Abuela's Picadillo

So I finally got around to uploading a bunch of pictures from my desktop to my IPOD, and I saw these pictures, and just had to make a post. These pictures are from about 3 years ago I guess... One day I decided that I hadn't learned how to make very many Cuban dishes, so I asked my beautiful, Cuban Abuelita to teach me some dishes. This day we made Picadillo, which is a Cuban Stew. It's kind of like a Spaghetti sauce, and you eat it over rice. Well, I am so grateful that we had that time together and now, I know how to make it! My Grandma died one year ago.. It was so sudden and quick, and I miss her so dearly. But I am grateful for all of the things that she did for me. I am grateful for eternal families, and I know that I will see her again one day.

Moving right along..

Well, I have had 2 doctors appointments to check on my growing eggs, and today the doctor saw 8 follicles... so he is hoping to get 5-6 eggs. More would be great. I have to admit, that at first I was a little uneasy about the number, because I was really hoping to get at least 10 eggs, but I still feel good about it, so we are going with it. I have to get my first "butt" shot tonight! Yipee!! But actually I am a little happier about that because the nurse was kind enough to give me a smaller needle! Only 1 inch now instead of 1 and a 1/2. And a half inch makes a HUGE difference! So then my retrieval is set for Thursday! And depending on the eggs, I will have my transfer on either Sunday or the Tuesday after... I'm so nervous, and anxious and excited! I think I am going to schedule a massage for Saturday to help me relax for the transfer... and then I will be on bed rest for at least one day, maybe more... so I'm sure I will have lots of time to update this thing and add some pictures... blogs just don't seem too fun without pictures!

Needles and more needles...

Today was my first doctor's appointment for my IVF cycle. They had to draw blood to make sure my horomones are right, and they did and ultrasound to make sure my ovaries are ready to start growing eggies! The ultrasounds I have to have are not your regular, on the tummy ultrasounds... The doctor uses and wand that has to go... well, you know where... anyways today was an interesting day... Sorry for a little TMI!! I sat back and the ultrasound machine wasn't working, so I had to walk halfway naked to another room... but everything looked great! I am good to start my egg growing medications on Tuesday! Then I will be doing 2 injections a day! One in the morning and one in the evening. So anyways.... after the ultrasound I had to give blood, and I am completely horrible when it comes to giving blood. For some reason, I get light headed after and sometimes I pass out. I can usually feel it coming on though, so I hurry and put my head down. Well, I told them that I pass out, and that I need to lay down when they draw me, so I laid down. One girl came in the room and was getting my arm ready to be poked... My mom was trying to distract me by talking about my doggies, and I felt the poke... waited a little bit, and in a flash it was over. I was relieved, but then the girl told me that she hadn't got any blood, and she was going to try my other arm.... DANG it!! I thought it was over! So she goes to my other arm... same thing... poke... wait, all done! But then she says she still didn't get anything, so she goes to get another nurse! I was so not up for that today! Well, this new girl I have worked with a lot, and we've spent quite a bit of time together... so I was happy to have her, and she got it on the first try! Finally! So that was my fun adventure for today. I also have to add that all these medications are making me a crazy person... Yesterday I yelled at Kylle for the stupidest little things... sorry babe!! I think he understands! It's only going to get worse as I continue to add more medications...

Catching up... Kitchen

Well, I haven't done any blogging yet really, so I thought I would try to add some older stuff. I really like this way of journaling, it will be so nice to look back at! Ok... so the Kitchen.. Well, Kylle bought me some really nice Calphalon pots for Christmas, and a rack to hang them on. He very kindly installed the rack the day after Christmas, and having the nice stainless rack and pots reminded me that my kitchen needed a little makeover. When we bought the house the cabinets were a hideous darkish oak, with gold handles and hinges... So the first thing I did, was paint the cabinets a red, and replace all the hardware with silver pulls and hinges. That kept me happy for a while, but with a fancy pot rack I needed something better, and I had been bugging Kylle to make me new cabinet doors for a while anyway, so... He refaced my cabinet doors, we painted everything black, and he even built me, FROM SCRATCH, not a box... a big pantry cabinet. The previous owners had taken the original pantry cabinet out... so I am attaching pictures of my beautiful new cabinet my smart, amazing, wonderful husband built for me! The top of it is shelves, and then there are two huge drawers at the bottom.

The Whole Kitchen

One down... a million to go..

Well today is the OFFICIAL first day of my IVF cycle. I can't believe it is finally here! I just gave myself the first shot, and now I just have about a million more.. I took a picture of most of my drugs and needles, and then I realized that I left some out... oh well.. lol.. If the procedure works, then I will have to order some MORE drugs and needles... Yipee.. Oh well, I'm already over it. So today I am taking 3 different medications.. birth control, dexamethasone, and lupron... My first doctor's appointment is next Friday, and then I get to add 2 more medications, folic acid, and Bravelle. That is when I get to start having to do 2 injections a day. Well, I think that is all up to date. I am going to add another post too I think.