Everything but the kitchen sink....

I haven't really blogged much during my break cycle other than the 30 Day Blog Challenge (which I didn't finish) so I feel like this post is going to be all over the place.

Thankfully my break went by quickly. We have been so busy, I can't even believe that September is over already. Operation Washboard did not go so well. Despite working out 3-4 days a week and trying to monitor my portions (i already eat pretty healthy), I lost a pound. Looks like the spanx will be making an appearance and my BFF's wedding. My plan is to keep it up though, although my exercise will be limited to walking due to stims and hope in the next month, I miraculously become bikini ready, which is probably about the same as my odds are of getting knocked up this month.

I had my first follie/E2 check today. Last cycle I started out on 150u of Follistim and over responded so this cycle we started at 100u. I said in my last post I didn't have a good feeling about this cycle but I was hoping it was just the illness. It wasn't. I went in today and I had nothing. 3 barely measurable follies, no lining to speak of and my E2 was only 52. We upped my dose to 150u and I go back on Friday so we'll see. She also said I will definitely need to be on estrogen supplementation for my lining this cycle. Now I am feeling guilty that I skipped out on acupuncture and POM juice this cycle although I guess it's not to late to start. They didn't seem to get me pregnant last cycle so I thought I would save some $$ skipping them. On top of all that, B has a fishing trip scheduled for mid cycle, he leaves CD 16, which I totally thought I would have had my IUI's by then but now I doubt it. He said he would skip the trip but I feel so guilty about it. He has really been looking forward to it. Why do my ovaries have to be so damn difficult??

In other news, B and I are dog sitting for a friends this week for 10 days. I am super excited about it. We both grew up with labs but it is just not feasible for us to get a dog right now with how much we travel. We will have our very own chocolate lab for 10 days though. He is 12 and super mellow, the perfect dog for us. I am afraid I won't want to give him back!

That's it for now, I have a couple of other things on my mind but I will save them for later.

A real post (sort of)

It's been a while since I have had a real post. This one will be short and sweet because I am sick and can not concentrate enough to write anything longer. My break cycle is officially over. AF arrived on schedule and my cysts were gone on my baseline ultrasound. I start Follistim tonight. I don't know if it is because I have the worlds worst head cold right but I am not feeling good about this cycle. Hopefully when I feel better physically, I will feel better emotionally about this cycle.

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 18-22

Day 18 My Wedding

I woke up the morning of my wedding to pouring rain - a bride's worst nightmare. I specifically chose the place I was getting married at because I wanted to get married outside. It stopped raining just after I arrived at the site for my pictures and although there were a few sprinkles after that, it ended up clearing up and we had a perfect outdoor ceremony. I had really wanted to elope and my mom talked me into a traditional wedding and I loved every minute of it. It was the best day of my life (so far!)

Day 19 A talent of mine

I'm stumped...I don't really have a talent.

Day 20 A hobby of mine

Cooking and baking...I really enjoy it. I like baking more because I have such a sweet tooth. I don't like cleaning up though. :-)

Day 21 A recipe

How do I choose, there are so many! I made these Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownies last fall and I have been thinking about them since. I am really looking forward to making them again now that fall has arrived (even though it was 90 degrees here yesterday!)

Day 22 A website

My two favorite food blogs... Annie's Eats and Smitten Kitchen. If I need a recipe for something, I always consult them first, they never let me down!

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 17

An Art Piece

A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte - Georges Seurat

I love this piece for a couple of reasons. First, it's a pointillist painting which I think is very cool. Second, this is where my husband proposed -

It is a topiary recreation of the painting. We have a copy of the painting on canvas in our house to remind us of that day. One of these days when we are in Chicago I really want to go to the art museum and see the original.

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 16

A song that makes you cry (or nearly)

It doesn't make me cry but I do get emotional when I hear it, such a beautiful song!

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 15

My Dream House

For me, it's all about the location. This is not necessarily my dream home, although I certainly wouldn't turn it down, but it is my dream location. I fantasize about owning a fabulous beach home one day, of course somewhere there are no hurricanes, tsunamis etc (hey that's why it is called a fantasy right?). I want to be able to walk outside right onto the sand. Who needs a backyard when you have the beach! I want to be able to open my windows and hear and smell the ocean... and, of course, I don't want any sand in my house :-)

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 14

A Nonfiction Book

At a loss here, not much of a non fiction reader except for cookbooks. Any suggestions?

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 13

A fiction book(s)

Since I already posted favorite books on day 4, I will talk about fiction books I haven't read yet but are on my list. I have narrowed it to 3, I love to read so this is hard for me.

1. The Sookie Stackhouse Series by Charmaine Harris- I love True Blood so I am interested in seeing how the books compare

2. Fly Away Home by Jennifer Weiner - I love all of her books!

3. The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson - I loved the first book in this trilogy (although it did take me a good 100 pages to get into it) and am looking forward to reading this one as well as the third in the trilogy.

Anyone read any of these? What are you guys reading right now or looking forward to reading?

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 12

Something you are OCD about

Food safety! I am crazy about it. I am petrified of getting food poisoning so when I am cook meat, especially chicken, I wash my hands and countertops more than necessary. I also won't eat food that has been sitting out for too long or leftovers that have been in the fridge for more than a couple of days. I could go on and on but you will all think I am crazy!

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 11

A photo of you recently

This photo is from 2 years ago at our wedding, I love it though!

30 day Blog Challenge - Day 10

A photo taken over 10 years ago of you

Ok so not the best photo ever. I don't have any old pics on my computer so I had to take this off facebook. It's my senior year of HS so it was 13 years ago.

30 day Blog Challenge - Day 9

A photo I took

I am not a photographer by any means but I was impressed with myself when I saw how this photo turned out. I thought it looked pretty cool. Although I think it is hard to take a bad photo in Hawaii!

30 day Blog Challenge - Day 8

A photo that makes me angry/sad

In two days it will be the 9 years since the attack on the twin towers. It still haunts me to this day. I will never forget turning on the TV and seeing this image, as it was happening. It was surreal. Who could do such a thing? I felt a lot of emotions that morning... mostly anger at the people who could do this to my city, my home. Now when I go go back to visit, this is what I see...

I took this picture from the airplane on my last visit. At first glance it looks like an ordinary city skyline but when I look at it, all I see is what isn't there anymore, the twin towers standing tall, welcoming me home. Sad.

30 day Blog Challenge - Day 7

A photo that makes me happy

These are my most favorite people ever. The cutest, sweetest, funniest kids you will ever meet (not that I am biased or anything!)

Update and a recipe

Week 1 of Operation Washboard down. 1.4 lbs lost! I worked out 5 out of 7 days last week so I was pretty impressed with myself. With the holiday weekend, I didn't really stick to my diet the last few days so I was pretty happy when I stepped on the scale this morning.

I have been horrible about taking the pill, yesterday I realized I hadn't taken it 3 days in a row. Oops. I am really surprised I didn't start spotting. 2 more weeks to go.

I went to a barbecue last night and I made S'mores Cheesecake Bars from annies-eats. As always, they were absolutely delicious.

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 6

My Favorite Things (in no particular order)

1. My Husband

2. NYC at Christmas Time

3. The Beach

4. Baking

5. Wine

6. Vacations

7. Christmas Music

8. Potatoes

9. 80's Dance Party station on Pandora

10. My nieces and nephews (7 + 1 on the way!)

11. Snuggling babies on night shift at work

12. Reading

13. Kauai

14. Being pampered (massages, pedicures etc)

15. My engagement ring

16. Summer

17. Fires in the fireplace

18. Chocolate

19. A comfy bed

20. Blueberries

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 5

My Favorite Quote

I am not really a big quote person but throughout this whole process, I keep telling myself

"That which does not kill us makes us stronger" Friedrich Nietzsche

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 4

My Favorite Book

Wow. I have been struggling with this all day. I am a huge reader, I have read thousands of books, from the classics to total chick lit. I don't even know how to begin to pick a favorite. From the time I could read, I was never without a book. If I had to choose...

Favorite Classic Book - Wuthering Heights or Brave New World

Favorite Modern Book - Go Ask Alice or The Red Tent

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 3

My Favorite Television Program

This is hard one because I love TV! The invention of the DVR + my schedule as a nurse = lots of free time to watch TV. I am a big fan of HBO and Showtime series, not much a reality TV watcher.

If I have to choose, my favorite show that is not on the air anymore is Sex and the City. I still don't know who I love more, Aidan or Mr. Big.

Of the TV shows I currently watch - there are a lot - House, Bones, Criminal Minds, Grey's Anatomy, The Office, Entourage, United States of Tara, Hung, Weeds, Dexter...

Favorite Comedy - Glee. It always cracks me up.

Favorite Drama - True Blood. I would let Eric Northman bite me anytime :-)

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 2

My Favorite Movie

This one was an easy one. Although there are a lot of movies I love, my all time favorite is Love Actually. I love all the different story lines, the characters, and the fact that is set at Christmas time (my favorite holiday!) I even bought the soundtrack because I love all the music in it. While it would be hard for me to pick my favorite story line, my favorite part of the movie is Colin Firth's proposal , I always get teary eyed!

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day 1

My Favorite Song

I have been thinking about this question all day, I am having such a hard time with it. I have too many favorite songs!

I would have to say my favorite song on the moment is Airplanes by B.O.B. It pretty much sums up how I am feeling about my IF right now.

My favorite old song is my wedding song - Just The Way You Are by Billy Joel. B has been a pretty amazing and supportive husband through this whole IF journey and am so glad he loves me just they way I am ( since I have been pretty hormonal and crazy lately!)