So to wrap up about my pity party: fairly light bleeding for a week, totally unlike any period I've ever had before. If I count it as a normal one, though, today is cd24. I had no fertile CM this "cycle", which is totally weird. Every now and then, I wonder if maybe I will end up on M-T.V, not knowing I was pregnant (because isn't that what everyone always says: "I had a few days of bleeding and thought it was my period"?), but I don't think I'm that lucky for that to happen. Will keep you posted...
Tonight I'm going to my first gender reveal party. A good friend I've made here is due in mid-January with her second baby. Her first daughter is 6 months older than M, and she lives right over the hill, so we see them at least once a week. It is often bittersweet, because I would love for M to have a sibling, but I've just accepted that some visits I feel totally fine with her pregnancy (a total "oops"), and other times the longing I feel is fairly pronounced. But my super-fine-with-it alter ego is throwing her a stock-the-freezer party in December, because I love to cook, and I cherish her friendship. Isn't that a nice alter-ego? ;-)
Other than that, this fall I have big plans for reorganizing, or really organizing for the first time, my perennial beds. At this point, I have idea of what blooms best where and at what time, so I'm hoping that my big plans materialize! I might even get all fancy and make a schematic of where I'd like to put stuff...oooooh! Some of my big plans: remove two scraggly evergreen bushes in front of the house, move perennial bush to where the evergreens used to be; move blueberry bush to more sun and add another blueberry bush; make room for strawberry plants. Maybe if I make an actual list, it will help me be accountable :)
I am 5lbs away from my new, revised weight goal. My original goal was 8lbs ago, but once I got there, I figured why stop there? I signed up for an 8k in November with my cousin, and I'm hoping that the extra running will help me get the last pounds off. I have not been at this weight since mid-highschool! hahaha It feels great!!! All I can say is: PORTION CONTROL...even more than consistent working out, although that is a big part, too. When I began my weight loss a year ago, I was completely astonished at how much more I was eating that I needed to/was supposed to. I eat the same exact things (well, more lunch salads because I can eat more for the calories!), just more reasonable portions. I am down 33 pounds, and hopefully I will lose the other 5 by the end of this year! Yipee! At least if I can't be pregnant again, I can be a very in-shape mama ;-)
Showing posts with label gardening. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gardening. Show all posts
Neighborly love
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Well gee.
I went out this afternoon to attack the front yard bushes and trees. My neighbor was in her backyard mowing her yard. I was going about, hacking away branches to my heart's content (seriously, it looks SO much better now), and then I realize that she is now mowing OUR backyard! I went back to tell her that I had every intention of mowing the yard tomorrow (not this afternoon only because I sort of do want the cleaning people to come tomorrow morning, and I was thinking that bouncing around on a riding lawnmower may do the labor trick- pure speculation, of course....), and that she didn't have to mow ours, but she happily said that she wanted to. It was so sweet of her!!
So I went back to hacking branches. Then I realize that she is now mowing our side yard!!! What! I reminded her that she really doesn't have to, but she insists. I started to bag the smaller stuff I'd trimmed and make a big pile of the larger branches to pull around to the backyard. When I got back into the front yard, she is now mowing the front yard!!!
Wow. She finished mowing just about as I was done hauling everything out of the front yard (okay, so now there is a big pile of branches in the backyard, but hopefully the garbage people will take them on Monday!!), and we talked for a few minutes. She reminded me that we mowed their yard when her husband was sick last summer, but still, I feel like I owe her big time! Maybe I will make them a batch of cookies or some cinnamon rolls....
I am so happy that the trees are trimmed. They look so much cleaner. WHEW!
AND, another fun thing is that there is another gal my age-ish in my neighborhood who had a baby earlier this year, and we always say "hi" in passing when we're walking our dogs, but we've never talked. Well today, she was out walking and she came up to introduce herself!!!! I was so excited!! I don't know exactly how old her baby girl is, but we exchanged phone numbers and are going to get out to walk with each other sometime after Maryanne is born! From first impressions, it seems like we would get along great- another new friend!
What an awesome afternoon!
I went out this afternoon to attack the front yard bushes and trees. My neighbor was in her backyard mowing her yard. I was going about, hacking away branches to my heart's content (seriously, it looks SO much better now), and then I realize that she is now mowing OUR backyard! I went back to tell her that I had every intention of mowing the yard tomorrow (not this afternoon only because I sort of do want the cleaning people to come tomorrow morning, and I was thinking that bouncing around on a riding lawnmower may do the labor trick- pure speculation, of course....), and that she didn't have to mow ours, but she happily said that she wanted to. It was so sweet of her!!
So I went back to hacking branches. Then I realize that she is now mowing our side yard!!! What! I reminded her that she really doesn't have to, but she insists. I started to bag the smaller stuff I'd trimmed and make a big pile of the larger branches to pull around to the backyard. When I got back into the front yard, she is now mowing the front yard!!!
Wow. She finished mowing just about as I was done hauling everything out of the front yard (okay, so now there is a big pile of branches in the backyard, but hopefully the garbage people will take them on Monday!!), and we talked for a few minutes. She reminded me that we mowed their yard when her husband was sick last summer, but still, I feel like I owe her big time! Maybe I will make them a batch of cookies or some cinnamon rolls....
I am so happy that the trees are trimmed. They look so much cleaner. WHEW!
AND, another fun thing is that there is another gal my age-ish in my neighborhood who had a baby earlier this year, and we always say "hi" in passing when we're walking our dogs, but we've never talked. Well today, she was out walking and she came up to introduce herself!!!! I was so excited!! I don't know exactly how old her baby girl is, but we exchanged phone numbers and are going to get out to walk with each other sometime after Maryanne is born! From first impressions, it seems like we would get along great- another new friend!
What an awesome afternoon!
Well this is just great. (Sarcasm)
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
I had a very annoying day yesterday. Everything was getting under my skin!!! Let's recap, for fun ;-)
1. Instead of going out to greet her doggy friends, now Banana just stands next to me in the front yard and barks at them. Maybe she is ramping up her protection instinct, but it is annoying to have her barking so much all of a sudden.
2. I have suspected for a few days that the fridge is not working properly. Yesterday, it was definitely not cooling like it was supposed to, and I told Mr. A and said I was going to call a repair man. I think he thought I was just being fussy and said he would look at it when he got home. Well by the time he got home, it was barely cold in there (the freezer part seems to work just fine). AND he discovered that the whole fridge is swelling or something, to the point where it is jammed up against the cabinet next to it, so we can't even roll it out to see what's behind it. GREAT. After all the extra food I've gotten and made, and with the new baby coming, and with the throngs of out of town guests waiting with baited breath for when they can come stay with us, our fridge is crapped out. GREAT. We moved all the food from the freezer to the garage freezer, and put all the ice and ice packs in the fridge part, to try to keep it as cool as possible in there until we can get a repair man. So now I'm waiting until 8:30am to call and see if they can come out today before all our food spoils (probably some is already bad).
{3. Because I can't call until 8:30am today, I will probably miss my yoga class this morning :( }
4. Our yard (particularly the bushes and trees and WEEDS) is out of control. I haven't really kept up with it like I usually do (it's not like I haven't been active in other ways during my pregnancy, I guess I've just been busy doing other things), and Mr. A could literally care less about the state of the grass or landscaping, so it has been sorely neglected all summer. The bushes are completely raggedy and the trees need trimming, and the yard needs mowing. I think it looks awful. UGH. Again, right before company comes, wonderful! Our yard looks like crap. (Mr. A doesn't think it looks bad, but again, he could care less about any of that kind of stuff.)
5. Mr. A is just really busy. Between work changes (his company split in two and his half is getting itself situated to be on its own two feet), and his new hobby of flying (taking pilot's lessons), he's been getting home past normal dinnertime most days recently, and it's just getting a little old. Especially with regard to the flying lessons, I haven't really minded that much because it's something he has wanted to do his whole life and he is great at it, and he probably won't be able to spend as much time on it after Maryanne is born, but it would be nice to have dinner together at a normal time again, instead of at 8:30pm or something. And all the extra work hours are just plain annoying.
So you may be able to imagine that I was just not a happy camper last night. Stupid Murphy's Law! Mr. A says I'm just nesting and that is why all this little stuff is getting to me, and maybe so. A few days ago, our house was perfectly in order for this baby and for everyone coming to meet her, and now I feel like it is all in disarray (e.g., my precious freezer stock lists are all wrong now!!!), and messy and jumbled and not prepared. Mr. A thinks for this reason alone, Maryanne will be here very soon. He's probably right!
The reason that God made him for me, though, is that even though he has a ton going on (that is realistically more stressful than a raggedy bush), he reminds me of perspective. Is it really worth fretting over a fridge when we are going to be welcoming the baby we've dreamed of into our family soon? Don't you think people will understand if you haven't been weeding and pruning and tending to the landscaping (most people yes, but I am sure that my gardening-idol Aunt B's flowerbeds did not look like a scene from the jungle book even when she was 39 weeks pregnant with any of her children....)? Aren't you glad we hired a cleaning service to come (this Friday again) so you don't have to worry about cleaning the house right now, too?
So luckily by the time we went to bed, we were chuckling and laughing about all the stuff that is converging upon us right now. We will get through it- and I'm sure everything will be totally fine. Thank God for good husbands :)
1. Instead of going out to greet her doggy friends, now Banana just stands next to me in the front yard and barks at them. Maybe she is ramping up her protection instinct, but it is annoying to have her barking so much all of a sudden.
2. I have suspected for a few days that the fridge is not working properly. Yesterday, it was definitely not cooling like it was supposed to, and I told Mr. A and said I was going to call a repair man. I think he thought I was just being fussy and said he would look at it when he got home. Well by the time he got home, it was barely cold in there (the freezer part seems to work just fine). AND he discovered that the whole fridge is swelling or something, to the point where it is jammed up against the cabinet next to it, so we can't even roll it out to see what's behind it. GREAT. After all the extra food I've gotten and made, and with the new baby coming, and with the throngs of out of town guests waiting with baited breath for when they can come stay with us, our fridge is crapped out. GREAT. We moved all the food from the freezer to the garage freezer, and put all the ice and ice packs in the fridge part, to try to keep it as cool as possible in there until we can get a repair man. So now I'm waiting until 8:30am to call and see if they can come out today before all our food spoils (probably some is already bad).
{3. Because I can't call until 8:30am today, I will probably miss my yoga class this morning :( }
4. Our yard (particularly the bushes and trees and WEEDS) is out of control. I haven't really kept up with it like I usually do (it's not like I haven't been active in other ways during my pregnancy, I guess I've just been busy doing other things), and Mr. A could literally care less about the state of the grass or landscaping, so it has been sorely neglected all summer. The bushes are completely raggedy and the trees need trimming, and the yard needs mowing. I think it looks awful. UGH. Again, right before company comes, wonderful! Our yard looks like crap. (Mr. A doesn't think it looks bad, but again, he could care less about any of that kind of stuff.)
5. Mr. A is just really busy. Between work changes (his company split in two and his half is getting itself situated to be on its own two feet), and his new hobby of flying (taking pilot's lessons), he's been getting home past normal dinnertime most days recently, and it's just getting a little old. Especially with regard to the flying lessons, I haven't really minded that much because it's something he has wanted to do his whole life and he is great at it, and he probably won't be able to spend as much time on it after Maryanne is born, but it would be nice to have dinner together at a normal time again, instead of at 8:30pm or something. And all the extra work hours are just plain annoying.
So you may be able to imagine that I was just not a happy camper last night. Stupid Murphy's Law! Mr. A says I'm just nesting and that is why all this little stuff is getting to me, and maybe so. A few days ago, our house was perfectly in order for this baby and for everyone coming to meet her, and now I feel like it is all in disarray (e.g., my precious freezer stock lists are all wrong now!!!), and messy and jumbled and not prepared. Mr. A thinks for this reason alone, Maryanne will be here very soon. He's probably right!
The reason that God made him for me, though, is that even though he has a ton going on (that is realistically more stressful than a raggedy bush), he reminds me of perspective. Is it really worth fretting over a fridge when we are going to be welcoming the baby we've dreamed of into our family soon? Don't you think people will understand if you haven't been weeding and pruning and tending to the landscaping (most people yes, but I am sure that my gardening-idol Aunt B's flowerbeds did not look like a scene from the jungle book even when she was 39 weeks pregnant with any of her children....)? Aren't you glad we hired a cleaning service to come (this Friday again) so you don't have to worry about cleaning the house right now, too?
So luckily by the time we went to bed, we were chuckling and laughing about all the stuff that is converging upon us right now. We will get through it- and I'm sure everything will be totally fine. Thank God for good husbands :)
Food and Fotos on Friday
Friday, July 01, 2011
In honor of my glucose tolerance test I did this morning, I'm posting my recipe for pumpkin chocolate chip muffins! Don't worry, I didn't have one for breakfast!
4 eggs
1 cup sugar
3 cups pumpkin puree
2 tsp vanilla
1 cup vegetable oil
3 cups flour
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
3 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt
1 cup chocolate chips
Beat eggs, sugar, pumpkin, vanilla, and oil together in a large bowl. Combine 2.5 cups of the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in another bowl, and add a portion at a time to the wet mixture. Toss the chocolate chips in the last 0.5 cups of flour, and fold into the batter until just mixed. Bake at 385F for 16-20 minutes.
These muffins aren't super sweet, but they are very satisfying with the combination of pumpkin and chocolate flavors. Hope you like them!
And also, here are some photos of our flowers in front of the house this year- everything is doing great!!
(Try to ignore the huge empty spot in the front- perennial gardens are a work in progress!)
Will post pictures of our vegetable garden and berry bushes soon! They are doing AWESOME!! There is something amazingly satisfying about successfully growing your own veggies and fruit, and it doesn't seem to be that difficult at all!
4 eggs
1 cup sugar
3 cups pumpkin puree
2 tsp vanilla
1 cup vegetable oil
3 cups flour
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
3 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt
1 cup chocolate chips
Beat eggs, sugar, pumpkin, vanilla, and oil together in a large bowl. Combine 2.5 cups of the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in another bowl, and add a portion at a time to the wet mixture. Toss the chocolate chips in the last 0.5 cups of flour, and fold into the batter until just mixed. Bake at 385F for 16-20 minutes.
These muffins aren't super sweet, but they are very satisfying with the combination of pumpkin and chocolate flavors. Hope you like them!
And also, here are some photos of our flowers in front of the house this year- everything is doing great!!
(Try to ignore the huge empty spot in the front- perennial gardens are a work in progress!)
Will post pictures of our vegetable garden and berry bushes soon! They are doing AWESOME!! There is something amazingly satisfying about successfully growing your own veggies and fruit, and it doesn't seem to be that difficult at all!
Back on Track
Wednesday, June 08, 2011
After too much contemplating and lamenting the Oreo package yesterday, I am happy to say that today is looking much better. :)
I have already weeded and watered our veggie garden, which I am so excited to say is looking great!!! I am all set to have a breakfast of cherries (from the farmer's market!!!) and Kashi Honey Almond Flax cereal (my favorite because it has omega-3's and protein for baby girl!) with organic milk. YUM.
Then I am getting a much needed hair-trim this morning (only a trim- I don't want to do one of those drastic pregnancy hair-chops)!
Then a friend of mine and her FIVE (soon to be six; she is due a week after I am) kids are coming for lunch and swimming this afternoon. Should be a perfect day for it- sunny and 95!
She is bringing gazpacho (sp?) and tuna salad sandwiches, and I am making a huge salad with some garden lettuce, farmer's market tomatoes, organic carrots, and Mennonite (boiled) eggs. I think I'm also going to go and get some fresh fruit for a snack for us all this afternoon.
I'm taking the day off of work, and I couldn't be happier!! Hope your day is looking up, too!
I have already weeded and watered our veggie garden, which I am so excited to say is looking great!!! I am all set to have a breakfast of cherries (from the farmer's market!!!) and Kashi Honey Almond Flax cereal (my favorite because it has omega-3's and protein for baby girl!) with organic milk. YUM.
Then I am getting a much needed hair-trim this morning (only a trim- I don't want to do one of those drastic pregnancy hair-chops)!
Then a friend of mine and her FIVE (soon to be six; she is due a week after I am) kids are coming for lunch and swimming this afternoon. Should be a perfect day for it- sunny and 95!
She is bringing gazpacho (sp?) and tuna salad sandwiches, and I am making a huge salad with some garden lettuce, farmer's market tomatoes, organic carrots, and Mennonite (boiled) eggs. I think I'm also going to go and get some fresh fruit for a snack for us all this afternoon.
I'm taking the day off of work, and I couldn't be happier!! Hope your day is looking up, too!
Time for Pictures
Monday, May 23, 2011
We had a great weekend! I went to the farmer's market on Saturday morning and got the sweetest strawberries I've ever tasted, along with three juicy tomatoes, and most importantly, vegetable plants!!
Our garden was more like a weed patch, aside from the rows of peas, lettuce, and spinach we've planted (one of each) (and we planted them a little late and so our spinach and lettuce aren't doing so swell). I should have taken a "before" picture just so you can appreciate how ridiculous it was.
But, it is already mid-May, and I know we needed to get our little plants in the ground, and since Mr. A was busy with helping our neighbor do some repairs around their house, I decided it was high time baby girl learned what a hoe was and how to plant tomatoes and what an amazing thing compost is!!! (I am so impressed with our compost (we have a rotatable barrel composter). It is so rich and dark, and I know it is full of amazing nutrients!!!)
I had to take more breaks than normal for water and resting, and it took me a good 4 hours to clear all the weeds and prepare the soil, but I am happy to say that our garden is planted, except for cantelopes, pumpkins, and beans. Working on getting those in the ground this week or this weekend (we plant them in another place in the yard)!!
Here are some pictures:
(L to R: peas, lettuce, spinach, zucchini, cucumbers, peppers, paste tomatoes, roma tomatoes, heirloom tomatoes)
(L to R: Mosquito plant, cut peonies from the front flower garden, and a Goblin Gaillardia)
(Some roses our neighbor cut for us from her bush- they smell amazing!!)
(Banana (lighter) and Bert (darker), in their favorite afternoon spot- snuggled up in the sun spot in the front foyer)
Hope your Monday's are off to a good start!
Our garden was more like a weed patch, aside from the rows of peas, lettuce, and spinach we've planted (one of each) (and we planted them a little late and so our spinach and lettuce aren't doing so swell). I should have taken a "before" picture just so you can appreciate how ridiculous it was.
But, it is already mid-May, and I know we needed to get our little plants in the ground, and since Mr. A was busy with helping our neighbor do some repairs around their house, I decided it was high time baby girl learned what a hoe was and how to plant tomatoes and what an amazing thing compost is!!! (I am so impressed with our compost (we have a rotatable barrel composter). It is so rich and dark, and I know it is full of amazing nutrients!!!)
I had to take more breaks than normal for water and resting, and it took me a good 4 hours to clear all the weeds and prepare the soil, but I am happy to say that our garden is planted, except for cantelopes, pumpkins, and beans. Working on getting those in the ground this week or this weekend (we plant them in another place in the yard)!!
Here are some pictures:
(L to R: peas, lettuce, spinach, zucchini, cucumbers, peppers, paste tomatoes, roma tomatoes, heirloom tomatoes)
(L to R: Mosquito plant, cut peonies from the front flower garden, and a Goblin Gaillardia)
(Some roses our neighbor cut for us from her bush- they smell amazing!!)
(Banana (lighter) and Bert (darker), in their favorite afternoon spot- snuggled up in the sun spot in the front foyer)Hope your Monday's are off to a good start!
Spring Gardening
Monday, April 18, 2011
Time for some spring gardening! I would post pictures, but I can't find our camera cord :( They sell HDM.I to U.SB cords at Rad.io Sh.ack, don't they?
I am all of a sudden really concerned about the state of the flower and vegetable beds. Yesterday after church I worked a couple hours of overtime, and then, at 430pm, I decided I needed to go buy a blueberry bush. And also that we needed to make a trellis for our blackberry bush and also some of the raspberry bush could use some staking up. Clearly all of these things were critical to accomplish last night ;-)
And even though I am sure he thought I was crazy, and I know he thought I was being fussy (he may have told me so, haha), Mr. A dutifully went to the hardware store and got some materials for the trellis while I went to pick out our new fruit bush.
So after we walked the dogs, he put up a trellis so that all the blackberry bush "arms" are off the ground and planted/mulched the blueberry bush and staked up the errant raspberry stalks.
What a man. (Except I should note that I thought making a trellis was way more complicated/man-necessary than it actually was. I thought it involved digging post holes or something. I am way more the gardener than Mr. A, so if I knew it was as "easy" as it was, I could have done it myself!)
In case you haven't figured out, we love our fruit bushes!!!
And this morning, I planted a beautiful royal blue new perennial in the bed next to our front door and two more black eyed susans next to our pool pump, which has every year succumbed to the worst weed invasion I have ever seen. Black eyed susans are notorious for being aggressive growers, and I am hoping they win the weed battle this year.
Also this morning I transplanted 5 raspberry stalks- that were growing a tad too close to the air conditioner unit- to their new home next to where we plant pumpkins and cantelopes in the summer. I hope they like it there!
ALSO this morning I planted a row each of sugar snap peas, bibb lettuce, and spinach in our veggie garden.
I have some more things on my list of spring gardening, and I'm hoping that if I do a few small tasks each day, our flowers will take care of themselves this summer and that next year's spring is really beautiful when they come up again (I only do perennials- no use in buying new flowers every year!)!! Next on the list is a trip to the Farmer's Market on Saturday to see what kind of veggie plants they have!!
I am all of a sudden really concerned about the state of the flower and vegetable beds. Yesterday after church I worked a couple hours of overtime, and then, at 430pm, I decided I needed to go buy a blueberry bush. And also that we needed to make a trellis for our blackberry bush and also some of the raspberry bush could use some staking up. Clearly all of these things were critical to accomplish last night ;-)
And even though I am sure he thought I was crazy, and I know he thought I was being fussy (he may have told me so, haha), Mr. A dutifully went to the hardware store and got some materials for the trellis while I went to pick out our new fruit bush.
So after we walked the dogs, he put up a trellis so that all the blackberry bush "arms" are off the ground and planted/mulched the blueberry bush and staked up the errant raspberry stalks.
What a man. (Except I should note that I thought making a trellis was way more complicated/man-necessary than it actually was. I thought it involved digging post holes or something. I am way more the gardener than Mr. A, so if I knew it was as "easy" as it was, I could have done it myself!)
In case you haven't figured out, we love our fruit bushes!!!
And this morning, I planted a beautiful royal blue new perennial in the bed next to our front door and two more black eyed susans next to our pool pump, which has every year succumbed to the worst weed invasion I have ever seen. Black eyed susans are notorious for being aggressive growers, and I am hoping they win the weed battle this year.
Also this morning I transplanted 5 raspberry stalks- that were growing a tad too close to the air conditioner unit- to their new home next to where we plant pumpkins and cantelopes in the summer. I hope they like it there!
ALSO this morning I planted a row each of sugar snap peas, bibb lettuce, and spinach in our veggie garden.
I have some more things on my list of spring gardening, and I'm hoping that if I do a few small tasks each day, our flowers will take care of themselves this summer and that next year's spring is really beautiful when they come up again (I only do perennials- no use in buying new flowers every year!)!! Next on the list is a trip to the Farmer's Market on Saturday to see what kind of veggie plants they have!!
"Fresh" Air Makes Me Sick
Saturday, April 02, 2011
Yesterday, our across the street neighbors had their yard treated with some kind of super chemical fertilizer treatment. Not just the granular kind you spread with the green rotater thingy. Like sprayed to the max and smellable from miles away.
This morning at 7:30am, I stepped out the front door with Banana and Bert to go on our morning walk, and the smell of their chemicalled-yard hit me smack in the face. I thought, it's alright, I'll just walk past their house and it'll be fine.
I got 20 yards past their house and knew it would not be fine...
I could have turned around and woken Mr. A up and had him walk them. But I look forward to my morning walk as much as the pups do.
So what else could I do? I tossed some cookies in the middle of the road (luckily the dogs just waited patiently for me to finish), and on we went. It was a beautiful morning and ended up being a really nice walk!
Time for some work in the yard today!
This morning at 7:30am, I stepped out the front door with Banana and Bert to go on our morning walk, and the smell of their chemicalled-yard hit me smack in the face. I thought, it's alright, I'll just walk past their house and it'll be fine.
I got 20 yards past their house and knew it would not be fine...
I could have turned around and woken Mr. A up and had him walk them. But I look forward to my morning walk as much as the pups do.
So what else could I do? I tossed some cookies in the middle of the road (luckily the dogs just waited patiently for me to finish), and on we went. It was a beautiful morning and ended up being a really nice walk!
Time for some work in the yard today!
Awards
Tuesday, February 01, 2011
(First, thank you EVERYONE for such a huge outpouring of support and love and excitement over our unexpected miracle. We are so excited and praying for a healthy baby, and I am so thankful that you are doing the same! We feel very lucky and very thankful and very humble right now, knowing the magnitude of what is happening. I think CoCo said it best that even after all we went through last year, God wanted to have this miracle be all about His power over what we feel are dire circumstances!!!)
I bet you thought that I forgot that certain cool people gave me some awards last week!
Lovin' Ma Soldier gifted me with this one:
Lovin Ma Soldier, IFfy life, and the lost stork were kind enough to tell me that...
And, the lost stork, Pez, and PinkaDots think I am a...
Wow, I am getting quite the large doses of humility lately! Thank you ladies for these awards :)
3. Award 15 recently discovered great bloggers.
4. Make sure you contact these bloggers to let them know about the award
Here are my 7 things:
*I have never ridden a horse.
*I am a perennial-only flower gardener thanks to training from my previously mentioned super cool vegetarian aunt who is also an amazing perennial gardener. Hello, you don't have to buy new flowers every year!!!
*I make all our bread- 100% whole wheat with wheat flour we grind ourselves!
*I love broccoli.
*I am the oldest of four kids, and I thank God every day for my sibs
*I ran cross country in high school, and have (in my adult life) completed two marathons (4:01 and 4:20), two half marathons (both 1:06ish), several 10-miler's, and countless other races!! I think my running chapter is behind me, but I loved it!!!
*I have a pink motorcycle helmet for when Mr. A and I go on rides B-)
Here are the blogs I nominate:
The Wonder Wife- She's been reading for a while but just delurked recently, and I am so glad she did- loving her blog!! She is praying to conceive, in that, her husband would like to wait a while until they "try", but her heart is ready. Go over and see what they are up to in the meantime!
While I'm Waiting- I love this blog for Lisa's reflections. She posts wonderful devotions for those who are in need of a spiritual lift! She and her hubby lost their baby at 14w last year, and I have been praying that God would bless them again soon.
The Pughs- Rachel makes me want to move to Alabama and be her best friend! They have this cool painting store with fun Friday night projects, and it looks SO fun!! They have chosen adoption and have a baby placed with them now. I am praying that everything goes smoothly and that the baby will be theirs soon!
from IF to when- This chic is an amazing writer! She was even in the finals of RESOLVE's best blog award last year!!! WOW. She and her hubby have been through alot of uncertainty with IF lately, and have chosen to pursue adoption. I pray that their journey is smooth and short!
the big infertility- I am a new follower to this blog, and I was initially drawn to it because they are choosing embryo adoption! I wish them all the best in their journey, and look forward to seeing how everything unfolds!
the black sheep- I love this blog for her really hilarious takes on things, and the fact that she calls everyone GLOB's (you will have to go see what that stands for!). I hope that she and her hubby will be blessed soon, because that baby is going to have one heck of a great life!
BrigitteMarie- This is one of my sibs' blogs! She is an artist, an art teacher, and one strong and independent young woman. I am so proud of her! If you need any kind of art for your walls, go check out her etsy store! She has some photographs, but my favorite pieces of hers are the paintings she does of photographs. Do you have an amazing photograph you took on vacation in Tahiti? Send it to her and she will replicate it on canvas to make an amazing piece of artwork for your home!
venting vagina- Finally, this fashionable NY bloggy buddy has some buns in the oven. Be healthy, babies! She always posts crazy unbelievable things that provide the right amount of entertainment needed for a slow afternoon at work!
Something Beautiful- A wonderful friend of mine who has been with me through up's and down's (for each of us), she finally brought her son home last week!! She is an amazing example of trusting God that His plan is better than what we can imagine! Plus she has this daily calendar that is freakin' amazing on how its verses are so applicable to whatever is happening today!
The Bigger(s) Picture- Melissa is a new mom who is real and honest and funny! Her Ten on Tuesday posts are always thought provoking and comment worthy!! She has been a great support to me :)
On (In)fertile Ground- I am pretty sure Sonja has no time to do this award, but I just love her blog. She had QUADS last year, and they are so stinkin cute!! You should check her out just to be in awe of those little ones and how she is raising them!!
Making Me Mom- Hillary is an amazing daughter of the King, and she has been so faithful during her infertility journey. Right now, she and her hubby are seeking where to go next, and I ask you to pray that they will be given clarity. Go over and lend her some support!
Delinquent Eggs- I am a new follower of this blog, and she is a great writer. She is also trying to figure out where to go next, and I'm hoping that whatever they choose will be successful!
Cheap Version of Therapy- Josey is just starting to be treated at CCRM, and I'm praying that their plan of action will bring a baby into her home. Her and her hubby have been dealing with some job uncertainty lately, but they are pushing through, doing their best and rolling with the punches!!
My lazy Ovaries- I am new to following this blog, but so far the best thing about my reading there is this gal's blunt honesty! Like all things you think but never write, she has the courage to put them down on "paper"!! It is very refreshing and I think anyone will find something in common here!
WHEW! I love all the blogs on my blogroll, so if I didn't get you this time, I'll be sure to highlight you next round of awards!!
I bet you thought that I forgot that certain cool people gave me some awards last week!
Lovin' Ma Soldier gifted me with this one:
Lovin Ma Soldier, IFfy life, and the lost stork were kind enough to tell me that...
And, the lost stork, Pez, and PinkaDots think I am a...
Wow, I am getting quite the large doses of humility lately! Thank you ladies for these awards :)
Here's how this awards work:
1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you the award.
2. Share 7 things about yourself.3. Award 15 recently discovered great bloggers.
4. Make sure you contact these bloggers to let them know about the award
Here are my 7 things:
*I have never ridden a horse.
*I am a perennial-only flower gardener thanks to training from my previously mentioned super cool vegetarian aunt who is also an amazing perennial gardener. Hello, you don't have to buy new flowers every year!!!
*I make all our bread- 100% whole wheat with wheat flour we grind ourselves!
*I love broccoli.
*I am the oldest of four kids, and I thank God every day for my sibs
*I ran cross country in high school, and have (in my adult life) completed two marathons (4:01 and 4:20), two half marathons (both 1:06ish), several 10-miler's, and countless other races!! I think my running chapter is behind me, but I loved it!!!
*I have a pink motorcycle helmet for when Mr. A and I go on rides B-)
Here are the blogs I nominate:
The Wonder Wife- She's been reading for a while but just delurked recently, and I am so glad she did- loving her blog!! She is praying to conceive, in that, her husband would like to wait a while until they "try", but her heart is ready. Go over and see what they are up to in the meantime!
While I'm Waiting- I love this blog for Lisa's reflections. She posts wonderful devotions for those who are in need of a spiritual lift! She and her hubby lost their baby at 14w last year, and I have been praying that God would bless them again soon.
The Pughs- Rachel makes me want to move to Alabama and be her best friend! They have this cool painting store with fun Friday night projects, and it looks SO fun!! They have chosen adoption and have a baby placed with them now. I am praying that everything goes smoothly and that the baby will be theirs soon!
from IF to when- This chic is an amazing writer! She was even in the finals of RESOLVE's best blog award last year!!! WOW. She and her hubby have been through alot of uncertainty with IF lately, and have chosen to pursue adoption. I pray that their journey is smooth and short!
the big infertility- I am a new follower to this blog, and I was initially drawn to it because they are choosing embryo adoption! I wish them all the best in their journey, and look forward to seeing how everything unfolds!
the black sheep- I love this blog for her really hilarious takes on things, and the fact that she calls everyone GLOB's (you will have to go see what that stands for!). I hope that she and her hubby will be blessed soon, because that baby is going to have one heck of a great life!
BrigitteMarie- This is one of my sibs' blogs! She is an artist, an art teacher, and one strong and independent young woman. I am so proud of her! If you need any kind of art for your walls, go check out her etsy store! She has some photographs, but my favorite pieces of hers are the paintings she does of photographs. Do you have an amazing photograph you took on vacation in Tahiti? Send it to her and she will replicate it on canvas to make an amazing piece of artwork for your home!
venting vagina- Finally, this fashionable NY bloggy buddy has some buns in the oven. Be healthy, babies! She always posts crazy unbelievable things that provide the right amount of entertainment needed for a slow afternoon at work!
Something Beautiful- A wonderful friend of mine who has been with me through up's and down's (for each of us), she finally brought her son home last week!! She is an amazing example of trusting God that His plan is better than what we can imagine! Plus she has this daily calendar that is freakin' amazing on how its verses are so applicable to whatever is happening today!
The Bigger(s) Picture- Melissa is a new mom who is real and honest and funny! Her Ten on Tuesday posts are always thought provoking and comment worthy!! She has been a great support to me :)
On (In)fertile Ground- I am pretty sure Sonja has no time to do this award, but I just love her blog. She had QUADS last year, and they are so stinkin cute!! You should check her out just to be in awe of those little ones and how she is raising them!!
Making Me Mom- Hillary is an amazing daughter of the King, and she has been so faithful during her infertility journey. Right now, she and her hubby are seeking where to go next, and I ask you to pray that they will be given clarity. Go over and lend her some support!
Delinquent Eggs- I am a new follower of this blog, and she is a great writer. She is also trying to figure out where to go next, and I'm hoping that whatever they choose will be successful!
Cheap Version of Therapy- Josey is just starting to be treated at CCRM, and I'm praying that their plan of action will bring a baby into her home. Her and her hubby have been dealing with some job uncertainty lately, but they are pushing through, doing their best and rolling with the punches!!
My lazy Ovaries- I am new to following this blog, but so far the best thing about my reading there is this gal's blunt honesty! Like all things you think but never write, she has the courage to put them down on "paper"!! It is very refreshing and I think anyone will find something in common here!
WHEW! I love all the blogs on my blogroll, so if I didn't get you this time, I'll be sure to highlight you next round of awards!!
By popular request
Thursday, August 19, 2010
A picture post!!! Captions below the pictures :) Enjoy!
This is how they spend their afternoons- sharing the sunlight through the front door and waiting for Mr. A to come home. (Bert standing, Banana laying)
This is from the first night he was home, and if it looks like "aw cute, they are playing", think again. They were not really "playing", and shortly thereafter Mr. A and I went to bed nearly in tears that we had just disturbed the peaceful nature of our household..
Bert thinks he's going to snack on some bbq chicken before we get to it!
Bert
Banana
Banana and Bert have taken over our couch, but they are so cute together...
Banana (left) and Bert (right) do follow commands sometimes!
Isn't this precious? The funniest part is that we have a huge other dog bed right to the right of this round one, but nope, they both had to be on the same one!!
Pillow talk :)
Spaghetti sauce- tomatoes (from our garden), zucchini (from our garden), green peppers (from our garden), and onions and garlic (both organic). YUM!!! We grew San Marz.one tomatoes this year for saucing, and they make a HUGE difference!!! We can't wait to eat the sauce!!
Some of the bags of sauce- more to come for sure!!
This is how they spend their afternoons- sharing the sunlight through the front door and waiting for Mr. A to come home. (Bert standing, Banana laying)
This is from the first night he was home, and if it looks like "aw cute, they are playing", think again. They were not really "playing", and shortly thereafter Mr. A and I went to bed nearly in tears that we had just disturbed the peaceful nature of our household..
Bert thinks he's going to snack on some bbq chicken before we get to it!
Bert
Banana
Banana and Bert have taken over our couch, but they are so cute together...
Banana (left) and Bert (right) do follow commands sometimes!
Isn't this precious? The funniest part is that we have a huge other dog bed right to the right of this round one, but nope, they both had to be on the same one!!
Pillow talk :)
Spaghetti sauce- tomatoes (from our garden), zucchini (from our garden), green peppers (from our garden), and onions and garlic (both organic). YUM!!! We grew San Marz.one tomatoes this year for saucing, and they make a HUGE difference!!! We can't wait to eat the sauce!!
Some of the bags of sauce- more to come for sure!!Going backwards
Friday, July 09, 2010
So, I think I might be the most fickle infertility patient ever. Especially cozy under my new apathy blanket.
I had made an appointment with the other RE, but especially after their billing comments, I just did not have peace about it. We are not planning on doing any big-time treatments (e.g. injectables/ART) for the forseeable future, so what was emphasized to me in prayer is why not return to my ob/gyn if all I'm going to be possibly doing is clomid/progesterone supps and some 7dpo bloodwork here and there. They might have a way less efficient office (scheduling-wise...just assume you're going to wait half an hour when you arrive for your appointment) and they might consider 6.4 to be an acceptable 7dpo progesterone (which is lower than the RE's acceptable 10, but maybe for the normal population, that is fine?), but I think with the knowledge I have from the past year, I can be a better advocate for myself with any particular test result. Not to mention driving the 5 miles there is so much more attractive than the 45 to my RE's office...
So I called and left a message for my ob/gyn's nurse yesterday (she is so bubbly and helpful!), and she called me back and said that my ob/gyn would like to talk with me to go over the last year and then go from there. She is so different from my RE's nurse, and honestly, just talking to her made me feel so good about calling there and taking this route. So I'm taking that as a confirmation that it's the way to go. I'm meeting with him next Thursday. I do plan on asking him to retest my thyroid. And I think I'll ask for a higher dose of clomid, too. This feels right.
(Time to cancel the other RE's appt!)
In some ways it definitely feels like I'm moving backwards by "switching" to my ob/gyn. But, I'm actually okay with going backwards. Back to the time when we didn't know there was any issue, back to the time when we were so excited to have just the two of us, and back to the time when we were sure we'd be parents.
Maybe I am delirious, but we have been so happy lately. I have been driving with all the windows down, Michael Buble blaring, and me singing at the top of my lungs. Mr. A and I have been chasing each other around the pool, taking Banana for long walks at sunset (although this is mostly because she doesn't like walking at 5pm when it is 300F here!), and dreaming of a great and fun future. We have been eating our home-grown veggies (which reminds me, I tried to make refrigerator pickles the other day with our cucumbers, and I have to see how they taste!), and buying more organic food. I was emailing with my friend K yesterday, and I wrote how it is a little odd and unexpected that we'd feel so stress-free about trying less than 2 months after our failed IVF attempt. But I am thankful for the way my heart is feeling these days. I can only attribute it to grace from God, because logically, I think I should still be grieving and being anxious about what happens next.
Speaking of K, please keep her in your prayers. She is having a rough week in this "IF hell hole", as she so affectionately calls it. We have been praying that God would allow us to be pregnant together, but even if one of us gets pregnant before the other, it will allow us to be an example to the other that God works miracles even in the most difficult and improbable situations.
I had made an appointment with the other RE, but especially after their billing comments, I just did not have peace about it. We are not planning on doing any big-time treatments (e.g. injectables/ART) for the forseeable future, so what was emphasized to me in prayer is why not return to my ob/gyn if all I'm going to be possibly doing is clomid/progesterone supps and some 7dpo bloodwork here and there. They might have a way less efficient office (scheduling-wise...just assume you're going to wait half an hour when you arrive for your appointment) and they might consider 6.4 to be an acceptable 7dpo progesterone (which is lower than the RE's acceptable 10, but maybe for the normal population, that is fine?), but I think with the knowledge I have from the past year, I can be a better advocate for myself with any particular test result. Not to mention driving the 5 miles there is so much more attractive than the 45 to my RE's office...
So I called and left a message for my ob/gyn's nurse yesterday (she is so bubbly and helpful!), and she called me back and said that my ob/gyn would like to talk with me to go over the last year and then go from there. She is so different from my RE's nurse, and honestly, just talking to her made me feel so good about calling there and taking this route. So I'm taking that as a confirmation that it's the way to go. I'm meeting with him next Thursday. I do plan on asking him to retest my thyroid. And I think I'll ask for a higher dose of clomid, too. This feels right.
(Time to cancel the other RE's appt!)
In some ways it definitely feels like I'm moving backwards by "switching" to my ob/gyn. But, I'm actually okay with going backwards. Back to the time when we didn't know there was any issue, back to the time when we were so excited to have just the two of us, and back to the time when we were sure we'd be parents.
Maybe I am delirious, but we have been so happy lately. I have been driving with all the windows down, Michael Buble blaring, and me singing at the top of my lungs. Mr. A and I have been chasing each other around the pool, taking Banana for long walks at sunset (although this is mostly because she doesn't like walking at 5pm when it is 300F here!), and dreaming of a great and fun future. We have been eating our home-grown veggies (which reminds me, I tried to make refrigerator pickles the other day with our cucumbers, and I have to see how they taste!), and buying more organic food. I was emailing with my friend K yesterday, and I wrote how it is a little odd and unexpected that we'd feel so stress-free about trying less than 2 months after our failed IVF attempt. But I am thankful for the way my heart is feeling these days. I can only attribute it to grace from God, because logically, I think I should still be grieving and being anxious about what happens next.
Speaking of K, please keep her in your prayers. She is having a rough week in this "IF hell hole", as she so affectionately calls it. We have been praying that God would allow us to be pregnant together, but even if one of us gets pregnant before the other, it will allow us to be an example to the other that God works miracles even in the most difficult and improbable situations.
I know that You can do all things,
and that
no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.
Job 42:2
and that
no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.
Job 42:2
Jumbled
Wednesday, June 09, 2010
The crickets around my blog were getting tired of being by themselves!! So I am happy to keep them company again.
Our visit with my grandfather went well. He was more mobile than I expected (have you seen how long those at-home oxygen cords are?!), but there were still some times (dinner at Perk.in's when he didn't want to bring his oxygen, but it was so chilly in the restaurant (he was visibly cold), he asked the waitress to turn down the a/c!) when he seemed weak and frail and so precious that I just wanted to hug him for a while. I imagine the adrenal.ine of having everyone visiting lifted his spirits/helped him be more youthful, because my aunt emailed me and said that he had a really tough day yesterday. We are so glad we got to sit and talk with him as much as we did! Plus visiting all my extended family was fun, too!
My grandma is in the early stages of alz.heimer's and her kids don't think she would be safe at home by herself. So their plan is to move her into an assisted living place after my grandpa passes.
Now.
Mr. A is obviously a super amazing guy.
But I had no idea how vehemently he believes that kids are to take care of their parents in their last years, if/when they can't take care of themselves. (They took care of you 24-7 when you were little, and when they need it, you should return the "favor".) He is completely appalled that my aunts/uncles are considering moving her to an assisted living place right now. At this point, she is not really a danger to herself or anyone, just a little off in her own world (not even that much detached from reality, if you ask me). I realize that alz.heimer's is a very complicated disease that will require some pretty specialized care in its advanced stages, but my grandma is just not there yet. But right now, it is pretty sad for me to think of her all by herself in a random assisted living place.
Mr. A said that she could move in with us, but I don't know if her kids would want that, since we live about 400 miles away from them and where she has spent her whole life. I suggested that maybe my mom (a nurse) could quit her job and be paid through my grandparents' estate to be my grandma's care provider, which one of my uncles thought was a good idea, but my aunt seems to have alot of concerns with that. I realize there are alot of variables to consider.
So in addition to my grandpa's declining health, there is this whole sad issue with my grandma. (Which, by the way, she is not even being consulted on the move idea- how tragic would that be- you lose your husband of 60+ years and then you get shipped off to a random place where you don't know anyone!) I don't really think it's my place to have a very active role in what "happens" to her- she's not my mom, and I guess I just pray that my uncles and aunts (and mom) will seriously consider some lifestyle changes that might allow them to welcome her into their home or allow them to care for her, instead of giving her the boot for someone else to deal with.
The other reason that I thought it was an amazing idea to have my mom go be her official nurse is that my mom is super attached (emotionally) to her parents in a way that I have never seen in another mid-fifties woman. She is not admitting it, but all of this is really hard for her. She does not deal well with being separated from her parents on a normal day, much less right now when both are experiencing fairly substantial health concerns. Her and my dad need time apart right now, to put it bluntly. She takes all her anxiety, anger, and worry on my dad, and he (so far) has hung in there, but the emotional and verbal abus.e she is spewing is getting to be overwhelming for him. I am honestly worried that he is going to snap or something, but he is such an upstanding guy that I don't think he wants to be the one to put his foot down or stay somewhere else until she can get herself under control. I can appreciate his dedication (in good times and bad, eh?), but I think I draw the line in an abu.sive relationship. I suggested that he go stay with a friend, even for a few weeks. Is that bad or un-matrimon-ily of me?
As for me and Mr. A, we are doing pretty darn great. We are loving our pool this summer!! I have no idea what CD I'm on (but pretty sure somewhere after ovulation). I think we were together around when ovulation might have happened, so there is this dang bird in my head that taunts me with "maybetherewillbeamiracle", and while I acknowledge the thought, I have done pretty well with leveling out my expectations. Because really, after not having any beer for like 5 months, it is nice to kick back by the pool with a book and a local brew. And have I mentioned how many cups of coffee I've allowed myself per morning? Not that I wouldn't give that back up in an instant if we get pregnant, but it's nice to not feel guilty about it.
Our garden is doing awesome. We have pretty much finished all our spinach and it was excellent. We hadn't grown it before, and it tastes SO much better than the spinach you buy in the stores. We are now moving onto our bibb lettuce, which is equally as yummy. My new favorite lunch (or dinner) is a huge salad of our own greens, feta cheese, cooked chicken, and vinaigrette. YUM. We planted cantelope and watermelon plants, but they seem to be growing slowly/not at all. I really hope they kick into gear- we have heard that homegrown fruits blow your socks off!! We're getting a couple raspberries per day- with a billion about to be ripe all at the same time!
I still have not called my RE, and much to my dismay, they have not called me either. If I ever have an RE practice, you can bet that that WILL be part of the protocol- to call patients who've had failed cycles. I think I'd like to give clomid a shot next month (you know, if that bird on my shoulder happens to be wrong), while I think I do have one more refill, I probably should talk with the RE. Hopefully he will be willing to do a phone consult.
Banana is doing great, too- we now have between 2 and 3 dogs who walk by each morning so she is getting to play/socialize alot!! She really seems to enjoy it. She still won't go in the pool though, silly pup!!
I know I have alot of catching up to do with you all, and I'm going to do my best to get back into things very soon! I read sometimes and am praying for all of you! I love how we each have specific requests/needs- although we are all praying/thanking for healthy children, we all have such unique situations. I love how that keeps my prayer time vibrant and exciting!!
Picture Happy
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Thought it would be fun for a picture post this Memorial Day weekend!! I hope everyone is having a relaxing 3-day weekend, no matter if you are having a big cookout or avoiding one!! Haha :) We are so excited to see everything blooming and growing so beautifully!!
Peony- I transplanted it last year and it never bloomed, but it came up gorgeous this year!
I forget what this is, but the purple is very vivid! It's sort of a groundcover plant, which I don't normally like, but I don't think it's as invasive as some groundcover can be!
Poppy!! There were three blooms already, and there are 3 more coming up!! The blooms are fairly delicate, but this is such a beautiful orange!
Raspberries in the making!
Our veggie garden (L to R: peas, spinach, spinach, lettuce, lettuce, carrotts, broccoli, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers)
Peas- glamour shot!
One of my baby daylillies- I separate the huge clumps of daylillies each year and put the small ones in various places in our yard- this one did great- next year it will be huge and time to be split!
Have no idea what flower this is, and I really don't remember buying it, but it's a perennial, and there is this color of pink and a more rose pink, too! They are beautiful and self-cleaning, which is great because I don't have to pinch the old blooms to get new ones!
Banana, queen of our hearts and of the front yard!!
Peony- I transplanted it last year and it never bloomed, but it came up gorgeous this year!
I forget what this is, but the purple is very vivid! It's sort of a groundcover plant, which I don't normally like, but I don't think it's as invasive as some groundcover can be!
Poppy!! There were three blooms already, and there are 3 more coming up!! The blooms are fairly delicate, but this is such a beautiful orange!
Raspberries in the making!
Our veggie garden (L to R: peas, spinach, spinach, lettuce, lettuce, carrotts, broccoli, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers)
Peas- glamour shot!
One of my baby daylillies- I separate the huge clumps of daylillies each year and put the small ones in various places in our yard- this one did great- next year it will be huge and time to be split!
Have no idea what flower this is, and I really don't remember buying it, but it's a perennial, and there is this color of pink and a more rose pink, too! They are beautiful and self-cleaning, which is great because I don't have to pinch the old blooms to get new ones!
Banana, queen of our hearts and of the front yard!!Short Takes
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
***
Like it or not, good or bad, I'm having trouble keeping up with my Baby Bump bloggies. Especially the ones who more or less cycled "with" me last month. I'm so sorry, and I can't really put my finger on why, because Mr. A and I are genuinely happy with trying on our own this time and looking forward to how we will become parents... I guess it's just knowing we'd be 5ish weeks right now, too, if we'd been blessed, stings a little...***
My sisters have alot going on right now. One just got engaged and the other just got back from a 2.5 week-long fancy-pants trip to Europe (preceeded last year by a 3-week trip to Hawaii, and the preceeding year by a week-long trip to South Carolina). Compared to them, I feel dreadfully boring and am anticipating not getting a word in edgewise when we are all with our entire extended family coming up to spend time with our grandfather. But even if there were to be a break in the conversation (in between, you know, what fancy dinner did you eat at the Ei.ffel Tower and let me see this rock you got from Tiffan.y's), what am I going to say? Mr. A (God bless him) always tells me to talk about Banana. But that is getting old (at least for me). I have told everyone a million times already that we have a great dog. Maybe we can talk about our exhilirating experiences with writing big checks and having nothing to show for them! (Oh, the cynicism is almost too much even for the joke.)***
It's interesting how hubby's deal with infertility, especially failures of significant cycles. A guy we know here (late 50ish) and his wife (late 30ish) are also going through treatments. They, fairly regularly, smoke cigarettes and something-different-than-cigarettes-if-you-get-my-drift, polish off bottles of wine per person, make enough j.ello sh.ots to satisfy an entire fra.t house, drink enough at home to cause passing out on their front porch, and drink enough at a bar to cause a yelling match in the parking lot followed by a poor decision to drive home. All while romantically professing that it is their deepest desire to have a child together. You know, just the people whose first IUI (fairly recently) will be wildly successful. They are having a party coming up, the day after they find out if their IUI worked. We have gone to their parties before (and have chosen coke instead of ya.ger, of course). I told Mr. A that I don't mind going, but he said without equivocation that he doesn't want to go because it will be right after they find out and he doesn't want to be there either outcome. Struck me as a demonstration of how guarded he actually is when it comes to others trying, especially others who have no apparent regard for trying to be as healthy as possible through all of this.***
Months off are pretty flirty and romantic, aren't they? I'll just leave it at that. I think we'll enjoy it, yep, sure do!! Surely God can sprinkle some babydust on our marital bliss, right?***
Our garden is doing wonderful this year! Our lettuce and spinach have been great, and we're about to get some peas. Coming along nicely are broccoli, carrotts, tomatoes, green peppers, cucumbers, zucchini, pumpkins, cantelopes, and watermelons. Not to forget our berry patch with strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries! We just planted the strawberries this year, so we're not sure if we'll get any, but there are a zillion raspberry buds, and quite a few blackberry buds. I can't wait to try to make jam!! I need to plant some herbs- we had basil and oregano last year and it was excellent! At least we can grow things to eat!! All my perennials are looking beautiful, too- I had FOUR poppy blooms this year!!***
I just started a new book. The prologue was a little shocking/risque/alarming, but I wanted to try something out of my normal genre/mood of books, and the first chapter has held my attention and not alarmed me further. I'll keep you posted. But, I just finished (again) one of my all-time favorites: "if you lived here"- I love love love this book- it is centered around the main character who is pursuing foreign adoption following infertility. I 100% recommend it to anyone!!! It's a book I never get tired of reading again! (Edited to add that one of the reasons I love this book is that you will immediately find yourself rooting for and ready to defend the main character within moments of "meeting" her!!)***
Having alot of peace about placing our quest to conceive entirely in God's hands right now. The emotional transition has happened faster than I think we thought it would. Not that we don't pine to fill up the nursery, but for now we are going to have happy, light hearts- and incidentally, according to my fortune cookie the other night (even in our little rural town, we happen to have the world's greatest Chinese place!), a happy heart is the best medicine. Best of all, it's free!!!
Touche
Friday, April 02, 2010
So, suffice it to say that it was very cathartic to tear out the old, dead, knarly bush and replace it with sweet strawberry plants last night. Except we broke our shovel in the process. Like, snapped the shovel off the handle. Does that tell you how stubborn and awful this bush was?!
It gave us a good chance to talk about our follicles, too.
I think at that moment in time, if we still only have two follicles tomorrow, we think we might bow out of IVF this month. (We reserve the right to change our mind as many times as necessary between now and whenever!!!) Heck, maybe we'll do timed BD and be one of "those" people who get pregnant waiting on IVF. We're not sure it would be a smart use of what we've painstakingly saved for this process if, in my RE's professional opinion, we really don't have the best shot unless we have at least 3 follicles.
The good thing is that we haven't paid any IVF dollars yet, and my meds are pretty much covered by insurance, so we can (hypothetically) just gear up for IVF again next month (or a month after, if we want to try on our own with these two) (which we do) (and I hate the fact that I'm assuming the worst and saying these "two" when there are quite possibly more right now!). If we decide to cancel, I will be making it very clear to my doctor that I want a higher dosage of follistim from the get-go, and possibly menopur (those of you who take it, do you know why they couple it with follistim? I have to research that...), and possibly with a lower dose of lupron or maybe even the antagonist protocol instead. I just don't know if it's right for my body to be suppressed before starting stims, when I don't respond that well anyway!!
The bad thing about deciding to cancel is that, well, emotionally and mentally, we saw IVF as an endpoint. Not that we want to stop trying, but it is wearing on us a little bit. And we thought that it would give us a decisive YAY or NAY. And although a NAY would have been unbearable to take, we are longing for direction and we feel that would have been a major "take a left here" sort of situation.
Of course there is always the possibility that our hearts will win over, and we'll bet $8k on our two little follicles. Of course I want to believe that those eggies are perfect and will become our little ones, but statistically there are no guarantees with only two (or three, or fifteen, for that matter), and although I hate it when reality is possibly negative, I have to prepare myself for reality.
So I called the lab today to inquire as to the refund they offer if they do an ER but no ET.
$2k.
I haven't told Mr. A yet because we've both been in and out of the house working on a bunch of yard projects today (LOVE IT!!!), but I'm not sure if that will sway his feeling on whether to gamble with two follicles or not. Because the total cost is $8k, I can get $2k reimbursed from my HSA, and if (in the awful situation we have no embryo's) we get an additional $2k back, that brings the cost down to $4k. (Somebody check my math.) Since we had $9300 saved in the baby fund, we'd still have $5k to jump start any additional cycles we feel led to do. What would you do?
Yesterday, my friend T who is an amazing Christian inspiration to me, sent me this email:
It gave us a good chance to talk about our follicles, too.
I think at that moment in time, if we still only have two follicles tomorrow, we think we might bow out of IVF this month. (We reserve the right to change our mind as many times as necessary between now and whenever!!!) Heck, maybe we'll do timed BD and be one of "those" people who get pregnant waiting on IVF. We're not sure it would be a smart use of what we've painstakingly saved for this process if, in my RE's professional opinion, we really don't have the best shot unless we have at least 3 follicles.
The good thing is that we haven't paid any IVF dollars yet, and my meds are pretty much covered by insurance, so we can (hypothetically) just gear up for IVF again next month (or a month after, if we want to try on our own with these two) (which we do) (and I hate the fact that I'm assuming the worst and saying these "two" when there are quite possibly more right now!). If we decide to cancel, I will be making it very clear to my doctor that I want a higher dosage of follistim from the get-go, and possibly menopur (those of you who take it, do you know why they couple it with follistim? I have to research that...), and possibly with a lower dose of lupron or maybe even the antagonist protocol instead. I just don't know if it's right for my body to be suppressed before starting stims, when I don't respond that well anyway!!
The bad thing about deciding to cancel is that, well, emotionally and mentally, we saw IVF as an endpoint. Not that we want to stop trying, but it is wearing on us a little bit. And we thought that it would give us a decisive YAY or NAY. And although a NAY would have been unbearable to take, we are longing for direction and we feel that would have been a major "take a left here" sort of situation.
Of course there is always the possibility that our hearts will win over, and we'll bet $8k on our two little follicles. Of course I want to believe that those eggies are perfect and will become our little ones, but statistically there are no guarantees with only two (or three, or fifteen, for that matter), and although I hate it when reality is possibly negative, I have to prepare myself for reality.
So I called the lab today to inquire as to the refund they offer if they do an ER but no ET.
$2k.
I haven't told Mr. A yet because we've both been in and out of the house working on a bunch of yard projects today (LOVE IT!!!), but I'm not sure if that will sway his feeling on whether to gamble with two follicles or not. Because the total cost is $8k, I can get $2k reimbursed from my HSA, and if (in the awful situation we have no embryo's) we get an additional $2k back, that brings the cost down to $4k. (Somebody check my math.) Since we had $9300 saved in the baby fund, we'd still have $5k to jump start any additional cycles we feel led to do. What would you do?
Yesterday, my friend T who is an amazing Christian inspiration to me, sent me this email:
This was on my calendar today, and I think it's for you!!
"It gives me a growing sense of inner peace to remember that God's chapters are still being written. He has not yet said "The End".
Because of the Lord's great love, we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22-23)"
As you may imagine, my jaw was pretty much gaping open after reading her email. This is not the first time this calendar of hers has pierced my heart! I have got to get ahold of it!!! These verses have been ringing in my head all day this beautiful day. I feel very confident and guided (right now) and sure and peaceful that what God has coming is the best for our family, and that we will get through it smiling and strong if we only trust His hand to guide us.
The other thing that made me smile today is the lady who answered the phone at the lab when I called to ask about the refund. After telling me how they calculate things, she goes (in her most patient Eastern European accent) "But why in the world are you thinking like this? We do not have our patients thinking the worst! Do not worry about this!!"
Touche. It was like my optimistic self transported to the other end of the phone line. Okay, okay!
Time to go do some yoga, some positive visualization (my acupuncturist advised me to picture my ovaries as little flowers who are drinking in all the good water and nourishment (i.e. meds!) and are preparing to flower and bloom!), and a shower after all the great work in the yard today!!
"It gives me a growing sense of inner peace to remember that God's chapters are still being written. He has not yet said "The End".
Because of the Lord's great love, we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22-23)"
As you may imagine, my jaw was pretty much gaping open after reading her email. This is not the first time this calendar of hers has pierced my heart! I have got to get ahold of it!!! These verses have been ringing in my head all day this beautiful day. I feel very confident and guided (right now) and sure and peaceful that what God has coming is the best for our family, and that we will get through it smiling and strong if we only trust His hand to guide us.
The other thing that made me smile today is the lady who answered the phone at the lab when I called to ask about the refund. After telling me how they calculate things, she goes (in her most patient Eastern European accent) "But why in the world are you thinking like this? We do not have our patients thinking the worst! Do not worry about this!!"
Touche. It was like my optimistic self transported to the other end of the phone line. Okay, okay!
Time to go do some yoga, some positive visualization (my acupuncturist advised me to picture my ovaries as little flowers who are drinking in all the good water and nourishment (i.e. meds!) and are preparing to flower and bloom!), and a shower after all the great work in the yard today!!
Nerves
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
After surviving Saturday's egg-decorating class (complete with 8 other moms, 1 early-20's girl, and 1 8.5 months pregnant woman) without really any feelings of self-pity, and having an otherwise really nice weekend, yesterday and today have been a relative mess.
Yesterday was just 100% a hectic, when-is-this-day-going-to-be-over day. Super busy morning at work, super busy afternoon at volunteering, half an hour late for acupuncture, and getting home an hour and a half later than normal on Monday's, it's no wonder I had a headache last night. But, since starting 300iu of follistim on Saturday and still loving acupuncture, I had high hopes that my bloodwork today would be awesome.
Which brings me to today. I went and did the bloodwork this morning, and then ran some errands (bought a strawberry plant to go with our raspberry and blackberry bushes!), then happily planted some more seeds inside (zucchini, peppers, basil, lavender, and oregano), and was about to start another pair of whole wheat loaves, when my nurse called to give me the results of my estradiol level.....
....which was 27 instead of "close to 100" like they were expecting/wanting it to be.
What is the word for when the air gets knocked out of your chest?
I really can't believe it. I can't remember if I've ever had bloodwork 3 days after starting follistim, so I don't know if they have anything to compare that to in my history. Maybe I'm just a slow starter. But I am really battling hard to not feel defeated already. And I do mean battling. It is all I can do to hang on to the faith that if God has plans to bring us a baby through this, He will bring everything to pass in His perfect order and time.
I mean, I have had 3 nice looking follicles on 250iu of follistim in past cycles, so I thought I could be secure that I'll have at least that many this time, right? (By the way, my RE is upping my follistim dose to 350iu...) I guess nothing is ever for sure! I have an ultrasound on Thursday, and I'm just praying that my follies have a growth spurt by then... Is anyone out there a slow starter like me??
Meanwhile, I've been searching for foods that contain natural estrogen, and I'm pleased to see that beans and wheat and some of our favorite veggies are on the list. Guess I will eat a loaf of bread for dinner! Ha!! But, will anyone mind if I run out to get myself my own bag of sunflower seeds?
My nerves are begging for attention, and I really don't want to give in to them.
Yesterday was just 100% a hectic, when-is-this-day-going-to-be-over day. Super busy morning at work, super busy afternoon at volunteering, half an hour late for acupuncture, and getting home an hour and a half later than normal on Monday's, it's no wonder I had a headache last night. But, since starting 300iu of follistim on Saturday and still loving acupuncture, I had high hopes that my bloodwork today would be awesome.
Which brings me to today. I went and did the bloodwork this morning, and then ran some errands (bought a strawberry plant to go with our raspberry and blackberry bushes!), then happily planted some more seeds inside (zucchini, peppers, basil, lavender, and oregano), and was about to start another pair of whole wheat loaves, when my nurse called to give me the results of my estradiol level.....
....which was 27 instead of "close to 100" like they were expecting/wanting it to be.
What is the word for when the air gets knocked out of your chest?
I really can't believe it. I can't remember if I've ever had bloodwork 3 days after starting follistim, so I don't know if they have anything to compare that to in my history. Maybe I'm just a slow starter. But I am really battling hard to not feel defeated already. And I do mean battling. It is all I can do to hang on to the faith that if God has plans to bring us a baby through this, He will bring everything to pass in His perfect order and time.
I mean, I have had 3 nice looking follicles on 250iu of follistim in past cycles, so I thought I could be secure that I'll have at least that many this time, right? (By the way, my RE is upping my follistim dose to 350iu...) I guess nothing is ever for sure! I have an ultrasound on Thursday, and I'm just praying that my follies have a growth spurt by then... Is anyone out there a slow starter like me??
Meanwhile, I've been searching for foods that contain natural estrogen, and I'm pleased to see that beans and wheat and some of our favorite veggies are on the list. Guess I will eat a loaf of bread for dinner! Ha!! But, will anyone mind if I run out to get myself my own bag of sunflower seeds?
My nerves are begging for attention, and I really don't want to give in to them.
TGIF randoms
Friday, March 19, 2010
- I have really been trying to be more present at work, and that is why my posting and commenting have not been so, well, present!! I just caught up on everyone, though!!
- I also think I am still feeling a little stuck in the middle of thought versus reality. I find myself thinking, this seems too easy-
- Acupuncture was amazing yesterday- wow, I could have stayed there for hours!
- Eating more "whole" foods has been going well! Thank you to everyone who suggested great oatmeal recipes!!
- I think God is preparing me to receive the completion of this path and give a testimony about it to my fellow volunteers at the pregnancy center. It is something that kept coming to me Wednesday afternoon and a little bit yesterday at acupuncture. I hope that it includes my giving my testimony while carrying our little one, but I have just been asking God to show me more about the testimony He will have me give!!!
- We are going on a hike tomorrow with a hiking group we joined recently- we hope it's fun and that there are some new friends to be made! We even got Banana her own doggie hiking pack! It is so cute- will have to get a picture!
- I think there are people who used to read that don't anymore because we are trying IVF. Should I take them off my bloglist? (Not that I don't want/appreciate people who have differing opinions, but if they aren't feeling like they want to associate with me, then I feel like why am I making the time to try to force the "friendship"..? I'd love to be friends with everyone, but this is sort of a related to how I felt about/dealt with my acquaintance N...)
- CD1 should be any day now (due today). Let's not dilly dally. We have a show to get on the road!!
- I am going to start some seedlings for our garden today!! We are directly planting peas, spinach, and lettuce this weekend, but I'll be starting tomatoes, cantelopes, and broccoli's today!!!
- Bread making (from our freshly-ground wheat) has been going GREAT. I know I said I was going to write a post about it, and there is one in the making, but it's not finished yet!
- I added some new faces to my bloglist (Dear God, we want a baby, Adam & Julia, Going for it, Below Average Athlete, and His Plan not Mine) and rearranged some of us. I feel like my bloglist is really long, but I love reading/knowing each of you!!!
Recovery
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
You will all be happy to know that with my excellent taking care of him (and making homemade chicken noodle soup) (did I forget to mention a big thank you to the makers of NyQu.il and Sud.afed?), Mr. A is pretty much all recovered. Thank goodness! I do not like man colds!!!!
And now that I have a whopping TWO yoga workouts (routines? sessions? what do you call it when you do yoga?!) under my belt, I can say that I definitely like it!! I have done one super low-key and one more active one, but I like them both very much. I am all for keeping the good energy going!!!
I have my baseline u/s tomorrow (CD21), and if everything looks good, I will start lupron tomorrow night. I'm also going to talk to my RE about my concerns about my lowish response and the lack of any estrogen or any other meds. GULP. After my u/s, I have acupuncture- I thought it would be good timing in case I'm feeling anxious about everything.
I have not done a post that is faith-heavy lately, and I hope that it doesn't appear that I've let that go by the wayside. I am firmly clinging to God's promises to fulfill the desires of our hearts (Ps 37:4), feeling comforted that hope does not disappoint (Romans 5:5). But it takes a while to get all my thoughts in order for one of the ones that you guys (girls) say are inspiring (it's just me writing, and I'm always so humbled and honored that somehow my writing about faith issues speaks to someone reading!!).
I know alot of people do this, but I'm trying to gather a list of things to help my mind and/or body recover from the pressures of this upcoming cycle. So far, here is what I've got:
And now that I have a whopping TWO yoga workouts (routines? sessions? what do you call it when you do yoga?!) under my belt, I can say that I definitely like it!! I have done one super low-key and one more active one, but I like them both very much. I am all for keeping the good energy going!!!
I have my baseline u/s tomorrow (CD21), and if everything looks good, I will start lupron tomorrow night. I'm also going to talk to my RE about my concerns about my lowish response and the lack of any estrogen or any other meds. GULP. After my u/s, I have acupuncture- I thought it would be good timing in case I'm feeling anxious about everything.
I have not done a post that is faith-heavy lately, and I hope that it doesn't appear that I've let that go by the wayside. I am firmly clinging to God's promises to fulfill the desires of our hearts (Ps 37:4), feeling comforted that hope does not disappoint (Romans 5:5). But it takes a while to get all my thoughts in order for one of the ones that you guys (girls) say are inspiring (it's just me writing, and I'm always so humbled and honored that somehow my writing about faith issues speaks to someone reading!!).
I know alot of people do this, but I'm trying to gather a list of things to help my mind and/or body recover from the pressures of this upcoming cycle. So far, here is what I've got:
- Re-read my favorite devotional book
- Give myeslf a pedicure using a great set that my sister gave me for Christmas
- Spend an afternoon at the bookstore
- Go for a hike and/or backpacking campout with Banana and Mr. A
- Do a calming yoga routine
- Make a great dinner and/or a special dessert
- Watch episodes of The Office
- Catch up with blog buddies!
- "Work" in the flower or veggie garden (I don't really consider it work)
First shot/Adoption Opp.
Sunday, October 04, 2009
My first shot last night went fine! I looked at the video that came with the follistim, but when it came down to the time, I asked Mr. A to read me the directions in the booklet. He was cracking jokes about how many pages of instructions there were- "what are we, launching a nu.clear mi.ssile?!" Ha!
The injection site stung a little right after the shot, and I have a little bruise this morning, but otherwise I found myself looking forward to my next shot- even at 630am this morning! (Don't worry, I'll wait till tonight...) I feel great today- so far no side effects to speak of.
Mr. A awesomely helped me winterize the front flower beds this afternoon (not like it is truly "winter" but it's a good day for some upkeep)- I transplanted and divided some perennials I had in the backyard and I moved some existing flowers around somewhat, and we put down a layer of newspaper and mulch to hopefully help with the weeds next year. We're taking a breather and then we'll head out to clean up the weeds/mess that we left on the sidewalk!
My friend T (who is adopting but just in the first stages) received a call from her friend (who is adopting) who received a call from an acquaintance that there is a 2-day old baby girl in FL who has no one to adopt her. (My friend T (and me) are heartbroken for this little girl, but T doesn't have a completed homestudy yet..) The birth grandmother wants an open adoption, but the birthmom does not appear to care one way or the other. Apparently the birthmom was working with an agency, but the birth grandmother wants an open adoption, and no waiting family in the agency wants an open adoption. I'm not sure how the situation has changed since yesterday, but if any of you who are adopting are interested, email me and I can try to put you in touch with someone who knows more!
The injection site stung a little right after the shot, and I have a little bruise this morning, but otherwise I found myself looking forward to my next shot- even at 630am this morning! (Don't worry, I'll wait till tonight...) I feel great today- so far no side effects to speak of.
Mr. A awesomely helped me winterize the front flower beds this afternoon (not like it is truly "winter" but it's a good day for some upkeep)- I transplanted and divided some perennials I had in the backyard and I moved some existing flowers around somewhat, and we put down a layer of newspaper and mulch to hopefully help with the weeds next year. We're taking a breather and then we'll head out to clean up the weeds/mess that we left on the sidewalk!
My friend T (who is adopting but just in the first stages) received a call from her friend (who is adopting) who received a call from an acquaintance that there is a 2-day old baby girl in FL who has no one to adopt her. (My friend T (and me) are heartbroken for this little girl, but T doesn't have a completed homestudy yet..) The birth grandmother wants an open adoption, but the birthmom does not appear to care one way or the other. Apparently the birthmom was working with an agency, but the birth grandmother wants an open adoption, and no waiting family in the agency wants an open adoption. I'm not sure how the situation has changed since yesterday, but if any of you who are adopting are interested, email me and I can try to put you in touch with someone who knows more!
Taking a Breather
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Whew- what a weekend!! My aunt and cousin came over yesterday to help me do some gardening on a particularly weed-prone corner around the pool. My aunt is super master-gardener, and she brought me some cuttings from some of her most aggressive perennials, in hopes to beat out the weeds. We planted them and also some daffodil bulbs she generously brought for in between my day lillies. We also covered a layer of newspapers with a thick layer of mulch to provide a natural (biodegradable) weed barrier. She uses it in her gardens, and she swears she never has to weed!! Sign me up!!!
I am going to divide some of my perennials maybe in October in the front garden areas to make the design/layout more organized. I am a perennial-er for life- I didn't buy any annuals this year, and I have pretty consistent flowers out front! Bonus!
But after pulling weeds, transplanting about 15 plants and about 45 bulbs, putting down the newspaper layer, covering it with 10 bags-worth of mulch, we were pretty tuckered out around 4 pm yesterday. (My 11-year old cousin who came along to "help" somehow was splashing around in the pool, even though the water temp is close to 70F!!! Holy moley!!) Luckily, I had started the base for chicken and dumplings in the crock pot yesterday morning, and all we had to do for dinner was make spinach walnut pesto for over noodles (my aunt is a vegetarian), and the dumplings for me, Mr. A, and my cousin. I tried a new dumpling recipe, and it was GREAT. Yum.
Today it was another early morning- we all went to the early service and then came home and made a big breakfast. (Except my aunt, who is hilarious, ate another portion of the spinach walnut pesto noodles, because she loved them so much last night!) We took Banana for an extra walk, during which my cousin discovered some houses for sale on the route that she'd like to buy. The rest of the walk included her trying to convince my aunt that they should move here. When I told her that she might have to contribute to the down payment and asked how much she had in her bank account, she said "I have $11, but if they need it for us to move here, I'd be glad to give it to them!!!"
Ah, childhood. Haha.
It was a great weekend, but Mr. A and I put in "Char.lie Wilson's War" (one of our favorites) after they left, and I admit I fell asleep for about a half hour of it. Then we went out and surveyed our slowing-down veggie garden and picked what we could...I think it is just about the end of the season, and we are already planning a bigger and better version for next year!!! We picked a watermelon that was obviously not done growing, as it was the size of a cantelope, but I really don't think they're going to get much bigger, since it is definitely not as hot anymore. It was not red inside (more like pink), but it tasted like watermelon!!! Very juicy!! The cantelopes are the size of plums, but we might pick one of those, too, to see what they look like inside right now.
I really have not undertaken any hand-wringing about being in the 2ww (although I do include it in my morning prayers as a general intention), and I'm planning on keeping it that way. It's a really nice break. I'm expecting to start a new cycle on October 1- all aboard for the injectibles at that point!! Or obviously, I'd accept a positive pregnancy test as a consolation prize....
I am going to divide some of my perennials maybe in October in the front garden areas to make the design/layout more organized. I am a perennial-er for life- I didn't buy any annuals this year, and I have pretty consistent flowers out front! Bonus!
But after pulling weeds, transplanting about 15 plants and about 45 bulbs, putting down the newspaper layer, covering it with 10 bags-worth of mulch, we were pretty tuckered out around 4 pm yesterday. (My 11-year old cousin who came along to "help" somehow was splashing around in the pool, even though the water temp is close to 70F!!! Holy moley!!) Luckily, I had started the base for chicken and dumplings in the crock pot yesterday morning, and all we had to do for dinner was make spinach walnut pesto for over noodles (my aunt is a vegetarian), and the dumplings for me, Mr. A, and my cousin. I tried a new dumpling recipe, and it was GREAT. Yum.
Today it was another early morning- we all went to the early service and then came home and made a big breakfast. (Except my aunt, who is hilarious, ate another portion of the spinach walnut pesto noodles, because she loved them so much last night!) We took Banana for an extra walk, during which my cousin discovered some houses for sale on the route that she'd like to buy. The rest of the walk included her trying to convince my aunt that they should move here. When I told her that she might have to contribute to the down payment and asked how much she had in her bank account, she said "I have $11, but if they need it for us to move here, I'd be glad to give it to them!!!"
Ah, childhood. Haha.
It was a great weekend, but Mr. A and I put in "Char.lie Wilson's War" (one of our favorites) after they left, and I admit I fell asleep for about a half hour of it. Then we went out and surveyed our slowing-down veggie garden and picked what we could...I think it is just about the end of the season, and we are already planning a bigger and better version for next year!!! We picked a watermelon that was obviously not done growing, as it was the size of a cantelope, but I really don't think they're going to get much bigger, since it is definitely not as hot anymore. It was not red inside (more like pink), but it tasted like watermelon!!! Very juicy!! The cantelopes are the size of plums, but we might pick one of those, too, to see what they look like inside right now.
I really have not undertaken any hand-wringing about being in the 2ww (although I do include it in my morning prayers as a general intention), and I'm planning on keeping it that way. It's a really nice break. I'm expecting to start a new cycle on October 1- all aboard for the injectibles at that point!! Or obviously, I'd accept a positive pregnancy test as a consolation prize....
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