TTC

Long time…

by noelle on February 16, 2010

It has been a long time since I updated, and it is mostly because there is nothing to update really.   I feel like a broken record posting the same thing over and over again, so instead of constantly whining about not being able to get pregnant, I decided to take a break from posting.  So, no, I am not pregnant yet.   And, yes, I am depressed about it.  Who knew that I would have fertility problems.  My mom has 5 kids and never had any problems getting pregnant.  No one on either side of my family has had problems getting pregnant.  I seem to be the first.   After almost a year of actively trying, I have started to investigate medically.  So there is some renewed sense of hope I guess, but I am still not optimistic about ever getting pregnant.  I hate to be Debbie Downer, but that is just how I feel.

I have been trying to keep myself busy, to keep my mind off of ttc.  I am now finally knitting my husband a sweater.  You see, there is a supposed curse that if you knit your boyfriend a sweater, you will break up, ridiculous I know, but I wasn’t taking any chances.  Now that we are married, the curse is void, and I can go ahead and knit my honey a sweater.  I cast on two days ago.  This is the sweater I am making him (in black):

I have also started quilting.  This is not something I thought I would ever do.  Until I started seeing some of the beautiful, modern quilt patterns out there, and I decided I would give it a try.  I L-O-V-E it.  I am addicted!  I am already hoarding fabric for my next projects.   I may have gone a little overboard, but seriously, I am like a kid in a candy shop!  I have already completed one quilt, that I made for my friend’s baby girl.  I made it by myself, without a pattern so it is not perfect, but I still love it.  Here it is:

I am also now taking a quilting class with my mom, which is very fun!  When I was looking around for patterns online, I came across this blog:  http://camilleroskelley.typepad.com This girl is an uber talented quilter and designer, and I couldn’t help but buy 5 of her patterns.  I can’t wait to make every one of them.

I also stumbled across http://www.fatquartershop.com , a fantastic fabric shop that specializes in quilting fabric.  Let’s just say, a large portion of my last paycheck has gone to them.  Here are a few of the collections that I have ordered from already:

Well, that’s all I’ve got right now.

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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/

ovacue2-650-wht

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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Happy Halloween!

by noelle on October 31, 2009

happy_halloween

I hope everyone had/is having a great Halloween!  Mine was pretty chilled out but good.  We went to see Paranormal Activity today.  It was pretty scary, but not as bad as I expected.   I will know the full effect of the movie tonight when I go to bed.  I hope I can sleep.  Now, I am having a scary movie marathon.  Just finished my Halloween favourite Hocus Pocus, and am now watching The Exorcist.  I might watch Poltergeist next and then finish off with Trick R Treat.  I got about 15 trick or treaters, not many as I live on a dead end street and there aren’t many kids in my neighbourhood. I hope that by next halloween, we have a child to celebrate with!

I am entering my next TTC cycle.  THIS WILL BE THE ONE!  THIS IS OUR MONTH!  Here are the items in my arsenel for this cycle:

  1. Temping
  2. OPKs
  3. 3000mg Evening Primrose Uil
  4. FertileCM
  5. Soft-Cups
  6. Prenatal
  7. Preseed
  8. 81mg low dose aspirin
  9. EPA/DHA

We will be following the Sperm Meets Egg Plan again.  Hopefully this will be it!  I am feeling really positive about it.  I hope it lasts.

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Wasted

by noelle on October 21, 2009

So, I finally O’ed this cycle, 2-3 days later than usual.  Like WTF?  I really need to stress about the regularity of my cycle now too?  That is the last thing I need.  Well anyway, at least I finally did O.  I am happy that it is finally over, and there is no more wondering if I should or should not TTC this cycle.  Now I have no choice.  It is done.  A wasted cycle.  I am kind of relieved that there will be no testing this month. No staring at BFNs at all different types of light, holding it at different angles, hoping to get a slight glimpse of a pink line.  Not this month.  No disappointment for me.  Which is good.  I can also have a blast at Amie’s wedding on Saturday!  Guilt free!  Bring on the Pinot Grigio baby!!!

In other wedding news, I finished my speech yesterday.  What a relief.  Now I just have to say it in front of 300 people.  AHHHHH!  I may pass out.  Just another reason to “Bring on the Pinot Grigio baby!!!”, before my speech.  I don’t know how I am going to do this.  I am so afraid of public speaking, it is not even funny.

Also, I finished printing and cutting Amie’s table numbers and menus for her wedding.  Another relief.  Now all I have left to do is clean my guest room, and straighten up my house.  My other best friend Tansy, is coming down from Hamilton tomorrow to stay with us for the weekend, for the wedding.  She is also a bridesmaid.  I can’t wait to see her tomorrow!  I can’t wait to party it up at this wedding!!  I also cannot wait to put on my party dress and get all dolled up.  Here is the bridesmaid dress Amie has picked for us to wear.

Isn’t it just lovely?  I love it!  I just hope it still fits me.

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Bad Blogger

by noelle on October 18, 2009

I know, I know.  I am a horrible blogger.  And to make matters worse, I have been in a really weird mood lately, and just do not feel like doing anything, including writing a post.  I have just been so down in the dumps lately, and I just can’t shake it.  I know it has a lot to do with this whole baby making deal.  I never thought that I would still be trying 6 months later.  I know that this is not a long time, and that some people try for much longer, but it seems like eternity.  Especially for someone like me, whose mind has been consumed with the thought of having a child for the past six years.  I hate feeling this way.  I hate the fact that I am whining about it all the time.  But I really can’t help it.  Everywhere I look I see a pregnant woman.  Everywhere!  It just puts salt on my wounds, rubbing in the fact that I am not yet pregnant.

The even sadder part of this funk that I am in is that I can’t even get into the Halloween spirit this year.  This is usually my favourite time of the year, yet this year, I am just not into it.  Very sad!

Thanksgiving dinner was a success!  Everything turned out amazing.  I wish I would have taken pictures of all the food, but by the time it was all ready, we were all so hungry, we just dug in.

Next weekend is my best friend’s wedding!  I am sooo looking forward to it.  It should be so much fun! That is all I have to say right now.

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