I need to warn you …

I’m changing web hosts.  So my site might be down.  I’m also changing URL names but you should automatically transfer from this site to the new one!

Please excuse any transition bumps

D and I would like to have a baby.  Did you know there is actually only a small window every month where a woman could possibly get pregnant?  I know we’ve all heard stories of people getting “surprise” pregnancies or getting pregnant during times of the month when they didn’t think it was possible.  Well, my response is that they just didn’t know their cycles well enough.

The “typical” cycle is 28 days with ovulation around day 14.  This is typical.  Now before birth control I had a by-the-clock 28 day cycle so naturally I assumed I ovulated at the “typical” time and that I could plan accordingly.  I was completely wrong.  After I started taking my temperature every morning for one month I realized I actually ovulate a few days later.  This is significant since you only have that short time period within which to get pregnant.  Another friend of mine by temping realized she ovulated almost immediately after her period stopped–also atypical.

While temping is fine and a fairly accurate way to make sure you did ovulate, there are definitely some drawbacks. First, I found myself losing sleep worrying whether or not I would wake up at the right time to temp.  Because you see, you need to temp that the exact. same. time. every. day.  Otherwise it’s useless.  With temping, you also can only confirm that you have ovulated, you can’t predict ovulation!  Some women use disposable, cheap pee sticks to determine ovulation.  I cannot tell you how often those results are unclear and they just confuse the woman into whether she is ovulating or not.

OvaCue

That is where OvaCue comes in.  It is an ovulation predictor that lets you know ahead of time that you are going to ovulate.  In other words, it lets you know ahead of time so you can plan accordingly!  You have to start using the OvaCue between days 2 and 4 of your cycle meaning I haven’t had a chance to use it yet.  But I’ve had friends use it …. we’re waiting to see if it resulted in a pregnancy!  Ok even though I haven’t used it yet, it looks really simple to use!  You simply stick the end under your tongue every morning and presto–you have a reading! (*There is also a vaginal monitor that can be used daily to confirm that ovulation has occurred).

We also received a bottle of FertileCM and FertilAid for Men.  You need CM in order to get pregnant (you can read more about CM here).  With all the allergy medications I take to keep me even functioning, I want to make sure my allergy meds don’t impede my ability to get pregnant!  As for FertilAidforMen, it is supposed to enhance male fertility and overall reproductive health.  Always a good thing!

Want to get OvaCue or supplements for yourself?  You can order them online here.

I hate death.  And as a general rule, don’t “do” death well.  I’ve written about that before here.  Someone’s death, family or not, hurts me regardless of their age.  I understand why people generally ask how old someone was when they passed away.  I get it.  The idea is someone “older” got to experience life while someone “younger” had life stolen from them.  I do understand it and can appreciate the logic behind the question.

But I still hate it.  In my mind death, whether at 3, 30, or 93 is horrible.  Plain and simple.  True someone who dies young might make it a harder.  But that doesn’t mean death of an older person is “easier.”

Why am I talking about this?  Well … because we had a death in the family.  On Tuesday just as I was getting ready to leave work, DH called me to break the news: his grandfather had passed away.

Now for those of you who read my blog regularly, you might remember me mentioning his grandfather last year.  I wrote about him when his grandmother got sick and went into the hospital.  (You can read it here.)  Although I mentioned it last time I wrote, I’ll reiterate: this man had an amazing life.

He was born in Germany in 1921.  I don’t need to tell you the danger of being Jewish in Germany shortly after this time.  Although we believe his father died as a result of Kristallnacht, Opa (German for grandpa) was able to get to England.  However, being German, he was sent to a POW camp in Canada.  After eventually getting out, he enlisted in Canada’s military but the war ended before he could actively serve.  He met Oma around the same time and they were married.

And on Thursday, we buried him.  This great man who learned English at the age of 18 (can you imagine??).  Who lost his father to the Nazis.  Who lost his older brother about a year and a half ago.  Who raised two children, was married for 64 years, who had four grandchildren.  Who recently watched his wife get sick and need to go into a residence.  Who was too healthy to join her so for the first time in a LONG time, they were separated.

This man who the day before he died cooked food for Passover.

He’s gone.  And to say I’m sad (or that my in-laws or my husband are sad) is an understatement.  He’s gone.  Our future children will never get to meet him.  Though one of them (assuming we have more than one!) will be named after him, it’s not the same.  I absolutely get that.

I love and miss him.  His death also reminds me about the deaths of my grandparents.  Those amazing women and man who are no longer here.  Who never got to meet Opa.  I’m not quite sure what the afterlife entails (though I do believe in one).  I hope that Opa has now been reunited with his mother, brother, father, ancestors.  And maybe, just maybe, he’s finally be able to meet my grandparents.  I think they would have liked each other…

In his honor, here are some pictures I have of him.  Goodbye Opa.  You are loved and will forever be missed.

With his son.

With his grandsons

At his 90th birthday celebration

It is very difficult for me to explain my husband.  He’s funny, lovable, sweet, considerate, loving, etc. etc.  And sometimes he does really strange/funny things.

I wanted to introduce you to him by way of a few stories that help sum him up.  [Though it's possible I'm the only one who will find them amusing!]  So in no particular order…

Story 1: Saturday night D and I went out to dinner with a friend of ours.  We’re sitting in the restaurant and in another section we suddenly hear this loud crash and then breaking.  A waiter/waitress (couldn’t see so I don’t know) dropped a tray with a lot of plates/glasses and everything broke.  The restaurant goes completely silent.  Except for my husband … who yells out OPA!

Story 2: Lately my body wakes me up at 6am (weekday or weekend) to go to the bathroom.  I don’t know why this is and wish I could stop it but alas … that’s my reality.  So Sunday morning, like clockwork, I go to the bathroom at 6am.  D has heard me get up … this isn’t a secret.  He also hears me flush the toilet.  Yet when I come into the room … he screams.  Like someone-is-in-my-bedroom-and-is-going-to-kill-me screams.  Which of course makes me scream.

Story 3: My parents have a dog that they got from the pound (note: even though it is technically my parent’s dog I consider him my dog).  His name when they adopted him was BJ and my parents did want to change it since he’d been through so much.  I decided BJ stood for Benjamin Joseph.  But that wasn’t quite right to D … he thought that name didn’t fit.  So instead he decided to name him …. Boaz Jehoshaphat (I have no idea why) AND created a song:

There is a dog I know/He’s a gentleman through and through/And though everyone calls him BJ/He told me one day his name is ….. BOAZ JEHOSHAPHAT the finest in the land/Boaz Jehoshaphat he always lends a hand/Boaz Jahoshaphat he’s the dog for me/Boaz Jehopshaphat he never has a flea

Do you think you have a better idea of who my husband is??

Ok well I hope by now you’ve noticed I’m no car expert so obviously while this post is ABOUT cars, it isn’t about their parts.

Yesterday at work I get a phone call from my dad just before 2pm.  Since my dad rarely calls me at the office I immediately pick up to learn my mom has been in a car accident.  While she’s ok, the car is not, and she needs someone to go to her, make sure she’s ok and handle the car.  I have an incredibly compassionate supervisor who immediately tells me to go to my mom.  After driving what felt like forever (and almost GETTING hit by a cop car!) I make it to my mother who is fine but shaken.  We call AAA who arrives about 30 seconds later and my dad follows them to the garage while I take my mom home.

Last night DH and I went out to dinner.  As he was driving home he took a corner too close and ran over the curb.  I looked at my car when we got home and all looked fine.  This morning however, there was a large bulge, about the size of a softball, in one of the tires.  A coworker of mine just recently had a bulge burst so I know I’m not driving on the tire.

After calling AAA again, glad there isn’t a monthly limit!, I get towed to a local tire and body shop.  First let me say that tow ride was about the worst idea ever.  While I can drive and am not usually a “bad” passenger, I was sick to my stomach by the time I got out after 15 minutes.  It was the bumpiest car ride ever!! (Plus he made sure to tell me his life story … I must have that kind of face because I get it all the time!)

So I get to the garage and I tell the man what happens.  He goes out to look at my tire, confirms there is a bulge (not that I needed it confirmed but whatever) and then tells me … all FOUR of my tires have low tread and need to be replaced.

I’m supposed to be at work, not spending who knows how much money at a garage.  After some negotiating (including my dad via telephone call negotiating with them), I agree to four new tires at just under $500 … ugh!

Now since I didn’t have an appointment, I am obviously last in line.  Which means it is going to be a while.  Now I knew this so I brought a book.  But as I sat in the garage reading and inhaling the fumes for four + hours I became even more nauseous.

So now I have four pretty new tires.  Hope they last for a while!

Forget the world ending in 2012.  My worst nightmare [or pretty much as bad you could actually create] happened in 2004 and will happen again in 2021.  That’s only nine years away!  Want to know what I’m talking about?

Cicada [si-kae-duh] Or in my neck of the woods on the east cost, magicicada.  Never heard of them?  Well here’s a picture for you:

Let me explain.

I hate bugs. And … I’m petrified of them.  Like “scream as if you’re in a horror movie about to be slashed to pieces” scream.  So imagine a bug approximately an inch or so in length [though to be honest I think they're a bit bigger] that can’t really see.  They fly around trying to find someone to mate with or a tree from which to suck sap.  But … in their way are all these humans.  All these people walking around.  And they make this noise.  This constant buzzing-like noise that could drive you up a wall.

Now the good news is they only surface in this area every 17 years.  Which means since they were last here in 2004 … 2021 is next.  I told DH we’ll have to go on a holiday while they are here [fortunately my in-laws live in a cicada free zone!] which of course made him shake his head.

But he doesn’t understand.  They are loud.  And blind.  And big.  And BUGS!!!  I remember in 2004 when I used to run from my house to my car to whatever building I was going to.  And back then I had my parent’s garage to park in so I was protected.

Can you understand why this is one of my worst nightmares?  Maybe if you combined heights that would be worse … but that’s about it!

As a general rule I am not a superstitious person.  I don’t freak out when I see a black cat.  I don’t immediately call my mother when I accidentally step on a crack.  Generally speaking I have it together.

There is one glaring exception to this.  Pregnancy. [No this is NOT an announcement lol.]

I grew up with tons of superstitions surrounding pregnancy and after 20+ years they’ve taken root.  DH shakes his head at some of them and understands others.  But they are there.

The most common one, and one that I think a lot of women understand, is announcing.  Now I know some women, both who have experienced loss and those who haven’t, who feel comfortable announcing immediately.  I respect that and will celebrate with them.  A coworker once told me, if you were to miscarry, who would you want to know to support you?  Those are the people you tell.

And I understand that … sort of.  But that superstitious part of me can’t really get over it.  Now that’s not to say when I’m actually in the position of being pregnant I might not say “screw it” and just tell everyone immediately.

But I doubt it.

DH knows how close I am to my parents [he's close to his as well].  And he knows how difficult it is for me to keep secrets from them, especially from my dad.  So his running joke is I’ll tell my dad w/in 24 hours.  We’ll see.

I just worry, for me, that by telling people about it too soon it’s tempting fate.  It’s inviting bad spirits and bad luck.

Totally logical huh?

There are other superstitions I grew up with that I’ll write about when I actually get pregnant and announce.

What are your pregnancy/baby-related superstitions?

Early Monday morning was not a fun time in our house.

DH has been under a lot of work related stress lately and feeling sick to his stomach or having heart burn is not a strange experience.  So when he mentioned around 5am Monday not feeling well I wasn’t too concerned.  I told him to go to the bathroom and I rolled over to go back to sleep.

And then I heard it.  A horrible sound to hear first thing in the morning.  Vomiting.  But not just any vomiting.  Oh no.

This sound that came from the bathroom sounded like DH’s inside organs LITERALLY were trying to come out of his body.  It was horrible.  And loud.  And nothing I could do.

Now my husband does not get sick sick very often.  Sure … he’ll get the occasional cold.  But this?  Was horrible.

Now I’m not saying I’m a “good” sick person.  But I’ve been sick enough to know how to deal.  To know what to do.  You vomit … you drink.  You eat saltines.  You sip some soup.  Warm washcloth.  And sleep.

Unfortunately, because DH does not get sick often he doesn’t quite know what to do … so I took care of him.  I got some good future-mommy training.  I got him a warm washcloth, made him drink water, eat a few crackers.  And he’s finally back to normal.

So naturally I wake up Friday …. sick as a dog.

Yesterday I co-hosted a baby shower for a good friend of mine, P.  I’ve written about her and her hubby E before.  One of P’s sisters-in-law and I co-hosted and to be honest … I had a blast!

We held the shower at my parent’s house. Our theme was a tea party and we had finger sandwiches, scones and treats for all to enjoy.  We also naturally had four types of tea.

Tea Selection

Yummy Food!

P’s parents offered to buy a special cake and my co-host and I happily accepted!  P found a bunch of pictures of baby shower cakes (she’s having a boy in case you can’t tell from the colors!) and found a place close by to make all of it … even the elephant is made from fondant!

Super cute cake

E’s mom, grandma and one of mom’s friends came to decorate my parent’s house.  I think they did a great job.

Tea cup giveaways

We also made a super awesome diaper cake for P & E (which we also incorporated into one of the games).  Now we used this site but honestly … ours is much cuter!  We used disposable diapers for the inside where you can’t see, but then cloth diaper inserts (they plan to use cloth) on the outside of the “cake.”  We then took a package of baby wash clothes and wrapped them around some of the cloth diapers just to give it a bit more color.  The decorations are a picture of G (long story!) some baby-inspired items including spoons, teething rings, a rattle, pacifiers, etc.

We had a great time.  My parents and sister came, E’s family came and P’s parents flew in from Michigan and some friends came as well.  The ladies enjoyed some tea and talk time while the boys went out to lunch.  Then they came back and it was time for games!!!  I love shower games (usually).  The only one we were told we couldn’t do wasn’t ever on the table–where you put a melted candy in a diaper and the contestants have to sniff/eat it to guess what is was.  Instead we played a forbidden word game (where you can’t say certain words), a Price is Right (where people guessed how much the items on the cake cost) and a “new-parent” game (where we asked G and P questions about child-rearing and the guests had to guess if their answers would match.

P got some great gifts, we all had a great time … and I can’t wait for when it is my turn for a baby shower!!

I really couldn’t come up with a more creative title because that is exactly what it was … a really strange experience at the supermarket!!!

Picture it.  I’m waiting in one of the self checkout lanes at the grocery store.  There is a woman using the machine and her 4 (guess) year old daughter.  She starts looking at the sign at the end of my grocery cart and hanging on to my cart.  I then realize the lane next to me is empty so I make a move to switch … and the little girl grabs my cart and says no then questions why I want to leave.  Um … because your mom is taking forever and I want to check out!

So finally I go into the next lane … and the little girl comes with me!  I make sure her mom sees her.  Because then she starts SCANNING my items.  She won’t let me scan them.  This is probably excellent practice for a few years from now when I have a 4 year old.  However … isn’t it weird that she is scanning all of MY items??

I keep looking back at her mom and talking loudly enough that her mom can hear us.  I’m half waiting for her mom [who is somewhat oblivious to all of this] to start yelling at me.  Now I’m fine talking to kids and interacting with them when their mother’s are there.  But it could easily look like I’ve taken this woman’s kid!  And made her do my checkout for me!!

Eventually the last item is scanned (let me tell you she was NOT happy DH bought the bananas that needed to be looked up!!) and off she went FINALLY with her mom.

Does this kind of thing ever happen to anyone else???