November 2009

New Moon

by noelle on November 21, 2009

I am so excited!  In just 2 hours I am leaving the house to go and see New Moon!  I can’t wait!  The movie starts at 12:30, but we have to leave early to go line up, or there won’t be any seats left.  Yesterday, my mom and I tried to go to Petsmart, which is located in the same HUGE plaza as the movie theatre, and we could not find parking.  The entire lot was full of cars going to the movies.  I am betting that most of them were there to see New Moon.

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After the movie, Vlad and I are heading over to Michigan to go to my grandma’s to pick up my fertility monitor.  I had it delivered there to avoid the ridiculously high delivery and duty charges I would have had to pay if I had it delivered to my place in Canada.  I am excited to see it, even though I won’t be able to use it for another week or so, and am hoping that I won’t have to use it at all.  I just don’t think it is in the cards for us this month.  Le sigh.  I also got a ClearBlue Fertility monitor through an eBay mistake.  I don’t want to talk about it.  I am however, excited to have both.  We are also going to do some shopping afterward.  Should be a fun day!

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Desperation

by noelle on November 18, 2009

Desperation has led me to this.  I have had the wackiest temps this cycle.  I have never experienced an ugly chart like the one I have got going for me this month.  I have been battling a stuffy nose, so my temps are up and down due to mouth breathing.  I did get a few positive OPKs, I am not 100% convinced that I even ovulated this month.  I hate not knowing.  I hate not having confirmation.  I am so desperate to conceive that I have taken the next step and purchased a fertility monitor.

I put a lot of thought and research into which monitor I wanted to buy.  A lot of ladies use and love the Clearblue Fertility Monitor, but I wanted to try to stay away from a monitor for which I would need to continue to purchase test sticks.  Also, most of the monitors on the market only help predict when ovulation will occur, but will not actually verify that it has in fact taken place.  After searching for a long time, I found the one that seems to be perfect!  The Ovacue!  http://www.zetek.net/

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It is a saliva based monitor which is 98.3% accurate in predicting ovulation, and also (using the optional vaginal sensor) will confirm that ovulation has actually taken place.  Here is some info on it taken from their website:

OvaCue Fertility Monitor

Know your body

The newest OvaCue Fertility Monitor represents a major advance for women looking to identify their complete fertile window. OvaCue works by measuring your electrolyte levels which change in concert with your ovulatory cycle. Now, with one simple handheld device, you can accurately measure your unique hormonal changes and visually track your cycle with an interactive calendar.

Safe & reliable

Zetek has been manufacturing and selling FDA approved fertility monitors for over 20 years. We have helped thousands of couples conceive. We provide personalized customer support—if needed, we’ll track your cycles with you.

Easy to use

OvaCue calendar displaySimply place a spoon-sized sensor on your tongue for five seconds each morning and the OvaCue will automatically record your fertility for the day. The OvaCue tracks the readings in memory and indicates your most fertile days graphically on a calendar.

Accurate

Zetek’s Electrolyte Method™ has been proven to be 98.3% accurate at monitoring ovulation in numerous studies, including those sponsored by the National Institutes of Health and published in peer-reviewed journal articles.

Convenient

The OvaCue requires no urine sampling and can be used for many years with no additional purchases required. The OvaCue comes complete with the base unit, sealed oral sensor, carrying case, owner’s manual, battery and a free pregnancy test.

Ovulation Comparison Table OvaCue ClearBlue Easy OV Watch Ferning Scopes Home Urine LH Kit BBT
Advance Notice of Ovulation 5-7 days 1-5 days A 1-4 days 4-5 days 0-24 hours No
Defines Complete Window of Fertility B YesF No No No No No
Accuracy 98.3% 72% A 66% Based on user 94% C 74%
Confirms Ovulation YesF No No No No Yes
Home Use Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Monthly Cost D $32 OvaCue, $24 Cue II $42 E $56.99 $4-5 $25 $1-5

Notes.

  • A. Source: Unipath ClearBlue Easy Physician’s manual, page 23.
  • B. Defined as a six-day period ending on the day of ovulation. (Ref: Timing of sexual intercourse in relation to ovulation. Wilcox AL et al. N Engl J Med 1995; 333(23): 1517-1521.)
  • C. Source: Unipath ClearBlue literature
  • D. Assuming 12 months of use
  • E. Source: Unipath ClearBlue web site.
  • F. With optional vaginal sensor

I am so excited to try this baby out next cycle.  I hope that it is everything I dream it will be.  The reviews that I can find are all fantastic.  Most people using it seem to conceive in the first three cycles, so I am am excited.  Wish me luck!

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Lest We Forget

by noelle on November 11, 2009

poppy

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

— Lt.-Col. John McCrae (1872 – 1918)

In honour of past and present veterans, God bless you and your families.

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Joslin’s Canadian Open 2009

by noelle on November 9, 2009

JoslinsCanadianOpen2009015blog

This past weekend, we headed up to Hamilton for Vlad to compete in the Joslin’s Canadian Open Grappling Tournament.  Exactly one year before, Vlad competed in the same tournament, and lost in his first match.  It was the first tournament that he competed in.  This year, he had more training under his belt, and more tournament experience, but was competing in the intermediate level, instead of beginners.  We had no idea how it would go.  Well, Vlad won his first match 11-0,  and won his second match 7-0.  He made it all the way to the final match without having a point scored against him.  In the final match, he lost, but only buy advantage.  He won the silver medal in his division!  I am soooo proud of him.  He deserves this!  Way to go honey!!!

Four competitors from Tecumseh Martial Arts Academy competed at the Joslin’s tournament, and all four of them got medals.  Good job boys!

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The First Anniversary of My 29th Birthday!

by noelle on November 6, 2009

Yep, I am 30!  There I said it…but that is the last time those words will come out of my mouth.  From here on out I shall remain 29.

Yesterday was my  birthday, and I had a wonderful day!  My wonderful husband did a great job making me feel special on my birthday.   First he surprised me in my office with a dozen roses, then at lunch he surprised me with a chocolate cake adorned with 30 candles.  It was delicious!

Ever since I saw the commercial on TV, I have wanted a snuggie.  Everyone laughed at me.  My friend at work remembered how I said I wanted one, and ordered me one from the internet.  I was so surprised.  I love it.  It is so warm, and snuggley.

After work, we were supposed to go for dinner with my best friend, and her husband to my favourite Italian Restaurant.  When we got there all of my friends were waiting for me, even my mom!  It was great!  I was totally surprised.  I had no idea that this was going to happen.  I have such an awesome husband and such wonderful friends!

Amie got me a coach purse for my B-Day and I love it.  She was afraid that I wouldn’t like the colour, but it is pink, and pink is my fav colour.  I am a firm believer that you can never have too many handbags.  Can’t wait for the spring to bust this bad girl out.

Isn’t she a beaut?  I love it.  I had such a great 30th birthday, thanks to my wonderful peeps.

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