Answers!

Here are the answers to this weeks Q&A:

1) From Bobbi: Is IVF something you will ever consider?

Yes. While J and I both hope that this will never be medically necessary, it is something we'd consider. Because our insurance does not help much in this area, and as we all know it isn't cheap, this would be a pretty long term plan. Probably something we'd consider more if we still haven't conceived for another couple years.

Unless we won the lotto or something. :)

2) From Kakunaa: What is the craziest thing you ever did on a dare?

Skinny dipping for sure! There were boys there! I was 16 and probably will never be that gutsy again...

3) From cowgirltn: Who was your 1st love?

You know that boy? The one you knew when you were 13 and you swore he would be the love of your life? The one that isn't any good for you and treated you like dirt? Yeah, I had one of those. I thought for a couple of years after he did me wrong that he was my first love. Until I met J. Boy did that give me some perspective. J is my first and only true love.

4) From Krista: When are you coming to NC to see me?

You have no idea how badly I want to come! Can you imagine the shenanigans we could get into!? And the L-B's I would gain after eating your amazing cooking!? It would totally be worth it... I wonder what airfare would cost.... Uh oh! lol

5) From Jessica: With regards to IF, how far would you go in the pursuit of getting pregnant? As far as what treatments you would consider.

Probably IVF. What I am strongly considering now (for after our break is over) is pursuing alternative medicine in addition to seeing the RE. For example, I've heard excellent things about acupuncture and I would love to give that a try. When we pick back up after our rest, I want to hit this hard and from all angles. Limiting, if we can, this long drawn out torture we've experienced so far. If that means vitamins, herbs, acupuncture, supplements, injections, etc - I'm in.

6) From Musewander: What was your favorite part of life pre-IF that you loved, and possibly miss?

My ignorance. I have learned a tremendous amount about fertility and my body over the last two years. That eduction is something I truly value. However, I can distinctly remember these moments from my pre-TTC days when I would watch my husband play with our nieces and nephews and my heart would swell with the idea of him being a father. I would be giddy with thoughts and plans. Never once a second thought for the challenge of conceiving. Just blissful ignorance. J still plays with the many children in our life. My heart still swells with the thought of him being a father, but not it is accompanied by a painful ache. I miss my ignorance.

What is one thing that nobody knows about you, or that no one would expect you've done?

GOOD QUESTION. That's a tough one though... J knows probably all there is to know.

Well since J was there, he knows this one, but VERY few other people (2?) know this... When J and I were younger, and a bit more adventurous, we visited a state park. (No, that isn't the adventurous part.) We happened to stumble across an old fort. I'm not sure what it was about this old fort, but it got us all worked up. So, right there, in the middle of the day, with a peek-a-boo view of the water and even a few people in the far distance, we cured what ailed us - if you get my drift. It's a damn good thing that park wasn't crowded.

7) From Deanna: Where do you imagine yourself in 10 years with your family, career, home?

My dream is that in 10 years we will have two children. I will have left this job and be working full time doing something creative. I'm working on getting my photography business up and running and have dreams of selling my wares (prints, cards, even jewelry, headbands, etc - crafty stuff). I love the home we're in now. I have a huge back yard that the dogs love. It is centered between the local schools, super close to the lake... However, since I was a kid I have been collecting floor plans, pictures, features, etc for the house that I want to build someday. It would be great to have at least started this process within the next 10 years. Even if we're just looking for that perfect piece of land.

Feel free to add more if you'd like. I'm always happy to update this!

Q&A Time!

I spent the day volunteering at a local children's museum and I'm plum tuckered out. 8 hours of scrubbing, cleaning, washing, etc. Phew! Instead of me deciding what to chat about today, let's leave that up to you! It has been quite awhile since I did a post like this, and never before during ICLW! Here's how it'll go down, Step 1) you ask me ANY question about me, my experiences with IF, or... well... anything! Step 2) I answer them in a new post. Simple!

So, have at it! Don't hold back. What would you like to know?

Answers!

Here are the answers to the few questions asked last week:

How has IF changed you? (good and bad) I know this is a really vague question, but just go with it. :)
IF has changed me a great deal. Both for the good and the bad.
The Good – I have learned A. Lot. about my body. I feel educated and confident about what (is supposed to) happens ‘down there’. My husband and I have grown much closer in the last year and a half. I know that adversity can cause a great deal of strain in relationships. Of course we have our rough days, but overall we are closer than ever. It is amazing to know I have such a strong partner through all of this. As time goes on I am learning patience (that’s a slooooow process) and to live my life. You cannot go on putting things off because you ‘might’ get pregnant. We are making plans and enjoying our friends and taking the ‘lets have fun while we can’ approach. I also feel that it IF has made me a more compassionate individual. I try not to judge people for their bad days and to be a better friend/sister/wife/daughter.
The Bad – It doesn’t get easier. The moments on disappointment, feelings of inadequacy, failure and sadness… The never ending dates with the dildo cams, the meds, the doctors appointments, the charting, the stress and the part where every month you have to tell your husband that it’s not our time yet? Yeah, file those under ‘the bad’. It’s made me a bit more guarded and has made my heart hang a little more heavily.

How did you meet your husband?
J and I met at work. I was 16 (he was 20 – scandalous, I know!) and it was one of my first jobs. Also, not long after we started dating, he was promoted and became my boss. (double scandal!)

If you could live anywhere in the world (if money, family, work was not a factor) where would it be and why?
I dream of the day when I can own a few homes around the world. I would love to have a home in Europe, another somewhere tropical, and the last in the mountains (Colorado maybe?). That way I would have access to a little bit of everything. If I had to pick only one place, it would be Seattle. I love where I live. My family is here. But, more than that, this place has EVERYTHING. Within a short drive you can be at the ocean, the desert, the mountains, the city, the farm, etc etc. It is green, lush, and beautiful.

What color is your hair?
I have always had blond hair. It has gotten darker as I’ve aged and for the first time since I was about 16, I have my natural hair color. It is almost to the point where I’m going to have to start calling it ‘light brown’. Perhaps someday I’ll give you a peak. :)

::Points Below::

::Whispers::

Pssst... Did you see the Q&A below? You didn't? Well I'm glad I reminded you then. You ask, I tell. Easy enough, right??

Question and Answer Time!

I have a few new folks that have decided I'm worthy of following. Welcome!

These new additions have inspired this Q&A opportunity. The idea isn't an original, but I've never participated, so I've decided to give it a go! I would like this to be a two-part series.

First, what questions do you have for me? My life? My struggle with IF? My weight loss?

The next installment will be next week. Questions for J! What questions do you have for Mr.S? What would you like to know about him? His thoughts on our IF process? His thoughts on being married to a crazy person? Be thinking about it!

So, fire away! Once we get a good sampling I'll compile and get backatcha.