max seems to think the Infant Tub is a jungle gym. He wants to stand, crawl, twist, turn, and generally put himself into one risky dangerous situation after another. If he doesn’t crack his head open or break a limb from falling, by the time his is a year old. I will be amazed. As it is, I have such a tight grip on him his skin is red from the pressure of my hold. Luckily, I haven’t bruised him yet, but it is probably just a matter of time. Every night, I think…I really need to research a better option for bath time. I think I have heard something about an inflatable tub you put inside the big tub, but haven’t had time to check it out.
One day, he was leaning forward and his face went under water. He quickly sat up and thought about it. Purposely put his face back in the water. Sat up again. Put his face in the water. And, sat up again. I think he did it 3 or 4 times. I could almost see him thinking about cause and effect. He hasn’t purposely put his face in the water again like that, but he has slipped under a time or two and doesn’t seem perturbed or upset when I pull him back up. I repeatedly, but him back on his bottom telling him we need to sit in the tub. He quickly moves on into another dangerous position. Forget leaving the room, I need to keep my eyes and hands on him the entire time.
So, his favorite time of day is probably my most stressful. Yet, I do it night, after night, after night. After all, it is part of the night time routine. And, he is such a messy eater I really want to make sure we get the food out of his hair, from behind his ear, and out from his nostrils. Good thing he likes the direct shower type spray. LOL. When he starts getting too wild, it is time to get out and move on to the next B. I really do need to find a safer alternative.
Max at about 3 weeks old. I think this was his first bath.
It was a week or two later when I thought I had scared him for life and only gave him baths in the big tub with me.
Max taking a quick bath on Easter. Anytime that involves being naked and water is fine with him.
The next few were taken a few weeks ago before he got so wild I could actually hold a camera (or phone) without worry that he would drown or injure himself. Since then, I keep both hands free at all times.
A water bottle. A toy good for just about any occassion.
I wonder what is over the edge?
Hmmm. I bet I can reach that and pull myself up.
A quick update on me: Started spotting today. Decided to self medicate and take 4 suppositories today instead of 3. I thought about email my RE to tell him this, but I know from past experience that he would be fine with this as you can never have too much progesterone (after ovulation) only too little. I think likely this means the cycle really is a bust, but have decided not to even try to predict the outcome either way since I spotted and cramped on and off my entire first trimester with Max. I could list 3-5 reasons I thought the cycle will be negative. I could list 3 – 5 reasons why maybe it will be positive. The truth of the matter is that time and time again, I have been proven completely wrong by objective fact based data during the ttc process so I am just going to acknowledge the fact that it could go either way at this point and that 24 hours from now I should know for sure either way. No, no HPT’s for me. I have had negative HPT’s too often even when my beta was high enough it should have registered. And, with Max, I was so sure the cycle was a bust, it didn’t even occur to me. I feel most confident just waiting for the beta. Tomorrow will tell the tale.
He also really likes to swing on the swings on the park and will laugh and get this big ole’ smile on his face while swinging. However, I think the “bath event” is the big winner. He gets excited when he knows he is getting a bath. He gets excited and enjoys the actual bath. He even gets excited and enjoys the “after” bath.
What is “after” bath? It is where I wrap him in a towel and he stands at the side of the tub looking in while I dump the baby tub water out and he watches the water go down the drain. This is a very important part of the bath ritual that can’t be skipped at least at this point in time. He is so fascinated by it.
We end the bath ritual by me holding him and looking in the mirror signing look at that baby in the mirror song. You don’t know it? Look at that baby in the mirror, the mirror. Look at that baby I see. Look at that baby in the mirror, the mirror. Yes, the one looking back at me cute as can be. Okay, so it is another dumb made up song, but it amuses my kid so who cares if I am a dork.
The only part of this whole bath thing that Max dislikes is getting dressed again afterwards. If he was dressed and you change him, he doesn’t have a problem. But, after a bath, even when he was an infant, he has hated to get dressed afterwards.
The only problem I have with bath time is how wild and dangerous it is. Max seems to think the Infant Tub is a jungle gym. He wants to stand, crawl, twist, turn, and generally put himself into one risky dangerous situation after another. If he doesn’t crack his head open or break a limb from falling, by the time his is a year old. I will be amazed. As it is, I have such a tight grip on him his skin is red from the pressure of my hold. Luckily, I haven’t bruised him yet, but it is probably just a matter of time. Every night, I think…I really need to research a better option for bath time. I think I have heard something about an inflatable tub you put inside the big tub, but haven’t had time to check it out.
One day, he was leaning forward and his face went under water. He quickly sat up and thought about it. Purposely put his face back in the water. Sat up again. Put his face in the water. And, sat up again. I think he did it 3 or 4 times. I could almost see him thinking about cause and effect. He hasn’t purposely put his face in the water again like that, but he has slipped under a time or two and doesn’t seem perturbed or upset when I pull him back up. I repeatedly, but him back on his bottom telling him we need to sit in the tub. He quickly moves on into another dangerous position. Forget leaving the room, I need to keep my eyes and hands on him the entire time.
So, his favorite time of day is probably my most stressful. Yet, I do it night, after night, after night. After all, it is part of the night time routine. And, he is such a messy eater I really want to make sure we get the food out of his hair, from behind his ear, and out from his nostrils. Good thing he likes the direct shower type spray. LOL. When he starts getting too wild, it is time to get out and move on to the next B. I really do need to find a safer alternative.
Max at about 3 weeks old. I think this was his first bath.
It was a week or two later when I thought I had scared him for life and only gave him baths in the big tub with me.
Max taking a quick bath on Easter. Anytime that involves being naked and water is fine with him.
The next few were taken a few weeks ago before he got so wild I could actually hold a camera (or phone) without worry that he would drown or injure himself. Since then, I keep both hands free at all times.
A water bottle. A toy good for just about any occassion.
I wonder what is over the edge?
Hmmm. I bet I can reach that and pull myself up.
A quick update on me: Started spotting today. Decided to self medicate and take 4 suppositories today instead of 3. I thought about email my RE to tell him this, but I know from past experience that he would be fine with this as you can never have too much progesterone (after ovulation) only too little. I think likely this means the cycle really is a bust, but have decided not to even try to predict the outcome either way since I spotted and cramped on and off my entire first trimester with Max. I could list 3-5 reasons I thought the cycle will be negative. I could list 3 – 5 reasons why maybe it will be positive. The truth of the matter is that time and time again, I have been proven completely wrong by objective fact based data during the ttc process so I am just going to acknowledge the fact that it could go either way at this point and that 24 hours from now I should know for sure either way. No, no HPT’s for me. I have had negative HPT’s too often even when my beta was high enough it should have registered. And, with Max, I was so sure the cycle was a bust, it didn’t even occur to me. I feel most confident just waiting for the beta. Tomorrow will tell the tale.
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Light Bulb Anyone?
Instead of taking a nap this afternoon, Max babbled and talked and kicked his crib. He was quite content playing away. Finally, it got quiet. Naomi went to check on him. Was he asleep? No! He had pulled the lamp into his crib, had the shade off; the bulb completely unscrewed and was sucking on the round glass top of the light bulb. Yikes! The lamp should not have been in his reach. Needless to say, it has been moved to avoid a repeat incident. This made me remember a comment on his donors profile that said he could pretty much take anything apart and put it back together again. Max sure had the taking apart down today. LOL. Also, when my mom was here he was playing with this Hippo push toy I got for him a few weeks ago. He was standing and holding onto it. He let go, got this big smile, held for about 3 seconds, then sat down. In just the last week, he is crawling everywhere and can get to where he wants even if it is a room or two away. Oh my! I think it may not be too much longer before he is off and running on his feet. He is really quite an explorer. He spent 15 min. checking out the lawn mower toy my neighbor brought over for him. He noticed it was new right away; couldn't take his eyes off of it; started towards it first thing he was set down; had a small fit when Naomi took it to clean it before letting him play with it; and smiled and laughed when she brought it back. He has a busy few days growing, exploring, visiting. My gosh, this kid just amazes me. Needless to say, he is fast asleep after sucking down a full 8 oz. The sweet, beautiful, inquisitive child of mine does look like a peaceful little angel sleeping.
B #2 – Brush
No. Max doesn’t have any teeth yet. Yes. Naomi and I have been thinking he has been getting them since he was 3 months old and he is now almost 9 months (where has the time gone?) and still no teeth. Not a one. This does not stop be from getting him used to the idea that brushing his teeth is part of the bed time routine. Okay, the truth of the matter is that I need something to distract the guy in hopes that he will stay still long enough to get his diaper on him after his bath and having him hold and chew on a tooth brush or two does the trick most of the time. I got a “dr” set as a baby gift from a friend that included in all kinds of neat things like a thermometer, a nose suction, medicine syringe, brush, comb, AND three different type of tooth brushes. One actually has bristle. Another is flat with little nubs. The third is round with bigger nubs. I think it actually feels good to him and his gums. And, it is never too early to start the training. I have actually started singing the “Brush, Brush, Brush, get all the ickies out” song to him. The song I made up for my nieces when they were wee lads, because even then I had to make up words and tunes since I could remember any official ones. Of course, I have been singing it in the morning when I am brushing my teeth [side note: no gagging this morning] instead of when he is brushing his teeth. I will have to remember to do that. Max looks at me with interest and fascination as I brush singing with the toothpaste and brush in my mouth foaming and dripping toothpaste. He is probably trying to figure out what his crazy mom is talking about now.
Brush, Brush Brush
Get all the ickies off
Yes, Max will
Look, I can brush AND crawl
Okay, forget the brushing. Time to move on.
Update on me: Started taking more progesterone. It is making me very, very tired. All I can think about is how much I want to take a nap. So many things I could and should be doing. I just have no energy and interest in doing them at the moment. I am sure that getting home/staying up late (my fault) and getting up early (all Max’s idea) isn’t helping.
Brush, Brush Brush
Get all the ickies off
Yes, Max will
Look, I can brush AND crawl
Okay, forget the brushing. Time to move on.
Update on me: Started taking more progesterone. It is making me very, very tired. All I can think about is how much I want to take a nap. So many things I could and should be doing. I just have no energy and interest in doing them at the moment. I am sure that getting home/staying up late (my fault) and getting up early (all Max’s idea) isn’t helping.
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Cycle = Bust …OR NOT - EDITED
Well, this cycle is out. No need to even wait until the beta. I didn’t ovulate. It just sucks! I can’t believe how sad and miserable I feel at this moment, which surprises me since I was pretty sure I hadn’t ovulated and I knew it would be too good to be true for me to be pregnant first time out in round two. This hurts just as badly as it did pre-Max. I guess the only difference is that I have his cute smile and wonderful disposition as a distraction and the hope that it did work once so there is a chance it can work again. I wish I could go crawl in bed and have a good cry, but not only do I have work to do…my house is not my own anymore during the day. Have I said how much this sucks? Just waiting to here back from my RE on a few things and for him to confirm since he told me anything above 4 indicated ovulation and the nurse said anything above 15. My progesterone was 9.4. It has to be a different unit of measure. Anyway, not surprised, but am sad. Very, very sad.
Edited:
I love my RE. I really do. Got a very quick response from him saying that nurse was wrong and I was right. I had ovulated. Anything above 4 indicates ovulation. He wanted me to add in another progesterone suppository during the day. Whew. He made my day. Yes, many would consider 9.4 low and it is when 10 is needed to maintain a pregnancy. But, I never got above 15 when pregnant with Max at 10w gestation with supplementation. And, the only other time we did a 7dpo check was on my 2nd clomid cycle with no supplementation and it was only 7. I have progesterone envy when I hear people say their progesterone was in the hundreds (and ask if this is okay) since I know that you can never have too much (after ovulation) only too little. Okay, back in the game a little longer. I guess I will decline a glass of wine with dinner tonight after all. I still think I have a cyst on my left ovary, but glad to know it is one of those slacker follicles instead of the lead dominate one. Good thing I didn’t retreat to my bedroom to bawl my eyes out. I would have missed my RE’s quick response back. While I am not jumping for joy, I am happy I am still in the game. I guess Friday is beta day after all. Maybe this really could work first time out of the gate?
I don’t want to jinx anything and it really could mean absolutely nothing or be totally unrelated, but the last two mornings I have started gagging when brushing my teeth. The reason I gag is because I have drainage. However, the only other time this happened was my entire pregnancy with Max.
Damn, this ttc process is such a roller coaster. One minute up, then down in the dumps, then up again. At least, I made it past one more milestone and there is still hope for this cycle.
Edited:
I love my RE. I really do. Got a very quick response from him saying that nurse was wrong and I was right. I had ovulated. Anything above 4 indicates ovulation. He wanted me to add in another progesterone suppository during the day. Whew. He made my day. Yes, many would consider 9.4 low and it is when 10 is needed to maintain a pregnancy. But, I never got above 15 when pregnant with Max at 10w gestation with supplementation. And, the only other time we did a 7dpo check was on my 2nd clomid cycle with no supplementation and it was only 7. I have progesterone envy when I hear people say their progesterone was in the hundreds (and ask if this is okay) since I know that you can never have too much (after ovulation) only too little. Okay, back in the game a little longer. I guess I will decline a glass of wine with dinner tonight after all. I still think I have a cyst on my left ovary, but glad to know it is one of those slacker follicles instead of the lead dominate one. Good thing I didn’t retreat to my bedroom to bawl my eyes out. I would have missed my RE’s quick response back. While I am not jumping for joy, I am happy I am still in the game. I guess Friday is beta day after all. Maybe this really could work first time out of the gate?
I don’t want to jinx anything and it really could mean absolutely nothing or be totally unrelated, but the last two mornings I have started gagging when brushing my teeth. The reason I gag is because I have drainage. However, the only other time this happened was my entire pregnancy with Max.
Damn, this ttc process is such a roller coaster. One minute up, then down in the dumps, then up again. At least, I made it past one more milestone and there is still hope for this cycle.
Sunday, May 07, 2006
B #3 – Books
My son still does not have huge love of books. Sometimes I worry that he will be a dumb jock. But, then I assure myself that he is much to intelligent for that. However, I do worry that he will not have the love of books that I do. For the most part, he has little interest in books UNLESS the book does something (flaps, slides open, etc.). I have decided that he finds them too passive and he is not a passive guy. I can tell this even at 8 ½ months. The books he likes best so far/right now are ones by this guy named Charles Reasoner. They are in his sliding surprise book series. We have two that he loves, but I was getting tired reading (yes, already) so I bought 5 more. So far he still likes the original two best. LOL. They are Who’s Peeking? and Whose House Is This?
The other author that he seems to like is Todd Parr. A friend gave me The Family Book, which Max really likes. It has a great message about families and how some have 2 moms or two dads and some families have one parent instead of two, etc. It isn’t a board book and Max has already crinkled the pages and ripped the cover, but it is off to being a favorite and I don’t think I will ever tire of reading him that one. I bought The Mommy Book and The Okay Book, both by Todd Parr and Max is able to sit through them both most of the time. And, I really like the messages in them and will probably invest in more of his stuff.
I have incorporated reading into Max’s evening ritual. It was hard since at the end of the day, he is tired and is attention span is at its worst. I have been dressing him from his bath on the floor of his room and letting him “brush” his teeth (but, that is a topic for another day). The dressing is becoming more of a battle because he wants to climb, roll, sit, explore, crawl, etc. Basically, do anything, but lay there. And, he is tired. Eventually, I have to pin him for a minute to properly adjust the diaper I have put on him as he crawls away causing cries of protest. And, I dress him the rest of the way while he is standing, sitting, crawling away as best as possible.
Once he is dressed, I grab a few books, usually 3, and bring him closer to me to read them to him. If he struggles and wants to get away, I have been letting him, but continue to read and then show him each page until we have read them all. If one of the books seems to have really captured his interest, I will read that one again for him.
As mentioned above, he is most interested in the Reasoner sliding surprise books; Todd Parr’s books, this small board book about shapes (like 5 pages), and this English/Spanish board book I got about cars, airplanes, and other modes of transportation (like 6 pages).
I always have a book in the car with him and books in all the places he plays. He will pick them up, look at them, chew on them, before moving on.
Oddly enough, the time he seems most interested in books is when he is eating. I guess he figures he is trapped anyway. Naomi and I both noticed that he seemed “bored” while eating. This translated into fussing, spitting food out, and general behavior that we would not want to encourage. If you place a book open on the table and talk to him about it while feeding him, he seems content and interested. What a funny kid I have.
Anyway, he is getting there on the book thing. I read to him a few times a day for short periods. I think Naomi reads to him on occasion as well. But, for the moment … action books… short books …simple books…these hold his attention best.
Quick update on me since Max is still sleeping. I had blood drawn on Friday for a progesterone test. I should get the results on Monday. I asked my RE why he asked for the test and he said to make sure that the follicle that develop really contained an egg. If the progesterone is under 4 it means the follicle was not an egg producing one and is probably a cyst (fluid filled one) instead. I will not be surprised at all if this is the case as I have been having continued discomfort on my left side, especially if I have a full bladder or need to have a BM. Yes, I could be wrong. In fact, I am probably wrong since I am notoriously bad at reading any “signs” during the ttc process. The only time I was ever completely right was when I thought I was miscarrying and I did. But, I don’t think you can even count that because there were several times that I was sure I was miscarrying Max and yet, here he is. I certainly did not think I was pregnant with him when I was.
So, I am busy doing things and keeping busy. Waiting. Waiting. Waiting. On Monday, I should know whether I at least ovulated. Next Friday, I should know if I am pregnant. Since I don’t think it was an egg producing follicle, I certainly don’t think I am pregnant. However, I have refrained from drinking alcohol even though there were several times this last week where I really felt like it. I really don’t think drinking this early would make a difference either way, but I don’t want to have any doubts or regrets so I have passed.
So far, I still say going through the ttc process is much easier the second time with a growing healthy and happy child to talk to and play with and cuddle and teach. It is one part of my life and on my mind an awful lot, but it is in the back ground. It isn’t the main event like it was on round one.
Hmm. Kid still sleeping. Going on 3 hours now. I think he is having a growth spurt. Yesterday, he ate and ate and ate and drank and drank and drank. And, it was a busy day with his only other male cousin in town from Atlanta. He had no afternoon nap.
Okay, kid is up and phone rang. Must go. Have a poopy diaper to change and a kid to feed lunch.
The other author that he seems to like is Todd Parr. A friend gave me The Family Book, which Max really likes. It has a great message about families and how some have 2 moms or two dads and some families have one parent instead of two, etc. It isn’t a board book and Max has already crinkled the pages and ripped the cover, but it is off to being a favorite and I don’t think I will ever tire of reading him that one. I bought The Mommy Book and The Okay Book, both by Todd Parr and Max is able to sit through them both most of the time. And, I really like the messages in them and will probably invest in more of his stuff.
I have incorporated reading into Max’s evening ritual. It was hard since at the end of the day, he is tired and is attention span is at its worst. I have been dressing him from his bath on the floor of his room and letting him “brush” his teeth (but, that is a topic for another day). The dressing is becoming more of a battle because he wants to climb, roll, sit, explore, crawl, etc. Basically, do anything, but lay there. And, he is tired. Eventually, I have to pin him for a minute to properly adjust the diaper I have put on him as he crawls away causing cries of protest. And, I dress him the rest of the way while he is standing, sitting, crawling away as best as possible.
Once he is dressed, I grab a few books, usually 3, and bring him closer to me to read them to him. If he struggles and wants to get away, I have been letting him, but continue to read and then show him each page until we have read them all. If one of the books seems to have really captured his interest, I will read that one again for him.
As mentioned above, he is most interested in the Reasoner sliding surprise books; Todd Parr’s books, this small board book about shapes (like 5 pages), and this English/Spanish board book I got about cars, airplanes, and other modes of transportation (like 6 pages).
I always have a book in the car with him and books in all the places he plays. He will pick them up, look at them, chew on them, before moving on.
Oddly enough, the time he seems most interested in books is when he is eating. I guess he figures he is trapped anyway. Naomi and I both noticed that he seemed “bored” while eating. This translated into fussing, spitting food out, and general behavior that we would not want to encourage. If you place a book open on the table and talk to him about it while feeding him, he seems content and interested. What a funny kid I have.
Anyway, he is getting there on the book thing. I read to him a few times a day for short periods. I think Naomi reads to him on occasion as well. But, for the moment … action books… short books …simple books…these hold his attention best.
Quick update on me since Max is still sleeping. I had blood drawn on Friday for a progesterone test. I should get the results on Monday. I asked my RE why he asked for the test and he said to make sure that the follicle that develop really contained an egg. If the progesterone is under 4 it means the follicle was not an egg producing one and is probably a cyst (fluid filled one) instead. I will not be surprised at all if this is the case as I have been having continued discomfort on my left side, especially if I have a full bladder or need to have a BM. Yes, I could be wrong. In fact, I am probably wrong since I am notoriously bad at reading any “signs” during the ttc process. The only time I was ever completely right was when I thought I was miscarrying and I did. But, I don’t think you can even count that because there were several times that I was sure I was miscarrying Max and yet, here he is. I certainly did not think I was pregnant with him when I was.
So, I am busy doing things and keeping busy. Waiting. Waiting. Waiting. On Monday, I should know whether I at least ovulated. Next Friday, I should know if I am pregnant. Since I don’t think it was an egg producing follicle, I certainly don’t think I am pregnant. However, I have refrained from drinking alcohol even though there were several times this last week where I really felt like it. I really don’t think drinking this early would make a difference either way, but I don’t want to have any doubts or regrets so I have passed.
So far, I still say going through the ttc process is much easier the second time with a growing healthy and happy child to talk to and play with and cuddle and teach. It is one part of my life and on my mind an awful lot, but it is in the back ground. It isn’t the main event like it was on round one.
Hmm. Kid still sleeping. Going on 3 hours now. I think he is having a growth spurt. Yesterday, he ate and ate and ate and drank and drank and drank. And, it was a busy day with his only other male cousin in town from Atlanta. He had no afternoon nap.
Okay, kid is up and phone rang. Must go. Have a poopy diaper to change and a kid to feed lunch.
Monday, May 01, 2006
B #4 – Bottle
Now that Max is completely weaned, I can better keep track of his “intake”. He typically drinks between 24 – 32 oz. of formula a day. He is eating 3 “meals” a day that each contain a meat, a veggie, and a fruit. He gets water with his meals and formula if he wakes up during the night, first thing in the morning, before each nap, and before bed.
A friend who has a baby girl about 11 weeks younger than Max had to wean earlier than she would have liked due to acid reflux. She was commenting that on of the things she missed was having a hand free to caress and stroke her daughter. And, I have observed that her daughter regularly holds her own bottle. Her comment got me thinking. It is so amazing how different each child is and we laugh about how completely different our two children are and wonder if they will get along when they grow up. I almost never caressed and stroked Max. I started paying more attention after our conversation which was while I was still breastfeeding. First of all, he finds it very distracting and will stop eating/drinking if you caress him. Second of all, usually, I need one hand to hold him (he is a squirmy little guy) and one to either hold the boob so it didn’t suffocate him and/or hold the bottle. He CAN hold the bottle, but 98% of the time, he chooses not to. He would rather grab my hair, grab his hair, grab my nose, touch my mouth, put his fingers in my mouth (if I happen to be talking or singing even better and a little nip with my teeth brings a quick smile), touch my hair, grab my hair, touch my hair, etc. It is no coincidence that both Naomi and I wear our hair back and no jewelry when around him.
Part of his go to bed routine is to close his blinds, turn on the white noise ocean sounds (from a clock radio), grab his blanket, and rock him while he drinks his bottle. When he is done drinking, I will let him squirm a little bit in my arms to get any gas out, then I put him in his crib and cover him with his blanket. Most of the time, he smiles as I walk out the door saying night, night, momma loves you.
The times that he doesn’t smile and quietly fall asleep is when the routine is screwed with…like TODAY for example. He only slept one hour this morning and woke up at 11 am. Naomi didn’t bring him back from the park and put him down for his afternoon nap until 3 pm. This is too long. Instead of a smile, we had 40 minutes of fussing and screaming before he fell asleep. While this was going on, Naomi said, maybe he isn’t tired. I nicely said (really, it was nice), no, he is over tired and that it would have been better to put him down around 2 pm instead of 3. Once he was asleep, she apologized and explained that he was so happy playing at the park that she didn’t think he was tired, but that she would make sure she came back earlier in the future. It is very stressful for us both when he gets that worked up. Thank goodness it doesn’t happen very often. I am sure it is a double stress for her because I am here and if I am not in a meeting, which I wasn’t today, I totally interfere. I can’t help it. I am sure that I give them both mixed signals because I can only let him cry for 5 – 10 min.. I’m not talking whinny crying, but full out rage cry. I don’t want her to go get him, but “I” want to selectively get and sooth him. I am sure that if I was 100% committed to CIO it would be different, but Max has never, ever fallen asleep in a full all out rage cry. Of course, the longest I was able to let him cry that hard was about 20 – 30 minutes.
Anyway, I am still trying to relax from the scream fit.
Back to bottle.
Max will take lesser amounts of bottle during the day, but will usually drink at least 6 – 8 oz before going down for the night. If he drinks less, he will most likely wake up during the night.
It’s funny. I don’t know if he does this with Naomi, but with me he likes to switch sides. I think he got used to doing that with the breast feeding. He will drink about 4 – 6 oz. when I am holding him on, let’s say, the right side. Then he will stop, want to be switched to the left side, and then finish up. Very funny. At least, I think so.
Still a bit rattled from the tantrum. Like I said, good thing it doesn’t happen often.
Tomorrow will be a hard day. I have a face to face work meeting from 8 – 5 at a location about 50 miles from home. I need to allow 2 hours to get there and 2.5 hours to get home, which means I will be up at 5 am and need to leave be 6 am and likely will not be home before 7 – 7:30. Naomi has agreed to come early and stay late. Not only will it be a long day, Max will still be sleeping when I leave and will be asleep again for the night before I get home. I really hate that. I miss him already and it hasn’t even happened yet. It reminds me of how fortunate I am to work from home and not have a regular commute and that my travel and face to face very often.
A friend who has a baby girl about 11 weeks younger than Max had to wean earlier than she would have liked due to acid reflux. She was commenting that on of the things she missed was having a hand free to caress and stroke her daughter. And, I have observed that her daughter regularly holds her own bottle. Her comment got me thinking. It is so amazing how different each child is and we laugh about how completely different our two children are and wonder if they will get along when they grow up. I almost never caressed and stroked Max. I started paying more attention after our conversation which was while I was still breastfeeding. First of all, he finds it very distracting and will stop eating/drinking if you caress him. Second of all, usually, I need one hand to hold him (he is a squirmy little guy) and one to either hold the boob so it didn’t suffocate him and/or hold the bottle. He CAN hold the bottle, but 98% of the time, he chooses not to. He would rather grab my hair, grab his hair, grab my nose, touch my mouth, put his fingers in my mouth (if I happen to be talking or singing even better and a little nip with my teeth brings a quick smile), touch my hair, grab my hair, touch my hair, etc. It is no coincidence that both Naomi and I wear our hair back and no jewelry when around him.
Part of his go to bed routine is to close his blinds, turn on the white noise ocean sounds (from a clock radio), grab his blanket, and rock him while he drinks his bottle. When he is done drinking, I will let him squirm a little bit in my arms to get any gas out, then I put him in his crib and cover him with his blanket. Most of the time, he smiles as I walk out the door saying night, night, momma loves you.
The times that he doesn’t smile and quietly fall asleep is when the routine is screwed with…like TODAY for example. He only slept one hour this morning and woke up at 11 am. Naomi didn’t bring him back from the park and put him down for his afternoon nap until 3 pm. This is too long. Instead of a smile, we had 40 minutes of fussing and screaming before he fell asleep. While this was going on, Naomi said, maybe he isn’t tired. I nicely said (really, it was nice), no, he is over tired and that it would have been better to put him down around 2 pm instead of 3. Once he was asleep, she apologized and explained that he was so happy playing at the park that she didn’t think he was tired, but that she would make sure she came back earlier in the future. It is very stressful for us both when he gets that worked up. Thank goodness it doesn’t happen very often. I am sure it is a double stress for her because I am here and if I am not in a meeting, which I wasn’t today, I totally interfere. I can’t help it. I am sure that I give them both mixed signals because I can only let him cry for 5 – 10 min.. I’m not talking whinny crying, but full out rage cry. I don’t want her to go get him, but “I” want to selectively get and sooth him. I am sure that if I was 100% committed to CIO it would be different, but Max has never, ever fallen asleep in a full all out rage cry. Of course, the longest I was able to let him cry that hard was about 20 – 30 minutes.
Anyway, I am still trying to relax from the scream fit.
Back to bottle.
Max will take lesser amounts of bottle during the day, but will usually drink at least 6 – 8 oz before going down for the night. If he drinks less, he will most likely wake up during the night.
It’s funny. I don’t know if he does this with Naomi, but with me he likes to switch sides. I think he got used to doing that with the breast feeding. He will drink about 4 – 6 oz. when I am holding him on, let’s say, the right side. Then he will stop, want to be switched to the left side, and then finish up. Very funny. At least, I think so.
Still a bit rattled from the tantrum. Like I said, good thing it doesn’t happen often.
Tomorrow will be a hard day. I have a face to face work meeting from 8 – 5 at a location about 50 miles from home. I need to allow 2 hours to get there and 2.5 hours to get home, which means I will be up at 5 am and need to leave be 6 am and likely will not be home before 7 – 7:30. Naomi has agreed to come early and stay late. Not only will it be a long day, Max will still be sleeping when I leave and will be asleep again for the night before I get home. I really hate that. I miss him already and it hasn’t even happened yet. It reminds me of how fortunate I am to work from home and not have a regular commute and that my travel and face to face very often.
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