Quick Update

...quick because I am forcing myself to take naps these days. It really helps!

Anyhow, I went to the doctor for 2 blood tests on two different days. Hormones were supposed to have doubled in 48 hours in that timeframe and they more than quadrupled, so we're kinda safe...for now. The appointment for detecting a heartbeat is set for January 31st at 10:45, I think (I didn't write it down, was carrying a fussy toddler when the doctor called).

I'm feeling pretty great, but I'm only 4 weeks. Hoping it stays this way :).

My family is coming into town for Christmas. I couldn't resist and told my mom about the pregnancy. We're waiting to tell Jose's family on Christmas day, though. (I'm bad at keeping secrets like this...)

In other news, my brother really wanted a snowglobe for Christmas with his favorite animals in it. I searched all over the net and couldn't find one...so here's one I whipped together following a few tips from Martha and also this lovely blogger's tutorial/tips.

Just wanted to share because, among all the excitement/hustle and bustle of daily living, there have also been some creative adventures.

An Early Christmas Gift: AKA PREGGGGGGGO

...and birthday present. The baby will be due a few days before my birthday!!!!!!!!!

And it happened on the first try.

I promise this is the last pee stick you'll see in awhile ;).

In case you were wondering...and a clarification of how OPKs work

So apparently the line on an OPK needs to be just as dark as the control line to be considered positive (a true LH surge which comes a day or so before the big O). The female body always produces LH, which is why a fine line commonly shows up on these tests.

I've been paying really close attention to everything my body does, in an effort to conceive without medical intervention. This is why I bought about 50 of these ovulation predictors :P.

Well, I had a feeling this would happen sometime this week, based on how I felt throughout the week. I am not temping, but I am reading the same signals I read/used when I got pregnant with Mirabel.

Thankfully, I was right. This is [finally] a positive test. Maybe in 2 1/2 weeks I'll see another positive test? :)

It's nice to know things are working as they should. Which is a complete blessing, considering my body has never been normal in the reproductive department.

Wow! It just occurred to me how awesome it would be to get pregnant that easily! And to think that's how it happens to most people.

Yes, I realize this is a lot of personal info for the average everyday blog about life, but this is what makes my life exciting. :D

OMG OMG OMG

My body might actually be working on its own folks!!!!! This is an ovulation test, not a pregnancy test... I'm so excited. Had to share here since I have some fellow PCOSers that read this blog! This is so exciting. I hope I'm not getting too excited over nothin'. It's a FRER. (Taken with my phone. Sorry it's blurry.)
NO MEDS, people!!!!!!

What I want for Christmas :)...

These are actually old photos, but at least I'm ahead of the game with a Christmas theme. These past few weeks have been interesting. Mirabel and I took turns getting pretty sick. The last sickness rendered me pretty useless as a mom for about a day. I actually had to wean her during the daytime because of a medicine I had to take. It was rough the first few days, but she's doing great now, and she doesn't even request a nursing session during her naptime! It's great. She's even sleeping better at night, as if she's realizing that she doesn't need to nurse to sleep. Last night was a little different, but I think it's because we had quite a few guests over late into the night for a Thanksgiving party (I believe the sleep issues had to do with over-stimulation).

She's starting to express herself a lot more. During the weaning week, it seemed she was having quite a few of these expressive moments, aka tantrums. I wasn't sure what to do. I felt like I was doing something wrong. After a bit of reading and praying, I realized that it wasn't that big of a deal, and that I just needed to tweak a few things here and there. I've learned not to take her bad days personally. Also, sometimes these meltdowns are just a result of needing to be held more (since I'm not nursing her, and she's always been very attached). So having more cuddle time during the day has helped. Also, she understands a lot more than I used to think. I have conversations with her during the meltdowns. It actually helps. I've even been able to talk her thru the screaming sessions in the cart, at the store. I explain to her that she needs to sit in the cart for awhile, and that she can get out in a few minutes. She understands, I think. But then she starts to scream again after 20 or so minutes of grocery shopping. Then I ask her to please say "out" and if she's able to communicate that to me without screaming, I give her a little break. SO far this is working, it might change today though ;). Just trying to keep up with all the changes. This is the most interesting developmental phase yet. We're still working on sharing. That's a little tougher...

And maybe it wouldn't be so tough if she actually had a sibling. Which brings me to the second major topic of the month: pregnancy. Nope, I am not pregnant. Not even close. I don't even know if anything is working. No sign of fertility; the clock isn't even ticking. This is why I have an appointment with the reproductive endocrinologist scheduled for December 13th. I'm a little excited, but also not looking forward to riding the infertility roller coaster once again. Hoping for a second miracle. Clomid didn't work that first time. I'm not sure what's next. I'm also a bit hesitant to use the stronger stuff, after hearing the correlation between drugs that raise estrogen levels and breast cancer. Adoption is always an option, too. I would like to have one more, though, then adopt. But God's plans might be a bit different, which is why I'm trying to keep him in the picture (instead of trying to plan EVERYTHING).

Oh, and Jose passed the bar! He's already been working for a few months, but it seems that ever since we found out the news he's had to work nearly 12 hours a day and even on weekends! Glad he has a job, though, which is another reason why we feel it's a good time to have another one!

So TRUE

Just found this on Facebook. Took the words right out of my mouth.

Being a mom is the best and most difficult job. I love doing it and am so glad that I have the opportunity to stay at home with my little girl. She keeps me on my toes, but I like ballet :).

Friendships

There are no strangers here; only friends you haven't yet met. -Yeats

Relationships inevitably evolve with time. But I had no idea that the way we form relationships can also change as we change. I care more about what I should and less about what I shouldn't, to put it simply. Acknowledging that people's judgements stem from their own insecurities has helped. But realizing that most people are looking for sincere friendships (or needing them) has influenced my interactions with new acquaintances even more.

We can assume that our neighbor doesn't say hello because they don't like us. But that's cynical. Maybe they're just really shy. (I'm slowly learning to give people the benefit of the doubt.)

I assumed this about a neighbor once. Then I decided to randomly, and rather loudly ;), strike up a conversation from across the street because I stopped caring about what they could offer me. Thankfully, it worked. It turns out that neighbor is kind and just reserved.

Then I wonder what other relationships I might be missing out on as a result of my negative assumptions and selfish expectations.

Though this isn't completely enlightening, I'm learning that I need to be the friend I'd want, and without the favoritism. But it goes beyond that. Being only that kind of friend would be selfish. True friendship is grounded in sacrifice. Putting someone else's needs before our own; loving like God loves us.

If someone lonely is struggling spiritually and they aren't able to be the kind of friend that I want, who am I to keep my friendship from them just because they cannot uplift me? Respect in friendships is a must, yes. But not being someone's friend simply because they don't meet your expectations of what a great/spiritually uplifting/well-rounded "kindred spirit" should be doesn't mean they don't have the potential, or even the need for that kind friendship from you.

John 15:13 There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friend.

I'm finding that verse applies to more than our physical life. It also applies to our daily interactions with strangers/potential friends.

Friendship is the ministry we are all called to. It doesn't require a PhD or red cape.