Insems #4 & 5

Sorry for the radio silence, our internet has been super finicky as of late. So let me catch you up to speed. We changed our whole MO this cycle and it's been great! After the worsening reactions Trina's been having with the IUI's, we decided to go ICI. That would side step both factors that could have been causing the cramping and bleeding and general wanting to slip into a coma until the pain and nausea fades. We also switched donors. The last insem used up our final stored sample. This guy doesn't look as much like me, but I'm not sad about it. He's tall, handsome, compassionate and loves german chocolate cake. How can you go wrong there? :) 

Trina made me the cutest inspermination themed cupcakes. I absolutely LOVED them. They were adorable and delicious. Everything a group of cupcakes should be. :) Then we got a package in the mail from our good friends V & C. It was a beautiful fertility bracelet they saw and knew we'd love. It was SO sweet and thoughtful of them. I love that we have so many friends to support us. It makes it much easier to deal with others in our life saying inconsiderate things or not bothering to care at all.

Doing at-home inseminations was wonderful! No pain or cramps or blood. No taking off work and driving downtown. No legs in stirrups or speculums. No stressing about whether or not they have an appointment available within our prime baby makin time. Just my wife and I in the privacy of our room making our baby. We did two inseminations 24hrs apart starting the morning after her LH surge. The timing looks great according to her chart. We're definitely pregnant. How could we not be? I rock at this. :) 

Strike 3

Trina's temp plummeted this morning. Looks like it's 2 weeks until insem #4.

Seeing Spots

Trina's temp dipped a little this morning, but was still well above the coverline. Unfortunately she started spotting tonight. We'll have to see what tomorrow brings, temperature and blood wise, but it looks like this cycle is a bust. 

Everything Tastes Better In A Belly Mug

Last week we went to the Museum of Natural Science with some friends of ours. We had a blast and in the gift shop I saw the best mug ever. It's the adorable belly mug you see to the right. Trina's been drinking out of it everyday since then, because just like the title says, everything tastes better in a belly mug. :)  

On the TTC front, yesterday Trina thought she may have seen a tiny little miniscule pink dot on the TP after wiping...TWICE. :) I'm choosing to be thrilled, she's still wondering if she saw anything at all or just imagined it. Then this morning her temp went up. So we either have a triphasic chart or a fluke temp. I guess we'll know if it stays high for a few more days. This week Trina's moods have been swinging like Tarzan. Pregnancy or PMS? Who knows for sure, but I'm staying pretty optimistic. 

Question #5:

When you think about your future children what do you daydream about? The birth, first steps, kindergarten...

Our Answer:

Trina's predominant daydream is about breast feeding. She can't wait to bond in such a natural and deep way. I can't wait for the birth. Seeing our child come into this world. What an amazing feeling it will be to see and hold them for the first time. Usually our thought bubbles are filled with mundane everyday activities. Trina's beautiful belly when she's pregnant, going out as a family to the store or the dog park, watching them sleep, dressing him up in cute tiny blue jeans, putting her hair in pigtails for the first time... Someday.

What Big Game?

We're 6 DPO and hopfully we have a little bundle of cells burrowing onto Trina's uterine lining like the little guy to the left is doing. Fingers crossed. :)

Nearly everyone around me has been buzzing about the 'big game" these last few days. I did my best to avoid these conversations. I made the mistake of asking "who's playing" once. Once... I'd rather avoid the shock and awe I saw in their faces as I explained my complete ignorance of the upcoming game. I, myself, can think of nothing more boring than watching grown men run into each other repeatedly, on purpose. This got me thinking.

Question #4: What do you folks do for fun as you live your life in 2 week increments? What are your hobbies & interests?

Our Answer:
Trina and I shoot pool once or twice a week. She taught me how to play a while back and even bought me a beautiful cue that I LOVE. She's still much better than I am, but doesn't beat me nearly as badly as she used to. We take our dogs to the dog park nearly every week. I really enjoy the long talks we have while walking the long path and watching our puppies run and play. It's very cathartic. Both of us are avid readers and I read to her nearly every night to help her go to sleep. It helps to thwart her insomnia. We both love snuggling on the couch and watching movies. We have a long list of what I categorize as "guilty pleasure" movies. Some of these are Juno, Saved, Stick it & Bring It On. I really enjoy cooking. Trina is a very picky eater, but I've gotten her to try and even like more foods than she ever has before. I take a lot of pride in that. As I write, Trina is in the living room crocheting a stuffed bunny for our future baby. She's tried to teach me, but I'm all thumbs. Sometimes Trina pulls out her guitar. She has such a beautiful voice. I could listen to her all night.

Anyway, those are a few of the things we do to make life more enjoyable. What about you?