I should know by now...

to not believe things Nurse Sue tells me. She told me on Tuesday that they'd call me later that day or Wednesday with my 2nd test results. Since I hadn't heard, I called the York office yesterday. Anita checked with Melanie. Apparently the lab only runs those tests on Fridays. I had some misinformation from Sue last time I started down this path. She reminds me of my dad's woman. Why pretend when you know you don't know?

This evening is my (former) office manager's thank you party. I can't go. Steve is on call & MIL wants to leave as soon as I get there so she can deliver the high chair she just sold. Just as well. I don't feel like sitting around in a smoky bar anyway. That reminds me, I'm supposed to give $5 towards his gift. Better start digging thru the change in the bottom of my purse. Payday isn't until tomorrow and I'm still a paycheck to paycheck budgeter.

MIL stopped up last night to get the high chair back from us (we tried to sell it for her in the yard sale). I thought she was gonna pass out when Stef went down the 2 steps from our porch to the driveway. Then she was all beside herself because Stef was *gasp* running! Sigh. I love my MIL. I love my MIL. I love my MIL. I'm not the type of mother who puts her kid in a plastic bubble but MIL certainly is.

Cheatin hearts

I remembered to weigh in this morning. I'm back up 1 lb (net -4 lbs). I know I cheated too much last week. Between my second trip to Harvey's, weekend waffles (I save my points all week so I can have them Saturday, but ate them Sunday too), a full sugar Barq's, and the occaisonal popping of Dibs, I'm just happy to not be back to square one! Today is a new day. Back on track and being a good girl now!

My first blood test results are good:
Estradiol 37 (should be <50)
FSH 6.5 (should be <10)

They will call me later today or tomorrow with today's test results.

Koren's phone call

It's a BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dreading tomorrow

Our community yard sale is tomorrow. I am about 70% ready for it. I dread it though because Steve is on call and has to open up the pool in the morning....leaving me to deal with the whole thing by myself. He should still be able to help set up in the morning because he won't have to leave until around 9:30am.

It wouldn't be so bad, but I really think I'm going to need help with Stefanie. If left to her own devices, she'll be pulling all the clothes and things out of the boxes and off the tables and hording them in the corner. I can hear it now "Steffy's shirt. Steffy's toy. Steffy's pants. MINE!" Ugh! I'd better call Sarah and see if she'd be willing to come up and help.

Then right after the yard sale is Steve's mandatory-voluntary pool party at work. Nice how they made up a new word, huh? The whole thing about the new guy not having to work on the pool at all is just plain WRONG! I don't get it why they would ask him if he wants to work on the pool? Of course he said No. They act like he's the company owner's favorite nephew or something. They act afraid of him. I hope they soon see that favortism like that just breeds resentment in the rest of the staff.

Fluke?

I hope not. I weighed in Monday morning and was down 1 lb. I ate Harvey's Cajun Sausage & funnel cake at the fair Monday night. On a whim, I weighed in again Wednesday (mostly to see how much damage Harvey had caused) and I was down 4 more lbs!!! I also just finished AF for the month, so that probably has more to do with it than anything. Either way, I'll take it! Five down, 45 more to go.

How well do you know me?

Here's a fun quiz game. Take my quiz, then make your own & post the link in your blog

http://www02.quizyourfriends.com/quizpage.php?quizname=060821133416-446906

Doc update

I just got back.

We have to do another Clomid challenge and Semenalysis since it's been over 6 months since the last one (which blows this cycle).

Luckily today was CD3 so they took my blood today, the I go on Clomid Wed-Sun (100mg) then another blood test next Tuesday CD10. If my egg reserve falls within the acceptable parameters, we'll sign consent forms and prepare for the next cycle.

Steve appt to deposit his sample isn't until Sept 6th.

Speaking of my wonderful sweet man, there is some kind of confusion about the Kellogg's testing. The lady at the testing service told him this morning that today's test is only for ppl who haven't taken the test yet but he should be able to take it at the next testing which should be really soon. What they don't know is that Steve knows 2 other casuals who also got letters to test today and who have also not had their reviews yet. So if these other casuals are allowed to test today, he's going to lodge a greivance with the union. blah blah blah

Tickets please....

I'm getting back on the roller coaster. Steve & I have decided to do at least one round of IVF. I have a restart appointment tomorrow morning at 10am with the RE. I should know more after that tomorrow. Wish me luck and may the Force be with us.

Steffyisms

I need to start writing down some of the super cute things Stef says lately.

She's started saying Amen after her prayer doll says it.
Mr Rogers is pronounced Merochers.
Grammy is Gammy
Kenobi (a friend's cat) is K'oobi
I love you is ALoffoo (although I've only heard it 3 or 4 times, it melts my heart)
Precious is Sheshy
I've had to teach her that cars will bite her to keep her from running into the street at my mom's house. So now she says Car Bite.

That's all I can think of right now.

What a good girl!

Stef ran up and jumped on my back while I was sitting on the floor with her last night. It feels like she fixed that joint problem. I was able to move much better the rest of the evening and then the muscle relaxant pill did the rest. Oh boy did I pass out from that pill!! I could barely get up this morning. But my back feels much better today; just stiff.

Potty Training Hiatus

They say that when the babies are learing something new that they can regress on something else they already had mastered or were working on.

Stef's vocabulary has just exploded recently. Some of her motor skills are getting so much better (things like running, climbing, and threading beads on a string). I'm thinking potty training has taken a back seat for her. Everytime I ask her if she has to go, she says No. If I ask her to try anyway, maybe get a prize, she gets really whiney and insistent with her No. I don't want to stress her out about it, so we're taking a break.

My left lower trapezious (sp?) is in a huge spasm. The joint in there (rib to spine maybe??) keeps popping out. So far, not too badly, but enough to get the muscle in a protective uproar. If it goes out really badly, it feels like I can't breath. It's a good thing I'm going to the VA doctor later this month, if for nothing else than to get it documented.

Inspired

I love it when a project idea just jumps up and hits me right in the nose! Three of my yaya's are meeting up with Stef and me in October. We were discussing putting the babies in costumes and what theme we should go with. In looking thru pattern websites, the girls in poodle skirts just jumped off the page at me. My nephew can be The Fonz and the 3 girls can be 50's girls. I bought the fabric for all 3 skirts, poodles, and scarf/hair ties last night. I'm so excited about this. They are all going to be adorable!!!

Got most of the list done

Ok, well, part of it anyway. I went to yardsales but only spent $1. We got such a late start because Stef decided to sleep in. I guess all the good stuff sold early. I made one sundress and it's cute cute cute. The pix are still in my camera, but someday I'll upload them to share. I got the grocery shopping done and the kitchen redded up. No computer work got done and no floors were vaccuumed or swiffered. Was that the whole list? Hmm I did better than I'd thought.

Sunday at Shawn's (Stef's godfather) birthday was a really nice time. We were late but didn't miss the birthday boy's arrival. He was truly surprised and touched. He was even more touched when I explained my mom's gift to him. She gave him my grandfather's cello and trumpet. Both needed to be cleaned up and the cello needed a bit of work, but mom & my aunt both felt the instruments needed to be with someone who would appreciate them and use them, rather than just cherish and store them. Shawn is the same type of person as my grandfather was; passionately into all sorts of music. My grandfather was in a swing band in the 40's, but also founded and conducted the Columbia Symphony Orchestra. He was choir director of his church for many many year and also loved jazz and big band music. Shawn is in a Christian band that covers all sorts of styles from rock to country to raggae. He has his own music studio at his house and has mentored several young people in musical endeavors. He is a sweetheart of a man and I'm glad he is Stef's godfather.

Funny coincidence....my mom found a picture in the Sunday News of a band that had most of the names listed. My great-grandfather is in this picture! Joe Sipel is sitting there with his trumpet on his knee and judging by the apparent age, I'm guessing the picture is from around 1912. What a musical family I come from! Too bad it skipped me. I love music but can't play or sing worth a crap.

I realized last night that I forgot to take my happy pills Saturday and Sunday nights. The only reason I realized this is because I had a major emotional meltdown. I went thru the usual self-deprecating tapes....I'm fat and infertile, the budget is a mess because of me, I don't express my devotion to Steve well enough, and my MIL is basically raising our daughter because we can't afford for me to be a SAHM. It turned into the ugly cry that Oprah talks about. Speaking of Oprah, I need to actually fill in the blanks and work on the plan for the Oprah Debt Diet. My aunt and her roommate are sponsoring me on WW now too. Her roommate is apparently the Food Nazi! Exactly what I need. Plus one of my co-workers still has her WW books and says she'll do it with me. It's easier when you can do it with someone.

See? I have all the tools I need, but I just have a hard time bringing myself to actually use them.

Ahhhhh

The a/c unit on the roof for my area had a burn out. The wonderful dude from Neffsville Plumbing fixed it and it's nice in here again!!

Steve is working a 16 hr shift at Kelloggs tomorrow so I might go yardsaling with my mom. I always make GRAND PLANS for when I have a day like that. I hope I can get at least half done. I plan to get the grocery shopping done, update our budget program, cancel our wmconnect account, cancel our peoplepc account, make a sundress or 2 for Stef, maybe go swimming, and redd up (clean) the house.

Then Sunday is Stef's godfather's 40th surprise birthday party. That should be fun! They have a beautiful home and I always love spending time with them.

MIL is on vacation next week. We will be dog sitting her boxer, Daisy until next Sunday (I think) and it's challenging but not a huge deal to me. Ellie and Daisy don't get along so we just have to keep them separated. Daisy wants a shot at the title and Ellie wouldn't mind taking her on. My money would be on Ellie for sure even though she's 10 yrs old. But we don't want to see that happen.

Steve gets to be home with Stef Mon-Wed next week. Then my mom will likely have her Thur & Fri. I'll call Sarah in for reinforcements if mom isn't up to 2 days in a row.

Still no A/C!!

I brought Steve's little electronic temperature checker thingy. It was 87 in here this morning! So I complained to the new office manager. He's apparently not a handy guy like the old one was. I'm pretty sure the problem is with the wrong vents being opened or closed. I know Kevin adjusted them for me before, but he's on vacation this week and Dave doesn't want to climb up there and have a look. And of course the plumbing/heating dude is swamped today so he won't even be here to look at it until tomorrow! Luckily my little heater has a fan only setting.

If I can survive 3 yrs in Panama, where the weather is pretty much like this day in and day out, I can survive this. I'm just not acclomated to it anymore.

FIL is home from the hospital now. I don't know any other details yet since Steve is the one that talked to him.

So far so good

FIL made it through the surgery last night. They didn't even cut him open; just went up the uretha (YIKES!) and removed the tumor that way. There should be no more pee'ing blood since it was all coming from the tumor. They've sent it off for biopsy and will let him know when they find the results.

Apparently, one of my co-workers' father started his decline with bladder cancer. She says that if you have to have cancer, that's the best one to have. The walls of the bladder are so thick that the cancer does not usually spread easily to other organs. Unfortunately for her father, they did not follow up with chemo, as per standard procedures, and his cancer spread and killed him.

The A/C in my office is screwy on the best of days. With this nasty heat wave, it's been quite warm in the mornings and then freezing cold in the afternoons, to the point of having to turn it off for about an hour to warm up. Well today, it's a freaking oven in here. The thermostat says 78 degrees, but that's on the other side of the glass window, out in the lobby. I'd say it's at least 85 in my office. They said they were going to ck it out, but so far it doesn't feel any better in here. I don't mind the heat as much as most people (mom says I have piss for blood) but this is ridiculous.

Bad news and Good news

First the bad news: If you are so inclined, please say a prayer for Steve's dad. He has a tumor in his bladder. When he had it checked out last month, they said they're pretty sure it's malignant. He was scheduled to go back this Thursday, then go for surgery on the 10th. He didn't make it that long. His girlfriend called last night to let us know he's in the hospital. He was pee'ing blood and they've scheduled him for immediate surgery. She's supposed to call one of us today to let us know how he's doing.

Now the good news: Steve got his Kellogg's testing date!!!! It's August 22. This weekend is supposed to be a mandatory work weekend and the lady in charge of hiring full-timers said they will be watching him work in leiu of him having a formal review (which is required before taking the test). His supervisor has told him before that they like Steve's work, so that part should be cake. He just needs to work like he always works. The test will be the rough part. It's an aptitude test and Steve just isn't a great test taker. He knows what he's doing, but doesn't do well on written tests. We've agreed that if he gets hired fulltime that I'll keep working for at least 6 months, maybe a year, so that we can get financially comfortable before I become a SAHM. WooHoo! I can hardly wait!