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The Official TTC Thread!

Festy,

Happy painting!! Gonna post a pic of the completed job? I'm not... the room's empty!

Good luck with your 5k tomorrow. :) Paul and I do a 10k every labor day, but I don't run it!

I'm not sure on the color yet. I wanted to do a really soft violet, but Paul thinks any male visitors may find the room too "girly." So, I think we're going to try to pick something out together tonight. The thing is, this room will be more "my room" than his, since it will have my desk and art supplies in it, so I have a little more say than he does!

The baby's room... haha. I've had those colors chosen since we moved in! We won't paint until we're pregnant (but I'd like to NOW, since I don't wanna be breathing in those fumes preggo), but we pretty much know how we want everything to be in that room already.

I've always used Behr paints and I really like the way the color comes up the same on the wall as it does on the sample. I know a lot of people here at PS use Ben Moore, but I've never given them a shot. Plus, Home Depot has a rebate of $5 on a gallon of Behr right now. The baby's room will be Sweet Georgia Brown (the color of a brown paper bag) on the top part (we'll put up chair rail about 24-36" from the ceiling all around the room) and will be something similar to Winter Surf (a soft blue/green) along the remainder. That color may change, depending on the shade of green that's in our bedding (I'm really, really wanting the Bunny Meadow from Kids Line, and if we get that, this color blue/green is too colorful, as the colors in the bedding is much more muted... I'd need more like a yellow green or a pale olive). Marina Isle is another really great color for a baby's room, I think. It would need a more toned down beige though.

Anyway, I digress... we have no idea what color the guest room will be. This is why it's been on the waiting list for 11 months! I really want that room to at least be painted before we're pregnant and I'm hoping I only have a couple of non-pregnant weekends left for a long time!

I kind of like the periwinkle colors... blue with some purple in it. I don't know. I think the bedding will be black and white (I have a thing for blacks, whites and grays in abstract or geometrical schemes). But since we don't have a bed yet, I've not thought that far!

Wanna help me decide?

I like Twilight Pearl http://www.behr.com/Behr/home#vgnextoid=6bd8ea6621ca5110VgnVCM1000008119fea9RCRD;channel=EXPLORE;view=14

And I like sweet petal (but this is WAY too "girly" for Paul to agree with):
http://www.behr.com/Behr/home#vgnextoid=6bd8ea6621ca5110VgnVCM1000008119fea9RCRD;channel=EXPLORE;view=14

Blast! Those look like the same link!

Nevermind...

I'm off to pull down border now (get this: it's old men golfers! GOLFERS!!!). The room used to be an office for the previous owners.
 
(Hope we''re not threadjacking here).

THe Behr website is not wanting to cooperate right now, but I think blue with a little purple in it sounds really nice for a guest room. And if there''s enough blue it hopefully won''t be too girly. :) I''ve heard good things about their paint. We chose this color a) because it''s used elsewhere in the house and is a known entity that we like and b) Ben Moore has a new line of 0 VOC paints out called Natura. While I''d rather paint while I''m not preggo I figure between using this and opening the windows we should be just fine. Good luck taking down that border. We had to do the same thing and it took FOR ever! We ended up using a warm water and vinegar solution which worked just as well as wall paper stripper minus all the toxins.

Oh, and your nursery concept sounds just lovely!
 
(I think all of us TTCers can appreciate a little diversion every now and then from charts, periods, and "symptoms."
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That said, I''m still hoping like mad that Ms. InLuv will pop on and say, "Hey, I''m knocked, I''m knocked!!!")

I didn''t get too far in the border removal process. My mother in law had given me this handy little flat tool for spackling, that works great at getting up under the paper, but I can''t find it! So, that''s on hold until this afternoon/evening when we go get the paint.

I did clear out the room (some boxes, a book shelf...) and take all the outlet covers off, though. Ooh, and I filled in the nail holes. I don''t know what kind of shelf system the previous owners had, but they made SURE it wasn''t falling down, I''ll tell you that!
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One thing that also works really well (and smells good) for taking down borders is water and fabric softner mixed together, then you just dab it on with a sponge and it soaks through the paper for easy lifting. And toxin free, too!

Okay, I think we''ve reached an agreement: Silverberry. It''s a violet/gray. Very pretty!
 
Date: 4/16/2009 7:13:11 AM
Author: fisherofmengirly
Hi Sunkist and Sha!!


I just love that ''graduates'' come back to cheer on the undergrads!
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So, question for you ladies: how long til we start seeing you on the Friday belly pic days?
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Fisher, oh I have nothing to show yet. I would feel silly. I think our twins mamas are on a fast track so they''ve got something to show. But not me, yet. I''ll post when I do! :)
 
Haha... I hear ya, Sunkist.

I just love the belly pics, that''s all.

So, time for a name poll.

Paul has totally fallen in love with this different type of name. Annica (said like this: anna-ca). You know, like Danica the Indy driver, but without the D. Annica. Or maybe Anica. I just worry that it would be pronounced A-niec-a or Annie-ca. Neither of which I like at all.

I keep coming here with the most random posts today. I think I''m trying to compensate for the way I''m feeling about the whole TTC/loss thing that seem to go way too often hand-in-hand. It''s not something you think about until you''re in the time of your life where you''re wanting to build a family, but trying to have a baby is heartbreaking at times (even for couples who get pregnant in the first months... most experience at least one cycle of it not happening yet), and so many people go through early loss in pregnancy, and then there are the losses later in the pregnancy (my good friend lost her baby at 20 weeks; right around Christmas time.... she says she doesn''t know if she''ll ever be the same), and then the sorrow of having a baby born without life. It''s totally numbing me. One of those things that can''t be explained, can''t be forgotten, can''t be pushed aside. Even when you have "answers," there are no answers that make the pain less, or add comfort. I just wish that what seems so natural, could be something that''s easier. Ah, life''s rough. And I''m sad that it is. With all the sadness out there, it almost makes me question the thought of willingly putting myself into the dream of a family, just because the sorrows you could find along the way seems more than a person should have to bear. I wish all the pains of this world was something that I could stop. I guess if we could do that, though, we wouldn''t need God or a Heaven.

Okay, off to try to keep myself busy again...
 
Date: 4/18/2009 2:12:26 PM
Author: fisherofmengirly
Haha... I hear ya, Sunkist.

I just love the belly pics, that''s all.

So, time for a name poll.


Paul has totally fallen in love with this different type of name. Annica (said like this: anna-ca). You know, like Danica the Indy driver, but without the D. Annica. Or maybe Anica. I just worry that it would be pronounced A-niec-a or Annie-ca. Neither of which I like at all.

Fish,

I could be wrong, but I think it''s traditionally spelled Annika. People will mispronounce most names, but I think this one is well-enough known to be pronounced the way you''d like it to. I like it!
 
I like the sound of Annica. Some people might shorten it to Annie. I think that is cute too though!

I think the paint you chose sounds pretty! Hope it turns out just!
 
Hello ladies! Just thought I''d say hi as I haven''t posted for a bit. It certainly is BORING from AF through ovulation, isn''t it? On day 12 now ...

InLuv been following and have my fingers and toes crossed for you!
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Fisher I love the periwinkle colors. In fact we are likely getting married later this summer (he wants us to be official before I am too pregnant so being optimistic that I will in fact get knocked up soon we''re looking at late summer) and if I don''t do the traditional white dress I will probably try to incorporate that color. It''s going to be a casual wedding at the beach.

Fisher I just read your last post ... I am sorry you are feeling down.
 
Ebree,

Hey girl! Yeah, Annika is the more traditional way to spell it, but neither Paul or I like that spelling, and I think it lends itself to being pronounced "an-nikka," which I really don't like. We have thought of Annaka, which I think may the be closest phonetic spelling, but I don't think it looks pretty.

Speaking of names, is your son Henry? I know you'd loved that name... wondered if it still seemed to be the front runner.
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Paul's vetoed my beloved Callie Jayne (I still plan to push for it, though), saying it reminds him of "Calamity Jane." Grrr. So, how does Annica Jayne sound? Our little girl will have the middle name Jayne after Paul's mother (whose middle name is the same, minus the "y").

****
Melanie,

Violet and silver were our wedding colors. I think periwinkle is GORG for weddings! Live it up, girl!!
 
Date: 4/18/2009 2:12:26 PM
Author: fisherofmengirly
Haha... I hear ya, Sunkist.

I just love the belly pics, that''s all.

So, time for a name poll.

Paul has totally fallen in love with this different type of name. Annica (said like this: anna-ca). You know, like Danica the Indy driver, but without the D. Annica. Or maybe Anica. I just worry that it would be pronounced A-niec-a or Annie-ca. Neither of which I like at all.

I keep coming here with the most random posts today. I think I''m trying to compensate for the way I''m feeling about the whole TTC/loss thing that seem to go way too often hand-in-hand. It''s not something you think about until you''re in the time of your life where you''re wanting to build a family, but trying to have a baby is heartbreaking at times (even for couples who get pregnant in the first months... most experience at least one cycle of it not happening yet), and so many people go through early loss in pregnancy, and then there are the losses later in the pregnancy (my good friend lost her baby at 20 weeks; right around Christmas time.... she says she doesn''t know if she''ll ever be the same), and then the sorrow of having a baby born without life. It''s totally numbing me. One of those things that can''t be explained, can''t be forgotten, can''t be pushed aside. Even when you have ''answers,'' there are no answers that make the pain less, or add comfort. I just wish that what seems so natural, could be something that''s easier. Ah, life''s rough. And I''m sad that it is. With all the sadness out there, it almost makes me question the thought of willingly putting myself into the dream of a family, just because the sorrows you could find along the way seems more than a person should have to bear. I wish all the pains of this world was something that I could stop. I guess if we could do that, though, we wouldn''t need God or a Heaven.

Okay, off to try to keep myself busy again...
Fisher I totally hear what you are saying. The latest news hit me unexpectedly hard and I''ve spent half of today and last night crying. A mix of mainly terrible sorrow for Lindsey and her husband, my own fears and a realization that these fears go on for ever.

To make matters worse Daisy was deciding to have a few quiet days and I spent most of the night prodding the poor child to check she was still moving and then dreaming that she wasn''t. I just want to wrap her up in cotton wool!

Perhaps it''s a good thing that we all realise what can go wrong - and makes us appreciate the good things even more. I was reading some websites today on kick-counting and they were saying how few people are taught to do this and how vital it has been to dropping the pre-birth mortality rates. I was also shocked to learn that for every one case of SIDS, there are 10 babies born without life.

I just wish that everyone who truly wants a child could have the baby they want without tragedy and heart-break either during TTC, pregnancy, child-birth and infancy.
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Hey ladies...just popping in because I didn''t want to leave any of you hanging in case you were planning on checking in on me this weekend. Its 12DPO and I had some tinged CM this afternoon and my temps are starting to head south so I''m sure I''m out again this month. So so sorry to get all of your hopes up
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I feel like such an utter failure
 
Date: 4/18/2009 7:54:36 PM
Author: InLuv101
Hey ladies...just popping in because I didn''t want to leave any of you hanging in case you were planning on checking in on me this weekend. Its 12DPO and I had some tinged CM this afternoon and my temps are starting to head south so I''m sure I''m out again this month. So so sorry to get all of your hopes up
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I feel like such an utter failure
Inliv, I am so sorry
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InLuv, ugh. Thinking of you.

Fisher- I like Annica. I think it was the little girl''s name in Pippi Longstocking, wasn''t it? Her two friends were Tommy and Annika. I always loved that name and thought that girl was so pretty when I was little.
 
Date: 4/18/2009 7:54:36 PM
Author: InLuv101
Hey ladies...just popping in because I didn't want to leave any of you hanging in case you were planning on checking in on me this weekend. Its 12DPO and I had some tinged CM this afternoon and my temps are starting to head south so I'm sure I'm out again this month. So so sorry to get all of your hopes up
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I feel like such an utter failure
Ugh, ugh, UGH!!!
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I logged in just now wondering if you had posted...and hoping it would be a bfp. I'm so sorry it doesn't seem as if this is the month...
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You had every reason to be hopeful, though - your chart was looking REALLY good and your BD timing was perfect. Sometimes things just don't add up...for whatever reason. The whole thing can be so stressful.
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I'm so sorry... Don't feel like a failure...although I know it's hard not to. TTC is just hard - it's no reflection on you and it doesn't mean you won't get knocked up soon. You can always consider doing some tests if you want to be sure that there are no issues preventing you from conceiving, but sometimes things just take longer than we expect/want them to. ((HUGS))
 
Fisher - I think Annica is a pretty name too.
 
Fisher - I love annica! Great name!!! I like it with Jayne....and I really don''t think it will get mispronounced. Winner!

****
Inuv - boo. hisss. Blech. URGH. Your chart and timing was flawless.
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That is so frustrating. I''m sorry....

***

I too have been really affected by Lindsey and her untimely loss of Natalie. I just cannot wrap my mind around it, and obviously it scares me for my own little ''Himher''. This whole journey, from TTC and on is just such a rollercoaster. With great risk comes great reward, or so they say. I''m scared too.
 
inluv - I''m sorry that this wasn''t your cycle.
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My mother says that being a mom is the best thing that ever happened to her, but she also says that it comes with a truck-load of guilt and fear... Sometimes I wonder why we want it so much. As a biologist, I understand the biological imperative thing, etc., but I still wonder, especially when losses like Indy''s or Lindsey''s happen.

7DPO here and I''m having some tinged CM. Not sure what that means yet.
 
Good morning everyone. Rainy and yuck here. Which is a great excuse to spend the day in bed with a book but I wanted to go flower shopping!!

Lindsey''s news also hit me hard. I feel so terrible for her. I mentioned this before, my brother and his wife lost a baby at full term. Her pregnancy was textbook, no complications, and she started having contractions, went to the hospital and there was no heartbeat. This happened about 2 1/2 years ago and they now have a beautiful one year old. But it was so tragic for them and hit the whole family hard. Everything about this whole process is so scary, and everyone has the 12 week mark as a magical number, once you make it there statistically things are good, but then stuff like this happens and it just reminds everyone how fragile things are.

Fisher- I like Annica, and I think that spelling is fine. How''s the painting?
Inluv- I''m sorry. Ugh.
Pandora- I totally agree with everything you said. It seems so unfair that people that want children can''t have them and people who don''t want them do! Sorry Daisy gave you a scare.
Anchor- Welcome! I hope your stay here is short.
Melanie- are you doing IUI again this cycle? Good luck!

I just got home from my IUI this morning. I was a little concerned about how it would go having to be done on the weekend, but my RE was actually on call so he did it and not someone I don''t know. The sperm count was good this month so I''m keeping my fingers crossed. I''m on CD 15 and should O today.
 
Awww, InLuv, that stinks.
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Your chart looked so good too. Sometimes this TTC thing just doesn't make sense. I hope you do something fun today to get your mind off it!

Good luck Tiffany!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
InLuv,

You're not a failure. Time is hard, but that's what it takes. Thinking of you, girl. It gets harder each cycle, doesn't it? How's the puppy? Did you name her Molly or am I making things up in my head again? A lot of times the best "therapy" for me when I'm mourning the loss of another cycle's promise of parenthood is doggie time. Oh to be a puppy! They're so happy over everything! Anyway, hope your spirits lift again soon.

****
I think if anything, TTC has taught me that there are no guarantees in life. You don't get exactly what you want when you want it. And watching others get theirs isn't always comforting, and it leads to more questions (why not me, etc.). But the thing is, until something happens that wakes you up to the reality that life can end in a second... wow. You think that once you're finally pregnant, once you finally get that so longed for positive test, once you see the baby on the ultrasound, once you hear the heartbeat, feel the kicks, that everything's fine. And it's not always. And when you have a baby, you don't get a promise that the child will grow up, either. The longer we wait for our baby to come into being, the more I'm overwhelmed by this love for a person I've not even seen or held or felt yet, and the more faith comes into my life in a very real way. I suppose that with motherhood, faith must grow exponentially.

And this is really weird, but the more I think about the losses that others have experienced, the more I see that there's most the time *nothing* we can do to prevent this stuff, and it just kind of links back in my mind that there's *nothing* any of us are doing to prevent pregnancy, either. In a weird way, that brings some peace, in knowing that life just does odd, totally unfair things at times. I remember Indy posting over and over that life's not about being fair. And it's not, but gosh, how I wish it was.

Anchor, your mother's words couldn't be truer. I'm sure we'll understand much more once we're in the same role as her, as mothers.

Tiffany, hoping that this month's the month, girl. If I may ask about your brother and his baby; do you know the steps they went through toward healing? Are they open about the baby's life now? I'm just overwhelmed right now... wondering how a person gets through something like this. How you pick up the pieces and carry on with life, and make it a good one.

One of my friends from high school (we'd lost touch after high school, but found one another on myspace) had a daughter, Mandolyn. She was totally a mini-me of her mother, and though I believe her conception was not planned and even possibly from a tragic event (never got details about it...), I've never seen a mother and child more connected than those two. Just a few weeks shy of Mandie's third birthday, they were in a car accident. Mandie went to be with Jesus that day. It's been almost three years now, and while my friend has healed in many ways and is carrying on with life in a healthy way, she carries Mandie with her every day, in a good way. Again, we're not as close as we once were, but I often wonder about what her steps were in healing. Mandie was able to be a donor and pass life on to another baby, so I know that was a big part of the healing process for my friend.

Anyway, not the same as pregnancy loss or losing a baby at delivery, but just another thing I wonder about as we all walk toward the road of motherhood.... it's for sure a scary road. But we can't forget the blessings and joy that are along that road, either.

(Oh yeah, went to get the paint yesterday and the mixer person wasn't there, they paged and no one came. We didn't get the paint yet. Maybe tonight.)
 
Forgot to add that I''m a dingbat and just realized something today: my mother''s middle name is Anne, so Annica Jayne would totally be naming our baby after both my mother and my mother in law, who happen to be two of the most wonderful women we know! Kind of seems like a fitting name, now that I think of it in that way.
 
Date: 4/19/2009 2:36:34 PM
Author: fisherofmengirly
Forgot to add that I''m a dingbat and just realized something today: my mother''s middle name is Anne, so Annica Jayne would totally be naming our baby after both my mother and my mother in law, who happen to be two of the most wonderful women we know! Kind of seems like a fitting name, now that I think of it in that way.
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I love this.

Also, Fisher. You are a beautiful person. I''m happy to *know* you.
 
Ah, Mela, I''m happy to *know* you, too. (By the way, today''s song in my head is "mature little egg... dropping, dropping... " It''s my version of positive thought! A little immature, but it''s so funny going through my head!

What''s on your agenda for your first Monday free of work?
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I just love all the girls here!! We all rock!!

Happy Monday to all! Last night there were tornado watches/warnings (can never remember the difference) and the sirens started going off about 11:00pm. I''m like an old lady and go to bed before that, so it was really hard to get up and go down into the basement. Paul made me. I''m a zombie today because of it. From what I''ve heard, our area was safe. Yay!

One of my good friends at work has a birthday today. I made her cupcake cookies. They''re cuteness. I''ll have to post a picture one day on here... you know, just for something to look at other than a chart around here! (I''m also going to streamer her office like crazy. She likes that kind of stuff...)

Have a nice day girls!
 
Thanks girls for your kind words...I''m done having a pity party. I''m over here sulking and people like Lindsay are experiencing real tragedies in their lives. I gained some perspective real quick. I have many more chances for this to happen. This WILL happen...for all of us!

Fisher -- LOVE the name for that it is a tribute to your mom and MIL. Such a nice thing to do.

Tiffany -- Hoping you O today and this is your month!

Anchor -- You mom is so right! Tinged CM at 7DPO can be a VERY good thing!!

Shout outs to: Festy, Blushing (get some sun for me!), Feb., Swimmer, Melanie, and Lulu!
************************
CD1...cycle 9 here. On a happier note, for the last month I''ve been trying to be healthier and lose a few lbs as my clothes were starting to get a tad snug. I weighed today and I''ve lost 8 lbs!!! Woooo hoooo!
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Tiffany yes thanks for asking, we are scheduled for iui tomorrow as my test showed a surge this morning. Wanted to "hedge my bets" last night as I suspected I was near surging but was so tired ... seems pathetic to miss an opportunity but that''s life I guess.
InLuv good for you for being healthy! How did you lose 8 pounds? I''ve been so good, lost three pounds in two weeks and then gained it all back in two days! I suspect the clomid may be messing with me a bit.
Fisher you are too cute, you remind me of my best friend she has a similar enthusiasm.
Anchor I totally agree with InLuv, might be a good sign!
 
Date: 4/20/2009 1:41:00 PM
Author: melanie987123

InLuv
good for you for being healthy! How did you lose 8 pounds? I''ve been so good, lost three pounds in two weeks and then gained it all back in two days! I suspect the clomid may be messing with me a bit.
Hey Melanie! In order to trim down and be more healthy I just cut out alot of the stuff that I know isn''t good for me. I cut out soda, fast food, and sugary snacks like cookies, brownies and ice cream (this means not having it in the house). Instead I substituted in fresh fruit and veggies for snacks. I find now that I crave an apple or grapes! I also cook pretty much all my meals at home and pack my lunch to work. I haven''t exercised much but plan to add it in this month.

I think there are a couple of key things:

1. Don''t weigh yourself everyday. You can gain lbs here and there and it be water or bloat (like with AF is coming/arrived). I weigh once per week (Monday morning naked after FMU, lol). You should try to weigh the same time of day also.
2. Don''t try to make yourself eat stuff you don''t enoy. What I mean is don''t force yourself to eat "healthy" stuff that you know you won''t enjoy. You may eat it for a week but you won''t long term.
3. Write down what you eat. We generally grossly underestimate how much we eat and how many calories are in the foods we eat. I read labels and track my foods at livestrong.com. They have a huge library of foods and will calculate how much you are consuming each day.
4. Lastly, don''t kill youself. I had half of a DQ blizzard last night. Sure, not the healthiest thing in the world but I craved it and gave in. I didn''t beat myself up and I didn''t ruin the rest of the night by eating everything else I wanted because I had already messed up. I got back on track right away. I''m being pretty strict right now, but will let up a bit once I reach my goal and am in maintain mode.
5. Visit the Healthy Living thread here on PS. Lots of great ladies there encouraging. I haven''t posted but I lurk everyday for good meal tips and an encouraging word.

These are the things that worked for me so I hope that helps!

***sorry for the threadjack everyone else!**
 
Thanks InLuv! For the tips and also the thread reference ..... this site really has everything!
 
Inluv- That''s awesome about the 8 pounds!! You go girl!
Melanie- Good luck with the IUI tomorrow! I''ll be thinking of you!
Fisher- I looove Annica Jayne! And the fact that it has ties to both your mom and your MIL makes it that much better. And keep singing your eggie song
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I''m just feeling down and out. I''m CD 23 and approxmiately 8/9 DPO. I took a digital this morning and it was negative.
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It doesn''t help that my throat hurts, my head hurts and I''d love take a Tylenol and just go to sleep right now! I don''t know if it''s allergies or a cold? I''m having lower right pulling & pinching cramps. I should be spotting soon, but nothing so far. *sigh* Oh well.
 
Ugh February I''m sorry. I get depressed when I see a negative too, even when, as with you at 9 dpo, it''s much too early. I swear I could take one now, the day before my iui, and get depressed. It''s just a bummer to see that negative.
 
February I think it''s way too early to get a positive on a digital. I got a negative the day AF was due on a digital and got a positive the next day!.

Festy I''m checking in to see how you did on your first 5k!!!!!!!!
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Way to go for taking on the challenge!! I bet you feel awesome with completing it!
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