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!!!

BFNs AND Fertility Friends

I warned you, I'm horrible at this.  

Here I am at the end of cycle 5 (though we weren't trying to avoid for 6 cycles).  I have to say that I thought this cycle was it until this morning.  I have taken tests and all are negative.  It's early, but not really that early for me b/c my LPs are usually in the 11 day range.  Though it's important and great to see my LP get longer (trying to be positive this month if it indeed ends in BFN), I want that dang BFP!  I mean duh who doesn't.  But, I have cramps and my boobs are less sore today, and usually if I have sore boobs and they start to get less sore, that mean AF is on her way.  Booooooooooooo  

I'm starting to operate by the you gotta just keep truckin' mantra.  There are people that have been trying for well over a year or longer, and here I am starting to get worried that something's wrong.  I think this next month will be my last month of charting and supplementing.  Instead of Vitex, B6, EPO, Green Tea and VitC, I'm just going to take EPO until I get a OPK+ and take a B-complex.  I'm changing to the B-complex b/c I'm vegan and I should be taking it anyway.  So one more month on my cocktail and one more month charting.  After that, it's OPKs and testing 14 days after OPK+.  Here's hoping.

If I hit the year mark, I can take in the charts I have; but, in the end my OB/GYN's going to want to do his own tests anyway.  Hopefully, it doesn't come to that.  I have to admit though, in the back of my mind, I can't help but think that things really do happen the way they're supposed to.  The closer my "due date" get's to Spring 2010, the better off the hubby and I will be (aka he might graduate then, and be able to work full time).  

In somewhat related news, I have come to the VERY strong conclusion that I WILL see a RE once we hit the year mark, or at least START the process.  My GP BFPB got some not so fun news recently, which reinforces my conclusion.  Other boo-hoo news is my brother and SIL are splitting.  They were scheduled for an IUI on Good Friday, and instead they decided to get a divorce!!!  She was both my friend, sister and fertility buddy.  We would talk about so much.  Anyway, I'm going to move onto next cycle, and after this next cycle...it's back to the lazy new-fashioned way. 

Pill Poppin', No Stoppin'

So, as if I wasn't taking enough supplements with my PNV, B6 and Vitex. Let's not forget that I also throw green and pre-conception tea down my gullet by the gallon. I decided to add a couple more earthy lil' helpers to the mix.

Body, meet Evening Primrose Oil and Vitamin C. I know you and Vit C have met lots of times, but you're going to be seeing each other much, much more. Oh, and while we're on the subject of much, much more I might as well let you know now that you will be peeing clear from now on. That's right, TONS of water will be streaming (literally) through you on a daily, and probably nightly, basis. While we're at it, let get back on the exercise train that we jumped off of a few weeks ago, k?

Yes, yes...it's healthy to be hydrated. Vitamin C boosts your immune system. Exercise is good for your heart and over-all health. But, the real motivation??? That nectar of the baby-making gods that every hopefully-fertile woman wishes to have...EWCM! I know, I know why not try some sort of expectorant? Well, because that's not how I roll. And I've read it only thins it out anyway. Besides, I've had great results from the B6/vitex already, increasing my LP by 2 days!!! Wooooohooooo. I'll just stick to ordering from the same earthy catalogue for now, thanks.

TTC is short for WAITING, AF is short for Strategic Planning for Next Cycle

As anyone knows, TTC involves tons, and I mean TONS of waiting. Waiting for AF to end, waiting for OPK+, waiting to ovulate, waiting until you can take an HPT, waiting for your OPKs (or other internet money saving, baby making aides) to arrive in the mail, waiting for a BFP, waiting for test results, waiting for the Dr. to tell you what's wrong with your lady parts...the list goes on for many I know.....So, I myself am now waiting for two things: AF and my OPKs to arrive in the mail. As my temp. drop today would indicate, I'll probably meet AF for tea either this afternoon, or tomorrow morning. Let this meeting commence!

Speaking of OPKs, I had a lovely little fake out on CD9 last cycle. I ordered 20 of the super-cheapie PIAC-style OPKs, with 5 cheapie HPTs...Why 20, you may ask? Well, here's hoping! I imagine I will use approx 10 sticks this month and next. This would be me hoping that I will "get lucky" in the next two cycles. Why 10 sticks a month? Well, since it appears I was gearing to O around CD9, I can't in good conscience start PIAC any later than CD9. Since I've O'd as late as CD15, that puts me at a max of 7 OPKs to detect O. This month, I wouldn't mind continuing to PIAC after my OPK+ to detect when my surge ends.

For you mathies, let me break it down for you: 15-9=6 +(7*.5)=9.5...What? That's real math! confused? That's because I wasn't finished. Obviously, there is no such thing as 9.5 OPKs, so for simplicity-sake I have rounded up. Yes, Susie? You have a question? Oh, of course it's possible I will use fewer than 9.5, I mean 10 OPKs. But, we were looking for the max, my dear.

Next Cycle Strategic Planning Meeting Minutes:

(I make sure my secretary takes minutes, because DH aka the VP of TTC, is often absent from these meetings...so I just give him the blow by blow, teh he)

1. Sex at least every other day post AF, before CD9.
2. Sex at least everyday CD9 to OPK+
3. Try for extra bonus sex on day of OPK+ or AM sex the following day
4. Continue daily sex (if not dead from humping like rabbits) until confirmed O
5. All the while, PIAC several times, take vitex and B6, and drink gobs of pre-conception and gree tea.

Man, strategically-timed sex makes me SO horny............meeting adjourned.

Laundry Room Renovation

Well, I haven't written in a while, even though I try to write at least once a week. The only time I really get a chance to write is when it's slow at work, or when I have time over the weekend. Well this past weekend I was as sick as a dog and the weekend before my BIL and soon-to-be-SIL were visiting from Ottawa, Canada. While BIL was here, he helped DH finish the laundry room renovation that he started with a friend two weekends before that.

It looks awesome! I'm so happy with the results. With the way our house is layed out, we don't have a lot of options. I just can't believe the difference.
Notice all the pipes and valves that come out of the wall...the old cabinets.

We had to rip down all of the dry wall and recess the piping. I know it doesn't seem like that big of a deal, but it's

totally affected the kitchen access which is next on the list. Also, this is giving us SO much more storage space, freeing up our already cramped and scant kitchen cabinets. It's serving as our dry pantry, more cosmetic effects to follow.

Cracked eggs and teeth

Eggs. Seems to be a spin off of last weeks topic. But, of course the saga of my co-worker being fired is still fresh. Especially today as I over-heard the boss talking about it on the phone, specifically. Thanks for the reminder that I am not secure in this position. Anyhoo, I have enough cramps as it is, and don't need to give my stomach anything else to be mad about.

Back to the eggs...mine isn't fertilized. Hopefully one will be maturing soon, as I am on official cycle #3! In a way I'm actually glad to have made it to cycle #3 for several reasons:
1. I kind of like the idea of striking out a couple times before hitting a home run...more suspense. (At least right now that's how I feel...still in a normal time frame for TTC)
2. My SIL is (hopefully) going to have her first IUI next month, and I would love for her to get pg before or at the same time as me, since she's been trying a bit longer than I have.
3. I'll get to have a drink for V-day and possibly my Bday!
4. If I can't have a drink on my B-day, it's because I will have gotten a BFP! What a fun prospect. Two years ago I bought myself a house for my Bday, so it's only fitting;-)
5. I won't be considered a "drive-by" on GP and actually have people pulling for me there.
6. Barring me losing my job...Hubby will be able to get it at least one more FT semester in college before going PT. Meaning he'll graduate sooner, yay!
7. I have longer to re-establish my post-marathon exercise routine before getting pg, so I can have a healthy pregnancy. (My docs pro running before and during pregnancy!)
8. I can save up a lil' more vacation time for Mat Leave.
9. I have more time to get the house where I would like it to be before baby comes.
10. More time to save more money!

That's me right now, glass half full kinda girl! I'm gonna need that glass at least half full too, to swallow my new supplement regimen. I'm taking B6 this cycle, and am going to start vitex as soon as it arrives in my mail box. I'm back on my pre-conception tea kick as well, and continuing the green tea sippin'. I think DH is starting to get a lil' serious about the first T in TTC too. Which is pretty freakin' sweet. I felt like it was only me worrying about and coordinating everything, which for me gets overwhelming because I very much need him to be in this with me...he is my very necessary teammate in all this. I would not want to do this without him. I know they can't be nearly as involved as the woman, but I just need him to be involved enough that I don't feel like I'm the only one who wants this.

Teeth. I started the process of getting my cracked onlay replaced last week, and it's been a series of annoyances. The temp fell off on Saturday, and has not wanted to stay on since...I went in Monday to get that sucker nailed on, and it lasted, Oh about 6 hours. Anyway, I decided not to call them again because I'm sick of going in all the time...But, have resolved to make due with drug store goop to keep it on and call the DDS to see if they can just get me in sooner for the perm.

Anyway, I'm trying to stay optimistic about EVERYTHING, and not worry about the things that aren't really in my control. I'm very pleased to see that my charts easy to read, and that most things appear to be working correctly...minus the incredible shrinking cycle and somewhat shortER LP length, I have no complaints. Except with these cramps.