Getting close...

So, I start Lupron on Monday. My last day of birth control will be 1/20, and I will have my baseline ultrasound on 1/24, and hopefully start stims on 1/27. It's ALL happening. So crazy. I had my meds teach the other day and it was overwhelming, to say that least. And I've already done all this! Not to mention, researched it recently and knew exactly what I was in for. I can't imagine if Doug would have been there. This was 2 days ago and I still haven't had a chance to sit down and show him allllll the drugs and which ones need to be refridgerated and which ones go with what needles and when to increase the dosages and whatnot. Not that he needs to know, really. But it would make me feel like he's more involved.

It feels like just yesterday that I got the call about the grant and was asked to schedule an IVF consult. That was 3 months ago. Yet now, as it gets closer, I'm getting more and more anxious, and time is going slower and slower. I want to have a bunch of supplies at the house for projects, because I don't know HOW I'm going to get through the first few days after transfer on bed rest, let alone the entire 2ww! UGH! I also need to sit down with Doug and discuss with him if/when we are going to POAS before beta.. I'd kind of rather find out WITH him than tell him. I want to share that moment with him, good or bad.

I'm working on a playspace for Mason. Which will eventually soon become the computer room, which will be turned into the nursery. I'm really leaning towards a gray/pink room instead of pink/white for Avery. Some of the pictures I've seen lately have just been beautiful, and it looks so classy and modern.





This would also solve Doug's biggest fear - a big, pink, Pepto-bismol room LOL.

I haven't seen any examples even CLOSE to what I want in Parker's room - baby boys rooms are ALL THE SAME and so boring. His tan/bright blue giraffe inspired room would be fab.

I started working on my registry again. Amazon is such a BRILLIANT place to register with. You can add items from ANYWHERE - Target, Babies-R-Us, Etsy - you name it. As long as it has a website, you can add it. I have a neat little "add to registry" button on my toolbar, and it's as easy as 1-2-3. At this point there's not a lot of necessity items - breast pumps, strollers, car seats, highchairs, etc. It's mostly "fun" stuff - clothes, crib bedding, books, decorations, etc. There are some practical items, and some items for both, and there are exactly the same number of items for a girl as there are for a boy. :D

I bought a bella band and a maternity shirt that I can wear now. It's just a white, long-sleeved long tee. Comfy and cute. The bella band I can definitely wear now too, considering I'm seriously so fat/bloated that my pants don't button comfortably. And that is NOT going to get any better ANY time soon.

Two days 'til Lupron! My countdowns are going to get shorter and shorter, and then one LONGGGG one (the 2ww). I can't believe that by March 1st I could be officially BFP pregnant. I've never wanted anything so much in my life.

IVF meds came today!

Planning.

Are you an OCD "planner" like me?

Infertility got you down?
Have tons of awesome ideas for your future baby, but you're just not getting pregnant?

Have no fear!

You, my friend, are lucky. Those Fertile Myrtle's that wish to be pregnant, blink, and are - have NOTHING on you! The longer your "infertility" takes - the more time you have to PLAN! What is there to plan, you ask? Let me show you!

First and foremost - how (and when) are you going to announce? If you're like me, you're going to do it in a BIG WAY and probably earlier than most. If you're private, you may come up with a more subtle way to share the big news. The point is - you have TIME to come up with the perfect, "We're pregnant!" announcement that fits you as a couple.



Your pregnancy journal/scrapbook. How boring is a 9-month pregnancy journey, without a little back story! Lucky for you, my friend, your readers will be engaged before they even GET to your BFP! You will have more tales of tears, heartache, and pain than War & Peace! Your audience will be captivated, and just begging for a happy ending.



A gender reveal party! All the craze, these are a great way to get your friends and family involved in one of the most special parts of pregnancy - finding out the sex of your little baking bundle. You will have PLENTY of time to make sure every detail of this beautiful occasion is perfect.



Photo shoots! There are so many beautiful, document-worthy times, from conception through birth, and beyond! Start researching photographers. You may want a photo session soon after you find out you're pregnant to capture the joy that you both feel. You will also most likely want to do weekly photos of your growing belly - these are probably better left up to Daddy, but you can start thinking about where you'd like to take these pictures, and in what outfit (hopefully one that will grow with you!). You will definitely want to have some professional pictures taken when you're closer to your due date, and of course a newborn photo shoot! Let's not forget monthly pics of your little one! These are very trendy right now, and a GREAT way to capture the first year.



The birth! Hospital or at home? Water birth? Labor ball? Medicated or natural? So many things can change in the drop of a hat during labor, but it is good to go in with a plan - one that you can thoroughly research and discuss with your partner, since you have all the time in the world!



And of course, last but not least - the nursery. You'll be able to let your imagination run wild with themes, crib bedding, wall colors and art.



Let's not forget - your registry, your baby shower, whether or not you will have Godparents and/or a baptism, and holiday traditions you would like to create for your child.

Those who are "blessed" enough to get pregnant quickly might THINK they have it good. However, for planners like myself - I've actually appreciated the extra time to make sure every detail of my child's beginning will be perfect.

Crafty lady!

Weekend projects!

IVF survival guide

I may never have gone thru IVF myself, but having been an egg donor 3 years ago, I faintly remember (isn't it funny how your brain forgets discomfort/pain?) the process, the discomfort, the emotions etc. of everything up to and including the egg retrieval.

Here is my IVF survival guide... both to help others, and to remind myself!!

1. SUPPORT! I cannot stress this enough. Although I'm sure there are many that chose to keep this taboo, somewhat embarrassing (to some) process under wraps and are therefore super strong and independent, for the vast majority of the rest of us, you are going to need some help. For starters, you're going to be BLOATED (more so than you can imagine) and uncomfortable, which makes it difficult to do household tasks. Don't be afraid to ask for help - from your spouse, from your mom, from a neighbor, or hopefully from a friend. You're also going to be fatigued - your body is working MUCH harder than it is used to. Again, there's no shame in asking for help. And lastly, you are going to be emotional. While husbands are going to be around the most, (and as much as they try) they aren't always to most helpful when it comes to emotional support. Men (especially mine!) have a way of being very optimistic, very glass-half-full.. which is not always what you need! Sometimes you just need to vent, or cry.. a girlfriend or your mom may be better for this. Let your girlfriends know ahead of time that/when you're going through this, so that they can schedule some blocks of time to come over and just be there for you.

2. COMFORT! Remember that bloat I mentioned? It's not just your average "big meal" bloat. It's not even your average "that time of the month" bloat. It's like, 5 month pregnant bloat. Unless you already wear baggy loose-fitting jeans, you're going to need to make some adjustments. If you're lucky enough to either a). not be working, or b). working somewhere where sweatpants are allowed, you're all set. BUT, if you're like the majority of us and need to squeeze your bloated, crabby butt into some workplace-acceptable pants, here is the perfect solution - Bella Bands. They're available (and cheap!) at Target, and you'll want them for the first few months of your pregnancy anyways. They go over your (unbuttoned) pants and smooth out any lines so that no one knows you're sloppy and unbuttoned. Get some before starting your stim meds. You will thank me on this one. But, before going back to work you'll most likely be bed-resting it up at home for a few days. During this time you should be doing as little as possible. This is the time for sweatpants, hoodies, pajamas, robes and cozy blankets. Make sure to have many on hand for this time! When else can you get away with looking like a bum for 4 whole days?? And lastly, but certainly not least in the comfort category - FOOD. I recently read a blog from a woman who went through IVF and she suggested chicken soup with stars for the day of retrieval. You will be going under anesthesia, so if you're like me you will be starving and crappy feeling when you wake up. Now, I'm gluten free, so I will most likely be putting some plain chicken stock in a thermos, but basically just plan ahead and have something simple and light to put in your tummy after retrieval. As for pre and post retrieval - don't be afraid to ask for help! You are NOT going to be feeling like yourself - uncomfortable, crabby and tired (aw heck, that's how I feel all the time, who am I kidding?!) - and therefore, again, if you're like me - you're not going to want to cook. If you're too proud (or truly don't have anyone to help) to ask someone to cook for you, cook some meals in advance and freeze them. Or, bust out the crock pot! So easy, even a husband can do it! And of course, have some baked goods handy, and whatever you usually crave during the 2ww. You're going to have LOTS of hormones flowing through you and most certainly will want chocolate and/or salt. Plan ahead!

3. DISTRACTIONS! This section is mostly for the few days after retrieval/transfer when you're bored, sore and can't do much, but is also important during the entire 2ww. You're probably like me and have gone through over 18 TWW's, BUT - this one is probably going to feel the longest and the most stressful. You didn't just "have sex and hope it works". You injected dozens of shots, spent thousands of dollars, and cried hundreds of tears. And it all comes down to one thing - your beta. But that's still days away. So, we need to get ourselves there. Borrow books from friends. Rent movies from Family Video, Blockbuster or even the library. Make playlists of empowering, uplifting songs. Meditate. Nap. Blog. Take pictures. Work on crafts you've been putting aside. Whatever you can do to keep yourself busy, occupied and content.

Basically, plan as if you're having surgery (well, you are!) and/or the stomach flu. You may feel GREAT afterwards and have tons of energy and be cleaning and cooking, and you may not even think about testing. But, this is doubtful ;) So plan ahead and don't be afraid to ask for help!


Have a friend/wife that is going through IVF? Read below for the PERFECT "IVF care package"!

1. Bella Bands. (She will be bloated.)
2. Pajama pants. (See above.)
3. A hoodie. (She'll want to be comfy!)
4. A blanket. (See above.)
5. Baked goods! (This goes without saying.)
6. Movies. (Preferably uplifting or funny.)
7. Books. (See above.)
8. Kleenex. (For the tears and emotions!)