Pregnancy: 6w!

So I hit 6 weeks today! It's been a weird week, so there are a number of changes this time around.


Cravings: Sweets. It's ridiculous how much I drooled over a cupcake yesterday. With chocolate frosting! I don't even like chocolate frosting!

What I love: That it actually happened! I’m still in shock and denial. [Same]

What I hate: Morning sickness!

What I miss: Beer, already. Probably because pumpkin brews are right around the corner, le sigh. [Same]

What I’m looking forward to the most: My first appointment at 8 weeks! [Same] And telling our families this weekend!!!

Worries: That it won’t stick. That’s a big worry right now. [Same]

Symptoms: Morning sickness/nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, frequent urination, sore breasts (though not as sore as before). M/S actually kicked in hardcore a few days ago -- I think Tuesday night. It's been pretty miserable ever since, and I feel it only getting worse. It's terrible in the morning and at night.

Mood: Going between ambivalent and excited, especially when I think about telling people. [Same] You know what's weird, though? No mood swings. It's very strange.

Sleep: It's okay. Could be worse!

Movement: Um, none. Way too early for that. LOL [Same]

The belly (and the button!): Belly button still in! [Same]

Wedding rings on or off: On! [Same]

Waist (measured at the belly button: No way to measure. I really should start doing this, lol. [Same... apparently, I never learn]

Milestones: We got our BFP!! A very obvious milestone to begin all other future milestones. [Same]

Best moment of the week: Making our reveal video!! I can't wait to share it with our parents this Labor Day!

How your baby's growing:

This week's major developments: The nose, mouth, and ears that you'll spend so much time kissing in eight months are beginning to take shape. If you could see into your uterus, you'd find an oversize head and dark spots where your baby's eyes and nostrils are starting to form. His emerging ears are marked by small depressions on the sides of the head, and his arms and legs by protruding buds. His heart is beating about 100 to 160 times a minute — almost twice as fast as yours — and blood is beginning to course through his body. His intestines are developing, and the bud of tissue that will give rise to his lungs has appeared. His pituitary gland is forming, as are the rest of his brain, muscles, and bones. Right now, your baby is a quarter of an inch long, about the size of a lentil.

How your life's changing:

You may find yourself developing a bit of a split personality — feeling moody one day and joyful the next. Unsettling as this is (especially if you pride yourself on being in control), what you're going through is normal. Ricocheting emotions are caused partly by fluctuating hormones. But hormones aside, your life is about to change in a big way — and who wouldn't feel emotional about that?

Spotting (spots of blood on your underpants or toilet tissue after urinating) or bleeding is relatively common in early pregnancy, affecting up to a quarter of pregnant women. It may occur in a normal pregnancy, but sometimes it can be the first sign of miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy. If you have any spotting or bleeding, call your provider.

The chewable alternative "My prenatal vitamins made me sick, so my doctor gave me a prescription for fruit-flavored chewable prenatal vitamins and suggested I take them with meals. That really helped." — Janice

Surprising Facts: Could it be twins?

Sure, twins run in families and you're more likely to be carrying multiples if you've undergone fertility treatments, but any woman can become pregnant with more than one baby. Could you be one of them?

Your odds of carrying twins

• Overall, about one in 31 births (greater than 3 percent) are twin births. But your chances of having twins are much less — 1 in 89 — if you conceive without medical assistance. The overall odds of bearing triplets or higher-order multiples is about 1 in 565.


• Identical twins usually happen by chance. Your likelihood of having identical, or monozygotic, twins (when one fertilized egg divides in half) is about 1 in 250.


• A number of factors affect your odds of having fraternal twins or higher-order multiples. Fertility treatments dramatically increase your odds. On average, 20 to 25 percent of women who take fertility drugs or undergo in vitro fertilization or other assisted reproductive techniques end up carrying more than one baby.

Other factors that influence the likelihood of having fraternal twins

• Once you have a set of fraternal twins, you're twice as likely to have another set in a future pregnancy.


• Fraternal twins run in families, so if you're a twin or related to twins, you're more likely to have a set yourself. Your partner's family history doesn't appear to affect your odds of having twins.


• The older you are, the greater your chances of having naturally occurring fraternal twins or higher-order multiples. Hormonal changes in older women are a likely cause.


• Fraternal twins are more common than average in African Americans and less common in Hispanics and Asians.


• The more pregnancies you've had, the greater your chances of having twins.


• Twins are more common in large and tall women than in small women.

When you'll find out whether you're carrying twins

These days, women typically discover they're having more than one baby during an ultrasound, often in the first trimester. If you opt for first-trimester genetic screening, you'll have an ultrasound between 11 and 13 weeks. If you're pregnant as a result of a fertility treatment, you'll probably have an earlier ultrasound, usually within the first eight weeks to count the number of embryos that have implanted. Your practitioner also will recommend an ultrasound if your uterus is larger than would be expected given the number of weeks since your last period. Ultrasound is almost foolproof at revealing multiple pregnancies, particularly after six to eight weeks. However, the more babies you're carrying, the easier it is for one to get overlooked.

• Fertility treatments dramatically increase your odds of having fraternal twins and higher-order multiples.

Pregnancy: 5w5d - A cool timeline.

Was shown this by my bump buddy, Ellen. :)

	Date
Estimated Due Date	April 26, 2013
Conception/Ovulation	August 3, 2012
Pregnancy Test	August 17, 2012
Baby's First Heartbeat	August 31, 2012
2nd Trimester Begins (Weeks 13-26)	October 19, 2012
3rd Trimester Begins (Weeks 27-40)	January 25, 2013
Quickening Begins (~16-24 Weeks)	Between November 9, 2012 and January 4, 2013
Viability (24 Weeks)	January 4, 2013
Pregnancy considered term if delivered	Between April 5, 2013 and May 10, 2013
Gender Ultrasound (~18-20 Weeks)	Between November 23, 2012 and December 7, 2012
Maternity clothes may need to be considered	Starting around November 9, 2012
	You will need maternity clothes for: Autumn, Winter and Spring

Pregnancy: 5w! (And please keep a friend in your thoughts.)

The day before I got my BFP, a good friend of several years got hers and started celebrating her pregnancy. Just a couple days ago, she lost that child to miscarriage. I couldn't even imagine the pain this brought her, as the thought of losing my little Kit scares the shit out of me.

Please... keep Sarah in your thoughts. She's doing okay now, but I imagine the pain will creep back in on occasion, and I know she could use the positive blessings and good feelings. <3 Much, much love to you, Sarah.

On a different note... here's my 5-week update...!


Cravings: None, really. I find myself hungry in the morning, but that's about it. No "I NEED THIS FOOD NAO" feelings!

What I love: That it actually happened! I’m still in shock and denial. [Same]

What I hate: The bloating. It really needs to fuck off.

What I miss: Beer, already. Probably because pumpkin brews are right around the corner, le sigh. [Same]

What I’m looking forward to the most: My first appointment at 8 weeks!

Worries: That it won’t stick. That’s a big worry right now. [Same]

Symptoms: Queasiness, diarrhea, fatigue, frequent urination, incredibly sore breasts. Got my first true wave of nausea last night.

Mood: Going between ambivalent and excited, especially when I think about telling people. :)

Sleep: I can’t get to bed early and I wake up early, around 5:30-6am when my alarm doesn’t go off until 6:40. That kinda sucks. [Same]

Movement: Um, none. Way too early for that. LOL [Same]

The belly (and the button!): Bloated, but that’s par for the course. I hope it starts going down a bit. Belly button still in! [Same]

Wedding rings on or off: On! [Same]

Waist (measured at the belly button: No way to measure. I really should start doing this, lol.

Milestones: We got our BFP!! A very obvious milestone to begin all other future milestones. [Same] And I'm 8 days late!

Best moment of the week: Being able to celebrate and commiserate with Ellen, who shares my due date. :)

How your baby's growing:

Deep in your uterus your embryo is growing at a furious pace. At this point, he's about the size of a sesame seed, and he looks more like a tiny tadpole than a human. He's now made up of three layers — the ectoderm, the mesoderm, and the endoderm — which will later form all of his organs and tissues.

The neural tube — from which your baby's brain, spinal cord, nerves, and backbone will sprout — is starting to develop in the top layer, called the ectoderm. This layer will also give rise to his skin, hair, nails, mammary and sweat glands, and tooth enamel.

His heart and circulatory system begin to form in the middle layer, or mesoderm. (This week, in fact, his tiny heart begins to divide into chambers and beat and pump blood.) The mesoderm will also form your baby's muscles, cartilage, bone, and subcutaneous (under skin) tissue.

The third layer, or endoderm, will house his lungs, intestines, and rudimentary urinary system, as well as his thyroid, liver, and pancreas. In the meantime, the primitive placenta and umbilical cord, which deliver nourishment and oxygen to your baby, are already on the job.

How your life's changing:

You may notice some pregnancy-related discomforts already. Many women report sore breasts, fatigue, and frequent urination starting in the early weeks. You may also have nausea, though it's more likely to show up in the coming weeks.

The outside world won't see any sign of the dramatic developments taking place inside you — except that you're turning down that glass of wine with dinner, perhaps. It's important to avoid alcohol throughout your pregnancy since no one knows exactly how much — or how little — alcohol can harm a developing baby.

You'll also want to continue or start an exercise routine. Exercise helps you develop the strength and endurance you'll need to manage the extra weight you'll be carrying. It may help prevent some of the aches and pains of pregnancy, and many women find that it's a great stress-reducer. Exercise can also help you get ready for the physical rigors of labor.

Finally, it's easier to bounce back after you give birth if you've continued some form of exercise throughout pregnancy. Choose a safe, moderately vigorous activity you enjoy. Walking and swimming are fine choices for pregnant women.

Wednesday Perk-Up! (16-22 August)

Running a little late this morning, but I'm blaming that on having no good coffee to perk me up! I hope your mornings are a little more eventful and a LOT more caffeinated!

I know I missed the past two perk-ups -- sorry about that. So much going on at the office and in life that I slipped behind a bit. But no worries, I've got plenty on the warmer here for you today!

(If you ever want to be featured in TCC’s Wednesday Perk-Ups, by the way, just shoot me a message! I absolutely love including people in this!)

 

When Witches Go Riding Writing

Tori Zigler: Two new publications!

So I received word from Tori that she has two more books published, one of which is absolutely free! This girl is seriously a talented writer, and I can guarantee that you’re going to love this fairy tale and collection of heartwarming tales of much-loved pets over the years.

• Frank the Friendly Ogre (free!)


• My Friends of Fur and Feather ($2.99)

 

Sam Curtin: “Dark Cell” novella on Amazon!

If you haven’t done so yet, be sure to also check out her Facebook pages for news, discussion, and other fantabulous offerings!

• Samantha Curtin – Author


• Behind the Curtin Publications

 

Colleen @ Urban Earthworm: Step Away from the Shampoo

I’ll admit, I haven’t used shampoo in years, relying on conditioner to keep my hair clean. Shampoo’s not at all good for a curly girl like me! Colleen takes it to a whole new level by eliminating shampoo and conditioner, and she says her hair “has [never] been cleaner or in better condition”. She describes the harmful chemicals that can be found in shampoo and conditioner, and while she doesn’t seek to convert, she sure does a hell of a job teaching!

The most frustrating thing about all this scary stuff in all these products we use every day? It’s utterly and completely UNNECESSARY. Marketing and mainstream media have lead us to believe that we need to shampoo our hair every day, to wash with bubbly soaps and foamy toothpastes, and slather ourselves with all sorts of concoctions and potions promising results we know we will never get. I mean, let’s be honest; I can soak in a tub of beauty products up to me ears for 6 months, and I’m still not going to look any more like Zooey Deschanel when I get out.

 

Food for Thought

Australia: Big tobacco loses High Court battle over plain packaging

So. I should preface this by saying that I AM asthmatic, likely a result of my mom smoking while pregnant with me (hey, it was the ‘80s, what did they know!), though the reason hasn’t been proven. Considering I still get asthma attacks when around smoke and other irritants, I’ve been pretty up on smoking laws, bans, and packaging.

Recently, there was some discussion about plain packaging in the US, which was struck down as unconstitutional as the government’s opinion on smoking cannot constitutionally be required to appear on the merchandise of private companies. Plus, it might hurt sales.

... don’t even get me started on “smoking is bad” being an “opinion”. But anyway.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Nothing like a good scare to get people to stop smoking.[/caption]

In Australia, a landmark case bucked the trend by ruling that plain packaging laws are constitutionally valid, and would require cigarette packs to be green and have large, graphic health warnings, with the manufacturers’ brand  names appearing in small generic fonts.

I personally think this is a great achievement. Smoking – from firsthand to thirdhand – has proven to be a deadly habit, one that has been marketed to consumers as a product not necessarily bad for your health. While everyone’s complaining about “nanny state!” and so forth, realize that this isn’t a ban on the sale or consumption of the product, but a dose of the realities of consuming these things.

In a prepared statement, Margaret Chan, director general of the World Health Organization, said, “With so many countries lined up to ride on Australia's coattails, what we hope to see is a domino effect for the good of public health.”

I, for one, certainly hope so. :)

 

Born This Way Foundation

As a repeat from my last Perk-Up!

Led by Lady Gaga and her mother Cynthia Germanotta, the Born This Way Foundation was founded in 2011 to foster a more accepting society, where differences are embraced and individuality is celebrated. The Foundation is dedicated to creating a safe community that helps connect young people with the skills and opportunities they need to build a kinder, braver world.

We believe that everyone has the right to feel safe, to be empowered and to make a difference in the world. Together, we will move towards acceptance, bravery and love.

 

MORE AWESOME: American Apparel: Legalize Gay

In the fall of 2008, Proposition 8 passed in California, striking down the legalization of same-sex marriage. Since that time, several states across the country have voted to legalize same-sex marriage, or recognize those performed in other states.

With many of our employees and customers identifying as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered, we are a company that is vocal about our support for the protection and advancement of gay rights, and we hope that the rest of our fifty states take the necessary steps toward equal rights for all, and legalize same-sex marriage.

Visit legalizegay.com for more information on the initiative.

 

Local Brew

Every Sunday, 1:00pm-5:00pm: Open Hearth Foundation Pagan Book Drive
1502 Massachusetts Ave SE, Washington, DC  20003

Got Books? Got Tarot Decks?

We will be collecting donations of books, periodicals, and tarot decks at the OHF Library in the DC Pagan Community Center.

This event is for you because …

We, Pagans, tend to love our books. However…

Maybe you have a few duplicates…

Maybe you have read a few once and just know you probably won’t get to them again, but others will definitely enjoy them…

Maybe there are some you bought and just know you won’t get to reading them and, really, books should be read…

Maybe you just don’t have any more room and you know you have to make a sacrifice for the greater good…

The OHF Pagan Library is constantly building our collection and you can help! Stop by, bring us your books, check out the library!

The Open Hearth Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Donations are tax deductible.

Decaffeinated: Blissful News

This Month in Holidays

Be sure to check out our NASA Goddard-provided list!

(Thank you to HolidayInsights.com for this list!)

Month:

• Admit You’re Happy Month


• Family Fun Month


• National Catfish Month


• National Eye Exam Month


• National Golf Month


• Peach Month


• Romance Awareness Month


• Water Quality Month


• National Picnic Month

Weekly Events:

• Week 1 National Simplify your Life Week


• Week 2 National Smile Week


• Week 3 Friendship Week


• Week 4 Be Kind to Humankind Week

Daily:

1 National Raspberry Cream Pie Day

2 National Ice Cream Sandwich Day

3 National Watermelon Day

4 National Mustard Day first Saturday
4 U.S. Coast Guard Day

5 Friendship Day - First Sunday in August
5 International Forgiveness Day – First Sunday in August
5 Sisters Day – First Sunday in August
5 Work Like a Dog Day

6 Wiggle Your Toes Day

7 National Lighthouse Day

8 Sneak Some Zucchini onto Your Neighbor’s Porch Day - now that’s nasty!

9 Book Lover’s Day

10 Lazy Day
10 National S’mores Day

11 Presidential Joke Day
11 Son and Daughter Day

12 Middle Child’s Day

13 Left Hander’s Day

14 National Creamsicle Day

14/15 V-J Day – which date do you mark the end of WWII?

15 Relaxation Day - now this one’s for me!

16 National Tell a Joke Day

17 National Thriftshop Day

18 Bad Poetry Day

19 Aviation Day

20 National Radio Day

21 Senior Citizen’s Day

22 Be an Angel Day
22 National Tooth Fairy Day – and/or February 28

23 Chinese Valentine’s Day/Daughter’s Day – 7th day of 7th Lunar Month
23 Ride the Wind Day

24 Vesuvius Day

25 Kiss and Make Up Day

26 National Dog Day
26 Women’s Equality Day

27 Global Forgiveness Day
27 Just Because Day

28 Race Your Mouse Day -but we are not sure what kind of “mouse”

29 More Herbs, Less Salt Day

30 Frankenstein Day
30 Toasted Marshmallow Day

31 National Trail Mix Day

 

Yoga Journal: Summertime Ayurvedic Kitchen Cures by Ashley Pitman

One of the things I love about Ayurveda is that it challenges us to get crafty in our kitchens and come up with natural healing remedies.

This hands-on approach really gives us the opportunity to take responsibility for our own well-being by knowing how to respond to our body without immediately heading to the drugstore.  For example, there are simple ways to cure summertime ailments like sunburn, bites & stings, hangovers, bad breath and heartburn with ingredients that you likely already have in your kitchen.

If you’ve ever felt curious about ayurveda and natural cures that come right from you kitchen, this post is for you...

 

Espresso Shots: News with a Kick!

LOL-worthy: QWOP

Had to share this again, because WOW. (Also, hope y’all enjoyed the closing ceremonies!)



You are Qwop, our small nation’s sole representative at the Olympic Games.

• Use the QWOP keys to move your legs.


• Ideally, you will run 100 metres…


• … but our training program was under-funded.


• Remember, it’s not about whether you win or lose.

Stitch11: Size 0-3 month Princes Crown

This crown is perfect for a new little girl in your life! Very easy, incredibly manageable. I was able to whip out one in under 30 minutes. :) Find the free pattern at the link above!

NASA Goddard encourages and celebrates different faiths – Part 4!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="@NASAGoddard"][/caption]

A very happy holiday to anyone observing this month.

Like the ones in February, April, and July, below is the section of the email sent to all NASA Goddard employees with the holidays for the month of July, including some links at the bottom with additional information and a diversity calendar. As always, thank you to Matt for sharing!

August 1


Lughnasadh (or Lammas Day) (Celtic, Pagan): A celebration of the harvest and one of the “Greater Sabbats” during the Wiccan year. In medieval England, loaves made from the first ripe grain were blessed in the church on this day---­lammas means “loaf mass".  

August 9    

International Day of the World’s Indigenous People (U.N.): Commemorates the first meeting of the working group on Indigenous Populations in 1992. The U.N. decided that this day be observed on August 9 every year during the Second International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People (2005-2014).

August 10

Janmashtami (Birth of Lord Krishna) (Hindu): This is one of the great Hindu night festivals. Worshippers fast and go to temples to see dance dramas enacting scenes from the life of Lord Krishna, one of the incarnations of Vishnu and one of the most popular deities in Hinduism.

August 12    

International Youth Day (U.N.): A day to increase awareness of the World Program of Action for Youth to the Year 2000 and Beyond, which calls for action in 10 areas: education, employment, hunger and poverty, health, environment, drug abuse, juvenile delinquency, leisure-time activities, girls and young women, and full and effective participation of youths 15-24 years old in society.

August 14

Lailat ul-Qadr (Night of Power) (Muslim): Commemorates the revelation of the Qur’an to the prophet Muhammad in AD 610 by the archangel Gabriel. It falls within the last 10 days of the month of Ramadan, however, since it is not known on which of these days the Qur’an was revealed, Muslims often pray on each possible night.

August 14 

V-J Day (U.S.): Anniversary of the 1945 surrender of Japan to Allied forces. The surrender was formally signed on September 2 aboard the USS Missouri at Tokyo Bay.

August 15

Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (Christian, Catholic): Commemorates the ascent of the Virgin Mary into heaven.

August 19

Eid al-Fitr (Feast of the Breaking of the Fast) (Muslim): A celebration of the end of the Ramadan fast and a time of goodwill to all.

August 26

Women’s Equality Day (U.S.): A day set aside in 1974 to honor the ratification of the 19^th Amendment to the Constitution in 1920, granting voting rights to women.

August 28

March on Washington (U.S.): 48^th anniversary of the March on Washington and Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, which occurred on August 28, 1963.

We invite you to visit the websites used to compile this calendar for additional information. There you will find a wealth of information on days that are recognized throughout the world. Please find the sources listed below:

http://www.diversityresources.com/multicultural-calendar.html

http://www3.kumc.edu/diversity/

http://www.diversitycalendar.com/Home.html

Pregnancy: 4w4d - OTC Medications

I got this list of safe OTC medicine for pregnant women. It started with a discussion on how Tylenol sucks for pain, but apparently you can take their cold medicine, which bodes well for this coming winter. ;) Thought it might come in handy for some of y'all, too!

This chart lists over-the-counter (OTC) medicines considered low risk for pregnant women when taken for the occasional mild illness. It also mentions a few that are not safe. We've listed a few brand names as examples, but there are many more on the market.

Of course, nothing is 100 percent safe for all women, so it's a good idea to check with your doctor or midwife before taking any kind of medicine during pregnancy – even an over-the-counter product. Don't take more than the recommended dose and, if possible, avoid taking anything during your first trimester, when your developing baby is most vulnerable.

NOTE: If you have a question about the safety of any medication during pregnancy, visit the Organization of Teratology Information Specialists Web site. There you'll find fact sheets on various drugs and exposures that can affect your baby as well as a list of teratogen information services that you can contact. A teratogen is anything in the environment – a chemical or substance like radiation, for example – that can cause a birth defect.)

Problem	Safe to take
Heartburn, gas and bloating, upset stomach	Antacids for heartburn (Maalox, Mylanta, Rolaids, Tums) Simethicone for gas pains (Gas-X, Maalox Anti-Gas, Mylanta Gas, Mylicon)
Cough or cold	Guaifenesin, an expectorant (Hytuss, Mucinex, Naldecon Senior EX, Robitussin) Dextromethorphan, a cough suppressant (Benylin Adult, Robitussin Maximum Strength Cough, Scot-Tussin DM, Vicks 44 Cough Relief) Guaifenesin plus dextromethorphan (Benylin Expectorant, Robitussin DM, Vicks 44E) Cough drops Vicks VapoRub Not safe to take: Cold remedies that contain alcohol The decongestants pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine, which can affect blood flow to the placenta
Pain relief, headache, and fever	Acetaminophen (Anacin Aspirin-Free, Tylenol)
Allergy relief	Chlorpheniramine, an antihistamine (Chlor-Trimeton allergy tablets) Loratadine, an antihistamine (Alavert, Claritin, Tavist ND, Triaminic Allerchews) Diphenhydramine, an antihistamine (Banophen, Benadryl, Diphenhist, Genahist)
Constipation, hemorrhoids, and diarrhea	Psyllium (Konsyl-D, Metamucil, Modane Bulk, Perdiem) Polycarbophil (Equalactin, Fiber-Lax, FiberNorm, Konsyl-Fiber, Mitrolan) Methylcellulose (Citrucel, Unifiber) Other laxatives and stool softeners (Colace, Dulcolax, Maltsupex, milk of magnesia) Hemorrhoid creams (Anusol, Preparation H, Tucks) Loperamide, anti-diarrhea medication (Imodium, Kaopectate II, Maalox Anti-Diarrheal, Pepto Diarrhea Control)
Yeast infections and other fungal infections such as athlete's foot	Clotrimazole (Cruex, Gyne-Lotrimin 3, Lotrimin AF, Mycelex 7) Miconazole (Desenex, Femizol-M, Micatin, Monistat 3) Terbinafine (Lamisil AT) Tioconazole (Monistat 1, Vagistat 1) Butoconazole (Femstat 3, Mycelex 3) Butenafine (Lotrimin Ultra) Tolnaftate (Absorbine Athlete's Foot Cream, Absorbine Footcare, Genaspor, Tinactin) Undecylenic Acid and derivatives (Cruex, Desenex, Fungi Cure, Tinacide) Not safe to take: Certain antifungal products not listed here (Certain Cruex, Desenex, and Fungi Cure products may contain other antifungal agents not listed here that should not be used during pregnancy. Check labels carefully.)
Insomnia	Diphenhydramine (Benadryl, Maximum Strength Unisom SleepGels, Nytol, Sominex) Doxylamine succinate (Unisom Nighttime Sleep-Aid)
Itching	Hydrocortisone (Cortaid, Lanacort)
Cuts and scrapes	Polysporin

Pregnancy: 4w3d - Does this baby make me look fat?

Hm. Some body image issues under the cut. Plus Halloween costume ideas!

I had a Moment yesterday where I just felt terrible about my body. I'm not 100% happy with it on a regular basis anyway; while I do pride myself in fitting into small clothes, I don't pride myself in the fact that it's pretty... loose, I guess? I could be tighter around the midsection, like I was when I first started this job and I was doing 8-Minute Abs on a daily basis and yoga every weekend.

That's all pretty much changed now. I don't do 8-Minute Abs on the regular (and now I'm restricted as to my ab exercises, so even if I wanted to continue them -- and I do! -- I'd have to do it only twice a week), and I haven't done yoga since the beginning of the year as the community center, where classes are held, was going to have the roof redone. Figures, it's August and I think they're JUST NOW starting on it. WTF!

So between those two, I haven't been getting a lot, if any, regular exercise and it's starting to really take a toll on my body. Add to that the additional bloat I've been carrying around, and it's just a hot mess.

Fortunately, my boobs look AWESOME. I'm now spilling out of a couple of my bras. One that I received from Stacy still fits, thankfully, but it's a solid C cup, ha!

ANYWAY. All that aside, I'm doing all right! I'm still fighting off exhaustion, struggling to sleep (and stay asleep) at night, having some funky dreams (last night was about a toilet that had storage underneath where you can keep toilet paper... why?!), have some loose stools and other GI issues, and neeeeeed waaaaaaater, but these are so minor that I really can't complain.

On to my next topic: Halloween!! I've been struggling to come up with a costume, and now that I'll be in my second trimester and I assume I'll have a bump going, plus at least awesome attorney-boss and HR will know (the two most important people here who need to know), I have an awesome idea:

I love it, haha! So I can be a skeleton, kind of? I'm also thinking of getting those arm warmers that have skeleton limbs or something like that... not entirely sure yet. But I'd love to at least do the makeup and the shirt. I can wear it around for handing out candy that weekend, too!

We're also thinking about having a Halloween/Samhain potluck party the weekend before Halloween (awesomest holiday ever, Y U NO FALL ON WEEKEND?!), and I want to either wear this ensemble or, alternately, this t-shirt and maybe some zombie makeup (because I'm Pagan and BABIES TASTE DIVINE...):

I'm so glad I'll have a tiny belly, at least, for Halloween. ;)

Pregnancy: 4w (on the nose)

Matt totally surprised me by coming home a day early. :D And I’m 4 weeks today! YAY!!


Cravings: Condiments. It’s the weirdest thing. Pretty much anything I eat right now is just a device by which I shovel condiments in my mouth (TWSS).

What I love: That it actually happened! I’m still in shock and denial. [Same]

What I hate: Right now? Food. Good food especially, though I’m trying to make everything I eat actually good for me.

What I miss: Beer, already. Probably because pumpkin brews are right around the corner, le sigh. And full-force coffee – I’ve been drinking half-caff whenever I have some, but finishing is rare now.

What I’m looking forward to the most: Missing AF. I think then it’ll be more real. [Same] I have my first appointment right at 8 weeks, 14 September, so THAT’S pretty exciting, too!

Worries: That it won’t stick. That’s a big worry right now. [Same]

Symptoms: Hm. They come and go. Queasiness, hunger but an unwillingness to eat (I’ve lost 2lbs since the BFP), deep cramps, diarrhea (glad you asked, huh?), and exhaustion starting around 2pm.

Mood: Improved over Sunday, obviously! I swing, but not as far. I’m mostly happy. :)

Sleep: I can’t get to bed early and I wake up early, around 5:30-6am when my alarm doesn’t go off until 6:40. That kinda sucks.

Movement: Um, none. Way too early for that. LOL [Same]

The belly (and the button!): Bloated, but that’s par for the course. I hope it starts going down a bit… [Same] Belly button still in!

Wedding rings on or off: On!

Waist (measured at the belly button: Oh lord, I have no idea. I’m guessing 29.5”, measured by taking my waistbeads and lining them up with a sheet of 8.5”x11” paper. Ghetto, I know, but I don’t have a ruler. I’ll try when I get home. XD

Milestones: We got our BFP!! A very obvious milestone to begin all other future milestones. :D [Same]

Best moment of the week: Do I even have to say it? Come on now. [Same, lol]

How your baby's growing:

This week marks the beginning of the embryonic period. From now until 10 weeks, all of your baby's organs will begin to develop and some will even begin to function. As a result, this is the time when she'll be most vulnerable to anything that might interfere with her development.

Right now your baby is an embryo the size of a poppy seed, consisting of two layers: the epiblast and the hypoblast, from which all of her organs and body parts will develop.

The primitive placenta is also made up of two layers at this point. Its cells are tunneling into the lining of your uterus, creating spaces for your blood to flow so that the developed placenta will be able to provide nutrients and oxygen to your growing baby when it starts to function at the end of this week.

Also present now are the amniotic sac, which will house your baby; the amniotic fluid, which will cushion her as she grows; and the yolk sac, which produces your baby's red blood cells and helps deliver nutrients to her until the placenta has developed and is ready to take over this duty.

How your life's changing:

Sometime this week, you may be able to find out whether you're pregnant. For the most accurate results, wait until the end of the week to take a home pregnancy test. (You can try one now if you like, but you're more likely to get a correct result a week past your expected period.)

If the test is positive, call your practitioner's office and schedule your first prenatal appointment. Most practitioners won't see you until you're about eight weeks along, unless you have a medical condition, had problems with a previous pregnancy, or are having symptoms that need to be checked out.

If you're taking any medications — prescription or over-the-counter — ask now whether it's safe to keep taking them. And be sure to alert your caregiver to any other issues of concern.

You should already be taking a multivitamin that contains at least 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid. Once you're pregnant, you'll need a bit more — 600 mcg a day — so switch to a prenatal vitamin if you haven't already.

The next six weeks are critical to your baby's development. The rudimentary versions of the placenta and umbilical cord, which deliver nourishment and oxygen to your baby, are already functioning. Through the placenta, your baby is exposed to what you take into your body, so make sure it's good for both of you.

If your home pregnancy test is negative, take another at five weeks if you still haven't gotten your period. Many urine tests are not sensitive enough to detect a pregnancy at four weeks.

If you've been trying to conceive with no success for a year or more (or for six months if you're over 35), talk to your healthcare provider about a workup exam for you and your partner to spot possible fertility problems. While the results may be upsetting, finding out about a problem sooner rather than later will get you started on the road to treatment — and to your ultimate goal: having a baby.

Pregnancy test re-do "I took a home pregnancy test and got a negative result, but I just knew I was pregnant. I felt it, somehow. So I waited a few days and took another test, first thing in the morning. Sure enough, I was right — this time it was positive." — Anonymous

Pregnancy: 3w6d... and someone else joins the BFP club!!

Pregnancy: 3w5d - How to tell?

I just set my first prenatal appointment for 14 September! We're going to Special Beginnings, which I believe I told y'all about before. They're wonderful. :) DH is going to be out of town the following TWO weeks, and my MIL will be in town the weekend right after, so I wanted to have an appointment before he left and the craziness began. 14 September is right at 8 weeks, just within the cusp of when they start taking in new maternity patients.

That means we might not be able to hear/see a heartbeat, but we will see the little blob that is our baby!! For that, I'm so excited. :)

We've been trying to think of ways to tell others. DH's mom's birthday is 30 August, 5w6d; my parents' wedding anniversary is 8 September, 7w1d; and Grandparents' Day (SERIOUSLY!) is 9 September, 7w2d. DH really wants to tell his mom on her birthday, I want to tell our parents on Grandparents' Day. MIL is also coming the last weekend of September, though I imagine we won't wait that long. So we're in kind of a bind.

What would y'all do? What DID you do, or what are you planning to do?

For my parents, at least, it would be easy to get them on Skype or something and actually see their reactions. I can play it off as, "Hey, let's talk about what you did on your anniversary! Oh, and happy Grandparents' Day!"

DH wonders why the theatrics. I don't think they're theatrics, I think it's fun to break the news in a fun way! But I imagine he'll just blurt it out to his mom. Which is okay, but... IDK. I want something a bit more, haha.

Then we're going to see everyone at Thanksgiving (we're flying in that Tuesday, I'll be around 18 weeks). There's also Halloween/our wedding anniversary, 14w5d. But we're not going to wait that long. ;)

I think I'm going to break it to my boss on Halloween, though. Still not sure how I'm going to break it, but it should be interesting! His wife will have JUST given birth then, so maybe I should tell him earlier...? Especially if I start to show or get all pukey.

GAH! Decisions! Help me make mine!!

Pregnancy: 3w4d

It feels SO BIZARRE to be writing that. But alas, here I am!

I honestly don't think it'll hit me until I miss AF. Right now, I'm still four days away (anticipated AF is this Friday), so I'm still on pins and needles, expecting to bleed.

My friend Ellen brought up a good point: I didn't track temps prior to my BFP, and it was REALLY dark for 10DPO. It's either twins (oh lawd) or, more likely, that I ovulated earlier than I think I did. May have caught the end of the LP surge and no real temp rise as a result. I'm counting myself at 11DPO today, but I may be at 12 or 13, which would explain why it was so dark. Who really knows, though.

It's only two days, tops, so I'm not concerned. :) If Ellen is right, though, then AF might have already been anticipated.

Anyway, so I thought it'd be fun to do these things as Lizzie's been doing, where I show y'all how the pregnancy is progressing and list a few things. Here's mine for 3w!

How your baby's growing:

What's going on in your womb now? A lot. Your baby-in-the-making is just a tiny ball consisting of several hundred cells that are multiplying madly. Once the ball of cells (called a blastocyst) takes up residence in your uterus, the part of it that will develop into the placenta starts producing the pregnancy hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), which tells your ovaries to stop releasing eggs and triggers increased production of estrogen and progesterone (which keep your uterus from shedding its lining — and its tiny passenger — and stimulates placental growth). HCG is the hormone that turns a pregnancy test positive; by the end of this week, you may be able to take one and get a positive result! (If your test is negative and you still haven't gotten your period in two or three days, try again then.)

Meanwhile, amniotic fluid is beginning to collect around your ball of cells in the cavity that will become the amniotic sac. This fluid will cushion your baby in the weeks and months ahead. Right now, your little blastocyst is receiving oxygen and nutrients (and discarding waste products) through a primitive circulation system made up of microscopic tunnels that connect your developing baby to the blood vessels in your uterine wall. The placenta won't be developed enough to take over this task until the end of next week.

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

Cravings: None, really. I wanted some avocado yesterday, but when I got some, I was actually disappointed. Ah well, the mayo made up for it!

What I love: That it actually happened! I'm still in shock and denial.

What I'm looking forward to the most: Missing AF. I think then it'll be more real. And scheduling my first prenatal appointment with the midwives!

Worries: That it won't stick. That's a big worry right now.

Symptoms: Typical PMS stuff, which actually is strange. Probably why I'm still in denial. I have cramps on occasion, but they're a bit different -- deeper, maybe? Oh, and let's not forget that BFP. ;)

Sleep: Same! No changes yet, though I do get up at my usual time needing to pee like CRAZY.

Movement: Um, none. Way too early for that. LOL

The belly: Bloated, but that's par for the course. I hope it starts going down a bit...

Milestones: We got our BFP!! A very obvious milestone to begin all other future milestones. :)

Best moment of the week: Do I even have to say it? Come on now.

CD25, Cycle 8 - 10DPO

I know this is going to be a total giveaway, but please don't share anything on Facebook, LJ, The Coexist Cafe, or anywhere else. Without further ado:



The darkest IC is with FMU, the FRER with 4th, and the lighter IC with 6th.

Can you tell I couldn't believe it? :P

I'm still in some sort of denial. Even more, I'm afraid I'm going to lose it. There are so many stories from women I deeply care for, who had a successful pregnancy through the time of their miscarriage. So while I'm still kinda... wow, I'm also cautiously optimistic.

But I'm at 10DPO today. And it was BLARINGLY positive.

I actually did it on a whim today: I stayed home today because I was going to make an optometry appointment, as I lost my glasses to Ocean City. DH dared me to go in to my shoulders (it was COLD), I forgot I had my glasses on, got TACKLED by a huge wave that came over my head, spun a couple times underwater, then came up and was like, THAT WAS AWESOME!! 20 minutes or so later, I realized my glasses weren't on my face. Or anywhere else, for that matter.

Anyway, so I was resolved to get an appointment sometime during the day. On a whim, I took a test and put it on the counter, then turned on the faucet to wash my hair (I had cried in the erm... taken a shower the night before). By the time I turned around, the two lines had already come up.

I kind of... stared at it for a second, unable to believe what I was seeing. Even when I dipped in the test, I saw the dye not collecting as it typically did, to gather all on that damn test line. I didn't think anything of it at the time, but now...?!

I didn't want to tell DH, especially because he left on business today. But I just couldn't hold it in any longer. I went to his bedside (he was still sleeping), and I yell-whispered, "BABY. Baby...?!" He stirred and was like whaaaat? Then he saw my face. (I knew he could hear what I was doing in the bathroom.) And he said, "No... no way."

I showed him the test, and we both got SO damn giggly! Just... ridiculously giggly. It DID wear off after a bit, mostly because we're both in major disbelief, but he still thinks about it and goes O_O

Needless to say, I called out of work, citing glasses issues (not entirely untrue), and hung out with DH until he had to go to the airport and I had to go to my eye appointment. He kept saying that he won't be sure until [insertscenariohere] happens, and that went from missing my period to a week afterward to our first midwife appointment to the first ulstrasound. And I was like, "It's gonna be like, I'll have a huge belly or this baby in my arms and you'll be like, 'I don't know, I'm still not convinced you're pregnant'." He got a good laugh out of that. ;)

So... it happened!! I'm still scared, but I have a feeling that and SO many other emotions are going to stick around for a bit. I AM excited, though!!

Here's to hoping it STICKS!!

CD24, Cycle 8 - 9DPO

I am an emotional wreck today. DH and I drove to Ocean City, which was awesome after the first hour, when we got stuck in traffic. I was driving, and I was a raving BITCH the whole time. Even DH was telling me to calm down. It was bad.

I also got super emotional tonight after learning another friend is pregnant, only tried four cycles. I keep wondering... when is it our turn? We're literally doing everything right, so what the fuck gives?

I'm actually scheduling an appointment with an RE -- the same one another friend, E, is currently going to, just at a different location -- for both myself and DH if this cycle doesn't work out. Just to, you know... make sure. I'm just tired of this never-ending bullshit.

Speaking of E (and definitely one of the best parts of the weekend!!), we finally met on Saturday!! She and her husband came over, and we had a BLAST. We've both been in this ttc journey over at TCOYF, and we finally got together. She's just as awesome IRL as online. :D

Anyway, Olympics are over and this iPad sucks for the moment, and I need to bawl, anyway. So... yeah, goodnight.

CD22, Cycle 8 - 7DPO (already?!)

I was talking to E this morning, and I realized that it was difficult to really show her how my charts have all kind of come together. So I've added a compilation of all my charts thus far on this page. :)

Also, how is it already 7DPO?! This TWW is FLYING by. It's been crazy at work, though, because of a huge announcement, so I've been busy with that transition. More information (maybe...) when we're allowed to tell. :) It's mixed news. Hrm.

Anyway, I keep forgetting what DPO I'm at, which is both a blessing and a curse. Blessing because I'm not really obsessing; I notice some things and go, oh, that makes sense. Curse because, well, I know I'm going to become uber-obsessed in about four or five days, anyway, so why not get all buggy about it now.

I've had really weird dreams the past two nights. They were SO vivid and soooo uncomfortable.

Two nights ago, I dreamed I was a private investigator and that I had to check out this one house. It was a condo or something, on a higher floor (maybe the third?), and when I walked in, I noticed there was stuff all over the floor. Not just any stuff, either: It looked like drool. And it was everywhere.

I should preface the rest of this by saying that my OCD goes berserk in the face of spit of any form. Licking, drooling, spitting, all of that just triggers my OCD like you wouldn't even imagine. Ugh ugh ugh.

So I got all OCD in the dream, realizing that I had to find dry spots on the floor to step on. The weirdest part was when I looked straight ahead: There was drool hanging from the ceiling! It seriously left only about a foot or so between the drool and the floor, and it was just... hanging there. Disgusting.

Then I looked at the ceiling. Even now, I have no idea what they were, but they were red and they were just dripping this really viscous drool from their orifices! It was absolutely... I felt sick to my stomach. (I feel sick typing this!!)

But I had a job to do. So I sucked it up and tried to get around the hanging drool and the drooly floor. I couldn't avoid it, though, and I ended up stepping on it or having some drool land on me somewhere (my face was the WORST -- that's another OCD thing). I remember actually having a panic attack in that dream, crying and pleading and "OMG noooo!" There was a point where I curled up in a ball and just wept.

I'm squirming as I write this, by the way.

There was someone there: A guy, I have no idea who. He kept coaxing me through the living room and kitchen filled with the drool and the drool-monsters, but I never did get where he was leading me to. I was too incapacitated.

Interpretation: To dream that you are a detective indicates that you are searching for your hidden abilities and talents. You may be trying to solve a problem and seek out the truth about some worrisome issue.

To dream that you or someone is lying in drool symbolizes a sense of hopelessness.

To see a faceless creature in your dream indicates a situation you are refusing to see or confront, but are aware of it in some passive way. This dream also suggests that something in your life is bringing up feelings of fear and insecurities.

Red is an indication of raw energy, force, vigor, intense passion, aggression, power, courage, impulsiveness and passion. The color red has deep emotional and spiritual connotations. Consider the phrase "seeing red" to denote anger. Alternatively, the color red in your dream indicates a lack of energy. You are feeling tired or lethargic. Red is also the color of danger, violence, blood, shame, rejection, sexual impulses and urges. Perhaps you need to stop and think about your actions.

Now, the second dream! This one was just plain uncomfortable.

DH and I had invited awesome prez-boss to come over for pizza or something. I think it was from his favorite pizza place, actually, lol. I remember being completely comfortable while he was there, but when we all sat down to watch a movie (DH, me, awesome prez-boss, and his wife), awesome prez-boss had draped his arm over the back of the couch where I was about to sit, so his arm would have been over my shoulders.

I remember feeling REALLY awkward about it, like, why are you doing this?! I ended up sitting on the couch but with my back away from the back of the couch, and (not forcefully or anything) he reached his hand on my shoulder and pulled me back to the couch, his arm now over my shoulder. And he hugged me.

So there are some things going on around the office that are changing, and maybe that's what made me dream it. But whyyyyy did it manifest like this?!

Interpretation: To see or eat pizza in your dream represents abundance, choices, and variety. It may also indicate that you are lacking or feeling deprived of something. Alternatively, a pizza may have similar significance to a circle.

To see your boss in your dream represents the bossy or authoritative side of your own personality. Your boss may reveal self-confidence and the assertive aspect of yourself. It is telling of your issues of control and authority. Alternatively, to see your boss in your dream may indicate your over-involvement or obsession with your work. Negatively, the boss in your dream may symbolize your limitations and lack of freedom/originality.

To see your arms as the emphasis in your dream indicate your nurturing side and your ability to reach out and care for people. Alternatively, it may represent the struggles and challenges in your life. Consider the pun "arm yourself" which implies that you need to protect yourself, be more aggressive and take a firmer stance on things or the pun "up in arms" representing anger and your readiness to argue.

The second is actually more likely to be job-related than anything...

Ugh. It's all so confusing.

42 Things AWESOME with THIS American Woman (and all other American women!)

So sorry I didn't get the Perk-Up yesterday, I had to take off work on Monday because of a wicked headache and was behind a day for everything as a result. I even missed my Wednesday walk with Sam! :(

In case you still need to boil something, how about your blood? Or if you need to percolate something, how about your blood pressure? Or any other ridiculous comparisons I could come up with. I'm at a loss for anything, really, considering that both of these (and many more) applied after reading some asshat's 42 Thing Wrong with American Women.

First, LOVE the generalization. All women are the same, and all of them suck (especially if you're American). Second, I have a feeling this comes from a deep-down place of self-hatred, which kind of sucks because, really, who hates themselves that much that they have to project it onto people they don't know, especially towards one specific group?

Misogyny at its finest.

In response, here's my list of 42 Things AWESOME with THIS American Woman, a list that I'm sure many of you -- man, woman, American, non-American -- can identify with. :) Feel free to post your own list and share!!

1. I'm beautiful.

2. I have people texting, calling, and otherwise getting in contact with me because they love me. And I love them, so I return the favor!

3. I cut my hair short. And I look DAMN fine. ;)



Didn't look bad with long hair, either...



... but I prefer it short.

4. I am impressed by those who make the world a better place, from the amazing doctor who saves lives to the DJ who shares his/her love of music with everyone.

5. I love that my husband is witty and funny. Love that my guy friends are, too. There are many other things that I love about him (his smile, how he acts like himself around me, how he provides and cares for me [as I do him!]), but those are definitely top contenders!

6. I know what my man likes. Who cares where I got it? It works! ;)

7. I'm a fantastic cook. Shit, I run a cooking blog. LOL

8. Being a Floridian, and one who loves comfort, I love wearing my flip flops. I also love wearing my heels and my sneakers and whatever else I put on my feet. Comfort is key!

9. If I had condoms in my drawer, it'd be because I respect myself as a happy, healthy, sensual woman (and not having those condoms doesn't mean I'm any less of those!). I'd expect the man who wants to get with me to have the same respect for me.

10. I'm not a great dancer (but I still love doing it for fun!), but I can sing and I can play violin like it's no one's business. I also recognize that people have their own talents and should be recognized for them!

11. I don't idolize, but if I did, my family, friends, and those I find politically, socially, and otherwise inspiring would make the top of my list.

12. I strongly believe that how someone cares for an animal shows how they care for their fellow humans. (Except... I'm not typically allergic to people. ;))

13. "Sexy" is different for everyone. I can confidently say I find myself sexy and I know my husband does, too... hee!

14. I find my husband REALLY hot and I must be a damn good catch myself to have nabbed him. ;) Also, my worth is not defined by any "standards" set by anyone else, but by myself and myself alone.

15. Having a great job (and I DO have a great job!) is just but one quality that makes me a great catch.

16. I dress comfortably and in a way that suits my body and myself. Including PJs... ;)

17. I enjoy a good intellectual read. No, oh god no, Twilight is not included in that. LOL

18. I love to travel, and wish I could do it more often! From the beach to the mountains, from France to Canada, from my home state through my current state.

19. I have an awesome tattoo -- a gift from my now-husband! -- that I got when I was 21. It's a tree frog on my left hip. ;)

20. I consider the way I date(d) to be very personal to me, and did so with confidence in my own life and my own desires, while being up-front with the men I date(d). I'd expect the men I dated to be just as confident and to be up-front.

21. I love my family and my "chosen family", and I'd do anything for them. :)

22. NGL, but word has it that I'm pretty good in bed... hah!

23. I have sex when I feel like it. I'm not coerced, forced, or otherwise made to have sex when I don't. I also initiate when, you know, the gettin's good!

24. I find myself beautiful inside and out, and I don't need makeup to cover that up. I keep appearances, but I don't go out of my way to please anyone else because, let's face it, I'm beautiful as I am!

25. I am incredibly environmentally conscious, from the food I eat to the car I drive to the way I handle waste. Making a better world for the future. :)

26. I'm always ready to try new things!

27. That said... bring on the new things!! I like a challenge.

28. I care for my skin and deal with blemishes as they... ahem, arise. I don't get down on myself when I get a blemish, as they happen to everyone.

29. I'm much more an internet girl than a TV girl. ;) Awesome attorney-boss would argue that I need to watch more TV! (And movies, for that matter!)

30. I love being comfortable, including when I drive. I also love being safe, so I'm hard-pressed to wear heels when driving... it ain't safe, yo!

31. I enjoy watching my husband's jaw drop when I dress up for him. Or to go to an event. Or out with a friend. I just enjoy making jaws drop, what can I say. ;)

32. I find my natural skin pretty, but I do enjoy a tan once in a while! (What can I say, I'm a beach baby. Mreow.)

33. Love me some pizza and beer. Who doesn't!

34. I love sweets, too, in mini and huge form. Especially if it's pumpkin flavored or has frosting. Mmm, frosting...

35. My career is really important to me, and I feel like I do a damn fine job at it. ;) I also like to keep a nice home, but as one of two perfectly capable adults who live in said home, I also expect help around it!

36. I strongly prefer flats to heels, but I realize not all women are this way. :)

37. On the topic of food, I love butter and salt! They make great additions to several dishes.

38. I don't speak a foreign language, but I speak English pretty damn well. Something lots of people need to improve....

39. While it took me a while to get here (and it's mostly because of misogynistic bullshit like in the original post), I am incredibly comfortable in my own skin. That confidence, I believe, radiates from the inside out.

40. Hell yeah, I like Ikea furniture. ;)

41. I am classically trained in violin (and play on a regular basis with a local orchestra), hold a creative writing degree (which has gotten me further than I could have ever imagined!), and am trained in legal studies (and have an AWESOME job where I can expand that knowledge). I'm also well read in politics, current affairs, social responsibility, and (thanks to my husband) some engineering. SOME. Literally. We should debate some day. I promise to be a formidable opponent. ;)

42. I find the conversations I have with people to be enlightening, mentally stimulating, and always enjoyable. And I thank you all for providing those conversations!

CD19, Cycle 8 - 4DPO

Guess y'all want an update, huh? :P

There isn't much more than that! I'm fortunate that I used the OPK as early as I did, as I would have otherwise completely missed the surge -- I'm so used to ovulating around day 18 now. It's been a while since I've had a short cycle, though, so I'm ready for this 28-day one coming up.

I actually do NOT want to get pregnant this cycle. I know that sounds bizarre (and our sex patterns don't align, but DH isn't as concerned about this as I am), but I'm trying to avoid a Taurus baby. It sounds weird, even stupid, but I have one Taurus in the house. I don't need to be outnumbered. :P

DH jokes that it'll be a little boy Taurus. Born in the year of the Snake.

Of COURSE it will. Sigh.

Anyway, so I'm just kind of bopping along this cycle. I'm not stressing, I'm just... hanging out. Nothing so far, and I'm not all that excited, anyway. Guess I needed kind of a slow cycle, haha.

Ugh, there IS one bit of ridiculousness, though. And ranting. And foul language.

Remember when I posted about DH's cousin finding out she was pregnant? So they got pregnant really fast. Like... one or two cycles, tops. I want to say one, if my math is correct. Anyway, so they haven't struggled with TTC like DH and I have.

DH asked cousin-in-law (CIL) about some med that her step-mom had to go on to conceive her two children. I'm not sure how the conversation started, but that's where I was clued in to the whole thing. Anyway, ends up that her step-mom had to take Clomid to conceive, so my first assumption was, well, that's for ovulating. When the body isn't ovulating on its own or isn't producing good eggs:

Clomiphene is used to induce ovulation (egg production) in women who do not produce ova (eggs) but wish to become pregnant (infertility). Clomiphene is in a class of medications called ovulatory stimulants. It works similarly to estrogen, a female hormone that causes eggs to develop in the ovaries and be released.

Source

It also has some off-label uses, like treating male infertility, menstrual abnormalities, fibrocystic breasts, and persistent breast milk production.

Considering my last 8 charts, it appears I'm having no trouble ovulating, so Clomid would likely not work for me at all. I'm also very (VERY) regular and otherwise have no use for the off-label reasons for prescription.

So DH tells her that. Basically like, yeah, we looked into that, but it's just for no ovulation, and we (read: I) don't have that problem. CIL messages back saying, [step-mom] was ovulating. So DH repeats, it's not something we're looking at considering. But thanks.

And she gets all defensive and shit. EURGH.

She's always been like this, and it's the one thing DH really dislikes about her. She makes shit up to corroborate her own story -- who knows if her step-mom was ovulating before going on Clomid, I'm sure CIL didn't ask nor did step-mom tell -- and gets all pissy when you don't kiss her feet for offering up information or "help". It's ridiculous.

Now... she's pregnant. Oy vey. We BOTH feel bad for her husband (of, you know, officially just three months and "officially" just over a month). DH is forever thankful that, while I have mood swings, I don't have MOOD SWINGS zOMG.

So that's that. And now I'm even more pissed that she got pregnant so easily because it's like, bitch, you have NO IDEA what it's like to struggle with this. Don't get all damn defensive because we couldn't get any use out of information that you offered (and, with the step-mom thing, maybe even made up). Christ almighty, this is HARD and we're TRYING to be NICE considering you immediately got what we have wanted for almost a YEAR.

Also, fuck off.

I finished my blanket! :)

It took FOREVER, but I finally finished it! :)