dining room, christmas tree...

I don't think I posted a finished pic of my dining room. Derek spent weeks preparing and painting the dining room, plus installing the chairail, and he did such a great job. Now I need to invite some people over to show it off! Although I did have a dinner in there with Derek's parents, so that was nice to break it in. We also decorated our christmas tree (Corey and I did most of the work) and Sateen approves of it.

So I think we're ready for Christmas. I made about a thousand cookies, sent out my christmas cards, and bought the last bits of wrapping paper for the gifts I haven't wrapped yet. That'll get done this weekend.

I think this year I really understand why we celebrate Christmas. Obviously the meaning has been distorted into a shopping extravaganza, just an excuse to buy as many things for as many people as possible. But this is really a birthday we're celebrating. A very special birthday, and there will never be a better gift than what God already gave us. It's nice to remember that.

Time for bed. Just a month and a half left of BC pills. Of course, then there's no telling what my cycles are going to do. Haven't had a pill-free cycle since I was 15, so I have no idea what to expect. Guess I'll find out soon enough!

Adios for now, Merry Christmas!

thou

super quickie

So just wanted to say I haven't forgotten about this site. Well, okay maybe I forgot about it for a couple weeks, but there's nothing new to report yet on the baby front. I just got the book "taking charge of your fertility..." from amazon yesterday. That thing is HUGE! I didn't realize it was going to be so big. And I have my REAL pre-conception appointment on Tuesday. Gotta fast, since they're testing my cholesterol. Nothing else really, so I'll post more next week after my appointment.

Oh, but if you're dying to read my thoughts, hehehe, check out the link to the left....my myspace blog. I've been posting stuff that's coming out of my dreams... quite bizarre! Soooo, that's that. Adios!

comfortably numb...

Well, I was supposed to have my preconception appointment on Monday, but a couple things went wrong. One, the girl who scheduled the appointment didn't do it right. I needed to be booked for a full physical with bloodwork, and she only blocked me in for a 15 minutes consultation. Two, the doctor was insanely busy because all the assistants called out. So I really only got like 5 minutes. We did have time to talk about me going off paxil, but because I told her I feel completely not in control of my life and unable to do anything, she said I needed to be on prozac. Apparently it's one of the safest anti-depressants to be on while pregnant. She also prescribed a folate vitamin, detrin? She said take that for a month and then I should be able to switch to an over-the-counter version.

So today I took a paxil AND a prozac (while I get weened off the paxil) and I feel a bit zombie-ish. And insanely tired. In fact, after I post this I'm going to bed. It's ten after 8. Ugh. I looked at some sites, and I just don't know if I want to be on prozac when I get pregnant. I know I'm overwhelmed right now with things, but I don't think I'm in such a bad situation mentally that I'll need to stay on it. Prozac can cause pre-term birth and withdrawal for the baby. That sucks. So, when I go back for my real physical next month, I'm going to tell her I want to be off prozac by February.

Ugh. So that's that. I was hoping for a more interesting appointment. Oh! And then, I tried to schedule genetic testing to see if I'm a CF carrier. Boy do they make that hard! This one place had me call University of MD in baltimore, for their genetic counseling, and I'd have to meet with a counselor and blah blah blah. I left a message but they didn't call back. Then I called my OB/GYN and left a message. My doctor calls me today and is like, "so what's the deal, you just want blood work to screen for this genetic disease?" And I'm like yeah. She says "well if you're partner doesn't have a family history of CF, then you're most likely okay. I would just wait until you're pregnant, because otherwise it's gonna cost you $400 per person." Ewww. So, I guess we're going to play Russian Roulette. They test for CF anyway, so what will be will be. Once I'm pregnant, there's no going back. Not once they exist. It would be like Linda saying she wishes she'd never had Sarah. And I was hoping to avoid that possibility. But, I think I'm just being too paranoid. The chances are good that Derek isn't a carrier.

Okay, I think that's all. I may or may not have more to write before my next appointment. Otherwise, updates to come next month.

halloween and baby

Hola blogger world, so last night we went to Stephen & Lisa's for a halloween get-together. Super fun even with the small gathering. I didn't fall behind the couch, but I did get quite toasted. Good thing there's no babies in there yet. hehehe. I got to pat Lisa's baby bump, hehehe. Softer than I thought, although she did have on a soft costume so that might have contributed to the feeling.

So we got home around....1:30 a.m., got settled and in bed by around 2. Then my alarm went off at 7 a.m. and I had to get up for the "Making Strides against Breast Cancer" 4 mile walk. That was with Jen & Greg. I didn't realize how much I'd had to drink...but I felt pretty crappy. Had some dry toast and milk, was still wearing last nights' makeup (which goes to show that I got so little sleep it didn't have time to rub off), and had a very mix-matched outfit. hehehe. And luckily I was awake enough to feed the dog and take her out, since Derek said he didn't get up until 9:30. So I left at 7:30 with a mild hangover. But once we got there and started walking, it was great. There were SOOO many people there. And after 4+ miles, I felt great! Okay so here's a random baby that Jen and I thought was really cute:

Sleepy happy baby. Okay now prepare yourselves for one of the cutest baby pictures in the world. Derek's best buddy from Bermuda, Jack, has a baby with his wife Susan. Her name is Helena. They live in Bermuda (funny too, because Susan is from America, but instead of Jack moving here, she moved there. I think I got the short end of the stick!) and so baby Helena gets to play in Bermuda water when she wants.

This just seems like it should be a famous shot. It's couture-worthy. It could sell Bermuda vacations. Well, even more so than just Bermuda in general.

Okay I think that's all for now. Oh oh oh! I have my doctor's appointment tomorrow. Yey! So a full report will be coming soon. Oh but I have my midterm due this week, along with a group project and other homework so it might not be tomorrow. I'll be keeping you on the edge of your seats. :)

starting my chart!

Okay, so got things in motion now. I bought a BBT thermometer and I've just started charting my temps. I'm using fertilityfriend.com. I think my website link is http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/2359f8 but there isn't much there. It's only showing one point on my chart, which isn't right. Maybe I have to go through a whole cycle before it shows things. Anyway, my temps are a bit erratic but I haven't been able to take it at the same time each morning, so that's my fault. Hopefully I'll get more into the habit of doing it when the alarm goes off.

And my appointment is still set up for Monday. That's just one thing. Super busy for the rest of the week. Tomorrow we have our dentist appointments, Friday we have our refinance settlement (if that's what it's called- we're getting a 30 yr fixed mortgage. Yey!), Saturday we're going to the mall and then a halloween party. And Sunday morning I'm going to meet with my cousin to do a walk for breast cancer. At 8 in the morning! BLEH. Then the appointment on Monday. Whew. So, I'm going to be crazy busy for the next week. Fun fun. Actually, a lot of that stuff is good stuff, so no worries.

Alright, I think that's about it. I'm tired and my bed is calling me. More updates next week!

quickie update

Whew, this blog is getting a good workout with me. hehehehe. So I made an appointment today for a "pre-conception" checkup. For some reason, I'm really nervous. I guess because I've taken the first real step toward babies. And now all these fears are starting to surface.

So, I'll go at the end of the month. Have a full physical, blood work, possibly change my happy pills, and talk about genetic testing. Which, by the way, is going to be $125 for just me to take. According to a website. I guess it might vary by location. We'll see.

Anyway, that's all. I'll have an update once I go to the appointment.

Sateen swimming video

Little video of Sateen swimming. She looked so freakin cute in the water.

Baby pics

Sooo, I think I should post some baby pics of my own. Yes, I have a baby. She's going to be 2 in December. Her name is Sateen and she's a Maltese. Oh so bad, but oh so adorable.

Sateen trying to eat me



Here's the crazy bugger dancing for me outside












And this is her "I didn't do it" look. And of course, she's usually the guilty one.





Her giving me doggie kisses.








Derek and Sateen Dancing together.





Okay I think that's all for now.

First blog on here

Okay, well I guess I should post a blog since I've made this thing. This will be a good place to keep all my baby stuff once I get the ball rolling on that. If you look to the left, you'll see the last 5 posts from my "myspace" blog. I don't normally say profound things, or post interesting gossip about hollywood stars, but I like writing about the mundane details of life. So here we are.

So I think on Monday I'm going to call my doctor to schedule a preconception check up. I'm guessing I call my regular doctor, since I'm most likely going to need genetic testing to see if I'm a CF carrier. And that's going to need a referral, no doubt. I'd also like to get my cholesterol checked, since last time it was a bit high. And after my crappy lunch today, it's probably no better. On that subject, I just can't seem to lose weight. And it's no mystery why not; I eat like a pig! If it's not unhealthy stuff, it's large portions. I've got that double whammy going for me. But, I guess my only saving grace is the fact that I exercise. Not 5 days a week like I'd like to, but enough for now.

So, I guess that's all I'm going to put for now. I should be doing homework, but I'm gonna take a nap instead. I'll try to write in here more often than I do on myspace. Oh and definitely once I go to the doctor's. Should be an interesting appointment. Adios!