Our Christmas card

Here is the photo we used for our Christmas card:
Here is another attempt:

Here is our house decorated with the lights:

Our next step

We have our next step arranged and that is for Jared's semen analysis. We will take that in on Wednesday December, 27th and have the results a day or 2 later.
I am really interested to see what type of results we have.

The next step is for myself to have my progesterone checked. I need to have that done 7 days after I ovulate. I am glad that I am temping this cycle so that I can know the precise day. Hopefully 7 DPO won't fall on a weekend when the lab is closed.
The lab is just walk-in on a first come, first serve basis so, I will go after work.

Christmas is just around the corner and I have been busy preparing for that. We are having Christmas dinner at our house, so I have groceries to buy, house to clean and food to bake. I am also organizing the music for the Christmas service at church and although it is pretty much done, I need to learn a song on the piano that I am playing for Sallie to sing to. It's not an extremely difficult song but, I haven't had much time to prepare and that just adds to the whole stress of Christmas.

I do have new pictures to post, including the one on our Christmas Card but, I'll do that when I am on our home computer.

That's all for now!

The Appointment

Our appt. went pretty well yesterday.
We went over things that Jared and/or I pretty much already knew but, we do now have a game plan in place.
The Dr. described to us, the way conception occurs and what all needs to work in order for that to happen. It did help me realize how conceving a baby can be very tricky and how it sometimes does not happen very easily.
I discussed some of my concerns that I have with my late ovulation and short luteal phase and even my longer periods but, none of that seemed to concern him. He did mention that an 11 day luteal phase was a bit on the short side but, that probably was not "the reason" that we were not conceiving.
Our game plan will be to first have a semen analysis. Hopefully we can get that scheduled for next week when we are both off of work. The lab that we need to take the sample to is all the way over in Kansas. We will get the results from that within a day or two after they analyze it.
The second step would be to have a progesterone check about 7 days after I ovulate or 7 days before my period starts (based on a 14 day luteal phase). That will basically confirm if I have ovulated. This test will also be done this cycle.
After these 2 tests, if my period comes again, I will have a procedure known as an HSG performed. This is where they place dye into my uterus and the dye flows up into my tubes. While the dye is being placed, they perform an ultrasound to see where the dye goes. This will tell us if one or both of my tubes are blocked or if I have any cysts on my uterus or ovaries or if I have an oddly shaped uterus, along with many other things.
The Dr. also told us that if we do have this procedure done, I am usually pretty fertile for a few months following it. The reasoning the Dr. gave us was this:
He said the best way he can desrcibe it is if you compare it to a shirt that you have just ironed with starch and how after your done ironing it, the sleeves will be kinda stuck together. Once you put an arm through it, it opens up. He said alot of times, the tube may be kinda like that sleeve and once the dye is put it there, it helps open them up.

So, that is our plan for now. Hopefully all of our tests come out great and we get pregnant very soon. It just helps to know that I am being proactive about it and if something really is wrong, we can catch it now instead of a few months from now.

Monday

Well, Ted is still here. The deal with the family in Kansas fell through. I am a little dissapointed. I was really looking forward to Ted having a wonderful home with them but, it will all work out. I love having Ted but, it can really be a burden when we don't have a place of our own.

Our fertility appointment is today. I am looking forward to that and seeing what the Dr. has to say.

Christmas is sure coming quickly. 1 week from today, exactly. We are having dinner at our house and I am really looking forward to that.

I had a good weekend. Jenny and I cleaned Gary and Judy's house on Saturday morning. Saturday afternoon, Jared and I went with my dad to stick a for sale sign on our 5 acres in Buckner then we came back to Independence and hung out with dad for a little bit, then we went home.

Sunday was church and I played the piano. Then we came home and I did a little Christmas shopping, drove back up to Independence to hang out with my sister, then we had Jenny and Chris and Peter over to see the Chief's game. Brian, Lisa, Mom, Dad, Ashley and Andrew stopped by for a little bit. They had just gone to see the Christmas lights at Longview Farm.

That pretty much sums up our weekend. I will post after our appt. today.

Bye Bye Ted

Ted is going to a new home on Saturday :(
I will miss him very much but, this will be a good thing for him. It is hard keeping a horse when you don't have a place of your own. Not necessarily just the cost of it; although, that can be a strain at times. I also haven't ridden for almost 2 months. It just is not fair to Ted.
He is going to a home that has 4 children. They have 80 acres with a run in shed for the horses. The parents of the children are both Dr's and have had horses most of their lives.
I am happy that he is going to a really good home. The family that we bought him from 5 years ago are really good friends with this family so, it will work out wonderfully.
Ted has been the best horse that I have ever had.
LOVE YOU TED!

UPDATE

AF is here. CD 1 for me.
Onto cycle 9 of trying again.

Nope

Must have been a bad, bad evap line yesterday.
I tested negative this morning. There's a line but, there's always a stupid line on these tests. The line today does not look positive like yesterday's did.
It appears as if I was fooled again.

Looks like we will be attending the fertility appointment Dec. 18th. Hopefully we can get some help and get us a baby.

Here are pics of today's test.. just for fun.

LINES

Jared and I and a bunch of girls on the internet are seeing lines.
Is it real?? I dunno. Will know better tomorrow. But, the good news is that I have no pink in my CM so, that is a good sign.
Now for pics. It looks really good in person but, you may be able to see it on these pics as well:

Snow Dogs

On Monday afternoon, Gary came over to see the dogs and I was able to get some cute pics of them outside in the snow (mainly of Obi):




This weekend can' t come fast enough. It's almost TESTING time!!!

This weekend

I am off work today so, we have had a nice 3 day weekend. Friday night we went to see the Christmas Carol and we also went to dinner at the Capital Grille beforehand. It was delicious but, quite spendy.

Saturday we got our tree then spent some time with my mom and dad.

Sunday morning we started decorating the tree. It spend the night in the garage so it could defrost and the snow could melt off of it.

We also went to church and I had to play the piano.

Here is the beginnings of the tree:Here it is Decorated:
Here is my new ornament:
Here is our bannister decorated for Christmas:

And here is me and the Pugs watching the Chief's game:

So, that is our weekend in a nutshell. Hopefully next weekend will be a little more exciting with a BFP!!! We'll see!

Bored at work

So, I have been trying to come up with ideas of how we can announce our pregnancy, IF we are pregnant this month. I do this all the time but, I figured out a really cute way to do it this time.


On Christmas morning, I will be about 6 weeks pregnant. We are having breakfast with my whole family and Jared parent's and Grandma Zelma will be there as well. It will be at Brian and Lisa's house.


After Breakfast, or whenever we can have everyone sit down in the living room at the same time, Jared and I will pass out Christmas cards. Inside the card, we will write "Sorry your present didn't arrive in time but, we included the order confirmation instead. Love, Jared and Amy"


The "order confirmation" will be folded up inside. Here is a sample:

It will have "New Grandchild" "New Niece or Nephew" "New Cousin" or "New Great-Grandchild" written for the description.

I love the idea and I can't wait to see if we can use it. Only 10 more days until we find out!!!

Sunday, December 10th can't get here soon enough.

Dejavu

Or however you spell it.
It appears that I did not O on Saturday. I am thinking (i know, scary) that I O'd yesterday. It's times like this that I wish I still temped so I could know for sure.
But, this cycle is looking like the one that I got pg on with Abby. I am hoping this means that we will be blessed again but, really, I have no idea what my body is doing.
Perhaps I am just now becoming ready to be pg again and that's why I am Oing so late. If I did in fact O yesterday, that would be on CD 27. I like the sounds of that theory but only God knows what my future will hold and I need to trust in him. It's neat to see God working in every small detail of my life. It just instills in me that he is in control. No matter how badly I want something or want it to go a certain way, God will let me know that he has it in his hands.
It looks like I will be testing on December 10th at the soonest which is my parent's anniversary. It would be so great if we were pg this month because we could announce it Christmas morning at breakfast when all of our family (including Grandma Zelma) will be at Brian and Lisa's house. I will need to think of some creative way to do it.

Monday

From what I can tell, I O'd on Saturday. WOOHOO! From all the work Jared and I did, we had better be pregnant this month, if you know what I mean. ;)
I feel really blessed and I know the Lord wanted us to know that we were fertile this weekend. We definately took advantage of being stuck in the house as we were both still feeling a little under the weather.
Ok, enough about that..
This month, I could tell that my body is getting back into the swing of things so, I am hoping that it results in a BFP!!

In other news, Thanksgiving was really nice. I have some cute pics of Andrew that I can post from when we were cleaning up from dinner but, I need to find them first. Jared and I have decided to get rid of our lap top so I saved all of my pics from off of it and I have a few CD's that I would have to go through to find the pics.

Jared was pretty sick on Thanksgiving. I felt ok but, I got a fever later that night before bed. It broke during the night and I felt much better once it did. I went to work on Friday but, only had to work about 6 hours so, that was nice.

Nothin much else is new.. Ted is doing well. I saw him Saturday morning but haven't ridden for a while. I saw him this morning out in the pasture too but, maybe will go and visit him today.

Ok well, I will write more later.

Thanksgiving Eve

I wanted to post a couple pics from the weekend:

Tha Baby Shower:

Ashley's Birthday:

Today is the day before Thanksgiving. I am thankful for so many things but, sometimes I just can't get over why I am not pregnant. I know the Lord has a place and a time for us to become parents again. I just wish I had a stronger faith and a better understanding. I lack in so many areas.

There is a message board that I used to post on shortly after we lost Abby. The board was for women who experienced a pregnancy loss in January or February of 2006. I stopped posting on it a long time ago but, go and visit occasionally. Most of the ladies got pg again right away and now there are 3 brand new babies on that board. Just makes me sad and jealous. I don't know why I torment myself by going to look at their posts.

Anyways.. this cycle has been very laid back but, I of course cannot take my mind completely off of TTC. I am probably close to ovulating but, who knows.

Tonight, Jared and I are going to a "Pasta and Fireworks" dinner that will be at the Longview mansion. That should be fun and romantic.

I also need to make my potatoes tonight and buy some veggies for a veggie tray that I am making.

Well, I am leaving work in about 20 minutes so, I will post some later.

Monday

Is it Monday, already?
This weekend just flew by. But, it was fun. The shower on Saturday went very well. I will post pictures later from that. Saturday evening we went to church for the Thanksgiving dinner.
Sunday I was supposed to sing with my mom and Lori but, we cancelled due to mom and Lori both being sick.
Sunday evening we went to Ashley's 3rd birthday party. That was so much fun and I will post pics of that later as well when I get home and can get the pics from my laptop.

I should be Oing this week but, remember.. I am not paying attention!! lol.. It is very hard for me not to monitor the signs that my body gives me but, I think that not temping or using OPKs will really help me out alot. And just trying to not schedule when Jared and I make love and making sure we use a certain position, etc.. will really help me relax and take my mind off of TTC and give it to the Lord. It will allow me to trust him to make it happen, when it is him time.

Thanksgiving is on Thursday and I am really excited for that. We are eating at my parents house. I am bringing the mashed potatoes and a veggie tray. I think that is all I am signed up for. I love the holidays!

Wednesday night, Jared and I are planning on eating at the Mansion of the Longview Farm where we live. We won a gift certificate for a dinner for two. It should be very romantic.

I am so thankful for this time of my life. Even though I can get so frusterated with TTC and wishing I was pg so badly, all of these experiences in my life will make me a better person for it. I know when I get pregnant again, it will be one of the best days of my life. I truly have so much to be thankful for and I know the Lord is making me wait for this moment for a reason. I have a hard time remembering the Lord is in control and try to handle everything on my own.

Well, this is long enough and I am just rambling. I will post pics later of the shower and birthday party.

Busy busy busy

I have been so busy this week and this weekend won't be any better.
Judy and I are hosting the baby shower for Manju on Saturday so, we have been getting ready for that.
Sunday I have to sing and play the piano at the South Branch. I have practiced with mom and Lori once already and we are meeting again tonight to practice again.
I am excited for Thanksgiving next week. That should be alot of fun.
Jared and I are thinking of putting the house for sale after Christmas so, we'll see what happens there.
Well, I am at work and should probably get some work done. I will take pics of the shower and write about it later.

Weston, MO

Jared and I had a great time in Weston this weekend with our friends. We started out on Saturday morning when James and Laura picked us up around 10 AM. We then headed to Kim and Russ's and were on our way. We made it into Weston around lunch time and ate at a neat little diner right in town.

After lunch, we walked around and shopped in all the shops. Father Christmas was spotted on the streets as well.
I found something in every store that I would have loved to take home but, I ended up only buying a hankerchief for my mom. They were watching the pugs, it was the least I could do.

After shopping for a few hours, we drove up to the nearby state park and walked out to a point that overlooked the Missouri River. We were able to take some great shots there.

After being at the state park, we made our way back into town and stopped at the Bed and Breafast where we would be staying that night. This was around 4:00 but, check-in wasn't until 5. We wanted to see if it was possible to check in a little early. Jared knocked on the door and in a few moments, the owner answered and let us come on in to check in.

Back towards the check in desk, there was a neat old phone booth with a working phone.

After we were checked in, the owner "Bill" took us on a short tour and showed us each our rooms. Here is our room where Jared and I stayed:

After we unpacked the van, Jared and Russ stayed at the B&B and watched football in the parlor while Laura, James, Kim and I went out shopping again. We stopped at the candle shop where Laura bought some candles and Kim bought a neat cupcake candle.

We made one more stop and the statuary lot and then headed back. It was getting close to dinner time and it was also getting fairly cold out.

AFter getting back to the B&B, we all headed out to eat at a great little Restuarant. They had an italian buffet that night and it was delicious.

After dinner, we went back to the B&B and played games which included Catch Phrase, a survival game and then a card game called Spades. We were split up boys vs. girls. The boys won all the games except the card game. Considering Kim and I were just beginners to this game, we did pretty well.

After playing games, we headed up to bed.

In the morning, Jared and I headed down to the parlor where we watched the news, drank hot chocolate and read the paper. James and Laura were the next up and James went on a short walk. Kim and Russ came in shortly and then it was time for breakfast. They served french toast covered with prailines and another yummy sauce, bacon and bananas with yummy carmel topping and whip cream.

Unfortuanately, after breakfast James started not feeling well at all. Us girls went to a nearby store to get some medicine for him. We stayed a little bit later than we planned because he was not feeling great but, we made it back just fine and in time for Jared to see the Chief's game.

Whew, that was a long post. That's all for now.

Long AF

I am on CD 8 now and Af is still not gone. how annoying. It seems like since delivering Abby, my AF's have really increased. Just seem to spot or have really light bleeding for another day or 2 longer than normal. Oh well, I shouldn't get too concerned about it.
Yesterday, I went ahead and made an appt. with the OB for an infertility consultation. That will be on December 18. After I made the appt, I just felt really relieved and almost as if a weight was lifted off my shoulders. So, I am happy about that. Hopefully we can get some questions and concerns answered. Or, even better, hopefully I can cancel the appt. because I get a BFP!!
Either way, I think it's going to help me just relax this cycle and not really "try" because I know we have that to look forward to. If that is really something to look forward to. haha.
Jared got home last night around 10:30. It was so nice having him back. The pugs were really excited to see him too.
I also got to ride Ted last night. It has been a long, long time. Sheila was at the barn as well so, we went out together on Ted and Abu. It was really nice. The weather was perfect.

Chicago

Jared is in Chicago on business. He left yesterday morning and will return late Wednesday evening.

Last night I stayed home all evening. It was nice to relax with the dogs. I did some house work and touched up some paint in our house to get it ready to be put for sale. Jenny and Chris came by for a little while.
Tonight I am going to spend some time with my friend, Lesley from work. She's making me dinner. YUM!

I really miss Jared already and can't wait for him to come home.
This weekend we are going to Weston, MO and staying at a Bed and Breakfast called the Hatchery. Here's the web site: http://www.hatcherybb.com/
and a photo:

We are going with our friends, James and Laura and Kim and Russ. It should be a good time.

I cannot even describe how badly I want to be pregnant again. I loved the feeling of knowing I had a baby growing in me. To see my tummy enlarge each week. To attend the monthly and then weekly prenatal appointments. The hear the heartbeat and have the anticipation of each milestone of the pregnancy. To shop for baby items and plan the nursery. And then to look forward to the birth and bringing the new baby home. All of the things I got to experience with Abby, before they were cut short. It's like that anticipation started last October and it has never been fulfilled yet.

I remember being in the hospital, after delivering Abby and just trying to imagine what it would be like to bring a live baby into the world. How incredibly amazing that day will be.

Oh Lord, please bless Jared and I with a healthy baby. Please assure my fears and anticipation with becoming pregnant again and help me to fully rely and trust in you to bring me a blessing that will once again fill my womb. This blessing from above will be something that Jared and I will never take for granted and will give you all of the glory for. I am so thankful for all of the experiences in my life that you have blessed me with. Even my times of struggle and pain. Those times, in addition to the happy times have molded me into the person I am today and will make me a better, more caring, thankful and appreciative mother and wife that I could have ever done on my own. I am so thankful for my friends, family and husband and for my health and happiness. In Jesus name, Amen.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!

That is not a happy, excited AHHHHHHHHH! It's a very frusterated AHHHHHHHHHHHHH, more like ARGHHHHHHHHHH!!!
AF showed AGAIN early this evening. Right on time. I am seriously thinking of making an appt. to start testing on both Jared and I. What is up?
Is this just not the right time for us to have a Baby and that is why God isn't giving one to us or do we have some issues getting pg?
I don't know but, I just can't sit back and relax. That's probably what I need to do though.
Just toss all the B6, Progesterone cream, ovulation tests.. you name it. Checking my CM and CP and all that other obsessive, habitual, addicting methods we use to tell us when to have sex and what position to use and everything else.
I would love to do that but, do you know how hard that is going to be? With everything that i know now about my cycle and how to tell when I am ovulating?
I think I'm going to try, just wish there was something I could do to take my mind off of it. It doesn't help that at this time, last year, I was pregnant with Abby. With the Holidays coming up, it will be a constant reminder.
Well, anyways. Sorry for the rant. I am lost with where to go now. I guess I have tried pretty much everything I can think of. Need to spend lots of time praying to God and leave it up to him. Maybe I will try 1 more time. Nothin on my end.. leave it all to God. If it doesn't happen, then I will set up an appt.
That sounds like a good idear to me.
So my game plan this month:
Make love to my husband whenever I feel like it!!! God is in control!

My pic from this morning's test

It's not very impressive and I am thinking it is an EVAP. I am testing again tomorrow morning:

Testing 1..2..3

Well, I tested and the results are inconclusive. I have a line but, it is so faint that it could pass for an early BFP or it could also pass as an evap. So.. still in the waiting game.
My cold is still here, lingering. My sleep has been interrupted the past 2 nights because of it. I wake up with a stuffy nose and a dry throat. I am a bit sleepy this morning.
We are having a chili cookoff today at work and I brought my award winning chili. Let's hope it wins for me again!

Getting close..

To testing time!! I am feeling pretty good about this cycle but, I have felt good in the past. Just wish I could get those 2 pink lines soon.
I have come down with a cold. It started Friday, after Jared and I finished "ghosting" 2 of our neighbors. After running around outside in the cold, fall air, I came inside and felt a sore throat coming on. Saturday I felt ok but, still had a sore throat. We went to the American Royal Rodeo Saturday night with our friends, Kim and Russ and my parents. It was inside but, I talked quite a bit with Kim and my mom and it's so loud in there that you have to talk pretty loud yourself. So, my throat got even worse. I stayed home from church yesterday and didn't sleep great last night.
This morning, I feel better but, overnight my sore throat moved on up into my nose and sinuses so, that kept me up. I am at work now and feeling pretty good.
I know alot of women come down with a cold when they first conceive. It's a pretty common early pregnancy symptom so, I hope that is the case for me.
Tomorrow is Halloween and I am thinking of taking the plunge and testing. I will be approximately 10 DPO so, we'll see what happens.

It has to happen some time!

Wonder why TTC can take so long sometimes? I just hope my time is coming up soon and this TTC business will be over shortly. I know it takes a while sometimes to get pg. I just wish I was one of those super fertile people who can get pg at the drop of a hat. Although, I'm sure there will be a time in my life where I am thankful I don't get pg just by laying by my DH in bed. lol...
I am 5 DPO today and can't wait for about this time, next week. 1 week from today, I will probably test. I will be 12 DPO and if I am pg, surely a BFP would show up by then. That is when I got a BFP with Abby.
We have the rodeo coming up this weekend to look forward to. Next week is Halloween on Tuesday. We will be passing out candy for all the kids in our neighborhood. Hopefully I can keep myself occupied next week so I don't get too eager.
2 girls that I post with on a TTC forum just got their BFP's. One girl got it last week but, the other girl got one this morning. It is still quite early and faint but, it is looking promising for her.
Here is the pic of her early BFP:

Gearing up!

Should be Oing this weekend or towards the latter part of this week. I am using OPK's again this cycle but, I started using them way too early and feel I am still a few days away from getting a positive result on one. I may take today off from taking one so I don't waste any more than I already have.
I feel alot more laid back this cycle. I am getting used to TTC and not getting to hyped up over anything anymore. I just can't wait until I am pg again. I loved being pg.
Jared and I have been toying with the idea of starting our own business for well over a year and have gone back and forth on the idea. Well, we have pretty much made the decision to go ahead with it. We are seriously looking into buying a SERVPRO franchise at the moment.
That being said, we will have to sell our new home :(
Ted finally got his feet done and they look much better. Unfortuanately, his feet were so far gone that we could not put shoes on. Hopefully they can grow out a bit more by the time the farrier comes to visit again so we can stick shoes on there.
While the farrier was there, he told me of a nice buckskin gelding that he knows of that I may be able to get for a good price. He's only a yearling but, would be worth some $$, once he is broke. I am excited about that possibility but, we'll see if anything ever comes of it. Jared was pretty interested as well.
Well, that's really all that is happening with me right now. My Grandma is coming in town this weekend so, it will be fun to see and spend time with her. She is here for my dad's birthday.
Sorry, no pics this time. Oooh, I do have a good one of Ted that I took a week or two ago:

PUGS

We have 4 pugs at our house right now!! My parents and Jenny and Chris took a road trip to Midland, TX to see an air show. That means that Jared and I got stuck with taking care of all the dogs. :) We don't mind though.
Last night was the first night we had them and it went well.
Here is a pic of all 4 of them that we took a while ago, when Coco was still really small and we lived at the Kempers:

AS for TTC news.. AF is pretty much packed up and gone but, she likes to linger a little bit. Got just a couple of weeks until O time again. I have 1 more tube of preseed left that we may use. I also mentioned a couple of posts back that I have a shorter luteal phase that may not be adequate for keeping a fertilized egg. I started taking vitamin B6 last month and will continue taking that again this month but, another thing that helps with a luteal phase defect is using natural progesterone cream. I have ordered some on ebay and plan on using that shortly after I O. If I do achieve a pregnancy, I will continue applying it until I reach my 2nd trimester. If I do not achieve a pregnancy, I discontinue using the cream, once AF comes for another visit. Hopefully I will have made a wise investment and can use the cream for a few months!!

Jared and I have a 3 day weekend coming up and am so excited!! The holidays are fast approaching too and I am really looking forward to that. I hope I get to be pregnant during the holidays again. I liked being able to enjoy all of the holiday food without feeling bad about how much I was eating. hehe At Thanksgiving last year, I will still in my first Tri and remember being a little nauseous but, not terribly bad. I'll take it though, it's defiantely worth it! Christmas was a different story because we had just found out about Abby's condition. It wasn't our best Christmas so, hopefully we can enjoy this one a little more.

CD 3

Going onto cycle #7 of trying again.

It will happen sometime.. just have to keep trying and praying.

Practice makes perfect, right?

Kittens

I wanted to post this in my below post but for some reason, it wouldn't let me add this pic.

There are 2 of the friendliest and cutest kittens at the barn as well. If I had my own barn, I would be taking them there with me. I like the one on the left the best.

Middle of the 2WW

So, I am caught in the middle of the 2WW. It's going well so far. I am thinking of testing on Sunday. I will be 12 DPO at that point. I'm feeling pretty good about this cycle. But, you know how that goes.
I just realized today that when I conceived with Abby, the Dr's first told me that my due date was June 12th. (My birthday). They were not taking into account my late O date. However, if we base my EDD on my O date this month, I would be due on June 12th again! WOW, how ironic. Hopefully this will be our lucky month again.
If it is, I have a wonderful idea of how to announce it to our families. I love coming up with different ways to announce it each month. What I would do is dress up like a pg lady on halloween and go trick-r-treat at all the fam's houses. I would have Jared video tape when they answer the door. I love it and hope I get to use that this month!!
Ted is doing great. I need to get down there and give the guy a bath. Probably will tomorrow. He is filthy. Him and Abu have sure been sticking together lately. I went to see Ted this afternoon and he and Abu were way off from the rest of the herd. I think they like being back together. It was great going to see them both again. It's neat seeing them in the same pasture.

Ted still hasn't had his feet done. At first, the barn manager, Steve told us the farrier was coming last Thursday. Then it was supposed to be this morning. Well, still no sign of the farrier. So, I'm not sure when he will come.
The pic above is the day I moved Ted to the new barn. He looks really white and bright in the picture but, he really is dirty. I think it's just the sun reflecting off of his coat.

There are a ton of cats at the barn as well. One of the momma cats just had her litter of 5 kittens. I found them on Friday afternoon in the back corner of the tack room.

O-Day

Today is my O day. Hoping we catch it this month. I am using Preseed again. A couple more weeks and we should know!
I am taking vitamin B6 this cycle in hopes to extend my luteal phase a little bit. I have an 11 day luteal phase as it is. They say you have to have at least 10 days in order to keep a fertilized egg. Mine is adequate but, I figure adding an extra day or 2 won't hurt.
Hoping this is what will take place inside me very soon:

As far as other things go.. I did get Ted back and he is doing well. His feet are pretty ugly but, fixable. He is very chubby as well. He had some ugly scabs on his nose but after just one application of some cortizone cream, those are basically gone. His tail is alot shorter than it used to be too. Hopefully that can grow out long again like it used to be. Since he has been to the new barn, he's had quite a few kick and bite marks but, he'll be fine. I think the other horses will become bored of chasing him around the pasture soon as he doesn't offer to challenge anyone. He just runs away when someone comes after him. Other than that, he is doing very good and I love taking care of him again.

Some people from the barn were planning on a ride tonight and I would love to go with them. I am kinda worried about Ted's feet but, I may try him out. If he starts acting sore or tender, I will turn around and come back. Hopefully the trails are nice and smooth though with no rocks.

Well, I will type more later. Hopefully I will have good news in a couple more weeks!

Ted

I may be getting Ted back! I "gave" Ted to the Ward family when Jared and I moved off the farm, after the lease with the Therapeutic Riding Center fell through. Jared and I were unsure if we could pay to keep a horse so, we made the decision to either sell him or give him to our friends.
Now, almost 6 months later, we have come to the conclusion that a horse maybe could fit into the budget. There are some other reasons that I want to get him back but, I won't go into them right now..
I still need to talk with Brian or Gina to see if they are willing to give him back but, I have no doubts that they will let me have him.
I am so excited to be getting my horse back.
If this does go through, my bike will be put for sale. I had alot of fun riding it but, we could use that extra money right now. Also, the time I was spending riding it could now be spent with Teddy.
Ted will be put at the same barn as Abu so, they will be reunited again. I love my boys!!

Been a while..

I guess I have been busy lately.
This past weekend was the MS-150. Jared rode the first day but had a bad crash. He finished the ride but we came home that night and slept in our own bed, instead of camping out. He's ok but, was pretty sore and bruised for a couple days. He even cracked his helmet. Poor guy.
Obi and Princess are doing well. They went to the beauty shop last night for grooming. They always love that :)
Nothin much else is new.. I'll post again later.

5 Years!

Today is our 5 year Wedding Anniversary. 5 years goes by pretty darn fast. Although our wedding seems like it was quite some time ago, I remember it like it was yesterday. It was the best day of my life.

I can imagine when we have a baby, we can add another "best day of my life" to the list. The day I met Jared was also one of the best days of my life. We have had some awesome times together, more than what I deserve. Jared is the best husband that any woman could ask for and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with him. I ask God when I pray to let Jared and I be able to live long lives together and that we can have children and watch them grow to get married and have children of their own.
I am excited for our days ahead and can't wait to experience some of life's greatest joys in the years to come. But, for now.. I am savoring our moments and loving every bit of them.

Not this month

No luck again. I made an appoinment with my midwife for my yearly checkup for September 22. I will be a few days past ovulation at that point so, we can discuss TTC and what steps to take if Jared and I go past a year or so with no luck. I know it will happen at some point so, I am just trying to be patient and wait it out. We have 1 tube of preseed left and will plan on using that again this month.
Hopefully I will get my new bike soon. I can't wait to ride on it.
Jared and I will be going to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner tomorrow night for our anniversary. I am excited and looking forward to it!

Only a few more days..

until we find out if this month was a bust or a success. These last few days of the dreaded "two week wait" are the worst.
Jared and I, in the past have touched lightly on the subject of getting me a road bike. We shopped for them on Saturday at the Bike Stop and found one that was a great deal but, still a little out of our price range on what we were wanting to spend. Here is a pic of the one that we may get, if we cannot find a cheaper one that we like:

It comes in RED too but, I like the black better.
Nothing much else is new. I will post again in a few more days with an update in the TTC department.

3 DPO

Today I am about 3 DPO. Could be 4 but, I am not sure if I O'd on Thursday or Friday. I plan on testing on our 5 year anniversary. AF will be a couple days late at that point. I am hoping AF holds off so I can test without Jared knowing about it. We plan on going out to dinner that evening and I would love to present a gift to Jared at dinner and have the positive pregnancy test wrapped inside. We'll see if my wonderful plan plays out this way.
Jared and I have been working on a slide show to show to our families for our anniversary. I am hoping I can announce a pregnancy at the end of the slide show but, it would still be neat without it.
I quit my job at Motherhood Maternity, after 1 day. HAHA. For a variety of reasons but, mainly just because I don't want a 2nd job. Although, I may start cleaning some houses with Jenny but, it would be different because it would be on my own time and I would be with Jenny. We would have fun and it would be enjoyable.
I am feeling pretty good about this cycle. We timed it just right and the preseed will hopefully help out. Of course, God will bless us with a baby, when it's his time. I just hope it is this time!!

+OPK!!!

Yesterday when I got home from work, I took another OPK. This was my 3rd day of taking one. The previous 2 were negative and I really wasn't expecting to get a positive until Friday'ish. Well, much to my surprise, it was positive! Hopefully that means that I will O today or tomorrow.
Let's hope the Preseed helps us out this cycle and God chooses to bless us with a pregnancy!

Motherhood Maternity

I have recently accepted a new, part time job with Motherhood Maternity. I was supposed to go in last night for my first shift but, something with my application did not go through with HR so, I can't actually go in to work until that is straightened out.
I will get a 30% discount after I have worked there for 90 days. I am hoping I will start needing maternity clothes once that 90 days comes!
We plan on using the preseed for the first time on Thursday. I am not expecting to ovulate until Saturday. I am using the ovulation predictor kits again this month. So far they have been light but I can tell they are becoming increasingly darker.
I am so ready to be pregnant again, it is not even funny.

St. Louis this weekend

Jared and I are making a trip to St. Louis this weekend. Gary and Judy will also be going but, we may be taking separate cars. One of Jared's buddies from College got married in March and he and his new wife are having a reception from friends and family from this area. We'll stay the night there and make a short vacation out of it. I am looking forward to going. It's always fun to stay a night away.
I got my preseed and free pregnancy test strip last week. I am really excited to use it this month. I plan on using Ovulation Predictor tests as well so we will know when it is the best time to use the preseed. The last time I used the OPK's, I got my first + the day before I ovulated. So, once I get a + this time, we will not BD that night but, we will the following night and of course, use the preseed. This should all take place next weekend (the 19th-20th) approximately.
I really hope it works this month!!

preseed

Well, "you know who" came to pay me yet another visit so, I am in the TTC game again this month. Jared and I are really getting antsy to get pregnant again. It took us 4 months with Abby and now we are on our 5th month trying again.
I had been hearing some great success stories from different women who have used a product called "Preseed" when TTC.

It is a personal lubricant that is "sperm friendly" and actually helps with the TTC process. Ladies have disucssed it on different online forums and I would say about 80-90% who used it, got pregnant the first month they used it. I am really getting excited to try it out this month and see if we have the same luck.
Of course, I know God determines when Jared and I will be blessed again but, perhaps the Lord made this product available to help us achieve another pregnancy.