Hey all! Here's some questions for this week's getting to know you post! Join in, one and all!
1. What was the best Halloween costume you saw this year?
2. Tell us about the best moment of the week this week. (ball.and.chain, we know your answer!:) )
3. What is your favorite Halloween candy, either now or when you were a kid?
4. Share a secret obsession you might not really want to tell us
5. What scares you the most about raising a child?
6. What excites you most about raising a child?
7. If you got to have one sure thing about your LO, what would you choose? (i.e., Would not be Republican; Would love shopping like I do..etc.)
8. What do you love most about your partner/wife? Or, if you're single, what's your most desired trait in someone?
9. What are you doing this weekend?
10. Tell us something fun about you we don't already know!
And, PIPs always welcomed and encouraged
Re: GTKY Nov 1st Edition!
Holy crap @2mammazinseattle…is it even Friday on the west coast yet? Since I am procrastinating on writing this paper, here goes:
1 What was the best Halloween costume you saw this year?
It was rainy and gross here so our only TOT’s where high school kids that weren’t in costume. Our work Halloween party is tomorrow, we have a 70’s theme and I am going to be a unicorn…so that is ridiculous.
2 Tell us about the best moment of the week this week. (ball.and.chain, we know your answer!:) )
I found out that my favorite professor is teaching one of my classes next semester, so I think I will be able to take both and graduate on time! I also just finished my rough draft of this devil paper, now I have 3 weeks to edit and do all of the APA crap. Huge relief.
3. What is your favorite Halloween candy, either now or when you were a kid?
Candy is candy and it is all delicious. I love anything chocolaty.
4. Share a secret obsession you might not really want to tell us
I have this insane desire to take over the world. Like I fully intend on being the youngest (and possibly first female) executive at my gigantic company.
5. What scares you the most about raising a child?
I am worried that I will be inconstant, or not available enough. I feel like my parents did a terrible job raising me, and I turned out okay. As long as I set the bar a little higher than that he should be fine right? I do legitimately worry about providing good strong male role models.
6. What excites you most about raising a child?
I CAN”T WAIT until he can talk so I can figure out his mental models about the way the world works.
7. If you got to have one sure thing about your LO, what would you choose? (i.e., Would not be Republican; Would love shopping like I do..etc.)
I really want Miles to be empathetic/compassionate. I think if you ground your life in “treat others as you would want to be treated” and have the fortitude to empathize with people who are different than you then you become a pretty unstoppable human. I also want him to be a kick ass public speaker.
8. What do you love most about your partner/wife? Or, if you're single, what's your most desired trait in someone?
My wife is AMAZING. We are perfect compliments to each other. We can practically read each other’s minds, but approach everything we do totally differently from each other. She balances me, makes me laugh, and supports me unconditionally…and she is hot like fire.
9. What are you doing this weekend?
I am alone for the first time in years. My goals are to get all of my school stuff done for the rest of the semester, get the house clean and ready for winter (we have this whole window debacle with our old house), and hopefully get a jump on meal planning/cooking for next week. I am not going to lie though…I am kind of excited about getting some sleep.
10. Tell us something fun about you we don't already know!
I have decided to let my hair go gray. I turned thirty this year and my hair is like 60% gray...growing it out sucks though!
PIP- A, me, my dad, and Miles at a "pumpkin patch" during our trip to IL a few weeks ago
1. What was the best Halloween costume you saw this year?
I didn't really see any in real life. We don't get triclk-or-treaters. I saw some on the FB, and a few on here. I guess I would say that @herbabymama's Aphrodite was my fave
2. Tell us about the best moment of the week this week. (ball.and.chain, we know your answer!:) )
Hearing our baby's heartbeat for the first time. See it is one thing, but hearing it was a whole other kind of experience. It was truly awesome.
3. What is your favorite Halloween candy, either now or when you were a kid?
Reese's Peanut Butter Cups!
4. Share a secret obsession you might not really want to tell us
I have an obsession with "bad" TV. The only person who really knows all the trashy shows I enjoy and still respects me is my wife HAHA. I love a lot of different reality shows that I am embarassed to admit (Keeping up with the Kardashians, 19 Kids and Counting, The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Sister Wives...), and I also really have a thing for TV shows about witches/supernatural types of things (this one is weird for me - I don't know why). The new one that I just discovered that I like is Witches of the East End. I have also seen every episode of Buffy and Charmed at least twice. I don't know what it is, but I can't stop watching...
Now please don't think less of me. HAHA
5. What scares you the most about raising a child?
That I will not be good at it and will not enjoy it. My wife has known since forever that she wanted to be mom, and she has always been confident that she will be a good mom. Before I met my wife I never wanted children. Mainly because I thought I would be a horrible parent, and having had a less than ideal situation of my own growing up, I just felt like I wasn't cut out for it. I knew my wife always wanted children, and I was always open to them from early on in our relationship because it was so important to her. A few years ago a light switch just went off in me that totally sparked my baby fever and not only did I want kids, but I felt compelled to want to carry. I am still scared that I won't be good at being a mom. I struggle with things that don't come naturally to me. When something isn't easy for me, I typically just give up on it and move on to something else (not to say that I don't work hard, or that I am afraid of a challenge, b/c that isn't accurate either -- but I am just the type of person that many things do seem to come naturally/easily to me, so I tend to focus my energy there).... I don't know if I am explaining this well. I am hoping that motherhood clicks with me, and that I am instinctually good at it. It scares me to think that it might be a struggle to find myself as a parent...
6. What excites you most about raising a child?
I am most excited to do this with my wife. I know she is going to be a phenominal parent, and I can't wait for us to experience all of the moments along the way together, and learn from each other, and just bask in the glow of what we have created and try our best every day to just do what is right for our child(ren) -- I think it is going to be the biggest thing that we ever do together and separately, and I am equally excited and scared to see how it goes!
7. If you got to have one sure thing about your LO, what would you choose? (i.e., Would not be Republican; Would love shopping like I do..etc.)
Well, I'm not going to lie, I really don't want my child to be a Republican HAHA... but, there are worse things in the world, I suppose. My sister is, and I still love her. So, I guess my real answer is that I want our child(ren) to be strong, independent, intelligent, confident, motivated and not afraid to chase their dreams.
8. What do you love most about your partner/wife? Or, if you're single, what's your most desired trait in someone?
I love that she loves fiercely, that she is loyal to a fault, that she is honest no matter what, and that she is truly not afraid to be herself. If there is one thing she has taught me (and is still trying to teach me) it is to let go of my need to make everyone else like me and to make them happy with me and my decisions. I am a people pleaser. My mother is too, it is learned behavior I think... and it seriously breaks me up in side when someone I love, trust and respect is not happy with me. I struggle with making choices that others do not like. Unfortunately, to some degree, I worry about what other people think even when they are strangers... I spend too much of my day thinking about being judged poorly for things as silly as how much makeup I have on and what I am eating for lunch... My wife just lives life outloud as herself and does not give much thought to if anyone else likes it. I respect that and envy that, and I love that she loves me enough to try to help me find some common ground for myself in this area.
9. What are you doing this weekend?
My brother-in-law and his wife are settling on their first house today. We are going tomorrow to help them move. I have been assigned the task of helping my sister-in-law unpack her pantry and get her kitchen settled, since I won't be lifting boxes.
On Sunday, I am tackling the dreaded task of trying to find a dress for the wedding we are going to next weekend. I just hope I don't end up in tears in a fitting room somewhere HAHA
10. Tell us something fun about you we don't already know!
Hmmm....I feel like you know a lot about me already. I am a bit of an over-sharer, as I am sure you have noticed. I think it would be fun to play "Ask me anything" on here, but I am hesitant to do it since I feel like you all probably feel like you know too much about me already HA!
But.... something fun... OH, I know! When I was really little I grew up down the street from Stephen King and I stepped on his feet by accident in the corner store when my mother was there to buy milk (I think I was 4ish at the time). We moved to Massachusetts when I was 6, but a lot of my family still lives near him in Maine.
Me - 30, My wife - 31 , Together for 10 yrs - Married August 2012
5 medicated IUIs w/ RE (March - July 2013) = BFN
Fresh IVF Cycle in September 2013 resulted in 18 mature eggs, 16 fertilized, 12 made it to day 5. Transfer of 2 Grade A blastocysts on 9/15/13, and 10 embryos in the freezer! *****BFP on 9/25/13 - betas: @10dp5dt = 232; @12dp5dt = 465; @15dp5dt = 1,581 *********William George born June 4, 2014*********1. What was the best Halloween costume you saw this year?
I have seen mostly pictures on facebook of my friends kids. There were some super cute ones. But I have the say the little boy I babysit was a lion, he was adorable!
2. Tell us about the best moment of the week this week. (ball.and.chain, we know your answer!:) )
The best moment of this week was probably going to the Columbus Crew game on Sunday. It was great to make new friends and also see my wife so happy.
3. What is your favorite Halloween candy, either now or when you were a kid?
I love all kinds of candy. It really is hard to pick just one. Probably snickers or kitkat
4. Share a secret obsession you might not really want to tell us
I can't really think of any obsessions, besides playing candy crush
5. What scares you the most about raising a child?
I am worried that I won't be a good mom. My mom was not present or consistent in her discipline and it has definitely effected me as a person. I don't want to be that way.
6. What excites you most about raising a child?
I am looking forward into being accepted into the "family circles" You know, those friends with kids that think you know nothing because you don't have kids of your own or don't invite you to things because its for kids. I am excited to do family activities like going to the zoo, starting our own traditions and wearing the badge of honor or being a mom.
7. If you got to have one sure thing about your LO, what would you choose? (i.e., Would not be Republican; Would love shopping like I do..etc.)
This is going to sound superficial, but I have always been afraid of having an ugly child. Is that really bad? So I want my child to be cute, be kind to others and have motivation in life.
8. What do you love most about your partner/wife? Or, if you're single, what's your most desired trait in someone?
I love most about my wife is her sense of humor and child like nature. She gets super excited about things and looks at the world with rose tinted glasses. I wish I had that ability sometimes and didn't worry so much.
9. What are you doing this weekend?
We don't have any big plans this weekend. I am hoping to get some extra sleep and relax a little, but in reality we have a huge to do list to get the foster kids room and stuff ready.
10. Tell us something fun about you we don't already know!
When I was 18 I flew to Chicago to spend the weekend with a guy I had never met. He was my boss's brother and invited me to join him on a business trip. I had talked to him all the time on the phone but had never met him and only had seen one picture of him before going. I met him at the hotel we stayed at and we had a great time. I woke up the next morning with money on the bedside table and called my mom and said I felt like Pretty Woman but without the hooker part (because we didn't sleep together). The money was for a taxi and to have fun for the day while he was working. For the record I ended up working for him a year later and we remain friends to this day.
And, PIPs always welcomed and encouraged
Here is a picture of our furbabies. Woody is the bigger one with the bandage on his foot. While having a seizure the other night he cut his foot :-( He is doing much better now and on pain medication. Our other dog Bo always cuddles with him and I thought this picture was adorable.
1) The best costume I saw was C's mom's! She made this really elaborate gargoyle costume and won two airline tickets
I'm PIPing it so you can see!
2) The best moment of the week will actually happen tonight. I've got a date with my couch and I'm gonna watch Nightmare Before Christmas! C is going to work on her yearly newsletter. She makes a really elaborate satire from our whole year that delights and entertains while informing everyone of the highlights from 2013. C is very creative and the best writer I know!
3) I favored anything chocolate but it had to be name-brand. You know those nasty chocolates from the dollar store? Those always disappointed me.
4) A secret obsession... Hmmmm... I'm pretty open about most things so it's hard to say what I'm "secretly" obsessed with. I've been obsessing over getting pregnant but you all know that. I'll just admit something embarrassing: I loved the Twilight series. No, I LOVED it. I have all the books and all the movies. It's so awful.
5) What scares me the most: I'm scared my kid will hate me - even if it's just during their teen years. I never hated my parents but I wasn't exactly a pleasure to be around from ages 12-17. I caued them a ton of stress. I guess raising a teen is what scares me! Kids are great when they're little and loving and have no inhibitions. But when they enter the self-conscious, hormonal maelstrom teens... hoo boy! My brothers were MONSTERS and I was a brat. I'm afraid my kids will be the same way. Don't know how I'll get through it.
6) What excites me: getting to know the little person I make in my womb. Watching them grow, watching them experience all their "firsts." Taking them on vacation, to the movies, cooking fun meals for them, making them laugh, watching their sense of humor develop.
7) This is a dangerous question! I have a cautionary tale. My cousin and his wife had their first child a bit over 4 years ago. She requested gender-neutral clothing and toys for her baby shower. She kept insisting that she does NOT want to raise a princess, wants her daughter to be practical and non-nonsense. She wanted to raise a mini version of herself - which I get, I guess. I've been watching the Facebook photos and that little girl is a princess TO THE CORE. She wants tiaras, high heels, make-up, dresses, flowers, and pink, pink, pink! And she throws the WORST temper tantrums. She's the spoiled little girl my cousin and his wife feared. She'll even announce "I'm going to have a meltdown" if she doesn't get her way. Assuming she grows up straight, I pray for the man who marries her! In any case, having wishes and hopes are all fine and well, but please do not have any expectations! You will be bound to be disappointed.
Now, barring all this... if I could have one guarantee, I would make my child a geek. I know that sounds awful, but really... geeks grow up to be the COOLEST people. And I would be the best mother to a geek. I would take them to comic cons, I'd make them cosplay costumes, I'd feed their anime addiction, and I'd watch bad sci-fi movies with them to their heart's content. And a geek's idea of a good time as a teen: have a big sleepover with their friends, watch cartoons/play video games, and drool over the hottest super heros. I know this because... ta da! I was a geek growing up
And I never did a single drug, never drank, never smoked, and abstained from sex until I was 18. Because my mind was occupied with much better things.
But I've always joked my son will be a jock and my daughter will be a cheerleader. Whatever I can relate to least is most likely what will happen. I'm bracing myself!
8) I love her humor. She is the funniest person I know. She's also the most generous and compassionate. All around, she is the absolute best and I can't imagine life without her. I know she'll make the best mom, too. She'll be our kids' favorite! She's going to give them the best parties and she's going to make life so much fun. Physically, I love her eyes and I love her smile. Oh, and her butt
9) My daddy turned 60 on the 30th so we're having a party for him. I'm making him birthday pie tonight. There will be 12 of us so I'll make one apple, one blueberry (his two favorites).
10) I'm scared of flying. SCARED. My palms sweat and my heart races as soon as I buckle my seatbelt. I fly at least once a year - I swallow my fright because I love to travel. If I allowed fear to rule my life, I'd never have gone any further west than St. Louis.
ETA: PIP coming soon!
2. We got a new parking spot! It is really a hugely big deal for us. We moved in a month ago and found out that our assigned spot in the apartment garage was a 3 to 3.5 minute walk from our door. We'd been spoiled by having parking right at our house before and it is amazing how much more time it takes to do things when you have to walk that far to the car (especially if you're just popping in at home to drop off the dog or something, so you have to do the walk in both directions). Plus it made groceries and stuff like that a major pain. And most importantly, M has a chronic ankle injury which means that on some days it is really killing her and that walk is super painful. But M advocated for a new spot and we just found out that we were getting one effective today! This one is right across from the door. It is amazing. And it will make such a huge difference if/when we are pregnant and then have kids.
3.Reeses peanut butter cups without a doubt.
4. Janet Evanovich books.
5. I'm scared of my kid dying or being seriously injured, but aside from that I think I'm most afraid of our kid(s) learning that it is not safe to be fully themselves in the world. I'm assuming that despite our best efforts this will happen around middle school. I hope they rebel quickly and strongly and work hard to be who they are.
6. The kind of all consuming love I will feel for them and for M as we parent them together.
7. I would choose that they would figure out how to be truly self-reflexive. I think this quality and skill would serve them (and the world they interact with) very well.
8. M is awesome in so many ways. She is super smart, and thoughtful, and fun, and clever, and beautiful, and good. But right now what I'm thinking about is how fantastic cuddling with her is. How much healing and comfort I can find in those cuddles and help to restore to her as well through them.
9. M is going to Buffalo tomorrow with her friend to go shopping for bras and work clothes. I plan to clean the house and relax and maybe do some grading. We don't have plans for Sunday yet.
10. I love Sonic (especially their tater tots) so much that I have brought several friends and now also M on road trips to go to Sonic (or on detours on our existing road trips) and have converted several of them. AND BEST NEWS EVER-- they are opening a Sonic down the street from my parents' house in Chicago. (This is better than them opening one in Toronto, because it would be less special if it were that close on a regular basis.)
We're queer. I'm 33, have severe stage 4 endo, and had both fallopian tubes removed. My love ("Manada" on the boards, 32) was diagnosed with diminished ovarian reserve. We did Partner IVF (my eggs, her uterus). We lost our twins Tavin and Casey at 21 weeks gestation.
Our IUIs
with @Manada: IUI# 1-7 (December 2012- September 2013) all BFN. Tried natural, femara, clomid, puregon/follistim, clomid and menopur combo, both the ovidrel and HCG triggers.
Our IVFs:
IVF #1 my eggs November/December 2013: Cancelled IVF due to poor response
IVF #2 my eggs/Manada's uterus January/February 2014
BCPs and lupron overlap Stimmed: 1/22-2/2: Bravelle and Menopur (dosage ranged from B300 and M150 to B375 and M150 to B300 and M225)
2/4 retrieved 10 eggs. Endo was much worse than expected. Only 3 eggs fertilized; February 7 transferred two day 3 embryos, froze one. All great condition.
BFP eve of 6dp3dt; Beta 1 (11dp3dt): 110; Beta 2 (13dp3dt): 175; Beta 3 (15dp3dt): 348; Beta 4 (19dp3dt): 2222; Beta 5 (21dp3dt): 4255
1st ultrasound (3/6 6w 1d): TWINS!!!! Twin A measuring 6w1d with a heartbeat of 118bpm. Twin B measuring 6w0d with a heartbeat of 113bpm.
***July 18, 2014 we lost our beautiful babies at 21 weeks gestation. They were born too early. Tavin Sara T. and Casey Elizabeth T. are beautiful and precious and we will love them and miss them forever.***
FET #1 December 2014
My niece was a penguin this year. It was the cutest thing ever!!!
2. Tell us about the best moment of the week this week. (ball.and.chain, we know your answer!:) )
When we got our official marriage license...it felt so awesome!
3. What is your favorite Halloween candy, either now or when you were a kid?
As a kid I LOVED charleston chews!
4. Share a secret obsession you might not really want to tell us
I'm with KH826...I love trashy television and BAD television...reality TV, Syfy Movies, all of it! I love it!
5. What scares you the most about raising a child?
There is a lot of responsibility and accountability...I am worried I will screw my kids up!
6. What excites you most about raising a child?
Getting to raise them with C!
7. If you got to have one sure thing about your LO, what would you choose? (i.e., Would not be Republican; Would love shopping like I do..etc.)
Ha ha ha...definetly not a republican! Also I want our children to be brave and kind and helpful. I want them to be funny and silly and respectful. I want them to love summer camp and understand the importance of nature!
8. What do you love most about your partner/wife? Or, if you're single, what's your most desired trait in someone?
C is so kind and thoughtful and SO silly. We laugh so much together and we always have fun together!
9. What are you doing this weekend?
School work, housework, and helping C at work!
10. Tell us something fun about you we don't already know!
Hmmmm....I run a marriage equality website that I'm really proud of!
My PIP is of C and I in New York!
Queer coupled and having a BABY with the love of my life! Love my life and wouldn't have it any other way!
First IUI 1/22/2013 BFN: 2/7/2013, Second IUI 2/21/2013 BFN: 3/9/2013, Third IUI 4/23/2013 BFN: 5/8/2013, Fourth IUI 5/24/2013 BFN: 6/7/2013, Fifth IUI 6/24/2013 BFN: 7/8/2013
C began IUI's
7/23/2013 C's first IUI BFN, 8/21/2013 C's second IUI BFN , Took a break in September and October, 11/05/2013 C's 3rd IUI (TWW...we meet again...) BFN, Took off the month to switch to an RE. 01/01/2014 C's 4th IUI...BFP!!!!!!!! Beta #1- 17, Beta #2- 34, Beta #3-140.... 6W Ultra-Sound Reveals nothing in Gestation Sack... Natural M/C at 7W, 2/3/2014
03/21/2014 IUI #10...BFP!!! Beta #1- 48, Beta #2- 416, Beta #3- 1018. GROW BABY GROW!!!
1st Ultrasound 4/22/2014 Baby Squints is PERFECT! Measuring at 6w2d with a heartbeat of 129. EDD: 12/12/14.
Ultrasound at 18 weeks on 7/14/2014. Baby is healthy and growing just as she should!
Check out my blog at: http://journeytoparenthoodandmakingmilk.blogspot.com/
1. I didn't see many costumes this year either! No trick-or-treaters at our house. I did see a pic of our friend's 5 year old dressed up as the heroine of Brave (blanking on the name) and she was super-cute!
2. We finally got our over-the-range microwave installed this morning! Slow week around here… But it is exciting to get some to-do's checked off the list. Backsplash is going up on Sunday. Woohoo!
3. I loved Snickers as a kid. Don't each much candy as an adult, especially since I went vegan. But, since I've switched to vegetarian during pregnancy, I've really been enjoying pretzel M&Ms! Love the salty and sweet!
4. Hmm. I kinda check this message board obsessively. Can't think of anything else I'm really obsessive about.
5. For so many reasons, I think it is a wonderful thing that I waited until my 30s to start having children. I really do think I will be a better mother for it in the end. But, I do get worried about being a tired older mommy. I don't have the same degree of energy as I did when I was in my mid-20s. I also worry about being able to spend enough time with my kiddos since we'll be a 2-parent working family. And, of course, all the other typical fears - I want my child to grow up to be honest, respectful, empathetic, knowledge-seeking, inquisitive, and full of integrity. How exactly does one do that? Not that my parents were perfect, but I think they did a pretty good job with all of us, so I hope I can emulate the best of them. I just hope I do more things right than I do wrong. Deep breath.
6. Immediate excitement - meeting this little guy, holding him, kissing him, and loving him in a way that that will be completely new to me. Long term - being able to shape this little person into hopefully an incredible man. What an awesome privilege and responsibility.
7. Oy, a Republican. But, I'm sure I could live with it.
I'm repeating my answer - I want my child to grow up to be honest, respectful, empathetic, knowledge-seeking, inquisitive, and full of integrity. Other than that, I want our kiddos to be exactly who they want to be.
8. I can't boil it down to one thing. Z is so different than what I thought I wanted in a person. Things I thought were important to me turned out not to be important. And only when Z showed up did I realize what was truly important. I love that she is incredibly kind, fiercely loyal, a total goofball, passionate about her work, and has made me laugh every single day since she's come into my life. Don't get me wrong, that woman can drive me nuts! But, there isn't anyone better out there.
9. Yoga, getting car cleaned, installing car seat, maybe a date night tomorrow, and…. not sure what else. Oh, Alabama vs. LSU game tomorrow night. Nothing terribly exciting, which is A-OK with me!
10. I moved to Austin on a whim. I was in Tuscaloosa, AL for 6 years - 4 years of undergrad, 2 years of grad school. When I was done, I decided that if there was ever a time in my life that I could just pick up and move wherever I wanted, it was then. I drove to Austin with a friend, found a place to live, drove back to AL, packed my stuff, and moved. I didn't have a job or any friends in Austin - that i knew about anyway. Turns out that a good friend from high school moved to Austin a couple of weeks after I did. She's still here! It was challenging at first. I worked in the warehouse of a clothing store for very little pay for about 6 months before I was offered my first job with the state. I'm an introvert, so I really had to force myself to get out of my comfort zone to make friends and start dating. It has all turned out so well. I have incredibly good friends here, have done very well in my career, and met the love of my life! Greatest chance I ever took!
My PIP - Z making me laugh on our wedding day
1. What was the best Halloween costume you saw this year?
I agree with A... and not because I am biased, but it really was the cutest penguin costume.
2. Tell us about the best moment of the week this week. (ball.and.chain, we know your answer!:) )
A's sister gave a BEAUTIFUL speech at our legal ceremony, about our love, and how our kids won't have to drive to a different state to marry the one they love, etc. It was really special, because she is kind of shy, so she didn't give a toast at our big wedding last year. The things she said were just wonderful and reminded me how blessed I am in to have joined such a wonderful family.
3. What is your favorite Halloween candy, either now or when you were a kid?
I have had a real candy problem this year... my work does HUGE Halloween events, and so for the last 2 weeks I was on a steady diet of candy and hot-dogs. My current favorite: 100 Grand Bars
4. Share a secret obsession: I have a strange obsession with numbers... It drives A crazy. An example of this obsession would be needing to keep my mph driving average at a certain level when we go on road trips. I also love to try and figure out percentages and nerdy stuff like that when I am running. So I will try to get it down to a round number to know how much I have to go.
5. What scares you the most about raising a child?
Honestly, I can't answer this, because my biggest fear is that we will never have one.
6. What excites you most about raising a child?
Seeing them grow up and become little people. I am also really excited for them to go to summer camp, because it has been such a huge part of our lives.
7. If you got to have one sure thing about your LO, what would you choose? (i.e., Would not be Republican; Would love shopping like I do..etc.)
Obviously all the important stuff: nice, smart, compassionate, respectful. But secretly... I really want them to be a good athlete. Not in a Toddler's and Tiara's type of way.. because I am just not that kind of guy who would push their kid unnecessarily. But I really want a kid who loves to be on the ball field, and enjoys healthy competition.
8. What do you love most about your partner/wife? Or, if you're single, what's your most desired trait in someone?
Her sense of humor, her understanding of my quirks, her undying support of my gender expression, her family, and how much fun we have together. I truly think we were meant for each other.
9. What are you doing this weekend?
I hear people talk about these "weekends" but haven't had one in a long time. I working 4 programs over the weekend: Twilight Hike and Campfire, Flashlight Tag, and Survival Skills. Now if you are anything like my Mom, you are probably wondering, is this real work? Well... you try to get 70 nine year olds to play a fair game of flashlight tag and then tell me it isn't work
10. Tell us something fun about you we don't already know!
My claim to fame is that I was a NCAA Division 1 soccer player. I played in the NCAA tournament, and the year I went to college my recruiting class was 12th in the Nation. Also... if you follow Men's soccer at all you will probably know who Clint Dempsey is.... I went to college with him, and we played soccer at the same time. The cute kid from "The Big Green" was also on the men's soccer team when I played.
Baby Hayden Frances born 12/20/14 at 11:11 a.m... Our perfect little miracle. Here's how we got here:
My lovely wife:
5 IUI's January 2013-June 2013- 3 Cycles with Clomid- BFN
Myself: Genderqueer guy who hopped in the driver's seat of the baby making train
IUI #6- 7/23- Monitored and Trigger on Day 12, with one 16mm follicle and one 18mm follicle- BFN
IUI #7- 8/21- Not monitored, 50mg Clomid- BFN
September and October: Missed Cycles due to vacation and a Half Marathon
IUI #8- Monitored and triggered on day 15, with one 23x18mm follicle- BFN on 11/19/2013
December: Moved onto to see an RE to make a good plan.
IUI #9- 1/1/2014 Natural Cycle, BFP on 1/15/2014, 6W Ultra-Sound Reveals nothing in Gestation Sack... Natural M/C at 7W, 2/3/2014
IUI #10 3/21/2014- Natural Cycle- BFP on 4/1/2014 (please don't be an April Fools. Beta #1 13dpiui- 48, Beta #2 16dpiui- 416, Beta #3 1018...
1st Ultrasound- 4/22/2014- 6w4d HB- 134!
Check out my Blog at: http://pregnantboithinksoutloud.blogspot.com/
Baby Hayden Frances born 12/20/14 at 11:11 a.m... Our perfect little miracle. Here's how we got here:
My lovely wife:
5 IUI's January 2013-June 2013- 3 Cycles with Clomid- BFN
Myself: Genderqueer guy who hopped in the driver's seat of the baby making train
IUI #6- 7/23- Monitored and Trigger on Day 12, with one 16mm follicle and one 18mm follicle- BFN
IUI #7- 8/21- Not monitored, 50mg Clomid- BFN
September and October: Missed Cycles due to vacation and a Half Marathon
IUI #8- Monitored and triggered on day 15, with one 23x18mm follicle- BFN on 11/19/2013
December: Moved onto to see an RE to make a good plan.
IUI #9- 1/1/2014 Natural Cycle, BFP on 1/15/2014, 6W Ultra-Sound Reveals nothing in Gestation Sack... Natural M/C at 7W, 2/3/2014
IUI #10 3/21/2014- Natural Cycle- BFP on 4/1/2014 (please don't be an April Fools. Beta #1 13dpiui- 48, Beta #2 16dpiui- 416, Beta #3 1018...
1st Ultrasound- 4/22/2014- 6w4d HB- 134!
Check out my Blog at: http://pregnantboithinksoutloud.blogspot.com/
1. What was the best Halloween costume you saw this year? A owl costume a little boy Kaden's age wore (only spotted on Facebook)
2. Tell us about the best moment of the week this week. (ball.and.chain, we know your answer!:) ) Seeing Kaden's happy, smiling face this morning. He's been sick with a high fever since Wednesday. I'm glad (and relieved) that he's feeling better.
3. What is your favorite Halloween candy, either now or when you were a kid? Almond joy's
4. Share a secret obsession you might not really want to tell us: I love the Harry Potter books and movies and have read them and seen the movies multiple times
5. What scares you the most about raising a child? Everyone once in a while I have a heart attack moment (like waking up early this morning thinking "something related to his being sick" may have happened to Kaden in his sleep. It's weird to have this irrational side of me rear it's ugly fearful head from time to time. Like when I would check his breathing as a newborn. EVERY night before going to sleep myself... Other than that I'm a l more than a little daunted about how I will handle two kids...
6. What excites you most about raising a child? Being a mom. I love my job, I love taking care of all the little and big details that make his life great, and being there when he needs a helping hand, or a hug, or a buddy to play with. I love watching him unfold into this amazing person. It is the most beautiful powerful experience. Different but equal in my heart to the amazing journey of being married to EV. Just love... pure and simple. I feel like I get to be my best self everyday.
7. If you got to have one sure thing about your LO, what would you choose? (i.e., Would not be Republican; Would love shopping like I do..etc.) LOL - I always joke that I could handle most of the things a young K could do or be. But coming home as a conservative Republican (Aaaahhhhhh!!!!).
8. What do you love most about your partner/wife? Or, if you're single, what's your most desired trait in someone? Honestly so many things, but let me narrow them down. She's the smartest person I know, I love listening to her talk, love her perspective on life and current events. She is endlessly creative. She can take a box, a some string and paperclips and make some piece of art, or a useful gizmo. If I'm ever rich enough so she can spend her day doing creative stuff like that, or cooking or painting I would be thrilled. :-) Finally she sees me for who I am, good, bad, ugly, beautiful and loves me to no end. Who could ask for more??
9. What are you doing this weekend? Maybe reconnecting with friends at a local zoo. And homework, homework, homework.... Ugh.
10. Tell us something fun about you we don't already know! I'm not a particularly good dancer, but every time I hear music I want to move.
1. What was the best Halloween costume you saw this year?
A friend of ours dressed her little boys up as a banana and a monkey. I only saw a picture, but they were adorable!
2. Tell us about the best moment of the week this week. (ball.and.chain, we know your answer!:) )
Our neighbor's daughter came to our house to trick-or-treat. We don't always get along, mainly because C and our neighbor knew each other prior to us dating, and it wasn't good. We live so close and it is stressful to not be on speaking terms. They have two little girls and I like it much better when we can all say hi, wave and talk to each other. Hopefully that is on the mend.
3. What is your favorite Halloween candy, either now or when you were a kid?
Twix with KitKat as a very close second.
4. Share a secret obsession you might not really want to tell us
Hmmmm...I'm sure there is something, but nothing is coming to me right now. I guess I will go with the fact that I also obsessively check this board.
5. What scares you the most about raising a child?
I'm terrified that I will fail and my child(ren) will turn out to be a bum, murderer/serial killer, criminal, etc.
Two years ago, almost exactly, C and I took in a 15 year old girl. She had been a part of C's family since she was born. We were aware of some issues she had, but not everything. I got her into counseling and she was diagnosed with reactive attachment disorder. If she were 18, she also would have been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. Being a social worker, I know what these things entail and knew a very tough road was ahead of us. When things started to get tough, we sought help from Child Protective Services (how we got her to begin with) and got into individualized parenting classes/counseling. We thought things were turning around and talked about formally adopting her, though we have legal custody shared with her mom. Then...things went so very bad. We started giving her age appropriate freedoms and it didn't work out well. A few things happened and we put forth appropriate consequences. She threatened to kill herself. We got her into an inpatient program and found out a few other things in the process. Ultimately we decided that she could no longer stay with us. She is in a group home now and we are working on getting her into foster care. Back when this all started, CPS advised us to seek legal custody. My full belief is because then this kept her out of foster care and off their radar/responsibility. In turn, when things got bad, it was very difficult for us to put our foot down and say we couldn't handle it anymore.
Overall, I feel like I failed completely. We might want to adopt in the future, and I feel like any adoption related agency would look at this situation and question our ability to parent. I know that we took on a huge situation, more than we had ever imagined, at a young age. I know that it takes years, if ever, to undo the damage she has suffered. I know all of this, and still feel like I failed. As a result, I question whether or not I even deserve to have kids.
6. What excites you most about raising a child?
Watching their personality develop and watching C be the wonderful mother I know she will be.
7. If you got to have one sure thing about your LO, what would you choose? (i.e., Would not be Republican; Would love shopping like I do..etc.)
That he/she have plenty of self-motivation.
8. What do you love most about your partner/wife? Or, if you're single, what's your most desired trait in someone?
I absolutely love how funny C is. I don't know where she comes up with some of the stuff she says. She makes me laugh hard every single day.
9. What are you doing this weekend?
We have bowling league every Saturday night, so we have that tomorrow. Other than that, I think we are going to try and get some things done at home. It looks like we might go out for dinner tonight. We haven't done that in a while.
10. Tell us something fun about you we don't already know!
I once had my tongue pierced. I got it done when I got my second tattoo (I have 11). I took it out for a job interview and it closed right up. Most people see me as quiet and reserved and are shocked when they find out I have tattoos and once had my tongue pierced.
Me: 30 DW (aka C): 29
Together since 2/15/11 ~ Legally married in NY on 9/29/12
***CP mentioned***
We've been working on baby #1 since July 2013 using Open ID donor sperm. 8 IUI attempts with 5 actual IUIs and one chemical pregnancy. We have one fresh IVF cycle under our belts as well as a FET. I have endometriosis and a uterine septum that was corrected via surgery in November 2013.
11/14/14 - Second HSG shows that tubes are still clear and ute is looking good.
12/6/14 - Started BCPs in prep for IVF #2
12/22/14 - Saline u/s and endometrial scratch (All was clear and OUCH!)
1/2/15 - Began stimming for IVF #2
****All Welcome!****
We are Mommas to four fur babies - 3 dogs and 1 cat.
Me: 30 DW (aka C): 29
Together since 2/15/11 ~ Legally married in NY on 9/29/12
***CP mentioned***
We've been working on baby #1 since July 2013 using Open ID donor sperm. 8 IUI attempts with 5 actual IUIs and one chemical pregnancy. We have one fresh IVF cycle under our belts as well as a FET. I have endometriosis and a uterine septum that was corrected via surgery in November 2013.
11/14/14 - Second HSG shows that tubes are still clear and ute is looking good.
12/6/14 - Started BCPs in prep for IVF #2
12/22/14 - Saline u/s and endometrial scratch (All was clear and OUCH!)
1/2/15 - Began stimming for IVF #2
****All Welcome!****
We are Mommas to four fur babies - 3 dogs and 1 cat.
1. What was the best Halloween costume you saw this year?
A friend of mine dressed her whole family up as characters from Monsters Inc. She was Celia Mae (Mike's girlfriend) and made a hat with one eye and crocheted purple snakes for her "hair." Their costumes were amazing. She also won an office costume contest for dressing up as "pro bono" (we work at a law firm).
2. Tell us about the best moment of the week this week. (ball.and.chain, we know your answer!:) )
Obviously the ole BFP was awesome. The responses I got from people on the Bump were a very close second.
3. What is your favorite Halloween candy, either now or when you were a kid?
Twix, PB cups (Justin's from Whole Foods if I'm feeling schmancy, but I won't kick Reese's out of bed), Fast Break or Take 5.
4. Share a secret obsession you might not really want to tell us.
This is super dorky. My favorite farmer's market stand sells literally dozens of varieties of apples -- heirloom as well as more common varieties. When I started going there regularly a couple of years ago, I became sort of obsessed with trying every kind. I had to start keeping a list of the varieties so I could remember what I'd already tried. My wife found the list and said, "WTH is this???" I felt like I was some sort of weird closeted heirloom apple freak. Now I know my favorites (and my runner-ups), but anytime there's a new one I have to try it. (Yes, the guy at the stand knows and loves me. I once received a "most wonderful customer" certificate and a free apple).
5. What scares you the most about raising a child?
Aside from the normal "will I be a good mom" stuff that I think most people experience, and worrying about your kid getting hurt or a serious illness, I will say that I am scared of not having enough alone time. I am a major introvert, very independent, and like to have a lot of time to myself. I know I won't have much of it when I am a parent (I'm thinking the drive to the subway station after daycare drop-off might be it), and that makes me a little anxious.
6. What excites you most about raising a child?
Seeing my wife and my family interact with our child. Building traditions together. Teaching him or her things. Seeing him or her experience things for the first time.
7. If you got to have one sure thing about your LO, what would you choose? (i.e., Would not be Republican; Would love shopping like I do..etc.)
I would be sad if my child did not love to read like I do.
8. What do you love most about your partner/wife? Or, if you're single, what's your most desired trait in someone?
Her integrity and her heart.
9. What are you doing this weekend?
Baby shower on Saturday with my ILs. ILs are staying the night and heading home Sunday; at which point I need to get my shit together for the week. I also have a walking date scheduled on Sunday with a friend and her dog.
10. Tell us something fun about you we don't already know!
I hate this question! I never know what to say. :P
9 IUIs = 9 BFNs
IVF October 2012: 22 eggs retrieved, 17 fertilized, 5 frozen
ET #1: 1 blast = BFP; Blighted ovum discovered at 7w5d; D&E
FET #1: 1 blast = BFP; Missed m/c discovered at 9w5d; D&E
Karyotyping: normal ~ RPL Testing: normal ~ Hysteroscopy: normal
FET #2: 1 blast transferred 10/25; BFP 10/31!
EDD 7/13/14 ~ Induced at 37w4d due to pre-eclampsia ~ Born on 6/28/14
*Everyone welcome*
1. What was the best Halloween costume you saw this year?
J's coffeeshop is in a 'hood that has about a 10-block business district that does a trick'or'treat dealybob from 3-6. Easily 1000+ kids. So, I would vote for the girl in the Barbie doll box *she made herself* (she was Skipper) and I loved one who was cotton candy with a big white cone on her head. Overall, J and I love the homemade costumes so much more than store bought things...and we saw plenty of cool ones! OH the best adult one: Dude is in black pants, a shiny silver muscle shirt and has gray paint swatches all over him...and handcuffs on one arm...and a whip: 50 Shades of Gray! Best adult one by far. (and yes, I will admit to reading those books...yes, all of them).
2. Tell us about the best moment of the week this week. (ball.and.chain, we know your answer!:) )
I think ball.and.chain's BFP! Honestly, I am so happy for her - and, selfishly, us infertiles get hope from each other like crazy, so it gives me some hope to boot.
3. What is your favorite Halloween candy, either now or when you were a kid?
@doodah - I'm with you on the 100 Grands - I mean, when else do you get those in the year??
4. Share a secret obsession you might not really want to tell us Ok, I love to drink chocolate syrup from the container. Needless to say we don't keep it in the house. Ever. When I did this as a kid, out of the round aluminum Hershey can with the yellow lid, the rim would leave chocolate between my eyebrows and my mom would know.
5. What scares you the most about raising a child?
Ohhhhhhhh...my worst fear is that their therapy fund will need to exceed their college fund. I hope not to eff them up, more than anything, and I hope they somehow enter into adulthood liking themselves 51%+++ at a minimum; that is, like themselves more than no.
6. What excites you most about raising a child?
Seeing what we get! Like, the ultimate easter egg really - I'm so curious what personality s/he will be, and I'm so excited to see how I grow, and how J grows, how we grow as a couple as a result of a 3rd person in our family.
7. If you got to have one sure thing about your LO, what would you choose? (i.e., Would not be Republican; Would love shopping like I do..etc.)
Oh, I hope they are social and like to talk. Obviously I'm all good with a quite introvert (I married one) - but I'd love a little being that wanted to talk and hang out with me a lot!
8. What do you love most about your partner/wife? Or, if you're single, what's your most desired trait in someone?
I love that J is super smart, creative and unabashed in her values and beliefs and willingness to voice them - not rudely, but she won't stand by in a conversation just to be polite if she has an opinion. Plus she's super cute and fun.
9. What are you doing this weekend?
J works a bunch lately on weekends, with her new shop up and running. So, I have from 7-1 and 8-2 free each day...Monday, however, is our 7 year anniversary! So I'm going to do a little planning on that. We love that our two anniversaries are about 6 months apart so we get to celebrate both.
10. Tell us something fun about you we don't already know!
Isn't the chocolate syrup story enough? I played so much Tetris in the 90s I would see blocks falling when I was falling asleep.
Thanks all, as always, for participating! Feel free anytime to PM me any questions you'd like me to include!
Me (43) and J (45) - same sex couple. And we don't feel 40+!
June'12 - First RE Visit
Sept. '12 - Tubes removed
Dec. '12 - Donor Egg/Donor Sperm IVF Cycle - 4 good embies!
Dec. '12 - Fresh transfer, BFP! EDD 8/29/13
Mar. '13 - Missed m/c at 16w1d, baby boy stopped growing at 15w4d
Loss due to umbilical cord clot...baby was perfect.
Jul '13 - FET#1 - c/p
Sept. '13 - FET#2 - BFN
Dec.' 2, 2013 - FET#3 with our last chance embie - BFP!!!
Dec' 26, 2013 - hb!!
EDD 8/20/14 with a baby girl!
Little S was born on 8/21/14 - 8lb, 14 oz and 20 inches long.
We live in Seattle and used SRM for our donor egg IVF cycle
:x
9 IUIs = 9 BFNs
IVF October 2012: 22 eggs retrieved, 17 fertilized, 5 frozen
ET #1: 1 blast = BFP; Blighted ovum discovered at 7w5d; D&E
FET #1: 1 blast = BFP; Missed m/c discovered at 9w5d; D&E
Karyotyping: normal ~ RPL Testing: normal ~ Hysteroscopy: normal
FET #2: 1 blast transferred 10/25; BFP 10/31!
EDD 7/13/14 ~ Induced at 37w4d due to pre-eclampsia ~ Born on 6/28/14
*Everyone welcome*
1. What was the best Halloween costume you saw this year?
I didn't really see any costumes this year. Cute little kids are the best I think, generally speaking.
2. Tell us about the best moment of the week this week. (ball.and.chain, we know your answer!:) )
The best moment this week was yesterday when I got to see me little man's face for the first time. I had my 3D U/S and it was awesome! He blew bubbles, stuck his tongue out, and played with the cord. I so can't wait to see him!!!
3. What is your favorite Halloween candy, either now or when you were a kid?
My favorite candy is Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. I have been buying them by the bag and having a couple every day as my own little festive thing. Mmmmm!!!
4. Share a secret obsession you might not really want to tell us
I am obsessed with this boy in my womb!! I think about him 24/7 and pretty much everything I do is about or for him!
5. What scares you the most about raising a child?
The things that scare me are how kids can be influenced by peers. I want to do my very best to make sure that my little guy is the best that he can be in all ways without being too protective and helicopterish. I want him to be the best himself and I know that it is easy to follow peers down the wrong paths, and right paths.
6. What excites you most about raising a child?
I get to be there for all of his firsts. I get to teach him about all the wonders that this world has to offer, and get to show him everything! That is the most amazing thing I think that anyone can ever do.
7. If you got to have one sure thing about your LO, what would you choose? (i.e., Would not be Republican; Would love shopping like I do..etc.)
OMG a Republican....that would be rough, BUT it is his life... One sure thing would be that he is honest, caring, emotional, and inquisitive (like his mommy). That is more than one thing but traits that I really want for him.
8. What do you love most about your partner/wife? Or, if you're single, what's your most desired trait in someone?
My most desired trait in someone is honesty. There are more but I will leave it at that.
9. What are you doing this weekend?
Last night I went to a post-Halloween party, and got to play with a one month old baby
and it was interesting being the sober one...lol Today I am going to a BBQ, and then tomorrow I rest! I run out of energy fast these days!
10. Tell us something fun about you we don't already know!
I am a huge nerd!! And not just about one thing in particular, but several things! I LOVE history! I can get lost on the internet exploring history for hours and it rocks! I love science as well, and got my BS in Biology. My mom told me that she didn't realize I was such a nerd lol. Oh and I also know cars, and by that I mean makes/models just by seeing them. I have no idea why or how this happened, and it really doesn't do anything for me at all, but there it is!