Inching Closer

I have graduated to *real* prenatal vitamins. See, they have the word PRENATAL on the label. I feel so grown up! No more standard multivitamins for me. They aren't giving me any trouble so far, which is good. I have heard nasty rumors... I have also received my basal body thermometer, it is hard to believe I can actually begin charting next week! I hope there are no AF delays... that will be the first real indicator of my fertility (or lack thereof).

I've read so many blogs, and heard so many cautions about infertility... It is hard not to feel just a little paranoid. This is the main reason why I haven't bought any real pregnancy or baby stuff. The only things I have purchased are books and items with conceptional utility. Hehe, I sound like a science book. Maybe I shouldn't treat it like a science, but that's me.

I was thinking today about my hobbies or interests, and whether our child will adopt any of them. Perhaps not, our little bundle of joy may one day reject all things associated with the parental units. Otherwise, there are two joys I hope to share... reading and gardening.

I am exhausted but happy because the tomatoes are in, better a shade late than never (zone 5). I also need to plant my corn, which is going to town in paper pots as I type. Past corn attempts have not been great, but I am hopeful. I also have pumpkins to get in the ground, and a very large compost pile to start. But, alas, tis the end of the long weekend. It seems half of my gardening plans always get shunted to the next weekend.

Memorial Day: I take a moment now to thank those who have given their lives for others whether in military service or more basic acts of everyday heroism that we seldom hear about.

The Stuff of Babies

I attended a baby shower over the weekend. It was the first time I had a real valid excuse to wander into the lion's den of parental consumerism. Ahh, all of the little outfits, accessories, strollers, carseats, etc... Yes, there was some yearning involved, but it was more symbolic than specific.

I want to be a mother first, not a consumer, not a market group. I hope we can make good use of items found secondhand. When we do get new items, I will prioritize for those that have multiple uses that span many years. In terms of toys, I don't foresee buying much. There are hundreds of things in my house right now that could be great fun. Besides, I'm sure my parents will provide plenty.

We may do basic disposable diapers, I have to leave that one up to DH as he will be changing the vast majority of them when I return to work. I wouldn't mind giving Elimination Communication a shot though. When it works, it seems even better than cloth diapering.

In addition to the thermometer, I bought the Mayo Clinic's Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy. I snagged a used copy from Amazon. Soon I'll be thinking about replacing my cosmetics and skin/hair care items with natural alternatives. The EWG's Skin Deep site will be my guide.

Alas, the bellydance class was canceled. But, the Wii Fit should arrive next week!

The other kind of two week wait...

I have two weeks left of birth control pills. Actually, I have more than that, but according to my maths the best time to quit taking them is in two weeks. I have ordered my basal body thermometer and I plan on charting for one cycle before officially TTC. DH may throw a stitch into my plans. He has never been fond of barrier methods, or abstaining, or pretty much anything aside from the pill. So, we might do the old P&P.

After my first hormone-free cycle in ~10 years we'll start trying in earnest. Note to self: remember to buy some pre-seed. Getting pregnant in August would be even better than July, but I thought it would be good to have a buffer month just in case something is less than ideal. I know, I'm over-planning. A child will cure me of it someday, I'm sure. But, I'm hoping that I can hang on to my favorite personality flaw at least until he/she is born. :)

In slightly less fertility-related news, I'm thinking about taking a belly dancing class. Its only $31, and it will give me a chance to stay in shape and appreciate my belly as-is. Perhaps after that I'll take yoga, maybe prenatal yoga. I'm wondering when yoga starts needing to be prenatal... Ideally, I'd be somewhat comfortable with traditional yoga before going all prenatal, though I know some prenatal yoga classes are for total n00bs, I think I would feel more comfortable that way. Perhaps I'll just pick up a video, or that "Let's do yoga" game for the DS. Scratch that, I already have the Wii Fit on pre-order, and I know it comes with a yoga "game", so I'll see what that can do for me first. If I still want lots of yoga stuff, I'll ask for it for my birthday.

30 on June 22nd... but that's a topic for another post!

So near and yet so far...

I have three weeks of BCP to take, and then I'm done. Then comes a month of charting, temping, tracking AF, and maybe even CM. DH seems to be intent on the pull and pray method during this time, because I'd rather get pregnant in July than June.

Would it be the end of the world? NO, absolutely not! The timing is better in July though, because then I can be gone from Spring Break through the rest of the school year, and maybe go back to work part time after my maternity leave is over.

In the mean time, I'm driving myself crazy. I'm trying to eat like a heart attack patient. I'm trying to exercise. I'm trying to cut back on booze (with some success). I haven't come close to cutting back on caffeine, I had the most yummy cup of coffee this morning. Though I can say I've taken the first step. I bought a variety sampler pack of teeccino.

DH thinks I've gone off the deep end, maybe I have.