Here we go again

Yesterday's baseline tests went well -- at least 14 antral follicles, and good numbers on the bloodwork. So, I started BCPs last night and we'll have our pre-cycle visit (telephonically this time, since we're old hats at this :)) next week. Can't wait to have that calendar in my hands! Yes, I am fully embracing that I'm a control freak.

Happy NYE!

Getting geared back up

Not surprisingly, it took my body a little longer than the "suggested" 30 days to get back into the swing of things. A quick PIO shot later, we seem to be back in business. I'll call the clinic in the a.m., but I would guess we'll go in for our baseline IVF testing on Tuesday. Fingers crossed for that magic number of follies and "normal" bloodwork (though if we get put off a month, someone please remind me that means we can go skiing and to Mardi Gras??)! Hope you all had a great weekend!

Just because we don't have a baby doesn't mean it's not Christmas!

Yes, those words left my mouth about 2 weeks ago. We've both been slammed at work, and getting a Christmas tree . . . well, that just fell by the wayside. DH was fully in favor of skipping out this year. We leave for my family's house early on Christmas morning, and I'm one of those girls who ditches all things Christmas on the 26th (plus, trees are EXPENSIVE!), so he didn't really see the point. Call me overly dramatic, but I pulled the IF card. I responded that if we had a baby, we wouldn't even think of not getting a tree (true), and that we don't get some sort of a "pass" for our struggles. He laughed, said I could relate a hangnail to IF (possibly), and told me to go get the tree.

And I did.

And it's GREAT!

Here's to husbands helping us keep perspective. Wishing you a very, very Merry Christmas!!!

Kicking Dirt

Standing around on the playground, somedays there wasn't much better to do than kick dirt. It was the reflexive reaction when you weren't getting your way and you didn't really know what else to do. Somebody steal your kickball? Kick dirt. Pigtails pulled? Kick dirt. Recess bell ring early? Kick dirt.

Somedays, the IF journey is just like the playground. Another pregnancy announcement? Kick dirt. A new person in your life ask you if you have children, and you pull out the "no, just dogs" bit again? Kick dirt. Hang up just two stockings again this year? Kick dirt. Somebody get pregnant without "enough effort," meaning anything less than multiple IVFs? Reaction to anything other than your plan? Tired of this whole process? Kick dirt. Kick dirt. Kick dirt.

We're in a period of waiting right now, with IVF #2 to begin in January. That said, the rest of the world isn't waiting to get pregnant, and happy announcements abound. I know there's joy in those families, and I'll get there for them, too. Today, I think I'll just kick some dirt.

Who doesn't like a good giveaway, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY JILL!

So Jill has decided to celebrate her 100th post (and her birthday) by putting together a great holiday giveaway -- go visit her site and get yourself entered to win!

***Full disclosure: yes, I got a second entry in the giveaway by posting this on my blog. That said, Jill's a great girl, does a wonderful job on her blog and has been a great encouragement to me, so you should all go over and check her out (and wish her a happy birthday!).

Her Body, My Baby

Check out this article from yesterday's New York Times Magazine -- I can't imagine the pain of going through as many IVF cycles and miscarriages as this couple did. I appreciate her sharing her story with the world. I think we can all agree that there's a real need for education, and articles like this are great public service.

Update: please check out Mo and Will's blog for a much more thoughtful reaction to the article than I could muster. Kudos.