For Lease.

I had the second part of my baselines today - sonohysterogram and mock transfer. This time the naughty Piglet stayed home with grandma and I was thankful not to be a sweaty mess when Dr. Dreamy entered.  I am so out of practice though, I kept trying to sit up when he wasn't quite through.  Jeez.  You'd think I was a newbie or something. Embarrassing!  

Good news - all is clear in my uterus and the space is ready to be leased to another tiny tenant for ten months.  Woot!  

And now dh and I just need to decide when we want to cycle again.  I am leaning towards end of July/August.  I didn't realize weaning would be so liberating and I want to enjoy being a "normal person" for just a few more months.  And best of all - I LOVE getting to wear whatever I want without a thought as to how easy it is to hike up or pull down! (If you have a little smug grin on your face, get your mind out of the gutter, people.)  Lastly, Dr. Dreamy is going on vacation the beginning of June and if AF is even two days late, he won't be around to do my retrieval which is key.  So, waiting a month or two saves me the stress of that unknown.  I think all of you would agree, there are enough unknowns in an IVF cycle as it is!  

Blogging PSA

One of the best things I've done was decide to approve or reject comments before they are posted to my blog.  I mean, I accept and publish 99% of the comments I get but every once in awhile I get someone sucky.  So let's be clear about something.  

I do not blog to be judged, judge others or accept unsolicited criticism.  I blog to share a laugh, share my story, archive moments in my precious baby's life.  

If you have something nice to say - thank you.  

If you have a question to ask - ask away!

But if you have something condescending, judgmental or terse to say (even if you put a smiley face after it), you can suck it.  Especially if you don't even have the cajones to attach your name, ("anonymous") then you can REALLY suck it.  

Thank you and this concludes the Piglet Blog's public service announcement.  Have a nice day.  Especially you, anonymous. :)  

PeeWee Piglet?

Piglet has officially been weaned for two+ weeks now.  There was some concern that he might lose weight from not nursing.  I worried I might have to change his moniker to PeeWee.  According to this picture taken at bath time last night, that concern appears to have been (ahem) unnecessary and his moniker remains intact.  (insert relieved sigh.  haha)

Piglet's first REAL word!

I try not to say things that pigeon-hole my child into any preconceived notions, but I swear, this kid is SUCH a boy about certain things. Among these things is his love of automobiles of all shapes and sizes. He has a special place in his heart for yellow schoolbuses and taxi cabs. When we go to the mall, despite the fact that we own THREE strollers that cost an arm and leg (or maybe even TWO arms and one leg), he is happy ONLY in the giant, cheesy, mall strollers that look like cars. And because sometimes, momma just needs her some shopping time, I willingly pay the (GRAND LARCENY) fee of $5.00 and rent the damn thing. You know I wipe down the entire thing with C.lorox wipes before I even touch it, right? Right. Just wanted to be clear on that.

Anyway, to the point. It is more than fitting and not at all surprising that Piglet's first real, spoken word is...CAR (or "cah")!

Good morning - or, not!

I'm a planner.  Anyone who knows me even a little, knows this about me.  I plan ahead, I make lists, I call for reservations.  It's just how I'm wired.

Today I had my baseline tests scheduled for 8:00 a.m. at my RE's office.  Bloodwork, ultrasound, in and out.  It was going to be quick and easy.  I had my mom coming to watch Piglet at 7:40 and since we live so close to the RE's office, it would be perfect timing.  Except that it wasn't.  My mom lives about 30 minutes away and morning traffic was horrendous.  I talked to her at 7:45 and she was still about 20 minutes away.  Not good.  So, I punted.  No choice in the matter.

I gathered a pajama-clad Piglet, quickly changed his clothes and diaper and grabbed any possible toy or object that might entertain him during my appointment (shiny bracelet, two snack traps, rubber spatula, you get the idea).  As I was driving to the dr's office, I knew we were doomed.  Piglet bellowed loudly at me from his cushy carseat with a questioning look on his face.  "Hey Lady!  What the H are we doing out so early?  I didn't get to finish my breakfast, terrorize the dog or be destructive with my toys yet!!!"  

There are several reasons I had trepidation about bringing Piglet to the RE's office with me, but I must say that the main reason is that I want to be sensitive to the other patients who maybe haven't had their magic, successful cycle yet.  They don't know what I went through to have Piglet, for all they know I might have secondary infertility and I might have even gotten pregnant with him the old-fashioned way, on the FIRST TRY.  (I choked on my Cheerios as I wrote that).  

The other reason is the inevitable chaos that ensued by bringing him with me.  I mean, really it is no place for a 15 month-old, but I had no choice!  From the minute I pushed my shiny, red stroller in with my equally shiny, red baby in it into the office, I broke out in a cold sweat.  The best part though...wait for it... was when we were in the exam room and I was standing there b.ottoms off, holding the literally paper-thin sheet over me with one hand and offering toy after toy, snack after snack, diversion after diversion to Piglet with the other (as the promptly pelted them to the floor while yelling at me).  All the while I PRAYED that Dr. Dreamy would not walk in and find me in that state.  

Speaking of Dr. Dreamy he was wonderful and dapper as ever, even when he had to SHOUT my lining measurements and follicle counts (over a protesting Piglet) to the nurse.  That Dreamy, he's so good that way.  He was my favorite thing today, right after Tollhouse break n' bake cookies.

The good news is my uterine lining looks "very nice" and my follie counts are the same as they were two years ago.  WOOT! My FSH has gone up a little bit but still OK at 10.25. Estradiol is normal at 8.  

The train is on the track.  We might delay it's journey for a few months but that's another post!  

Piglet thinks it's funny!

In my monthly update (below) I told you how Piglet now laughs when HE thinks something is funny. It's cute. It's almost as if he's saying "I don't know what YOU think, but I think this is HI-LAR-IOUS!!!"

I captured this moment recently while Piglet was watching some guy cluck like a chicken. Please forgive his attire and food 'stache, I put a smock (Bumikins!) on him when he eats yogurt. The mess is epic otherwise.

Enjoy the video. I've watched it about a THOUSAND times and it still cracks me up. I love how he pauses between the bits that tickle his funny bone. Have I mentioned how much I ADORE my child? Because I do. More. Than. Anything.

Piglet's 15 Month Update

Piglet is 15 months old!  The last month has been great.  So much fun.  We are in a groove now with our daily routine, though we've had a few no-nap or very late nap days.  I think he's transitioning from a morning nap to a late morning/early afternoon nap which keeps things interesting.  

Stats: Weight - 23.8lbs, Height - 31inches, Head circumference: 50% (seems wrong since he appears to have a large noggin, but it must be all the hair), clothing size - mostly 18-24 and some 12-18, shoe size 4.5

We fill our days with playdates and trips to the park and more recently, the zoo!  He can also play independently for stretches of time which means I have more freedom to empty the dishwasher, post on Facebook (crucial) or put in a load of laundry.  It's so great to be at this stage.  More independence for everyone makes momma a happy girl.

Piglet has become SUCH a better eater.  For the first time in his life, he opens up wide for bites and lets me (little old ME!) spoon feed him.  As long as he has his own little spoon and bowl with food in it, he lets me feed him too.  Chalk one up for mommy!  

He continues to be a fast learner especially in the signing department.  I can't adequately explain how great it is to be able to communicate with Piglet!  

Me: Would you like more cheese? Yes?

P-Let: No. Milk. Milk. Milk.

Me: Would you like some bread? Yes?

P-Let: No. Milk. Milk. Milk.

Me: Would you like some yogurt?  Yes?

P-Let: (Pause) Yes, please!  

Piglet's most favorite and frequent sign is "milk" though he's gotten SO much better at accepting no or not asking at all.  In fact, it's now been six straight days since we nursed.  MIRACULOUS.  Might have to call the Vatican kind of miraculous.  Hopefully my little getaway helped him forget how *desperately* he needed to nurse before nap and bedtime.  Bedtime last night (my first night home) was pretty drama free but things tends to get worse for him (instead of better) with each passing day.  

Piglet LOVES

• crusty French bread - not the supermarket kind, but the ARTISAN kind.  No kidding.
• Tillamook Medium Cheddar Cheese.  Do not attempt to substitute as it will send him into a blind rage.
• apple juice
• yogurt smoothies
• Rice Krispies 
• chicken strips with a little dash of Kosher salt
• laughing when something is funny.  He does it of his own accord, not in response to us.  So funny!
• sleeping on a fluffy pillow
• his little red chair
• stacking blocks, cups, rings, etc.
• climbing up and scooting down stairs
• feeding his dog contraband foods - like crusty French bread which then causes the dog to hack and cough and then puke.  Awesome.
• Hi-5 (tv show, I know, I know.  It will cause ADD.  It is the only thing that will calm him when he wants to nurse and I say no)
• demanding that dh and I play Rockband for his pure entertainment. Sometimes he drums along. :)
• to bellow at you loudly
• his cousins.  every single one of them, but especially Eva

Piglet is OVER

• being told "no no" especially about nursing
• being in the stroller too long, prefers the backpack
• Cheerios
• Cheetos
• sitting still on my lap for more than five or ten minutes (sad tear)
• cow's milk or soy milk - okay he was never INTO it, but the record should show that he's still not a fan after two months of gentle prodding
• restaurants
• certain lullabies
• the Gymboree parachute
• baby swings at the park 

Piglet minus Mommy

I did it, folks.  I left Piglet home alone with dh (and my mom) and got on a plane and flew to a sunny, warm destination, trading in toting a carseat and stroller and brought a girlfriend instead.  This is the infamous "weaning" trip to hopefully seal the deal on that little venture.  I'm not convinced it will though since I'm my boobs are still on Piglet time.  ;)

I did shed some tears as I kissed Piglet in his carseat when they dropped me off at the airport.  He was so sweet. Laying kisses on me and saying "mwah! mmmmmwah!"  I almost told dh to load my suitcase back up, I wasn't going anywhere.  No really.

But I did it.  I put one foot in front of the other and walked through the revolving door. I admired all the kiddos and held back tears while I waited in line to check my bag and was sad.  I told all the people with kids on the plane that I was going away for the first time without my 15 month-old.  I counted the minutes until I could receive all my text message updates about how Piglet was faring.  

But once we landed in our sunny destination and the idea of FIVE DAYS of sun and relaxation and taking care only of myself sunk in, I started to get excited.  And now that I've been here for two days, I think it's safe to say, while I miss Piglet TERRIBLY, it sure is mighty nice to get tons of sleep, eat at any restaurant (and I mean actually eat INSIDE the restaurant with BOTH hands) and worry only about whether I should apply SPF 8 or 15.  

I'm having a grand time.  So grateful to my dh for encouraging me to go on this little getaway and to my mom for helping out while I'm away.  I'm counting my many blessings on this sunny, warm (HOT!) day.  

And Piglet?  He's doing GREAT.  He's downing yogurt smoothies (no cow's or soy milk though) and eating up a storm.  Demanding and short-fused as ever.  Yesterday dh sent me a text saying that Piglet was in the backpack patting his head like a dog or horse while they were out on their walk.  Ha!  

BOB - more than just a stroller.

I learned something new from my friend Sarah the other day.  As we were pushing our (empty) BOB strollers and amusing our (carried) spawn with a day at the zoo, I asked her if she knew what BOB stood for.  She replied with a bemused smile "Beast of Burden."  

Ha! Those clever boffins at the BOB stroller company thought up such an ingenius name for their little (mult-million dollar) venture! I applauded them in my mind.  

With our upcoming cycle, I sometimes find myself imagining what life would be like with one or two (God help me) more babies around the house.  Words like: chaos and exhausted and sleep-deprived come to mind.  It is daunting to even consider.  

But on the flipside, I remember the unparalleled joy and exhilaration of delivering Piglet and feeling his soft skin against my cheek for the first time and the only word that comes to mind is: LOVE. Combine chaos, exhausted and sleep-deprived with LOVE and that is the text book definition of MOTHER.  Seriously, go look it up in your Webster's.  It's there for all the world to see. You can also find it under: Mother-New, Newborn and First-time Mother.  

Fathers, yes, they do some of the work, but it's the Mothers who bear the brunt of the load.  

Perhaps we should all be clever boffins and change our names to BOB.  

In case you had any doubt...

I ROCK.  You heard me.  I said.  I  R O C K.

That's me.  

Mommalove.  

With a PERFECT Rockband score on Billy Idol's classic - White Wedding.  

Compliments er, I mean comments welcome. 

Happy Friday! 

P.S. - Dh scored a paltry 96% in comparison.  ;)

You're going to think I'm crazy (or crazier).

Most people who are infertile probably have a love-hate (or even hate-hate) relationship with their RE and their RE's office staff.  And that's understandable since this is such a delicate, emotional speciality. However, this is just not the case with me. I love my RE and most everyone who works at his practice.  Seriously.  I feel so at home there. I could just spend all day there visiting with the nurses, chatting with the front desk gals, talking about meds and shots and protocols.  This was true even before I got pregnant.  It was even true when our first cycle failed.  I just have an affinity with these folks.  

It's as if I'm fulfilling my destiny by being infertile and my RE's office is the Mothership calling me home.  Ha!

This was probably never more true than today.  Today I had my pre-cycle consult with Dr. Dreamy and my most favorite nurse / IVF coordinator EVER.  I haven't seen them since I brought a teeny-tiny Piglet in to meet his other baby daddy (hehe) and the crew.  I have to say...it was a thrill to be there again. You heard me.  I said THRILL. (See?  Crazy.  I told you.)  

The shots and the pokes and all the uncomfortable procedures, whatever, I don't even really associate those things with the practice. What I DO associate them with is the excitement and possibility of what could be.  

And that, THAT is THRILLING.  

I had a great consult with Dr. Dreamy.  We made several decisions about my upcoming cycle which I feel very good about.  Then I got to gab with my fabulous nurse about calendars and making sure that Dreamy isn't on vacation when I have my retrieval (key). She remembered every single thing about my previous cycles (despite them being two years ago now) and I was so impressed!  I am truly in such wonderful hands there.  I know they will do everything they can to make sure that I get to add another Piglet to my pen.  :) 

 

PS - In another life, maybe I could work there.  It would go something like this:

Me, just flitting around, greeting the incoming IF patients, answering their questions, telling them what good hands they are in - I could be like a walking advertisement/info booth for them! 

Hi there! How are you?! Hey, I'm infertile too!  It finally worked for us and we got a real-live baby and now we're going to try to have one more! Questions about where to bring your full sharps containers?  No problem! Who should you call with questions about your baselines?  I know just the person!  Personalized hospital gown for your retrieval and transfer?  I can tell you where to get them!  

Hahahahahahahaaaa....