Bill & Giuliana Rancic

Folks, you are looking at the ONLY celebrity couple that I am so overjoyed has finally become parents that I legit start to tear-up. *Two fingers up in what I hope is the boy-scouts salute* Scouts honor! You can always tell when you've been trying to conceive for an ungodly, unnatural amount of time when you are in a race to conceive before people you don't even know. For example: Kim Kardashian, Miley Cyrus, ANY Jersey Shore cast members (besides Snooki, obviously), the little girl that plays Lilly from Modern Family...I really could go on with this list. Since I have long given up trying to get pregnant before the people I do know, I have taken to competing with celebrities. Which in turn causes more pain than I originally thought it would. Case in point: Megan Fox. I loved me some Megan Fox. I stood by her after she got dropped from the Transformers movies...even after she gave horrible interview after horrible interview. I was a Megan Fox supporter, ride or die. Megan Fox is pregnant?? Bitch can die. Seriously. I hate her stinkin' guts now. Adele can too! I used to belt out her songs like I was right up on stage with her joining in on the "Oy! You don't like my size? You can snog my arse you bloody bugger!" attitude. Now? I hope she drowns or catches on fire in the rain that is also on fire. I'm.not.even.joking. 

Now that I've experienced those reactions, I fear for my other relationships with celebrities. I adore Miranda Lambert. Her and Blake Shelton are total adorbs and I want to nom on their cuteness. If she gets preggers before me I'll probably hope that all her rescue dogs gang up on her and eat her selfish, pregnant ass! Emma Stone too! If that ginger pops out any little spidey's, our relationship, that may be one-sided, will be over. OVER I TELL YOU!  

Back to Bill and Giuliana though. I love them. I'm so happy for them and I truly mean it from the bottom of my heart. Maybe it's just through the infertility connection or maybe cause they seem like genuinely decent people, I'm not sure. I just know that I cried when she was diagnosed with breast cancer and I cried when news broke of the surrogate and, you guessed it, I'm crying because they finally got a take home child. After all they've been through, they so deserve it. I honestly wish that I knew these people in person so that I could congratulate them, but alas, I don't, so my congratulations is here: Congratulations Bill & Giuliana! Little Edward has no idea how lucky he is, but he will. 

And to the rest of you celebrities...you've been warned...

Rescheduling, Rice Socks & Redneckery

Welp, I've done it again. I've been absent like I promised you I wouldn't. Am I starting to sound like a broken record or what? I'm sorry. Allow me to explain:

First off, we got the step-kiddo back to his Mother, whom immediately started unnecessary drama. Why? Just because she wanted to. Or she's miserable in her life again and wants to take it out on us. Who knows what goes on in her batshit-crazy "brain". Anyways, this isn't a stepmom-complainin', baby-mama-bashin' blog...this is about far more important things! Like my Vagina! And Uterus! And Sperm! HUZZAH!

Our initial consultation with the RE had to be rescheduled. Work has been so hectic for me lately that I've been scared to ask my boss for time off. I have rescheduled it for September 4th, which also works perfectly with Curtis' schedule so he can attend with me. So, once again, we're on a bit of a hold, but it's ok. I'm just hoping that the RE and I can work around my work schedule. When I discussed with my boss that I was returning to treatments, she seemed a bit...unsure. With the budget cuts and tension around my office, there is a lot of focus on what everyone else is contributing. So it seems that if I am going to need a bunch of time off work again (ultrasounds, bloodwork, etc.), and we can't work around the time frame of work, we may have to push it all back until next year. I'm trying really hard not to borrow trouble, but this worries me as I don't want to wait anymore. Cross your fingers for us!

In the meantime, we're just trying to accrue as much overtime as we can and save as much money as possible. The IUI's were quoted to me at about $1,100 a pop and while I've still had about $100 per paycheck go to our Health Savings Account, we've had dentist visits for the stepkiddo and new glasses for the hubs so I'm not sure it can get us through much more than two IUI's. The rest will have to be true out of pocket.
I also started cycle day 1 today. I was so desperate for relief from my cramps that I took to Tumblr for advice. Normally a heating pad is what it takes to help me out. No pain medication has helped except extra-strength midol, which I am stock out of! A friend of mine told me her mom would take rice, put it in a sock and heat it up in the microwave. So do you know what this classy lady (ME) did?

If you guessed A) Take your sock off, take rice from the Healthy Choice Steamers lunch thingy, and do exactly what your friend said....you guessed correct! And you know what? I'm not ashamed in the least right now because after two nuke sessions and scalding my abdomen, I'm essentially cramp free. Thanks Tumblr friend!! I apologize if you thought you were reading the life of some soft, lady-like, woman...I thought the wine in a red solo cup would give it away, but if not this ^^ sure solidified it!

By the way, I got my first pedicure in about 9 months last night (hence the pink toes). The poor lady had to strong arm the HELL out of my callouses. I mean, to the point where she even commented, "Whoa! There a lot!" and the women next to me snickered. Awesome. I just blushed and muttered I'm sorry and went back to ducking behind a magazine. Also, another insight to yours truly, I got pick cause of the new Jason Aldean song, "Take a little ride". But for the record, Chevy sucks, Ford Rules. End of story.

Well, I think I've sufficiently weirded you all out, so I'm gonna go ahead and get back to work. Hopefully I think of some other witty (or in my case what I think is witty, most think is bizarre...and not in the good Honey Boo Boo bizarre, just the normal bizarre where people stare but keep walking) things to post about. Y'all come back now ya hear! And as always, baby dust and good vibes!

Lindsay

Guess who's back!!

If you guessed me, you guessed right! Four for you Glen Coco!* Annnnddd, you're already hoping I'd go away again. Well, too bad, cause I'm back and I'm here to stay!
How have you guys been? I feel like I missed so much while I was gone, and looking back through my feeds I would say I sure did! First off:

MAJOR CONGRATULATIONS TO THEINFERTILEHOUSEWIFE ON HER BFP!! 


I am seriously so happy for you and Truck Driver Burt! You guys are going to make amazing parents to your little peanut (or peanuts if TDB has his way!). It's always so awesome when a fellow infertile moves on.

Now for a little update on our life...you haven't really missed much...so no worries: Stepson arrived on June 18th  and, as usual, it's been a whirlwind since he's been here. Trying to squeeze in as much fun-time as our work schedules will allow, visiting with friends and family that haven't seen him, school clothes shopping (not only a punch in the wallet, but the gut as well...I mean, when did backpacks become $40??!!**), etc. But now, as his time with us is winding down, things are seeming to semi-calm down as well. It sucks to know that the end is so close, but knowing he will be back in December is comforting and making saying goodbye a little bit easier.
As for a baby-making update: Even without the Clomid, my body seems to be ovulating since I've had a period each month without the medication...but I also know that isn't a guarantee that I ovulated, so we'll just have to see. I've still been tracking my period, but I haven't been using ovulation sticks cause I hate them and they're confusing.
I also made an appointment with my RE for August 20th (do I seem excited much?). Since I'm 75% positive that we'll move directly on to IUI's, I figured I might as well become an actual patient of my RE instead of just going to him with referral after referral. So our initial consultation is August 20th for us to discuss the protocol, maybe some testing again, etc. I'm nervous, but also kind of excited to get back in the stirrups...ba-dum-tiss! But seriously, I feel that this break has rejuvenated us and I'm ready to go beat my lady business til she gives me what I want, dammit! Obviously I've been reading/watching too many comic books, so please bear with my HULK SMASH attitude. It happens...

Well, once again, onward and forward. I promise that I'm finally back (I actually have a couple other blog posts planned, yay for wishful thinking!! haha) and I hope most of you have stuck with me during my hiatus. Baby dust and good thoughts to all of you! And a Happy Friday!





*If you got the reference, I love you.
**Special shout out to my Mom for letting all us kids get a new backpack every year, especially at that price!!

One Lovely Blog - My very first award

I got an award y'all!! I had always seen these "blog awards" going around other, more popular blogs, but I never thought I'd be on the receiving end of one. Many thanks to Infertile Housewife!! You guys should really go check out her blog, if you haven't already. She has such hilarious nicknames for the special ones in her life (Banana Face?!? Bahaha!) and is a total sweetheart. She is the epitome of southern hospitality!

One to the award rules:

1. Share who gave you the award with a link back to their blog. (You can click on her name above for the link).
2. Share 7 random facts about yourself. 
3. Give the award to 15 other bloggers. 
4. Let them know that they've won. 
5. Put the award up on your blog. 

Step 1 is done, so on to Step 2...7 random facts. Oh boy, I've never been good at this kind of thing, but here we go:

1. I like my mac-n-cheese (only if it's Kraft), oatmeal, and scrambled eggs runny. Well, I guess soupy in the mac-n-cheese case.
2. I almost always try to read a book before watching the movie/tv show adaption. I like to be one of those snotty people, "Oh, the book is SOOO much better...the director missed SOOO many things." 
3. When I was a senior in high school I dreamed of getting in my car and driving east (think New Mexico/Texas) and settling in the first town I ran out of gas in. 
4. I am technically an only child. My parents split after having me and my Mom went on to have just one more baby with my Stepdad, my half-sister. My other siblings are all step-siblings. 
5. I ADORE the sound of genuine laughter, from babies and kids and even adults. 
6. I am TERRIFIED of ghosts/paranormal shit/demons/whatever. Seriously. I can't watch Paranormal Activity without having a panic attack later when I'm trying to sleep. It drives Curtis nuts. 
7. I tend to really love something, until everyone else loves it. For example, I really enjoyed Twilight after I read it and the first movie came out. Then I just got sick of it. The hype of it, the obsessed fans, all of it. I still watch the movies (at least a week after it comes out, I hate packed move theaters), but I just hate it now. I'm feeling that way about The Hunger Games now too! The only exceptions are comic book movies and Harry Potter.  

Step 3: I don't have 15 blogs to give this award to, so I'll give it to the ones that when they have a new post I get all fan-girly-excited to read it.

1. Emily over at Come What May. She and her husband suffered with infertility also and now have three beautiful children (TRIPLETS!!) thanks to a successful round of IVF. 
2. Megan over at  Girl Meets Camera. She is an Army Wife currently living in Korea with her Hubs and two adorable kiddies. Little Timmy is seriously one of the cutest kids I've ever seen...on the internet. haha. 
3. Carly over at Life is Beautiful. Carly and I go all the way back to high school and she has been such a huge supporter of Curtis and I during our infertility struggle...all while wrestling her two kiddos and watching her husband become a EMT firefighter. 
4. Thundercatsareago over at Our Crazy Life . She and her hubby just got pregnant with twin boys after a successful IVF round! 
5. Jessica over at Poppy and Pine. Jess is one of my good friends who is currently living in Okinawa-Japan with her Marine hubby and too cute son Jackson. She's also one of my fitness motivators...she appreciates the finer, less-healthy foods every now and then, just like me! 
6. The Kraken over at The Kraken. She and her hubby suffered from infertility until she got preggers with a successful round with Clomid. I think she may have actually had her baby since she hasn't posted in so long! She's hilarious and snarky and just my kind of gal! 
7. Ed over at Things People Said After My Miscarriage. Still trying to find success after multiple miscarriages while weeding her way through unbelievably insensitive people. 
8. Queen Elizabeth over at Whenisitgonnabemyturn. She is such a sweet woman who, like many of us, is just trying to keep her head, and hopes, up on her journey. 
9. Eyes Wide Open over at With Eyes Wide Open. Dealing with infertility (multiple miscarriages) while being a full-time Stepmom (her stepson lives with her), which we know is a job in itself! She's such an inspiration as she trudges through each obstacle with her head high. 

Step 4 and 5 will be completed soon! Thanks again Infertile Housewife!!