Sometimes I wonder what I used to do with all my spare time before it was spent thinking about my uterus...
Monday, November 3, 2008
Anticipation
Well I'll keep you updated with what happens tomorrow. I'm kind of hoping that just having made the appointment will have been enough to scare my uterus into conception but that is highly unlikely. I'm in the middle of my two-week-wait (or 2ww). I will likely know Sunday whether or not my scare tactics were successful. So I'll keep you posted there too.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Anniversary

Monday, October 13, 2008
So You're Telling Me There's A Chance...
On that note. I made an appointment with a fertility specialist that works in my OBGYN's practice. It's on November 4Th. We will meet with her to discuss what our habits have been and what the first course of action should be. I'm thinking blood tests for me and a magazine with a sterilized cup for Brian. This is by no means an aggressive analysis. I'm just ready to take the first step. I'm not always an advocate of medical intervention, but I am a fan of getting my sanity back. Just like having a baby, trying to make one effects almost everything a woman does.
It effects the food I eat, it dictates the the beverages I drink - decaf, non alcoholic, sugarfree... It effects my social calendar and my overall happiness. All of the responsibilties with none of the perks. No count down until I get to meet this little person we've made, no grinning when I tell our acquaitances about my due date, none of the good stuff. We've known couples that took a well over a year to conceive. But my patience is fading. And so is my libido. Its time to make a move.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Nope.
Menses - men·ses - \Men"ses\ mehn-sees
pl.n. (used with a sing. or pl. verb)
- A period. Cyclic (monthly) flow of blood (menstruation) signifying ovulation, but failure to achieve pregnancy.
- Menses - the monthly discharge of blood from the uterus of nonpregnant women from puberty to menopause.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Dear Diary: I'm Still Not Pregnant
Hi Jen,
I just recently found your blog on Redbook, which lead be to Maybe If You Just Relax. I am so glad I found your site but wish that I had found it sooner. Like during the 6 months I thought about having myself committed. jk. I have been trying to get pregnant for just over a year and my husband and I are tiptoeing around the idea of going to fertility clinic. Even though it's only been a year, I feel like I have been through SO much but then I read your blog and a few other women's and I feel like I ain't seen nothing yet. Ugh.
Well enough crap about me, I just really wanted to thank you for your stories. You are a fantastic writer and every one of your posts makes me laugh. I definitely need that. I admire how honest you are and you have become one of the VERY few pregnant women that I wouldn't squint at and call a whore under my breath. I really am happy for you. I didn't think I could say that to any woman with child. But for you, I actually mean it.
Thanks again,
Melissa Griffin
Thank you so much for your sweet email! I love to hear from readers.
I can definitely say that I know how you feel - I remember the one year mark very well. But trust me, you'll get used to showing your vagina to every doctor in your state of residence and won't even bat an eye! Still, I wish you the best of luck, and hope you end up not needing assistance after all.
If you ever have any questions or anything, let me know. And thanks again for writing!
-Jen
_______________________________________________
Making people uncomfortable with stories about my vagina since 2007:
http://www.jennepper.com/
Blogging publicly about our reproductive debacles since 2008:
www.redbookmag.com/your/infertility
Monday, September 22, 2008
This is me: not panicking...
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Sticking A Fork In The Baby Making Road
I have recently been reading other women's blogs about TTC. Most of them are much further into the journey than I am. Most of them are talking about fertility treatments that include pills, shots, creams, and even surgery. Most of them have been trying for years and have spent thousands of dollars and still haven't gotten pregnant.
What if we don't want to go that far? What we don't want to adopt?
I feel like we have been through so much in the last year. But in comparison to the heartache that some couples have been through, we ain't seen nothin' yet. I feel like this really may not happen for us. And it's not sadness talking, but maybe a kind of resolve. Like I am coming to terms with the fact that it may not be in the cards for us. I feel like the time is closing in on what kind of discussions we need to start having together then with our families. I hate that two weeks ago I was ready to break down the doors of the first Fertility Clinic I found and jump into their stirrups, and now. Well now I don't know if I want to deal with any of that. Part of me wants to just find out if we can or not. But then I think about the people who didn't take that route. I have one friend who tried for two years then finally got pregnant - with no medical intervention. We have some friends who tried for nine years and some who tried for thirteen and finally got their baby... Do I want to hang on that long? I don't know.
What we will spend our double incomes on? What sort of exotic vacations are in store for us?
That probably sounds insensitive right? Well what if I'm feeling insensitive?! Haven't I earned the right to be sarcastic and cold?
I was five days late this month. FIVE. I have never been that late. I took at test last night and it was negative. Then I got my period this afternoon. We technically took last month off because of the medication I had to take for that rash. Brian and I were still careful and didn't "try". But lets just say our method was not exactly bomb proof. So when I was late this week I was all: NO WAY! Are you kidding me? That would be just like us to get it right when we were trying to get it wrong! But we didn't... And that medication? Well it fucked me all up. It gave me such bad vertigo I was afraid to drive. And Sunday I had such strong fatigue that I barely got out of bed all day. It felt like the time I had carbon monoxide poisoning. Ugh. Where do we go from here?
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Change of Heart
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Infertility: A Double Feature
Brian and I had talked a month or two ago and decided we weren't ready to shop for a fertility clinic just yet. But I don't feel that way anymore. I want a baby, and I'm tired of waiting. I'm not stressed. I'm not depressed. I'm just overdue. It's officially been a year this month since we started trying but it feels like an eternity. I have been back and forth with telling myself that we could be perfectly healthy and it really will just happen when its supposed to. But I'm kind of feeling that is just delusional cheerleadery bullshit. Yep. I think I need to make that phone call. SOON. I imagine that it will be at least a month or three before I can get an appointment anyway. Or I guess I really should be saying "we". It may not be me.... Sorry dear but that is a fact. One that I pray does not affect us... Here goes nothing.
***** Update: I just left the office to go outside and make the phone call and it turns out I need to do some routine testing through my doctor before I spend $325 on a 1 hour consultation. Yikes. 8/29/2008
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Parolee
I had my annual visit with my OBGYN. She's great by the way. We talked doggies and babies. We also talked infertility. She told me one thing I didn't want to hear: It takes most people about 6 months to get pregnant. But she did say something that made me want to jump for moderate relief. But I couldn't because my feet were in the stirrups. She said although most doctors recommend seeing a fertility expert after one year of no luck. Inertility used to be defined by 2 years with no luck. She said people just seem to be on the fast track these days and that plenty of couples will conceive after a year without medical intervention. Whew!
I guess its more wait and see. Something I have gotten used to. And better at.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Nope.
It will happen.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Long Time Gone
Anyhoodle, it's a fantastic place where I have used my powers fueled by pain and frustration for good instead of evil. It feels so good to theoretically raise your hand and say "Holy shit, me too!". And I think I have been helpful...
So I guess makes it the Internet 2, despair 0.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Eveready
I was looking around online a few weeks ago and came across this forum that discussed the issues women face while trying to become pregnant. In order to partake in the discussion I had to register with the site. Well some how my account information got messed up and it shows my profile as already being a mom, and they now send me emails on other discussions Mom's have and sales on baby items. For some reason I am unable to change my profile or unsubscribe to their relentless emails. It keeps telling me there is an error of some sort. I even emailed the "tech help" section and they sent me step by step instructions that have no use or meaning to me. So I am subjected to a daily reminder that I have no need for any baby items that are now 30-50% OFF!!!
Its also raining babies among our various social circles. I found out yet another couple is expecting their first. Congratulations Mike and Boo. I mean that. I think. Yeah, I do. I'm not bitter anymore. Oh yeah, that's number 5 by the way- if anyone else is keeping count.
I think on the "bad days" I just feel a little blue. But it is really much better than it has been. I dream about it pretty often, a couple of days ago I had this dream that a woman was telling me I was going to have a boy next month. I couldn't quite remember or interpret if I was already pregnant or what... But it was intriguing at the very least. Most of my dreams have to do with me already having a baby or telling people I'm pregnant but I wouldn't be showing yet. So I can only hope that it's a foreshadow of some sort. Then again talking about it makes me feel like I might be jinxing it. Whatever. So in the meantime - I'll be waiting.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Blue
Brian and I have established a savings account to cover expenses for my maternity leave. The plan is to have enough so that I am able to take 3 months off and Brian is able to take 1 month off. It should also cover any medical bills that are left over from my deductable. We are about 60% there. After every month that has gone by with no good news I tell myself well at least we'll have one more month to save... I also think how great it will be when we have reached our goal, because I hate the pillows on the couch in the living room and I can't wait to buy new ones. I keep using that goal to keep my mind off the other one that I just can't seem to attain. I think about the freedoms we have because we aren't tied down to a sleeping infant. I tell myself that in some ways I'm already a mother. But that's bullshit. The truth is none of that helps on days like this. I ache to be a mother... I think about it all the time. Everything is a reminder. I'm getting so tired of waiting. So very tired.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Friday, June 6, 2008
When Anger is an Understatement
*For additional legal purposes, I'm going to denote my use of sarcasm in this entry. I'm not really going to kill anyone, I am just currently consumed by my pms. This was only a joke.
I don't know why but I can hear Frank Somerville reading that last part on the 10 O'Clock news, in my head.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Pants All On Fire
So I should warn those whom plan to become pregnant and not tell your friends or family that you are trying. BECOME A GOOD LIAR. I have managed the art of ordering a glass of wine at dinner and taking pretend sips, only to pull the old switcharoo with Brian's empty glass so it looks like mine is all gone. I have joked that I boozed it up the night before, and I'm still fighting off the hang over. Or even pulled out the DD (Designated Driver) card to trump a vodka collins. Brian thinks I am silly, and self conscience. But any woman knows that when a friend, family member or acquaintance of childbearing age turns down a glass of wine - SOMETHING IS UP. Anyway... I will keep you posted as the week goes by. Cross your fingers for me.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Weight For Me
When I go through a tough stretch or finally reach a goal. I take that opportunity to indulge in the things that I otherwise would approach with moderation. I joined Weight Watchers again this month. If you want to know the truth I joined a month ago, went in for two meetings and then blew it off for the next three weeks. Mean while it billed my credit card. (Sorry Honey). So my next meeting is tomorrow morning, I have to go in and tell them why I didn't show for three weeks and explain why I have gained back the 4lbs that I lost in my first week. Yuck. But I will go. And in a month I will be able to pull up my pants with out grimacing that they used to be looser.
Friday, May 23, 2008
And the Internet won't make an insurance claim
Friday, May 16, 2008
If a pregnancy test could be used for currency....
Since I began using Ovulation tests to assist us in "timing" for project: baby griffin; I have accumulated a staggering amount of pregnancy tests. When you buy the Ovulation Kits it comes with free pregnancy tests, like the press on tattoo's in the bottom of a crackerjack box. One time it looked like whom ever packed the box just grabbed a handful and tossed them in to spite the conglomerate they worked for. The ones on the left are the remainder from a four pack of tests that I bought at Costco the weekend after we decided to start trying. They expire in July.
The worst part is I have to order another kit.
Which only means one thing: MORE Free Pregnancy Tests.
If a pregnancy test could be used for currency, I could buy a lithuanian baby.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Nope.
I, like most women can be pretty complex. And though I often know he would like to run screaming from the room- He doesn't. I try not to get mad when he mutters under his breath that he can't win, because I know he's right. And because I know I am a big jerk. Brian has been incredibly supportive, and has been my only source for positive reinforcement and hope, especially in the last month. And I am grateful for him. He says the all the cute things I want to hear about me being pregnant soon, but am to guarded to say myself. He works a lot of long days, and still finds the guts to come home to a reproductive-obsessed lunatic. So next time you see him give him a big hug. The poor guy has been a hostage for the better part of a year and could probably use a hug with no strings attached.
Thanks honey, I love you.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Yes I am not sure
Anyway, so it's now 6:30 pm, and still no period. No period and a negative pregnancy test... This is what I am talking about, with the ups and downs. Stress could be delaying my period. Simple as that. But I didn't feel stressed about it. I felt excited. Is it possible that I got a false negative? Yes. Is it likely? No. So I am either one day late, as has happened before, or I got a false negative. Or my husband whom requires eye glasses to watch TV or drive did not wear them this morning while looking at the test, could not see it as clearly as he thought.
Earlier this evening while I should have been working. I went back to amazon.com to check out the reviews on the brand of test I am using. I was pleasantly surprised to see that many women hadn't gotten the "early" results as promised by the company. I have to say it was pretty nice reading those reveiws about false negatives and all those women who said that they couldn't get an early result. I really hope I could be one of those statistics. I genuinely believe we did everything right this month. As far as timing goes. Get your mind out of the gutter. UGH... Will I get my period tonight? Or tomorrow morning? Should I even bother testing tomorrow? This is the part that sucks. How do I forget about these times, where I'm so up and down. Like every month I am surprised by my volatile emotions.
At any rate, it's more of the wait and see game. I'll keep you updated. Wish me luck.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Peachy
We made the decision to clean in there because Parker went in there to sleep on the spare bed and we couldn't find him for three whole days. Truly it was a disaster... I kept calling it the "Staging Room". Brian kept pretending it didn't exist. So once we were able to actually clear a spot large enough to recognize the carpet, I quickly sat down and dreamt of the possibilities. I thought about the colors we could paint it when the time comes that it needs to exist for more than just a place we hide things from unexpected company. I thought about Mother's Day, and when it would be my turn to celebrate it... I don't think it will be this year. I won't know for a few more days but my plan is to keep assuming it will happening the following month.
Anyway, Happy Mother's Day, hope it's peachy!
Friday, May 2, 2008
Gulp...
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Putting Aside My Feelings...
I wasn't sure how to properly convey a sarcastic inflection in that statement. But I would guess you figured it out.
Anyway, with all disdain aside: Congratulations Claudia, Kelly, Tammy, and Chrissy. And to the Carver's, proud parents of a baby boy: Joseph Edward Carver,V. I can't wait to meet you.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Nobody Knows.....
This is probably like the fifth time I have stated that I am done obsessing in various other ways, but this time I think it's true. Although my head is much more clear before I ovulate each month, so hopefully I will still feel this same resolve a week from now. Who know's? Who knows.....
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
In My Head...
I am yet again just a week away from finding out my fate. Trying to ignore the voice that is saying "this really might be the month", so that I don't get let down again. Just so you know, I actually am pretty hopeful each month. But I try not to let that idea take over.
I try not to think about the fact that if I am pregnant this month, I would be due a week before Christmas. Or how we would tell our families in June, after I would be about 12 weeks along, and possibly have a sonogram to show everyone. It's exciting. Sometimes I get more caught up in how we are going to tell our families, then planning for the kid to actually get here. I know how excited you will be for us. And we can't wait to tell you.