It's official. When we went to bed last night, I told the Paladin that I'd be fertile in a week or two and if we got pregnant, I'd be due in January--so he should pray about it and think about it and let me know if we were going to "try" in April. Then this morning, he snuggled up to me before he left for work and said, "I'm ready for another baby."
So we're officially "trying" now and I no longer feel like I'm in it alone. We're taking that leap of faith!
That funny sound you hear in the distance is me saying, "Wheeeeeee.....!!"
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Monday, March 24, 2008
Charting again
Wow. I haven't done a "real" fertility chart (taking and recording temps and all the rest) since February/March of 2005! That's three years ago--I hope I remember how!! I did a few "birth control" charts in the meantime, but never stuck with it because it didn't really matter whether I was ovulating and I only really thought I might be pregnant maybe twice??...in the meantime.
So. Today I printed out my Taking Charge of Your Fertility "pregnancy achievement" charts!!! Only slightly different from the birth control ones, I'm not even sure how. For me, it's mental. Everything has the "best chance of GETTING pregnant" idea behind it, rather than avoiding it. Bye-bye, condoms!!
It's funny because I once read how many women try to avoid getting pregnant at all costs for YEARS. Then all the sudden they're married and thinking they'd like to start a family and BAM! You expect your body to follow suit?? You've been telling it for so long, "Don't get pregnant, don't get pregnant, don't get pregnant" but just because you suddenly change your mind, your body is suppose to "snap to???" Y'right!! The book or article suggests taking some time to sort of change modes, to give your body a chance to catch up. Start telling yourself, "I am open to getting pregnant...My body welcomes a fertilized egg..." etc., etc. It's interesting.
And that's where I'm at...almost.
I printed out three. Sometimes my cycles run that long--40 days--but talk about wishful thinking, huh? Getting pregnant after three tries would be a miracle. A wonderful, wonderful miracle.
So what about the "almost?" Well...The Paladin and I were ready with Monkey. We'd been "trying" off and on for about six months, three times where everything lined up and we had a really good chance. Close to when we actually conceived, we were praying for a pregnancy, doing everything we knew how to increase our chances, and both kinda felt...ready. And felt like that one "took." And it did. We were thrilled!
We're not there yet. The Paladin is still hesitant about having a new baby. Then again, we enjoy Monkey so much and are pretty amazing parents and time is ticking...so the timing seems right, especially since the whole November/December baby issue is over for now.
Yet still, the hesitation. I often wonder, is anyone EVER really "ready???" Does anyone think, "Gee, life is so easy right now. We've got lots of money to spare, plenty of free time, TOO much sleep...we should have a new baby!!"
Monkey would be three. He'd be helpful, verbal, preschool-age.
I'm thirty!! Not getting any younger, folks!! We wait three MORE years before a third child and I'll be almost "high risk" by then. Yikes. And frankly, I'd like to get this baby stuff behind us. Don't get me wrong--I looooove babies, I am definitely a "baby person." BUT--there is a certain amount of freedom that comes with having school-age children. It'd be nice to get there before we're 50!!
So...ready...hmmm. Not quite. Probably will "try" in April, though. I'm thinking this will be a strong cycle.
Sigh...charting is a pain. Gotta start the whole thermometer/light/pen by the bed thing. Ugh. It's worth it, though...right?? :)
So. Today I printed out my Taking Charge of Your Fertility "pregnancy achievement" charts!!! Only slightly different from the birth control ones, I'm not even sure how. For me, it's mental. Everything has the "best chance of GETTING pregnant" idea behind it, rather than avoiding it. Bye-bye, condoms!!
It's funny because I once read how many women try to avoid getting pregnant at all costs for YEARS. Then all the sudden they're married and thinking they'd like to start a family and BAM! You expect your body to follow suit?? You've been telling it for so long, "Don't get pregnant, don't get pregnant, don't get pregnant" but just because you suddenly change your mind, your body is suppose to "snap to???" Y'right!! The book or article suggests taking some time to sort of change modes, to give your body a chance to catch up. Start telling yourself, "I am open to getting pregnant...My body welcomes a fertilized egg..." etc., etc. It's interesting.
And that's where I'm at...almost.
I printed out three. Sometimes my cycles run that long--40 days--but talk about wishful thinking, huh? Getting pregnant after three tries would be a miracle. A wonderful, wonderful miracle.
So what about the "almost?" Well...The Paladin and I were ready with Monkey. We'd been "trying" off and on for about six months, three times where everything lined up and we had a really good chance. Close to when we actually conceived, we were praying for a pregnancy, doing everything we knew how to increase our chances, and both kinda felt...ready. And felt like that one "took." And it did. We were thrilled!
We're not there yet. The Paladin is still hesitant about having a new baby. Then again, we enjoy Monkey so much and are pretty amazing parents and time is ticking...so the timing seems right, especially since the whole November/December baby issue is over for now.
Yet still, the hesitation. I often wonder, is anyone EVER really "ready???" Does anyone think, "Gee, life is so easy right now. We've got lots of money to spare, plenty of free time, TOO much sleep...we should have a new baby!!"
Monkey would be three. He'd be helpful, verbal, preschool-age.
I'm thirty!! Not getting any younger, folks!! We wait three MORE years before a third child and I'll be almost "high risk" by then. Yikes. And frankly, I'd like to get this baby stuff behind us. Don't get me wrong--I looooove babies, I am definitely a "baby person." BUT--there is a certain amount of freedom that comes with having school-age children. It'd be nice to get there before we're 50!!
So...ready...hmmm. Not quite. Probably will "try" in April, though. I'm thinking this will be a strong cycle.
Sigh...charting is a pain. Gotta start the whole thermometer/light/pen by the bed thing. Ugh. It's worth it, though...right?? :)
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Phew!
I just started a new cycle. Not sure if I ovulated this time--probably not, because my temps were fairly low.
So no baby in 2008! It's kind of weird, actually!! But good, too, cuz we missed the Nov./Dec. window. Woo-hoo!! I know, I know...you hope NOT to get pregnant then suddenly your body is suppose to obey and immediately GET pregnant when you want it to. I'm willing to take that risk. I have my heart set on a Spring baby in '08. How sweet would that be??? So now it'll be another three weeks, maybe more, until I'm fertile again, and another two weeks until I'd know if I'm pregnant so we're looking at the end of April to know anything.
This could be my last period for nine months! :)
The waiting game begins.
Which reminds me, I didn't take my prenatal vitamins today!! Gotta run!
So no baby in 2008! It's kind of weird, actually!! But good, too, cuz we missed the Nov./Dec. window. Woo-hoo!! I know, I know...you hope NOT to get pregnant then suddenly your body is suppose to obey and immediately GET pregnant when you want it to. I'm willing to take that risk. I have my heart set on a Spring baby in '08. How sweet would that be??? So now it'll be another three weeks, maybe more, until I'm fertile again, and another two weeks until I'd know if I'm pregnant so we're looking at the end of April to know anything.
This could be my last period for nine months! :)
The waiting game begins.
Which reminds me, I didn't take my prenatal vitamins today!! Gotta run!
Thursday, March 13, 2008
not pregnant
So I've been feeling crampy with a back-ache and some nausea, plus a few other weird symptoms, and no period. I woke up today, still feeling crampy and nauseated and no period--so I finally tested just to get it over with. NOT pregnant--which is such a relief!! Of course I'd be thrilled if I were but I SO wanted to miss the Nov./Dec. window!! Now that March is almost half over, we're out of the woods for a Nov./Dec. baby and I'll probably be fertile again in mid-April, which will put me due in mid-January at the earliest--which is great!! After that, I'm totally OK with being due in Feb., March, April, May, even June!! After that, we'll re-evaluate. I don't do well in the heat, pregnant or not.
Our stress levels are so much better now that The Paladin got his new job. We've got to get Monkey into a better nighttime routine--two weekends (and this one coming, too) with company in town means we ALL keep crazy hours--and I've got to get healthier--then we'll be all set to start trying again! Last time, it took us about four solid attempts but ya never know--plenty of people get it on the first try!!
I've already lost 3-4 lbs. and counting...and have cut a lot of the sugar and dairy, my two worst enemies. This tummy/back ache is still a mystery--I need to start doing yoga again!! Is it due to the excitement?? And stress?? My body reacts like this to good AND bad stress--it doesn't seem to know the difference. Everything registers in my belly--weird.
ANYway, this cycle is dragging on--I'll be SO happy to have it behind me so we can move on!!! I am charting my temps again--they've been the same 97.7 yesterday and today. Doesn't look like I ovulated yet, and probably won't, since we're already over 40 days into it!! That happens to me every eight to twelve months or so--but the good news is, the cycle following an annovulatory cycle is usually a strong one with a nice, long fertile time.
And so it begins. Will keep you posted!!! Pray for us and the perfect egg!! Heehee, with Easter coming, that's kind of funny...
Our stress levels are so much better now that The Paladin got his new job. We've got to get Monkey into a better nighttime routine--two weekends (and this one coming, too) with company in town means we ALL keep crazy hours--and I've got to get healthier--then we'll be all set to start trying again! Last time, it took us about four solid attempts but ya never know--plenty of people get it on the first try!!
I've already lost 3-4 lbs. and counting...and have cut a lot of the sugar and dairy, my two worst enemies. This tummy/back ache is still a mystery--I need to start doing yoga again!! Is it due to the excitement?? And stress?? My body reacts like this to good AND bad stress--it doesn't seem to know the difference. Everything registers in my belly--weird.
ANYway, this cycle is dragging on--I'll be SO happy to have it behind me so we can move on!!! I am charting my temps again--they've been the same 97.7 yesterday and today. Doesn't look like I ovulated yet, and probably won't, since we're already over 40 days into it!! That happens to me every eight to twelve months or so--but the good news is, the cycle following an annovulatory cycle is usually a strong one with a nice, long fertile time.
And so it begins. Will keep you posted!!! Pray for us and the perfect egg!! Heehee, with Easter coming, that's kind of funny...
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Draaaaaaaging on
Ugh, I hate these long cycles. I've been at this one since Jan. 28th!! We're already at 40 days and I still have some fertile-ish fluid--weird. I've also been having an on-going backache and tummy ache--almost crampy. Nothing makes sense. I haven't been sleeping well, either. Not a fun combo. So, I have no idea where I am in this cycle or what April may hold. Hopefully The Paladin will get the 411 on his benefits once he starts his new job on Monday--that'll help us decide.
My niece was born this week at home and I was there to witness it. Three hours of labor, about 15 minutes of major pushing and there she was--born in a kiddie pool at 6:08 a.m. 8 lbs. 10.5oz and 20.5" long--big baby, especially compared to my sis-in-law's precious babies, who were not even 6lbs.!!! Wow, what a woman!!
ANYway, seeing the birth and thinking about how now they're a family of five and all the stress and crazy nights that a newborn brings--it just reminded me of how so much changes when a new little one enters the world. And am I ready?? Monkey is not exactly low-maintenance. He doesn't have a regulated bed-time, he's not s great eater, he doesn't do well in public, he's VERY active AND talkative and definitely has a mind of his own--do I really need to add a newborn to that mix??
It has been nice to practice, now that I help my friend with her 17-month-old and it is comforting to know I won't have kids THAT close together. Monkey is getting more independent and is helping us more...and we would have 9 months to prepare...but it will be a hard transition. Just being pregnant and taking care of a two-year-old will be hard, especially if there's morning sickness and then, later, when I'm HUGE.
Of course I love babies. I AM a "baby person" and REALLY enjoyed Monkey as an infant--do doubt about that. But...are we really ready?? The little freedom we're afforded will be greatly decreased.
Then again, it'll be nice to be past the baby phase, too, and have only preschoolers and school-age kids. Then I can really do ministry, work, help other women, whatever. And I know we want at least one other child--and I'm already 30!! So we better get hoppin'.
Ultimately, it's up to God. But will we really start "trying" in April???
My niece was born this week at home and I was there to witness it. Three hours of labor, about 15 minutes of major pushing and there she was--born in a kiddie pool at 6:08 a.m. 8 lbs. 10.5oz and 20.5" long--big baby, especially compared to my sis-in-law's precious babies, who were not even 6lbs.!!! Wow, what a woman!!
ANYway, seeing the birth and thinking about how now they're a family of five and all the stress and crazy nights that a newborn brings--it just reminded me of how so much changes when a new little one enters the world. And am I ready?? Monkey is not exactly low-maintenance. He doesn't have a regulated bed-time, he's not s great eater, he doesn't do well in public, he's VERY active AND talkative and definitely has a mind of his own--do I really need to add a newborn to that mix??
It has been nice to practice, now that I help my friend with her 17-month-old and it is comforting to know I won't have kids THAT close together. Monkey is getting more independent and is helping us more...and we would have 9 months to prepare...but it will be a hard transition. Just being pregnant and taking care of a two-year-old will be hard, especially if there's morning sickness and then, later, when I'm HUGE.
Of course I love babies. I AM a "baby person" and REALLY enjoyed Monkey as an infant--do doubt about that. But...are we really ready?? The little freedom we're afforded will be greatly decreased.
Then again, it'll be nice to be past the baby phase, too, and have only preschoolers and school-age kids. Then I can really do ministry, work, help other women, whatever. And I know we want at least one other child--and I'm already 30!! So we better get hoppin'.
Ultimately, it's up to God. But will we really start "trying" in April???
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
The Paladin got a new job!!
My husband is employed--woo-hoo!!
He got a GREAT job, actually--praise the Lord!! Benefits, too, so now we can rest easy--and start trying for that baby! :)
April looks like the first month we'll try--and he knows I'm chomping at the bit but I can tell he's excited, too. The start of a new season in so many ways!! God's timing is always perfect so we'll see what He has in mind!
He got a GREAT job, actually--praise the Lord!! Benefits, too, so now we can rest easy--and start trying for that baby! :)
April looks like the first month we'll try--and he knows I'm chomping at the bit but I can tell he's excited, too. The start of a new season in so many ways!! God's timing is always perfect so we'll see what He has in mind!
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Woo-hoo!! It's March!!
It's a shame we're not trying yet cuz, WHOA, am I fertile!! Yikes! I hope it's this obvious next cycle, assuming we do decide to try then. This cycle is turning out to be quite long...it'll end up being at least 6 weeks long, which means I probably won't be fertile again until mid-April. Which works well!!
Drew's job situation is still up in the air but he has a good possibility tomorrow so if it goes through and everything works out, we'll definitely be "on" for trying in April. I attended a funeral today for a lady I played Bunco with. She was only 64 and died in her sleep, leaving behind two kids (her daughter still plays with us) and five grandsons. She was a dear woman, we will miss her. The pastor brought the family up front and said, "See? She said 'yes' to God and had these two beautiful children. Then her children both said 'yes' to God. Here is the result." It was touching. I thought, "I hope we can say 'yes' to God soon." I certainly do believe that children are a gift from God but I also believe we have a certain level of responsibility in how and when we bring them into the world. I've heard it many times--so many women that wish they'd started having children sooner, or wish they'd have had more. I've said it before and I'll say it again--having children is a huge leap of faith. We felt it wasn't the right time yet--but are now starting to feel a new season of life begin and are finally feeling God's nod of approval to say, "It's time." It's been hard in some ways to wait and only God knows how long the wait will continue but I'm looking forward to syncing up with God's plan to expand our family. It's scary. And exciting.
I love the idea of having a newborn this time next year--SPRING! How appropriate. I'd love to be hugely pregnant at Christmas then have a beautiful little bundle at church on Easter--but that's my plan. God may have other ideas.
But we made it to March and I'm feeling relieved. No baby in '08!! That was my goal. So far, my plan is working! :)
Drew's job situation is still up in the air but he has a good possibility tomorrow so if it goes through and everything works out, we'll definitely be "on" for trying in April. I attended a funeral today for a lady I played Bunco with. She was only 64 and died in her sleep, leaving behind two kids (her daughter still plays with us) and five grandsons. She was a dear woman, we will miss her. The pastor brought the family up front and said, "See? She said 'yes' to God and had these two beautiful children. Then her children both said 'yes' to God. Here is the result." It was touching. I thought, "I hope we can say 'yes' to God soon." I certainly do believe that children are a gift from God but I also believe we have a certain level of responsibility in how and when we bring them into the world. I've heard it many times--so many women that wish they'd started having children sooner, or wish they'd have had more. I've said it before and I'll say it again--having children is a huge leap of faith. We felt it wasn't the right time yet--but are now starting to feel a new season of life begin and are finally feeling God's nod of approval to say, "It's time." It's been hard in some ways to wait and only God knows how long the wait will continue but I'm looking forward to syncing up with God's plan to expand our family. It's scary. And exciting.
I love the idea of having a newborn this time next year--SPRING! How appropriate. I'd love to be hugely pregnant at Christmas then have a beautiful little bundle at church on Easter--but that's my plan. God may have other ideas.
But we made it to March and I'm feeling relieved. No baby in '08!! That was my goal. So far, my plan is working! :)
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