Welcome ICLWers.... and kicking it all off on my B-day!!!

Welcome from Bermuda. Also, Happy 1st day of Summer and Happy B-day to me (on June 21st)!!!

I thought I'd do a little intro this month ... So many things are going on!

Me - 35 (on June 21st!), independent consultant and dancer, 4+ years into a doctoral program in management, dx with polycyctic kidney disease (not affecting fertility) and fibroids (apparently not affecting fertility). I love MGM Musicals, theatre, Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Audrey Hepburn, Doctor Who, Star Wars & Star Trek and dancing.

DH - 36, engineer, clairinet player and bagpiper, dx high prolactin levels and low motility. He loves marching and pipe bands, theatre, suspense novels, strategy games and good BBC programming.

Our Life - met in 1999 or 2000 (depends on who you speak to), dating in 2001, engaged in 2005, married in 2006 and began TTCing in 2007. We're on cycle #19.

Other stuff - we have 2 cats and 2 dogs. We love to travel (it happens when you're stuck on a 21 square mile Island). We love Broadway and West End Shows. We both love being onstage performing or backsage making the show happen. We're planners and that probably makes this whole IF thing suck royally.

What we're doing to get by - We started increasing our commnication with each other after I had an emotional explosion in December 2007 over an unsuccessful cycle. Since December we've stopped putting our energy into TTCing and started putting it into getting healthier and spending quality time together. This year we've waled the equivalent of a marathon and ran a half-marathon. We've adopted healthy eating habits and we're dabbling in acupuncture in preparation for an IVF cycle that's scheduled to start on Aug 21 ( I'll start BC at the start of my next cycle - next week). We'll be doing IVF in Zlin in the Czech Republic and therefore will not miss out on our annual vacation.

Other than that - we're trying to enjoy the summer!

Looking forward to visiting everyone this month!

Organic Cosmetics.....

So Monday's nutrition class was about organic products. I thought I had most things under control. I was pretty good about the fruits, vegs and meats - prioritizing what to purchase since eating organic is expensive. I also thought I was doing well with my cosmetics but I knew that I was awful with cleaning products (I have a few good ones but since we got the housekeeper, I let her use what she likes). Well, I still suck with my cosmetics. We were referred to the website www.cosmeticsdatabase.com and the initial search on sunscreen in the class was shocking. I then went back to work and searched my Olay Complete face cream (moderate hazard rating of 4 but it has some awful stuff in it). When I got home I searched my Ojon hair treatment (moderate hazard), Pantene Time Renewal Shampoo & Conditioner (moderate hazard), St. Ives body wash (high hazard) and dove deodorant (moderate hazard). Needless to say, I was not impressed. I looked into my make-up today and many are moderate hazards but a few were high. And here I thought that I was doing well.....

Anyhow, I've decided to not throw out everything. I'm going to just replace things that I use a lot (shampoo, soap, face cream, deodorant) and since I don't use make-up much I will just replace the items as I toss them. I used the site at lunchtime to identify products that are low hazards and ordered a few items from Amazon (Burts Bees and Desert Essence products) and Costal Classic Creations (solid shampoos, etc). I then popped out an purchased a replacement soap as the St. Ives got tossed. I'm a bit peeved about my Oil of Olay though.... hope I find a cream that works as well. I also need to choose a sunscreen.

Relaxing Weekend...

We're in the midst of a long weekend as today is National Heroes Day. It used to be the Queen's B-day Holiday but that is now observed on the Saturday before the 3rd Monday of June. National Heroes Day was supposed to be in October but it was moved to the 3rd Monday in June - I like it better since the weather is nicer in June. We've had a busy weekend of parades and visiting the Tall Ships.

I have also managed to finish 'The Infertility Cure' by Randine Lewis. My acupuncturist wanted me to go through it before our next appointment so I'd understand the treatment - plus, I'll probably have to do acupressure on my own when I'm in CZ. It is an excellent book and I need to go through it again to take a few notes.

We've finally booked our flights to the UK on British Airways but we still need to book our Aer Lingus flights. We've been reading through Rick Steves book on Prague and the Czech Republic. It made me glad that we hadn't rented a car yet. The book directed us to http://www.ebctravel.com/ because for the length of time out there it may be cheaper to lease - plus the insurance is better. We submitted a quote request yesterday and should hear back soon.

I Love Acupuncture

Last year I visited an acupuncturist for a few months. She was lovely and I felt so relaxed when i went to her for treatment. Then life got hectic, I missed an appointment and I didn't go back. Part of it was because I never called her after the missed appointment and I felt a bit ashamed to do so. I think the other reason was that I was in a funk about everything and procrastinated on a lot of stuff.

I decided that I wanted to do acupuncture again in the lead-up to the IVF cycle. I decided not to go back to the same person - instead, I wanted to go to someone who had some experience with treating people for IVF. I contacted a few people and one came back with what I wanted to hear. While I filled out a very thorough questionnaire - followed by another fertility questionnaire, I read 'The Infertility Cure' by Randine Lewis. The book made me more excited to meet with the acupuncturist because the questionnaires were asking the relevant questions.

Yesterday the visit consisted of going through the questionnaires, an examination of my tongue and pulse and acupunture on my back to see the reaction of the major organ groups. We had a wonderful discussion about Ms. Lewis' book and we were both sad that I hadn't found his practice earlier. In any case, we got started and I ended up falling asleep on the table (I love that)!

I unfortunately cannot go again until June 30th - he's booked solid! I'm waiting for a cancellation in order to get in earlier. I've also scheduled DH to go in on July 1. He doesn't really think much of acupuncture but even if he just takes the herbs, that'll be great. Granted, I know he'll do everything since we'd like to do whatever we can for a succesful cycle.

The Ideal Cycle

Yes, I am in the midst of the ideal cycle. AF was almost pleasant - without many cramps, energy was good and moods were pretty even. During the next phase I enjoyed yoga as I stretched and prepared for O week. And O week has been spot on with significant CM and a :) OPK today. I'd love this ideal cycle to have an ideal end - which would allow me to have a 2 week vacation instead of 3 weeks of needles, doctors appointments, gels and pills. This morning I looked in the top drawer of my bedside table and had to shake my head at the birth control pills that looked back at me. So if this ideal cycle has an imperfect yet perfect ending on CD 28, we then transition into the Adventure!

We're about 15 days away from the beginning of IVF... it's scary and exciting at the same time.

Shopping....

I've downloaded about 35 books on the Kindle. I got it so I won't have to carry any books with me when we travel this summer. It is amazing! It'll work well when we travel!

I also picked up one of those mini laptops with no movable parts. I decided that I will not lug my Dell overseas unless I'm forced to. That thing is way too heavy. I got a really nice HP mini and so far it fits beautifully into my purse. I was watching a video on it this afternoon and the screen is so clear. Again, it'll work well when we travel.

DH had regiment training this morning and I had to go to the salon. There I got bad news. My hairdresser's work permit has not been renewed (she's been here for about 10 years and is being affected by the term limit). So in September I have to see someone else! She'll recommend which stylist but I am sad. She has been my hairdresser forever!!!!! I hope she comes back in 2 years....

Anyhow, afterwards I had to go shopping for lawn furniture since the table in our backyard died. I visited about 4 stores and the prices are crazy! When DH got out we went to look at the ones I liked. We agreed on one and we'll get it on Thursday when it is 15% off.

We also got a plastic folding table and two plastic folding Adirondack chairs for our waterside sanctuary. I also managed to get a great chimera to cook and such down there. And hopefully the hammock will come soon. The grass planting is going well - we were down there on Tuesday and Thursday and have pretty much been going down to water it daily. I also purchased 2 oleander plants and 10 hibiscus plants to put down there. I hope we can plant them tomorrow since it is supposed to rain!

Need to run - we're going to see Madagascar 2 and Quantum of Solace at Horseshoe Bay tonight. We're going to try out the Adirondack chairs...

I'm going to be starting birth control at 35!!!!!

Well, today was the big appointment with our joint GP. We provided him with all of our records from our three doctors and brought him up to date on where were are in the IVF process. He was happy with what we've accomplished so we got to work.

He gave us the forms for the STD blood tests and we'll have to come back to the office to do the urine sample. He also gave me a prescription for Loestrin. I haven't filled the prescription yet but what I've read online has been interesting. I need to read about it being used for IVF cycles. Our doctor also gave us his email address so we can keep him in the loop with correspondence with the clinic.

All in all, we're pretty happy with where we are right now!