Taking A Break

So let's not talk about my fertility woes and IVF journey in this post eh? Cool. So last Friday DH and I went on a movie date and we watched Hunger Games. I've read the book, well the whole set actually and I absolutely loved it. So I really couldn't wait to watch the movie and see whether the movie lived up to all the buzz surrounding it. And I wasn't disappointed. I loved the movie. They really hit the bulls eye on the casting. I thought Jennifer Lawrence was perfect for the role of Katniss and Josh Hutcherson was awesome as Peeta. I didn't care much for Liam Hemsworth/Gale so let's not talk about him.

The story is basically set in the post-apocalyptic Panem where every year one boy and one girl from each of the 12 districts in Panem are chosen to compete in a televised battle where only one will emerge the victor. Basically it's kill or be killed. For those who have not read the book, like DH, the story may be a bit slow at times but those who have read the book will love it. I was happy that the movie stayed true to the book.

So if you're looking for something to watch this weekend, The Hunger Games is a good pick. I'm watching The Vow this Friday with my girlfriends. Has anyone seen it? Is it any good?

Much love
xoxo

We're All Set! Plus The Awesomeness That Is James Morrison

So DH and I went to see the good old Prof yesterday to talk about the new cycle. Boy he sure he looked happy to see us. I think he wants this to happen as much as we do. Anyway, it looks like we're all set for an April cycle. Yay for us! We talked about assisted hatching, a procedure that the Prof would like to do where the layer surrounding the embryo is peeled off using laser to improve implantation. And the good news is it won't cost us an extra dime! Double yay! I'm excited about this new cycle. I guess I'm looking at it differently. I'm more hopeful this time. Still cautious, but hopeful. Hey, any extra positive vibe helps right?

Prof prescribed me antibiotics (Zythromax) to be taken before my next cycle starts to flush out any infections and I'll start taking clomid and Puregon injections on the first day of AF. I'm gonna speak to my boss about the possibility of working from home after the ET. That way it's ease off his worry that my workload will be taken care off. This time I myself will try not to worry about my office work. My baby comes first. Everything else is secondary.

So now we'll just have to wait for my AF to come, possibly mid next month. That's one good thing about my AF. It is ALWAYS on time. In the meantime, I'll try to finish off whatever office work I can and prepare myself physically and mentally.

On a side note, I've been listening to the new James Morrison album, The Awakening, and it's awesome! I love his slightly hoarse yet smooth as silk voice and the songs just blew me away. Have a listen especially I Won't Let You Go, One Life and Up (feat Jessie J).

And while you're at it, have a listen at his sophomore album, Songs For You, Truths For Me. Also awesome, awesome album. My favourite tracks are Please Don't Stop The Rain, Broken Strings (feat Nelly Furtado) and If You Don't Wanna Love Me.

 

Have a listen guys. You can thank me later :P

Much love!!
XOXO

This Time

Now that my appointment date with my doc is just around the corner, I can't help thinking about the hurdles that DH and I had to go through last year and the ones that we have to go through again this year. The shots, the egg retrieval, the transfer, the holding our breaths to see the positive sign on the HPT, the scan to see the heartbeat. The list goes on and on. Will I be stronger this time around? Will I approach the whole thing differently? So many questions. So many uncertainties.

I think this time I'm not gonna take things too seriously before the actual procedure starts. It's a serious business, this whole IVF thingy but unlike last time where the whole thing was regimented right down to the T, this time I'm just gonna go with the flow. Example, last time a couple of months before the procedure, I made sure that I slept by 10 p.m. I made sure that I eat healthily. No half boiled eggs, no fast food, no junk food. I did all sorts of research on IVF and obsessed on the success rates. I made sure I did everything I was supposed to do. And look where it got me. I ended up sobbing uncontrollably when I lost our little peanut.

This morning I had two half-boiled eggs and I enjoyed every spoonful (of course half-boiled eggs and junk food will be strictly banned as soon as I start taking my hormones) I spent last night on the couch in DH's arms and watched the telly and slept at 11 p.m. The only research I did this time around is whether there's a good correlation between acupuncture and successful IVFs.

The point is, before I actually start taking my hormone meds and do the actual procedure, I'm just gonna sit back and enjoy each day that's given to me. No more obsessions, no more strict regiments. They do things to your emotions. They really do. And being in control of your emotions is important when you do any fertility treatment.


So here's to jumping in head first. Wish me luck!

Much love!
xoxo

Tag! You're It!!

A good friend from my BBC group, Melissa tagged me to post "Getting To Know You". This is my first time being tagged. Not sure if I'm doing this right, but here goes...

1. What are your top 3 favourite recipes?
Mutton curry (DH loves this), asam pedas and steamed fruit cake

2. What are 3 attributes you most love about your husband
He's the most patient person I know, he makes me laugh till my tummy aches and he loves me unconditionally

3. Ascribe 5 words to your infertility journey
Exciting, frustrating, hopeful, baby,

4. What is the one thing you have learned about yourself in the past year?
That I'm stronger than I give myself credit for

5. What is the 1 thing very few people know about you?
I used to bite my nails when I was a kid until my mom decided to punish me everytime I bit them LOL

6. What is your favourite place you have visited?
Cardiff, Wales. Beautiful place. Beautiful country. Beautiful people.

7. What is your favourite colour?
Purple. I'm Barney in disguise :P

8. What was your most recent favourite book?
I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella. Finished it in one sitting (4 hours)

9. What is your guilty pleasure?
Watching Junior Masterchef Australia. Those kids are awesome and cute to boot!

10. What is your favourite blog post you have written?
It would have to be the one where I blogged about taking the HPT and it turned out positive here. Reading it made me remember how happy me and DH were when we saw the positive sign.

11. What is your #1 on your bucket list (beside being a mommy)?
To take a trip to New Zealand and bungee jump.

My brain is fried and I can't think of new questions. So here you go Ninie. Your turn! You can recycle my questions hehehe.

Till next time, my lovelies. Much love! xoxo