Fit For Future Families - August 2011

MadBabysMama

I like the "bouncing" quote - I'm going to work on bouncing myself (mentally) - bounce, bounce!

meggamix

Ah Karen, I'm so sorry. Glad you found a little release in the smashing.

taldie01

Sorry Karen, I think the hammer was a great idea.

Welcome new ladies!

I know Fall is around the corner. I found out I was pergnant with my daughter Oct 2008. Its funny how my mind keeps taking me to those days when I was pregnat then and how I felt and keeps playing tricks with me, as I await to take a test to see if we did it, that is create the miracle of life this month. I keep felling wierd, not concrete symptoms, just different. So we will see. Ive been having some gall bladder issues and will be getting some tests back tomorrow to see whats going on. Hopefully everythings fine. My period is supposed to arrive Aug 25th. Seems like a ways away to me.

marissa0717

Hello! I am a newbie to the group. My husband and I have been thinking about expanding our family for awhile and decided that August is the month to start! That is so crazy to say outloud (or type rather...)! Just finished mylast BC on Saturday so we will see what happens from here

lukimakamai

Welcome ladies!
Karen- I love that you busted out the hammer and the bounce qoute is awesome. As far as the cousin, talking to her might help if you're up for it. I have started to drive separately to my inlaws so I can leave if my sister in law gets stupid (you may remember this is the one that announced on mothers day she was planning to adopt to have a football player). Not sure if that is an option but it has helped me feel like I'm not trapped and can leave if I need to.
AFM- feeling like crap all day-cramps all morning and now a headache. I'm glad it's summer so I don't have work. I will need to go to the grocery store in a little while to buy things to make chilli tonight and pick up the exchange student from school.

batgirlrox

Hey All,

Alisa- That's so awesome, my hubby and I had a talk about being best friends last night and then I came in and read your post today. Made me smile. I'm excited for you that the wait is almost over.

Karen- Sorry about your BFN *hugs* Although I do love the hammer vs extra progesterone..maybe I should do that with my extra prednisone and it would release stress and make me feel much better.

Taldie- Keeping my fingers crossed for my fellow Albertan

Welcome newbies and returners:) Baby dust to you all and good luck to the 2 ww'ers.

AFM- I was finally feeling better the last few days until today when the nausea returned. Today was supposed to be the last day for any withdrawl symptoms and I'm hoping it was the last on today.
On the TTC front, this was the first month I've ever tried to track ovulation. I have been left sad and more stressed then I ever felt about TTC before. I haven't got a BFP on any ovulation strip yet To top it off my DH expressed his stress to me about his fear of being unable to TTC which sent me into a whirlwind of more stress and worry about it as well. I know this is very early in our TTC process but wow I'm already feeling obsessively stressed, not good... sigh not sure how to calm and relax a bit about this. I'm trying to tell my mental self that maybe my body hasn't deemed me to be healthy enough to ovulate yet. I have also been having weird lower abdominal pains which I haven't experienced before *sigh* oh the rollercoaster ride continued ..I guess time will tell.
Amanda

AlisaToth

Amanda - hang in there! It can feel very taxing! Undone know how to tell you to relax but I tell my RL friends who ate TTC to chart so you can keep track but "have fun with it"! I even suggested a "change of scenery" for BDing to keep things interesting :-)


Marissa. - welcome! There is a survey intro thing a few pages back! Fill it out introduce yourself! We'd love to get to know you!

Karen - in LOVE w the smashing of the Extra suppository! GREAT way to send a big "screw you" to those yucky meds!

AFM: Wow! WHAT a day!! Today was my first day of classes! Everything went really well! I had my 2 morning classes that I am a supplemental instructor for. They were fun! It's going to be fun to get to teach these classes! I saw a lot of familiar faces from classes last semester so thats nice. Who knows! Maybe I'll get my masters and become a college professor! Eh, maybe I should get my bachelors first haha Then I had my two afternoon classes. I talked to both of those professors and told them the dates that I'd be out of town (i was afraid it would be an issue) both teachers were very understanding and very excited for me! One class (public speaking for business) said I wouldn't miss anything I didn't already know a TON about. BC it's a basic communication class with an emphasis on power point (which we won't get into until later in the semester) I will just miss the "basics of giving a speech" which clearly I already know. Then in my physical anthropology class (which is the class I need to transfer) has a test the week I'm gone but she said i could take the test a week before I leave so I don't have to worry about studying while I'm gone!
 After class I went to work for a few hours. Ugh...even two hours at that place dragged on!! I'll be so happy when I can find something else!
  Then after work my neighbor and I took the kids for sushi. GOOD NEWS! there is a new sushi place in town! It was GOOD and decently priced...I'm going to miss sushi when I'm preggo...
  Tomorrow I have work and then my son Peyton (I have a boy Peyton too Simone!) has his first soccer practice! They're practicing at a park 1/4-1/2 mile from my house so we can walk! I was so happy when I found out I wasn't going to have to drive across town to get him to practice!
    

jalara

Hey all! So I feel like a horrible board member. I’m sorry I haven’t been as active as I should be. Time to catch up (at 1:43 am).

GBOH – how are you? We haven’t heard from you in a few days and I hope everything is okay!

Mom2pne – welcome! Your goals are very impressive! So is having 5 boys! How do you keep up?

Imr9 – congrats on the 1.5 loss! How is the 2ww going?

Katy – so glad to have you back! I’m glad your surgery went well – did you know it was coming or was it urgent? Did they end up finding any endo? Fingers crossed that this does the trick for you!

KHaverstick – how are you finding Fertility Friend so far? Sorry about the gain this week, but your goals rock!

Cupcake – glad to hear you like FF – so….. what happened with being late?? Also – I agree with you about 25… but now that I’m 30 – meh – it’s not SO bad…

Alisa – hubby in port is exciting!! I know how incredible it is to have a friend in your husband. We’re lucky ladies! I always see clear temp shifts when I take Clomid. How are you feeling with it so far?

Emily – lucky you for hubby be interested! Mine pretty much leaves things to me but is aware of all the basics. Now that we are moving on to ART though I ordered him a book called What He Can Expect When She’s Not Expecting.

Dcg8r – I’m a big believer in not living like you’re pregnant or planning your life around a potential pregnancy until it happens. I say go for the job! And celebrate that you found a job that you want!

SDavis – congrats on the loss this week! And a bigger congrats on the cholesterol!! That’s awesome!

Pantera – I don’t think finances are ever going to be 100% perfect for anyone to start a family, but at the same time you have to do what is right for you. We want a family as soon as possible and will arrange our lives accordingly, but that is what is right for our values and goals. But be sure that you can bounce things off us any time.

MadBabysMama – this is the BBT I use: http://www.amazon.com/BD-524560-Basal-Digital-Thermometer/dp/B001AM43VY

Megga – I don’t worry about time variations when I’m taking my temp – as long as it’s within 2 hours. But I’ve gotten so used to it that I even set an alarm for the weekends, take my temp and go back to sleep and barely even notice anymore!

Taldie – how are you feeling in your 2ww? Fingers crossed for you!

Luki – I had to go look up the nose flute! Too funny!

Klmh614 – welcome! Hopefully you can find what you’re looking for here. Question – with the meds you are on I am wondering if you have PCOS? Or are you diabetic?

E_amanda – welcome! Another Canadian for the board!!

Karen – I just want to saw again how sorry I am about the BFN. Are you feeling any better? My heart is with you right now. ((hugs))

Datxdiva – Welcome!

Beth – Hi!!!!

Welcome Marissa!

Batgirlbox – I’m sorry if I missed it – what are you withdrawing from? When do you test with your OPKs and what brand do you use? I find I need to use the ones with lines instead of smiley faces and test 3 ish times per day for a few days. Also, I wish I could say TTC stress gets better, but I don’t think it really does. Ideally it would shift to pregnancy stress and then parenting stress… hopefully it will soon!

For all the new peeps who haven’t introduced yourself, if you look back a page or two you’ll see a intro list. I hope you’re all here to stay!

VeganInTraining

Jalara- you are not a bad board member, I have no idea how you manage to keep up with everyone and respond to everything they say. I wish I could be that on top of things!

Pantera: you'll be just fine, I know that if I waited for my finanaces to be strait I wouldn't be having kids for a long time b/c as soon as I get out of debt we are relocating and will be starting over completely. Children are resiliant love is WAY more important than money

DCg8r: congrats on the job! They will deal with it when you are pregnant!

Marissa welcome! good luck on this journy! It's so great to have other people who are supportive!

AFM: I wrecked my no fast food goal about 2 hours after making it (my boss got us all pizza) however I did get my prenatals so that is a win. I work from 7am-3pm and hubby works 3pm to 11pm which is making things difficult. I am pretty sure i'm in my 2ww, but since I'm not certain I feel like we should at least try again today and maybe friday (although I'm 99% sure that friday is past any chance of fertility) The thing that's tough about it, is if I wait up for him then I only get like 5 hours of sleep assuming that I can go straight to sleep after all is said and done. As for the workouts, I did have signs of ovulation this month so I'm thinking last month was just a fluke. I hope so because working out really helps me with stress and I don't want to work out less than I already do. Today I am back on the no fast food wagon, hopefully I wont let it sneek in like the pizza! I think that's about it, good luck and HAVE FUN to you all!

PanteraGirl

Pantera – I don’t think finances are ever going to be 100% perfect for anyone to start a family, but at the same time you have to do what is right for you. We want a family as soon as possible and will arrange our lives accordingly, but that is what is right for our values and goals. But be sure that you can bounce things off us any time.

Its so true that finances will never be 100%. We decided to keep trying....I'm just worried now about the other factors of both of us being laid off....and if we do get laid off we would have to most likely sell our house and he would be working with his uncle in remote places of the world for months at a time.....or we move to Australia. Either way if we get laid off...the likely hood of me having a baby on my own is pretty high! Which scares the crap out of me.....BUT....I'll do what I have to do....hopefully things get better.

The problem with me is that I always have to think ahead 5 steps, Good and bad quality to have!!

klmh614

Jalara - I do not have PCOS and I am not a Diabetic. My doctor thought I could have been insulin resistant but my sugar levels came back normal. She added the metformin (for insulin resistance) only because the femera alone was not working. She said that studies had shown that this medecine can increase fertility even in women without insulin resistance.

I thought for a long time that I had PCOS because I seemed to have all the symptoms but when I finally went to the doctor all tests came back normal. So for the most part I have been given no explanation for the non ovulation.

The meds seem to be working. I have had normal cycles for the last 6 months and I have ovulated for the last 2 months. I guess that is a good sign!!!

lmr9

Imr9 – congrats on the 1.5 loss! How is the 2ww going?

Jalara - thanks! What is 2ww?

MadBabysMama

Imr9 – congrats on the 1.5 loss! How is the 2ww going?

Jalara - thanks! What is 2ww?

2 week wait - the time between ovulation/possible conception and the start of your period, or when you can reasonably test for pregnancy. In other words, a very slow, seemingly endless time that tries your patience!

thedestar

Sorry I have been absent for a while. My brother and his family are visiting from out of state for the next couple weeks so that is where any and all of my time is going. So of course my diet is a little off track and I'm not exercising as regularly as I'd like. BUT my little twin nephews are here who are 6 weeks younger than my daughter so they're having a lot of fun. I think I'm in my 2ww now, but I honestly don't think it happened this month. I have such a mix of emotions about it, I feel sad and discouraged, but at the same time i think that gives me another month to continue on my diet and exercise and possibly lose a couple more pounds before it happens. The whole reason I want to lose weight is so I can have a healthy and happy pregnancy and baby. My main goal for this week is to drink more water! Hope everyone is having a great week! I promise I'll be more supportive soon~!!

AlisaToth

Jalara - I am just on the provera right now to kick start the next cycle - AF should be here anytime between now ( I suppose) and next Wednesday. More than likely next Tuesday/Wednesday BC I'm done w provera on Monday and it takes a day or two for AF to show up but I'm trying to to "bank" on that BC today is CD28 so could be anyday. Then DR has me starting chlomid on CD2. I can see my temp "creeping" up but no real jump so no O again this month but obviously the provera is messing w my temps

So I was looking at my "stats" and I noticed w the prenatals help me meet a lot of my vitamin goals except calcium. I normally gave yogurt w breakfast but have almost cut out any other dairy BC of the fat/calories so I was thinking about getting some if those calcium chocolates to supplement that....and I'd get my chocolate fix too...anyone else do this?

KatyRing

jalara- It was a little urgent. My old OB wasn't doing anything for me even tho i had been bleeding for 2 months and my cramps were so severe that I ended up in the ER. So I switched to a highly reccomend ob who took one look at my ultrasounds, saw ym very cystic ovaries and said "lets so a D&C, laprascopy and ovarain drilling in 3 days." So yeah, but i tell ya what my spotting finally stopped my cramps are gone and i feel soo good.

VeganInTraining

Katy- I am so glad you're ok and that they got that taken care of! that is no fun! It must be great to be back to normal.

kah78

So I was looking at my "stats" and I noticed w the prenatals help me meet a lot of my vitamin goals except calcium. I normally gave yogurt w breakfast but have almost cut out any other dairy BC of the fat/calories so I was thinking about getting some if those calcium chocolates to supplement that....and I'd get my chocolate fix too...anyone else do this?

I did that for a while. Don't set yourself up though--it's not chocolate. Or a great substitute. Also, just remember, they are like, 30 calories or something each, so you gotta log it. So I tried them, and then decided that I'd rather have the 30 calories to eat some other way and went back to a pill. I still have some and I eat one every once in a while, but it did nothing for my chocolate cravings. Sorry to be a downer about that---it sounds like a perfect solution doesn't it? (Maybe you'll be different and it'll work for you!)

AFM: I'm starting to get "over" the result hump. Few less episodes of teary eyes catching me, and hopefully I"ll just have myself together enough to have a polite rather than rude answer if anyone asks about another kid at the family reunion. "Why do you ask?" is my current favorite. And depending on their answer I will decide whether to share my circumstances with them in a very loving manor, or say something that will make them feel horrible for asking in the first place. Haha.

I just wish my eating/exercising motivation would come back. It hasn't. I had a chicken and broccoli stromboli for lunch. Not the best choice...but I gave myself points for the broccoli--all three bites of it in there, haha. I've decided that I"m just going to cruise through the family reunion--try not to do too much damage, and then set some concrete exercise, etc goals when I get back. My heart just isn't into it yet, and I don't feel like setting myself up for a massive failure. (Already had enough of that this week.)

Thanks for all the cyber hugs ladies--it helps--it really does.

AlisaToth

Thanks Karen! I was wondering how "chocolatey" they actually were - i don't mine the 30 calories too much if I can get more calcium from it than from 90-130 calories of skim/1% milk! I think I'm going to try it and see...my son had tried them before (he mistook them for real chocolate a few months ago at a friends house) so worst case he will eat them and get his calcium for the day :-) glad you're feeling better and ready for anything the reunion might bring!

I have made a new RL friend who has been dealing w unexplained infertility and she starts her first round of clomid this week. Do you believe her dr prescribed clomid before having her temp at all! Her doc said as long as she's getting positive OPK's than she's fine! I couldn't beleive it! So I gave her some good info (stuff she had never heard of and has been TTC for a year!!!) so hopefully she and I will be BFP buddies this month! (along side a few of you....I think were due for some)

sandyfeet10

Has anyone had an antibiotic affect their cycle when NOT on bc pills?? I took "z-pack" and my period was 10 days late! I got excited thinking this could be it, but then I got my period.

I tried doing a little research on antibiotics and cycles, but there's not much unless you're on BC pills.

e_amanda

klmh614 - I also don't know why I don't ovulate. My blood work came back normal, I don't have PCOS or glucose resistance. The bonus is I respond well to clomid and typically produce 2-3 follies on my good side. I think lots of women with PCOS have to go on injectables to get results which are so much more expensive plus the whole needle factor - OUCH! Unfortunately over the course of 4 TI and 2 IUI cycles with clomid & repronex I have not gotten my BFP. Next step is a diagnostic laparascopy to see why my one tube is blocked and if anything else is going on. A possible cause for the BFNs could be asymptomatic endometriosis. It's pretty sad that I'm hoping for endo so at least I have an explanation for my secondary IF and potentially good odds of conception in the 6 months following surgery.

I had a better food day yesterday, came the closest yet to meeting my goal calories after a nice evening walk with DS and limiting the evening snacking.

klmh614

e_amanda - I completely understand what you mean. For a long time in some ways I wanted there to be something wrong so that at least I had an answer and then I could get the correct treatment. It has been a guessing game trying to figure out what meds work. So far femera and metformin are my answer. My doctor wants me to try the meds for the next 3 months and if I am not pregnant then I gave to go in to discuss what my options are.....I am avoiding the fertility specialist due to the cost!!

lmr9

Imr9 – congrats on the 1.5 loss! How is the 2ww going?

Jalara - thanks! What is 2ww?

2 week wait - the time between ovulation/possible conception and the start of your period, or when you can reasonably test for pregnancy. In other words, a very slow, seemingly endless time that tries your patience!

Newbie alert, newbie alert! :laugh: :laugh: Thanks - that makes total sense now! :flowerforyou:

My 2ww has been......fine. I'm not as anxious this month as I have been in the past because I don't think this our month. It technically could be - we were intimate once during what I think is my fertile time, but it was 5 days before my scheduled ovulation. And I use "scheduled ovulation" very loosely because I don't track it at all other than logging my periods and counting the 14 days. So, it's possible, but I'm not getting my hopes up. Also, I don't "feel" preggo - I obviously have no idea what preggo feels like, but I have always thought that I would feel differently or just know, and I don't feel anything. That's most likely not valid reasoning at all though. :laugh: I've been super busy lately studying for a test for work - so that's been distracting me, but I do still look at the calendar and know exactly what day my period is supposed to arrive! I'm just waiting it out until next month so we can try again. The months do seem much longer now than before! lol

How long did you all TTC before going to a doctor or taking other measures? And what other measures did you take?
I think I'm going to give us 2 more months of "playing" - that will be 6 months - and if I'm not preggo by then I'll start charting and maybe using the ovulation kits.

lukimakamai

Alisa- Yay for a good first day back! I love my vitamins because it helps my nutrition stats. As far as calcium I added a calcium and vitamin D supplement to meet my goal.
Emily- I hate when people buy yummy fast food to tempt me. I’m sorry your work schedules and your hubbys are conflicting. I can totally relate and tends to add in stress. Definitely remember it should be FUN
Thedestar- Enjoy the family while they are in town. Sorry you are feeling discouraged, but I like your positive attitude of staying focused on the long time healthy goals. And you never know…
Katy- I’m glad you finally got a Dr. to listen to you and take action. Glad you are feeling better

lukimakamai

sandy- I have never had antibiotics affect my cycle, but I know being sick can throw it off.

lmr9- don't feel bad about asking. We throw around a lot of acrynoms. I waited a year and we really haven't taking very many measures. I'm not a fan of medicine and I do have a normal cycle and hormone levels so they don't really know what to do with me. As I said they are pretty sure our problems lie in my husbands health. We have decided to continue to play, have fun with each other, and yes chart to increase chances. We get frustrated at times that love doesn't solve this "issue" we have, but currently we are focusing our resources on adoption because that seems what is right for us. I feel you will know when you should ask a dr. because you'll know what is right for you

batgirlrox

Emily- I hate those temptations. I managed to surpass one today. I work on an ambulance and had an early morning interfacility transfer to the city which meant breakfast out. My partner chose my favourite restaurant (Cora's) and they have the most delicious Raspberry crepe EVER! I had 2 poached eggs and tomatoes(How boring) but definitely felt good about the fact I stood strong and resisted the treat.

Katy- glad you finally got a good doctor willing to do something and you are feeling awesome.

Jalara- Prednisone for my ulcerative collitis. I am using the OPK line strips from that early pregnancy test website you sent out a few weeks back. I usually test first thing in the morning and before going to bed.

AFM- Was having a good day today until my husband got mandated to work tomorrow...our only day off together this week. Gah Life these days is driving me crazy haha
PS Sorry for all the bummer posts lately. I will make a promise to try to keep them more up beat the next few days.

jalara

Klmh – I can’t imagine how frustrating it must be to not actually have answers! With that said, it’s great that the meds seem to be helping though!

Imr – sorry about that! MadBabysMama had it right – 2ww is the long torturous 2 week wait between ovulation and your period. I laughed at the “Newbie Alert”!
We tried for 9 months before starting Clomid (I ovulate on my own but my doc was concerned about my luteal phase and the quality of my eggs). But I’d had 2 miscarriages already and surgery on my uterus. Now that there’s been another miscarriage and it’s been more than a year we’re moving on to IUI and super close monitoring. We have our first apt at the clinic on the 29th and I can’t tell you how relieved I am to be able to have someone help us through the rest of the process.

Destiny – I love how you stay so focused on the big picture!

Alisa – thanks for laying it all out for me! I find I’m starting to get a little confused with everyone now! I have to agree with Karen, the calcium chocolate things are icky. I’d much rather have real chocolate and take a pill And I think it’s great that you have a RL friend to talk about this stuff to! I’m jealous!

Katy – Wow! I’m glad you’re feeling better but wow! Thank goodness for the 2nd doc!

Karen – I’m sorry you’re going through this. What you had said to me a couple of weeks ago about taking time when needed, but limiting it, really worked for me. I also use the “Why do you ask” line with everyone – I’ve yet to have someone give me an answer that is worthy of prying into our private sex life – and that’s what I consider it right now – our sex life, not our family life. I hope things go well for you this week, but I’m here if you need me.

Sandyfeet – do you track your cycles?

Batgirlbox – Cora’s!!!!!!!!!!!!! I Cora’s soooo much! Good job you!
For the OPKs it’s recommended that you DON’T use FMU (first morning urine) for them. I test at 10, 3ish and 7 – but once I get a + I stop and just enjoy When my temp goes up I know I’ve ovulated and I start the torturous wait.

jalara

AFM - It seems I'm finally coming to terms with the miscarriage and feeling much more like myself. I think that (for me) it helped that I started exercising during and it made me feel like I had a little control over my body (I was so low that I could actually feel the post-workout endorphins). But what really made the difference (this is going to sound crazy) was Harry Potter. Yup - we went to the last movie and I cried. And cried. And cried. I cried for about an hour during the movie, cried the whole time walking out of the movies, stopped on the steps and cried and then got in the car and lost it! I think I needed to lose it... and I did.

I've got quite a bit going on to focus on though. School starts on the 7th and I've been busy with shopping, tuition and I went to school to get my ID and locker assignment (yay).

Also - we leave tomorrow (eek!) for Las Vegas! We're staying at the Venetian and on Friday we're seeing Garth Brooks. I loves me some Garth Brooks!

I'm doing the 30 Day Shred Challenge - and plan to start Turbo Fire when this one is done (any takers?).

When we get back next week we're doing a 3k for the Make-A-Wish Foundation on the 27th.

And, a couple of days after that - we have our appt at the Fertility Clinic (the 29th).

So that's me....

heathercrist1

Just wanted to pop in and say hello to all of my friends. I keep up with you all and of course keep you in my thoughts and prayers. I like the other girls who have moved on from this board find "breaking up hard to do"! Just wanted you to know that I was thinking about you. hugs!

fitterpam

Karen- I'm so sorry about the BFN It sounds like a reasonable decision to wait at least a cycle....

Luki - How are things going with the exchange student? How long is he with you again? When do you find out more about whether or not DH's diabetes is related to the fertility stuff?

Alisa - I'm so happy that you guys are getting to have such good face time Skype is a miracle tool....LOL Yay for school - I can't believe it's that time of year again already....the time is just flying.....My 2 cents on the calcium chews is that my understanding is that it's usually a difficult type of calcium to digest. Make sure to do your research and see what other supplements are needed to help absorb the calcium and see if your prenatal helps with getting those, then calcium chew away (I used to, but I am getting my full dose of calcium now in my prenatal)

Batgirl - yeah, tracking can definitely do that to ya, just remember the more stress you have, the more cortisol in your body, the harder it will for you to conceive So just try and relax, it'll improve your chances (easier said than done though....LOL) OMG - my fav at cora's is the 90's harvest- - but then I read the caloric content.....it's surprisingly UNHEALTHY....LOL - it has more calories than a big mac (but is also way more food that's fresh)....so I tend to split anything from coras now......

Emily - No Fast food is such a good goal and it's one of the hardest to keep.Are you temping at all? The signs should be pretty clear if you have O'd, which helps with the stresses of "having" to try, but does create new ones....LOL

Pantera - I'm the same way. I know exactly how much $$$ we'll have coming in and have cut my current expenses to meet that now (which is how we're saving for the IVF as well). I drive friends and family crazy though because I always have at least 3 plans and I analyze every contingency to the nth degree.....but it works for us

KLMH - Don't you love that test for insulin resistance with the orange drink? Blah......the metformin has worked wonders for me (but I'm PCOS and IR).....hope that it helps you too!!!

Thedestar - Great goal!! Enjoy the time with your family - sounds like a really full house

Katy - glad you're feeling better

Sandy - I haven't heard anything about antibiotics impacting cycles - it was probably more the stress on the body from being sick.

LMR - most doctor's won't discuss fertility issues until you've been trying about a year - it can take a normal, healthy couple at least that long to actually conceive (they say that only 1 out of 4 conceptions actually don't abrupt (Chemical pregnancy) - so even if you catch the egg, the chance is only about 25% that you'll get to see a BFP)

Jalara - so proud you're shredding your way healthy!!! Glad you're starting to feel more like yourself. Have a complete blast in Vegas....say hi to Garth for me.

AFM: Things at work are starting to settle down. On the fertility front, I should be calling the clinic on Monday (Sunday should be my day 1 and I'm hormonal and hungry and all the rest) for my u/s and prescription. Fight with my dad was as much my fault as his (but I'm the only one willing to admit it...LOL) and we're very very similar. We're cutting the wood for the upstairs floor and he just felt that his idea wasn't being given fair consideration and he wasn't listening to the fact that I had reasons not to go with his idea (he wanted to leave a mistake in the cuts and I was trying to say that it affects the functionality of the floor)....I also had a bombshell dropped on me yesterday from a friend I used to work with. She found out she's 4months pregnant. She was told years ago that she couldn't have a baby (severe damage after an ectopic pregnancy) and so had come to terms with it. Now she's pregnant and not in a relationship with the father; stressing about finances and offered us the baby. *blink* Yes, she offered to have us adopt the baby. I have to say that I was strong and suggested that she really needed to do her research first and go through several counselling sessions. She didn't know that we'd have to get a homestudy or lawyers involved. She also said that if we couldn't take the baby that she would raise it herself. I'm happy that she recognizes that I'd make a good mom, but it sounds like she's just really freaked about the situation and hasn't really come to terms with what it would be like to adopt out her miracle baby. She has a great support network and has already started setting up a nursery, etc. Don't get me wrong. I would jump through hoops in a heartbeat, but I think I'd have to put the IVF on hold and it just seems like she's not ready to make that kind of decision and by the time she is, I don't know if we can get a homestudy together in time (our last one was rushed at 6 months). I'm not ready to put the IVF on hold for something that I'm not sure is going to happen. So the way we left it was for her to do the counselling and then we could talk again....my heart is saying that she wants the baby, just is very scared....

So that's been my week - how's everyone else's going?

(Added Oh Heather - you jumped in as I was typing. I was so proud that I managed to get everyone in from the last two pages!!! LOL That bump is looking mighty pretty!!!! EEK - time sure is flying!!!)