[JustPeachy]

Wow. We have so many artists! Can you rub some talent on me? I can't even do a reputable stick figure! Jen, I love antique looking candlesticks and can usually find them pretty cheap at the local antique/yard sale fairs. Don't worry too much about your turtle... One of my good luck turtles is missing part of his head but I still love him. Maybe the bracelet just wanted you to find a baby turtle charm?

I can't wait to see how Aiden measures at the next u/s. He's been measuring about 10 days ahead but I suddenly just feel gigantic... and you're right Jen I still have months to go. I feel like it happened overnight! My Mom is only 5 ft. tall and gained 50 lbs. with each pregnancy. It's so weird... I'm really not eating much more than normal but with all this "resting" it all seems to be going straight to the belly. It's actually on my list of questions for my OB visit tomorrow. I feel like I should start eating salads or something but I also know that he needs to grow fast since he's going to be an early baby. Just don't know what I'll be able to wear in a few more months

[mmikowski]

I do not think you need to eat salads or anything, It just appears that Aiden is growing fast. That is a good thing right? hope all goes well.
martie

[Shellyhume]

Originally Posted by designdiva32

Hey, we could make a pact that once we have all had our babies, no matter how long it takes, although I'm betting it won't take that long at all, (I'll still be here you can count on that!) we should meet up and introduce them all. They will, after all, be kindred spirits of a sort won't they?

Alana, very much love this idea... Let's do it. I'm hugging you from far away and wish you didn't have to go through all of this... it's not fair that you can't just sit back and relax... I'm praying extra hard for you.

Originally Posted by sunny72

I didn't end up putting my order in to aunt, but I'm hoping she'll bring a stash of Milo. Darn, I just remembered Toffee Pops. Then again last time I was home they seemed so much smaller and not as much caramel.

I found my absolute favorite indulgence from Australia just a couple years ago... TimTams and Milo. OMG! Take away all ice cream, cookies, pies, pastries, chocolate... and I will be so happy for the rest of my life with just TimTams and Milo... actually have some Milo left over from my last order... yes, I mail order my TimTams and Milo... hands down, better than... well, you know...

Originally Posted by sunny72

Shelly, before I forget, I checked my voicemail message again and the center does thaws twice a day not month..duh. I guess they just had to slot me in somewhere hence CD1 being today officially.

Good to know! So, today you are cd4, right? eek! Very exciting!

Originally Posted by Angelwithhope

My husband looked at me last night and said "Ya know what that means?!" And I said no. He says "Maybe we don't need IVF with ICSI, we've defied the odds twice in one year when doctors told us IVF would be the only way! We've been PG twice and now with the metformin, they're goign to stick!"

This and your previous post sound like things are looking up for you, sweetie! Great, big, far away hugs to you, too! So happy to hear that your tests have come back with good results!

Originally Posted by jencat215

Okay, okay. I did PIAC. No second line yet . ... I am still early so I won't give up hope yet. I did call my RE on Friday and told her ... I wanted to find out what was next cause if I gotta go it again, hit me big time with drugs and the IUI... So if I do get AF, plan is to go in for a Day 5 u/s, then probably clomid. ... Don't give up on me yet, but I am a like to have a new plan type of person. ... I still got everything . Regardless, I got you girls either way so I am truly doing okay

I'm still keeping all of my appendages crossed for you, sweets... and praying for you big time. I just want to say, though, I applaud your tenacious attitude. I really admire your "like-to-have-a-new-plan" personality. No one is giving up on you, least of all yourself, but having a contingency plan in the event that we stumble makes stumbling less of a set-back. I'm sending you some Boston-Baked-Beans-hugs to keep you going.

Originally Posted by hopeful2bmom

Hi girls,
Sorry I have been away for a bit... Needed some time to reflect. Been reading 'A Few Good Eggs' and I think I just realized that I may not be ready to jump back into this IVF thing yet. I need some more time and I think a bit more of an attachment to life.

Take your time, Susan... no sense going back into battle if you're still wounded. I am getting more and more anxious the closer the time comes for us to start again... my heart pounds whenever I start to think about the injections, the procedures, and the poking and prodding to the point where I don't even feel human anymore... and then I close my eyes and picture my baby's eyes... and his perfect nose... and his perfectly fat baby cheeks... and I keep telling myself that I'm doing this for Baby Daniel... and my heart stops pounding and a warm feeling of peace comes over me. I'm praying for your spirit to find peace, Susan. Great big hugs for you, too!

Originally Posted by GRITS

Boy, I read about the mood swings of Lupron from some girls, but I was not sure how I would respond, and I certainly thought it would take a while..........Yesterday after only on shot, DH and I conflicted twice leaving me in tears both times!! I do not cry that easy, and I do not get in conflicts that easy either (I hate them and life is too short!). After the second one it hit me, duh, Lupron......! I did not expect freak outs like that! certainly not that quickly! Well just knowing will make them easier to deal with. DH realized too, he is going to have to switch to over-sensitive mode and put on his 'kid' gloves with me now!

I did not do any reading about Lupron... so this gives me a GREAT heads up. I'm overly sensitive as it is... so thanks for this tid-bit! I know it messes with the hormones... DH and I actually talked about it this weekend... AF is coming... I feel her knocking... so I told him that this is all about to start. I reminded him how I responded to bcps (grouchy, depressed big-time, and unable to muster affectionate gestures at all) and warned him that I didn't mean it and to be wary when I go on tangents or just cry out of nowhere. I'm NOT looking forward to this part... Good luck with these next few weeks, Grits... it's great to hear your husband is so supportive and understanding.


Michelle, I'm sorry about your BFN. We all feel your disappointment, sweets. I do, however, enjoy your positive attitude... the world needs more women like you! Hugs and shoulders to lean on!

Ronni! Yay for saddling up! (starting injections for the next round... sorry, I tend to overuse the "riding a horse" analogy when it comes to IF... )

Rachael - yeah, we're gonna need to see those bellies... Ooh, and I poked over to the January due date buddies thread and saw your nursery pictures!! I LOVE the colors you chose! And the hat racks are such a great idea! Your room looks like it belongs in the HG catelog! So cute!


Definitely going for an all-time record-long post here...

Just got home from a family camping trip... SO much fun. DH and I, along with two friends, spent all day yesterday hiking up Mount Tumbledown (don't let the name scare you off! Its elevation is only 3068, but it rises 1500 feet in just over a half mile... steep!). Never been more miserable in my life! But I think thats the beauty of hiking... the sweat, the pounding heart, the pain, the exhaustion... and then the final sweet release of making it to the summit and looking down the mountain at what you've just accomplished... and feeling all the pain just slip away...

I'll post some pictures tomorrow...

[hopeful2bmom]

Jen- your stuff is amazing! I want to know how to do that!

Rachael, hang on I am opening a second window to see your belly...
OMG! You guys look so adorable. I love the belly! How exciting!

Heidi, let's see your art! I am too shy about mine to post, well maybe...

I love the dining room pics. Nice furniture!
I am reading like three books and watching a movie, all while typing and trying not to go down for a snack...

[jencat215]

I just love it! Some women get quite big during their pregnancies, and some are just so tiny. I doubt you will be put on restricted food intake. You just look like such a happy mom to be! BTW, how do you feel? Are you unconfortable sleeping? All of a sudden you have a nice baby tummy-are you finding things harder to do (like getting out of a chair, sleeping, trying to sit down)? I can imagine you are looking forward to a cool down in the fall/winter!!!

As for clothing- don't knock the MooMoo. Okay, I know you can't show houses in one, but around the house! OMG- they are the best thing since sliced bread! I haven't worn mine since I healed up from my surgery, but when I get big/pregnant I will live in them in the house.

[Shellyhume]

Ahh! Rachael! GREAT belly shots! I hope I wear it as well as you and havanajims do! So tell me... I've never had the opportunity to ask a woman what it feels like to be pregnant... I mean REALLY pregnant... like you. So, if you don't mind... could you share?

[JustPeachy]

Jen - I am laughing at the Moo Moo idea!! We used to buy one for my grandma every year for mothers day! So far, I can do a large in the maternity bottoms and a medium top. That is if DH does not shrink anymore of my maternity clothes on high in the dryer. I'm still ok with getting out of the car - having an SUV and being high up helps. Ok with sleeping too. I just sleep on my side and I put a little throw pillow between my knees to help a little. I do get very sore if I'm on my feet for more than a few hours. The perinatologist said that this is due to the baby being so low in my uterus and the placenta placement and it will get worse. So, tomorrow will be a rest day for me with my only adventure out to my OB visit. Definitely ready for some cooler weather already!

Ronni - I guess you understand my post now about the whole thigh chafing thing?

Shelly - I'm glad you had a great hike. I'll be on the lookout for your pics tomorrow.

Martie - Thanks for the non salad vote. I'm not much of a fan of them either than for lunch. Love greek salads for lunch but I've been trying to eat lots of protein.

[jencat215]

Susan- don't make me drag that art out of you. I wanna see it!

Shelly! Good to hear from you. Come out to Colorado and I will show you what hiking is all about! 1500ft in a half mile is very steep. so you can school me there! We have some 14ers out here that have your name written on them. I love hiking. I am miserable for the first half hour or so, but then just as my breath seems to completely give out on me I get a second wind and get into my stride. I really don't care for high elevation stuff- above 10,000ft I start to get elevation sickness (bonked on 2 different hikes at 12,000ft+). But the flatirons start at 5,500ft and at highest go to about 9,000ft, but there are shorter peaks.

[JustPeachy]

Shelly - What a great question. Very sweet. My SIL asked me the same thing today. She asked if with all my complications if I'm just ready for this whole pregnancy thing to be over with. Truthfully, no. I figure this may very well be a one time thing and I am going to enjoy every minute of it. I've loved the nursery planning. My cup of tea. And, I always wanted the cute maternity clothes so I got into that at the beginning. I was never one of those women trying to hide my pregnancy. Feeling the baby move now is just bizarre in a good way. Such a great constant reminder of what is going on. And, I am so glad we found out the sex and picked a name. I just feel so much more bonded with the baby. Like he is a little person in there totally aware of everything. What else. I haven't been sick at all from food so I really think of myself as very fortunate. I just really try to enjoy this whole process one day at a time. It has been such a turmoil to get here. I just try to appreciate the pregnancy and I know that the medical issues may get worse as time progresses. Plus, my parents are so excited for the baby that it makes it so fun. My Mom is constantly wanting to baby shop... I'm her only daughter and she is living it up.

This is going to be a long post! Shelly, I still love being pregnant. Other than the bedrest, I really haven't had any health issues. No morning sickness and I can even sleep all night without having to get up to pee. Now, I have no idea what I'm going to do with a scraming toddler and no sleep! That's the part I worry about

[goob07]

Rachael you and Havanajims look ADORABLE!! I think it's so great that the two of you found eachother and get to go through all of this together. Aiden is going to be a healthy baby and it's obvious he's got a happy mommy! Love seeing the pics! Salad shmalad - eat wheatever you and Aiden want...you've got enough rules being pregnant. Did you get any bodyglide? I'm telling you, that stuff is the bomb and nobody will even know you slaterhed it on. I'm with you on being ready for cooler weather. My neighbors probably hate me because I was out with the hedge trimmer at 8:00 this morning to avoid the heat. Ugh. Thank goodness for the pool.

Jen - Tucker doesn't have his front claws and has never even walked on that table. Wierd now that I think about it. He loves running around on the chairs beneath it though. There's always black cat hair on the cushions. Funny what you said about buying a smaller table for a smaller room. This furniture was one of the rare "long term" household decisions I successfully made. Our last home had a tiny, square dining room. I was lucky enough to find this table which is small and round when you take the two leaves out. It was perfect in the last house and fits perfect here too. Added the china cabinet and a couple more chairs to fit the new room. I rarely make decisions that work like that. Almost all of our furniture is dark. DH loves it and I do too.

The khaki is on the wall and I'm tempted to do the smokey blue tonight too but absolutely HAVE to do some work before going in to the office tomorrow...yuck.

[JustPeachy]

Ronni - I didn't get the body glide yet but I'm passing a big sporting good store tomorrow and it's on the list! I was just way too embarrassed to take DH over the weekend and have to explain this whole dilema. Bad enough we're on bd'ing restrictions... I don't need him getting any other visual things stuck in his head! I did try some body oil I had and it's been helping immensely. I can't wait to see the painting all done. I love chair rails in dining rooms and it's going to be such a nice combination with the colors. Real work is such a drag

[jencat215]

Rachael I am so happy that you are enjoying your pregnancy. I am jealous of your being able to sleep through the night w/o peeing. Aiden-give mommy a little bladder kick from time to time (just kidding ). I get up to pee all night and I am not even pregnant (well... hopefully) but have been doing this for quite some time. I will feel the same as you- enjoying every minute of it and not wanting it to end early. Has your DH been able to feel the baby move yet? What does he say about your growing tummy? And, personal question here, are you not allowed to have sex due to the placenta previa? I thought I read that it isn't advised...can't remember where.

Okay, Etienne, our oldest cat, is doing what she does best. She does this about 23 hours a day. I thought I'd post a photo. Actually, I am having fun with my camera tonight.

[JustPeachy]

Jen - I love seeing kitties all curled up. She looks so comfy in there. I love how they have their spots. My DH keeps telling me not to worry about the growing tummy (or at least when I provoke him with "I am so fat" comments). He can finally feel Aiden moving. Of course, Aiden loves to play this little game where he will be kicking away and the stops the instant DH puts his hand there. Must be on his best behavior for dad already. The no sex thing is a real drag. It's one of those things where I would just like the closeness more than anything. Especially when you read in all these pregnancy books about how amazing 2nd trimester bd'ing is... something about all that increased blood flow. Ya'll will have to let me know the truth about that one. We were on restrictions for a little bit at the begining with the twin thing and spotting. This restriction is because of the placenta. My placenta is literally covering my cervix and is right on top. I guess the theory is if your DH was especially ummmm shall we say endowed than you could hit your cervix thus rupturing some blood vessels. We're just following the doctors orders. They like to call it "pelvic rest".

[Shellyhume]

Well, if you're gonna start posting kitty photos...

#1 - Frodo "hunting" as best as an indoor cat can... tee hee...
#2 - Frodo watching TV... he's funny that way.
#3 - Ori and Frodo... "Hey, Ori... don't look now but I think they noticed... our cover's blown..."
#4 - Brotherly love... aww...