Loveland, Colorado

Doesn't that just sound lovely?

Ben and I have invented an entire childless life plan in the event we can't get pregnant. Turns out Ben, Stella and I will be packing up and moving to Loveland, Colorado. We will ski. We will hike. We will buy a cute craftsman bungalow with mountain views. And we will start a new life that doesn't include children, since the midwestern version did.

Not a bad alternative I guess. But I'd still just like a baby.

Clomid = Baby

Another knocked up friend, but this one is a great success story.

T + K have been trying for 18 months (holy cow!). She was diagnosed with a thyroid disorder and PCOS. She started Clomid a few months ago, and lo and behold, a baby soon followed!

She has been a great resource for me, answering all of my questions about the infertility process. We're months away from seeking medical intervention, but she's been awesome nonetheless.

Congrats!

I jest, mostly

Ben: Amy says you just need to relax. Maybe you should have a margarita tomorrow night.

(Context: I've cut WAY back on alcohol since we started trying. That makes me sound like a lush, but it's true.)

Sam: Oh, I'm having a margarita. If our kid can't handle tequila, we've got bigger problems.

Say hello to my little friend

I got my period (finally). A mini-victory, but I'm pretty sure it was anovulation. This cycle was 40 days. Longer than it should be, but not unheard of given that I went off the pill only two months ago.

I've been charting my temps since I read Taking Charge of Your Fertility. I'm all over the board (a friend likened the pattern to five year-old's art project), but I'm trying to be diligent about it. My goal is to arm myself with data for my annual OB/GYN appointment in March. If I'm still not pregnant by then (6 months of trying), hopefully this info will help explain why and what to do next.

Knocking boots, just not knocked up

Sigh. Still not pregnant.

I know that I shouldn't expect it to happen right away. Many couples have several months of trying before they can conceive. But I'm taking it really hard. I guess I just hoped that it would be easier for us.

Just call us Be-mantha

Awwww... look how cute the hubs and I are! We'd make such a cute mini-Zinth.

Puppy love

We're getting a dog today! Stella is a one-year old Great Dane. I'm so excited to bring her home.

I'm quite certain Ben only agreed to her because of our conception troubles, but whatever. We'll give her a great home. I'm pumped!

100 days

A friend who is also struggling to get pregnant recommended Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler. I can safely say, it's the most fascinating thing I've ever read.

Among the fun facts... it takes 100 days to create new sperm. 100 days! So your lifestyle choices of three months ago may be influencing your ability to conceive now.

Ironically, Ben's sperm are now hopped up on percocet, as 100 days ago he went under the knife for his ACL reconstruction. The slight (if even possible) benefit? He wasn't drinking at all then, so abstaining from alcohol may have had a positive effect on his sperm count. So beyond the heavy narcotic pain meds, he was actually leading a fairly healthy lifestyle. Go Ben.

And go babies!