tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53181774004000399272024-03-13T03:18:48.142-07:00The sometimes mediocre homemakerDaughter of God.Wife.Mother of two. Adoptee. Former infertile(though still a little bitter).Somewhat crunchy. Total geek. Good friend. Stubborn. House wife(more Roseanne than Donna Reed but I try) Crafter. Country music lover.Mary and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07377405324658300316noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5318177400400039927.post-23978570817594342522014-02-17T22:53:00.000-08:002014-02-17T22:53:17.320-08:00I promise.<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To my children:<br /><br />Today,I yelled. The same as yesterday,and the day before that and the day before that. I feel bad when I yell. When I lose my temper. I know that everyone gets frustrated and it's a normal thing but that doesn't make it feel any better. I know I always say "I'm sorry",and while those words are so important,it doesn't fix anything.<br /><br /><i>Today we went to Sam's club and getting there was half the battle. There were shoes to put on,bathroom duties and then there's getting to the car.... We fought tooth and nail over those shoes and hair and barely made it out the door. I yelled. We got in the car and went shopping. The trip was not our best one. Everyone lived through it so I'll call it a success. :) </i><br />This mom stuff is hard. It's non-stop and there's so much to do, it's an endless pile of dirty laundry,dishes and diapers. It's dirty faces and hands,it's stuff spilled everywhere,it's toddlers saying 'no' to everything you ask them to do,even eat ice cream! It's crazy and it's thankless. But 20 years from now nobody will remember that. What they will remember is the sweet kisses at the end of every day(and scattered throughout). The times you come in the bathroom and throw open the shower door to say "I love you mommy" The books we read at night. How mom always made their favorite foods when they are sick. How a simple kiss from mommy could make it all better. And it's so funny,but the kiss to make it better works on mommies too! Your kisses and little hugs can turn the rainiest day into a sunny one.<br /><br />Motherhood(and fatherhood) is hard. Every day you feel as if you have failed your children. Something you did or didn't do,said or didn't say. Something you may have let slide that you wished you had stopped to address or something you flipped out over that was so insignificant and not even worth it. It's hard. But it's the MOST worthwhile thing I have ever done!(you will understand one day) Having two kids that are 13 months apart is rough. They fight like cats and dogs but their love for each other is so true and so strong! If I had it to do over again,I wouldn't change a thing.<br /><br />Nothing.....but the yelling. So here's my promise to you,my beautiful babies. Mommy is going to try her very best to reach down and find a little more patience every day. I'm going to NOT yell as much. And hopefully soon,I won't yell at all. You see,cycles are hard to break and it's going to be one step at a time. One conflict at a time. But I don't want you to fear me. I want you to respect me and I want to be able to show you the same respect. I want to have a relationship with you that is built on trust,not fear. My own relationship with my parents was far from that. I vow to break the cycle. It may take three times as long to get something done but if we work as a team I believe we can do it! I promise you I will listen to you and respect you. I promise that I will find my patience and use it. I promise that I will be the best mommy I can be and make you both proud. I promise that I will do my best to make sure you are kind and respectful of others. And I promise that I will ALWAYS love you. NO MATTER WHAT!<br /><br />I love you more than the stars.<br /><br /> Love,<br /> Mommy</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5UWvEL_-eshgtJxtJ0ZR-_kwKuhEfM9u_BHHDiqi6Pg6PfXFqncwMtWM_WpJTmtqaRFZOIVk1i-C5n9YcpH_UhuBgkwLT71-NHvjPZlP-e-ebPsKSgz14FP_zp-w8TNGzJy63HJXO30M/s1600/DSCN0297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5UWvEL_-eshgtJxtJ0ZR-_kwKuhEfM9u_BHHDiqi6Pg6PfXFqncwMtWM_WpJTmtqaRFZOIVk1i-C5n9YcpH_UhuBgkwLT71-NHvjPZlP-e-ebPsKSgz14FP_zp-w8TNGzJy63HJXO30M/s1600/DSCN0297.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Monkeys at the zoo!!!<br /><br /> Ft Walton beach FL. 2013</span><br />
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Mary and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07377405324658300316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5318177400400039927.post-28548048332140227812011-05-05T17:04:00.000-07:002011-05-05T17:10:08.277-07:00We have something else to tell you.....We are pregnant,yes,again. I didn't think it would be possible to have another baby but God had other ideas in store for us. Anyway,I'm 20 weeks and we just found out.....IT'S A GIRL! Mason will be getting a little sister sometime in late September. My due date is 9.23.11. It's gonna be tough and I'm not gonna ever sleep again but then again nothing that's ever been worth it has ever been easy! I just wish my dad was here to celebrate with us. But I know he is looking down right now and smiling and I know he helped pick this special angel just for us!Mary and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07377405324658300316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5318177400400039927.post-73063066471728240412010-11-05T21:28:00.000-07:002010-11-05T21:50:13.000-07:00My daddy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioGUGnCqnkjuhZ9asu-NRXwGz48FTH6m2XnuyYn98l12OIFKT66sz6m0uWqo1UTsUZiccOFQBu5zYDtLj5c6MlJHgp0npJeTcnSc1Xw7rgVlepdkmPYhoqFdlcaK6WmU30WjJl_hsfxMU/s1600/Mason+Alexander+014.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioGUGnCqnkjuhZ9asu-NRXwGz48FTH6m2XnuyYn98l12OIFKT66sz6m0uWqo1UTsUZiccOFQBu5zYDtLj5c6MlJHgp0npJeTcnSc1Xw7rgVlepdkmPYhoqFdlcaK6WmU30WjJl_hsfxMU/s320/Mason+Alexander+014.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536293312456302498" border="0" /></a><br />Today I lost my closest alli(other than my hubby),the first man I ever loved,and the greatest man I have ever known,my dad. It still feels like a dream,like I'm gonna wake up and he'll still be here. I knew this day would come but I didn't realize how soon it would be.I wish Mason could have had the chance to get to know him. My dad was great,he always helped people less fortunate,he did charity work for all kinds of causes,he always made time for me. To me that was the best thing. I could always call him for anything and he would be there. I'm going to miss him so much. Even though he never said it I know he loved me,and I know he thought Mason hung the moon! I am so glad that he did get the chance to see and know his grandson,a gift that my grandmother never received. I am so grateful for all that they have done for me (my mom,dad and my grandparents) and I hope that now I get the chance to tell them all. I feel so terrible that I have tarnished my relationship with my mother so badly that it seems ruined. I don't want things to be this way,I want to get along with my mom,and I hope that now we can. I know my father always wanted that. He tried so hard to make things good and I never would budge. I am too stubborn and I really need to change that. I know he wanted a happy family and I want to make it that way for him,too little too late maybe but it's what he would have wanted,it's gonna take some work but I really want to make it happen. I love you dad. I'm gonna miss you more than anything.Mary and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07377405324658300316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5318177400400039927.post-10306934381808898932010-10-25T20:12:00.000-07:002010-10-25T20:37:03.354-07:00looking back...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQoqNv2RzqCEcM59KDMSHS4Hwf5vKwfLuYlNQyqZ3Cbsq8FR5aIqamPmeJYkmRIuYoNMxC4pQlb-z7ezde1VVEOeS74Xx2_mJLEWWWYBUYXnUW0aF1Bd5FLAZNvNpCUlT8gQb-ms0xroE/s1600/Mason+Alexander+009.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQoqNv2RzqCEcM59KDMSHS4Hwf5vKwfLuYlNQyqZ3Cbsq8FR5aIqamPmeJYkmRIuYoNMxC4pQlb-z7ezde1VVEOeS74Xx2_mJLEWWWYBUYXnUW0aF1Bd5FLAZNvNpCUlT8gQb-ms0xroE/s320/Mason+Alexander+009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532191347036639266" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxDDwFBgKFOY5w-GIVJN1kAaPfpJ6KZu73VpwUBvK0mfvULNjBUrO8iVFwuJbp6LkKvjlbPehD1uH8p2JClI-vzAafhFj0GCUx0_ZgLQdVEhJzlEN9S5A4uftkT5_UV7pMeqNPRGKOR0Q/s1600/Clarisa+027.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxDDwFBgKFOY5w-GIVJN1kAaPfpJ6KZu73VpwUBvK0mfvULNjBUrO8iVFwuJbp6LkKvjlbPehD1uH8p2JClI-vzAafhFj0GCUx0_ZgLQdVEhJzlEN9S5A4uftkT5_UV7pMeqNPRGKOR0Q/s320/Clarisa+027.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532192022672491570" border="0" /></a><br />I loved every moment of being pregnant. I had a fairly easy labor and birth and I feel like I have a good baby. He sleeps through the night ,he took to breastfeeding right away,and he's just so sweet and well behaved. I CAN'T WAIT TO DO IT AGAIN! Jeff says I'm crazy and so do most of my friends but I don't care. I would do it a thousand times over. I still cry but for different reasons now. At first it was because I thought I couldn't survive without Jeff here and now it's because I am so overcome with emotion all the time that I can't even control it. I love Mason so much,I never knew how much I could love someone and that that love would seem to grow every day! Every day he amazes me by learning something new or doing something so cute,I just have to stop and stare at him. I love that he has such a wonderful family and that they all love him so much! It took so long to get him here but it was worth everything we did! I would love to have another one and soon but if it's not in the cards for us that's OK because we have the best little boy that anyone could ask for.He is growing so fast! The pictures are at birth and 12 weeks!Mary and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07377405324658300316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5318177400400039927.post-83374576933960276682010-10-06T14:33:00.000-07:002010-10-06T14:38:23.065-07:00MasonHE"S HERE!! Well...he got here 9 weeks ago...But who can blame me for just sitting and looking at him rather than posting blogs? I'm not at my home computer so I'll have to post pictures later but he's just PERFECT! Looks just like his daddy and sleeps so good!!Mary and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07377405324658300316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5318177400400039927.post-5622720621886409342010-05-03T19:51:00.000-07:002010-05-03T20:30:56.144-07:0026 weeks.....WOW! I can't believe it's been 6 weeks since I last blogged on here! Not much has changed,he's getting bigger and moves a lot but other than that everything is the same,which is good. I can't believe that he will be here in 95 days! We still haven't come up with a name yet and it's really starting to get on my nerves. The baby furniture will be here soon and his room is almost finished. It's really starting to sink in. I never thought I would ever see this day and now it's coming so fast I can hardly wait. I just want to be able to hold him and kiss his little face!Mary and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07377405324658300316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5318177400400039927.post-35430023747942828682010-03-23T13:17:00.000-07:002010-03-23T13:37:31.797-07:0020 weeks...I went to see the Dr yesterday to have my "Official" anatomy scan and she told me that he weighs 15oz~ A little on the big side but they aren't worried about it so neither am I. I go back in 4 weeks to repeat my glucose test and hopefully I'll pass it as well. Everything else was good,saw the heartbeat and he was moving around,the only thing was they couldn't get a clear shot of his face so we have to repeat the ultrasound when we go back in 4 weeks.<br /><br />It's starting to warm up around here and hopefully the summer will fly by and at the end of it I'll have my baby boy! I'm hoping to get a pool membership this year so that I'll have someplace to go when the weather gets really hot! The baby is moving a lot at night still and just a little bit during the day. I think he can hear some of what goes on outside because sometimes he responds to hubbys voice by moving. He still has no name...that bugs me but oh well...We are about to start working on his room and hopefully will have most of it done soon. I guess that's it for now,see you in 4 weeks.Mary and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07377405324658300316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5318177400400039927.post-51367345911793489802010-03-12T20:23:00.000-08:002010-03-12T20:40:03.664-08:0019 weeks pregnant...I'm super excited that I've made it this far...the furthest I've ever made it before was 13 weeks. I'm really starting to feel like this is really real...that in as little as 4 short months I will be the mother of a little boy! I can't really describe the feeling that I have,I mean,we tried so long and hard for this and now it's really gonna happen! To tell you the truth,I never thought it would. I had completely given up on the idea of ever having kids of our own and was trying to talk Jeff into adoption. And then...it did. I still couldn't believe it when the stick turned positive and I went out and bought several more and peed on them daily until my first appointment. Jeff finally made me stop. I feel a lot better about it now because I can feel the little guy move...he likes to move at night and kick me in the bladder...but I wouldn't have it any other way! The only ailment I have really had is my sciatic nerve,that has bothered me for about 6 years. So not totally a pregnancy issue but annoying...<br /><br />I love the feeling of knowing that I have made it halfway and I'm now in the 2nd half of this pregnancy. Sometimes I feel as though time can't go any slower and then I look back and see how far I've come and it makes me smile. My next appointment is on the 22nd and I'll get to look at all his organs and everything! Hopefully the crazy lady Dr won't piss me off about my weight...I get it that she's skinny,but I'm not. Get over it lady! I don't sit around and eat Bon Bons all day so stfu already! I'm so excited to see my little man again!! I can't wait until I get to hold him in my arms!Mary and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07377405324658300316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5318177400400039927.post-27723202846733992482010-03-12T13:03:00.001-08:002010-03-12T13:06:01.854-08:0019 weeks and we have a.........<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3sEKLks99dtjisVvNV71_bhCn4TiJolr9kB5TFlDfmWhGayY4zWSBkOVppBHBcCUja1dSC_-K0En0tyUJq7c1bGO9oq4rGyLBrTGc8f4WrAMD6Iib0DU5xiKHxLEfmCk0C0gb6VccvJ8/s1600-h/IMAGE_23.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3sEKLks99dtjisVvNV71_bhCn4TiJolr9kB5TFlDfmWhGayY4zWSBkOVppBHBcCUja1dSC_-K0En0tyUJq7c1bGO9oq4rGyLBrTGc8f4WrAMD6Iib0DU5xiKHxLEfmCk0C0gb6VccvJ8/s320/IMAGE_23.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447856502976695586" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL3QElOedYf-FIKRikVmHhiIzYStBAphRCkNakloFigU4j06YAxXhMSUPzpupwBV_8xk6qOWBgfnh9aToT5sXsVsKl3coMeK1GmZbUss4F1M1dT_Ex6J6KVYDwjHiFSrcQsthD6RWfxJg/s1600-h/its_a_boy.gif"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 269px; height: 310px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL3QElOedYf-FIKRikVmHhiIzYStBAphRCkNakloFigU4j06YAxXhMSUPzpupwBV_8xk6qOWBgfnh9aToT5sXsVsKl3coMeK1GmZbUss4F1M1dT_Ex6J6KVYDwjHiFSrcQsthD6RWfxJg/s320/its_a_boy.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447856171502225762" border="0" /></a>Mary and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07377405324658300316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5318177400400039927.post-42640381621765037272010-02-27T13:22:00.000-08:002010-02-27T13:23:16.599-08:00Cravings and other old wives tales...I have been craving sausage pizza and candy...that throws the old wives tales about cravings out the window... I have an appointment at Focused Within to have a gender scan on Tuesday the 2nd so I guess we'll find out then... On another note,other superstitions have pointed in the Boy direction,which is what I have thought all along. I guess we'll see in 3 days.....<br /><br />http://www.hisboyscanswim.com/658/list-of-51-pregnancy-old-wives-tales-your-babys-sex-revealedMary and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07377405324658300316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5318177400400039927.post-14414084154242442492010-02-05T12:55:00.000-08:002010-02-05T13:02:56.975-08:0014 weeks...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5DkQFdZ6Bdj_l08zKPLYUZyea65o4ateTlwb0JQLRc4SaXmhQELynC5csinms5s7_J3Zvr_ORtLr9siLBRrXkJZrqwevERN8tsNPpkBqWiA2zDh90IT0EUPhojpHMQj2KC_9bqZMhlxc/s1600-h/l_7601a560656c4b7d95bc2669e9dcd7f1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434867715441257074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5DkQFdZ6Bdj_l08zKPLYUZyea65o4ateTlwb0JQLRc4SaXmhQELynC5csinms5s7_J3Zvr_ORtLr9siLBRrXkJZrqwevERN8tsNPpkBqWiA2zDh90IT0EUPhojpHMQj2KC_9bqZMhlxc/s320/l_7601a560656c4b7d95bc2669e9dcd7f1.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I had to reschedule my appt due to the bad weather and all the snow but I did get another ultrasound and everything looked good. I also had blood work for my first trimester screening and downs test...those results came back today and the Dr said that everything was within the normal range. Thank the Lord for that!! We also got news yesterday that Jeff missed the layoffs so he gets to keep his job for the time being which is GREAT!! I'm 14 weeks today! Heres a picture...it's not very good because I had to use my camera...my printer is down...Enjoy! My next appt is on the 22nd.</div>Mary and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07377405324658300316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5318177400400039927.post-33616063012913276532010-01-26T12:35:00.001-08:002010-01-26T12:45:24.410-08:00Baby picture....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUXKHvtr3bEfY5vTAkRHK2Olj9Ne5P3v-a5KUBoXjOVdo8QDJTa9XA10uygHRyK60n-w543I_W9EtajdU4no_EAocRFk1rdEhfUBZaSE4rTKP22UDN0lWABhBKiHyouYREMvPhKlfF7lE/s1600-h/preggo+003.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUXKHvtr3bEfY5vTAkRHK2Olj9Ne5P3v-a5KUBoXjOVdo8QDJTa9XA10uygHRyK60n-w543I_W9EtajdU4no_EAocRFk1rdEhfUBZaSE4rTKP22UDN0lWABhBKiHyouYREMvPhKlfF7lE/s320/preggo+003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431150362433021570" border="0" /></a><br />This is my 6w4d ultrasound picture. Baby measured right on target. Hope everything goes well this Friday and that I have another picture to show you!Mary and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07377405324658300316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5318177400400039927.post-83218345888811176722010-01-26T11:49:00.000-08:002010-01-26T12:46:13.177-08:00Guess what?...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7r9k5hzao82g2Bd8mRuAMC8Jw0Flpb2gR6IVoOl_QXxoZlbFMIDJ8BwTPuU1U2oibAadgEBNpoJo0J-0mD_8RaeA7rDSoo3YGT6YN0wcfesIYvRUjMC-Jo6FRERHbeOmyzCEpd71eRtU/s1600-h/December2009+305.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7r9k5hzao82g2Bd8mRuAMC8Jw0Flpb2gR6IVoOl_QXxoZlbFMIDJ8BwTPuU1U2oibAadgEBNpoJo0J-0mD_8RaeA7rDSoo3YGT6YN0wcfesIYvRUjMC-Jo6FRERHbeOmyzCEpd71eRtU/s320/December2009+305.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431138726853343250" border="0" /></a><br />So for those of you who don't know yet,I'm pregnant! After years of trying and heartache it finally happened!! We haven't told many people yet,besides close friends and family,and with our circumstances I don't WANT to tell anyone until the baby is here safe and sound...but I know that I will tell everyone in my own time and everything will be ok. I'm 12w4d today and I have another ultrasound on Friday. Hopefully everything will be perfect and I can start looking at baby stuff. I told hubby already that we aren't taking anything out or setting up the nursery until either right before I have the baby or after we come home. I suppose that is the infertile woman inside of me screaming that something could go wrong. It's been such a long hard journey to get here and I almost feel,like a friend once said,like a fake. Like it's not really happening and it's all just a dream and I'll wake up soon. I know that the doctor said that once you establish a heartbeat the chances are pretty good for the baby but...this is me and when it comes to certain things I'm a "glass-half-empty" kind of girl.<br /><br />I have,however,purchased some maternity clothes for myself and I love them!! The shirts are a little roomy but hopefully soon they won't be. :) Anyway,I thought I would post and let everyone know that wants to and with any luck I'll have some good news on Friday.Mary and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07377405324658300316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5318177400400039927.post-71879353766634457192009-07-21T20:00:00.000-07:002009-07-21T20:01:19.830-07:00I resign...I am hereby officially tendering my resignation as an adult. I have decided I would like to accept the responsibilities of an 8 year-old again. <span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica;font-size:85%;">I want to go to McDonald's and think that it's a four star restaurant. </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica;font-size:85%;">I want to sail sticks across a fresh mud puddle and make a sidewalk with rocks. </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica;font-size:85%;">I want to think M&Ms are better than money because you can eat them. </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica;font-size:85%;">I want to lie under a big oak tree and run a lemonade stand with my friends on a hot summer's day. </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica;font-size:85%;">I want to return to a time when life was simple; When all you knew were colors, multiplication tables, and nursery rhymes, but that didn't bother you, because you didn't know what you didn't know and you didn't care. </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica;font-size:85%;">All you knew was to be happy because you were blissfully unaware of all the things that should make you worried or upset. </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica;font-size:85%;">I want to think the world is fair. That everyone is honest and good. </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica;font-size:85%;">I want to believe that anything is possible. I want to be oblivious to the complexities of life and be overly excited by the little things again. </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica;font-size:85%;">I want to live simple again. I don't want my day to consist of computer crashes, mountains of paperwork, depressing news, how to survive more days in the month than there is money in the bank, doctor bills, gossip, illness, and loss of loved ones. </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica;font-size:85%;">I want to believe in the power of smiles, hugs, a kind word, truth, justice, peace, dreams, the imagination, mankind, and making angels in the snow. </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica;font-size:85%;">So . . . here's my checkbook and my car-keys, my credit card bills and my 401K statements. I am officially resigning from adulthood. </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /><br />I found this somewhere and thought...this would be nice...if only for a day.<br /></span>Mary and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07377405324658300316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5318177400400039927.post-16148412554694616742009-03-13T17:52:00.000-07:002009-03-13T18:02:08.983-07:00Progesterone TestSo I got up this morning at 8 to make it across town by 10 to get my blood work for my progesterone test. I was there about 5 minutes and they called me a few minutes ago to let me know that my level was 15.3(they want it 15 or more). I still think that is a little low but I guess we'll find out.<br /><br />She said I can come in on Thursday for a beta(blood pregnancy test) and we'll go from there so now I just have one more week to wait!<br /><br />Wish me luck!!!<br /><br />my only symptoms as of today are:<br />sore bbs<br />frequent urination<br />fatigue<br />Which could all be leftover from the HCG shot so I'm not getting my hopes up too much.<br /><br />XOXO~MaryMary and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07377405324658300316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5318177400400039927.post-61911342620591173392009-03-02T10:11:00.000-08:002009-03-02T10:36:11.756-08:00He lost a baby too...<span style="font-size:85%;"><span id="ctl00_cpMain_BulletinRead_ltl_body">Found this and thought I would share...<br /><br />~ He Lost A Baby Too ~<br /><br />It must be very difficult<br />To be a man in grief,<br />Since "men don't cry" and "men are strong"<br />No tears can bring relief.<br /><br />It must be very difficult<br />To stand up to the test<br />And field the calls and visitors<br />So she can get some rest.<br /><br />They always ask if she's alright<br />And what she's going through.<br /><br />But seldom take his hand and ask,<br />"My friend, but how are you?"<br /><br />He hears her crying in the night<br />And thinks his heart will break.<br /><br />He dries her tears and comforts her,<br />But "stays strong" for her sake.<br /><br />It must be very difficult<br />To start each day anew<br />And try to be so very brave –<br />He lost his baby too.<br /><br /><br />~ Author Unknown ~</span></span>Mary and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07377405324658300316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5318177400400039927.post-38982103056312846792009-02-23T18:25:00.000-08:002009-02-23T19:40:55.153-08:00Infertility Etiquette by Vita Alligood....this one is long<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifS0SdEc0cZqITNqaEUj7U_rlLF_UAl7zJW-HGMM9yNQJyIyHuk_hBWL5WwAY0RY4sUyxcdDTXZBAR-bHZVkk2bLy5LM4NFtPLvPtaXt0Sbns7R1JPEF2EOBy_QQtDtqUq4rji2O_G368/s1600-h/Untitled-1-3.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 100px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifS0SdEc0cZqITNqaEUj7U_rlLF_UAl7zJW-HGMM9yNQJyIyHuk_hBWL5WwAY0RY4sUyxcdDTXZBAR-bHZVkk2bLy5LM4NFtPLvPtaXt0Sbns7R1JPEF2EOBy_QQtDtqUq4rji2O_G368/s320/Untitled-1-3.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306184862616718738" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Chances are, you know someone who is struggling w</span><span style="font-family:arial;">i</span><span style="font-family:arial;">th infertility. More than five million people of childbearing age in the United States experience infert</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ility. Yet, as a society, we are woefully uninformed about how to best provide emotional support for our loved ones during this painful time.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Infertility is, indeed, a very painful struggle. The pain is sim</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ilar to the grief over losing a loved one, but it is unique because it is a recurring grief. When a loved one dies, he isn't coming back. There is no hope that he wi</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ll come back from the dead. You must work through the stages of grief, accept that you will never see this person again, and move on with your life.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">The grief of infertility is not so cut and dry. Infertile people grieve the loss of the baby that they may never know. They grieve the loss of that baby who would have had mommy's nose and daddy's eyes. But, each month, there is the hope that maybe that baby will be conceived after all. No matter how hard they try to prepare themselves for bad news, they still hope that this month will be different. Then, the bad news comes again, and the grief washes over the infertile couple anew. This process happens month after month, year after year. It is like having a deep cut that keeps getting opened right when it starts to heal.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">As the couple moves into infertility treatments, the pain increases while the bank account depletes. Most infertility treatments involve using hormones, which alter the user's moods. (That statement is like calling a lion a cat-my husband would tell you that the side effect is insanity!) The tests are invasive and embarrassing to both parties, and you feel like the doctor has taken over your bedroom. And for all of this discomfort, you pay a lot of money. Infertility treatments are expensive, and most insurance companies do not cover the costs. So, in addition to the pain of not conceiving a baby each month, the couple pays out anywhere from $300 to five figures, depending upon the treatment used.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">A couple will eventually resolve the infertility problem in one of three ways:</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">They will eventually conceive a baby.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">They will stop the infertility treatments and choose to live without children.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">They will find an alternative way to parent, such as by adopting a child or becoming a foster parent.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Reaching a resolution can take years, so your infertile loved ones need your emotional support during this journey. Most people don't know what to say, so they wind up saying the wrong thing, which only makes the journey so much harder for their loved ones. Knowing what not to say is half of the battle to providing support.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Don't Tell Them to Relax</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Everyone knows someone who had trouble conceiving but then finally became pregnant once she "relaxed." Couples who are able to conceive after a few months of "relaxing" are not infertile. By definition, a couple is not diagnosed as "infertile" until they have tried unsuccessfully to become pregnant for a full year. In fact, most infertility specialists will not treat a couple for infertility until they have tried to become pregnant for a year. This year weeds out the people who aren't infertile but just need to "relax." Those that remain are truly infertile.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Comments such as "just relax" or "try going on a cruise" create even more stress for the infertile couple, particularly the woman. The woman feels like she is doing something wrong when, in fact, there is a good chance that there is a physical problem preventing her from becoming pregnant.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">These comments can also reach the point of absurdity. As a couple, my husband and I underwent two surgeries, numerous inseminations, hormone treatments, and four years of poking and prodding by doctors. Yet, people still continued to say things like, "If you just relaxed on a cruise . . ." Infertility is a diagnosable medical problem that must be treated by a doctor, and even with treatment, many couples will NEVER successfully conceive a child. Relaxation itself does not cure medical infertility.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Don't Minimize the Problem</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Failure to conceive a baby is a very painful journey. Infertile couples are surrounded by families with children. These couples watch their friends give birth to two or three children, and they watch those children grow while the couple goes home to the silence of an empty house. These couples see all of the joy that a child brings into someone's life, and they feel the emptiness of not being able to experience the same joy.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Comments like, "Just enjoy being able to sleep late . . . .travel . . etc.," do not offer comfort. Instead, these comments make infertile people feel like you are minimizing their pain. You wouldn't tell somebody whose parent just died to be thankful that he no longer has to buy Father's Day or Mother's Day cards. Losing that one obligation doesn't even begin to compensate for the incredible loss of losing a parent. In the same vein, being able to sleep late or travel does not provide comfort to somebody who desperately wants a child.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Don't Say There Are Worse Things That Could Happen</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Along the same lines, don't tell your friend that there are worse things that she could be going through. Who is the final authority on what is the "worst" thing that could happen to someone? Is it going through a divorce? Watching a loved one die? Losing a job?</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Different people react to different life experiences in different ways. To someone who has trained his whole life for the Olympics, the "worst" thing might be experiencing an injury the week before the event. To someone who has walked away from her career to become a stay-at-home wife for 40 years, watching her husband leave her for a younger woman might be the "worst" thing. And, to a woman whose sole goal in life has been to love and nurture a child, infertility may indeed be the "worst" thing that could happen.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">People wouldn't dream of telling someone whose parent just died, "It could be worse: both of your parents could be dead." Such a comment would be considered cruel rather than comforting. In the same vein, don't tell your friend that she could be going through worse things than infertility.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Don't Say They Aren't Meant to Be Parents</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">One of the cruelest things anyone ever said to me is, "Maybe God doesn't intend for you to be a mother." How incredibly insensitive to imply that I would be such a bad mother that God felt the need to divinely sterilize me. If God were in the business of divinely sterilizing women, don't you think he would prevent the pregnancies that end in abortions? Or wouldn't he sterilize the women who wind up neglecting and abusing their children? Even if you aren't religious, the "maybe it's not meant to be" comments are not comforting. Infertility is a medical condition, not a punishment from God or Mother Nature.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Don't Ask Why They Aren't Trying IVF</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a method in which the woman harvests multiple eggs, which are then combined with the man's sperm in a petri dish. This is the method that can produce multiple births. People frequently ask, "Why don't you just try IVF?" in the same casual tone they would use to ask, "Why don't you try shopping at another store?"</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">There are many reasons why a couple would choose not to pursue this option. Here are a few of them.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">IVF is Expensive with Low Odds</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">One cycle of IVF is very expensive. With all of the hype in the news, many people assume that IVF is a sure thing when, in fact, the odds of success for each cycle are low. Most couples cannot afford to try for one month, much less for multiple times. Considering that it also costs a significant amount of money to adopt a baby, many couples opt for the "sure thing" rather then risking their money on much lower odds.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">IVF is Physically Taxing</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Undergoing IVF treatments is very rigorous. The woman must inject shots into her thigh daily to cause her ovaries to superovulate. The drugs used are very taxing on the woman, and they can cause her to be become extremely emotional.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">IVF Raises Ethical Issues</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Ironically, couples who undergo IVF to become parents may have to selectively abort one or more fetuses if multiple eggs are fertilized. Many couples cannot bring themselves to abort a baby when they have worked so hard to become parents. If the couple chooses not to selectively abort, they run the risk of multiple births.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Don't Offer Unsolicited Opinions If They Are Trying IVF</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">On the flip side of the coin, don't offer unsolicited advice to your friends who do choose to try IVF. For many couples, IVF is the only way they will ever give birth to a baby. This is a huge decision for them to make, for all of the reasons I outlined above.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">If the couple has resolved any ethical issues, don't muddy the waters. IVF is a gray area in many ethical circles, and many of our moral leaders don't yet know how to answer the ethical questions that have arisen from this new technology. If the couple has resolved these issues already, you only make it harder by raising the ethical questions again. Respect their decision, and offer your support. If you can't offer your support due to ethical differences of opinion, then say nothing.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">A couple who chooses the IVF route has a hard, expensive road ahead, and they need your support more than ever. The hormones are no cakewalk, and the financial cost is enormous. Your friend would not be going this route if there were an easier way, and the fact that she is willing to endure so much is further proof of how much she truly wants to parent a child. The hormones will make her more emotional, so offer her your support and keep your questions to yourself.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Don't Play Doctor</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Once your infertile friends are under a doctor's care, the doctor will run them through numerous tests to determine why they aren't able to conceive. There a numerous reasons that a couple may not be able to conceive. Here are a few of them:</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Blocked fallopian tubes</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Cysts</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Endometriosis</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Low hormone levels</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Low "normal form" sperm count</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Low progesterone level</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Low sperm count</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Low sperm motility</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Thin uterine walls</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Infertility is a complicated problem to diagnose, and reading an article or book on infertility will not make you an "expert" on the subject. Let your friends work with their doctor to diagnose and treat the problem. Your friends probably already know more about the causes and solutions of infertility than you will ever know.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">You may feel like you are being helpful by reading up on infertility, and there is nothing wrong with learning more about the subject. The problem comes when you try to "play doctor" with your friends. They already have a doctor with years of experience in diagnosing and treating the problem. They need to work with and trust their doctor to treat the problem. You only complicate the issue when you throw out other ideas that you have read about. The doctor knows more about the causes and solutions; let your friends work with their doctor to solve the problem.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Don't Be Crude</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">It is appalling that I even have to include this paragraph, but some of you need to hear this-Don't make crude jokes about your friend's vulnerable position. Crude comments like "I'll donate the sperm" or "Make sure the doctor uses your sperm for the insemination" are not funny, and they only irritate your friends.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Don't Complain About Your Pregnancy</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">This message is for pregnant women-Just being around you is painful for your infertile friends. Seeing your belly grow is a constant reminder of what your infertile friend cannot have. Unless an infertile women plans to spend her life in a cave, she has to find a way to interact with pregnant women. However, there are things you can do as her friend to make it easier.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">The number one rule is DON'T COMPLAIN ABOUT YOUR PREGNANCY. I understand from my friends that, when you are pregnant, your hormones are going crazy and you experience a lot of discomfort, such as queasiness, stretch marks, and fatigue. You have every right to vent about the discomforts to any one else in your life, but don't put your infertile friend in the position of comforting you.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Your infertile friend would give anything to experience the discomforts you are enduring because those discomforts come from a baby growing inside of you. When I heard a pregnant woman complain about morning sickness, I would think, "I'd gladly throw up for nine straight months if it meant I could have a baby." When a pregnant woman would complain about her weight gain, I would think, "I would cut off my arm if I could be in your shoes."</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">I managed to go to baby showers and hospitals to welcome my friends' new babies, but it was hard. Without exception, it was hard. Stay sensitive to your infertile friend's emotions, and give her the leeway that she needs to be happy for you while she cries for herself. If she can't bring herself to hold your new baby, give her time. She isn't rejecting you or your new baby; she is just trying to work her way through her pain to show sincere joy for you. The fact that she is willing to endure such pain in order to celebrate your new baby with you speaks volumes about how much your friendship means to her.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Don't Treat Them Like They Are Ignorant</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">For some reason, some people seem to think that infertility causes a person to become unrealistic about the responsibilities of parenthood. I don't follow the logic, but several people told me that I wouldn't ache for a baby so much if I appreciated how much responsibility was involved in parenting.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Let's face it-no one can fully appreciate the responsibilities involved in parenting until they are, themselves, parents. That is true whether you successfully conceived after one month or after 10 years. The length of time you spend waiting for that baby does not factor in to your appreciation of responsibility. If anything, people who have been trying to become pregnant longer have had more time to think about those responsibilities. They have also probably been around lots of babies as their friends started their families.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Perhaps part of what fuels this perception is that infertile couples have a longer time to "dream" about what being a parent will be like. Like every other couple, we have our fantasies-my child will sleep through the night, would never have a tantrum in public, and will always eat his vegetables. Let us have our fantasies. Those fantasies are some of the few parent-to-be perks that we have-let us have them. You can give us your knowing looks when we discover the truth later.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Don't Gossip About Your Friend's Condition</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Infertility treatments are very private and embarrassing, which is why many couples choose to undergo these treatments in secret. Men especially are very sensitive to letting people know about infertility testing, such as sperm counts. Gossiping about infertility is not usually done in a malicious manner. The gossipers are usually well-meaning people who are only trying to find out more about infertility so they can help their loved ones.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Regardless of why you are sharing this information with someone else, it hurts and embarrasses your friend to find out that Madge the bank teller knows what your husband's sperm count is and when your next period is expected. Infertility is something that should be kept as private as your friend wants to keep it. Respect your friend's privacy, and don't share any information that your friend hasn't authorized.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Don't Push Adoption (Yet)</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Adoption is a wonderful way for infertile people to become parents. (As an adoptive parent, I can fully vouch for this!!) However, the couple needs to work through many issues before they will be ready to make an adoption decision. Before they can make the decision to love a "stranger's baby," they must first grieve the loss of that baby with Daddy's eyes and Mommy's nose. Adoption social workers recognize the importance of the grieving process. When my husband and I went for our initial adoption interview, we expected the first question to be, "Why do you want to adopt a baby?" Instead, the question was, "Have you grieved the loss of your biological child yet?" Our social worker emphasized how important it is to shut one door before you open another.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">You do, indeed, need to grieve this loss before you are ready to start the adoption process. The adoption process is very long and expensive, and it is not an easy road. So, the couple needs to be very sure that they can let go of the hope of a biological child and that they can love an adopted baby. This takes time, and some couples are never able to reach this point. If your friend cannot love a baby that isn't her "own," then adoption isn't the right decision for her, and it is certainly not what is best for the baby.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Mentioning adoption in passing can be a comfort to some couples. (The only words that ever offered me comfort were from my sister, who said, "Whether through pregnancy or adoption, you will be a mother one day.") However, "pushing" the issue can frustrate your friend. So, mention the idea in passing if it seems appropriate, and then drop it. When your friend is ready to talk about adoption, she will raise the issue herself.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">So, what can you say to your infertile friends? Unless you say "I am giving you this baby," there is nothing you can say that will erase their pain. So, take that pressure off of yourself. It isn't your job to erase their pain, but there is a lot you can do to lesson the load. Here are a few ideas.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Let Them Know That You Care</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">The best thing you can do is let your infertile friends know that you care. Send them cards. Let them cry on your shoulder. If they are religious, let them know you are praying for them. Offer the same support you would offer a friend who has lost a loved one. Just knowing they can count on you to be there for them lightens the load and lets them know that they aren't going through this alone.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Remember Them on Mother's Day</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">With all of the activity on Mother's Day, people tend to forget about women who cannot become mothers. Mother's Day is an incredibly painful time for infertile women. You cannot get away from it-There are ads on the TV, posters at the stores, church sermons devoted to celebrating motherhood, and all of the plans for celebrating with your own mother and mother-in-law.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Mother's Day is an important celebration and one that I relish now that I am a mother. However, it was very painful while I was waiting for my baby. Remember your infertile friends on Mother's Day, and send them a card to let them know you are thinking of them. They will appreciate knowing that you haven't "forgotten" them.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Support Their Decision to Stop Treatments</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">No couple can endure infertility treatments forever. At some point, they will stop. This is an agonizing decision to make, and it involves even more grief. Even if the couple chooses to adopt a baby, they must still first grieve the loss of that baby who would have had mommy's nose and daddy's eyes.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">Once the couple has made the decision to stop treatments, support their decision. Don't encourage them to try again, and don't discourage them from adopting, if that is their choice. Once the couple has reached resolution (whether to live without children, adopt a child, or become foster parents), they can finally put that chapter of their lives behind them. Don't try to open that chapter again.</span>Mary and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07377405324658300316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5318177400400039927.post-87631322146004366022009-02-23T17:42:00.000-08:002014-02-17T21:58:45.714-08:00Grocery rant...<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Groceries cost too much money! Are they kidding me with $5 for a gallon of milk!? Shit,I can buy the whole cow and milk it myself! At least then I would have milk and later,beef. And if I had a bull....babies.....now that's sustainable! Don't even get me started on the CRAP they are selling us in the grocery store and how it's not even REAL FOOD and we have to pay an arm and a leg for it!! You don't want GMO's in your food?! Here's some organic food.....but you have to pay three times as much for it! Have fun with that. REALLY!? </b></span>Mary and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07377405324658300316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5318177400400039927.post-1703254371007625792009-02-22T09:23:00.000-08:002009-03-02T10:18:58.616-08:00For my angels...<span style="font-family:Arial;"> I thought of you and closed my eyes<br />And prayed to God today<br /> I asked "What makes a Mother?"<br /> And I know I heard Him say.<br /> "A Mother has a baby" This we know is true<br /> "But God can you be a Mother, When your baby's not with you?"<br />"Yes, you can," He replied<br /> With confidence in His voice<br /> "I give many women babies, When they leave is not their choice.<br /> Some I send for a lifetime, And others for the day.<br />And some I send to feel your womb, But there's no need to stay."<br /><br />"I just don't understand this God I want my baby to be here."<br />He took a deep breath and cleared His throat, And then I saw the tear.<br />"I wish I could show you, What your child is doing today.<br />If you could see your child's smile, With all the other children and say...<br />'We go to Earth to learn our lessons, Of love and life and fear.<br />My Mommy loved me oh so much, I got to come straight here.<br /> I feel so lucky to have a Mom, Who had so much love for me.<br /> I learned my lessons very quickly, My Mommy set me free<br /> I miss my Mommy oh so much, But I visit her every day.<br /> When she goes to sleep, On her pillow's where I lay<br /> I stroke her hair and kiss her cheek, And whisper in her ear.<br /> Mommy don't be sad today, I'm your baby and I'm here.'<br />"So you see my dear sweet ones, your children are okay.<br /> Your babies are born here in My home, And this is where they'll stay.<br />They'll wait for you with Me, Until your lesson's through.<br />And on the day that you come home they'll be at the gates for you.<br /> So now you see what makes a Mother, It's the feeling in your heart<br /> it's the love you had so much of Right from the very start<br />Though some on earth may not realize, you are a Mother.<br /> Until their time is done.<br />They'll be up here with Me one day and know that you are the best one!"</span>Mary and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07377405324658300316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5318177400400039927.post-59612999965381450762009-02-22T08:59:00.000-08:002009-02-22T09:04:20.359-08:00Swiped from another blog...<div align="center"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 130%;">I should really give this a try!<br /><br /><br />How to to Not Become a Lazy Housewife:</span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Whether you're a full-time or part-time housewife, here are some important tips for not becoming a lazy one.Most importantly, following these tips will keep you feeling great!</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />* Rise and shine: Seriously, when you first rise be sure to find a way to shine. Instead of getting on the computer in your bathrobe or sitting in front of the TV - take a shower and dress as though you are expecting guests. You don't need to dress to the nines, but at least be clean and presentable. This is vitally important, because doing this will keep you in a great mood all day.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />* Move: before you shower, do something ritual such as a five minute stretch routine. Light a candle or do it with a cup of coffee. It's a simple thing that will make you feel like a million bucks all day.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">* Pamper thyself: If you have the time, get ready with love in the morning. Take a bath and slather your skin with lovely lotion. If you don't have the time - make a weekly date night with yourself. Make a Pamper Thursdays routine where as soon as your husband walks in the door, you hang up your apron and head to the powder room for the evening. Have fun with polishing your nails, bleaching your mustache, touching up your roots, and even *gasp* shaving your legs! Do it as though you are getting ready for a really hot date.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />* Speaking of aprons. Wear one. Become a collector of really cute aprons that even match your outfits. If you have a sewing machine, start making them. There is a real lack of cute aprons and you may be able to make a business selling vintage style aprons on the side (or give them away for Christmas gifts).</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />* Become an appliance queen: I have a breadmaker, a crockpot, a deep fryer, a waffle maker, you name it. I also have a special shelving system that I keep all of these appliances on. About once a week, I choose an appliance to work for me. This actually frees up my time quite a bit for more important things such as writing on ehow.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />* Don't become the cliche gossipy housewife: You know what I am talking about. There seems to be a breed of housewives that sit around and gossip and complain with one another and this breeds laziness to no end. Make it a rule to only listen when other's gossip and NEVER speak badly about your husbands. This is a favorite game housewives play: "my husband is worse than yours" comparison game. Instead, brag about your husband with love and charm and just simply doing that will change everyone's attitude into gratitude.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">* Trickery: okay, this is an important and final step. LOOK busy. When your husband walks in the door be sure there is a dollop of flour on your hair, lipstick on your lips, a baby on one hip and a vacuum in another. Instead of looking tired and bedraggled, appear amazing high and energetic as though you have just taken a hit of very strong caffeine. Your husband will feed off this energy immediately and forget about his boring and lazy day at work.</span>Mary and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07377405324658300316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5318177400400039927.post-78505535071358534642009-02-21T12:58:00.000-08:002009-02-23T19:39:18.716-08:00Femara<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQK1sT86CKIYPMzmEfdf3c8wHr2IyuxeFqhs7fRUQHGfJIoeu1mpXQuTYfClEDzquAYA-T9Z3gzCZqHZiostkVcmNuQqFfXfRSXjxG1W9c_fuyuqQszS1T88wx6iQZJ92ygetj4YWD18/s1600-h/ttcwithfemara.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 50px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQK1sT86CKIYPMzmEfdf3c8wHr2IyuxeFqhs7fRUQHGfJIoeu1mpXQuTYfClEDzquAYA-T9Z3gzCZqHZiostkVcmNuQqFfXfRSXjxG1W9c_fuyuqQszS1T88wx6iQZJ92ygetj4YWD18/s320/ttcwithfemara.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306203358638528994" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmRcrW_O6cIR-UCfLuxw1nCsYHLH1lr9SSvHouZEIhnnqKpP7Uig6maD6L4UuE59NAgj62OOu6QjmBKiJvujrQWLOgIvaNglSlAxE0UMAPTcZlnE1jAZYb6Oq_hiO3Sm8USGoJ-Nvor4A/s1600-h/prayer.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmRcrW_O6cIR-UCfLuxw1nCsYHLH1lr9SSvHouZEIhnnqKpP7Uig6maD6L4UuE59NAgj62OOu6QjmBKiJvujrQWLOgIvaNglSlAxE0UMAPTcZlnE1jAZYb6Oq_hiO3Sm8USGoJ-Nvor4A/s320/prayer.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305360453147381362" border="0" /></a><br />So I started taking a drug called Femara(usually used in breast cancer patients) to induce ovulation and hopefully it will work but in the meantime...<br /><br />I have been soooooo tired. The bottle says that it may cause drowsiness and they weren't kidding!!! Last night I could hardly keep my eyes open! I hope I don't have to put up with that for much longer,I can't get anything done!!<br /><br />I have a doctors appt a week from Monday,on March 2 to check my follicles and see if the pills worked.I'll update then.Hopefully I'll get pregnant this cycle,and most importantly...STAY pregnant! Keep us in your thoughts...Mary and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07377405324658300316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5318177400400039927.post-16398446562074191252008-12-20T00:06:00.000-08:002008-12-20T00:09:35.196-08:00What nobody told you about trying to conceive...<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">This is a collection of thoughts from women facing the emotional roller coaster of infertility. Some of it may make you cry, some of it may make you smile. The important thing is to realize that you are not alone in your struggle. Infertility may be the most difficult time of your life spiritually, emotionally, financially, physically and mentally.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">What Nobody Told You About Trying to Conceive...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That unprotected sex doesn't necessarily lead to pregnancy.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That your sex life would start to resemble a science experiment.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That you would see your OBGYN/RE more often than your DH at O time.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That the longer you TTC, the more PG women spring up around you.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That deep down inside, I can be a very jealous person.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That one day you wouldn't mind checking your CM or CP to see if it is your fertile period.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That I should have gone to medical school like my mom wanted, because I've had to do so much medical research by now just to figure out what was wrong with me, I might as well be an M.D.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That I would know more about the female reproductive system and menstrual cycle than most of the doctors I go to.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That living your life in 2 week increments would be the norm</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That you never knew how much you wanted to see those 2 pink lines......until only one shows up every month</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That simply relaxing will NOT get you pregnant. (your hubby has to do some work too)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That you have no control over some of the goals you set...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That wishing really hard for something doesn't make it happen, and staring at your chart doesn't make it change!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That one day my husband would know so much about how my uterus functions and what it looks like from the inside (thanks HSGs).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That a pregnancy doesn't always equal a baby.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That miscarriage is so common.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That I would wish we had started TTC earlier.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That my friends' pregnancies would start to make me sad instead of happy.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That I wasted ALOT of money on Birth control pills!!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That it would help bring a group of wonderful, caring, funny, empathetic women together like this.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That I would EVER be willing to stick a little blue pill up my hoo-haa (estrace pill...done vaginally),</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That I'd EVER be willing to stab myself in the stomach or ass every day in the hopes that it will help get me PG.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That it wouldn't happen the first time you didn't use birth control like we were led to believe in school.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That you wouldn't know how important a baby was to you until it took so long and you realized what you were willing to go through to make it happen.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That family would act like getting pregnant was a competition between all the young couples in the family, and the first one to get pg "wins".</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That my hubby is the most wonderful and caring man!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That it is insensitive to ask people when they are having a baby!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That women who do get pregnant are so very blessed!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That I could have been rich saving money on condoms, which were obviously unecessary.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That I would be happy to see abundant cervial fluid and tell my dh about it.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That other people's "good news" of pregnancy makes me sad and when they tell me they have good news, I hope that they just saved a bunch of money on car insurance by switching to Geico.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That medicine and procedures are not a sure fire way to get pregnant but it is a sure fire way to lose money fast.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That had I bought stock in Clearblue Easy I'd have my mansion on St. Pete's Beach in FL by now.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That docs should prescribe Zoloft with Clomid.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That having flo show up makes you cry, no matter who's bathroom you are in.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That it does not get easier, each cycle is harder than the last.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">Feeling like you wish your life away in 2 week increments.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That I wouldn't want to hold or see someones baby because it just hurts way too much.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That a group of "strangers" who I will probably never meet, have now become my "best friends" when it comes to ttc.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That I would splash urine on my face while taking apart an hpt in the hopes there really was a 2nd pink line hiding in it.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That talking about sex with fellow TTCers would be so easy.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That infertility is more common than you think.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That DH would get used to doing his 'thing' in a jar.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That one day all of this will make us stronger.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That there is sometimes darkness (infertility) before the light (a baby).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That no one I know (in my non FF life) would have any understanding as to how I feel.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That my temper and patience are much shorter than I ever thought.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That infertility is not as rare as I was led to believe.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That I would find it extremely difficult to be happy for other people's pregnancies and I would burst into tears upon hearing their news.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That my faith in God would be tested heavily.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That I would make so many new, wonderful friends who totally get how I feel because we all suffer from the same affliction of infertility.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That it could hurt so much to lose your innocence.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That I am very bitter towards unmarried accidental pregnancies, and slightly bitter towards married accidental pregnancies.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That there is nothing to aid conception in the water at work, despite what some may say.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That I am so glad my neice was born when she was, early in our ttc, because if she were born now I don't think I could deal with it.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That someone I thought to be my best friend would hurt me by saying that she was sick of hearing about my efforts at ttc.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That I'd discover who my true friends are, both IRL and online.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That I'd ever be able to bond with my step-sister (also infertile).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That I'd be glad to know that I have PCOS - because at least I know what's wrong.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That I would know about other peoples' BD, CP, CM but not know there real name, their DH's name, or their occupation.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That I could spend so much time and money on figuring out what my body is doing (or not doing).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That I would have to rely on doctors to give me the final say-so on what I can or can't do </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That foreplay would consist of DH asking "How's your cervix today"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That an HSG will tell you more than just whether or not your tubes are blocked. I had no idea your uterus could be misshapen.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That one person could be "cursed" with so many different fertility problems.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That I should have become a gyno-which I think at this point I know more then some.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That some people just say the wrong things.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That a simple blood test costs $648!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That sex would ever become a chore!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That actually having a miscarriage would allow me to understand the loss that others have felt.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That miscarriage would make me want a baby even more than before!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That I would resent someone who has been trying less time than me telling me "I know how you feel..." um...no you don't</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That DH would be overly concerned that our BD positions were the most effective ones!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That I would become numb to the wonderful world around me that I already have </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That I would become addicted to POAS and not sleep at night because I couldn't wait to POAS in the morning!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That I would be so sad, and ashamed.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That I would learn to speak in code</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">~Like I checked Cm which was EWCM but when I will POAS who knows, dh won't let me for fear of BFN</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That when AF showed up you would feel broken and disfunctional.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That your friendships with your real life girlfriends would suffer because they got pregnant after being off the pill for 3 weeks.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That this would be, by far, one of the hardest things you will ever have to go through.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That you HAVE to have sex even though you don't feel like it, but because your FM says high or peak.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That people would pity you and feel sorry for you.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That I would meet such wonderful group of people that I can share my sorrow, frustration and fears with.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That I would be going to a psychic to find out if there was a baby in my future </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That I would dream about taking my temperature and be disappointed if I woke up at 3am and it wasn't time yet.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That I would stop fantasizing about having a baby because it stopped making me happy.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That I would buy herbs and otc creams like vitex and progest, use them for two days, and then chicken out.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That I would hear well-meaning questions like: "Have you thought of taking your temperature?" </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That my brother, who started TTC at the same time we did and whose wife got PG three months later, would go on and on telling me how tough and tiring life with a baby is, and then finish with: "You have no idea what it's like!"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That the two little words of "just relax" uttered by everyone I know would infuriate me beyond belief!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That someone would suggest adoption to me in order to get pregnant (because it happened to a friend of theirs) before I had even had any testing done.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That we would have to schedule a BD session so DH could do it in a cup a few days later.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That I would have to help DH do it in a cup. </span> <br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That my friends who started TTC 1 around the same time we did would already be pregnant with 2 or 3 before we get pregnant with 1.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That I wouldn't be able to attend my friend's babies 1st birthday parties because of the quesiton, "So, when are ya'll going to have children?"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That the people around me would become more insensitive as time goes on. "It is so hard having a new baby, you just wouldn't understand." or "Be happy you're not tied down."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That I would watch a Baby Story every day... only to cry every day.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That it puts this much strain on a marriage.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That I spent years trying not to get pregnant, and praying for my period. Now I can't seem to lose the witch!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">It's good to know I am not alone.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That I would have to listen to people complain about their children as if they were burdens while a child is the one thing in the world I want the most. Also, they sound as if they are trying to talk me out of having kids, like it is the absolute worst thing that could ever happen to me.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That being overweight would cause people to ask when I'm due, which in turn could cause me to cry.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That I would yell at commercials on the TV (that "having a baby changes everything" one really gets to me. I can't watch it without snapping "So does not having one.")</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That I would have to stop watching Birth Day and A Baby Story (two shows I love) because it just hurts too much.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That every girl should go to the gyn as soon as she gets AF the first time. If I had, I would have been dx with PCOS a lot faster.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That a friend would hide and ignore her own pregnancy to try to keep me from being upset.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That sex does NOT ALWAYS equal pregnancy or STD every time</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That your body has its own mind.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That you would be keeping it a secret from everyone.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That you would cry your eyeballs out b/c AF showed.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That you would be jealous when everyone around you get pg including your 16yo cousin.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That you would tell everyone you're not ready for a child when they ask what your waiting for.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">Life as you know it will be interrupted for two weeks.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That the broken heart you feel each month that is equal to the pain you feel when you lose a loved one.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That all of a sudden feeding other people's babies becomes a depressing NOT joyful feeling</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That you feel useless as a female</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That you feel that your body has betrayed you by not delivering a regular cycle, the right amount of the required "hormones" or doing what it should know how to do.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That you feel stupid and naive for thinking a pregnancy would occur "when it was supposed to".</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That people sending cards every holiday with pictures of their happy families in them make you want to cry instead of smile.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That when someone you think to be a friend says to you" I don't know what your problem is,it's not that hard to get pregnant" you seriously consider beating the s**t out of them...maybe that's just me....</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That I would want to smack so many people for saying less that 10 words to me.~"I get pg if hubby looks at me crosseyed"...bitch I'll smack you and you'll be crosseyed.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That answering questions (and usually lying) about pregnancy or family plans would hurt so bad<br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">That you will soon be lying through your teeth telling people that you don't want children</span>Mary and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07377405324658300316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5318177400400039927.post-52867877161448228722008-11-13T13:32:00.000-08:002008-11-13T13:33:27.567-08:00Reproductive endocrinologist Appointment<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So after WAY too much procrastinating and a lot of heartache and denial I have finally made an appointment with a fertility specialist.I'm on the list now and waiting for January 13. It can't come soon enough!!!<br /><br /> I have always been the type of person that wants to do stuff on my own and this is one of those things. I always thought that I was gonna be a mom and there was no way that I couldn't do it the old fashioned way. I have given that up and realized that in less than a year I will be 27 years old,that may sound young to some people but when you are talking about fertility it makes a difference. I always wanted 2 kids by the time I was 30 and I am trying to take charge of that dream right now. So now I hand it over to God and the RE and hopefully my dream will come true soon,and if it doesn't then I guess we will pursue other options.<br /><br />I have given myself a personal limit of 1 year. After 1 year of whatever it is that they want to do to me,if I don't have a viable pregnancy then we will move on to adoption or surrogacy. Please keep Jeff and I in your prayers.<br /><br />~Mary<br /></span>Mary and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07377405324658300316noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5318177400400039927.post-72221695433105968452008-10-24T21:55:00.000-07:002009-02-22T09:10:21.159-08:00Hello...<div>Hey! This is Mary. I'm new to blogging here so you'll have to bear with me while I get used to it. I usually post my blogs on myspace but now I should be posting on here. I'll transfer all my myspace blogs here later.</div><br /><div><span style="font-family:webdings;"></span></div><br /><div><em><span style="font-family:arial;">A little about me: I'm 26 years old. I was born and raised in Knoxville,Tn and I went to West high school.</span></em><em><span style="font-family:arial;">Jeff grew up about 2 hours away in Athens,TN and attended Mcminn county schools.</span></em><em><span style="font-family:arial;">I met my hubby in November of 2001 and we were married in September of 2007.We have been not preventing pregnancy since 2003,after I had my first miscarriage,and trying with an RE(reproductive endocrinologist)since we got married.The first wasn't a planned pregnancy but it was a wanted one never the less. I blamed myself for a long time after that one and even the 2 others that followed but I have finally moved past that and I'm ready to give it my all! I will never forget those babies,and they will always be very special to me because each one brought Jeff and I closer together.I know that probably sounds strange but it's true.<br /><br /><br /></span></em></div><br /><div><em><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></em></div><br /><div><em><span style="font-family:Arial;">So I guess I should share some pics with you huh? Well here's one from our wedding.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhDlLElsKnqAGex2MfRC9EpHgBd7_7iDDkMdQ8oMNTjPVuKTDA30XIHQdEONRVLx3GFKvxv3V3kN3jDBOjUXr47w6vmQ_Md47P2RylpQ9db4UllyUMDe-sQHqY0yRMfyVb-gwLsYLlG4/s1600-h/Jeff+and+I+original.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260954036274254514" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 226px; height: 320px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhDlLElsKnqAGex2MfRC9EpHgBd7_7iDDkMdQ8oMNTjPVuKTDA30XIHQdEONRVLx3GFKvxv3V3kN3jDBOjUXr47w6vmQ_Md47P2RylpQ9db4UllyUMDe-sQHqY0yRMfyVb-gwLsYLlG4/s320/Jeff+and+I+original.jpg" border="0" /></a></span></em></div><div><em><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></em> </div><div><em><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></em> </div><div><em><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></em> </div><div><em><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></em> </div><div>Well I guess that's about it for today. Talk to you later.</div><div> </div><div>xoxo,</div><div>Mary</div><div> </div><div> </div>Mary and Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07377405324658300316noreply@blogger.com0