shape
carat
color
clarity

The Official TTC Thread!

Peony,

4.0 rocks it hardcore, girl! Congratulations!!! I totally understand the consumption of all things TTC taking over and kind of "numbing" other joys we would otherwise feel. It''s hard, but I really think that letting joys be something we rejoice over and think about and even bask in is one way we keep from going nuts over the whole having a baby thing. Hard to do, but every once in a while, it works.
9.gif


So again, CONGRATULATIONS! You''ve done an awesome thing!!

Sunkist,

Whoo hoo for those crosshairs, girl. Isn''t it this amazing feeling to see the lines come up and know, finally KNOW that you''re actually capable of dropping an egg? And then, all the more close to being a mother some day? I was totally *elated* when I saw my first crosshairs. Yay!! I hope that if this isn''t your cycle, that your crosshairs *never* decide to fake out on you. That''s a blessing, for sure! Welcome to the two week wait, sweetie!!
9.gif


Lovely,

Good to see you again. Always in my thoughts and prayers. Along with Ms. Ebree and Blushing and Dr. K. (And all of us, actually). Speaking of that, I miss Ebree. Wonder where she went off to. Hope I didn''t miss a post while I was away. Actually, for whatever reason, I''ve kind of felt myself waning from this this thread a bit myself. Maybe it''s because of Christmas and all the joys and festivities and family time, or maybe this nutso cycle kind of has me in a irked mood regarding TTC. I don''t know. Anyway, if you''re following up with us, Ebree, know you''re missed and thought of lots! Good things to you this Christmas and in 2009.

Man, we''re gonna have so many blessings and joys in 2009. A whole new year is always so exciting to me. A time to focus in and try to grow a little more, to create new dreams, live out dreams you''ve had for what seems like ever. I just love new years (and try not to think that with them, comes birthdays. Haha. I still get excited like a little girl over my birthday, though.).

Back to Peony,

You know, back when I was awaiting engagement and was visiting Pricescope, I wasn''t aware that there would even be rules about expressing religious points of view, and so, because my faith is so very much a part of me, it was all over in my posts. Since venturing to other forums (like the Around the World one), I''ve learned that some people get flamed for sharing their beliefs and even reprimanded for doing so by the Admin. I would like to follow those rules, but in order to answer your question, I don''t think it''s against the rules for me to say that I trust my life to God and I know that *my* timing isn''t always the best timing (ie: my desperate desire to finally marry Paul. Paul prayed over it and had a time that gave him peace in mind, and it worked out wonderfully, better than I could have dreamed up myself). I also have faith that God brings good things to those who seek Him, and I also believe that children are the best blessing in this world, because it''s God providing you with His own, so you can raise them up in His ways. So, because of that and the peace it brings me and the life I live and the countless times I''ve seen God alive in my life, I know that good things will come to us, and that through the waiting, we''ll also be blessed. Perhaps by patience, or by me and Paul growing even stronger in our marriage (which I can already attest is definitely happening. Paul has grown a more sensitive, soft spirit, in knowing how much he''d like to be a father, but also in seeing my absolute passion for motherhood), or perhaps by allowing us to better prepare for being parents. I guess you never can know why things don''t always happen exactly when you want them to, but looking back, anything that I prayed about and asked for God''s hand in, has turned out okay. Sure, loved ones do pass on, and bad things happen to everyone, but there is something to be said for the comfort that comes during those times, the strengthening of relationships, the growth of inner strength and character. And so, if we really do discover that my body is having issues with conception, we''ll seek follow up, for sure. We''re not of the type who thinks no medical intervention is necessary. If I were sick, we would be praising that there is medical interventions. But since this isn''t something that we have been convinced is an issue for us, and perhaps is just a matter of timing, and while we''re having fun in the process, we''ll just see what happens. If over time, we''re still at the same spot or if I don''t get crosshairs or ovulate on a regular basis or at an incredibly late time of the cycle for multiple cycles, then we''ll look into getting some more information.

And again, let me say that I am in no way attempting to break any rules here; I just wanted to answer a question for Peony. It''s hard to put into words; it''s just about an inner peace about us that faith will see us through. It''s worked so far.
9.gif


**
I thought my crosshairs would go away today because yesterday I had a drop. But today the temp went back up to 98.59. So I''m good, I''m good!!
 
Sunkist,

Let me tell you, the water thing really does help. I'm a water-holic. But I started drinking even more (and going to the bathroom like nuts), but it really does help with the CM.
****
Peony,

Yay for haircuts. They make you feel like a new person, don't they? How do you like it? Did you go short?
9.gif
 
congrats on the crosshairs sunkist! I''m hoping to get some of my own in the next couple of days . . .
 
And I hope you get the crosshairs soon too, Lulu!

Fisher, I''m a waterholic too! Waiters hate me I''m sure at the restaurants cause I need like 4-5 refills during dinner :) I''ll keep guzzling more though.

Peony I like the idea of doing a ''get to know you'' on here. I''m so bummed out I don''t have time for PS like I did when I was a LIW. Anyways I''ll contribute to it when I''ve got time!

I didn''t think about being in the 2WW but I guess I am, even though we missed the window
7.gif
I looked at charts on FF and some girls have still gotten prego with out DTD in the fertile window. I won''t be testing this time though. just waiting :)
 
Good afternoon all. I feel like my last post came off as dramatic and uber negative - and I really am not feeling that way. I guess what I should have said is that because it looks like DH and I are not lucky enough to get prego with a sticky quickly, I need to figure out what the next step in my life is going to be. I was sort of making jewelry, biding my time, until I got prego - with the intent of being a SAHM for at least a year or two. Well, now that might not happen (I'm not sure how I feel about fertility treatments and IVF and such, both monetarily and emotionally, but that isn't here or there) and doesn't appear to be happening any time soon, so I have to sort of figure what it is what I want to be when I grow up now, instead of later. Don't know if that makes sense.

Peony - I've definitely found that I'm better off if I don't test until I'm late and don't temp after O has been confirmed (or not at all, like this cycle). My BFF, who struggled with infertility (took her over a year and lots of intervention) before she got prego, really recommended it. And she's right. I'm all about waiting until I'm late for a couple of reasons - first, those tests are expensive, and it just sort of irks me to use them when my body will give me the answer. I also check my CM pretty regularly, and I often have a tinge to my CM before AFF arrives, so I usually know when she on her way. Finally, it is really easy to rationalize away a BFN (too early to test, took it at the wrong time of day) and AFF is for sure. Is it any easier to get my period than get a BFN - I don't know. Honestly, they both stink. Like crazy.

Lulu Go crosshairs!

sunkist - yay for O. I know the first few months DH and I were trying we timed things quite wrong...temping is great for that purpose! And I bet your CM will make a nice comeback. And I echo everyone else that suggests LOTS of water!

Hope everyone is doing well.

CD 19.
 
LittleL - it''s always those best laid plans, eh . . . I think that it''s great you''re considering school. Personally, I thrive in an academic setting and would welcome the opportunity to be a perpetual student
9.gif
When it comes to a PhD, I think the key is to figure out what to study - that was what I struggled with back when I was a "scientist" Good luck!! and if/when you do get KTFU there''s always the option of deferring your enrollment.

Got my second peak reading - we shall see - this time testing with a monitor was a HUGE pain. At the start of each cycle, you have to set a testing window and I had a memory lapse such that my window was only after 10:45 am (meaning while I''m at work). So I''ve been trying keep this undercover and it''s really NOT something I want to be dealing with at work...
 
Hi guys,

Fisher, your positivity is positively contagious! Hey, I made up a word.

Sunkist, congrats on getting crosshairs. Got some of my own this morning.

That makes me 3 DPO and CD 18. Freh, not feeling real hopful about this cycle even though the BDing was timed ok.

Lysser, I didn''t read your post as negative. And I understand needing to find a different focus. I feel like I''ve put off thinking about multiple house projects b/c I wanted to work on getting pregnant, but I realize that getting KTFU cannot be my one and only hobby!
 

Fisher, thanks SO much for your very poetic and beautiful description of your faith! It must be really comforting to feel like you''re being watched over by a magnanimous force. Since I was raised in a secular manner, I''m not even sure what that would feel like. On the upside though, even if I was more religious I think the majority of actions in my life would remain the same, as I definitely have a strong sense of morality, a need to help people, etc. I have high hopes for you this cycle since your temps are staying elevated. Care to post a chart?

9.gif


Sunkist, I will try to think of some getting-to-know-you questions in the next few days. Of course, suggestions from anyone are welcome!! You already sound so patient, which is REALLY important for this TTC thing.


LittleL, thanks for your take on testing! Part of the reason that I''ve been testing is that my tests are only 80 cents, and if they were pricier I would be dissuaded from using them. Also, just the fact that I HAVE them makes me want to use them. Most of them were free with my Pre-Seed orders, which is why I have so many. I am so sick of looking at my tests under the scanning electron microscope in my office and seeing nothing! (Just kidding, I''m not rich enough to afford an SEM, but as everyone knows a stereo microscope would be the best for picking up that red dye--don''t have one of those either though, ha!). Do you know what kind of PhD you''d like to get? Let me know if I can provide any advice from a been-there perspective (my PhD was in clinical psychology, but I left with my MS).


Lovely, I take all my OPKs at work because it''s the best time, and let me tell you it''s a pain! There are no single-stalls there, so I just have to hang out in my little stall with a cup of pee on the floor staring at my test for 5-10 mins. I don''t even try to hide it, I just get a cup from the water cooler and bring it into the bathroom with me. No one seems to have noticed/asked about it yet though. I hope you can set a better start time next cycle if you don''t get a BFP this time around.


Festy, big congrats on the crosshairs!!

 
Date: 12/15/2008 11:30:27 AM
Author: peonygirl

Dreamer, I just found your belly pic that other posters alluded to a while ago, and it''s ADORABLE!!! Are you getting to the uncomfy stage yet? Also, do you know the sex, or are you waiting to find out? I''m VERY excited for you!!
Peony sorry I missed this when you posted! Thank you!
9.gif
I am not yet uncomfortable, I think largely because I am carrying very compactly--maybe because I am a taller, larger boned woman? It varies so much, like everything else about the female body
20.gif
I saw a woman at the blood lab the other day who was 26 weeks and she was MUCH larger than me. And we have kept the sex a surprise... so who knows! All I know is that the baby is getting big (~ 3 lbs now) and likes to kick a lot.
 

Hey again guys! Gosh, I don''t even know how to start this post, but I''m really excited about what I have to tell you. If case you''re wondering whether it''s possible to get knocked-up on what would have been a 55+ day cycle, the answer is yes. No one is more surprised than me, except maybe my husband.


I don''t feel pregnant. Heck, I thought my tests were defective when the second red line started showing up. But, little by little, I''m starting to believe. Starting to hope. Starting to dream. Starting to think that in nine months, I could be holding the most precious, amazing gift I could ever receive.



pregtest3.JPG
 
Very faint lines from yesterday (they showed up better in person).

pregtests.JPG
 
My chart for this cycle. By the way, I still don''t have crosshairs on the advanced or research settings.
3.gif


impregnant.GIF
 
PEONY!!! That is so great! Those are lines, and that digi can't be wrong! I have seen charts on FF with long cycles and getting KTFU and this is absolute proof right here... time to go "nah nee nah nee boo boo" to doctors, eh? PS: I suspect a day later for ovulation, since it is less common to get KU with DTD on the day of ovulation... but who knows... and who cares!
3.gif


PPS: I just noticed that *GASP* Peony waited a whole day to tell us!!
6.gif
Now we must all shun her for keeping the news to herself for a whole day!
 
Congratulations Peony!!!

I have been following your story on this thread and I am so happy for you!!!!
 
Peony, congrats girl!!!! I just lurk over on this board, but congrats!!!! Those are certainly positives!!!!!
 
Congrats peony! Very exciting! Lots of dust your way ;)
 
OMG Peony! I''m so very happy and excited for you and your DH! I know just how much you wanted this! Tons of dust your way for a sticky and for a very blissful 9 months!!!

Congrats girl!!
36.gif
 
Peony!!!! OMG - you deserve a BIG CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I''m sooooooooooo extremely happy for you!!! I couldn''t believe it when I logged on this morning.
5.gif
Best wishes to you, your hubby and your little bean!!!!
 

Thank you SO, SO, SO much everyone! Thanks DD, Allie, Neatfreak, Nycbkgir, InLuv, and Blushingbride!!


I will have LOTS more to come, but for now I need to get myself to work and try not to smile excessively or my coworkers will know something is up. I know that there''s always a chance of this not working not, but for now I''m just going to enjoy it.


DD, I did wait a whole 24 hrs before I told you guys, ha! I think that I needed to convince myself before I could say the words to anyone else. Oh, and I think you''re right about the O date.

 
OH MY FLIPPIN G*D! Peony!! I am doing a little happy dance for you!

36.gif
 
Date: 12/8/2008 4:41:17 PM
Author: InLuv101
My selfish vent for the day:

DH just called me to gently tell me that his brother & his wife are preggo. They weren't trying. Apparently they went to a party, got tipsy & DTD sans condom just that one time. The brother says that they aren't thrilled but aren't upset. In shock I guess. They weren't planning on kids for at least 5 more years. I am happy for them but sad for my darn self. All these ooopsies happening all the time to everyone & we (DH & I) can't make this happen. DH knew I would probably be a little sad/jealous. I feel awful for being upset, but I can't help it right now. I just keep having to tell myself that our time will come, this will happen.

Vent over...
I posted this a few days ago.
DH's brother called...his wife had a m/c. I feel so bad for being upset.
15.gif


In other news...it's CD16 here. Temps shot up today but I don't think I O'd yesterday. That would have been a few days early for me. I think the temp spike occured was because I tossed and turned alot from about 4am til I temped at 6am. I guess it wouldn't really matter if I did O yesterday, since we did get some BD in.

I just got my grades for this semester...a got a 3.7! Not as good as our dear friend Peony, but I'm happy nonetheless!
9.gif
 
Congrats Peony!!!!
 
Date: 12/18/2008 11:26:44 AM
Author: InLuv101

I just got my grades for this semester...a got a 3.7! Not as good as our dear friend Peony, but I''m happy nonetheless!
9.gif
That is a great GPA! What are you studying? Are you still in college or is it a graduate degree?
 
Peony- I began lurking more on this board because I was following your story. I am overjoyed for you! I was so excited to log on to the board and see that photo of you holding that digital test reading "Pregnant"!! Congrats!!
 
InLuv, I''m sorry to hear about your s.i.l. Don''t be too hard on yourself.

But congratulations on another kicka** GPA! I have a feeling PSers are quite the high-achieving bunch. Ditto DD...what are you studying?
 
36.gif
36.gif
36.gif
36.gif
Congratulations Peony!!!! What wonderful news!

36.gif
36.gif
Nice work Inluv - we''ve got some brainy ladies that hang out here! I''m impressed!

****

as for me, I got a temp rise today which pretty much confirms that yesterday was the big O. i''m off (briefly) to a holiday party for the judges that I used to work with - it''s always interesting to catch up with that cast of characters.


****

I love a good news day!
 
PEONY- CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
36.gif
36.gif
36.gif
36.gif
36.gif

So excited for you!!!! I understand it not feeling real- to be honest, I didn't even tell my DH for a day because I was so in shock and wasn't sure that I wasn't making it up! Even though the line was bright as could be. I didn't feel preggo AT ALL for about two weeks- not until this past Sunday, actually, so don't freak out if you don't feel preggo. I was convinced something was wrong, but had my first doctor appointment on Tuesday, and actually saw a heartbeat, so I guess it's real. Hope it sticks, and hope you will join me on the preggo board soon- I need another newbie over there!!!

InLuv- Wow, that's a pretty amazing GPA! Look at all the smarty-pants ladies we've got over here. What are you studying? Undergrad or grad school?????

Hi to everyone else!
35.gif
I still read this thread daily, just don't have much to add since I can't really read charts. But I am rooting for you all. Good luck to everyone!!!!!

ETA: Inluv, sorry about the SIL.
7.gif
 
Thanks DD, Festy, Lulu & ChinaCat!

I studied Psychology in undergrad & graduated in ''06 but this will be another undergrad degree as well.

Around May or so of this year I decided that I really wanted to try nursing. So I thought - what the heck, I''m only 26, I should go for it! I took some science courses this semester and will take a few more in the Spring. I''m hoping to be admitted to the RN program in Fall 2009. Once in the program the 4 semesters should fly by. I really want to be a labor & delivery nurse!
1.gif
2.gif
 
Date: 12/18/2008 12:20:49 PM
Author: InLuv101
Thanks DD, Festy, Lulu & ChinaCat!

I studied Psychology in undergrad & graduated in ''06 but this will be another undergrad degree as well.

Around May or so of this year I decided that I really wanted to try nursing. So I thought - what the heck, I''m only 26, I should go for it! I took some science courses this semester and will take a few more in the Spring. I''m hoping to be admitted to the RN program in Fall 2009. Once in the program the 4 semesters should fly by. I really want to be a labor & delivery nurse!
1.gif
2.gif
That is a great aspiration! My MIL and one of my close friends are oth nurses. It is hard work, but rewarding I think.
 
OMG! Peony, CONGRATS!!! Get your butt over to the preggo thread!
 
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP
Top