Doc Appointment #572

I had my monthly follow-up with Dr. Pappas this morning, and it went well. Here's a recap of my last few weeks as far as baby-making goes:

- Day one of my cycle was March 10th. I only had some light spotting for one day, so I thought that was weird.

- I took 100mg of Clomid on day 3 - 7

- I was hoping to have a +OPT on day 10 since I had to travel for work, but that didn't happen. I ended up testing positive on Friday the 23rd (day 14)...and I was in Dallas (without Chris)!! I was so irritated. Anyway, I got home Sunday and Chris and I 'concentrated relations' for a few days in hopes of still catching this cycle. It'll be close. =(

- Three days after the +OPT I started the Progesterone suppository. It isn't as bad as I thought, thankfully

- Yesterday I went in and had blood work done to test my progesterone levels

This brings me to today and my meeting with the doc. I go in monthly to discuss what we are doing/where we are at/what days things are happening/next steps/etc...and this appointment was no different. After going through the last few week's details, we reviewed my blood work...and it was awesome. =) My progesterone level was a 10, which he said is excellent. Yay! Meds are doing their job! So, next steps:

- There is a chance we caught the timing this month and could be pregnant. I'll go in next Friday, April 6th for a test

- If I'm pregnant, YAY! I'll continue the progesterone for 12 weeks and go from there

- If I'm not pregnant, I will discontinue use of the progesterone so that my body will have a period and we'll start the cycle all over

Dr. P also asked me if I want to try IUI this next cycle if I'm not pregnant or if I want to give it one last 'natural' try. IUI stands for intrauterine insemination...which is pretty much where the doctor injects the sperm into my uterus so that it is all right there as soon as the egg is released. I'm leaning towards going ahead and going with the IUI....I just want to be as aggressive as possible. We shall see.

That's pretty much it! I'll continue on with the progesterone for the next week, then I'll test and go from there. Fingers crossed....

Have a great weekend! MUAH!

Blog-Lift & 2012 Thoughts

I admit, I didn't want to post again until I had some time to actually get my blog looking more presentable and less like the writing on a cement wall in a prison cell. So, BAM - here it is in all of its yellow glory. Who knew that I liked yellow? I didn't know...until I started looking at templates and this one seemed to be the perfect match of cute and clean to me. I hope you enjoy it. =)

Since it is January, I think I will start off with a list of things that I am looking forward to/hoping for/dreaming of for 2012:

1. I am hoping to continue to be a better friend. It has taken me a long time
(30 yrs, really) to not only realize what I did badly in friendships,but also
to know what I expect out of them. I no longer dedicate time and effort to
people who don't deserve it. I no longer hold on to past friendships in
hopes that they will be what they once were and instead just accept what
they have become. I no longer try to get points across in a very passive-
aggressive way...I am direct. I cherish the friends who are there for me
and who allow me to be there for them. I've learned a lot, and I'm still
learning

2. I am looking forward to Chris getting Lasik eye surgery (my b-day present to him). He has been dependent on glasses/contacts to do ANYTHING for most of his life, so I know this is going to be very exciting for him. Those of you who know Chris know he doesn't get really excited about much besides the Razorbacks, so I can't wait to see his smile when he wakes up in the morning and rolls over and can actually SEE my face. Oh...wait...maybe the fact that he can't currently is why our marriage is so good? Blerg....

3. I am looking forward to our beach house! A group of about 8 of us have a beach trip planned for late April, and I am already counting down the days! I'm going with my favorite people in the world, so I couldn't be happier. Should be a very relaxing and fun trip

4. I know you are going to laugh, but I'm super excited about a few TV shows that are coming back soon, and some movies that I expect to see this year. For example, I haven't seen the last season of either Weeds or Dexter, but they will come out on DVD this year and I will get to catch-up. I also plan on catching up on True Blood (Season 3 forward) and I REALLY want to start watching Shameless. This week, my favorite reality show ever....The Real World/Road Rules challenge...starts. I've never missed an episode. And Big Brother will be back this Summer. Sa-weet!

5. My biggest dream for 2012, of course, is to have a lil Hottinger. I have always wanted kids (several, much to my husband's chagrin) and have waited a really long time to start trying. Chris and I wanted to enjoy each other and have some time to ourselves before bringing a child into the mix (we've had 9 years now). We also wanted to be able to afford for one of us to stay home with the babies, which has only been a reality for the past year and a half or so. Everyone says that you are never ready....but we are. We have been. And frankly I'm getting impatient. 2012 seems like the perfect year to have a baby to me!

So yeah, 2012 could be a great year! Here's to relationships, vacations, hobbies and baby-making!!

Cheers...