How far along are you?
Any appointment updates?
Rants/Raves/Questions/Dear Diary?
GTKY: What is something you think everyone should do at least once in their lives?
NTNP since Dec 2012 | TTC since Jan 2016
Dx: Unspecified IFBFP#1 Nov 2017 • Blighted Ovum + MMC • D&C at nine weeks
BFP#2 Apr 2018 • It's a boy! • Born 13 Dec 2018

Re: FTM Check-in • 7/17
Any appointment updates?
Rants/Raves/Questions/Dear Diary?
Travel solo. I have been to about 10 different countries by myself and it was amazing for my confidence and independence. I know that I can handle taking care of myself through a variety of barriers, I don't need another person to have a good time, and that I can make friends (or at least travel acquaintances) whenever
Any appointment updates?
Rants/Raves/Questions/Dear Diary?
Rant #2: My job still hasn't decided on the promotion I put in for. I can't hide this pregnancy much longer. PLUS.. I need to ask HR questions about my leave STAT so I can figure out how long I am taking!
100% agree with @morgantu and would say travel alone. I've done it twice before and they were both great experiences!
Any appointment updates?
Rants/Raves/Questions/Dear Diary?
I've been feeling really good and I'm just super appreciative of that. I'm trying not to worry too much about the cervix issue.
We met with our first choice daycare this morning and it was a really good visit. The facility is nice, the staff was great, and all the kids looked super happy to be there. They currently have 10 people ahead of us on their waiting list, which doesn't really seem to bad. The director is working on timing since they are about to have a bunch of kids switch age groups. I balked a liiiittle bit at the price, which is $200 per week no matter how many days the kid is there. It doesn't seem too terrible though, based on what other people on this board have said and I know it's about the same as the average cost for our area. I feel like sending the baby to a place we trust is worth the money. We are supposed to visit the one run by our town's independent public school soon, and they are a little cheaper ($30 per day I think), but I have no idea what it's like.
Try to travel to somewhere different than where you are from / accustomed to and actually interact with the people from there (going somewhere for vacation doesn't count if the only local people you interact with are wait staff and hotel workers). It doesn't even have to be out of the country. International travel is great, but we are so lucky in that the US is so incredibly diverse in terms of culture. I think a lot of people could get so much good out of experiencing and learning to appreciate the fact that their countrymen have vastly different ways of living and different values than they do, and that that's not necessarily a bad thing.
How far along are you? 17+1
Any appointment updates? Endocrinologist appointment was TODAY not tomorrow! Whoops! Fortunately, my phone reminded me and saved the day. All is good, but my TSH is trending up. Not enough yet to up my dosage, so re-check in 4 weeks with anticipated increase in dose.
Rants/Raves/Questions/Dear Diary? Health insurance is the worst. See my rant in either bitchfest thread or EDD thread. Lol
@morgantu The traveling alone idea is great! I never did anything alone until about 3 years when I went to DC for a conference by myself. I didn't go with DH or anyone from school. It was fantastic and it really did boost my confidence!
How far along are you?
20 weeks, 3 days!
Any appointment updates?
Rants/Raves/Questions/Dear Diary?
Volunteer. I think everyone should volunteer way more than that - it's such a rewarding experience! And there are so many ways to volunteer that it can be something you also find enjoyable. I volunteer with the local Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Every year they host a 100-mile bike ride. I don't ride, but I get to drive a u-Haul behind the riders in case someone gets tired or their bike breaks. I pick up the bikes! It's a fun day and I get to meet so many wonderful, inspiring people!
Started IF Feb. 2014
PCOS & MFI (low sperm count and motility)
3 Femara cycles w/natural intercourse over summer 2014, BFN
1 Clomid cycle w/natural intercourse Nov. 2014, BFN
IUI March 2015, BFN
IUI June 2015, BFN
IUI Oct. 2015, BFN
IVF Oct. 2016, fresh transfer, 2 day-3 embryos, BFN; nothing to freeze
IVF Nov. 2017, fresh transfer, 2 day-5 blasts, BFP; ectopic; 1 blast frozen
FET March 2018, 1 day-5 blast, BFP!
Any appointment updates?
Rants/Raves/Questions/Dear Diary?
To add onto what others are saying about traveling... I think everyone should LIVE somewhere else for at least three months away from their home. That could mean going to college in another state, studying abroad, or taking a job away from home. I learned so much about the people in our country by leaving the Northwest and going to Oklahoma for college. And then I learned so much more by studying abroad in two different countries during that time. It doesn't need to be somewhere where they speak another language. Someone from rural America would have culture shock going to NYC or Chicago, and vice versa! But I think we learn so much about ourselves and others, and gain an appreciation for different ways of life than how we were raised.
How far along are you?
20 weeks and 1 day!
Any appointment updates?
Nope. I am trying to patiently wait for my July 30th anatomy scan. It's hard, you guys.
R/R/Q/DD?
I'm getting nervous for the second half of this pregnancy. Despite my occasional whining, it's been a pretty easy pregnancy overall. I'm worried that I'm in for it the next 20 weeks.
GTKY: What is something you think everyone should do at least once in their lives?
Skydive. Learn an instrument. Grow your own vegetables. Travel to another country. I guess it really comes down to challenging yourself. I don't do it enough and it's something we should all do routinely.
Any appointment updates?
Rants/Raves/Questions/Dear Diary?
Drive a racecar or supercar. We drove some exotic cars in Vegas a few years ago (at fast speed, of course) and it's still one of my favorite experiences!
Any appointment updates?
Rants/Raves/Questions/Dear Diary?
Traveling has been said. (Even just navigating a new town alone, it’s good character building). I could add..., everyone should make something. Like an art kind of thing. Art is actually some intimidating work because you have to take a thing, say a blank piece of paper, and turn it into a new thing. A drawing, a poem, a story. And it’s a bit scary because that art is a piece of you, and if other people reject it, it can feel like they are rejecting that part of you. It makes you vulnerable, and it’s ok to be vulnerable sometimes.
Edit- my AS is scheduled for early August, not July. Oops.
Any appointment updates?
Rants/Raves/Questions/Dear Diary?
On a more positive note, I love looking at all the little girl clothes!
GTKY: What is something you think everyone should do at least once in their lives?
Hmm.. everyone has posted some great suggestions. Related to traveling, I would suggest giving yourself extra time to take scenic highways rather than main ones. It might take you longer, but all the ones I've been on have been worth it.
Any appointment updates?
Rants/Raves/Questions/Dear Diary?
How far along are you?
19+1 ! Most pregnant than I have ever been!
Any appointment updates?
Not yet, waiting for next month.
Rants/Raves/Questions/Dear Diary?
Dear Diary, unpacking a small house is hard. Originally our moving folks were going to unpack boxes but there just isn't room, so they did what they could, which was to unpack some kitchen boxes. Imagine standing in a closet full of boxes, and needing to unpack them...in the same closet. That's us in this house. Ugh. Dogs are happy having their yellow chairs again though:
So many good things have been said already, and I totally agree with traveling + animal rescuing + volunteering + driving the scenic route. I'll add that everyone should do something that is just for them, regardless of tradition or expectations. For DH and I, it was eloping in Mexico instead of having a big ol' wedding. People were disappointed, but they got over it. Same will happen when LO is born because DH and I want privacy when he's brand new. If we don't do these things the right way for us - I know I'll regret it - and nobody has time for that.
Dx: Unspecified IF
BFP#1 Nov 2017 • Blighted Ovum + MMC • D&C at nine weeks
BFP#2 Apr 2018 • It's a boy! • Born 13 Dec 2018
What a precious picture of your doggos! They do look comfy and happy.
Dx: Unspecified IF
BFP#1 Nov 2017 • Blighted Ovum + MMC • D&C at nine weeks
BFP#2 Apr 2018 • It's a boy! • Born 13 Dec 2018
Dx: Unspecified IF
BFP#1 Nov 2017 • Blighted Ovum + MMC • D&C at nine weeks
BFP#2 Apr 2018 • It's a boy! • Born 13 Dec 2018
19+2
Any appointment updates?
AS on the 26th so nervous/anxious/excited to finally see my lil nugget look like a baby and find out the gender
Rants/Raves/Questions/Dear Diary?
DD found out that the random little niggles in my stomach has actually been baby kicking!!! and DH can feel movements already i thought this wouldn't happen till a lot later on and the midnight dance parties in my tummy while being a new exciting experience doesn't help with sleep
TRAVEL!!! never went anywhere until my honeymoon and its such an amazing experience im not brave enough to go on my own but really enjoyed exploring places with DH (also would HIGHLY recommend cruises to anyone who hasn't gone so relaxing)