ICLW, On The Mend, & Other Stuff

Welcome ICLW!! If you don't know me or about me feel free to poke around my blog and find out. A good place to start would be above this entry in my header bar under "My TTC Journey." I also encourage you to follow my blog as well, b/c my motto for blog following is "I gain a follower, you gain a follower."

Briefly though... My name is Catrisha. I'm 27 years young, married, and currently 15w1d pregnant with #2. I've had recurrent m/c's and have battled infertility (specifically PCOS and hypothyroidism). Twice now I've beat the odds that my body has thrown at me time and time again of early m/c and non-conception to conceive my miracles... My son known as "The Monster" or "*B*" around here and our current bundle of joy that I'm carrying. We are anxiously awaiting our gender u/s which is scheduled for March 15th, and if you haven't already voted in my sidebar poll on what you think we're having feel free too b/c we're definitely curious to know what ya'll think. We're not particular on a specific gender, we're just happy to be adding to our family and hoping for a full-term pregnancy with minimal to no complications and a healthy baby.

Now back to my regularly scheduled blogging....

We're all on the mend from the cold & flu around here. Boy, am I glad about that. After the past few days with it being so nice, sunny, and warm here this is such a blessing. I was able to open our windows and air the germs out. My biggest concern was *B* who wasn't getting better very quickly. Finally he's on the mend too, but is only about 85-90% better. He still gets a tickling in his throat he'll tell you and start coughing... the bad part about that is it's at night when our heat has been on. So, I went on a clean sweep through thee entire house wiping everything down with Clo*rox and spraying disinfectant spray. I changed the filters in the furnace and I vacuumed out the vents. I'm thinking maybe this on-going persistent runny nose and cough he's been experiencing is allergies instead of a 3 1/2 month long cold. DH and I both have severe allergies and DH had to have allergy shots when he was little... now I think *B* might be following in our footsteps. I was hoping not, but with all this cleaning and things adding up to the causes of his ailments being dust, pollen, mold, & mildew (our basement recently started drawing in moisture with all the melting of the snow/ice giving it a horrid mildew-ish smell that it's never had before) related I'm think he is.

DH is going to be busy at work in the basement this coming week/end cleaning it better than I was able to, resealing it, and we've already gotten a dehumidifier/air purification unit down there to help. Hopefully we'll all be 100% in no time.

In other news... I've been feeling every once and awhile for a couple of days now the baby move. It's usually at night when I lay down for bed, and it's nothing I can feel on the outside but it's definitely there. It feels as best I can describe it like a little ball rolling across my belly from one side to the other and back again right beneath my belly button. It usually goes on for 5-10min before it stops and I can no longer feel it. I'm eager to start feeling more movement more during the day (and night), and to be able to start feeling it on the outside. That was my favorite part of being pregnant with *B*.

Also, speaking pregnancy related ever since I was sick with the flu I've been having morning sickness, which is more like wake up in the middle of the night and vomit my guts up sickness. I was sick like this with *B* while I was pregnant with him, but it started at 6wks to the day and ended at 15wks to the day and occurred EVERYDAY! I hadn't been sick hardly at all with this pregnancy and for it to start now at/around 15wks, sucks. I'm just hoping it's short lived, and passes quickly, and that phen*ergan continues to help when I'm able to take it.

**I hope that you've enjoyed this visit to my blog! Have a GREAT ICLW week & peace and blessings to you and yours!!**

Welcome ICLW and Other Stuff!!

Hello IComLeavWe'ers and anyone else that has came across my blog!! Welcome... My name is Catrisha and I've been blogging (not just here at this blog, but here as well) for 6yrs. I'm married to my loving DH, and we have one child. A three year old blonde haired blue-eyed ball of energy. He's referred to around these parts as *B* or The Monster. We just recently found out that we're pregnant for #2. This was a complete surprise to us, as we weren't trying and we were focusing on our marriage as it had developed some bumps and bruises these past few months. (All of these things you can find in five or so entries prior to this one.) If you're looking for more history on our infertility struggle, look no farther b/c it can be found here.

Any way, in other news I am 5-7wks pregnant. It was originally thought based on my LMP that I was 8 or so weeks along. After my Dr.'s appt this past Friday that was found to be otherwise. I'm nervous of course, b/c this is when I've always m/c-ed. So, due to that fact I'm on bed rest, and I'm on PIO shots once weekly, and progesterone suppositories daily. It's a nasty way to ensure pregnancy, but one I would do a million times over so that I can have the chance to make it to term with a healthy baby. I get another shot on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, and then I have another u/s the first week of the New Year.

In other news... *B* and I have strep throat. YUCK! I know. A really crappy time to get it being so close to Christmas and all. I'm hoping we're on the mend before Christmas Eve, b/c we are hosting the holiday here at our house for the first time ever. I'm really excited to do this even with all the other circumstances going on. I know that it's going to be alot of work for DH, but he'll manage. Is that mean of me? I hope not. LOL!

Speaking of Christmas, I'm so excited for it this year.*B* is all into Christmas, and Santa, and the reindeer, and even giving and receiving presents this year. I know that that isn't what this holiday is all about, but for a three year old... my three year old that's what it's all about for him when he doesn't know what Jesus and God is all about. Before I get criticism on this, save your time b/c I don't care. He's very smart yes, and I'm sure if I were to explain it to him he would understand but I haven't and I don't plan on it. I believe in God to an extent. I pray as well. But the truth of it all is I don't have a good relationship with Him. Infertility has robbed that from me, along with robbing me of many other things. Maybe one day I'll get on that level again, and I hope to but that day is not today. I'll tell my child about Him as well, but again that time is not now. So instead, I'm excited for Christmas b/c my child is excited for Santa and everything that goes with it. And, for me that is the hugest thrill in the world... so we're counting down the days.

Lastly, thank you for stopping by. Sorry if I seem hormonal, b/c let's face it I am. Sorry if I've come off as controversial for you, b/c let's face it I am that too. But, if you've made it this far I encourage you to please stick around b/c I'm not always this way. Become a follower of my blog, and I'll do the same to your blog... just let me know in your comment that you're now following and leave me the link to your blog. Otherwise hope you enjoyed reading my ramblings and Have a Happy Holiday!! :)

Welcome ICLW and Things Thus Far

Welcome Dreamers!! If you've found my blog from ICLW, you've found my little piece of heaven (or hell depending on the day) in the blogosphere. If your new to my blog, please feel free to poke around and get to know me. The trials and tribulations of my TTC journey can be found HERE, and if you're not new to my blog but still have no clue what ICLW is although I've been talking about it and participating in it every month since March as part of my 101 in 1001 goals you can go HERE to enlighten yourself on that. (Got to love how I'm a run-on sentencer, oh well... LOL!)

If you're here looking for things about the Love Dare from the movie Fireproof... you won't be finding them either except in previous entries that didn't last very long. I don't quit on anything usually, but this I did. Not b/c I didn't care or I don't love my DH, but b/c there has been a change of events that has brought a hell storm upon our love, our marriage, and our commitment to one another. I realized after he started stalking my blog, after I started hacking his email and FB account that I wasn't in the wrong for doing the Love Dare or writing about him... but I was in the wrong for not trusting him. (With good reason though I lost that trust.) I also realized that our marriage is more fragile that I thought and that we need more help than the steps of any Love Dare would of done for us at this point. So, all I can say is we're not good, but we're not horribly bad... we're in between and we're both of us trying to work on things.

As for my blog and going private... I'm not. I thought about it. DH and I talked about it. He knows it's my venting outlet about a whole slew of things. He knows that I receive support from so many of you out there in the blogosphere when I need it. So, b/c of that I'm staying open tot he public albeit with some exceptions, which those that follow me will be able to pick up on in the coming weeks as I write.

In other news... H*attie is still living here, and I'm pretty sure that that chapter is about to close. After a very tearful conversation between DH and I, he realized that she uses word play on little things and with those words drives deeper wedges between him and me. So, he's giving her an out date now that she has a job. I'm hoping this time he'll stand his ground on the matter.

... *B* is growing like a weed around here. He's so smart. I've been teaching him his colors and he knows them all, but has a hard time deciphering between black, brown, and gray. He knows his numbers 1-10 and the actual amount that each of those are. He knows his left from his right. He's in size 4T in all clothes, and a size 9 in shoes. He's in love with his mohawk. He's got a tender heart. And lastly he's such a big helper boy. I'm so lucky to be his Mommy, I couldn't of asked for a more wonderful and perfect son. God truly blessed me 3 1/2yrs ago.

And in closing... if you've made it this far I and you find me interesting and would like to stick around, feel free to follow my blog over there on the left... b/c if you follow me I'll follow you. All you have to do is let me know that you're a new follower of my blog by comment. I'm trying to get to 50 followers, and if I do I have a giveaway in store. So, please I encourage you to follow away. Happy ICLW!!

ICLW and Cha-Cha-Cha-Changes!!!

Welcome Dreamers!! If you've found my blog from ICLW, you've found my little piece of heaven in the blogosphere. If your new to my blog, please feel free to poke around and get to know me. The trials and tribulations of my TTC journey can be found HERE, and if you're not new to my blog and you still have no clue what ICLW is although I've been talking about it and participating in it every month since March as part of my 101 in 1001 goals you can go HERE to enlighted yourself on that. (Geez, now I'm a run-on sentencer, oh well... LOL!)

Now, back to my regularly scheduled blogging...

In the last week some many things have happened I feel like my head is in a whirlwind. First off, I turned 27 last Friday. (Yes, Friday the 13th!!) I was all worried and didn't have my hopes up that anything important would happen for my birthday. Actually, I figured DH would forget about me altogether like he has so many years in the past. I was so wrong! He didn't forget. I got ym hair cut and colored for my birthday, and he took me out to dinner, and we were supposed to go to a movie.... but I felt bad doing all the things that we/I had done that day without *B*, so I suggested going to the dirt track races the following night instead of a movie. (That got rained out, but still I had a GREAT birthday.)

Secondly, we were supposed to camping at a local lake, but that didn't happen b/c of the third reason I'll write about shortly. Instead DH and *B* camped out in the back yard and we had a fire in our new fire pit. (I may or may not quit calling this new sometime before the summer is over, who knows... LOL! Since we've had it since late June.) We also, went to the Col*umbus Zoo and Aqua*rium yesterday instead. I'll post pictures of that soon.

Thirdly and lastly the biggest change around here and why we couldn't go camping is b/c I was enrolling in college!!! I'm sooooooooo very excited about this. I've had my ear glued to the phone all week long until yesterday getting everything situated. I completed and passed my entrance test. I submitted my application for enrollment into the Medical Administration program to receive my Associate's degree. I completed my FAFSA. Now, I'm just waiting on my financial aid appt on Monday to see what types of federal grants and loans I'm eligible for. My start date is October 4th!! So, after all of that and a week's worth of non-stop time on the computer and on the phone I'm officially a student as of 10/4/10 at

I'll have my degree in 22mths. Then I plan to apply for a radiology program at one of our local techinical or community colleges, so that I can be a radiologist. Did I mention I'm super duper excited to be going back to school?!?! Let me mention if for you again.... I'm soooooooooo excited!! This has been a long time (9yrs, since graduation of high school) in the making!! Wish me luck.

Not A Completely Wordless Wednesday- Welcome ICLW!!

Welcome IComLeavWe'ers!! If you still have no clue what ICLW is, and would like to know click HERE for details and join in on the fun next month. We'd love to have you!!

Any way, if you're here you've stumbled across my little piece of heaven in the blogosphere. Now, for the brief intro on me and my family... My name is Catrisha. I'm 26yrs young (I'll be 27 before the next ICLW however). I'm married to my usually wonderful (I only say this, b/c we've been going through some rough spots lately) DH, C*ody. We have one little boy who is 3yrs young named B*rennen, but I often refer to him as "*B*" or "The Monster" around these parts. We also raised DH's little sister from age 14 on, and unfortunately as she's about to be 22, we're yet again raising her... but that's a rant to come at a later date. We are currently sort of TTC#2, but I'm not in the right frame of mind to fully throw caution to the wind since our m/c back in April and go full force at it. So, if it happens it happens... and if it doesn't well then I'll be back on the infertility bandwagon soon enough. Speaking of infertility, the problem that we know of is completely on me. I have PCOS with IR and hypothyroidism. Before we miraculously conceived our son we had tried for almost 6yrs with a whole slew of treatments toward the end of that time. Alot of that detailed journey can be found HERE and ends up running concurrent with this blog at a certain point. For the semi-short-winded version of our TTC journey, you can check out the tab above that say "My TTC Journey."

Now I'm for a quick ABC's of me to get to know some fun facts on me.

A- Aunt: I'm an Auntie to 14 nieces and/or nephews... including my newest niece born on July 6th.

B- Bold: I'm a very bold person whom always speaks her mind.

C- Cats: My favorite animal, and I only have one.

D- Dogs: I love dogs too, but don't currently have any.

E- Eggs: Make me sick to my stomach unless they're in the food I'm eating then I'm not bothered.

F- Fall: Fall is my favorite season of the year.

G- God: I have a hard time believeing in God, I'll admit it. With all the struggles and obstacles I've endured in my life it's hard to believe in a greater being as I don't think so much bad can happen to those that are good... even though it does.

H- Home: We're buying our first home, but if we ever add to our family it'll be too small.

I- Ice Cream: I love me some ice cream, but it's never loved me back... LOL! My favorite flavor is Spumoni.

J- Junior: When DH and I found out that we were having a boy, I wanted him to be a Jr. DH vetoed it and said one of him is enough... LOL!

K- Kale: I've tried kale and I have to admit I love it! With some sea salt, EVOO, and vinegar it's super yummy.

L- Lobster: I've never in my life ate lobster. I ordered one, one time at Red Lobster but couldn't eat it b/c I knew what it looked like alive in the tank.

M- Monster: We actually do call *B* this nickname. When he was a baby he had some chubby cheeks and we started calling him "Cheeky Monster," but now it's just Monster. Or Mohawk Boy right now... check out the last post with cute pics about that.

N- Nightowl: I love to stay up late. At night it's so peaceful, and it's when I get the most stuff done. I also get up early too, and one day I'm told it will catch up to me.

O- Orchids: Pink and white orchids are one of my favorite flowers.

P- Pink: Pink is my favorite color.

Q- Quilt: I have an infant quilt that was made for me when I was a baby, and I used it for *B* when he was a baby, and it's now stored in a hope chest.

R- Raspberry: I can't stand the scent of raspberries. I think it's a putrid smell. But I do like the taste of raspberries.

S- Steel Magnolias: This is my all time favorite movie!!

T- Tater: My nickname from my FIL before he passed away was "Tater."

U- Up: My son loves the movie Up, and I've probably seen it 500 times or more since the first time I seen it.

V- Volleyball: I played volleyball in high school.

W- Watermelon: My kitchen is done in a watermelon theme. Most do it in apples or mixed fruits, but mine is completely watermelons.

X- X-rays: I've had too many bone x-rays to count. I've had alot of broken bones, strained and/or sprained body parts.

Y- Yams: Candied yams are my favorite food (aside from the main dish) during the holidays.

Z- Zest: I can't use this type of soap, b/c it breaks me out.

So, there you have it the ABC's of me. Hope you enjoyed getting to know me, and I can't wait to get to know all of you. Happy ICLW!!

Summer Fun

Welcome IComLeavWe'ers! My name is Catrisha. I'm 26, but I'll be 27 in August. I'm married to my amazing DH, Co*dy. We have one son named B*rennen, whom I call *B* or the Monster on this blog that will be 3yrs old in 10 short days. I have PCOS and hypothyroidism that basically cripples my normal fertility life. I've had quite a few m/c's with my most recent being this passed April, and b/c of this m/c DH and I are on a break from TTC#2 b/c I'm just not ready mentally or emotionally to take that leap again right not. If you would like to know more in depth details about my TTC Journey... you can do just that by clicking the tab above labeled "My TTC Journey." Happy ICLW and thanks for getting to know me.

Now back to my regular scheduled blogging...

The family and I have been soaking up the summer fun this passed weekend. With my DH turning 27yrs old the day before Father's Day and then Father's Day we had a GREAT weekend. Well all except for I'm now sporting a broken toe. (I'll tell ya'll about that in a second.) So, on Friday DH and I have been trying since Memorial Day Monday to get this huge stump out of our back yard from a tree that got cut down. We were going to get a stump grinder to do it, but the cost for that labor was outrageous. Any how, we put our back into it and dug the stump out. So, now we can FINALLY put our swimming pool up, as that was the only flat area we had. That's next weekend's task though (only DH isn't all to thrilled. LOL!). Oh and *B* got to catch lightening bugs that night and the night before.

Then came Saturday and DH's birthday. It started on a good note, until after about an hour of calling around on DH's part we found out that nobody was neither or open nor could deliver sand to put under our pool till the following weekend. So, he was irritated. (Not sure why though, I wouldn't of wanted to work on my birthday and he didn't but it was like he wanted to. Who knows? Men!) After that fiasco, *B* and I went and picked up DH's ice cream birthday cake from DQ. It was all messed up and I wasn't pleased with how it looked at all. I only got $3 taken off the price, but still if I could make ice cream cakes I'm sure the design on the top would be alot less plain than this one (that "I Love My Daddy" thing is a plastic that just pops off).After picking up the cake we brought it home and headed to Wal*Mart to pick up a Father's Day gift for my Dad. When we got there we found out that the porch swing that I've wanted for forever was on rollback, but our local Wal*Mart was out of stock with it. So, after standing at customer service for abot an hour while they called around to store within an hour drive time they finally found one and we were off. We headed 35min away, got the swing, and then went out to dinner at Ste*ak-N-Sh*ake for DH's birthday. When we finally arrived home it took about 2hrs to get that swing together, but it looks good sitting on the front porch, and I LOVE IT!!

Father's Day *B* and I got up early and went and got DH's new shoes that he wanted for his present. He wanted that and power tools, but he's less picky about shoes. Get the man a pair of K*Swiss shoes that are his size and the style he goes for and he's fine. Tools that's another story... LOL! Then it was home to wake him up, give him his gift, and pack a cooler for the local pool. We went and swam all day. It was soooo much fun.After *B* decided at one point (after I slipped in the pool and broke my toe), that he was climbing the ladder and running away from us toward where our stuff was sitting and fell and hit his head. So, we left. But, yeah I'm claiming this the year of the broken bones for me... first the broken thumb now the broken toe. After that we went to a Father's Day cookout at one of my best friend's house. Three of my six best friends were there, and I missed the other three but it was still a great time.After we all ate, we swam again in my friend's pool while the guys all played horseshoes. To end the day the guys left off some fireworks, and the kids went running with ears covered. If I could have weekends like this one EVERY weekend I most certainly would. This was a GREAT weekend and I loved it.

Lack of Patience and The "Friend"

Welcome IComLeavWe'ers. If this is your first time visiting my blog you can find my TTC Journey above this post in the tool bar. If you frequent this blog, and have no clue what I'm talking about each month when I say it's that time of month again for ICLW; well click on that cute yellow button on my right sidebar and it'll take you to this month's list of blogs in the ALI community and give you a better explaining or what this is all about. (I'm not doing it, b/c well I'm lazy tonight and super tired, sorry. :))

Any way, back to regular scheduled blogging...

It seems that my adorable, bubbly, blond hair, blue-eyed, 2yr old Monster, *B* is really testing his limits these last couple of weeks... and of course with that Mommy's patience. I hate to complain, b/c he is a blessing... but dang when will the terrible 2's be over? And please don't tell me age three isn't any better, b/c I've already heard that. I'm not sure why he's being like this other than the bad influence of my Dad, little brother, and little brother's mom. Only problem is since my Dad and I had that falling out he hasn't been around any of them except one time, and that was for maybe 15min. I know his mind is a like a little sponge and it's always "Monkey see, Monkey do, Monkey get in trouble too" with him, but I don't think he realizes that their actions are totally inappropriate and he shouldn't be copying them. He's taken to talking back, not wanting to eat, belching loudly and not excusing himself, covering his ears so he's not able to listen, throwing things, and wanting to fight constantly as just a short run down of things. I can't hardly take or stand his actions, and I find myself having to count to 10 numerous times a day or put him in time out constantly. He's even acquired a few hand and butt swats, neither of which have phased him though. I'm just at my wits end with this, and I'm not sure what else to do. I can't just ride out this phase, b/c I don't know how long it will last. Plus he needs to know that his actions aren't suitable, but other than being the example that I already am and telling him he shouldn't do this or that for whatever reason; what more can I do? Advice is welcome.

During all this unruliness though, *B* has acquired a new friend. An imaginary friend. I first started noticing him talking to himself little by little here and there about three months ago, but then it dissipated. Then when we found out we were pregnant before we found out it was a chemical pregnancy last month it started up again. Only it's more than just talking now. I have to tuck the "friend" in bed with him. I have to wash the "friend" at bath time too. He eats half of his meals then pushes his "friend" his plate to eat the rest of it. He throws fits while going into a store that I've left the "friend" in the car. I assume the "friend" is much older than *B*, as he has a job and gets a paycheck and isn't here during the days most the time, but I have no clue honestly. I'm handling the "friend" quite well all except for I can't see him and never know where he is and for the name that *B* has chosen to give him. The "friend's" name is Booger Butthole. Yes, you most certainly read that right. I'm not sure where he came up with that name, but imagine walking into Wal*Mart while your child is screaming and flailing around in the cart screaming at the top of his lungs, "Mommy, you left Booger Butthole strapped in the car! Mommy go out and get Booger Butthole! Mommy Booger Butthole is scared b/c he's all alone out there!" Totally Mortifying!

I've tried to persuade him to change the "friend's" name to something different, and he will for about an hour. Then it always goes back to the current name. I'm hoping this phase too is VERY quick lived, b/c trying to explain why my child has chosen some off the wall name for an imaginary friend that they think he shouldn't have in the first place is proving to be a defeating task. Lord help us!!

Welcome ICLW!

If you've found my blog from ICLW... WELCOME! Above this entry below my header you can find "My TTC Journey" page and read up on me and our struggle. I should forewarn you though if this is the first time your stopping by my blog, I'm not usually a Debbie Downer. It's just that last week I got a BFP, and Monday I found out the results of my second beta and they were not favorable to say the least. Check out entries below this one to see the full story if you would like.

Otherwise, I've been blogging for quite some time. This is my second blog. My first blog can be found in many places on this blog and the net. One place being my sidebar under Labor of Love, in the Infertility category, and the sub category Parenting- After Infertility (CatrishaT).

As you know from clicking on my blog in the ICLW line up, I deal with PCOS. Also, I have hypothyroidism and high blood pressure. We conceived our first son naturally after 3 losses and years of infertility treatments naturally while waiting on my body to adjust from a chemical pregnancy. We've been TTC#2 for two years. We've had a total of 5 losses now (currently waiting on the body to expel this one or a D&C which ever ends up happening). All in all this is my bumpy life and ride... hopefully you'll like what you read and stick around. Happy ICLW!

PS: Full details on everything can be found in older posts or as I stated above in the "My TTC Journey" page tab.

WAH-HOO!!!!

Tomorrow is the last day of ICLW. This part makes me sad, but early in the week I quickly got ahead in the commenting. So much so that I reached Iron Commenter status for the first time ever yesterday. I'm still leaving comments now of course, but I must say that I've found and read a part of so many incredible people's lives that I find it astonishing. Every one has there own story and struggle, and I find it a God send that each one of these men or women have decided to blog about their TTC journey and make it public for others to share. I want to thank each of you for this, b/c it makes me feel not so alone in this infertility fight.

Now, to get back to an order of business that I wanted to type about. As I mentioned I reached Iron Commenter.

I'm so proud of myself!! There were 153 members on this month's list, so that ment alot of late nights after *B* was in bed to get there. But more so, do you remember my 101 in 1001 list? Well, I've been able to mark 3 off so far, so now I have 98 more to go. One small step for me, but one giant leap in the right direction!! WAH-HOO!!! Now, I need that champagne I want to try to pop the top and celebrate!! Thanks for all your comments I'm off to read and comment some more! Hope you're having a wonderful much warmer weekend than myself!

Happy ICLW!!

Hello fellow IComLeavWe'ers. If this is the first time that you're visiting my blog I thank you. Sit down, make yourself comfy, and I encourage you to stay awhile. If you'd like to know more about my TTC journey check out my "About Me In Depth" page under the header above. In the meantime look around, feel free to get to know me and my family, and ENJOY!

HAPPY ICLW FROM ME, DH, AND *B* IN THE LAND OF BABY DREAMS!!