11 days past the big "O"

11 days.

Testing starts tomorrow (I am just going to pretend the other tests didn't happen). Small symptoms over the past few days, same as the last months before. I feel like a 14 year old boy everytime I check out my boobs for growth or soreness.. did they get bigger? well maybe. actually, YEAH! Small bouts of nausea all day (random and really short in length) and HELL YEAH my boobs are a little sore. I'm still unsure if it's just my normal period symptoms, as I've got little twinges of cramping and my standard single cystic spot of acne on the chin.

Feeling good about this month, not gonna lie.

Trivs for Shivs...

Each week playing trivia is my main past time. This week we WON! $17 dollars each, booyah! The shitty part was we always have a celebration shot with the winnings, I got to toast with water!

We've actually won 6 or so times this year, and each time is just as sweet as the last. It's five topics a week, 10 questions per topic...

The best part of trivia at Paddy Coyne's is our name choosing ceremony held each week. Most teams keep the same name, but each week we try to find something more creative than the last as our new name. Not only does this eliminate us from the "haters club" (ie teams that win too much) but the announcer gives out the team scores after each round and just hearing him announce our name is fun itself.

Over the last year, our most memorable names have been:

Shamwow Hooker Beatdown (this week, dedicated to the shamwow guy news this week)
Jews for Jesus
Tacomatose (Tacoma is where trivia is)
Beaten with an umbrella ella ella eh
Sarah Palin doesn't believe in Dinosaurs
Obamarama

Handmade Things

On this kick to discover how to make baby a less expensive endeavor in this hard economic time, I've turned to the internet to revive my crafty skills and find some inexpensive things I can make to save some dough.

The best websites I've come across so far are:

Make Your Own Baby Stuff has baby slings (hell yeah I want one of those), baby toys, food recipes, baby shower gift ideas.... you name it. I only wish I had come up with this myself. I know I want to make some of their rattles as gifts for the showers I have to go to this month. I might take this a bit further, and if I do, I'll post pics of my major craftiness skills for all to see.

Etsy is a crafter's dream website. I have a shop there (no items currently, like I said I am trying to revive the skills) and it's one of the best places to window shop for new ideas or gift options for just about anyone.

And still crazy...

More dollar store tests bought....another one down the drain as soon as I got home. Its still too early. I really hope I get a positive soon, my crazy meter may exceed a new threshold if I don't.

Ash is also really seeming to get into the baby thing, and I wanna get this going before he loses interest or gives up hope.

I was slightly nauseous three times today... I wonder.

10 days past ovulation.

A little background information..

With my new traffic widget, it seems I now know I am actually talking to someone, not just myself. As you might have browsed my blog, my posts have started out ramming away at the baby making thing without much of a beginning back story. It's probably best if you know a little about me and my life!

My husband and I met about 7 years ago on a night out on the town for both of us. I ran into some old high school acquaintances and noticed this handsome fellow among the group. We both went to the same high school, but different grades, and had known of each other through a variety of social gatherings and classes. He was a bit drunk that night (and met TWO Melissas, no less) and I had been the DD for my group so the chemistry was a bit off then... but I called him the next day and asked him out for a beer.

Two months later we were adopting a puppy together, three months we were living together. We lived in good ol' sin until 3 years had passed...he finally proposed on Christmas Eve. We had gotten extremely good tickets to a Seahawks game, the season they went to the Superbowl, and he got down on his knee before halftime. I didn't say yes...I said "oh shit, are you okay" thinking he had finally blown out his bad knee.

The wedding was simple, we had a blast. Onward to life, right? Two and a half years into marriage and we decide...."well, it wouldn't suck if we got pregnant anymore." Suck as in the financial suck, the bad timing suck, the is our marriage ready for this suck. I threw out the birth control pills and we started the process of the hurry up and wait pregnancy plan. As of today, we've been trying for 3 months, since January 6th to be exact. And, although, in most couples baby making time, this is nothing....I still am ready and waiting for this to happen!

Bring on the Girls..

My husband has two younger sisters that occasionally come and visit with us for a weekend. It's almost like having nieces as they have such an age gap between them (Ash is 29 and they are 13 and 11). They are definitely a handful when they come, and it always sends me into a "boy mode" after.

Most older women I know, including Ash's mom, all recommend having boys. Girls are terrors during their teens from what I've been told and what I know from the kind of crazy I gave my mom during those precious tween years.

Yet, I still want a little girl to dress up and play with and a sweet hot pink nursery to set up. I can't seem to envision having a boy yet.

I've come to the conclusion lately that it would be best to just find out the sex at the birth, that way I am not disappointed at the ultrasound..... but I am still leaving it up to the hubby. If he wants to know, we will know....if he wants to wait, we will wait. Either way, it's better than me making the decision, I'll just change my mind a million times.

don't do it...

Don't take another test.
Don't take another test....
Don't do it.
Don't!

Ah hell, as of tomorrow morning I'll only be 8 DPO (days past ovulation) so testing would be ridiculous and stupid "money down the m*f*ing drain." But, I won't lie and say that the temptation isn't killing me.

Before I went to post, I checked over some past symptoms and they do seem quite alike. Dry mouth, vivid dreams....although I had a tiny bit of heartburn the other day (odd for me) and a sore throat. And massive amounts of PMS like grouchy I suck moments today. I haven't had any implantation bleeding, but I think that comes a little later anyhow.

This crap sucks.

And another thing.....#2

So I forgot to mention that while trying to pick out the "right" pregnancy tests at Target, I had two ladies wander past quite a few times and seem to giggle. I realize that I look super young, but really? I am 27, not 17.....if you really want to know why I just standing there, why don't you ask! I just couldn't remember which tests were the highest recommended for 25 HCG or less!

OCD with the tests

Seriously, I am ridiculous. I bought three First Response Tests while picking up the Pledge thingamobob. Of course, as I am only 6 days past when I assume I ovulated.....it would only be stupid of me to take a test at this point....but I did anyway. My reasoning...."well, it's just 4 dollars for that ONE test, and I didn't buy a mocha today....sooooooo alright!" The first day I really should test is MAYBE March 31st. So 4 days to go....and in my infinite wisdom and craziness, I may be out of tests by then!

OMG!

Have you seen this? The Pledge Fabric Sweeper commercial just blasted on my tv...and I am smitten. Holy Cripe Batman! Not only will this have been amazing back when we had fabric sofas in the living room and a beagle (I'm talking to you Bustah!) that sheds like a lab....but for our now cat hair magnet of a bedspread....

Seriously. I will be picking this up tomorrow the moment I wake up. My biggest "I wonder" has always been the sheer amount of animal hair covering the floor and seemingly every surface of this house. A baby crawling around and putting god knows what in it's mouth has me dreaming of infants coughing up hair balls.

Hopefully, this new gadget will sit right next to my new Dyson....in the "Animal Hair Ninjas" section of the house.

Dangit.

The chart below tells me if I don't get into the babiness....I will be getting the visit of a period on my birthday next month.... that really sucks.

Sick or...

Dammit, it's too early for symptoms, but I'm getting a little nausea from god knows what...and a headcold to end all headcolds. I spent the last three days at home, but still was able to get my butt to my weekly pub trivia extravaganza. Although we didn't win, we did have a good time...one that hopefully will be a last (at least for nine months, right?) Who wants to go do trivia when you're feeding, sleeping, and drinking for two? Drinking water at a pub.....I bet I'd get kicked out first!

Won't know about the bumpity bump until next week, funny enough the soonest I can test is April 1st....so it would be just in Melissa nature to announce it as an anti April Fools Joke....no one will believe me!

Contined Surprises

In my never ending search for the perfect way to announce "we're pregnant" to the 'rents.... I am keeping a running tab of sorts on interesting ways to tell those you love.

And Your Fortune Is
Invite your parents over for a homemade dinner of chinese food, or takeout. Give them each a homemade fortune cookie at the end with "we're pregnant" inside. Or, if dining out, ask the restaurant to pass out these cookies at the end of your meal.

Here's a fortune cookie company that you can get customized messages included in...and at not too bad of a price.

Missed opps...

Shit. I was off a day and I think I may have ovulated early. This doesn't make things very "hey we're pregnant" things happen when you get off by a few days, but in the crazy possibility that it works anyway....I'll shut my mouth and hope for the best.

Disposable vs Cloth

When determining how expensive this little bundle of goodness is really going to be, an important thing to consider is the diaper dilemma.

From what I can gather (and please tell me to shut up and give me the right answer if any of this is incorrect) babies average 70-80 diapers per week the first month, with the numbers decreasing as the months go on. Not looking at the environmental aspects of cloth vs disposable, I have come up with a breakdown of it all.

Cloth diapers initial cost = $300 -500 dollars, very little additional cost...

Cloth diaper service per month = 82.00 in my local area = $2400 over three years.

Disposable Diapers = $3000 over three years.

I never thought I'd be that person to actually consider cloth diapers. Usually I get all "eeeeww" about poo, but it seems cloth diapers have come a long way....and the diaper service is not a bad option. They also have flushable liners now to get the "eeeeww" part out of the diaper washing. I don't think I will really know where I sit on this one until I give it some more thought.

My Chart.....

Hey....I bet you can't guess when we're getting down!

MONTH 1:
3/07/08 - First day of your cycle
3/19/08 - A little bit fertile
3/20/08 - Fertile
3/21/08 - VERY fertile
3/22/08 - time to ovulate
4/05/08 - End of cycle
4/04/08 - A home pregnancy test may work now
4/08/08 - No period? Maybe you're pregnant!
12/20/08 - If you are, this is your approximate due date.

MONTH 2:
4/05/08 - First day of your cycle
4/17/08 - A little bit fertile
4/18/08 - Fertile
4/19/08 - VERY fertile
4/20/08 - time to ovulate
5/04/08 - End of cycle
5/03/08 - A home pregnancy test may work now
5/07/08 - No period? Maybe you're pregnant!
1/18/09 - If you are, this is your approximate due date.

Costs of a baby...

Trying to come up with a tried and true list of absolute needs when it comes to a new baby. I've heard a variety of things, like you don't really need a bouncer....or a highchair.....or a changing table.
But, alias, I am still considering these things only because I am a retail gal, dedicated to the best of everything and not wanting to forget something I've been brainwashed into thinking I need.

Here's the list so far.... please let me know if I am missing something or don't need a particular item.....and any advice you are willing to give thusfar.

Crib - Preferably one that converts to a toddler bed.
Changing table
Dresser
Bedding
Diaper Pail
Cradle
Playard - for downstairs
Carseat - with two bases for car
Stroller
Bathtub
Bottle Drying Rack
Baby Monitor

So what am I missing?

Crazies

When people find out you are trying to conceive, they tend to get all psychic on you.

One of the ladies I work with swears up and down that she is super psychic and knows that I won't get pregnant until I stop thinking about it....but is also able to tell me that I will have two babies within the next few years (wow, what a prediction!)

Another lady asked if she could feel my aura and waved her hand over my belly to predict my babyness abilities. She was able to predict a boy then a girl, with my first pregnancy to happen in May. If she turns out to be right....I'll piss myself...at least she is a little more specific in her psychic abilities than my coworker is.

The OV Watch...

I received a phone call today from my younger brother (his wife now 6 months pregnant with their first after a long time of trying). They were offering up their OV watch to me as a helpful predictor of ovulation! I had never heard of this gadget before and was quite surprised at the offer. I guess they had received it thru their doctor and had tried it for a few months before going to the more direct method of Invitro.

I completely appreciated the thought, and I love the idea that I can look to my brother for advice in these matters.... but it still is weird to hear him talk about sex and when to hit the sack for good baby making!

Can't wait to try it out..

Continued... Surprise! Suggestions

Earlier, I started a post on how to announce a baby is coming to your loved ones...
hopefully over the coming posts, you'll find some of this tidbits helpful.

Big Family Gathering

Gather the family and let them in on the secret by giving them a shirt with the iron on saying "What are you looking at GRANDPA & GRANDMA" and you wearing a "Yep" it may take a minute, but eventually he'll get it!

Baseball Game

If you've got the funds, think about getting an announce up at a game. Either pay for the big "Hey dad, we're pregnant!" for the scoreboard, or bring your own sign and open it up for the cameras to catch (bringing you on the screen and he will suddenly see it's not "Go Mariners" you're holding).

"Hey I need your help with the car..."

Stop by your dad's and get him to help you with something in your car. Let him know you are trying to install a new gadget and it's just not working. Once you get out there, open the back seat and let him "see" the new gadget....a car seat.

Key Funding

Surprise your parents with a card "just because" and inside, place a gas gift card. Explain to them... you'll be needing this as we'll be needing you to come visit your new grandchild!

The Pups...

Our first child, Bustah, has been with us from the beginning. Ash and I got him a month into our relationship (hell, we weren't even living together then) and he has, on his own, prompted our living together, buying a house, and buying a second dog. That pup is spoiled.

We've raised him in the hopes that he will turn out to be the perfect companion for our first born child. We pull on his tail and his ears, grab his tongue and poke at his face to ready him for his next adventure. He's just a good kid....



Sadie was our gift to Bustah. She came from a Beagle rescue and unknowingly looked exactly like him. Skinny, paranoid and everything annoying...she has made us love her like no other.

She will likely be the one to run screaming at the first hint of a baby cry and revel in the bits of manna that fall from the sky on the kitchen floor.


Because these are the kids for the moment, I thought it appropriate to introduce them...

and just to add an antidote in for kicks...

Today Bustah treated me to a little practice for baby.... I had to wipe down his tail and butt after noticing a little leftover from his visit outside. Yuck.

Lame...

Lame is the new word for my pregnancy craze. I am lame. It's pretty much a negative this month and lemme tell you, I feel poopy about it.

I question the content on this blog lately because if it's going to take awhile to get pregnant, I may run out of content pretty soon.... how many times does anyone want to hear about the same things over and over again. I think I'm going to add in some of my life into this mix, see what it brings! Since the baby making is a big part, I think it will still hold a dominant presence here on the blog.

Still waiting...

In the last few days, I've experienced that mirage of pseudo symptoms that could be pregnancy or could be not...

Vivid dreams every night (first baby dream last night, although it was not my own child) and an overwhelming feeling of nausea are just a few.

I still have 3 days of am I's, but the last few days have hit the "negative jackpot" on the pee tests. I slightly question the accuracy of the dollar store tests, but we'll see.

Could it be...

I was so elated today.....all because of a single cramp. Followed by a few more...and some lower back pain. My left boob is even feeling a little under the weather. This is all much too early for it to be period related (FINGERS and TOES crossed!)

A few more days and we'll know for sure.

Symptoms...

I still have two days before I can still take a pregnancy test and possibly get accurate results...even though I've taken two already (thank you Dollar Store)! I've been extremely sensitive to changes in my body or experiences throughout the day.... and I just wanted to get them on record in case...

Vivid Dreams
Headache
Extremely Thirsty
Light feelings of nausea

So...either I'm pregnant or I've got the flu. Good luck, right?