I'm soooo freakin' bored!
Ugh. I just don't know what to do with myself lately. I don't even have anything to blog about because I'm so boring!! Seriously!!
I think it's the cold weather and I'm sure it's getting to a few of us (who are not lucky enough to live somewhere sunny) but UGHHHH!!!! Get me outta here!
D and I have put a moratorium on vacationing in 2009 because we want all of our resources to be focused on TTC. Last year we did a lot of running around... Florida, New York City and shows in Detroit, Montreal and Buffalo. We felt that we were not being focused.
That brings us to January and barely a month into the vacation moratorium and I think I'm ready to hang myself with a winter scarf.
We've already been tempted. Our friends are doing a group trip to Las Vegas in February and they've asked if we'd join them. This one was pretty easy to pass up because we don't drink, party or gamble and I have a fear of flying. Although I want to go to Las Vegas one day it certainly isn't a priority for 2009!
We've also been tempted (or rather I have) by the Disney World offer of "buy 4 days, get 3 free and a $200 disney credit". That's a good deal!!! I'm trying really hard not to cave in to the pressure of that one!
Anyhoo... just throwing it out there that I have cabin fever.... and I'm quite possibly going insane.
ETA: I just bought tickets to 3 Spring Awakening shows (which is coming to Toronto in the spring)...... I'm sooooo EXCITED! I've seen the show 3 times in NYC already but I really love it! I'll be sitting on stage mixed in with the actors! I even talked D into seeing a show on stage with me (she's never done it). The stage seats are only $25 which is a good deal!
I guess this helps a bit with the boredom! I just have to wait until March/April to see the show!
JDZ: Two Moms, One Toddler
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Day 1, #2 of January!
AF arrived this morning which means a 27 day cycle - and my second AF in January. This feels weird. I thought I had a grasp on what my "normal" was and I thought that was about 30 days. I just looked back to December and realize I didn't have AF at all that month. My cycle started in November and ended in January!!! Looks like Metformin may have done something after all because this cycle is a day short of a perfect 28 day cycle.
I'll have to call the clinic to make arrangements for my next appointment. I was supposed to go in on February 26th but by the looks of it I'll have AF again before then. I'll need to make sure my protocol is good to go.
As previously mentioned, I'm thinking about trying Letrozole (Femara) instead of clomid this time. My new doctor said I respond well to clomid however Letrozole was another option we could try. I can't wait to hear her opinion now that she has had the chance to review my complete chart!
I'll have to call the clinic to make arrangements for my next appointment. I was supposed to go in on February 26th but by the looks of it I'll have AF again before then. I'll need to make sure my protocol is good to go.
As previously mentioned, I'm thinking about trying Letrozole (Femara) instead of clomid this time. My new doctor said I respond well to clomid however Letrozole was another option we could try. I can't wait to hear her opinion now that she has had the chance to review my complete chart!
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Random stuff
In the past year I have become completely addicted to blogging. There was once a time when I would visit BBC 15 times a day and now I go there once a week - if at all.
The only thing is that I need to figure out a way to be more organized about the blogs I read. Right now I link through my comments or other users blogroll/comments to get around. Some are saved on my bookmarks but not all of them. Its not very organized and I feel bad about that.
Here are some updates on my various entries over the past year:
1) My mother buying a car: I was really pissed off when my mother told me she bought a Yaris. Well it's now winter and so far she has not landed in a ditch... HOWEVER... a couple of weeks ago she told me that when she was driving down the trans Canada highway (doing 100 km/hour) she almost hit a deer. Wait, not just a deer - but an entire family of deer (4). Thankfully there was no one behind her and THANKFULLY no one driving the opposite direction. ARGH!!! See why I want my mother in a tank, not a golf cart?
2) My mother and the TV: We've repaid our "debt" to my mother. The full $900 in December in the form of a personal cheque which she left at the post office until mid-January because she "doesn't pick up her mail that often". My mother would not talk to me until I paid her and since she's cashed the cheque she has been in a pretty good mood. That was up until this week when she asked if she and her friend could stay at my place so they could go shopping for Korean food. My mother has not spent more than a handful of nights with us in YEARS yet she's asking to come with a friend so they can go shopping in Toronto? Sorry, call me a bitch but I told her that my condo is not a hotel and that if SHE (ALONE) wanted to visit she was welcome at any time. The last thing I want is to be stuck with a load of Korean food for a year. She would likely be driving the above mentioned golf cart (not flying) but she'd probably still buy more than will fit in it (not hard at all) and I'd get stuck with instructions to ship it back to her. No... not going to do it..... not this time.
3) Trouble with BIL and his kids: February 1st is the 5 month mark since we've seen the children. D's brother and cousin have posted pictures of the children on Facebook which are bittersweet reminders of what we're missing. We sent our Christmas presents to them and received feedback that the kids really liked them. Apparently the hoodie we bought my nephew is his new favourite shirt and he wont take it off.
Of course my MIL is still trying to stay neutral and is being no help at all. After all, before we became the family monsters my SIL hated her. This has somehow united them and she has more contact with the kids than ever.
D was really upset at Christmas because her mother spent it with her brother and the kids. What annoys me are the comments people have made about this. Saying that her mother should be with the grand kids at Christmas. That really stings considering we're trying to give her grand kids so not only are we sad that we do not have kids but apparently D doesn't have the right to spend Christmas with her own mother because of it???? The whole situation sucks.
4) The new Job: I'm still keeping quiet about this. I'm patiently waiting for the job posting which should go up next week. People know I'm leaving and I know I'm getting the new position but there are steps that need to be taken to ensure that happens. The job posting will say there is a preferred candidate - although it is possible that someone else could come in and get the job - it is pretty unlikely.
That's all!!
The only thing is that I need to figure out a way to be more organized about the blogs I read. Right now I link through my comments or other users blogroll/comments to get around. Some are saved on my bookmarks but not all of them. Its not very organized and I feel bad about that.
Here are some updates on my various entries over the past year:
1) My mother buying a car: I was really pissed off when my mother told me she bought a Yaris. Well it's now winter and so far she has not landed in a ditch... HOWEVER... a couple of weeks ago she told me that when she was driving down the trans Canada highway (doing 100 km/hour) she almost hit a deer. Wait, not just a deer - but an entire family of deer (4). Thankfully there was no one behind her and THANKFULLY no one driving the opposite direction. ARGH!!! See why I want my mother in a tank, not a golf cart?
2) My mother and the TV: We've repaid our "debt" to my mother. The full $900 in December in the form of a personal cheque which she left at the post office until mid-January because she "doesn't pick up her mail that often". My mother would not talk to me until I paid her and since she's cashed the cheque she has been in a pretty good mood. That was up until this week when she asked if she and her friend could stay at my place so they could go shopping for Korean food. My mother has not spent more than a handful of nights with us in YEARS yet she's asking to come with a friend so they can go shopping in Toronto? Sorry, call me a bitch but I told her that my condo is not a hotel and that if SHE (ALONE) wanted to visit she was welcome at any time. The last thing I want is to be stuck with a load of Korean food for a year. She would likely be driving the above mentioned golf cart (not flying) but she'd probably still buy more than will fit in it (not hard at all) and I'd get stuck with instructions to ship it back to her. No... not going to do it..... not this time.
3) Trouble with BIL and his kids: February 1st is the 5 month mark since we've seen the children. D's brother and cousin have posted pictures of the children on Facebook which are bittersweet reminders of what we're missing. We sent our Christmas presents to them and received feedback that the kids really liked them. Apparently the hoodie we bought my nephew is his new favourite shirt and he wont take it off.
Of course my MIL is still trying to stay neutral and is being no help at all. After all, before we became the family monsters my SIL hated her. This has somehow united them and she has more contact with the kids than ever.
D was really upset at Christmas because her mother spent it with her brother and the kids. What annoys me are the comments people have made about this. Saying that her mother should be with the grand kids at Christmas. That really stings considering we're trying to give her grand kids so not only are we sad that we do not have kids but apparently D doesn't have the right to spend Christmas with her own mother because of it???? The whole situation sucks.
4) The new Job: I'm still keeping quiet about this. I'm patiently waiting for the job posting which should go up next week. People know I'm leaving and I know I'm getting the new position but there are steps that need to be taken to ensure that happens. The job posting will say there is a preferred candidate - although it is possible that someone else could come in and get the job - it is pretty unlikely.
That's all!!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Busy week
D's birthday was yesterday. She's now 33! We celebrated on Saturday by going to Canyon Creek Chophouse and to AMC to see Slumdog Millionaire. What a great movie!!
On her actual birthday we ordered pizza and had cake - which I decorated. To pull this off I worked from home without her knowing. I even got dressed in the morning and left home only to turn around and go back! This worked out well since I was also able to watch the presidential inauguration live from the comfort of my couch!
Here is the treasure chest cake I made (no reason for making it a treasure chest other than I thought it looked cool when I saw it online):
FYI = candy covered in chocolate frosting tastes gross... Oh well, I know for next time!
On her actual birthday we ordered pizza and had cake - which I decorated. To pull this off I worked from home without her knowing. I even got dressed in the morning and left home only to turn around and go back! This worked out well since I was also able to watch the presidential inauguration live from the comfort of my couch!
Here is the treasure chest cake I made (no reason for making it a treasure chest other than I thought it looked cool when I saw it online):
FYI = candy covered in chocolate frosting tastes gross... Oh well, I know for next time!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Brown Eyed Girl or Boy
Our current donor has Brown eyes. Using this calculator I was able to key in my info and our donor's info to find out that our child will have a 72% chance of having Brown eyes!
I guess we knew picking a donor with brown eyes (he is the first of our 4) that we'd likely have a child with brown eyes. I think it's cool.
In general, when we were picking a donor we avoided blonde/blue eyed. We were worried that my fair skin, blonde hair and blue eyes combined with someone similar would cause our child to be too fair. I'm sure other sun sensitive people would understand my desire to NOT have a child like me. I can barely function in the sun and need to wear SPF 50 sunblock. I hate it. I would love a child who is not sickly in the sun.
Donor #4
I guess we knew picking a donor with brown eyes (he is the first of our 4) that we'd likely have a child with brown eyes. I think it's cool.
In general, when we were picking a donor we avoided blonde/blue eyed. We were worried that my fair skin, blonde hair and blue eyes combined with someone similar would cause our child to be too fair. I'm sure other sun sensitive people would understand my desire to NOT have a child like me. I can barely function in the sun and need to wear SPF 50 sunblock. I hate it. I would love a child who is not sickly in the sun.
Donor #4Friday, January 16, 2009
Lesson learned!!!!!!
I'm working from home today because there is a power outage that is affecting most of the subway line I use to get to work. Normally I'd be thrilled to get away with a Friday "work from home" day however I LEFT MY LAPTOP AT WORK yesterday!!!! So yeah, I got a zipcar from 7:00 - 8:30am just to drive to work to retrieve my laptop (I also went to the grocery store). Only one person saw me and I told her to pretend I was a ghost! It's hard to explain being at work and then leaving to work from home because you can't get to work because there is no subway.... yet you're there anyway.
So now I'm at home with my freakin' laptop - which I am NEVER leaving at work overnight again!
So now I'm at home with my freakin' laptop - which I am NEVER leaving at work overnight again!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Hump day, Slump day
No exclamation marks today! <- I lied, I guess just one! (Or two).
A non-TTC post:
My former BFF was married last week and I've been spending the last few days piecing together the details of her wedding on FACEBOOK.
We first met when we were 11 and were best friends until grade 11 when we had a falling out. We had patched things up by grade 12 but things were never the same. Ultimately we went our separate ways and although we had some contact in the years after graduating High School it wasn't enough, apparently, for her to tell me she was getting married. It's not like I'd expect an invite but I thought maybe she'd share the news.
So that's that. She got married. I'm looking at the pictures of my former best friend and I'm wondering where time goes and how people grow apart.
My heart is aching.
A non-TTC post:
My former BFF was married last week and I've been spending the last few days piecing together the details of her wedding on FACEBOOK.
We first met when we were 11 and were best friends until grade 11 when we had a falling out. We had patched things up by grade 12 but things were never the same. Ultimately we went our separate ways and although we had some contact in the years after graduating High School it wasn't enough, apparently, for her to tell me she was getting married. It's not like I'd expect an invite but I thought maybe she'd share the news.
So that's that. She got married. I'm looking at the pictures of my former best friend and I'm wondering where time goes and how people grow apart.
My heart is aching.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
New Clinic!!!!!
Check out all of the exclamation marks lately!!! But everything is so....!!!!
Our appointment went really well today. I wasn't expecting a huge difference during the first appointment but I walked out very happy. The doctor was very nice and seemed like she really knew what she was talking about. Things I like about the clinic:
1) There are only 2 doctors. One handles the IUI patients and the other handles the IVF patients. There are approx. 25 women per day at Cycle monitoring.
2) There is a doctor in the room during your morning ultrasound and they will review your results with you on the spot. This is to ensure plenty of "face time" with the doctor so you can ask any questions.
3) The IUI is guided by ultrasound. They said this is to benefit the patient because you are able to watch the procedure.
4) You are able to e-mail the nurse if you have any questions during your cycle.
5) They monitor your progesterone 1 week after your IUI.
6) They do not ship your sperm back if you do not use it!!! This is great news because it means I can decide during the cycle if I want to do 2 IUI. If I've already ovulated I'm not going to use the second.
So far they seem so much more patient focused. I like that I will get to see a doctor each day during cycle monitoring. This should really ease my hysteria of not knowing what is going on. The doctor reviewed my chart from the old clinic. She said my last cycle was excellent and explained how on day 3 you can predict how fertile you will be for that cycle. She basically said it was the perfect cycle to get pregnant and the only thing she would have done differently was to perform the first IUI on the day of my surge. I think that someone had mentioned this was their RE's protocol as well (Stacey?). Since we had our first IUI the day after my LH surge I was always worried I'd miss ovulation.
I have another appointment at the end of February. Of course that means we're sitting out next month as well. Our first cycle at the new clinic will be in March. I'm staying on Metformin although our new doctor thinks it is not necessary (after reviewing my bloodwork results). She said that since I'm already on it and I have no side effects there was no harm in continuing. We are also considering Letrozole (Femera) as an alternative to Clomid. I mentioned IVF and she said that she didn't think that was necessary at this point but it was an option.
I feel really good about all of the above!!
Our appointment went really well today. I wasn't expecting a huge difference during the first appointment but I walked out very happy. The doctor was very nice and seemed like she really knew what she was talking about. Things I like about the clinic:
1) There are only 2 doctors. One handles the IUI patients and the other handles the IVF patients. There are approx. 25 women per day at Cycle monitoring.
2) There is a doctor in the room during your morning ultrasound and they will review your results with you on the spot. This is to ensure plenty of "face time" with the doctor so you can ask any questions.
3) The IUI is guided by ultrasound. They said this is to benefit the patient because you are able to watch the procedure.
4) You are able to e-mail the nurse if you have any questions during your cycle.
5) They monitor your progesterone 1 week after your IUI.
6) They do not ship your sperm back if you do not use it!!! This is great news because it means I can decide during the cycle if I want to do 2 IUI. If I've already ovulated I'm not going to use the second.
So far they seem so much more patient focused. I like that I will get to see a doctor each day during cycle monitoring. This should really ease my hysteria of not knowing what is going on. The doctor reviewed my chart from the old clinic. She said my last cycle was excellent and explained how on day 3 you can predict how fertile you will be for that cycle. She basically said it was the perfect cycle to get pregnant and the only thing she would have done differently was to perform the first IUI on the day of my surge. I think that someone had mentioned this was their RE's protocol as well (Stacey?). Since we had our first IUI the day after my LH surge I was always worried I'd miss ovulation.
I have another appointment at the end of February. Of course that means we're sitting out next month as well. Our first cycle at the new clinic will be in March. I'm staying on Metformin although our new doctor thinks it is not necessary (after reviewing my bloodwork results). She said that since I'm already on it and I have no side effects there was no harm in continuing. We are also considering Letrozole (Femera) as an alternative to Clomid. I mentioned IVF and she said that she didn't think that was necessary at this point but it was an option.
I feel really good about all of the above!!
Monday, January 12, 2009
New Job!!
Well I landed a new job... but NOT the one I had applied for. This one is even better and I'm so so so happy about it. More details to come... once I sign the contract!!
Also...tomorrow is the big day at the new clinic. I can't wait to see what the doctor says!
Also...tomorrow is the big day at the new clinic. I can't wait to see what the doctor says!
Saturday, January 10, 2009
A new approach...
A position was posted at work that caught my eye and I've decided to apply. It's pretty much the same job I have now but at a different pay level. This means both a higher base salary and an increased yearly bonus. I spoke to my manager and she said I was "perfect for it" and "will probably get it".
I'm trying to move on with my life. Last year I was approached for a job and turned it down. At the time I was fully engrossed in the project I was leading but I ultimately said no because I thought that if I got pregnant it wouldn't be fair to my new manager to need to re-hire in 9 months.
It sucks. I feel like I'm walking around with an expiry date. We could use this boost in income to help with our IVF expenses so I'm not going to think about getting pregnant. We'll just see what happens.
We're also re-claiming our spare room that was meant to be the nursery and making it a den. I had cleaned it out in August 2007 in preparation for our first try. We gave the furniture that was in there (bedroom set and desk) to my MIL and the room has been sitting empty ever since. I was so eager when we started that I repainted the entire condo before our first try. I had all of our ducks in a row because I wanted everything to be done before I got pregnant.
So silly. So naive.
Our first appointment at the new clinic is on Tuesday. My current clinic has provided me with a copy of my file (at a cost of $56 plus tax) that I'll be picking up Monday morning. Needless to say I'm looking forward to getting a second opinion! However... I did find out that my new clinic uses my old clinic's facilities for egg retrieval and transfers. Great! As long as I do not have to encounter my doctor again I'll be OK with that.
I'm trying to move on with my life. Last year I was approached for a job and turned it down. At the time I was fully engrossed in the project I was leading but I ultimately said no because I thought that if I got pregnant it wouldn't be fair to my new manager to need to re-hire in 9 months.
It sucks. I feel like I'm walking around with an expiry date. We could use this boost in income to help with our IVF expenses so I'm not going to think about getting pregnant. We'll just see what happens.
We're also re-claiming our spare room that was meant to be the nursery and making it a den. I had cleaned it out in August 2007 in preparation for our first try. We gave the furniture that was in there (bedroom set and desk) to my MIL and the room has been sitting empty ever since. I was so eager when we started that I repainted the entire condo before our first try. I had all of our ducks in a row because I wanted everything to be done before I got pregnant.
So silly. So naive.
Our first appointment at the new clinic is on Tuesday. My current clinic has provided me with a copy of my file (at a cost of $56 plus tax) that I'll be picking up Monday morning. Needless to say I'm looking forward to getting a second opinion! However... I did find out that my new clinic uses my old clinic's facilities for egg retrieval and transfers. Great! As long as I do not have to encounter my doctor again I'll be OK with that.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
New York City - Thursday - Friday
Thursday December 18 - Day 1
I am very grateful to have left Toronto on the 18th since the 19th was dreadful weather (in both NY and Toronto). We made it into the city around 10:00 pm and easily found our hotel after I forced our GPS to take us into the city via the George Washington Bridge, Harlem River Drive and down the FDR. It worked out well up until we tried to get parking when my instinct to ditch the car immediately failed me. I should have known entering the extremely steep ramp that we were in trouble. The pricing was marked halfway down the ramp and indicated $48/24 hour period. Parking in NYC is pretty much all valet and you are going to pay dearly for it but $48 was as steep as the ramp we were on. When we got to the bottom (backing up was impossible) I asked the attendant what the price would be for 24 hours and after he looked at my plates (Ontario) he said $55. WTH? Much to his misfortune I am not that stupid. After an 18 point turn I hauled my car back up the rocket launch onto 51st street determined to find "resonable" parking. Fortunately the next lot up the road offered a discount from our hotel and was only $30/ 24 hour period. Note to self: Always park at icon.
We stayed at th
e The Pod Hotel which has intrigued me since it first opened. We've stayed at their other location, Townhouse, when we were in Miami a couple of years ago and loved it. I knew going in that this was a budget hotel and hostel masquerading as a boutique hotel but I chose to ignore this fact. We paid $99/night which got us a 100 sq/foot room with a bunkbed and a shared bath. I'm not going to complain over $99/night but I need to point out that every other time I've looked at staying at this hotel the rate has been between $170 and $190 for this very room. Yeah right!!!!!
We continued into Times Square and to our favourite Times Square restaurant, Juniors. This place has the best Grilled Cheese sandwich (ever) as well as some great onion rings. Yummy.
At this point we were exhausted and had to get back to our hotel-jail... immediately. I knew it wasn't possible to arrive in NYC and NOT go out but fun has its limits after driving for 8 hours. D
Here are some pictures of the SAKS 5th Ave window that we shot while walking back to the hotel:
Friday December 19 - Day 2
Friday was wet, cold and blustery yet we were able to get around to most of our target sight seeing locations. We started off the day by heading over to Bloomingdale's to check out the windows.
Afterward we hit up all of the places "30 somethings" go to when in NYC: FAO Schwartz, World of Disney, Toys R Us, American Girl Place and Santaland at Macy's. Yes, we are children.
Santaland was pretty cool although it was very busy. Santaland has more than one Santa hidden behind doors that you are escorted to by an elf (which worked really well for adults who don't want to be seen actually sitting on Santa's knee). I'm not sure how many there were but we saw at least 3 doors. I can only imagine the cash they are making. For $18 we got one 5x7 photo!!
World of Disney:
American Girl Place:
Macy's:
After a day in toy stores we went to go see Harry Potter bare all in Equus. The play was good albeit dark and somewhat depressing. As for "Harry Potter's Magic Wand"... we saw way more magic wand than we had expected. He was running around on stage for 10 minutes completely naked.
Once again by the time we were heading back to our "Pod" we were completely beat however this didn't stop us from snooping around the New York Palace hotel. I wish we'd stayed there! It was gorgeously decorated for Christmas:
I am very grateful to have left Toronto on the 18th since the 19th was dreadful weather (in both NY and Toronto). We made it into the city around 10:00 pm and easily found our hotel after I forced our GPS to take us into the city via the George Washington Bridge, Harlem River Drive and down the FDR. It worked out well up until we tried to get parking when my instinct to ditch the car immediately failed me. I should have known entering the extremely steep ramp that we were in trouble. The pricing was marked halfway down the ramp and indicated $48/24 hour period. Parking in NYC is pretty much all valet and you are going to pay dearly for it but $48 was as steep as the ramp we were on. When we got to the bottom (backing up was impossible) I asked the attendant what the price would be for 24 hours and after he looked at my plates (Ontario) he said $55. WTH? Much to his misfortune I am not that stupid. After an 18 point turn I hauled my car back up the rocket launch onto 51st street determined to find "resonable" parking. Fortunately the next lot up the road offered a discount from our hotel and was only $30/ 24 hour period. Note to self: Always park at icon.
We stayed at th
e The Pod Hotel which has intrigued me since it first opened. We've stayed at their other location, Townhouse, when we were in Miami a couple of years ago and loved it. I knew going in that this was a budget hotel and hostel masquerading as a boutique hotel but I chose to ignore this fact. We paid $99/night which got us a 100 sq/foot room with a bunkbed and a shared bath. I'm not going to complain over $99/night but I need to point out that every other time I've looked at staying at this hotel the rate has been between $170 and $190 for this very room. Yeah right!!!!!We settled into our room quickly and then decided to hit the town to grab dinner. We walked up 51st and were soon at Rockefeller Center. It did not disappoint. The decorations were beautiful and the tree was amazing. Saks was the highlight of perhaps all of the Christmas decorations we saw. This is not my video but I found several on Youtube:
We continued into Times Square and to our favourite Times Square restaurant, Juniors. This place has the best Grilled Cheese sandwich (ever) as well as some great onion rings. Yummy.
At this point we were exhausted and had to get back to our hotel-jail... immediately. I knew it wasn't possible to arrive in NYC and NOT go out but fun has its limits after driving for 8 hours. D
Here are some pictures of the SAKS 5th Ave window that we shot while walking back to the hotel:
Friday December 19 - Day 2
Friday was wet, cold and blustery yet we were able to get around to most of our target sight seeing locations. We started off the day by heading over to Bloomingdale's to check out the windows.
Afterward we hit up all of the places "30 somethings" go to when in NYC: FAO Schwartz, World of Disney, Toys R Us, American Girl Place and Santaland at Macy's. Yes, we are children.
Santaland was pretty cool although it was very busy. Santaland has more than one Santa hidden behind doors that you are escorted to by an elf (which worked really well for adults who don't want to be seen actually sitting on Santa's knee). I'm not sure how many there were but we saw at least 3 doors. I can only imagine the cash they are making. For $18 we got one 5x7 photo!!
World of Disney:
American Girl Place:
Macy's:
After a day in toy stores we went to go see Harry Potter bare all in Equus. The play was good albeit dark and somewhat depressing. As for "Harry Potter's Magic Wand"... we saw way more magic wand than we had expected. He was running around on stage for 10 minutes completely naked.
Once again by the time we were heading back to our "Pod" we were completely beat however this didn't stop us from snooping around the New York Palace hotel. I wish we'd stayed there! It was gorgeously decorated for Christmas:
New York City - Saturday
Saturday December 20th - Day 3
Saturday was FREEZING. I have never felt so cold in my life. D and I ran from stop to stop
trying to avoid the cold as much as we could. Thankfully in the morning it wasn't that bad. We went down to Union Square to check out the Christmas Market as well as try to pick up our tickets to Fuerza Bruta. Unfortunately the theatre was closed until 1:00 pm but we did have other things to go see and do. We went to Max Brenner: Chocolate by the Bald Man which is a chocolate cafe. We opted out of having a chocolate lunch but did return later in the day to buy a chocolate cake and chocolate syringe (pictured below).
We also went to Strand Bookstore which boasts 18 miles of books. D bought a bunch of books (that we had to carry around). We could have spent a couple of hours in there. Maybe another time!
Once back in the cold - and it was now freezing - we decided that we'd see a show in the afternoon. Score!! D and I have a very different opinion when it comes to Broadway shows. Although we are equally fans her opinion is that we should see a couple of shows while in NYC. My opinion is that we should see a show in every available time slot!
We went down to Soho and to Lombardi's for lunch and debated what show we'd see. I wanted to see Spring Awakening but D insisted on something (anything) else because we'd already seen it 3x. Ultimately I gave her the choice and when we got to TKTS she chose Mary Poppins. We could have purchased tickets to pretty much anything and all at 50% off. It is not everyday that the Disney productions are available at a discount!
Overall Marry Poppins was good. It was neat to see inside the New Amsterdam theatre again after seeing The Lion King 1o years ago. The Mary Poppins set was possibly the most elaborate I have ever seen. Best of all we were warm, inside and out of the cold.
Around this point I was deeply regretting my decision to purchase tickets to the 10:00pm showing of Fuerza Bruta. We started to head back to the hotel the longest way possible. We went across to Bryant Park to see their tree and Christmas Market.
Bryant Park:
We also stopped by Garrett's popcorn so I could get some Garrett Mix (cheese and caramel popcorn mixed) - this was my dinner. We rested and ate popcorn for a couple of hours before heading back out.
Fuerza Bruta was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. I had so much fun. Even D had fun and she did not want to go to the show after seeing their other production De La Guarda (which terrified her). The show is a bit like a rave with very loud music and ceiling of water. It is so hard to describe. Instead I'll post pictures:
Skip down one post to read about Sunday!
Saturday was FREEZING. I have never felt so cold in my life. D and I ran from stop to stop
trying to avoid the cold as much as we could. Thankfully in the morning it wasn't that bad. We went down to Union Square to check out the Christmas Market as well as try to pick up our tickets to Fuerza Bruta. Unfortunately the theatre was closed until 1:00 pm but we did have other things to go see and do. We went to Max Brenner: Chocolate by the Bald Man which is a chocolate cafe. We opted out of having a chocolate lunch but did return later in the day to buy a chocolate cake and chocolate syringe (pictured below).
We also went to Strand Bookstore which boasts 18 miles of books. D bought a bunch of books (that we had to carry around). We could have spent a couple of hours in there. Maybe another time!Once back in the cold - and it was now freezing - we decided that we'd see a show in the afternoon. Score!! D and I have a very different opinion when it comes to Broadway shows. Although we are equally fans her opinion is that we should see a couple of shows while in NYC. My opinion is that we should see a show in every available time slot!
We went down to Soho and to Lombardi's for lunch and debated what show we'd see. I wanted to see Spring Awakening but D insisted on something (anything) else because we'd already seen it 3x. Ultimately I gave her the choice and when we got to TKTS she chose Mary Poppins. We could have purchased tickets to pretty much anything and all at 50% off. It is not everyday that the Disney productions are available at a discount!
Overall Marry Poppins was good. It was neat to see inside the New Amsterdam theatre again after seeing The Lion King 1o years ago. The Mary Poppins set was possibly the most elaborate I have ever seen. Best of all we were warm, inside and out of the cold.
Around this point I was deeply regretting my decision to purchase tickets to the 10:00pm showing of Fuerza Bruta. We started to head back to the hotel the longest way possible. We went across to Bryant Park to see their tree and Christmas Market.
Bryant Park:
We also stopped by Garrett's popcorn so I could get some Garrett Mix (cheese and caramel popcorn mixed) - this was my dinner. We rested and ate popcorn for a couple of hours before heading back out.
Fuerza Bruta was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. I had so much fun. Even D had fun and she did not want to go to the show after seeing their other production De La Guarda (which terrified her). The show is a bit like a rave with very loud music and ceiling of water. It is so hard to describe. Instead I'll post pictures:
Skip down one post to read about Sunday!
Monday, January 5, 2009
On Break
I couldn't do it.
I had to call the clinic today but thinking about it while showering this morning made me feel so sick. I don't want to go back there. Ever.
D agreed that we could sit out this cycle as planned and let the Metformin marinate another month.
It seems so childish that I hate my clinic so much that I feel ill at the thought of going back. The truth is I do not hate my clinic as a whole. I think my RE did not manage us properly and I think the cycle monitoring nurse has absolutely no compassion. I have not even received the results from my bloodwork for PCOS. I called my doctor and her receptionist informed me that Dr. XX had reviewed the results and I could start my Metformin - she'd mail me the prescription. I have never been diagnosed. This is how things work with my Doctor. Call the receptionist, leave a message, get a message back that the Dr. reviewed (whatever) and that a prescription/new protocol was in the mail. By doing this I was able to order bloodwork, start clomid, increase clomid, etc. all without seeing my Doctor. In fact of the 11 IUI I have had my RE has performed 1! And it hurt more than any of the other IUI combined!
Sigh.
Hopefully the new clinic will make the difference.
I had to call the clinic today but thinking about it while showering this morning made me feel so sick. I don't want to go back there. Ever.
D agreed that we could sit out this cycle as planned and let the Metformin marinate another month.
It seems so childish that I hate my clinic so much that I feel ill at the thought of going back. The truth is I do not hate my clinic as a whole. I think my RE did not manage us properly and I think the cycle monitoring nurse has absolutely no compassion. I have not even received the results from my bloodwork for PCOS. I called my doctor and her receptionist informed me that Dr. XX had reviewed the results and I could start my Metformin - she'd mail me the prescription. I have never been diagnosed. This is how things work with my Doctor. Call the receptionist, leave a message, get a message back that the Dr. reviewed (whatever) and that a prescription/new protocol was in the mail. By doing this I was able to order bloodwork, start clomid, increase clomid, etc. all without seeing my Doctor. In fact of the 11 IUI I have had my RE has performed 1! And it hurt more than any of the other IUI combined!
Sigh.
Hopefully the new clinic will make the difference.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
New York City - Sunday
Sunday December 21 - Day 4
Our last day.
After seeing the 10:00pm show the night before we had to get up early to go and see the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Radio City was beautiful and the show was excellent. We'd already seen the Rockettes when they came to Toronto and there wasn't a huge difference between the shows. Some of the staging was different but otherwise it was the same show. What we really wanted was to see the show in NYC because we wanted to see inside Radio City Music Hall. Here are some pictures:
After the show we went back to our hotel and packed up to leave. The trip home was pretty awful (14 hours) because there was a lot of blowing snow. I think I've learned my lesson about planning trips in December. We've had good luck other years but apparently not this year. Overall we had a really good mini-vacation. I'm glad we saw the shows (especially Equus and Fuerza Bruta) and we had never seen the holiday decorations. NYC is beautiful at Christmas.
Next up will be a trip to Walt Disney World over the holidays!!
Our last day.
After seeing the 10:00pm show the night before we had to get up early to go and see the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Radio City was beautiful and the show was excellent. We'd already seen the Rockettes when they came to Toronto and there wasn't a huge difference between the shows. Some of the staging was different but otherwise it was the same show. What we really wanted was to see the show in NYC because we wanted to see inside Radio City Music Hall. Here are some pictures:
After the show we went back to our hotel and packed up to leave. The trip home was pretty awful (14 hours) because there was a lot of blowing snow. I think I've learned my lesson about planning trips in December. We've had good luck other years but apparently not this year. Overall we had a really good mini-vacation. I'm glad we saw the shows (especially Equus and Fuerza Bruta) and we had never seen the holiday decorations. NYC is beautiful at Christmas.
Next up will be a trip to Walt Disney World over the holidays!!
Friday, January 2, 2009
More Sperm
I purchased 3 vials of my donor today. There were 4 available on Tuesday when I had originally heard back. Oh well. I don't really want to swoop in and buy out their stock but I also do not want to be forced into a situation where I need to switch donors again.
So there you have it. 3 vials. An odd number if I'm doing 2 IUI per cycle. This has made me think about doing a single unmedicated insemination in January. Of course, this all depends on if my clinic will accept me for the cycle starting on CD5. I've been thinking I'll re-work that and tell them my Day 1 was today (Friday) to make Monday CD4. If I'm not taking medication I don't think it really matters what my actual start date was and AF started yesterday evening.
That said - do I really want to put myself through another cycle at my old clinic? Or do a cycle without medication? Do I really care what I think I should do and will I do whatever I want anyway?
I think I need to drop down to 1 insemination regardless so this should be good for the 3 tries right up to IVF (if need be).
I think I've talked myself into it. I want to do one last cycle in January.... I'm a sucker for punishment.
Note: I had previously mentioned that I was thinking about reverting to donor #2 but he doesn't seem to be available anymore. I'm so glad I was able to buy more of donor #4.
It almost looks like he's been pulled. There is only 1 entry for the DSR for him (just came up recently) so it's not like I can see a bunch of other pregnancies out there. This is a vast contrast to my previous 2 donors who became unavailable. They have several listings on the DSR. I wonder what's up with that??
ETA: Apparently this is due to a reported "Abnormal Pregnancy" which is being investigated. Wow... that hits close to home. I was worried there was a reason like this behind his removal.
So there you have it. 3 vials. An odd number if I'm doing 2 IUI per cycle. This has made me think about doing a single unmedicated insemination in January. Of course, this all depends on if my clinic will accept me for the cycle starting on CD5. I've been thinking I'll re-work that and tell them my Day 1 was today (Friday) to make Monday CD4. If I'm not taking medication I don't think it really matters what my actual start date was and AF started yesterday evening.
That said - do I really want to put myself through another cycle at my old clinic? Or do a cycle without medication? Do I really care what I think I should do and will I do whatever I want anyway?
I think I need to drop down to 1 insemination regardless so this should be good for the 3 tries right up to IVF (if need be).
I think I've talked myself into it. I want to do one last cycle in January.... I'm a sucker for punishment.
Note: I had previously mentioned that I was thinking about reverting to donor #2 but he doesn't seem to be available anymore. I'm so glad I was able to buy more of donor #4.
It almost looks like he's been pulled. There is only 1 entry for the DSR for him (just came up recently) so it's not like I can see a bunch of other pregnancies out there. This is a vast contrast to my previous 2 donors who became unavailable. They have several listings on the DSR. I wonder what's up with that??
ETA: Apparently this is due to a reported "Abnormal Pregnancy" which is being investigated. Wow... that hits close to home. I was worried there was a reason like this behind his removal.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Day 1 2009
Day 1 of the New Year and my cycle.
Monday is Day 5. That would be the first day I could call in my Day 1 and I'm assuming the clinic will not be doing any u/s and b/w until Tuesday, Day 6. Damn it! So close to fitting a try into January.
D and I had a long talk today because I have been in a terrible mood for days. She thinks this is becoming all consuming and I am begrudging her for not experiencing TTC from my point of view. I think I am fully consumed by TTC because it is fully consuming. I also think that a part of me does begrudge her for being the one that gets to be on the sideline. She may be disapointed that we're not pregnant yet but I'm the one that is not pregnant. I'm the one that has failed us 8x over. This all started because D was upset that I mentioned TTC when we were at our Basketball game last night. Is it my fault that the family who sat in front of us had a tiny baby with them? What do you think I'm going to think when I have to spend 2+ hours with a 4 month old? Yeah, I'm going to think about TTC. I'm going to think about going to Raptors games with our baby. I'm going to ask if I should buy and store vials of our donor or if I should try to fit a cycle in this month. Yes... I absolutely am thinking of nothing but babies.
Sigh. Yay 2009.
I can say that I'm happy 2008 is over but to be honest I would only be truly happy right now if I knew 2009 would be the year I'd give birth. With only 2 tries left to make that happen it worries me that we'll have to wait until 2010.
Sorry for downer blog after downer blog. I'm feeling pretty crappy.
Monday is Day 5. That would be the first day I could call in my Day 1 and I'm assuming the clinic will not be doing any u/s and b/w until Tuesday, Day 6. Damn it! So close to fitting a try into January.
D and I had a long talk today because I have been in a terrible mood for days. She thinks this is becoming all consuming and I am begrudging her for not experiencing TTC from my point of view. I think I am fully consumed by TTC because it is fully consuming. I also think that a part of me does begrudge her for being the one that gets to be on the sideline. She may be disapointed that we're not pregnant yet but I'm the one that is not pregnant. I'm the one that has failed us 8x over. This all started because D was upset that I mentioned TTC when we were at our Basketball game last night. Is it my fault that the family who sat in front of us had a tiny baby with them? What do you think I'm going to think when I have to spend 2+ hours with a 4 month old? Yeah, I'm going to think about TTC. I'm going to think about going to Raptors games with our baby. I'm going to ask if I should buy and store vials of our donor or if I should try to fit a cycle in this month. Yes... I absolutely am thinking of nothing but babies.
Sigh. Yay 2009.
I can say that I'm happy 2008 is over but to be honest I would only be truly happy right now if I knew 2009 would be the year I'd give birth. With only 2 tries left to make that happen it worries me that we'll have to wait until 2010.
Sorry for downer blog after downer blog. I'm feeling pretty crappy.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)