Blog Challenge, Day 14

If you are not yet pregnant/a parent: What are you MOST and LEAST looking forward to after that first beta? If you are already pregnant/a parent: What was the most pleasant/unpleasant thing about pregnancy? If you have taken the childfree path: What pregnancy symptom are you happy to have avoided, and which one do you wish you’d experienced?
After I have my first beta, I would definitely look forward to the second beta!!  I think that would be a very difficult wait for me because it is so early in pregnancy.  I am definitely least looking forward to having morning sickness.  I rarely vomit at all.  I mean it has been a towal of 2 times in the last 10 years!  Very strong stomach, but I am terrified of morning sickness.  I would hope that I wouldn't have any, but with my luck I would probably have it everyday of pregnancy!

Blog Challenge, Day 13

If a very observant stranger were to walk into your house, what clues could lead them to believe that you have struggled with infertility?
The first thing that would tip someone off would be my big old pill container.  I have one that has each day o fthe week divided into am/pm.  It is on the kitchen counter, next to the basket with all my meds in it.  I think probably, the only other thing would be the paintings DH and I have had commissioned of our cats (one that has passed away and one of Heidi).  We clearly love our animals a little too much around these parts! I'm not sure if that would change if we had kids or not.--Oh and if anyone found my secret stash of baby stuff I talked about the other day, they would probably think I was a little crazy too!

Blog Challenge, Day 12

Post the list of potential baby names that you seriously considered, but can no longer use because someone stole it/it became too popular/whatever reason.

I, thankfully, do not have a long list for this one!  They are all because someone else close to me has used them.

Caitlyn
Olivia
Lucas
Eleanor
Elliot

Blog Challenege, Day 11

Talk about how you chose your RE.

When I was first diagnosed, I was extremely unhappy with the way that my OB/GYN handled it.  I just felt like she didn't really explain anything, just that I would need to use Clomid.  That was very frustrating for me.  I wanted someone who could explain what PCOS was and who seemed to really understand it.  I had thought at first the I would go straight to an RE.  The more I researched online, the more I didn't feel like that was my personal best choice at the moment.  I read some iffy reviews about a lot of the REs in my area.  I also feel like if I went there it would be all about the money, not about what I want.  I don't want to have an IUI.  I don't want to have IVF.  Those tend to be what REs push for.  So, I researched more and found Dr. C.  I was and still am very happy with him.  the first time I went to see him he knew about my experience with my other Dr.  I had told the nurse about it and I guess she relayed the info to him.  He made sure to explain EVERYTHING to me and asked me multiple times if I had any questions.  Each time I have seen him since, he always takes his time and is a very nice guy.  I think it helps that he has had a few family members who have been diagnosed with PCOS while TTC.

Blog Challenge, Day 10

Post your favorite pre-ttc picture of yourself. Why is it your favorite? If possible, talk about that day/moment.

 Ok, so my pictures are from our wedding 3 years ago.  It was one day that I felt absolutely amazing, completely in love, completely loved, and was so excited to start a new chapter!  I remember when I first saw the top picture.  Our photographer had used it on the label for our photo discs.  I was like "Whoa!  I look so pretty!!"  I definitely felt that pretty on that special day.

The bottom picture represents the excitement of starting a new beginning for us.  Our families coming together to celebrate and send us off.  Even though we had already been together for 9 years, it felt so wonderful and new to be officially married.  It still does, to be honest with you.  3 years after the fact and the honeymoon is NOT over yet!  :o) 

This was hands down the best day of my life. 

Blog Challenge, Day 9

Other than the song “I Would Die For That,” post a video of a song that has special meaning to you and your infertility journey. Explain it, if you’re comfortable doing so.

This hymn, in general, brings me such comfort.  It reminds me that I need to completely trust in the Lord and He will guide me.  Even though, I am very worried and scared that I will not be able to conceive, I need to just relax and remember God has a plan for me.

Blog Challenge, Day 8

Day 8- What was the first baby or pregnancy-related purchase you ever made? Was it before or after you started trying to conceive? Or was it after you were already pregnant? Why did you choose that particular item to buy first? If you haven’t purchased anything yet, why not?

I inadvertently bought a few things a few years ago.  I had bought a bunch of baby girl items for someone who was having a little girl.  I ended up just getting her something completely different.  That meant I ended up keeping the items.  I have some cute blankets, burp clothes, this cute onsie (it says "I am all hugs"), and a very cute pair of crochet bunny booties.  All very cute for a little girl and I hope to be able to use them someday!

Blog Challenge, Day 7 (a little late)

So, I had been doing a few of these posts ahead of time and scheduling them to post but I got a little behind and forgot yesterday's.  Oh well!

Day 7- Share a recipe for your favorite alcoholic drink (or, if you don’t drink, it can be non-alcoholic but make it fun!), and your favorite comfort and/or post-bfn food.

When I drink, I typically order an apple martini.  Normally, it is difficult for a bartender to make those too strong.  I have a habit of ording drinks and taking one sip of them because they are too strong for me.  DH normally has to finish them for me and I always feel bad!  Sometimes I can find strawberry lemonade with vodka.  I do enjoy those!  But to be honest, I have only had one drink since New Year's Eve and even that was months ago.  I am not a big drinker!  At all.  Here is a recipe for Strawberry Lemonade if you want to try to make it at home. 

As far as confort food when AF comes or you get a BFN, nothing compares to homemade macaroni and cheese.  What do you think?!?

Blog Challenge, Day 6

If you had gotten pregnant that first month you started trying, how would you have been a different parent? 

This is very tough to answer.  I'm not sure if it has changed how I would parent or anything.  What I think it really did was make me more aware of what a miracle conception is.  I've read that even without any fertility issues your chances of getting pregnant during any given month is only 20%.  That is insane.  The stars really do have to align!  I definitely have a greater appreciation for life.

Ovulation, Part 2

So, the other night my cramping pains in my right ovary subsided and I thought that I must have ovulated.  Well, this morning my temp fell back down again and I had a lot of pain in my right ovary again.  It was pretty intense for about an hour.  It still feels achey, but it has been feeling a little better.  At one point, I thought I was going to have to stay in bed most of the day!  So maybe ovulation was today?  Who knows!

Blog Challenge, Day 5

Ok, I am breaking all the rules here!  I am skipping #5 for now, but will either come back to it later-- or just change it at the end.  I am not quite into the topic.  So I am going to keep on moving down the list.

Discuss how you found your way into the ALI community, and what being part of it has meant to you – good and bad.

I had to look up ALI for this one!  If you aren't sure either, I'll fill you in.  It stands for Adoption/ Loss/ Infertility.  I had read some blogs that had readers who had PCOS and they always discussed how it was difficult to conceive.  I really didn't know much about PCOS at that time, much less know that I had it!  After going to my initial OB/GYN about the weirdness that was suddenly happening to my body, I was diagnosed.  I spent a few weeks in complete denial and wanting more answers.  That lead me to the internet.  I found a message board that was for women with PCOS.  The initial board I went to was not very helpful to me.  I posted a few questions and I didn't get much response.  I ended up finding a woman who had just started a blog (I found it on Pinterest or through Google).  She mentioned on her blog that she was on a message board.  So, I found out that it was a different one that I was one previously.  I went to it and immediately found SO much information and such friendly, knowledgeable women!  I have been on there ever since!  I really think being part of the ALI community has made me more aware of my body.  I have always read about conceiving and pregnancies (before I was even TTC) and thought I knew everything.  Boy was I wrong!!!!  It makes me so happy that I actually know what is going on with my body :o)

Blog Challenge, Day 4

Day 4- Besides Mother's Day, what is the hardest holiday for you as an infertile?

I know it is not a holiday (although maybe it should be!), our anniversary was the hardest "holiday" to celebrate.  I wrote a little about that here last week.  We had been officially "trying" for a year, with no results just a PCOS diagnosis about half way through the year.  So many emotions leading up to that day.  And I found that the whole time we were at dinner celebrating, I kept thinking of our failure to conceive.  I found it hard to sit back, relax, and enjoy the evening.  Maybe we will be celebrating differently next year!

Blog Challenge, Day 3

Day 3- When talking to your fertile parenting friends, what is/was your favorite “perk” of childlessness?  Come on, confess!

Well, before we got our pup Malone, I would say it was the ability to just get up and go anywhere, anytime! Heidi (our kitty) has always been super low maintenance and didn't mind if we picked up and left her for a few days.  She was happy to be left with a big bowl of food and water.

Now, since we really can't do that anymore, I would say that my favorite perk is that I clean up after myself, and I get to buy things for me!  I love that!   Oh yeah, and I forgot I love getting 8 hours of sleep daily!!!!!!!

Ovulation

According to all of my signs, I am about to ovulate.  Yesterday and today I have been cramping.  Not like last cycle yet.  I hope I do feel the twinges/pinching that I felt last cycle.  I am so happy that I am keeping track of my temps and OPK's.  This is the 4th cycle that I have and it is so helpful for me to compare cycle to cycle.  So FX that my temps continue to rise and Fertility Friend gives me my cross hairs!

Blog Challenge, Day 2

Day 2- Discuss the most ridiculous thing you ever heard about conception. Where did you hear it? Did it work for someone else? Did you try it?  

  Here is my take on ridiculous conception advice:

Not cool to say to someone!