Restless Leg Syndrome sucks!!!

I think I've averaged about 3 hours of sleep each night for the past 3 nights.
I get RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome) while pregnant in the 3rd trimester.

I feel so completely drained and exhausted but as soon as I start to doze off into sleep, that creepy crawly feeling in my legs wakes me up.
I had a breakdown 2 nights ago and cried for about an hour because I was so tired and frustrated.


On another note...
Mickey Mouse is doing great. We are officially in the 3rd trimester homestretch now. He's getting a lot stronger and loves to kick me in the ribs. I know he's getting squished and uncomfortable in there but I don't think he realizes that making me uncomfortable isn't going to help. HAHAHA!
We've got about 2 1/2 months to go. Time is really going by quickly and the kids are more and more interested every day.

Just the other day, Millie was taking a shower with me and cupped her hands over my belly and said "Wow, you're belly is getting so big cause Mickey Mouse is growing".
This pregnancy has been so much fun with the kids, especially Millie. She really grasps the concept of what's going on.

My ever growin' belly...

I may soon have to start rearranging furniture in order to fit this belly. I have a hard time remembering that I can't very well squeeze into tight places anymore...
or bend very easily
or play without shortness of breath
or go anywhere without a bathroom because I need to pee every 10 minutes.

I suck...

It's been frickin' FOREVER since I've updated my blog! OOPS!
Where has the time gone???

Let's see here:
I'm 24 weeks now!
We are having a boy!
He has a name but we are keeping it a secret!
The kids call him Mickey Mouse!
I'm craving Mexican food ALL THE TIME! So if you come to visit me, bring me some please!

The kids are GREAT!
Millie just has another month of this school year left.
Millie is VERY interested in writing letters now.
Maccoy's ECFE (like Mommy and Me) class ended last week.
His favorite movie is The Wizard of Oz!
They are both getting so tall (but still small compared to their peers).

Lucas is still working rotating shifts.
Hopefully that will change within the next 5 years. ????
He indulges my EVERY CRAVING, I'm surprised I haven't gained more weight by now.
He's back on a steady work-out plan, he took a much needed break for a little while.

We are doing some home upgrades:
We had AC installed a couple weeks ago, that will be so nice when I'm fat and HOT this summer!
I think we will be putting up some fencing soon also, we need to keep the kids corralled.
We got rid of our piano and freed up some much needed space in the living room.
I'm trying to de-clutter a little at a time. Yep, NESTING has begun!

I think that about covers the most important stuff!
I'll try harder to keep this place updated!

Lots of Love, Char

Blogging Brain Block...

Everytime I sit here to write a new blog, I realize that there's so much to catch up on and that I don't have the time to "write" it all down.

Just know that we are all ok.
I'm sick AGAIN! 2 stomach bugs and a cold all in one month's time.
Lucas is out of town and I miss him so much
My baby girl- Millie- turned 4 yesterday.
Maccoy just impresses us everyday with his vocabulary.
Mini Rice has a strong heartbeat and I'm starting to feel some tiny flutters and thumps.

I need some warm weather NOW! I'm sick of the frigid air.

I could just cry....

tears of happiness and relief!

These past 9 weeks have been an emotional roller-coaster wreck!
I'm not sure if it was the supplemented progesterone or what, but I have been hormonally unstable, aka SUPER BITCH!
Constantly yelling at my husband and kids, no patience whatsoever, even wondering why I wanted so badly to bring another child into this world when I couldn't even enjoy the ones I already have!

But this past week has been a breakthrough! I've found some patience, I can actually talk to people at a normal volume and without a pissy tone of voice. I'm again enjoying everything that made me happy before!
This revelation couldn't have come at a better time, I seriously thought that I needed anti-anxiety medication.

And although I seem to be MORE tired over the past week, I've actually found the energy and motivation to start cleaning my house from top to bottom. Yesterday was the bathroom, today has been in, on, under, and around my couch, as well as scrubbing some of my floors on hands and knees (I know, my ass in the air is not the picture you wanted in your head).

Thank GOD for hormonal balance!

All's well that ends with... NAPTIME!

That is, for the kids.

Naptime is MY time and here lately, I NEED lots of naptime. Too bad the kids only sleep for a couple hours.

Naptime is for:
Taking baths, online surfing, sewing MacPacks, reading, no talking, eating lunch without little fingers picking at my food, sometimes sex, cleaning (did I really say that?), being really quiet and praying the kids will sleep for a long time, and on rare occasion- taking a nap myself.

There's just not enough naptime hours in the day.

it's 12:22- 8 more minutes till the kids go down for nap!

Can you direct me to the nearest..... BED

The only thing I have to report is that the nausea is getting worse, a great sign of healthiness for the pregnancy.
In fact, the nausea is worse this time around than what it was with Millie and Maccoy. Is it because I'm more tired (they say tiredness attributes to nausea), or maybe because I'm not doing well at heading off the nausea by keeping something in my stomach.
Oh, and the ginger is NOT working as well as I'd like it to.

In any case, I know it'll all get better in just a few SHORT weeks.
It's already been 3 weeks (tomorrow) since my positive pregnancy test. I think I'm still in shock. Even though I feel sick, the reality of it hasn't set in yet.


We are headed to The Cities this weekend for some fun at a Water Park Hotel and The Mall of America. The kids are very excited.
I am too, my FAVORITE restaurant is there. It's this awesome Vietnamese place! YUMMY- I'm salivating already!
I'm also hoping to get a little shopping in (not that I really need anything at the moment). Owell, shopping always makes me feel good.

Pass the ginger, please...

Morning (all day) sickness has hit me!
Now, I'm fortunate I know that I'm not actually throwing up. But the all day nausea is kinda difficult with 2 other young ones running around.

Thank goodness that Millie is old enough to understand about me not feeling 100%. I've already explained that sometimes momma will feel sleepy and like throwing up, but it's ok- that means the baby is growing big and strong. She totally gets it. And today she comes downstairs with her stuffed moose exclaiming that "Olivia (the moose's name) has a baby in her tummy and she feels like throwing up", I cracked up!

So, I've been sleeping with my crystallized ginger next to my head, when I wake up, I immediately pop one and wait a few minutes to get up. I totally believe ginger is the nausea miracle food!

With my previous pregnancies, the nausea lasted from 6-11 weeks.
1 day down, 34 to go!

New Blood Work Results!

just to re-cap:
14 dpo #s:
HCG-433
Progesterone- 55.2

HCG should approximately double every 48 hours...

and the results for 18 dpo:
HCG- 2069
Prog- 46.9


YAY!!!!
The HCG #s are higher than average for my current weeks gestation.

...and here's a picture of what a 5 week old fetus looks like (only much smaller than what is shown):

...From the Rooftops!

I think these pictures are self explanatory!




Yes, our time has come! We have been blessed again.

I woke up on Christmas Eve, knowing but dreading the fact that I needed to take a home pregnancy test. I had been cramping for 2 days and I just knew that I would see a negative, stop taking my Prometrium, and my period would show up a couple days later.
Much to my surprise, the test was definetely POSITIVE! All I felt was complete shock! I wanted to wait to tell Lucas on Christmas Day but he knew something was up when he saw my look on my face. I fell into his arms crying and shaking!
We told most of the family right away. Something about this pregnancy felt so different and so right compared to the last one!
Hopeful, yet cautious- I waited to tell most of my DOOPS girls. I needed some reassurance first. On Dec. 26th, I had blood drawn to check my HCG and Progesterone levels. The great news came back yesterday. HCG- 433 (above average) and Prog.- 55.2 (Perfect)!!!
I had a repeat test done yesterday and I'll get those results on Friday, Jan. 2nd.

Thank you again to all my friends and family who have supported me, laughed, cried, and smiled with me. I would not have made it down this road without you!

Just wait....

I know it's been forever since I've written a new post. Just wait a little while longer, the wait will be worth it, I'm sure!

I want, I want, I want....

For at least a year now, Millie has asked for every damn toy that is advertised. So we started telling her to ask Santa, not us- even though we still have to hear about it.

"Mommy- I'm gonna ask Santa for a Bratz doll"
"Sorry Millie- you can't have Bratz, they are too sassy!"
"but when I'm older I can"
"No Millie, you can't EVER have Bratz, I don't want you to be a sassy girl like they are"

"Mommy, I'm gonna ask Santa for a REAL kitty"
"Millie- Santa can't bring a kitty in his sleigh, it's too cold outside"
"but Santa can put it in a box"

"Mommy, I'm gonna ask Santa for a bubble bath blower"
"Mommy, I'm gonna ask Santa for a mermaid"
"Mommy, I'm gonna ask Santa for the Dora Snow Princess game"
"Mommy, I'm gonna ask Santa for a My Little Pony"
"Mommy I'm gonna ask Santa for a new movie"


Dang it, I wish
"Santa" would have budgeted better this year and saved enough money back to buy everything her little heart desires.

Just not feeling it.

I don't know what my problem is.

Everyday, I sit down to write a new blog and nothing comes to mind. I've got writer's block.

hmmmmm... here are some random thoughts.

-I'm taking small steps to make myself happier and in turn my family is benefiting too.

-I've relaxed some this month with the whole TTC thing and was a little shocked yesterday when I realized I didn't know what cycle day I was on. (crap, now I can't remember today, maybe 11 or 12???)

-I spoke to my best friend last night (who lives in Houston). It's been forever since we've talked, she was in India for 6 weeks. It doesn't matter how much time passes between our conversations, it seems like it was yesterday.

-I can't believe how fast Christmas is creeping up on me this year. I keep putting things off, I really need to get my butt in gear.

-We've decided not to send Christmas cards this year. Every year, we spend probably $150 on cards and postage. I would much rather spend that $$$ on my children, the eyes I can see light up on Christmas morning.

-Tomorrow is the last class of the semester for Mac's Mommy and Me. We always have a potluck, I'm bringing Sweet Potato Crunch. Yummy Yummy! Here's the recipe:

~3 large sweet potatoes (or canned)
~4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) of butter
~2 eggs
~1/3 cup of evaporated milk
~1 teaspoon vanilla
~1/2 cup sugar
~Topping:
-1/3 cup butter, melted and cooled
-1 cup brown sugar (light)
-1/2 cup flour
-1 cup chopped pecans (more if you like)

Bake sweet potatoes at 350 degrees until tender, approx 45 min.- 1 hr. Mash potatoes and remove outer skins (if using canned, just mash).
Combine potatoes and next 5 ingredients in a mixer.
~ 4 Tbs butter, eggs, evap. milk, vanilla, sugar
Spread in a greased baking dish

For the topping: Mix 1/3 cup butter, brown sugar, flour, and pecans.
Spread over potatoes.
Bake at 350 degrees until topping is hard and crusty.

Serves 6

ENJOY!

At a Loss For Words...

I know, strange for me....

I belong to an incredible support group for TTC/Pregnant friends.
I've built strong relationships with these ladies and I love them ALL so much...
they provide so much support and encouragement...
and I couldn't be happier for them.

But there's a problem...

Out of 20+ members, there are only about 5 "stragglers" or should I say strugglers who are still TRYING TO CONCEIVE... and I'm one of them.

I'm not saying that I feel "out of the loop", it's just that I want to feel more "IN the loop" and the only way for that to happen is to GET KNOCKED UP!

I've come to the realization that I'm a minority, and it HURTS. It doesn't matter where I go, there are beautiful baby-filled bellies everywhere.

I want one too, DAMN IT!

You know, people say "just have fun, relax, and it'll happen", but my "strugglers" know that it's not that easy!

Babies are made from their parents LOVE...
and effort,
and pain,
and tears!

*Please Lord, ease my mind. Amen*

I Changed My Mind.

I've decided that I WILL use the Prometrium again this cycle.
My period arrived less than 48 hours after the last Prometrium pill at just 12.5 dpo. That tells me that I may still need some progesterone supplementation. I'm going to try to go with Lucas to the Dr. on Thurs. so I can get "first-hand" information, ask questions, and sneak in a couple questions about myself too.

I'm on CD 2 today and already feeling "over" this 2 week wait, although I promised myself that I'd relax a bit this cycle and try to enjoy the process a little more.
I know I'm young, but I feel that with every "missed" cycle, I'm losing time.
I realize that God knows the desires of my heart, but I wish that our timeframes were in sync with each other.
This is Month 8, and Cycle 9 of TTC!

*Dear Lord Jesus, I pray today and ask that You guide our Dr's mind with Your wisdom, that You heal mine and Lucas' bodies, and I ask for peace in knowing that we will conceive again in Your time. In Your Name, I pray, AMEN*


I hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving and that you will all have a blessed HOLIDAY SEASON with the people you love!

Negativo

Well, I finally got up the courage to take a home pregnancy test this afternoon.
BIG FAT NEGATIVE! at 12 days past ovulation

I've been cramping mildly for the past 1 1/2 days, it feels like my period is on it's way.
I'll stop the Prometrium immediately and I'm sure I'll start bleeding by Thursday.

Lucas and I talked again about our "plan of action"
He made an appt to talk with his Dr next Thurs about what could possibly be the cause of our difficulties.
Next Cycle:
-I'll continue B6
-No OPKs (ovulation predictor kits)
-No "planned" sex
-No Prometrium
-I'll give BBT (taking my temp) a shot again just so that I know when I O'd and if my LP is long enough.

So to sum it up, we will try to put the spice back into it.

A New Day.

-TODAY is a new day.
I realized yesterday, that I don't like the momma I've become (yelling, bribing, bargaining, threatening) ALL DAY LONG, it's gotta stop!
I realized yesterday, that I'm not "enjoying"this parenting thing.
I realized yesterday, that if I don't love all aspects of mothering, my kids will not appreciate their momma.
I realized yesterday that I need to put more effort into nourishing my kids minds.

I realized yesterday, that I need to take this one moment, one minute, one hour, one day, at a time until all my bad habits have gone out the window.
Then I can peek in and say "WOW, what an awesome momma!"

ok, I gotta go, my baby girl is awake and calling for me, time to be a REAL MOMMA!

Just Knock Me Out!

Yesterday, I started feeling sick with a dry/scratchy throat, sinus drainage, and a little congestion. It hit me full blown at 12:30 am this morning. It is now 7:15 am, that means I got 3 hours of sleep last night and I've been awake for almost 7 hours. My whole head is congested, my throat is killing me, and I'm exhausted. To make matters worse, I'm home alone with the kids today till at least 1ish.
I just want this over with already. I am such a baby when it comes to having a stuffy nose.


HELP!

Partners in Crime!

I seriously don't know what I'd do without my TTC/Pregnant friends online. It gets to the point in the TTC journey where no one in real life wants to hear about it anymore. Whereas the online friends (DOOPS girls- you know who you are) could talk about it till the end of time. They will support all your decisions, sometimes they'll be a make-shift Dr, they'll cry and laugh with you, and they'll beg to see a picture of your latest pee-stick so they can manipulate the pic until everyone's seeing double lines.

I truly value their support: their opinions and advice, their way of clarifying a situation, their heartfelt thoughts and prayers, their constant shoulders for crying on, and their hands for picking me back up.

I love yall!

And for my Partners in Crime, -M-, -A-, and -J-, I love yall even more!!!

Adventures on Prometrium

My side effects so far:

Let's see how many of these I can complain about?

(Abdominal cramping, back pain, bloating- just stick a pin in me, breast tenderness or pain, chest pain- happened last night when I breathed in deeply, constipation, coughing- might be from a dry throat and sinus drainage though, depression, diarrhea- yep, dizziness, emotional instability- omg yes, poor Lucas, fatigue, headache, hot flashes, irritability- is this the same as bitchiness ?, joint pain, muscle pain, nausea, night sweats, swelling of hands and feet, upper respiratory infection, urinary problems, vaginal discharge- uh yah, I expected this one (What goes in, must come out), vaginal dryness- how about irritation (sure is itchy down there), viral infection-damn it, are you serious, I do feel a cold coming on AGAIN, vomiting, worry )

So there you have it. This drug is a fun trip!

I'm 5 dpo (days past ovulation) today. As recommended by Dr. Cool, I'll start peeing on a stick in 5 more days (Sunday)! He wants me to test earlier so that a) I can call him about our plan of action if I'm pregnant and b) because I have to stop the meds within a reasonable amount of time if I'm not pregnant.

At 5dpo, the blastocyst is making it's way to the end of the fallopian tube and into the uterine cavity, where it will begin implantation into the endometrial lining soon.

So, I gotta question for all the psychics out there:
Am I pregnant?
What day will I get my +++ pregnancy test?

p.s.- Swami Sydni said November was my month and since my cycles are shorter, I got 2 chances for November.

That's all for now, maybe more a little later.