lazy sunday

A. Age: 32

B. Bed size: California King. It's hard to sleep in anything else.

C. Chore you dislike: Most, but if I have to pick I'd say vacuuming.

D. Dogs: None. Not a big dog person.

E. Essential start to your day: Bathroom, meds, shower.

F. Favorite color: Blue.

G. Gold or silver: Silver. Most of my jewelry is silver and my wedding rings are platinum.

H. Height: 5'7" ish.

I. Instruments you play(ed): Played the clarinet for (...doing the math...) 12 years? Started in fifth grade and was a certified band nerd throughout high school and college. Even marched in college.

J. Job title: Early Intervention Service Coordinator

K. Kids: Two and a half year old Noah Taylor, the coolest kid I know.

L. Live: In a split-level house in Winfield, IL

M. Mom’s name: Kathleen

N. Nicknames: Mindy, since my full name is Melinda, but I also get Min or Mind a lot.

O. Overnight hospital stays: Lots. Was in a week after my gall bladder was removed. Was in a few days after my lung biopsy. Was in for five days due to a post-op infection. And several days following Noah's birth.

P. Pet Peeve: Again, lots. Ignorance and stupidity are probably on top of the list.

Q. Quote from a movie: I'm terrible with quotes. I blame it on my 80 year old memory.

R. Righty or lefty: Righty. I think Noah's gonna be a south-paw.

S. Siblings: One sister, one half-sister, three brothers-in-law, and two sisters-in-law.

T. Time you wake up: Depends on the day, but since Noah started on a normal sleep schedule, I can't sleep much past 8:00.

U. Underwear: Boring cotton bikinis. Usually Hanes from Target cuz they're cheap.

V. Vegetables you don’t like: I like most, but definitely can't do brussel sprouts or peas. Blech.

W. What makes you run late: Usually Ben. Honestly, if it's just me, I can usually have my shit together in time, but when it's the two (or three) of us going anywhere, we're always late. But sometimes it's just because we oversleep.

X. X-rays you’ve had: So many. Probably every joint has been x-rayed at some point.

Y. Yummy food you make: If you know me, you know I don't cook. :/ Wish I did, but fortunately, I don't have to. ;)

Z. Zoo animal favorites: Whatever gets Noah excited. This last zoo trip, he was excited to see the giraffes, and they were actually pretty cool.

2.5

Yesterday, Noah turned two and a half and pooped on the potty twice. Wow.

I'm in awe everyday of him. How smart he is. How funny he is. How inquisitive he is. How polite he is. (Please, Thank you, Welcome, Love you.) Don't get me wrong - he has his moments. He's in a kind of bossy stage. "Mine" is a new familiar word. Time outs are becoming a routine occurance. But I always remind him that he is a good boy. (He just needs to learn to listen and not to throw toys, his two downfalls.)

We're looking forward to the weather turning to summer. Last weekend, we went to Klein Creek Farm with Gaga and Brookfield Zoo as a family with Auntie Juty, Uncle Shott, and Gigi, Amy, Mike, & (Noah's IL girlfriend) Anna. The weather was lovely, and we all got sunburned at the Zoo. This week however has been another story.

We are looking forward to lots of fun things this summer, including a recent decision to join Amanda, Robert, Isaac, & Laine for a long weekend in the Wisconsin Dells in August. I think the Dells just Ben, Noah, & I might not be so much fun, but with the other kids, I think Noah will have the time of his life! On top of that, there's the annual trip to Piatt Lake in the UP of Michigan, a few Cubs games, a few concerts (Ray LaMontagne and Brandi Carlisle for mommy & daddy, and New Kids on the Block/Backstreet Boys for mommy & auntie), and surely numerous playdates and visits to the playground. We're also planning on getting a pool pass, and I'm thinking of enrolling Noah in a dance or gymnastics class.

It's gonna be a great summer with my TWO AND A HALF YEAR OLD!!! Seriously? I can't believe how quickly time goes...

limbo

i've had a lot on my mind that i don't really feel comfortable blogging about right now, since i don't know who all is reading this. hopefully i'll be able to share the whole story sometime soon, but until then, just sit tight. long story short, life throws you curve balls, and sometimes you need to wait to find out the outcome. and let me just say that the limbo i'm in is the worst limbo of my life. i think my brain and heart might explode.

A New Day

"A New Day Has Come"
Celine Dion

I was waiting for so long
For a miracle to come
Everyone told me to be strong
Hold on and don't shed a tear

Through the darkness and good times
I knew I'd make it through
And the world thought I'd had it all
But I was waiting for you

Hush now I see a light in the sky
Oh it's almost blinding me
I can't believe I've been touched by an angel with love

Let the rain come down and wash away my tears
Let it fill my soul and drown my fears
Let it shatter the walls for a new sun
A new day has come

When it was dark now there's light
Where there was pain now's there's joy
Where there was weakness I found my strength
All in the eyes of a boy

Hush now I see a light in your eyes
All in the eyes of a boy

I can't believe I've been touched by an angel with love

Hush now
A new day

An Open Letter to PETA

Ingrid E. Newkirk, President
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
ingridn@peta.org

Dear Ms. Newkirk,

I am yet another member of the infertility community who is appalled to learn about your "Win a Vasectomy" contest, and I strongly request that you immediately discontinue this contest and issue a REAL apology (non the Facebook BS) to the infertility community for this shameful and careless campaign.

Conceiving a child is something that many people take for granted, but for 1 in 8 Americans, it is not something that comes easily. People try for years to conceive, and words cannot describe the pain and anguish that comes with infertility.

My son is my greatest gift, and without in-vitro fertilization, fantastic doctors, and an amazing support system, he might not be here. So for you to insinuate that winning a vasectomy to curb overpopulation sickens me. Still to neutering animals and throwing pain on people who wear fur, and let the infertility community out of this.

I demand you issue a formal apology to the infertility community and discontinue this contest immediately.

Sincerely,
Mindy Koechling

beta #2

beta #2 was yesterday and was 478. "a little off" per my nurse. hcg levels are supposed to double every 48-72 hours, and mine are doubling at a rate of 79 hours. some lovely ladies from my IVF board suggested that maybe it's what's called a "disappearing twin", meaning another embryo (or two) were still present but hadn't fully attached to my uterus and was not viable. the presence of the embryo could have raised the initial level, therefore making the 2nd number not look like it doubled correctly.

anyways, i go back tomorrow for beta #3 and early ultrasound is scheduled for monday. definitely staying positive and feeling pregnant! i've definitely had symptoms for the last week or so. cramps, constipation, sore boobs, big boobs, etc. no nausea yet, thankfully!

BFP

Holy Crap. I'm pregnant!! HCG is 314 and progesterone is 57 13dt3dt. I go back Wednesday and Friday, and then early ultrasound sometime next week!