Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Bits and Pieces



So the last few days had been good to me. I had been feeling light, positive, even flashed a smile a couple of times. But this morning, I was thrown back into darkness. It may have something to do with the fact that I received an invite to a baby shower this morning. It may be because I stopped taking my antidepressants- AGAIN. It could be that Ella's due date is next week and the days leading up to that day feel so gloomy.

The first thing I did this morning was drive over to the school where I will be teaching a summer school class in a few weeks. I was hyperventilating a bit in the car. Another painful reminder that what should have been this month, is not. I heard a song playing on the radio that went something like this, "I held her first, I saw her first, from the first breath she breathed, to her first smile back at me." It is a song about a father giving his daughter away to be married. I hurt for my DH when I heard this song. I ached for my own dad to be resurrected from the dead.

I spent several hours google searching all of my aliments. AF still has not come for her monthly visit. It's been 40 freaking days. On top of that, my mind is playing tricks on me. I've been feeling crampy, nauseous, my boobs hurt, and I have to pee every five minutes. Numerous pregnancy tests confirm that I am not pregnant. I am desperate to just get my period so that we can have another chance at trying. Unfortunately, my doctor is making me wait two weeks from the last time we had intercourse to start taking meds to induce a period.

Last night I had a horrible dream. I dreamt that some friends of mine were mocking me for being so upset over my loss. One of them was saying that I didn't experience "real" childbirth because Ella was so early. I begged my husband to go and get Ella's pictures and her ashes so that I could show them. By the time he brought these items to me, my friends had left. When I woke up, I had an email from one of these friends requesting a get together. I am too upset over the dream to email her back right now. Yes, I know it was just a dream. But, I have been upset with this group of friends for some time now because they really haven't been there for me since Ella died. I even invited them to view my blog and they never responded. I wish I had the guts to straight out tell them that I felt abandoned by them. But, knowing me, I'll probably just ignore the email and that will be that.

I know one of my best friends is no longer reading my blog either. That upsets me too. I put myself out there and was willing to share my true feelings with certain people, but she must not understand that it was a privilege to be invited. At least if you're not going to read it, explain to me why. Don't just ignore it. I know she is not reading it because she hasn't responded to any of the posts. She didn't even comment on Ella's picture.

I'm just surviving, trying to get through the next few days leading up to Ella's day. I'm not sure how I want to spend that day. Part of me wants to make plans and another part of me wants to just see how I feel that day. I spend every second thinking about how I would probably be house bound right about now. I'd be too huge and uncomfortable to go anywhere. Who knows, she could have come early and I could have delivered this week.

I'm still devastated. Still sad. Still angry that my baby is not here with me.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

To Make You Giggle

Tonight my husband joked, "sometimes I just want to scream at your uterus." I replied, "honey, it was my cervix, not my uterus." But, I get it. Sometimes, I want to scream at my cervix too.

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Under the Tree- June

Thanks, Carly for sharing these questions.

Hair Color: Strawberry Blondish

Eye color: Blue

Profession: Science Teacher to students in 1st-8th grade

Relationship status: Married

My Favorites:Favorite color: Blue

Favorite movie: I'm too ADD to watch an entire movie- I like to watch series on DVD instead

Favorite animal: Chocolate Labs make me smile

Favorite store: I don't know- I seem to buy most of my clothes at Gap

Favorite childhood memory: Driving cross country with my family from Boston to California when I was a teenager.

Favorite hobby: Walking on the beach

Favorite song/singer: Don't really have one- but love Country music the most

Favorite book/author: That's hard. I love to read. Especially anything by Jodi Picoult. I am also enjoying the Shopaholic series.

Favorite school subject: To teach- science or math
As a kid- reading

Favorite vacation destination: Anywhere tropical

Favorite food: Cupcakes or Cheeseburgers

Favorite restaurant: Trattoria Trulli in Encinitas, CA

This or That

Coke or pepsi : Diet coke

Beer or wine: Wine

Coffee or tea: Love coffee, but have been doing green tea lately

Apple Juice or O.J.: OJ

Summer or Winter: Summer

Cats or dogs: Both!

Salty or sweet: Sweet!

Plane or boat: I really don't like flying, but I love traveling, so plane...

Morning or night: Morning

Money or love: Love

Breakfast or dinner: Dinner

Forgiveness or revenge: Forgiveness

House or apartment: I would love to have a house, but I currently live in an apartment

Have You Ever:

Got a speeding ticket: Does a ticket for tailgating count?

Wished you were someone else: Yes!

Cried during a movie: Yes

Describe yourself in one word: That's too hard. Strong?

Biggest fear: Before losing a baby it was snakes. Now, I'd say it's not getting pregnant again and/or losing a baby again.

Biggest mistake: Not listening to my intuition

Your proudest accomplishment: Ella

Dream job: Stay-at-home mom -I've also always dreamt of training therapy dogs or becoming a hula dancer.

Special Talents: Ugh, I don't know

Where would you rather be at the moment: At the hospital delivering my baby- I'd be due just about now. Or, on a tropical island swimming in warm water.

Famous person you want to meet: Famous people bug me

Song to be played at your funeral: I really love the song What a Wonderful World- even though I feel like it's not a wonderful world right now. But, for any of you that know me IRL, I don't want a funeral. I want to be creamated. A memorial lunch will suffice.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

TTC Drama

I apologize if this is TMI for any of you- though, I don't think it is. I am recording this so that I can remember everything. Plus, I'm totally new to this infertility thing and know some of you may have suggestions for me.

Went to see my OB today to talk about the fact that it's been 34 days since I've had a period. No, I am not pregnant. :( According to my Clearblue Easy Fertility monitor, I ovulated on day 14. My doctor seems to think this was a mistake on the monitor's part. She said there's no way I ovulated because if I did, I'd either be pregnant or have had a period. There was also some blood work done midcycle which leads her to believe I didn't ovulate. We talked about the fact that my cycles have always been irregular. At first she was thinking that I just needed progesterone, but after talking with me, suggested Clomid, followed by estrace. She actually said, she preferred that I wait a couple of months to see if I get pregnant on my own, but that if I felt desperate, I could do a low does of Clomid- 50 mg. Hello! I AM desperate. Of course, I want Clomid! A teary eyed me explained to her that hope for a second baby is all that I'm living for right now.

Here's the plan. She doesn't want to prescribe anything to bring on a period. She suggests I wait two weeks to see if it comes on its own. If it doesn't, then we'll have to change the plan. After getting my period, I can start Clomid on day 3. I will go in for an ultrasound on day 13 of my cycle. We talked about the risks of multiples with Clomid. Remember, it's too risky for a girl with a bum cervix and history of preterm labor to carry more than one baby at a time. That is why she wants to do the ultrasound to make sure only one follicle is present before proceeding with timed intercourse.

I'd love input from any of you that have used Clomid.

On a totally different note, my blog buddy Lea took this picture for Ella today.I love knowing that others are thinking of my sweet baby. Thanks for making me smile today, Lea!



A couple of days ago, I received a message from a fellow blogger who found me through a comment I made on Stellan's blog. Sami who has her own photography company, offerred to try to get a good picture of a butterfly for me. A couple of days later, this exquisite picture was in my mailbox. I told Sami that I was so impressed, butterflies never cross my path. She replied that this has never happened to her before either. So cool! The love and support I continue to receive through my blog amazes me. There are people online who have done more for me than people in my real life. Sami, thanks for showing me that Ella's spirit is everywhere!

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Father's Day 2009



Honoring my daddy today. He was a loving, story telling, hardworking, BBQing, perfect taco making, could fix anything kind of guy. I'm grateful for the close relationship I had with my dad and for all of the things he taught me. I love you dad. A piece of my heart went with you when you died. I hope you're loving on Ella for us.

Thinking about my husband this weekend too. My heart aches for him. We are so sad that our precious Ella is not here with us on Father's Day.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Baby Steps Memorial Race



My blog buddies Loni and Abby are planning and hosting a Memorial Race in Alabama in August in honor of their babies, Maddox Elise (Loni), and Braden and Brody (Abby). Please check out their sites to see how you can help!

Three Months

It is 11:55 am and I just realized that today is June 15th. 3 months ago it was March 15th. I have been anticipating this day for weeks. But, I am surprised that I didn't remember that today was the day until now. This morning I actually woke up feeling quite light. I've accomplished a lot- I made an egg for breakfast, did a load of dishes, started some laundry, and watched an episode of Gilmore Girls. I am mad at myself for not remembering first thing when I woke up.

I hate that time is passing. I hate that I'm getting further away from that day. I hate that I'm forgetting what she looked like in my arms.

Despite the immense pain I feel, I am eternally grateful for Ella. It makes me so happy to reflect on memories I have of her. She gives me such joy. Because of her, I am a mother. I proudly wear her little footprints around my neck. Her things are still hanging in my closet. I wish I could change the outcome of everything, but I don't wish that I never got pregnant.

What a perfect day for this photo to arrive from my friend Loni. I'm so grateful for the friendships I have made through this whole ordeal.



I think I'll go to the store and get some flowers for Ella.

**Update**
I think Ella wanted me to know she was with me today. I received 9 photographs today for her gallery. My heart is smiling!