Hey Humble Readers...
So, I'm still kind of vibrating from our discovery yesterday (if you haven't read yesterday's post, please do so now).
I was 100% certain that we had missed the egg. Then throw in the crazy sunburn I got right at O time and then the doozy of a cold that we all had. Well, I thought that this cycle was a write off. I was never happier to be wrong!
As I mentioned yesterday, first on today's to do list was to call Dr U and Dr B to arrange for blood tests and a prescription for the prometrium (progesterone) suppositories. Well, I called Dr U first, as he is the miracle worker, wonder doctor with the best bedside manner I have ever encountered. When I got through to his office I was shocked and dismayed to learn that the good Dr U has packed up and moved to Australia! The new receptionist for the new doctor who took over his practice was really condescending ("Well dear, you need to call your regular doctor first. We don't take just any old pregnant lady. Your regular doctor will know if you need to see Dr W").
So I called Dr B's office and was able to get in today. I was very nervous... afraid that I had just imagined that line yesterday, or that he would tell me that he didn't want to give me the prometrium or an early u/s because everything turned out ok last time.
But every now and then, Dr B surprises me. As soon as he came in the room he told me that their test confirmed my pregnancy and that he wanted me on prometrium right away. We talked about my EDD (May 23rd) and my first u/s (Oct 5). We discussed how to tackle the dreaded GD issue (testing early and often) and he was even open to my request for a new OB (I did some research this morning after I found out about Dr U's departure and have a short list of options). I go for blood work tomorrow and again on Tuesday next week. It's unlikely that I'll get my beta numbers until my appointment on Thursday next week, as that's just how his office works.
So... here I am. Pregnant. Wow.
Symptom-wise things are pretty mellow. Sore b00bs, mild cramps, brief flashes of nausea, fatigue, and new this time around, a very dry mouth. Because Ginny and I walked to Dr B's office and then to my Beloved's office, I now have two very ugly blisters on my foot. Oh well. I'm still in a great mood. :)
Monday, September 12, 2011
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Looking Back, Looking Forward
Hey Humble Readers...
I'm sorry that I've been off the grid this past week. All three of us having a doozy of a summer cold, a teething baby, and a crazy-a$$ heat wave have sapped my energy. Today we are actually all feeling better, for the most part, and while it's warm, there's a nice breeze that's allowing me to feel human again.
*****
It's been a challenging week because everywhere I turned there were reminders of 9-11. The images, the stories, the pain. I'm in no way saying that we shouldn't commemorate this day, just that all the constant visual reminders have been very hard on my heart.
Ten years ago today, I woke up to my radio coming on saying something about the airport in K-town being shut down. I didn't think much of it really, and went to take a shower. It wasn't until I turned on the tv a half hour later that I saw my first glimpses of the horrors that were taking place. I went through the rest of the day in a bit of a fog, and grieved with the rest of the world.
One day changed everything. The feeling of safety that I remember having all my life up till then was gone. I wept then for the victims, the heroes, and their families. And I wept today as I watched the memorial services on tv. I continue to pray that the families of the victims of such a senseless act of violence have found some peace for their hearts.
Three years ago today, I woke up, 11 weeks pregnant and spotting. I didn't think much of it, I had read that spotting was possible, particularly in the first trimester. By noon, the spotting was much heavier, and I was scared. By the middle of the afternoon I had two ultrasounds and it was confirmed. My pregnancy had ended several weeks before, but my body was just cluing in.
One day changed everything. My innocent joy and hope in that pregnancy was taken away, and the trust that I had in my body was shattered. That day I became a statistic. That day fear for the future of our family set in.
Today, I woke up with a hopeful heart.
I wasn't really expecting it, given how ooky this cycle was, but it's happened all the same. Of course, this is still very early and given my history, I'm only allowing myself to be cautiously optimistic. I'm calling both Dr. U and Dr. B tomorrow so that I can get blood tests done asap, along with a prescription for progesterone suppositories.
Is it ok if I just say... Eeeeeeeeee?!?!?
(btw, if you know me irl... PLEASE DON'T SAY ANYTHING YET! Our families won't know for a few days.)
I'm sorry that I've been off the grid this past week. All three of us having a doozy of a summer cold, a teething baby, and a crazy-a$$ heat wave have sapped my energy. Today we are actually all feeling better, for the most part, and while it's warm, there's a nice breeze that's allowing me to feel human again.
*****
It's been a challenging week because everywhere I turned there were reminders of 9-11. The images, the stories, the pain. I'm in no way saying that we shouldn't commemorate this day, just that all the constant visual reminders have been very hard on my heart.
Ten years ago today, I woke up to my radio coming on saying something about the airport in K-town being shut down. I didn't think much of it really, and went to take a shower. It wasn't until I turned on the tv a half hour later that I saw my first glimpses of the horrors that were taking place. I went through the rest of the day in a bit of a fog, and grieved with the rest of the world.
One day changed everything. The feeling of safety that I remember having all my life up till then was gone. I wept then for the victims, the heroes, and their families. And I wept today as I watched the memorial services on tv. I continue to pray that the families of the victims of such a senseless act of violence have found some peace for their hearts.
 |
| WTC Memorial, New York (image credit: http://www.fgould.com/north-america/projects/world-trade-center-memorial/) |
One day changed everything. My innocent joy and hope in that pregnancy was taken away, and the trust that I had in my body was shattered. That day I became a statistic. That day fear for the future of our family set in.
 |
| Shadow Box Memorial for Emily Hope & Olivia Noelle We collected the leaves a few weeks after we lost Emily. The rocks are from a memorial service we attended that fall for lost babies. |
 |
| My favourite lullaby. |
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| Emily Hope September 2008 Olivia Noelle January 2009 |
 |
| My Beloved gave me this ring for Mother's Day this year... One stone for each baby, Emily, Olivia, & Ginevra |
Today, I woke up with a hopeful heart.
 |
| 12 dpo... Ummmm... |
 |
| Yup... oh boy... |
Is it ok if I just say... Eeeeeeeeee?!?!?
(btw, if you know me irl... PLEASE DON'T SAY ANYTHING YET! Our families won't know for a few days.)
Monday, September 5, 2011
I Laughed...
... until I peed cried!
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| Click for larger view... you MUST read this! |
Ok, seriously. I'm still trying to catch my breath.
I found this on Pinterest. (Kristin, you are an evil, EVIL woman for introducing me to the hugest time-suck around! Oh wait, I asked... damn!)
Hope you all had a fabulous long weekend!
Friday, September 2, 2011
Foodie Friday: Variations on Rice
Hey Humble Readers...
Any big plans for the long weekend? I was looking forward to spending the last real weekend of the summer outside, maybe at the farmer's market and the park. Sadly, the cold that the baby girl has seems to be making its way around the hobbit hole. My Beloved is really congested and I've got a scratchy throat. Oh well, I would have just spent money at the farmer's market.
This week I don't have one big recipe for you. Instead I have a bunch of little recipes.
I confess, I'm a meat and taters kind of gal. I prefer mashed taters, baked taters, roasted taters. I like them so much that I would only cook rice when I was doing a stir fry or curry. Why? Because I was always BORED with rice. White rice, without a sauce of some sort, is just blah.
Basic Long Grain White Rice
1 cup long grain rice
2 cups water*
In a medium saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add rice, stir, and cover. Reduce temp to low and allow to do its thing for 20-22 minutes. Remove from heat, fluff with a fork and serve.
BORING!
So, I started experimenting. These are all pretty simple things, but they all pack a big flavour punch. Just make sure to use flavours that will complement your entree.
So, I don't have any pics of rice, but I do have some pics from some recipes I made this week. Enjoy!
Any big plans for the long weekend? I was looking forward to spending the last real weekend of the summer outside, maybe at the farmer's market and the park. Sadly, the cold that the baby girl has seems to be making its way around the hobbit hole. My Beloved is really congested and I've got a scratchy throat. Oh well, I would have just spent money at the farmer's market.
This week I don't have one big recipe for you. Instead I have a bunch of little recipes.
I confess, I'm a meat and taters kind of gal. I prefer mashed taters, baked taters, roasted taters. I like them so much that I would only cook rice when I was doing a stir fry or curry. Why? Because I was always BORED with rice. White rice, without a sauce of some sort, is just blah.
Basic Long Grain White Rice
1 cup long grain rice
2 cups water*
In a medium saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add rice, stir, and cover. Reduce temp to low and allow to do its thing for 20-22 minutes. Remove from heat, fluff with a fork and serve.
BORING!
So, I started experimenting. These are all pretty simple things, but they all pack a big flavour punch. Just make sure to use flavours that will complement your entree.
- Swap stock (beef, chicken, veggie) for the water. Even canned stewed tomatoes work.
- Fresh herbs work well. Tarragon, basil, dill, cilantro, saffron, and parsely all work well.
- Toss in a cinnamon stick, a bay leaf, or even your favourite flavour of tea (in a tea bag). Remove before serving.
- Diced onion sauteed in a bit of butter adds a great savoury flavour. Minced garlic also works, just don't let it burn
- In place of SOME of the stock, use fruit juice. I often use lemon juice, and have used orange juice successfully. I normally do a one third/two thirds ratio (1 part juice to 2 parts stock). Right now, I'm pondering apple juice flavoured rice with a pork main dish. Hmmm...
- Zest a lemon, lime or orange and use the zest in the stock for a slight citrus note.
- In place of SOME of the stock, use white wine. Again, use a 1:2 ratio. Amazingly good!
- At the end, add in some toasted nuts (like slivered almonds or pine nuts) for some great crunch.
So, I don't have any pics of rice, but I do have some pics from some recipes I made this week. Enjoy!
Orange Chicken w/ Saffron Cinnamon Rice
(totally ripped off from Rachael Ray)
Remember those Drunk Pork Chops I did a few weeks ago? Well I did a whole chicken in the same brine. Just one word. Ah-MAY-Zing! So tender and juicy, and the gravy was killer!
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Hobbit-ish Potpurri: Snot & Other Bodily Fluids
Good Evening Humble Readers...
How are you all doing?
If you're affected at all by back-to-school season, I hope that things have gone smoothly for the start of the year. Locally, kids went back today, which doesn't make a whole heap of sense to me... send the kids back for two days before a long weekend? How many kids are even going to show up until next week?
*****
All's quiet here in the hobbit hole, at the moment anyway. Ginny has what I think is a cold. She doesn't have a fever, but she's seriously snotty and has something other than her usual fake cough. She's also been having several bowel movements a day. I know that it's possible that this is related to her teething, but it seems to be bigger than that. Her sleep schedule has been thrown off because she's having difficulty breathing with being so stuffed up, and while she still has moments of her usual cheerful self, but she's mostly pretty lethargic. Poor wee girl... I'm hoping she's better soon.
*****
So, remember when I said I was going to start charting again on my next cycle, in hopes of feeling a little bit more in control? Ha-freakin'-Ha! My cycle started 18 days ago, and I reactivated my FF account and have been getting back into the swing of things. Now, remember that wicked sunburn I got on the weekend? I'm pretty sure it's screwed up my temps. I'm almost certain I O'd on CD 16 based on my EWCM and a couple other usual signs. The thing is, my temps from CD15 and 16 are way higher than normal for that time in my cycle, and now I can't see a clear thermal shift that ties in with my other O signs. The whole point of charting was so that I could pinpoint O and keep an eye on my luteal phase. So much for that idea this cycle.
*****
Funny Ginny story... the baby gate we have has a hinged door-type-gate on one side for easy pass through. I really like it, but apparently it's not a love match for Ginny. The other day I went through the gate to put something away in the bathroom, but I forgot to lock the gate behind me. Ginny was in the living room playing. I was just coming out of the bathroom when I heard her crying in the hall. I came around the corner and there she was, hanging on the gate that was swinging back and forth because of her weight. The poor wee girl couldn't figure out that she had to let go. (for those of you who are gasping... the gate just blocks the hallway. It's not to block any stairs or other dangers)
*****
Finally, for all the old ladies who harrass me about how we're raising Ginny, I submit the following...
How are you all doing?
If you're affected at all by back-to-school season, I hope that things have gone smoothly for the start of the year. Locally, kids went back today, which doesn't make a whole heap of sense to me... send the kids back for two days before a long weekend? How many kids are even going to show up until next week?
*****
All's quiet here in the hobbit hole, at the moment anyway. Ginny has what I think is a cold. She doesn't have a fever, but she's seriously snotty and has something other than her usual fake cough. She's also been having several bowel movements a day. I know that it's possible that this is related to her teething, but it seems to be bigger than that. Her sleep schedule has been thrown off because she's having difficulty breathing with being so stuffed up, and while she still has moments of her usual cheerful self, but she's mostly pretty lethargic. Poor wee girl... I'm hoping she's better soon.
*****
So, remember when I said I was going to start charting again on my next cycle, in hopes of feeling a little bit more in control? Ha-freakin'-Ha! My cycle started 18 days ago, and I reactivated my FF account and have been getting back into the swing of things. Now, remember that wicked sunburn I got on the weekend? I'm pretty sure it's screwed up my temps. I'm almost certain I O'd on CD 16 based on my EWCM and a couple other usual signs. The thing is, my temps from CD15 and 16 are way higher than normal for that time in my cycle, and now I can't see a clear thermal shift that ties in with my other O signs. The whole point of charting was so that I could pinpoint O and keep an eye on my luteal phase. So much for that idea this cycle.
*****
Funny Ginny story... the baby gate we have has a hinged door-type-gate on one side for easy pass through. I really like it, but apparently it's not a love match for Ginny. The other day I went through the gate to put something away in the bathroom, but I forgot to lock the gate behind me. Ginny was in the living room playing. I was just coming out of the bathroom when I heard her crying in the hall. I came around the corner and there she was, hanging on the gate that was swinging back and forth because of her weight. The poor wee girl couldn't figure out that she had to let go. (for those of you who are gasping... the gate just blocks the hallway. It's not to block any stairs or other dangers)
*****
Finally, for all the old ladies who harrass me about how we're raising Ginny, I submit the following...
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| Click for a larger view |
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