Ready for the Weekend!

Spending the weekend with my two favorite people in the world.

It's Apple Blossom weekend and we're going to the parade with some friends. 

And we're going to plant a garden.

But the best part...is just spending time with my two favorite people in the world.

Have a great weekend everyone! 

You Have What?

That's the response I get from people when I tell them I have PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome). 

Since it's National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW), I wanted to make people aware of PCOS. 

The following is taken directly from the PCOS Support site. 

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common female endocrine disorder, affecting approximately 5%-10% of all females. PCOS is a hormonal disorder that involves multiple organ systems within the body, and is believed to be fundamentally caused by insensitivity to the hormone insulin. It can be diagnosed in all phases of life - in girls as young as 8-9 years of age, up through post-menopause. Although PCOS is one of the leading causes of infertility, the reproductive aspects of the disorder are secondary. PCOS is not limited to women of reproductive age or potential.

Common symptoms of PCOS include:

• irregular or no menstrual periods (for women of reproductive age)
• irregular ovulation, with or without monthly bleeding
• acne
• excess hair growth on the face and body
• thinning scalp hair
• accumulation of unruptured follicles on the periphery of the ovaries (mislabeled as "cysts", often called polycystic ovaries)

It is not necessary to have all of these symptoms to have PCOS. In fact it is not necessary to have "polycystic ovaries" to have PCOS. PCOS manifests itself differently in each woman.

In addition to the above, approximately 60% of women with PCOS have weight management issues which can lead to obesity with only normal caloric intake. Energy in the form of glucose (food) is stored right away as fat, instead of being made available for other functions within the body. This can lead to chronic fatigue and undernourishment, despite the fact that there is adequate food intake and even an appearance of overnourishment.

However, it's important to note that 40% of women with PCOS are of normal weight, or even fall under a normal weight range.

There is no cure for PCOS, but it can be successfully managed through diet, exercise, and in some cases medical intervention. Management of PCOS is essential, as unmanaged PCOS can progress to diabetes, and can also lead to certain forms of cancer if unaddressed.

For more information on PCOS, visit the PCOS Support website.

**Due to spam comments, I have to moderate my comments for now. Please don't let that deter you from commenting.  I love hearing what you all have to say!**

NIAW 2010

This week is National Infertility Awareness Week (April 24 - May 1)

It's a movement to raise awareness about the disease of Infertility, which affects 7.3 million americans.

Most of my IF blog friends know this already, but to those who are not aware, I wanted to share with you some infertility etiquette I got from the Resolve website.

For detailed info, click on the infertility etiquette link to understand the etiquette listed.

Don't Tell Them to Relax

Don't Minimize the Problem

Don't Say There Are Worse Things That Could Happen

Don't Say They Aren't Meant to Be Parents

Don't Ask Why They Aren't Trying IVF

Don't Be Crude

Don't Complain About Your Pregnancy

Don't Treat Them Like They Are Ignorant

Don't Gossip About Your Friend's Condition

Don't Push Adoption
Let Them Know You Care

Remember Them on Mother's Day

Support Their Decision to Stop Treatments

I posted something similiar to this list last August titled 'Did I Ask For Your Advice?!'  Nothing really has changed from last year when I posted that list.  I still get some of the same comments and most of the time, people just don't really know what to say or do around us infertiles.  We're just like you....human...with feelings too. 

I hope this will educate people a little about infertility. 

How I Met My Husband

Kelly's Korner this week is hosting a 'Show Us Your Life - How you met your husband'.

This is a story all about how my life got flipped turned upside down....

(The very condensed version)

Steve and I met in highschool.  He was interested in me and I was only interested in being friends.

While we were in HS, he told me he was going to marry me.  I didn't believe him.

We both graduated (1996) and went off to college (I went to Utah Valley for a semester and he went to BYU-Hawaii for a semester).  When I asked him why he wanted to go to BYU-Hawaii, his response was (and I quote) "To get as far away from you as I can."  (I guess he was tired of waiting around for me).  He doesn't remember saying that, but I cleary remember it. 

My father passed away during my first semester and I transferred home to be close to my family (we reconnected because of my father's passing).  Steve returned home to work a bit before he went on his mission.  He served two years in Las Vegas (1997-1999).  

(What a handsome missionary)

When Steve returned home from his mission, we started dating.

After six months of dating we were engaged.

Three months later, on June 24, 2000, we were married and sealed for time and eternity in the Washington, D.C. temple.

And that was the happiest day of my life.

We will be celebrating our 10 yr anniversary in June.

 He is such a huge blessing in my life and I thank God everyday for him.

What Should We Do When We Don't Know What To Do?

(I love this little girl to pieces.  Just the thought of her puts a smile on my face).

I'm feeling better today (the sun is out and it's suppose to be a beautiful day).

Since the last IVF in January, I've been praying for direction on what to do next.  Do we adopt, try another cycle, or just give up on having children of our own? I haven't really received an answer. 

Then I was reading the Ensign (church magazine) and came across an article titled, What Should We Do When We Don't Know What To Do?  Sometimes God doesn't tell us what to do, He leaves it up to us to decide and go to Him with faith.  And if it's not the right decision, He will let us know. 

“When you are living worthily and your choice is consistent with the Savior’s teachings and you need to act, proceed with trust,” said Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. If we are sensitive to the promptings of the Spirit, Elder Scott added, “either the stupor of thought will come, indicating an improper choice, or the peace or the burning in the bosom will be felt, confirming that your choice was correct. When you are living righteously and are acting with trust, God will not let you proceed too far without a warning impression if you have made the wrong decision.”

So we are thinking about doing another IVF cycle. I feel like we need to give it one more shot. I am putting my faith and trust in God to let us know that this is the right decision for us right now.

Gloomy Weather Brings Gloomy Moods

Do you ever feel like you might just be the only couple in the world (or in your circle of friends, family, neighborhood, church, etc) who doesn't have kids??

Yeah, that's what I'm feeling today. 

Maybe it's the rain outside that's putting me in this mood. 

I need sunshine in my soul today!

Weekend Round Up

Another great weekend spent with family and friends.  I feel like I ate way too many sweets this weekend!  I got my hair cut on Friday night, then we went to Mac.aroni Grill for dinner.  I hadn't been there in a looong time so it was yummy (they changed their menu a little since the last time).

Saturday was spent celebrating Lao/Cambodian new year with some friends at the Lao temple.  Again, yummy food!  Satuday evening was fun at Abbey's house because my sister came over with her kids.  They are always happy to see their aunt Hannah (because I bring them treats)!

Sunday was a good day at church.  I have thoroughly enjoyed Sunday school and always leave feeling spiritually fed.  

Then I come home and watch the 16 and preg. marathon!  Crazy! Probably not the best use of my time, but I find myself getting sucked into reality tv that I really shouldn't be watching. 

So that was my weekend in a nut shell. 

Relax and Enjoy Yourself

I went to PF Ch.angs (yummy orange peel shrimp) for my birthday lunch at work and this was my fortune from my cookie. 

Can you believe that even a fortune cookie can tell you to relax??!!

Have you ever read your fortune cookie and added 'in bed' at the end of it?  (You should try it, it's hilarious!).  That's what we did around the table.  Relax and enjoy yourself in bed. (No other comments needed after that statement).

We tried a new restaturant in town for dinner (new to us) and it was pretty good.  I was pleasantly suprised because I didn't think we had that kind of fine dining in our neck of the woods.  It's located in the old downtown area so we had a nice stroll through the walking mall (although all the shops were closed - at 6:00 pm!).  I was looking at all the cute locations I could do photo shoots at.  We'll be returning there.

When I arrived home, I got a package in the mail from my March Secret Pal, Confessions of an Infertile Shopaholic.  She sent me some yummy chocolate and some scrapbooking things.  Thanks Justina!

Thank you all for your kind words and birthday wishes.  It's comforting to know that there are others who understand and can relate.  I still have the rest of the month to celebrate my birthday month.

One Year Older

I will be celebrating my 32nd birthday tomorrow (April 15th).  Ever since I hit 30, I have been dreading my birthday because it's another reminder that I am still childless.  Every year as my birthday approaches, I have this sadness that overcomes me because it's a reminder that motherhood still eludes me.  My childbearing years are slipping away!  At what point do you finally accept the harsh reality that you may not ever have kids??  What a scary thought!  But at the same time, it must be so liberating to finally accept it and move on with your life!

I think about that all the time. When will we truly "stop trying" and just live?

Although we've been on a break, it's been nice not to have to deal with shots and dr. appts, but the desire and doubts are still there too.  Like a storm cloud following you around everywhere you go and you're just waiting to see if it will pour down or if the sun will ever shine.  It's all so unpredictable!

Beautiful Saturday Morning

...at the Tulip Farm!

Beyond My Control

I am on CD 54!  I ovulated mid Feb (according to the OPK).  I thought AF would show up while I was on vacation but she never did.  I've POAS twice in the last two weeks and it was  BFN.  So it doesn't really matter if AF shows up or not because we don't if we're doing another cycle any time soon.  It's not fun when you don't have a plan or know what the future holds.

Here's a question I asked Abbey over Easter weekend:

Me:  Abbey, why do you think Aunt Hannah still doesn't have a baby even though you keep praying for me?

Abbey:  I don't know, maybe you just have to wait.

What a true statement! I just have to be patient and (continue) to wait.  It's the hardest thing to do when you want something so bad and it's beyond your control.  Faith, Faith, Faith!

Happy Easter (late)

What a great Easter weekend!

I am on travel in Southern Pines, NC for work this week so I will post pictures and will update later.

I hope everyone had a great weekend too! 

What Do You Do If The Shoe Doesn't Fit?

Springtime = pedicures and sandal season

I wish I had pretty feet like the picture above.  But I don't.

I need to get new sandals for the Spring/Summer, but it's been quite challenging to find something that fits right.

I wear size 6.5 shoes.  For the past year or so, my right foot has been slightly bigger than my left foot.  My right foot fits more comfortable in a size 7 now.  So frustrating!

Does anyone else have this problem? Or know where I can purchase a pair of shoes in different sizes?