Ten Things Tuesday

KH826 · December 2014

Happy Tuesday Friends!

Let's see your 10 things for this week!

KH826 · December 2014

1. I almost started this thread at 1am, because I was awake and couldn't seem to get back to sleep. I woke up at 12:30am in a panic about something for work and got up and went to check my work email. Turns out my panic was a false alarm, but then I couldn't get back to sleep for hours.

2. We finally took Will's 6 month photos yesterday -- a full 11 days late. With all the darn Christmas photos we have been taking, it has been on the back burner. This Christmas photo project is a big commitment. I am super happy with the outcome, but I feel like these nightly photo shoots are taking over our life. And now we are trying to squeeze in extra so that we can take photos ahead of our Boston trip this weekend so that we won't have to take photos at my mom's house...

3. On the plus side, I finally mailed all of our holiday cards this morning. Check! Also, our Christmas shopping is about 90% complete -- I ordered some more from Amazon prime yesterday, as well as a few online gift certificates and hockey tickets for my sister and her BF. J is going out today to finish the last 10% and then we will be done. Almost Check! Every gift that we currently have in our possession is wrapped. Check! Now to start thinking about packing for Boston... ugh! Have I mentioned I am dreading this trip? Because I am...

4. I am avoiding the scale until January, I have decided. Whatever.

5. I have 4 more working days this year (including today), then I am on vacation for two weeks. Hooray! Speaking of work, my annual review last week went very well (though it was a lot of fluff, but I expected that); however, I still don't know bonus and raise numbers... my boss had promised to tell me yesterday, but so far I am still waiting... I feel a bit like a jerk that I am obsessed with this information, but it will truly make a difference if the #s are as "generous" as my boss alluded to. Being the sole income generator is stressful! I can't afford to have an "off year"...

6. I brought chicken noodle soup for lunch today. Can I eat it now? (it is 8:30am -- no, no I cannot!)

7. I am so excited for @firstcomeslove2013 & @Doodah1013! I will continue to stalk for updates on Baby Hayden's impending arrival! I can't wait to see you both join the Parenting Check-ins SO SOON!!!!

8. I am also SOOO excited for @JGY! I can't wait to hear all about your pregnancy. I read your pregnancy check-in yesterday, and I would like to comment that I had a ton of strong cramping early in my pregnancy with Will. It was very concerning to me at the time, but turns out it was nothing to worry about. I talked to my RE about it back when I was newly pregnant and she put me at ease a lot. I didn't want to poke my nose in on the pregnancy check-in and comment there, so hopefully you don't mind me commenting here!

9. The news is really bringing me down lately. More so than usual. Would it be totally wrong to tune it out entirely and just be a totally uninformed, oblivious person for the next 2-3 weeks?

10. What is this week's theme for "Show us your Life," @CageyMack???

Amber&Reva · December 2014

1. I haven't done one of these in awhile so lets see if I can get through 10.

2. I am so excited to read about Hayden's arrival and hope it is a smooth delivery.

3. I am been throwing up at night for the last week. It doesn't seem to mater when the last time I ate was or what it was or how much I ate. If I haven't eaten recently I just throw up vile (Is this a normal third trimester occurrence?)

4. I got a call from the OB yesterday I passed my one hour GD test but am once again anemic and was told to take an extra 100mg of iron a day.

5. I am getting my progesterone shot tomorrow so while I am there I want to ask what my thyroid number was and make sure that my blood pressure has gone down it was high at my last appointment.

6. I wish that "Show us your life" was motivating me to clean up around the house but I have so little motivation lately yet want the house clean and R can't help because she has been working so much that when she isn't working she is sleeping.

7. I made a really good vegetarian crock-pot soup the other day. I was impressed with how it came out and that is what I have been eating the past two days. Yummy!

8. I still need to do my Christmas shopping. I plan to do some shopping today so hopefully I can get some more done I just try avoiding the malls at all cost this close to the holidays. I can't deal with the crowds.

9. @KH826 the news is also really sad for me to watch lately. So close to the holidays I would love some uplifting stories but it is all so upsetting.

10. I need to eat breakfast but I want dunkin donuts which would involve leaving the house.

KH826 · December 2014

@Amber&Reva - are you still struggling with heart burn. I was vomiting bile in late 2nd and early 3rd tri at the peak of my heartburn saga before I finally got on an Rx for it. I was vomiting late at night (or in the middle of the night) and first thing in the morning. It was totally connected to my heartburn, and once I got on the Rx, it went away. Another thing about heartburn, if you are still suffering, the iron pills will likely make it way worse. I was also anemic at the end of pregnancy, and when I took the iron supplements (before I was on my heartburn Rx), it made my heartburn exponentially worse! Just some warning there... I hope you find some relief soon! I totally don't mean to be a med pusher (b/c I hate taking things myself, pregnant or not), but it was literally the only thing that gave me relief, and it made SUCH a difference, that I was literally kicking myself for not giving in and taking an Rx sooner.

mrs&mrsk · December 2014

@kh826 #1- i do this all the time. less lately bc im so tired and work's not that crazy or maybe i am calmer for a bit LOL

1) Strawberries are on my mind (work hazard)

2) Working on thank you cards from the shower. how can 40ish be harder than 100ish from the wedding... LOL

3) Hypnobabies homework is taking up 1 1/2 hrs a night... that's without "real" exercise- walking/etc

4) ^^Will totally be worth it

5) Found out that one of DWs friends is moving about 5 mins up the road. She is due in April so that will be really good for DW

6) I posted this in the preg updates too but we went on a hospital tour and i felt very relaxed and the labor room was HUGE. the regular / recovery rooms are private but much, much smaller.

7) I really want to start a yearly holiday ornament picture- we bought cheap holders it's just a matter of getting the pictures. I guess we'd start in 2013 with a wedding pic, then a preggo pic this year. need to revisit this ASAP (or at least take a picture for this year !)

8) Can't believe christmas is so close, need to work on wrapping this week!!

9) I'm trying to save now (great time of year lol) because i'm super nervous about $ once DW is a sahm or works part time. stress!

10) I also want to fix up the house to sell eventually ... kinda hurts #9 !

healz413 · December 2014

(trigger warning-- loss mentioned in "re-intro #1")

1.) For the newbies, I was around this board a lot until mid-June when we lost our twin daughters Tavin and Casey at 21 weeks gestation due to premature birth. Both my partner Manada and I have significant infertility issues (more details in my signature) and we finally got pregnant doing partner IVF--M's uterus, my eggs.

2) As I mentioned in the TTC check-in, we have one frozen day 3 embryo left from our IVF cycle and are transferring that to me on Friday.

3) M gave me my first PIO injection this morning and did a great job. I also started Medrol and doxcycline today in addition to my estrace, baby aspirin, prenatals, and iron.

4) I've started a new project at work and I've been kicking butt at it. But the person who I absolutely have to meet with to move forward on it is out sick today.

5) Neither M nor I is looking forward to Christmas. We were so looking forward to our first Christmas with the babies and now, without them, we feel a lot of expectation to put on a happy face. Thankfully both of our families are very understanding and so we're actually skipping Christmas and visiting them between Christmas and New Year's.

6.) Our dog Frannie has had a lot of separation anxiety with both me and M back at work full time. (M was out on pregnancy leave and before that she was home on bedrest and before that I was home most of the time working on my PhD.) We tried crating her again during the day and that is working really well. She's so much calmer and seems perfectly content to go to her crate, especially if we give her a kong with a little bit of wet cat food spread inside.

7.) I'm getting anxious and excited for our transfer Friday. This will be the first time that we're trying to get me pregnant.

8.) I'm also very sad about the role switch, since I know that M is really sad that she doesn't have faith in her body being pregnant again right now and I really enjoyed being her partner while she was pregnant. (I mean, I always enjoy being her partner, but I liked that particular dynamic, too.)

9.) If anyone has any tips of pre and post transfer things to do, I'll take them. I've already got acupuncture booked and I'll be digging up @2mamazinseattle's old email from last year about tips from our previous transfer (pineapple core, pomegranate juice, etc.)

10.) I'm really excited for @doodah1013 and @firstcomeslove2013 and for Hayden! We all got pregnant at about the same time and had already become good friends, which made it super lovely. As they know, I'm also very sad that we don't have our babies. I expect to feel a lot of mixed feelings when we all get the news that Hayden is here. But deep down inside, I have nothing but pure love and joy and best wishes for them and Hayden.

KH826 · December 2014

@healz413- it makes my heart so happy to see you here and hear that you are having an embryo transfer on Friday. I think about you and @Manada often. You both have been so missed here. Welcome back in whatever capacity you each feel you can be here. I will be sending you a million positive thoughts for Friday. Hugs to you, friend!

JGY · December 2014

1. I was pretty excited to see @Healz413's name on the TTC thread. While I'd imagine that the emotions are many, and difficult, I am thrilled for you that you are re-entering the TTC process. I think about you and @manada and Tavin and Casey often. We have missed you around here, so please do participate when you are comfortable doing so.

2. I am having a really rough month at work. My team was dealt a severely raw deal when we had to eliminate 3 of 8 positions, without really eliminating any of the work. I'm pretty confident that my team knows it wasn't my fault or my idea, but I have been unsuccessful (so far) in helping to guide change to make the resulting workload more manageable.

3. The above statement is a bit unfair. I have successfully (so far) managed to help guide the integration of the work done by the 3 headcount we lost, but I haven't been able to elminate much/any of the legacy work. So everyone just has a larger workload now. To a small degree, that's okay, but on the whole it's a problem.

4. When I took this new job, it wasn't supposed to be a management position.

5. The Family Dollar next to my work does not have "Dollar" pee tests. This is sad for me because I am a POAS-a-holic. It's what helps me get from one Beta to the next. I am now spending too much money on this habit.

6. I got the chance to spend about an hour at G's daycare yesterday, and it really reinforced how happy I am with that center. While the teachers aren't quite as smiley and sunshiney during the day as they are at drop-off/pick-up, they are affectionate, loving, firm, engaging, organized, motivated, and many other things that I really value. I got to watch a learning session, and (to my surprise) see that Gabe actually pays close attention and even tries to participate! I needed that time.

7. Our X-Mas shopping trip on Sunday was a pretty smashing success. It was aided by the fact that S's family is only really doing stocking stuffers, so mostly we got to cruise around World Market (AWESOME for SS's, btw), Bed Bath & Beyond, and Target and play with stuff. But it feels good to be close to done. Now to find a way to smoosh all that stuff into our luggage ... yuck.

8. I've been really slacking on our meals for the last 2 weeks. I got into a great groove of making all dinners (and most lunches) for the week on Sunday night. It was going great! But with all the sick lately, I just haven't been able to do it and it means I scramble every night when we get home. But by the time I get G to bed and finally eat something myself, it's too late to go to the store and prep for the next day. So we just start all over again. Yuck. Maybe tomorrow i can get my act together during the day and get to the store.

9. I really love our dog, and he has improved so much, but because of him and his late-night antics I can't remember the last time S and spent the entire night in the same bed. It's frustrating and exhausting and I'm not looking forward to trying to make things work 9 months from now.

10. So ... 9 months from now. Financially, things really kinda came down to a) have another kid OR b) buy a new house. Never mind the fact that having another kid would vastly increase the reaons why we need to buy a new house. We are going to run out of space reaaaaaaallly quickly. I know that the reality is that many people thrive with less space than we have, and more people. But for us we feel really cramped. I wonder where we'll be on this issue in 5 years. Crystal ball anyone?

Jazibel · December 2014

1. So glad to see you @Healz413 & @Manada here on the boards. All my luck and well wishes to you for this upcoming transfer.

2. Keeping Owen and Kaden separate is proving to require all of my skills sometimes. Kaden is Owen's hero, but sometimes our toddlers high energy & rambunctiousness requires a little space.

3. The catering business is actually getting off the ground and I was able to pay myself a little money the last couple of months. We now don't have any gigs on the books until mid-January. I feel a lot of pressure to do everything we can to grow the business and bring in an income. Both in a positive "yay I want this to work" and in a negative "I need to earn an income" kind of a way.

4. I dub today "Get into the Christmas Spirit" day. We need our tree, lights, finish ordering/buying gifts/ take holiday photos and get the few cards I want to send out.

5. Our donor E gave me an amazing hair cut yesterday. He had messaged me last week that he needed a curly haired model. He probably gave me the best cut I've ever had. I'll try to pip below.

6. E, EV, the boys and I are going to hang out at our local zoo on Wednesday. I'm trying to decide if we should go for the Zoo lights or during the day. We don't see E a lot (maybe 2-3 times a year). but he expressed interested in hanging out with the boys which is great :-)

7. I still haven't signed Kaden up for preschool. It seems I don't have the hang of being a SAHM, WAHM and keeping up with my personal business.

8. Ants, ants everywhere - blech!! The standard traps have made it slightly better. But we kill off one little pocket and another crops up. My "heavy duty" traps should arrive today. I can't wait.

9. EV said her grandmother asked the other night if we were going to try for #3. This is the first time she's brought up the conversation in the past couple of weeks. (There have been some personal things that came up for her and so we put talking about TTC on hold).

10. Time to get the show on the road as my dad used to say.

ball.and.chain · December 2014

1. I'm so happy to see @healz413 back on the board and to hear that she and Manada are back in the TTC game. You've been missed here, and I know I am not the only one who thinks of you often.

2. We finished our Christmas shopping last night. Now I just have to wait for some packages to come in the mail and do a whole lotta wrapping.

3. I found B's half-brother on FB. Well, I found his mom's profile, but her profile and cover pic are of B's half-brother. I was looking at the sibling registry yesterday and one of the parents who had reported a sibling had a very obvious screen name, so I Googled her. Dirty stalker!! Anyway, of course I think B is cuter, but there is some resemblance there.

4. @KH826, I am also not getting on a scale until after the holidays. Or watching what I eat. I honestly find the holidays to be not as fun when I'm not at least occasionally indulging in seasonal treats. Since I wasn't making any progress with weight loss anyway, I just gave myself a pass until January and figured I'd start fresh then.

5. Finally getting my hair cut tonight! I've been trying to grow out the layers so I've been going a bit longer between cuts, but it could use a clean-up. It's in a weird transitional phase and I haven't been very happy with it lately.

6. My wife took B to the pedi today because he's had some minor issues (occasional fever, ongoing hacking cough, fussiness) for a while and we wanted to make sure one of his colds hadn't morphed into something more serious. He's fine but the pedi said she was glad we brought him in to check, so I was happy she didn't make us feel like freaks for being nervous new parents. It's so hard when they can't tell you what's wrong!

7. I am doing interesting research at work today. My research is dictated by other people and it can sometimes be boring, so this is nice.

8. Our tree looks great this year! And I heard from my aunt that B's stocking is done (she knitted it for him) and will be on its way soon. We still need to put up the rest of our decorations, but I am feeling pretty good about our Christmas progress.

9. My boss is coming in late today, with cupcakes. See #4.

10. Happy Chanukah to anyone celebrating!

doodah1013 · December 2014

Warning: loss from earlier this year mentioned

1. Still pregnant and starting to get a little grumpster about it. I am having trouble sleeping, and I just feel a lot of pressure because everyone wants her to be here so bad. I am also having a hard time voicing what is happening physically (whether I am feeling and cramping, tightening, etc.) because I after our long and crappy TTC process, I don't think I really trust that this is actually happening.

The last few days have been excruciating and do take me back to when we experienced our m/c... because we knew it was going to happen, and just had to sit around and wait. Obviously, they are not at all the same thing, but it is hard to differentiate between the two. Because it was such a long, hard road, this just feels like more days where it could turn out to not be real... and for the first time in a long time, I am starting to worry that something is going to go wrong, and everything we have been hoping for will be taken away...

I also feel guilty for feeling this way, because I know how hard the holidays are for those struggling with TTC, and other losses they have experienced. I just feel emotionally pulled in so many directions, and just wish I could make sense of it all.

2. A's Mom is coming tomorrow, and hopefully that will help. It will be a good distraction at least.

3. I am going to see The Hobbit with my friend tomorrow... Also another good distraction.

4. I had an amazing birthday! IT was the first birthday I didn't spend with my parents... and it was glorious. A banned the use of the C word (Christmas) for the day and just pampered me all day long! It may have been the first birthday ever that didn't get overshadowed.

5. We finalized our Christmas shopping today... and I am getting ready to wrap gifts. It has always been one of my favorite things to do.

6. We don't see the midwife again until Thursday, and I have to have a non-stress test... and we have an ultrasound scheduled for Friday. Time seems to be moving so slowly.

7. I have to go back to work Thursday if Hayden decides not to come before then. It may be a good distraction... we shall see.

8. I have been binge watching old seasons of The Amazing Race on Hulu. I would be terrible on that show....

9. I too am glad to see @healz413 and manada back around! They are amazing people, and bring something extremely special to the board. Of course we understand your mixed feelings about baby H... and I admire your bravery for being open about them.

10. I hope by next Tuesday we have a baby and I can fill my TTT with things about that.... or I hope we are too busy with the baby to even write one.... time will tell.

JGY · December 2014

OMG @winstan1 finished a TTT!! I love it! (not unheard of, of course, but I've missed your style points here lately)

And thanks for the kind words, both here and in the Parenting thread. We might be nuts, but we're going for it.

StacyLH24 · December 2014

1. I too am happy to see @Healz413 and @Manada back on our board. I hope Rocky 3 is meant to be.

2. @CrazyAunt84 - The wine won out last night. I had two small glasses, waited a bit and then took my antibiotic. I didn't get sick.

3. I still need to refill my orders through Freedom. I need a personal assistant for this IVF stuff!

4. C is amazing and offered to go Christmas shopping today. She has almost everything we need and it's a huge load off my shoulders. She hates shopping in any capacity so I was shocked when she offered.

5. Our work Christmas party is tomorrow and I need to put together my food and wrap the present. I'm supposed to have group this evening and I really am hoping that no one shows up so I can go home early.

6. I'm thankful that I'm not stimming until after Christmas.

7. I am nervous about traveling to Buffalo in January for monitoring and such. This past January it ended up being fine.

8. @Jazibel - love the hair!

9. This past year on our board has been so full of ups and downs. I hope 2015 has many more ups and no downs.

10. I too am anxious for the arrival of baby Hayden.

firstcomeslove2013 · December 2014

I 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th @healz413‌ popping back in! So excited for you and your transfer! Please let us know if we can support your in any way!

1. I am so overwhelmed by the encouraging words and Hayden's bump team. Your support is wonderful...even when I feel grumpy it's good to know you all are here!!!

2. As C mentioned we are 40w4d and still waiting...I feel crappy about being grumpy because I do feel so blessed but I have reached the end of my patience!!!! Eviction Time little one!!!

3. I am really excited for my mom to get here tomorrow...maybe it's lame but she's one of my favorites!!!

4. I am a little sad and secretly happy that we don't have any snow yet. We had a small snow storm but really had had nada since then! I wouldn't mind a white Christmas but would definelty want it gone by December 26th ;-)...Maybe I'm a little picky...

5. Pumping is going amazingly! I am definetly not pumping as much as I should right now but I am still getting a lot of milk and ready to nurse nurse nurse that baby!

6. My living room is a disaster pit...this is mostly the reason no one has seen a picture of it for the share your life thread...maybe someday I'll play catch up!

7. My job is becoming more and more lucrative. I am a 1099 worker and we really took this job on a wing and a prayer and it is going really well and I am really loving it! It's going to work out really great when Hayden finally gets here!

8. I love love love having C home right now. It's going to be really hard for her to go back to work!

9. All of my Christmas list basically revolved around nursing and cloth diapering...I need help!

10. I have no idea what to make for dinner...I think I'd really like soup!

Amber&Reva · December 2014

@KH826 I took Zantac once and it was amazing but drinking the cup of water with the Zantac made me throw up so it was a win/loss I guess. I am glad to know I should expect more heartburn with the addition of iron.

That being said my pre-natal has 30mg of iron in it. The nurse that called said to take 50mg of iron twice daily. That is 130mg of iron a day which seems like a TON not to mention when I looked online the suggested iron intake for a pregnant person is 27mg. Does this seem like a lot to anyone else or were others who become anemic in the third trimester also to take such a large amount of iron.

Himee33 · December 2014

1. I haven't been thinking about the TWW at all. Just trying to relax and hopefully the 26th will arrive soon. L on the other hand has been googling everything. Last night she was reading about how they grade the embryos and now its bugging her that our embryologist never told us what grade ours were. Speaking of our embryologist. She never called to tell us the exact number that they were freezing.

2. My boobs and my PIO injection areas are really sore. It makes for very uncomfortable sleeping. I think I wake up too much and sleep on my side which isn't comfortable at all! Maybe thats why I'm so grumpy today

3. Friday afternoon we are driving to Nashville for Kelly Clarkson's Christmas concert. We are staying the whole weekend. I've always wanted to go there! L can't stop talking about seeing her other lady and I keep complaining about the almost 8 hour drive we have! I told L we would NOT be listening to Christmas music the whole way there and she just laughed. I'm serious! I'm actually really excited, just not a huge fan of roadtrips.

4. Because of my TWW I will not being going to Portland For Christmas. I mean I could but by the time we had our timeline for the retrieval, transfer and test figured out, plane tickets were outrageous! I have been spoiled for the last 5 years because my bosses have always paid for my ticket home as part of my Christmas present. I mentioned that to my new boss. She thought it was a good idea, but I think she forgot. Oh well at least it will be my first Christmas in Illinois with L and her family. I'm hoping I can go home after Christmas.

5. I still have so much Christmas shopping to do. This year will be my first time ordering most of the stuff on Amazon. Loving my bosses Amazon Prime and free 2 day shipping!

6. Speaking of Christmas shopping. Every year we make a budget and set a limit for all the people we buy for. I usually spend more for my mom, brother and niece. Only because I never see them. Well of course we went way over the individual budgets!

7. Growing up I never really had any family traditions. I didn't bake cookies with my mom or make gingerbread houses. We didn't watch a special movie. Well L is all about Christmas and family traditions. This it the first year she won't be making cookies with her mom and she didn't help her mom and dad decorate their tree. L's mom basically told her that she had her own family now and we needed to make our own traditions. I know L is really sad but it will be nice to have our own!

8. 2 years ago I ordered personalized Christmas stockings for L and I. The plan this year was to get one for our dog and next year hopefully a baby. Well the place I ordered them from discontinued them

I'm so bummed. I have seen these stockings for years and they were the only ones L and I agreed on. Eventually we will have to pick a new design. L likes matching ones.

9. Illinois weather right now is crazy. I'm not complaining. Last year at this time it was cold and snowy. It's rainy today. Last Sunday was really warm and yesterday it was in the 50's. I will take this weather any day over being buried in snow and negative temps!

10. I was new to the boards so only briefly saw postings from @Manada and @Healz413. Just wanted you both to know I will be sending positive thoughts for your transfer Friday!

2momsinCA · December 2014

I haven't done a TTT in ages.., let's see how this goes.

1. @healz413‌ it's good to see you on the board, I think of you and @manada often. I will extra be thinking of you with the upcoming transfer.

2. @doodah1013‌ and @firstcomeslove2013‌ I keep expecting to see an announcement.... I know it's any minute now! How great that you are producing so much milk @firstcomeslove2013‌ that's seriously awesome!

3. I have a nursing to sleep problem. These boys are boob addicts and will pretty much only nurse to sleep. I'm sitting in a double nursing pillow now (my default setting during the day) while they nap.

4. #3 is a big problem because I go back to work Jan 5th. I've been off with the babies for over 7 months. I think I'm ready to go back to the world of adults but I'm so in love with these boys that it's heartbreaking.

5. Since going out on leave my work had hired many new people. It will be like going to a new job sort of. I know how to do the work but I don't know the coworkers as well.

6. I am 100% ready for Christmas. Shopping is essentially done unless I see something we must buy. It helps that we insisted on low key, telling family to only buy gifts for the babies this year. My family knows we have been off work so they don't expected big gifts from us.

7. I will tell you all since I don't know you IRL... My wife is applying to PhD programs. We aren't telling most of the people we know IRL just because if it doesn't happen then we don't want to get into it. It's strange to envision our potential lives in the places where these programs are located- Nashville (Vanderbilt), Eugene, Kansas (yikes!), or here in LA.

8. The boys have both started making screechy pterodactyl sounds. They seem to think its funny. They have also been laughing a lot. Is there anything better than a hearty baby laugh?

9. The question posted today re transferring babies from RNP to crib is so incredibly timely. I was thinking I'd be the only one with eventual teenage boys who will still only sleep in their RNPs.

10. The rainy weather here has been wonderful. I love it so SO much! Once these babies wake up and I can get out of this nursing pillow I think I will make hot cocoa.

Esquette · December 2014

1. I have a cat sleeping on me, which makes typing challenging. I think she's drooling, though, so I'm pretty sure it is against the rules to move her. I loves me some kittehs.

2. 2 more day of finals, plus a two-day out-of-state tournament with my speech and debate kids.... Then I'm free! Free for two glorious weeks! I'm gonna sleep and I'm gonna snuggle and I'm gonna watch all of the TV. All of it. Oh, and Christmas with the in-laws, trip to Portland, Christmas with some subset of my family and then back here.

3. We finally got our tree up this weekend! Sweetie is in charge of the decorating and the holiday spirit most years, and this year is no exception. Sometimes, though, she lets me sit on the couch and tell her how to do things, and it pretty much rocks. :-)

4. Now the cat is wandering around the apartment meowing. Mostly I think she is meowing at the other cat in the second bedroom. I wonder what she's saying...

5. Just found out that I won't see my father at all this holiday season. He told me when he would get back from a trip to Florida with his new family, Sweetie and I booked tickets home so that we'd overlap with him for a day. Now, turns out he is returning two days later than he told me. So, we gave up the cheap tickets AND we won't see him. I have to stop believing that "this time, it'll be different." I'd rather be pleasantly surprised than crushed.

6. I'm feeling super crafty right now, for some reason. I'm making a new stocking for our new fur-baby, and I am embarking on a T-Shirt quilt.... My first ever quilt-type project. I have done many sewing projects over the years (none of them perfect) of varying complexities, but never quilting. I kinda want to buy one of the pizza-cutter type fabric cutters, as the idea of using scissors to cut up 30 T Shirts into 17 inch squares makes me feel tired. Hmmm.

7. I should exercise... Maybe we'll play Just Dance on the Wii tonight! Someday I want a treadmill or an elliptical in my house. But my 1000 square foot, 2nd floor apartment says "no."

8. Confession: I stalk the Sperm Bank of California catalogue to see if any donors might show up that seem right. I feel silly and secretive doing it, but I like to know what kind of options are out there, and I've heard great things about that one.

9. I love the Parenting Check-In. I read it religiously every week and see what all the kiddos are up to. I am so fascinated by early childhood development: language, gross and fine motor skill acquisition, the way a blob becomes a person. Thank you for sharing your lives with us, parents of the board. You are all amazing and so are your kid-lets.

10. Come on 2015! Bring me light and babies and Disney World and snuggles and good things! 2014, don't let the door hit you on the way out.

ATXmommas · December 2014

1. I posted on Parenting a day late, so why not post on TTT a day late? Work and home have been super busy as of late, so I just have to catch up when I can.

2. @Healz413, I'm so happy to see your post. I too think about you and @Manada frequently. I completely understand and respect your need to stay away. I was easily triggered after my loss and into my next pregnancy and fully support whatever you need to do to take of yourselves. Please know that you both are in my thoughts and I have incredible hope that Rocky 3 is your take home baby.

3. @Jazibel - holy smokes! You look HOT! No other way to put it.

4. So, I made a lunch date with our realtor in January! I don't plan to buy/sell until the fall, but I want to have my ducks in a row. It's an exciting step in the right direction

5. Speaking of which, I think I need to make an appointment with my RE around March. CRAZY! I think I want to attempt around May/June and want to make sure we have time for a consult and blood work, etc. in time to start in May if that's what we choose.

6. My parents just made Z and I a really generous offer. My car is pitiful. I totaled my car in 2008 just days before I closed on my condo. Z and I were dating but not living together at the time, and a car payment was not in the plan when I bought my condo. I needed something with a cheap car payment and I had a horrible experience shopping for a car. I ended up with something that I hate, which says something because I don't care too much about cars. Anyway, my stepdad wants my mom to get a new car and they have offered to GIVE us her CRV. It's a few years old and has lots of mileage, but still has about 75,000 miles left on it. With plans to buy a house and have a second baby, a few years without a car payment is an incredible gift.

7. My sister is dating someone seriously, it seems! She's almost 37 (about 20 months older than me) and has never been married. She would like to be - and would like to have kids - and has struggled with being single as she has gotten older. The guy is older (50), but they have already discussed kids and both agree that they would like to have one. THey haven't been dating long, but I hope he's the real deal for her. My mom and stepdad met him last weekend and approve. I need to make a trip to Dallas soon to check him out!

8. @Esquette - I love that you refer to your SO as Sweetie. For a long time, I was programmed into Z's phone as "Sweetie."

9. @KH826 - I thoroughly enjoy and am constantly impressed by William's 25 Days of Christmas pictures, but it definitely seems like a TON of work! Kudos to you and your wife! You will definitely never regret having those precious pictures.

10. I'm out of things, I think, and Ash is waking up. Hope everyone has a great Wednesday.

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