Monday, September 17, 2012

Transitions


You know when you have so much going on in your life, that it’s just a whirlwind?  This is my life.  I’m so excited about it, this is what I want, and yet it’s exhausting.  I’ve reached the point where I just observe, watching my life unfold.  I have no idea what will happen in the next few months, but it’s all so exciting.  I wanted to take this moment and write down where we are, right now.

Alex: fabulous as always.  Actually the easiest part of my life.  She eats well, she sleeps well, she is happy and healthy.  The only bad part is her lack of naps at daycare.  She moved to the Infant 2 class about a month ago, and instead of allowing them to sleep whenever, and encouraging her to get two naps per day, she’s now on a schedule that allows for only one nap per day.  At 9 months old, I was told that she was old enough to have only one nap per day.  I completely disagree.  On the weekends, she takes two naps that are 1.5-2 hours each.  But during the week, she takes 1 nap, and usually wakes up about 45 minutes in.  She will do that at home, but in a room by herself, she’ll look around and go back to sleep.  In a room full of other babies, she wants to get up and party.  So at most she gets an hour of sleep during the day.  So by the time I get her in the evenings, it’s rough.  Now at 10.5 months, it’s getting a little better, and I know it will get better with time, but I hate it.  The only thing that keeps me going is knowing that we only have 1.5 months left of full-time daycare.

Job:  Speaking of no more full-time daycare, I’m working with my current job to go part-time: 20 hours per week.  It’s about 90% definite: we’re moving from Texas to Colorado.  And no matter what, I’m not working full-time after November 1.  The plan is to work remotely from home, and fit in 20 hours per week.  This will be with 3 half days at daycare, plus naps, plus grandma/aunt help or weekend work if necessary.  I’m so excited about this.  My job transition has been approved by almost all levels at my company, and only needs to be approved by the CEO, but I don’t think he will have a problem with it.  My hubs does not love it, but he’s not objecting.  I keep telling him we’ll figure out the money.  Which I know we will.  But he really likes having plenty of money…  Also I’m talking with the university I mentioned earlier about being an adjunct professor – teach 1-2 classes, primarily at night.  I’m so excited about this!  I think it will be the perfect schedule.

Move:  We’re very active in trying to move in November.  Hubs is trying to find a job, which I know he will find, but it might take some time to find the perfect job.  I feel like he feels pressure to find something really soon, so I’m trying to convey that it will be fine if he doesn’t, but I think he feels the responsibility of primary breadwinner and insurance provider.  He is currently in Denver, and had an interview today that he was really excited about, and the company loved him, but doesn’t want to pay him even his current salary.  It’s a job that he may have been able to go for if I made more money, but now that I’m going part-time…  I don’t know, maybe I’m taking on too much of this.  He’s not telling me any of this, but maybe I’m trying to read too much into it.  I know it will work out fine, but there are so many balls in the air right now – finding a job for Hubs, buying a house, selling a house, figuring out where to live prior to buying the house, moving, cleaning…  What else?

Baby #2:  Oh right, almost forgot about that.  Started a FET cycle today…  Well really I’ve been taking birth control for awhile, but I stopped those and went in for CD3 blood work and ultrasound today and got clearance to start estrogen pills and patches.  Need to schedule the home nurse to do the intralipid infusion, get the rest of the meds, and the transfer is scheduled for October 5.  Holy crap, I can’t believe I’m doing this in the midst of everything else.  I really want to get it done as (a) I want another baby and want to get it done and (b) I don’t want to have to find a new RE when we move, and figure out shipping my embryos and everything.  But this cycle is so weird.  I find myself forgetting about it.  Like this morning I shaved my legs (something that doesn’t happen that often) because my husband was coming home from Denver tonight, and then realized at the doctor’s office that it was a good thing I had shaved my legs!  I hadn’t even thought about it in the shower – so unlike me!  But on the flip side, I feel so positive about this cycle.  Like October 5 is the day I’ll get knocked up.  And usually I don’t even throw a “maybe” at the end.  In my mind it’s something else to do – pack some boxes, pick up Alex from daycare, and get knocked up.  Like it’s a foregone conclusion!  I’m sure some doubt will creep in there at some point, but now it just seems so reasonable.  It’s like I’ve forgotten how tenuous this whole thing is.

Boot camp:  I’m very proud to report that I successfully made it through 8 weeks of boot camp!  I’m now 15 pounds below pre-pregnancy weight, and in the best shape of my adult life.  My plan was to get through the 8 weeks, and then stop as it was time for the FET cycle.  But I spoke with my RE, and he said I could continue exercising as long as it was no longer than 30 minutes per day, and my heart rate didn’t get over 140 beats per minute.  So I signed up for another boot camp!  Besides the two days of bed rest, I fully intend on doing boot camp, as they are 30 minute videos, six days per week!  I will need to modify the workouts, as my heart rate definitely gets over 140 at times, but I’m very excited to have a fit and healthy pregnancy, instead of the sedentary one I had last time.  I’m really hoping that I can maintain some level of fitness during this next pregnancy, as this has done wonders for my energy, my mood, and my sense of pride.  I’m so excited that for the first time in my life, I really feel in control of my health.  Yes, I’m still overweight, but I’m happy and feel good in my skin.  I’m a little disappointed that I have to stop this weight-loss trajectory with pregnancy, but I know that once I have my next baby, I can lose the weight, and become fit again.  Forever!!!

Overall, I’m doing really well.  So many things are unknown right now, which usually freaks me out.  But somehow I’m making it work.  I’m controlling the things I can.  I’m doing a good job at work, and trying to make every moment I have with Alex count.  I’m trying to be supportive with my husband as he figures out our future.  I’m very relaxed about where we’re going to live (unlike anyone I’ve asked, I’m willing to let hubs pick out our next house – can you imagine? He looked at 17 houses this weekend, and I’m very interested yet calm about it.  I know he’ll do a good job picking something out).  I’m going through our house and decluttering and cleaning, trying to minimize our stuff to move.  And I’m doing what we need to do to have another baby.  Occasionally I have minor freak out moments, but overall, things are good.  As long as I have my To Do list!

Oh, and one more thing!  At 10.5 months, we’re going to start transitioning to cloth diapers!  I really wanted to earlier, but no daycares around here would take them.  The daycares in Colorado are much more willing to do it.  So with more time at home to do laundry, and daycares that are willing, I just ordered 6 diapers to start trying for weekends and nights, with the plan to transition to full-time in November.  After lots of research, I’m starting with Thirsties Duo Diapers, which are pocket diapers.  I really like the convenience of all-in-ones or pockets, but pockets seem to dry faster according to reviews online.  I couldn’t decide on which pocket to go with, until I found that Thirsties is made in the USA, and it’s even a Colorado company!  Perfect!  I got 6 diapers, a few extra hemp inserts, a wet bag, some laundry detergent, and some flushable liners.  Can’t wait to get them and start!!!  Stay tuned…

22 comments:

  1. YAY for FET cycle....I'm headed for transfer on Thursday....Hope all goes well with that while you're moving and getting settled in....you are amazing to take all of that on...

    Good for you for completing the bootcamp....My hormones go all wonky if my weight changes 5 pounds...I have to stay where I'm at until I get knocked up and then I have to be super careful with weight gain.

    Good luck with everything....

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  2. WOW! So much going on, I bet you do feel like you're in a whirlwind! So much of it is such exciting stuff though, I hope all continues to go well!

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  3. Holy cow! I am so excited about ALL OF THIS! Your new schedule, FET, cloth diapers...woo hoo!! Life is seriously changing. And I am so JEALOUS that you're 15 pounds below pre-pregnancy weight. But seriously, good for you.

    Also I think it's ridiculous that your daycare only gives Alex one nap. At the daycare I worked out, babies were offered two naps until they went to the toddler room at 14 months.

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  4. Wow! That all sounds amazing! It IS a whirlwind!

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  5. Good for you for trying out cloth diapers! We went back to them at 12 months and love them. We had a rough week last week with leaking, but today was dry. Fingers crossed.

    Awesome deal on work - 20 hours a week will be perfect!

    So you don't need to take Lupron, huh? I am so jealous. I was 30 pounds less than my pre-pregnancy weight but just started lupron last week and have gained 4 pounds. I am not happy about it. You are so lucky to be skipping that! I need to ask my clinic why it's so necessary (which I'm sure it is).

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  6. Wow! This is all so exciting! The great thing about having so many balls in the air is that even if you drop a few, good things are bound to happen! I can't tell you how happy I am for you, and I am betting that everything is going to go really smoothly. :)

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  7. Wow! What an huge update! So much going on. I know I said this last time, but I'll say it again: you just sound so happy!! I think the bootcamp surely has a ton to do with that. Like you said, it lets you feel in control and that is important, especially in a time of such flux. I am super impressed with your weight-loss results and it's so great that you will continue with the working out even when you're pregnant!! (And, YES, no qualifiers needed!) I have gotten off to a slow start with the bootcamp, because I'm fighting off a case of strep throat. UGH! Talk abotu crappy timing, but I'm walking as much as I can on my work commute and still doing the other parts of the program. And I keep reminding myself that every little bit counts. If it's 7 weeks instead of 8, then so be it! The important part is DOING something!

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  8. FANTASTIC on all fronts!!! So so happy to hear you so positive, I'll be sending a ton of positive sticky vibes your way on the 5th, and I completely understand the feeling of forgetting about the cycle! Wishing your husband all the best for finding a good job in Colorado, and I'm really happy you are trying out cloth dyapers! My advice would be to start with day time first, till you are comfortable you have no leaks, change a bit more often at least at the beginning (you'll find out soon what it the maximum time you can have her in the cloth before they leak) and you'll be great! For the naps, I was trying to think back to Oliver and I think he was on 2 naps at least till he was one, so I agree with you that they should let her sleep if she's tired. Love from afar, Fran

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  9. I am overwhelmed just reading all that you have going on! This is all so exciting though. Congrats on everything, and especially your upcoming FET, eek!!! Keep us posted on how everything shakes out.

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  10. Holy cats, woman! My head is just spinning with all of these updates!

    So pleased to see you are working out a WFH situation to suit your needs. And HOLY CATS I can't believe your transfer is on October 5! These October dates are coming up fast! Fingers crossed for you!!!!

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  11. I'm so impressed with how zen you are with all of the changes coming! Sending you tons of luck for your FET and everything else!!

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  12. So much fun stuff! Congrats on the job changes and good luck to your DH on his job search. The move sounds great and you seem really excited about it =) Best of luck with your FET, we'll be cycle buddies (my transfer was last Friday). It's great that all your activities have kept your mind off of all the TTC stuff - it's a waste of brain space anyway *LOL* Congrats on the weight loss, that's awesome! I exercised through my 1st pregnancy and it was amazing how fast the weight came off, it really helped so much. And even though you'll gain weight during pregnancy the change in lifestyle will make so much difference during and after pregnancy. Good for you!

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  13. Oh wow! You sure are staying busy! That all sounds so fantastic though! I am so jealous that you're able to go to part time. Alex is at a great age to spend extra time with her playing and such.

    I think you are going to love the cloth diapers. We did thirsties when Em was younger as she just recently out grew them (size 1). Our go to diaper now though are bumgenius pockets. they just fit her long rise and skinny legs better than the Thristies, but I do miss the double gussets on the legs. We use their covers still with prefolds as our back up diapers when i need to wash.

    Everything just sounds so great in your life right now and you can just hear (read?) it in your writing. I can't wait to read about your BFP in a few weeks, unless you forget to test :)

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  14. So much excitement! So happy for where you are!

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  15. While all the transitions you describe sound like they could be stressful, you seem to be in a very good place. Good Luck with everything; I'll be waiting to hear updates!

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  16. Wow, lots of changes/transitions going on in your neck of the woods! All sounds promising though. I know it's scary when there are lots of unknowns, but just have faith and it will all work out like it's suppose to!

    Good luck with the FET AND the cloth diapering!

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  17. New(ish) follower here! I actually work from home too remotely for my company that's a few states away AND cloth diaper. How's that for having two things in common! Good luck with baby #2 and feel free to stop by sometime! I've blogged a few times about CD's! www.sarahandderek.blogspot.com

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  18. Wow, only 1 nap time at that age? SO not okay. They (of all people) should know that! I don't know any daycare places around here that make the kids go to only one nap until at least 15-18 months. I'm glad you don't have to use full time daycare for much longer!

    So exciting about the job and moving transitions! I live down in SW colorado, but we'll have to try to get together someday!

    Way to get through boot camp!! I'm up 6# in the past 6 months (GAH!) so it's time for me to motivate myself somehow. *sigh*

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  19. good grief girl, so much going on!!! i don't even know where to start with commenting, haha.

    -hooray for cloth diapering! I hope you love it!
    -bigger hooray for going to part time work regardless - this is awesome!
    -congrats on bootcamp! awesome that you can continue through FET, I'm not allowed to run during my cycle because of the chance of ovarian torsion. It's been over two weeks and i'm going batty. I've been doing walks and yoga, but it's just not the same

    GOOD LUCK with the FET! Everything crossed this is it!

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  20. So much great stuff going on! I totally know the feeling (example: it took me a full week to get to my blog reader!) and its exciting. Good luck on hashing out the details with the job and the move! :)

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  21. Wow, mama. You do have a lot going on! Good luck with the move. And yay for cloth diapers :)

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  22. Wow! You are so busy with so much going on. Good luck with your current cycle. You are doing so awesome with the exercising! Your new job situation sounds really great.

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