Thursday, October 25, 2012

Riding Horses

So let's see where was I at... oh, you want to hear about the transfer?  Well you'll have towait - I want to finish up with the trip and then I'll get to it. ;)

It was supposed to rain in San Diego the Thursday we were there so we planned on going to Temeculah for some wine tasting.  We started out at Miramonte which was pretty good.  They had a chardonay that I really enjoyed and picked up a bottle then we moved on to Mount Palomar which was almost within walking distance.  Unfortunately the wines at Mount Palomar were a little onedimensional for my taste and some had notes of bell pepper which I thought was disgusting especially in a wine.  Next we went for Foot Path which is on a real farm - no fancy schmancy tasting room just a counter set up in a barn.  Handsome thought we might get killed there but I convenced him to continue down the long driveway.  The wine was excellent, we picked up a nice cabernet, and the proprieter was really nice.  I really enjoyed how he poured himself more wine as well and gave me an extra tasting.  Last we stopped at Frangipani where I took these pictures of the country side.  It was so nice with the clouds.  There I picked up a Cabernet Franc and a Merlot (actually two Merlots, one for me and one for a friend).  The man running the shop was very chatty and gave me lots of wine- didn't even track how many tastings I had.



After wine country we drove down to the Stone brewery where we had a nice dinner and this time Handsome got to drink.  It was a little chilly outside but we sat right under a heater and were able to enjoy the view of their grounds.

Friday We went horseback riding on the beach south of San Diego, right near the Mexico border.  We saw hawks and rabbits and we even saw dolphins!  The pics are pretty crappy but you try taking pictures from a moving horse!
 



When we got back Handsome and I had scheduled a 90 minute couples massage.  It was wonderful and we got unlimited use of the steam shower afterwards.  I had never been in a steam shower before and I loved it.  Then we went to a nice dinner at Blue Point Coastal before heading back to our hotel for drinks in the lounge.
 
Saturday we had a relaxing day waling down to Seaport Village and then our anniversary dinner at Acqua in Mission Beach followed by and some dancing at an underground bar called Vin de Syrah.  Sunday we packed up and were on our way.

Now, what everybody has been waiting for... the transfer. 

As I mentioned previously Handsome had a court case and was not going to be able to come so Mom offerred to come up.  Well, late Monday afternoon Handsome called to say his case had been continued so now I got to have both him and Mom!  We went in and everything went really smoothly this time no long waits.  I got my acupuncture before and after which really helped relax me and put me in a great frame of mind.  I am feeling really positive - third time's the charm!  Dr. Moffitt did the actual transfer which was great although I was put a a large inversion - I felt like I was on my head.  Watched lots of TV on the couch afterwards including Magic Mike which is VERY funny and I recommend it.  So now we are just playing the waiting game. Keep me in your thoughts! ttyl

"She'll Be Comin' 'Round the Mountain" (second verse)
"She'll be riding six white horses when she comes
She'll be riding six white horses when she comes
She'll be riding six white horses
She'll be riding six white horses
She'll be riding six white horses when she comes"

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Tyger

So in regards to the vacation we are up to Tuesday and Wednesday.  Tuesday we went Se kayaking and unfortunately I do not have any pictures from the kayaking portion as I didn't want to lose another camera to the sea.  our kayak adventure was scheduled for 1pm so first we stopped by Ross so I could pick up some throw-away shoes.  Yes, I took 9 pairs of shoes on our trip and had to buy another pair because I didn't want to risk any of them in the ocean.  We got down there early and ate at a little Mexican restaurant.  On our trip we had to pass by this storefront that was decorated for Halloween.  now I LOVE Halloween but I am TERRIFIED of zombies so this place was a little creepy.  Here's from far away where they looked a little too real.  We had to walk through to follow the sidewalk and I kept worrying that one would be a real person and they would grab me to freak me out.


 
Once we put on all our safety gear (helmets and PFDs) we walked down to the beach with our guides and our group.  At the beach they recommended we leave our shoes on the concrete before going on the sand so I guess I didn't need those stupid throw-away flip-flops.  We got a little tutorial on how to paddle, how not get through the surf to deeper water without flipping over and then got in our kayaks.  When the first wave hit I started to freeze but they had said we would flip if we did that so Ikept on paddling.  We finally got to deeper water although the waves were still a little scary.  Little scary... I'll admit it - I was terrified.  I do not like being on the ocean in a tiny little boat, I can swim, I know the odds of even seeing a dangerous shark, but still I hate it, I feel out of my element and out of control.  I wanted to stay with everybody else so I had to keep telling Handsome to stop paddling and slow the hell down - this isn't a race!  He just gets in the zone and we would halfway to Hawaii if it were up to him.  It got to the point where I didn't even paddle and I STILL had to tell him to knock it off and slow down.  The guides had us group us and told us some really interesting facts about the cliff side, the sea lions, Dr.Seuss and more.  They showed us this one area where no boats are allowed because people swim this long distance- it was miles - I can't even imagine!  But I figured if a shark did come along he would probably eat the defenseless swimmer before tying to see if there were people to eat in our kayak.  Only one person fell out of her single kayak - in calm water, don't know exactly how she accomplished that.  I am proud to say that we did not tip over even on the way back in.  Although I did pick up a huge bruise on the back of my thigh - we still can't figure that out.

After our kayaking jaunt we went to the downtown area in La Jolla and went into a few of the shops there was an olive oil tasting place that we went in turned out to have wine and appetizers in the back - SCORE!!!  I had tastes of a few wines while Handsome enjoyed the beer.  I got salad caprese which is one of my favorite meals and the balsamic was delicious, I can never find good balsamic at the store.  Luckily they sold their balsamic and I bought a huge bottle (basically the size of a wine bottle). We sat out on their balcony with a little view of the waves.  We also laughed at one house that had a fake owl that is supposed to scare away birds but it had two seagull friends sitting right next to it chatting.



Wednesday we went to the zoo. 


We were laughing because, I don't know if it was the season or not, but some of the animals were very horny.  One big giraffe kept chasing a smaller one around and the big was visibly aroused then we laughed even harder when it turned out the smaller one was a boy!  Poor little guy couldn't take a break because every time he took a break the big one would start to rear up to um... mount him so he kept walking around with the big guy following him with his big head on the little one's back.  Then we saw a zebra just standing around but he was obviously having sexy daydreams or something because he was putting on a show. 

We went to eat at a fabulous award winning restaurant in the zoo called Albert's it was fantastic although we did have some issues finding it.  The weather was perfect so we sat outside.  Here is the view from our table.
 
Some funny, more PG things we saw were the Rock Hyrax which the info sign says is most closely related to the elephant but Handsome called the "Tusked Mountain Rat" because frankly that is what it looked like.  Then there were some Gerenuks (a type of antelope" that are very dainty looking with looooong thin necks.  They would chew their cud then swallow it down then bring it back up to chew on some more.  Their necks were so thin you could watch it happening - it looked like a little neck elevator with the bulge going down then 30 seconds or so and it would come back up and they would start chewing again.  I got some good pictures of the tigers and we saw leopard cubs and baby capybaras. 


 
 
 
One thing that started out as funny was this two headed king snake that got stuck on a cactus because one head wanted to go right and one wanted to go left.  At first it was funny but as it/they? struggled for longer and longer it made me sad and we left.  On our way back through the ehibit it hdd gotten out of its predicament which made me happy.


Transfer is still scheduled for Tuesday and Mom is coming up to take care of me since I am unable to drive myself home after the procedure and have to stay on bed rest.  Only new medication so far is the Methylprednisone I have to take each night for four nights starting yesterday. ttyl

The Tyger by William Blake

Tyger! Tyger! burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

In what distant deeps or skies
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand dare sieze the fire?

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Diverticula

I have decide to tell you about my vacation in parts because I am too lazy and tired to try and do it all in one.  Plus, have I told you guys that the space bar on my keyboard doesn't always compress?  Seems that the main issue is when I use my right thumb, Handsome uses his right and doesn't seem to have a problem.  Regardless it is annoying as hell because I have to keep fighting with it and go back all the time to fix words that are all run together. 

First of all let me tell you about my mid-cycle ultrasound yesterday.  Everything started off normally but when they were looking at the lining (which was great, thick and lush thank you very much) they saw two areas that could be cysts or diverticula.  What was weird was that there was one on the right and one on the left fairly symmetrical.  The ultrasound doctor said she needed to have Dr. Moffitt look at them and they would get back to me.  Dr. Moffitt called me later that afternoon and after looking back at previous films and my HSG these are not cysts and look to have been around since the beginning.  Because they are symmetrical Dr. Moffitt believes that I was born with them and they are basically diverticula, an outpouching in the uterus.  The big question if if they "communicate" with the uterus, Dr. Moffitt believes they do which means we have to watch to make sure our baby doesn't implant into them which could cause medical issues.  So in summation, good news: we are going forward as planned and I am feeling positive; bad news: one more thing we need to be cautious of.  I have just have to send happy telepathic messages to my blast telling her to pick a spot that's just right and not in one of those diverticula.  So today is my last day with 3 doses of Estrace and tomorrow I will start my prometrium (vaginally - YUCK!!) three times a day and back down to two times a day with Estrace until transfer.

On to the trip.  We were hoping to be pregnant so I didn't want to fly anywhere which is why we chose San Diego since it is within reasonable driving distance.  We took I-8 and the most interesting part of the trip was the dunes.  out of nowhere it seems these giant hills of sand just appear and seem to go on forever but soon enough you pass them and its like they were never there.


Sunday we arrived late afternoon so did not have any activities planned.  At the hotel we got an free upgrade to a balcony room for our anniversary.  The hotel was beautiful and for the first time we had the full experience, a valet for our car, a bellhop that put all our luggage on a cart (with a hanger for my dresses) and took it up to the room for us.  The shower was a rainfall shower which was neat and the room had hard wood floors (or at least nice pergo).  The pillows were all down which they switched out for us when we asked (I am allergic to feathers and birds).  We ate down in the gaslamp district and had a few drinks in the bar and lounge at our hotel.

Monday we decide to go to Balboa Park.  We went to the Instruments of Torture exhibit which was fascinating and disturbing at the same time - sorry no pictures were allowed.  By this time it was late morning at we were starving so we waited until 11:30 and went to eat at The Prado which is an award winning full restaurant at Balboa park.  For our anniversary they sent out free flan and I had to try out the chocolate torte which was so pretty Handsome said to take a picture of it.


Then we went to the Natural History museum where we saw the skull exhibit, a statue of a giant bug,
and exhibits about dinosaurs and the movement of the tectonic plates.  They also have a magnetic pendulum set up with wooden blocks it knocks over during the course of the day - I was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time and saw one knock over- whew the excitement!  Afterwards we went to the Science Center where we had a great time playing like children with the interactive exhibits (I got 100% and won the grossology quiz!) but took no pictures.  We went to the Space and Aviation museum and finally at the end of our day we hiked through the park a little and I took some pictures of these massive trees and took a ride on a mosaic dragon once I kicked all the kids off of it.  I kid... they had to go home so I just waited until they were gone before going for my solo ride :)


 Then it was back to the hotel.  Later we went out to the Hopping Pig for drinks and then elsewhere to eat - I don't remember where they all start to blend together especially after a couple glasses of wine.  Well that's all for today.  Next time I will talk about Tuesday and Wednesday our Kayaking and Zoo days. ttyl

One Eye, Two Eyes and Three Eyes
"there stood a strangely magnificent tree with leaves of silver, and fruit of gold"
Grimm, Jacob; Grimm, Wilhelm; Charles River Editors; Taylor, Edgar (2011-11-29). The Complete Brothers Grimm's Fairy Tales (Illustrated) (Kindle Location 8319). Unknown. Kindle Edition.

Monday, October 15, 2012

Kissing

I know... I know I promised pictures but you will have to wait at least another day.  We got back late afternoon Sunday and I am still getting back into the groove of things.  Our San Diego anniversary trip was a blast.  We went to Balboa park, sea kayaking in La Jolla, the San Diego Zoo, wine country in Temeculah, Stone brewery, horseback riding on the beach, to the spa for a couples massage, out to dinner several times, a cool club and to Seaport village.

I didn't take as many pictures as I have in years past because I was having too much fun!  But I will post details and pics later this week.

Tomorrow I go in for my mid-cycle ultrasound.  Handsome is unable to go with me as he has a court case but we got all the documents signed and notarized so I am good to go.  Keep your fingers crossed that the lining check goes well tomorrow.  Only a week until transfer! ttyl

Handsome and Andrea sitting in a tree
K-I-S-S-I-N-G
First comes love
Then comes marriage
Then comes the baby in the baby carriage**

** after multiple rounds of fertility treatments and 3 years of trying!

Keep your fingers crossed!

Saturday, October 6, 2012

California Dreamin'

Ugghh another post without pictures... I'm sorry! Wee I most likely will not be blogging while on vacation but when I get back I promise - pictures, lots of pictures so many pictures you'll get sick of my pictures.  Maybe I'll take a few of Handsome lookin' sexy so you can have some eye candy - just remember he's mine girls.. all mine.  Our trip starts tomorrow and I am excited! I have all cute clothes so hopefully I won't look like every other dumb tourist, I'll look fashionable.  People will wonder who that girl is - she must be model, no she's too short to be a model. 

Today was pretty great; I got acupuncture and saw my friend Meghan, it was great to catch up and we made promises to get together when we are both back from various vacations - probably November.  I also met a new friend who is going through some of the same challenges we are.  She overheard me talking about my next transfer and introduced herself.  So here's hoping you are reading the blog and enjoy it!  Also give me a call - we'll do lunch.  Actually that's an open invitation to any readers who are in the Phoenix area (sorry guys I can't afford to fly out of town for lunch I gots all these IVF bills ya know).  Well I will talk to you guys in a week. ttyl

California Dreamin' by the Mamas and the Papas
"California Dreamin'
on such a winter's summer's day"

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Wheels

So not much new this week but I wanted to check in since I will be gone next week.  However when I get back from my trip I will share stories and pictures.  As I mentioned on my last post we went down to Tucson this weekend and on our way back our luggage handle broke.  It would no longer recede back into the suitcase, it was stuck extended.  This happened on other suitcases, the zipperpulls have fallen off, and other various issues with the wheels.  So we finally decided to buy new suitcases for our trip.  We went to Target and bought two new suitcases.  Then Handsome decided that we needed new tires for my car before we go to California.  He has been saying I need new tires for a while (mine did fail the penny test) and we are going to be driving to California so I got new tires as well.  I can't really tell much of a difference maybe the car feels a little more in control.  I do know that they stink and the garage smells like new tires - yuck.  Well not much else. ttyl

The Wheels on the Bus
"The wheels on the bus go round and round,
round and round,
round and round.
The wheels on the bus go round and round,
all through the town"