Boys Will Be Boys

So, G has been doing great being healthy. I can tell that he is in it for the long haul. It's so refreshing to have him show that he means business when becoming a dad, in all areas. I wish he didn't have to show it this way; but, I'm grateful that he's coming through. I just hope that all his efforts aren't for naught and that there isn't yet more that we have to address. I know there's still about a 25% that we haven't discovered all our obstacles. So, it will be about a month since G has been workin' on gettin his boys workin', by the time my fertile time comes around. In some cases that's long enough to have a significant improvement, and hence and increased chance for conception. In addition, G's apt. is coming up! At 1st I thought it would never get here, but now I just have to get through this weekend (and we all know how those just seem to fly by). Either way, I can just feel something coming our way...hopefully it's good news.

Speaking of boy's baby-making parts, my male dachshund has decided to become more, eh hem, masculine. Slowly over the past few months, he's been developing typical male behavior: marking and barking. It doesn't matter what type of punishment he gets, nothing has seemed to discourage his random dog aggression and territory marking. He used to be the sweetest, easy gonig lil' pup in the world. Lately, he pees on random objects in the house or garage, and even the bbq. He's randomly aggressive towards certain dogs when on leash or at a dog park. We finally found a descent website outlining all the steps we need to take to remedy this. Basically, we have to go back to puppy times, i.e. goes out to potty on a leash, not allowed out of our site in the house, not allowed to stop to pee when on walks (aka can only go when given the go ahead), prohibited from ever entering areas where he cannot be trusted, we have to work at developing positive associations w/other dogs and behaviors via treats (hello perma-treat-crumb-lined pockets...again), and possibly using sprays and other deterrents from poor behavior. All this re-training is supposed to last for 1-2 months. But, if it works, it's so worth it. I can't stand him being this completely different dog!

The Excitement is Building

Even though I know that my chances each month have seriously diminished, I find myself still excited about pending O. This is a great thing in my opinion. It means I haven't given up...and I have to say (though many would see this as stupid) I find that not charting has created a sort of Las Vegas energy. It's like even though I know the odds are slim to none, I still feel like I have as much of a chance as anyone else. We shall see if this aire lasts post "predicted" O. I may end up second guessing my timing, wishing we'd tried harder, wishing I knew exactly how many DPO I am. But, there's only one way to find out what works best for me!

In the mean time, I'm doing AWESOME in my quest to run three 1/2Ms in 4 months. Week 1 down, and passed w/flying colors! I ran 7 miles like a rock star on Saturday in beautiful Ottawa. The running trails there are extensive and border the river. Couldn't have asked for better progress. I was really struggling this week, and then BAM! 7 miles came like I was back to my old self. I'm pretty optimistic that things were meant to work out this way (or is that the endorphins talking). Oh, I guess I should mention that depending on how the 2nd 1/2 M goes, if I am not pg, I might train for the Full instead of the 1/2! Woooo wooooo.

I also wanted to add that I couldn't have done any of this w/o G. He's been sooooo supportive and right there with me. He ran 7 miles for the 1st time this weekend. He's not planning on running the 1/2 (he's doing the 10K, it will be his 1st). But, he's determined to get as healthy as possible. He is really bringing it to the table as far as trying to do whatever he can to rememdy the SA issue, and is certainly determined to get out of our unhealthy rut regardless of whether it ends in a BFP or not. THANKS BABY!

YER SO MONEY

I've been wrestling with this SA thing. My mood was swinging all over the place. Finally, after swearing off Google and then taking him back like a cheating, no good, bad boy that I just can't get over, I found MFI info on the Mayo Clinic Website. I just had to change my search parameters. Instead of searching for general causes, and "cures," I needed to type in some suspect's names. "Effects of alcohol on sperm morphology" lead me here.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fertility/MC00023

After reading some more info on babywishes.org, I have realized that even though I make G (or both of us) out to have alcoholism, we really don't. We certainly indulge too much have developed an unhealthy habit. It looks like there really could be something to be said about cutting out alcohol to increase sperm quality. Again, the main attributes of a sperm-healthy lifestyle include: No Drugs or smoking, limited alcohol and caffeine, exercise, fruits and vegetables (organic is best), hormone-free animal products, lots of water, and a daily multi-vitamin. So, only another SA (or BFP?) in 3 months will determine whether this life-style tune up has worked. But, in the least we'll be healthy...and I'll have run three 1/2 Marathons!

Just Relax!

Bwahahahahahahaha. That's what G's sperm factory has been doing! Got the SA results today, and not good. Actually everything is awesome except his abnormal sperm % is high. He only has 4% normal sperm. Boooooooooooooooooooo So, looks like there are no tests to be done for me in the near future. The doc wants to resolve/confirm G's issue before pokin' around my lady parts.

So, G is slated to get into the INFERTILITY Urologist (the I-word, really?) June 1st. This morning, that wasn't that far away. But, now it seems like FOREVER away. But, I guess it's good because G is convinced it's because of alcohol, and has sworn it off. We are going to continue to get back to our old health nut life style...and cross our fingers that things improve. Or better yet, maybe we'll get that BFP!

Dancing Queen

I need to "Get My Head and Body Back."I took this line from a fellow GPer. She expressed this "need" to me when we were talking about how we've let our bodies and heads be consumed by TTC...Even though we may have been convinced this wasn't the case. The scale never lies. My depreciating productivity at home and work, doesn't lie. So, regardless of whether or not our conversation was a pipe dream remniscent of the ramblings friends have in a bar at close, I'm making a point to get my life back on track. I no longer enjoy dancing in the club that is TTC. The lights have turned on and the glitter on the floor has dulled. Most of the ladies that were standing in the VIP line w/me, have long since gone home w/there BFPs.

As I mentioned in last month's check-in (did I mention I'm horrible at keeping a blog???), I'm trying to scale down my efforts. Instead of using the glitter, push-up bras, and skimpy tops I've been using to seduce me a BFP...I'm opting for the a more girl next door aproach. Think bramuda shorts, flip flops and a bikini top. Still totally seduction-worthy, but certainly a different way to skin the cat (pardon the horrible non-vegan metaphor). Let it be said that this lil' girl next door has been to college, spent a few nights in TJ, and is consequently no where near naive (am I the only one who remembers how to spell this word by spelling evian backwards???).

So, what does this mean for chart stalkers, and tickers, and me? Well, I will not longer be charting. I think I have been charting long enough to know I'm close enough to regular. Barring a super-irregular cycle, and even if I have a one off, I think I'm now comfortable to switch from the Timing method to the Covering the Bases method. So far, in 6 cycles, I have O'd between CD 12 and CD16...aiming to have sex at least every other day from the end of AF (or anytime between then and CD10, for that matter) to CD16, should be sufficient to cover the bases. Don't get me wrong, I'm still going to be paying attention to CM and try to take advantage of those days. I'm also going to keep track of my cycle days...So, I'm still agressively TTC, I'm just not charting or using OPKs. I was planning on foregoing all the supplements, but I think that I'm going to stick with taking GTE and EPO until I see EWCM. It seems to have worked nicely the past two cycles.

So, I'm definitely not OUT this cycle, but I went from pretty sure, to doubtful this morning. G is going to try to schedule his SA for Monday morning...and then hopefully I can schedule an apt w/my Doc Wednesday or Thursday (to discuss the results and get BW done). After that, we have to see what the Dx is, and if that's all good, we move onto the HSG. After that, if it's all good, we're just going to keep banging away at it (hahahaha) for a couple more months. If nothing by then, I guess we discuss options w/the Dr. and potentially move to his associate who is a specialist. I'm a planner, but I think this is enough of a plan for now (I'm sure you do too).

In the mean time, I'm going to sign up for 3 races. Try to get back on track at work and at home (cleaning, organizing and renovations). I'll hopefully lose these 5 TTC lbs, get my ass to work on time, and enjoy this SUMMER!!!