So the ultrasound did what I had expected had it's positives and negatives.
As the technician did her thing I laid there refusing to look at the screen as my partner was told to wait outside while the measurements were taken. It isn't like in the movies where you both go in, you laying down and your partner watching the screen in anticipation of seeing the wee one. Instead you are taken in and the technician sits there preforming the scan slowly making notes as to what she or he finds. You can choose to watch or not but in the end the silence in between her verbal notes can get to you.
As I laid there hoping she would be done quick and my partner and I would be reunited I began wondering... what is taking so long? Is there something wrong... does she not see the baby... does she see two.... is the heart beating? Why is she going so low... why is she up so high...
When my partner and our friend were finally allowed in she told me baby looked fine, that by the measurements I was 5 days further along than anticipated. Now my partner and I both know the exact day we inseminated for the first time so the fact that the dates have changed is perplexing. How is that possible ... none the less that didn't really bother me at least not at the moment. Talk to me in 4 months and 1 week when they begin to tell me I am really overdue when I am actually on time and it will be another story.
She then asked my partner and friend to leave the room so she could do one more thing. Little did I know at the time but she believed that my placenta was lying low. 5% of pregnant women between the 18th and 20th week have a low lying placenta and out of that only .5% will require a C-Section because it doesn't move up in the later stages of pregnancy. Anyway she asks me if she can preform an internal scan and after I ask her if there are any risks associated she says no and up she goes. As she is doing an internal scan I begin to think, what if I wasn't a doula? What if I didn't know the odds of my placenta moving up in later pregnancy? Would I be lying there in tears because I think I might now lose my chance at a vaginal birth? Yes I believe I would have, even though I am a doula and know the odds it pops into my head... lucky for me though it leaves as quickly as it enters. I know my odds are good at the home birth I am hoping for. I am calm and assured things will turn out OK no matter what happens.... As she finishes up I look to her and ask so is everything OK? She looks at me and says it will all be in the report at your doctors within one to two days. Like that isn't going to send a mother into a frenzy. It is the one reason I did not want an ultrasound... but in the end I wanted to ensure all was well with the baby and get the picture for the scrap book. I guess in the end if you ask me if it was worth it I would say no. Simply for the reason that subconsciously I may wonder about that potential low lying placenta or the 5 days I lost in my pregnancy... and I don't want to put any energy into it. The baby will come when he or she is ready... and the placenta will shift up...
Check out this link if you are worried about your own diagnosis of a low lying Placenta... http://www.bellybelly.com.au/pregnancy/low-lying-placenta-placenta-praevia
As for the pictures WOW they gave me a 3D photo... well it cost me 15.00 but that was well worth it.... I can't believe it is real sometimes... and when I can't I will look at that picture... well that is until I can feel solid movement as opposed to the small... was that a kick that is happening right now.
Oh on a positive note baby has all the fingers and toes they are supposed to ... a brain and a spinal cord to match ;0).
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Pregnant Dreams- Week 17
This past week I have been wondering if our dreams are a reflection of the person we are carrying inside. Do our dreams have a connection to the past lives of our little ones. That is if you believe in past lives and all.
I guess because I have taken some sciences and Reiki levels I believe in the statement energy can neither be created nor destroyed. So if that is true then our soul which is made up of energy has been around longer than our bodies have.
In the past week or so I have been wondering if my dreams are an insight into the person who once was. It isn't like you can google this and come up with a definitive answer to this question. I asked my parter and my friends and they believe it is possible.
Being the person I am I require more than the it is possible answer.... I want reassurance to know that my dreams have a purpose, that the soul inside of me has chosen to communicate with me, letting me in on where they have come, and what they have been through to get here. Yes I was the kid who searched for the clues that Santa existed beyond the gift left under the tree.
Some websites believe that the soul enters the fetus at different times in the pregnancy. For some it is early and for others it is later. In the end though I guess it all depends on your belief system. My mother believed in Heaven and Hell, that once you died you were done. I can't say I agree with her or maybe I just don't want it to be that final. I'd rather believe that we are here now learning what we can but when we die we will be reborn into another body for another crack at life.
If this is the case, and I am truly experiencing some type of visual window into our childs past. then they had a hard life before this one. It sounds weird I know, dreaming of sad times at such a joyous time. I walk around during the day elated, feeling happy, day dreaming of our little ones birth. There is no sadness just happiness, no fear just excitement, so to try to explain why I am dreaming what I am some nights would be impossible. I just know on some nights I dream of a child who had a hard life, sadness and lack of love. As well I can't say how old this soul was when they passed the first time as I can only envision them as a child.... The creator has a purpose for everything that happens to us I believe anyways, so I have to believe that this soul was paired up with us to make this life different for them. I only hope I do justice to the Creators plan and to this soul.
I can say one thing this child will never feel a day where they will wonder if they are loved. My partner and I have loved this child from before they were even conceived. We aren't perfect by far and are not ever going to claim to be mistake free... after all parenting even after you have had children is a constant and never ending series of learning and growing. However, we will always strive to do the best for this child and to be the best we can be that is what parenting should be about.
I guess because I have taken some sciences and Reiki levels I believe in the statement energy can neither be created nor destroyed. So if that is true then our soul which is made up of energy has been around longer than our bodies have.
In the past week or so I have been wondering if my dreams are an insight into the person who once was. It isn't like you can google this and come up with a definitive answer to this question. I asked my parter and my friends and they believe it is possible.
Being the person I am I require more than the it is possible answer.... I want reassurance to know that my dreams have a purpose, that the soul inside of me has chosen to communicate with me, letting me in on where they have come, and what they have been through to get here. Yes I was the kid who searched for the clues that Santa existed beyond the gift left under the tree.
Some websites believe that the soul enters the fetus at different times in the pregnancy. For some it is early and for others it is later. In the end though I guess it all depends on your belief system. My mother believed in Heaven and Hell, that once you died you were done. I can't say I agree with her or maybe I just don't want it to be that final. I'd rather believe that we are here now learning what we can but when we die we will be reborn into another body for another crack at life.
If this is the case, and I am truly experiencing some type of visual window into our childs past. then they had a hard life before this one. It sounds weird I know, dreaming of sad times at such a joyous time. I walk around during the day elated, feeling happy, day dreaming of our little ones birth. There is no sadness just happiness, no fear just excitement, so to try to explain why I am dreaming what I am some nights would be impossible. I just know on some nights I dream of a child who had a hard life, sadness and lack of love. As well I can't say how old this soul was when they passed the first time as I can only envision them as a child.... The creator has a purpose for everything that happens to us I believe anyways, so I have to believe that this soul was paired up with us to make this life different for them. I only hope I do justice to the Creators plan and to this soul.
I can say one thing this child will never feel a day where they will wonder if they are loved. My partner and I have loved this child from before they were even conceived. We aren't perfect by far and are not ever going to claim to be mistake free... after all parenting even after you have had children is a constant and never ending series of learning and growing. However, we will always strive to do the best for this child and to be the best we can be that is what parenting should be about.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Am I really Pregnant?- Week 16
What an amazing sound, the sound of your baby's heart beating for the first time.
People kept telling me I didn't look pregnant so of course what does my pregnancy brain start doing. Analyzing and searching the web for clues to prove I am. Like my missed period for 4 months wasn't enough. Even me being a doula started to wonder why I wasn't showing yet, why I wasn't feeling anything yet, and what happened to that dreadful nausea? Like clock work at the 14th week it went away. Thus leaving me alone with my emotions as one of the only "signs" I was pregnant.
We had refused the first ultrasound wanting to keep them down to a minimum. I don't regret that choice, I actually find it funny that we need more as humans even when dealing with pregnancy. We want a window into the uterus to show us that baby is ok... forgetting to trust our instincts. I had no feeling that anything was wrong, just wanted to feel more now.
It's funny what we women put ourselves through when we are pregnant, and it is no wonder we all line up like sheep at the doctors office saying sure whatever you think is best. We have ceased to believe and trust in our instincts. I have been here twice before yet I still wondered... should I feel more already, should I look bigger already, should I... more, more, more.
So when we stepped into the midwives office I had a sense of relief when I heard it .... our baby's heartbeat.... that wonderful thunderous sound. I have started to feel the quickening, it is so mild if you breathe you miss it... some describe it as butterflies... maybe... but it is more like gas bubble floating from one side to another... I don't know truly how to describe it... but when you really feel it for the first time and you can defiantly tell it isn't gas.... it is yet another amazing and wonderful reminder that you are not alone.
My partner is amazing through all of this, constantly checking in with me to see how I am feeling, and asking how does it feel, how do you feel right now. She says goodnight to the little squirt each night rubbing my belly before nodding off to sleep. She looks to me sometimes with awe, amazement and wonder. I know for her she would have loved to carry but circumstances beyond our control led us to my carrying again. So I try to ensure she is constantly aware of everything that is going on... doing all I can to include her in the daily events. I look forward to the first time she can feel the baby play with her from the inside of my belly. The other night she felt a kick, though some say it is far to early for her to feel it, I like to think she did. I am truly one of the luckies women alive... a partner who is so loving and a baby that is growing, healthy and a pregnancy so far that has been event free.
People kept telling me I didn't look pregnant so of course what does my pregnancy brain start doing. Analyzing and searching the web for clues to prove I am. Like my missed period for 4 months wasn't enough. Even me being a doula started to wonder why I wasn't showing yet, why I wasn't feeling anything yet, and what happened to that dreadful nausea? Like clock work at the 14th week it went away. Thus leaving me alone with my emotions as one of the only "signs" I was pregnant.
We had refused the first ultrasound wanting to keep them down to a minimum. I don't regret that choice, I actually find it funny that we need more as humans even when dealing with pregnancy. We want a window into the uterus to show us that baby is ok... forgetting to trust our instincts. I had no feeling that anything was wrong, just wanted to feel more now.
It's funny what we women put ourselves through when we are pregnant, and it is no wonder we all line up like sheep at the doctors office saying sure whatever you think is best. We have ceased to believe and trust in our instincts. I have been here twice before yet I still wondered... should I feel more already, should I look bigger already, should I... more, more, more.
So when we stepped into the midwives office I had a sense of relief when I heard it .... our baby's heartbeat.... that wonderful thunderous sound. I have started to feel the quickening, it is so mild if you breathe you miss it... some describe it as butterflies... maybe... but it is more like gas bubble floating from one side to another... I don't know truly how to describe it... but when you really feel it for the first time and you can defiantly tell it isn't gas.... it is yet another amazing and wonderful reminder that you are not alone.
My partner is amazing through all of this, constantly checking in with me to see how I am feeling, and asking how does it feel, how do you feel right now. She says goodnight to the little squirt each night rubbing my belly before nodding off to sleep. She looks to me sometimes with awe, amazement and wonder. I know for her she would have loved to carry but circumstances beyond our control led us to my carrying again. So I try to ensure she is constantly aware of everything that is going on... doing all I can to include her in the daily events. I look forward to the first time she can feel the baby play with her from the inside of my belly. The other night she felt a kick, though some say it is far to early for her to feel it, I like to think she did. I am truly one of the luckies women alive... a partner who is so loving and a baby that is growing, healthy and a pregnancy so far that has been event free.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Week 13- the weight game!
So from one website to another information is different. In my handy dandy calendar of Pregnancy symptoms it says week 13 is the beginning of the 2nd trimester. Online it floats between 12 and 14... so for sanity sake let's just say I am approaching the beginning of the 2nd trimester.
So far so good though the nausea has not subsided yet. Just when I think it is leaving me for good I get a second wave. Thank God for sparkling water (w/o sodium when available) and green apples go figure. I have to say I will be happy when it leaves me as I love to eat but this is making it quite difficult.
Unlike the common saying you're eating for two the daily increase in calories is only 100 until I reach the 2nd trimester where it then jumps up to 300 per day. Not a whole lot when you think about it. To help visualize the increase it is, a 100 calorie increase equals 1 cup of skim or 1% milk, 300 would be 1 1/2 cups of milk, 1 fruit and 10 almonds not a whole lot when you think of it. Yet a lot of us use pregnancy as an excuse to over eat and then wonder... why is it so hard to lose the weight after baby.... the more unnecessary weight we put on during pregnancy the harder it will be to return to our pre-pregnancy weight.
The first two pregnancies I made the mistake of eating for two and it took me over 5 years to shed the weight, and I was breastfeeding for 4 of those years. This time I vow to gain only the weight necessary for the babies health. I am reading Leslie Beck's nutrition guide to a healthy Pregnancy on top of Feeding baby green by Dr. Greene. Both books concentrate on how to eat properly for pregnancy, one concentrates on the importance of whole foods etc. the other goes to talk about how refined sugars or condensed sugars affect the unborn child from birth through adulthood. Quite interested studies done to prove Dr. Greene's findings.
Anyway on to the next stage the 2nd trimester let's hope for a worry and stress free pregnancy!
So far so good though the nausea has not subsided yet. Just when I think it is leaving me for good I get a second wave. Thank God for sparkling water (w/o sodium when available) and green apples go figure. I have to say I will be happy when it leaves me as I love to eat but this is making it quite difficult.
Unlike the common saying you're eating for two the daily increase in calories is only 100 until I reach the 2nd trimester where it then jumps up to 300 per day. Not a whole lot when you think about it. To help visualize the increase it is, a 100 calorie increase equals 1 cup of skim or 1% milk, 300 would be 1 1/2 cups of milk, 1 fruit and 10 almonds not a whole lot when you think of it. Yet a lot of us use pregnancy as an excuse to over eat and then wonder... why is it so hard to lose the weight after baby.... the more unnecessary weight we put on during pregnancy the harder it will be to return to our pre-pregnancy weight.
The first two pregnancies I made the mistake of eating for two and it took me over 5 years to shed the weight, and I was breastfeeding for 4 of those years. This time I vow to gain only the weight necessary for the babies health. I am reading Leslie Beck's nutrition guide to a healthy Pregnancy on top of Feeding baby green by Dr. Greene. Both books concentrate on how to eat properly for pregnancy, one concentrates on the importance of whole foods etc. the other goes to talk about how refined sugars or condensed sugars affect the unborn child from birth through adulthood. Quite interested studies done to prove Dr. Greene's findings.
Anyway on to the next stage the 2nd trimester let's hope for a worry and stress free pregnancy!
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
My new friend called Nausea
Like clock work at 6 weeks nausea set in.
I sit writing this now as my friend visits me hopefully for a short time. Having just finished breakfast it is always nice to know you are not alone. Sarcasm is not my best suite.
Though it isn't like most women describe it where they are gagging thankfully, mine comes like a slow wave where my stomach just doesn't feel right. It happens whenever I eat making eating something I am now doing simply because I have to. I still get hungry, not ravenous but the knowledge that I am going to feel queasy after takes the fun out of it, and let me just say I love to eat!
I am trying Nux Vomica (Colubrina 200C) a homeopathic remedy to try to relieve it and it seems to work, sometimes. The Nausea tends to last anywhere up to about 30 minutes and then subsides until I eat again that is.
They say that Nausea is a good sign that the pregnancy is healthy... go figure. With my first two I had nothing. They were perfect pregnancies from what I recall and both were healthy boys.
When we were trying to conceive I prayed to the creator to help me achieve pregnancy. I said I welcome the morning sickness..... I think I would like to rephrase that :0). Kidding sort of.
As I sit here typing away trying to focus on something other than the nausea my partner assumes I am neglecting my chores, or failing to help her around the house (I have ADD so forgetting my chores isn't an uncommon thing for me to do). It isn't her fault as I have not announced how I feel and she can't be expected to know that each time I eat I feel nauseous. When she gets nauseous she sits or lays down it is what gets her through it... for me I have to remain busy it is the only way I feel I can cope. I can understand my clients partners more now... understand how they feel during the pregnancy as they are somewhat expected to know what the partner is going through at any given time. After all I somewhat expect it of my own partner. The understanding that she should know that each time I eat I feel nauseous and shouldn't have to ask, that she should understand that my typing is a form of distraction and not a way to ignore my responsibilities. Not complaining I would rather be in this boat than not pregnant.... but truthfully the nausea sucks!
I sit writing this now as my friend visits me hopefully for a short time. Having just finished breakfast it is always nice to know you are not alone. Sarcasm is not my best suite.
Though it isn't like most women describe it where they are gagging thankfully, mine comes like a slow wave where my stomach just doesn't feel right. It happens whenever I eat making eating something I am now doing simply because I have to. I still get hungry, not ravenous but the knowledge that I am going to feel queasy after takes the fun out of it, and let me just say I love to eat!
I am trying Nux Vomica (Colubrina 200C) a homeopathic remedy to try to relieve it and it seems to work, sometimes. The Nausea tends to last anywhere up to about 30 minutes and then subsides until I eat again that is.
They say that Nausea is a good sign that the pregnancy is healthy... go figure. With my first two I had nothing. They were perfect pregnancies from what I recall and both were healthy boys.
When we were trying to conceive I prayed to the creator to help me achieve pregnancy. I said I welcome the morning sickness..... I think I would like to rephrase that :0). Kidding sort of.
As I sit here typing away trying to focus on something other than the nausea my partner assumes I am neglecting my chores, or failing to help her around the house (I have ADD so forgetting my chores isn't an uncommon thing for me to do). It isn't her fault as I have not announced how I feel and she can't be expected to know that each time I eat I feel nauseous. When she gets nauseous she sits or lays down it is what gets her through it... for me I have to remain busy it is the only way I feel I can cope. I can understand my clients partners more now... understand how they feel during the pregnancy as they are somewhat expected to know what the partner is going through at any given time. After all I somewhat expect it of my own partner. The understanding that she should know that each time I eat I feel nauseous and shouldn't have to ask, that she should understand that my typing is a form of distraction and not a way to ignore my responsibilities. Not complaining I would rather be in this boat than not pregnant.... but truthfully the nausea sucks!
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Caught being Naughty
Last night we celebrated my partners semi return to health and the news of the baby with a friend by heading out dancing. My partner even partook in some drinks!
It was a great night and so when we got home we decided to continue the party ;0). As we were getting intimate my parter whispered "baby" now I know she wasn't calling me that ... she was thinking about the baby. Shit is all I could say.... I laughed it off and she pretended it wasn't what she said and we continued....
I am not sure if it was how long it had been (she had been ill for over a month), the fact that my pregnancy hormones were flying or a combination of them both but OH MY GOD..... it was intense... thus I was very vocal... my partner covered my mouth telling me I had to watch what I was saying.... stop calling out her name and defiantly stop swearing.... she whispered... she will know... she can't know what we are doing.... as if the act of our making love will be etched in the unborn child's memory.
It was so cute.... but at the same time I was able to feel what many women in my situation are feeling as their husbands or partners worry about the baby..... As our hormones are flying causing us to be hornier than a school boy our partners are getting used to the fact that inside of us is a little human being..... a human being that is living and breathing and growing! Right now there is no bump to remind her that the baby is there.... there is no movement to show the baby is reacting to how I am feeling... I wonder what will the upcoming months bring as I get hornier and she gets more aware. I know there will be a time when I won't feel like it but right now I am going to take as much as I can ... cause once that baby is visible.... it might prove to much for the whispering lover!
Then there is the flip side... as a Doula I know sex does not harm the baby, does not cause you to miscarry and is perfectly safe. Yet just before we were getting into it I wondered... should I not do this... should I just pleasure my partner and call it quits... can I lose the baby by indulging? I got over it quick but it was a split second worry I had.... funny what goes through your mind when the baby is yours!
It was a great night and so when we got home we decided to continue the party ;0). As we were getting intimate my parter whispered "baby" now I know she wasn't calling me that ... she was thinking about the baby. Shit is all I could say.... I laughed it off and she pretended it wasn't what she said and we continued....
I am not sure if it was how long it had been (she had been ill for over a month), the fact that my pregnancy hormones were flying or a combination of them both but OH MY GOD..... it was intense... thus I was very vocal... my partner covered my mouth telling me I had to watch what I was saying.... stop calling out her name and defiantly stop swearing.... she whispered... she will know... she can't know what we are doing.... as if the act of our making love will be etched in the unborn child's memory.
It was so cute.... but at the same time I was able to feel what many women in my situation are feeling as their husbands or partners worry about the baby..... As our hormones are flying causing us to be hornier than a school boy our partners are getting used to the fact that inside of us is a little human being..... a human being that is living and breathing and growing! Right now there is no bump to remind her that the baby is there.... there is no movement to show the baby is reacting to how I am feeling... I wonder what will the upcoming months bring as I get hornier and she gets more aware. I know there will be a time when I won't feel like it but right now I am going to take as much as I can ... cause once that baby is visible.... it might prove to much for the whispering lover!
Then there is the flip side... as a Doula I know sex does not harm the baby, does not cause you to miscarry and is perfectly safe. Yet just before we were getting into it I wondered... should I not do this... should I just pleasure my partner and call it quits... can I lose the baby by indulging? I got over it quick but it was a split second worry I had.... funny what goes through your mind when the baby is yours!
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
My boobs are so sore
My boobs are getting so sore they feel full and tender to touch. I also feel like they are huge but my partner keeps insuring me they haven't changed in size or dimensions. Huh is all I say to that... I know they are huge.
It has been just over a week since the positive test results and I am keen to keep on top of all the pregnancy symptoms. The first to come was noticing how tired I was feeling. Of course now looking back during the week of my expected period I had told my naturopath that I was feeling so knackered.
Yesterday after walking a dog I came home and crashed on the couch. My partner laid patiently waiting for me to get up so we could go to a cafe and sit on a patio.. oops.
I am quite happy though to report my breast tenderness hoping that it is a good sign that I will be able to breastfeed despite my reduction in 2003. I still remember the doctor asking if I was planning on nursing again. At the time I answered no for two reasons one I did not think I would be having another child and two I thought he would deny me the much needed surgery. My back was killing me, I had marks left by my bra straps digging into my shoulders. I have no regrets I made my decision back then based on what was best for me. I only hope that decision does not take away from our child's benefits in being breastfed.
It has been just over a week since the positive test results and I am keen to keep on top of all the pregnancy symptoms. The first to come was noticing how tired I was feeling. Of course now looking back during the week of my expected period I had told my naturopath that I was feeling so knackered.
Yesterday after walking a dog I came home and crashed on the couch. My partner laid patiently waiting for me to get up so we could go to a cafe and sit on a patio.. oops.
I am quite happy though to report my breast tenderness hoping that it is a good sign that I will be able to breastfeed despite my reduction in 2003. I still remember the doctor asking if I was planning on nursing again. At the time I answered no for two reasons one I did not think I would be having another child and two I thought he would deny me the much needed surgery. My back was killing me, I had marks left by my bra straps digging into my shoulders. I have no regrets I made my decision back then based on what was best for me. I only hope that decision does not take away from our child's benefits in being breastfed.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Pregnancy Test- Trial #2
During the final week leading up to my period I was sad, I could feel cramps coming on about day 28. The month prior my period came on day 32 so I knew my period was coming just was a matter of when not if.
I cried, I was so sad once again it wasn't going to be good news. Commercials made me tear if they had any mother and babies, if they were pregnancy tests, if they involved puppies that needed a home.
My partner kept saying relax have faith, but I was certain my period was on its way. During the insemination week my poor partner had come down with some bug that kept taking us back into the emergency room, my client went into pre-mature labour and my stress levels were elevated.
As days 28, 29 and 30 came and went I began to get agitated. I was so pissed why was my period delayed once again. Was it all that positive thinking I had done prior, the thinking I was pregnant so I would be pregnant kinda thing..... I wanted it to come and get over with it. My cramps remained consistent each day I was bombarded with the reminder that my period was coming. Day 31 came and I was certain the only way to bring on my delayed period would be to go take a pregnancy test.
I had been checking my cervix this whole time. It was hard, or was it soft. It was low, or was it medium I just never could tell.
So we went in on Monday July 25th and I urinated into a cup. It was around 4pm when I took it. The test line came up and showed that the test was working. The nurse that took the test took my test under the light. I had already declared a negative test as no line was seen.....
"you know" she said to me " I think there is a line."
What.... a line.... I was expecting her to say nope sorry not this time, maybe next time go home.
"I can't say for certain." she said " but I think you might just be pregnant take this test and do another one at home tomorrow morning when the HcG hormone is high.
That is what I did.... I took the new test home and re-did it in the AM.... and it was positive... I was pregnant! I was shocked after all the stress of the month my partner being sick, my client going into pre-mature labour, my big ol' polyps that were going to possibly impede on implantation. ..etc. etc. I still managed to do it.... I AM PREGNANT!!!!
I cried, I was so sad once again it wasn't going to be good news. Commercials made me tear if they had any mother and babies, if they were pregnancy tests, if they involved puppies that needed a home.
My partner kept saying relax have faith, but I was certain my period was on its way. During the insemination week my poor partner had come down with some bug that kept taking us back into the emergency room, my client went into pre-mature labour and my stress levels were elevated.
As days 28, 29 and 30 came and went I began to get agitated. I was so pissed why was my period delayed once again. Was it all that positive thinking I had done prior, the thinking I was pregnant so I would be pregnant kinda thing..... I wanted it to come and get over with it. My cramps remained consistent each day I was bombarded with the reminder that my period was coming. Day 31 came and I was certain the only way to bring on my delayed period would be to go take a pregnancy test.
I had been checking my cervix this whole time. It was hard, or was it soft. It was low, or was it medium I just never could tell.
So we went in on Monday July 25th and I urinated into a cup. It was around 4pm when I took it. The test line came up and showed that the test was working. The nurse that took the test took my test under the light. I had already declared a negative test as no line was seen.....
"you know" she said to me " I think there is a line."
What.... a line.... I was expecting her to say nope sorry not this time, maybe next time go home.
"I can't say for certain." she said " but I think you might just be pregnant take this test and do another one at home tomorrow morning when the HcG hormone is high.
That is what I did.... I took the new test home and re-did it in the AM.... and it was positive... I was pregnant! I was shocked after all the stress of the month my partner being sick, my client going into pre-mature labour, my big ol' polyps that were going to possibly impede on implantation. ..etc. etc. I still managed to do it.... I AM PREGNANT!!!!
Monday, July 11, 2011
The Wait
The wait from insemination to the day you find out you are pregnant is an interesting one. If you are like me wishing to see "signs" of pregnancy instead of patiently waiting for the 2 weeks to be over you may just go nuts.
I am on this site called fertility friend where you track your periods and insemination etc. So I plot down my BBT and all the signs that I am thinking I am feeling. For the past week I have had cramps like you get when your period is about to come. Daily and sometimes at specific times of the day. I test my breasts to see if they are tender, I watch my moods to see how they are. Nothing truly can tell you that you are positive until you take the test, despite all the info out there from other hopeful moms.
As for me the wait ended with a negative pregnancy test... despite all the pregnancy symptoms I had thought I had. Like tender breasts, cramps, exhaustion, delayed period and some bouts of heartburn.
On to the next trial....
I am on this site called fertility friend where you track your periods and insemination etc. So I plot down my BBT and all the signs that I am thinking I am feeling. For the past week I have had cramps like you get when your period is about to come. Daily and sometimes at specific times of the day. I test my breasts to see if they are tender, I watch my moods to see how they are. Nothing truly can tell you that you are positive until you take the test, despite all the info out there from other hopeful moms.
As for me the wait ended with a negative pregnancy test... despite all the pregnancy symptoms I had thought I had. Like tender breasts, cramps, exhaustion, delayed period and some bouts of heartburn.
On to the next trial....
Friday, July 8, 2011
Insemination Week!
So after months of planning and preparing my body we are now at the insemination stage. Our donor was picked and we decided that it is best for us to do a home insemination.
I have been seeing the fertility doctor for about a month now, checking all the hormone levels etc. Last months cycle they said that the follicle was big and healthy. The only news that wasn't so positive was the findings of some small uterine polyps. 2 at 1cm and 1 at 1/2 cm. Although the first finding stated that I had 2 at 3cm, after a month of Reiki the findings were smaller. could it be the Reiki worked or was it a mistake in the first ultrasound? I am going with the positive outlook that the Reiki is working.
So they said we could go ahead with the insemination and then decide if I would like to do something to remove them. The polyps will not cause miscarriage but can impede in the implantation phase. I have decided to go forth with the insemination and hope that things happen for us.
So our Donor came over on day 13, last cycle I ovulated on Day 14 which is why I planned for him to arrive on day 13 this month. My home ovulation test (which unfortunately expires this month) did not detect any ovulation, the blood work at the clinic showed that my estrogen levels are increasing nicely, which means I will be ovulating soon. We are now on day 15 and the home insemination kit still shows no ovulation and I am still waiting on the clinic to let me know the results for today.
As of today Day 15th we have done 2 inseminations and have 2 more scheduled. One tonight on day 15 and one tomorrow on day 16. Let us all hope I ovulate soon as sperm only last inside the body for a MAX of 5 days (some say 7) and min of 48hrs.
My ovulation was detected on day 18... very late for me but we shall hope for the best.
How I am feeling currently- excited, crampy, and a tad bit tired (but that could be the waking up at 6 for the blood tests).
Until next time ;0)
I have been seeing the fertility doctor for about a month now, checking all the hormone levels etc. Last months cycle they said that the follicle was big and healthy. The only news that wasn't so positive was the findings of some small uterine polyps. 2 at 1cm and 1 at 1/2 cm. Although the first finding stated that I had 2 at 3cm, after a month of Reiki the findings were smaller. could it be the Reiki worked or was it a mistake in the first ultrasound? I am going with the positive outlook that the Reiki is working.
So they said we could go ahead with the insemination and then decide if I would like to do something to remove them. The polyps will not cause miscarriage but can impede in the implantation phase. I have decided to go forth with the insemination and hope that things happen for us.
So our Donor came over on day 13, last cycle I ovulated on Day 14 which is why I planned for him to arrive on day 13 this month. My home ovulation test (which unfortunately expires this month) did not detect any ovulation, the blood work at the clinic showed that my estrogen levels are increasing nicely, which means I will be ovulating soon. We are now on day 15 and the home insemination kit still shows no ovulation and I am still waiting on the clinic to let me know the results for today.
As of today Day 15th we have done 2 inseminations and have 2 more scheduled. One tonight on day 15 and one tomorrow on day 16. Let us all hope I ovulate soon as sperm only last inside the body for a MAX of 5 days (some say 7) and min of 48hrs.
My ovulation was detected on day 18... very late for me but we shall hope for the best.
How I am feeling currently- excited, crampy, and a tad bit tired (but that could be the waking up at 6 for the blood tests).
Until next time ;0)
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Turkey Baster Method
So now the donor is all lined up and we must go in more detail to the procedure we will use to get pregnant.
We decided that the best way to do this would be at home with the method they call the "turkey baster method." It isn't really a turkey baster but that isn't the point. We wanted this to be the most "organic" and "natural" way we could possibly do it. After much research online we found that sperm only lasts outside the body between 30 and 60 minutes. So the only way to do this and not kill off any sperm was to have the donor come to our place and squirt in a cup.
Ok and I thought asking the will you donate sperm was going to be awkward. How do you tell someone you will require them to come to your home 4 times in a period of a week and do the do? That was the next e-mail that went out, it was an interesting one and went over better than
we anticipated. After e-mails back and forth and the explanation of why it had to be done this way the donor was all for it. The donor and his spouse were amazing with everything.
So after he deposited his sperm in a sterile cup he left and our job began. For us we made sure that my lower portion was elevated during the insemination. My partner filled the syringe (we tried both sucking up the sperm and holding the tip closed and pouring the sperm into the syringe). Making sure to remove any air bubbles (they cause the sperm to come out of the vagina). After that she inserted it inside and slowly plunged it I laid there for 30 minutes. Oh and of course the most important part and fun we made sure I had an orgasm.
After that it is a waiting game to see if it took.
We decided that the best way to do this would be at home with the method they call the "turkey baster method." It isn't really a turkey baster but that isn't the point. We wanted this to be the most "organic" and "natural" way we could possibly do it. After much research online we found that sperm only lasts outside the body between 30 and 60 minutes. So the only way to do this and not kill off any sperm was to have the donor come to our place and squirt in a cup.
Ok and I thought asking the will you donate sperm was going to be awkward. How do you tell someone you will require them to come to your home 4 times in a period of a week and do the do? That was the next e-mail that went out, it was an interesting one and went over better than
we anticipated. After e-mails back and forth and the explanation of why it had to be done this way the donor was all for it. The donor and his spouse were amazing with everything.
So after he deposited his sperm in a sterile cup he left and our job began. For us we made sure that my lower portion was elevated during the insemination. My partner filled the syringe (we tried both sucking up the sperm and holding the tip closed and pouring the sperm into the syringe). Making sure to remove any air bubbles (they cause the sperm to come out of the vagina). After that she inserted it inside and slowly plunged it I laid there for 30 minutes. Oh and of course the most important part and fun we made sure I had an orgasm.
After that it is a waiting game to see if it took.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Who's Your Donor?
Who's your Donor?
When you are planning to have a child the question most straight fertile couples don't face is who is gonna be your donor. As a lesbian couple or an infertile couple, those are the things you must to ask.
My partner and I both took this question quite seriously. While we were away we came up with a list of possible donors we would want to use. We called it our short list, because, well there were not a lot of people we wanted to ask nor a lot we felt we could ask.
It is very important when selecting the other half of your child's DNA make up to choose carefully. Things we thought once seemed important played little on our selection. Sperm banks are great but the info they offer you, like height, eye color, highest education level completed and the such are not as important to us . What mattered most could only be found in those people you could really get to know. We wanted the sperm bank to be our final option should the people we asked choose to decline our request. Then of course there's the fact that in all of Canada there are only 40 sperm donors total, yup I said 40 donors for all of Canada.
So then it began our short list which was comprised of people we thought were sweet, kind, generous, caring, charismatic, energetic, passionate about anything in life, artistic, fun, funny, good natured, intelligent, compassionate, full of life and love, mature, non materialistic, vivacious, and warm hearted, just to name a few. We thought our list would be very short however in our small group of friends we were able to name at least 7 people we thought fit that. Then came the time to ask, I e-mailed each one of them. Yes I know what a cowardice way to go about it, but how do you ask 7 different people if they would donate the gift of life without it getting weird. Afterwards of course more talks came but the initial e-mails went out. I guess all in all I was afraid of rejection. I didn't want these amazing men to have to say no to my face because I knew the look on it would be of great sadness.
The responses I got were very positive and surprising. Many were very honored to be asked and some considered it in great depth. Those who I had thought would for sure say yes said no, and those who I worried about asking said yes. Now our short list became really short and after more in depth conversations it was down to two individuals who we trusted with our new life. We knew that when the day came and she or he was born they would not contest the birth, they would not sue us for custody and they would allow us to be the parents to this child. In the end now looking back as we discussed our donor, his name had always presented itself in our conversations. No matter how many times we came up with a new name his appeared in the best choice category.
It was a day I will remember always. The day the e-mail came back and they said "let's talk more about it, I would be honored to do it". That is the day that changed our lives forever. We now had a donor lined up, a man who we felt honored to have as our donor.
Then the next e-mail went back, the turkey baster method explanation, but that is another tale.
On a side note one person we asked caused a "red flag" and for those lesbian's out there choosing to use a known donor please listen up. If you are choosing a donor whom you do not want to have an "active" role in the your child's life past sperm giving, then please pay attention to this red flag. If you donor asks "what about the grandparents?, or you get a gut feeling that something just won't turn out right, no matter how much you like them or want a child decline and move on. For us that is what we did with one of the men we were putting on our short list. They wanted to know what type of visitation the grand-parents would get and that word alone caused us to immediately cross him off our list. You see in a "donor" situation the only grand-parents are those of your spouse and you, unless you choose otherwise.
When you are planning to have a child the question most straight fertile couples don't face is who is gonna be your donor. As a lesbian couple or an infertile couple, those are the things you must to ask.
My partner and I both took this question quite seriously. While we were away we came up with a list of possible donors we would want to use. We called it our short list, because, well there were not a lot of people we wanted to ask nor a lot we felt we could ask.
It is very important when selecting the other half of your child's DNA make up to choose carefully. Things we thought once seemed important played little on our selection. Sperm banks are great but the info they offer you, like height, eye color, highest education level completed and the such are not as important to us . What mattered most could only be found in those people you could really get to know. We wanted the sperm bank to be our final option should the people we asked choose to decline our request. Then of course there's the fact that in all of Canada there are only 40 sperm donors total, yup I said 40 donors for all of Canada.
So then it began our short list which was comprised of people we thought were sweet, kind, generous, caring, charismatic, energetic, passionate about anything in life, artistic, fun, funny, good natured, intelligent, compassionate, full of life and love, mature, non materialistic, vivacious, and warm hearted, just to name a few. We thought our list would be very short however in our small group of friends we were able to name at least 7 people we thought fit that. Then came the time to ask, I e-mailed each one of them. Yes I know what a cowardice way to go about it, but how do you ask 7 different people if they would donate the gift of life without it getting weird. Afterwards of course more talks came but the initial e-mails went out. I guess all in all I was afraid of rejection. I didn't want these amazing men to have to say no to my face because I knew the look on it would be of great sadness.
The responses I got were very positive and surprising. Many were very honored to be asked and some considered it in great depth. Those who I had thought would for sure say yes said no, and those who I worried about asking said yes. Now our short list became really short and after more in depth conversations it was down to two individuals who we trusted with our new life. We knew that when the day came and she or he was born they would not contest the birth, they would not sue us for custody and they would allow us to be the parents to this child. In the end now looking back as we discussed our donor, his name had always presented itself in our conversations. No matter how many times we came up with a new name his appeared in the best choice category.
It was a day I will remember always. The day the e-mail came back and they said "let's talk more about it, I would be honored to do it". That is the day that changed our lives forever. We now had a donor lined up, a man who we felt honored to have as our donor.
Then the next e-mail went back, the turkey baster method explanation, but that is another tale.
On a side note one person we asked caused a "red flag" and for those lesbian's out there choosing to use a known donor please listen up. If you are choosing a donor whom you do not want to have an "active" role in the your child's life past sperm giving, then please pay attention to this red flag. If you donor asks "what about the grandparents?, or you get a gut feeling that something just won't turn out right, no matter how much you like them or want a child decline and move on. For us that is what we did with one of the men we were putting on our short list. They wanted to know what type of visitation the grand-parents would get and that word alone caused us to immediately cross him off our list. You see in a "donor" situation the only grand-parents are those of your spouse and you, unless you choose otherwise.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
No Camino...not even close!
We have been back roughly a little over 2 months....i would swear it has been a year or more. I will say something i never thought i would utter in my life....I want to be back on the Camino! I get it now...truly. It is so hard to explain what it feels like besides the obvious pain. I would gladly take that on again, although i feel the next time around i would have a bit more sense of packing light, which would mean, not combining two trips into one. I feel lost now that we are back. Sure we are back to a schedule of sorts. Viviana has started a new course of study and thrilled beyond measure. I know she has wanted to go back as well, walking. Why, would be a very good question. I miss the simplicity of it all. I did not have lots of crap to deal with. We walked, we ate, we slept. Anything more was a bonus, chatting, laughing, exploring. It was so very genuine and real. To be fair, we live in a very ugly noisy city where we can barely think with all the madness around us. People are a complete and utter disappointment. So self absorbed, distant, empty....disconnected. I wish it were different. I know we need to find new friend's or leave. Or perhaps both....not sure just yet.
All I know is the time for change is now and I am tired of waiting for it to come. I worry about what that will mean for our future but I know I have a wonderful partner who is along for the ride, so we are going to make it a good one!
Ciao, ciao,
K
All I know is the time for change is now and I am tired of waiting for it to come. I worry about what that will mean for our future but I know I have a wonderful partner who is along for the ride, so we are going to make it a good one!
Ciao, ciao,
K
Friday, June 25, 2010
Changes
I figure I should put a little something here for those of you who were following our blog. We have decided to attempt to write a book on our adventure so you will have to stay tuned for that. As for this blog here goes.
We found many things on the Camino but the most important thing we found was ourselves. I know it sounds like a bad cliche but truly that happened to us. it gave us the opportunity to see just who we truly were and who we could become.
The Camino doesn't hold any magical powers it does not make you become more than who you are nor does it change you. What it does is it gives you a platform in which you can find your true self, a blank canvas in which you can chose what colors you want to paint. It gives you the opportunity to be who you truly are.
Each one of us walking was there for our own reasons. Each one of us had a goal in mind. What none of us realized was that in the time we would walk the path of St. James we would transform ourselves into someone far more than we could have expected, if and only if we chose to do so. You see in life you have a choice, always have a choice and it is you who decides to accept what is offered to you or decline it. No one else writes your story nor choses your path because in the end the decision is always yours to make.
Though our reasons for walking may have been different we were all united by a single and common goal... To reach Santiago by the grace of God, the Creator or simply by the kindness of strangers.
I became on the Camino, what exactly is yet to be seen. I won't say right now as we are still processing all that we have learned along the Camino. It was an amazing experience one that I hope you whom are reading have the opportunity to do. I am so glad I had the opportunity to do this walk and even more that I was receptive to all it had to offer.
As I said before there is no magic on the Camino, it is simply a walk like any other. The magic does not lie in the ground which you walk on, nor the sky that you walk under it is in the kindness of strangers along the Camino, it is in the strength you will find to walk day in and day out. The magic is within you and always has been.. The camino simply allows you the time to re-connect with who you are and who you have always been.
Good luck finding your way and remember when the path is unclear follow the bright signs... they may not always be in plain sight but if you look hard enough you will always find your yellow arrow!
Viviana
We found many things on the Camino but the most important thing we found was ourselves. I know it sounds like a bad cliche but truly that happened to us. it gave us the opportunity to see just who we truly were and who we could become.
The Camino doesn't hold any magical powers it does not make you become more than who you are nor does it change you. What it does is it gives you a platform in which you can find your true self, a blank canvas in which you can chose what colors you want to paint. It gives you the opportunity to be who you truly are.
Each one of us walking was there for our own reasons. Each one of us had a goal in mind. What none of us realized was that in the time we would walk the path of St. James we would transform ourselves into someone far more than we could have expected, if and only if we chose to do so. You see in life you have a choice, always have a choice and it is you who decides to accept what is offered to you or decline it. No one else writes your story nor choses your path because in the end the decision is always yours to make.
Though our reasons for walking may have been different we were all united by a single and common goal... To reach Santiago by the grace of God, the Creator or simply by the kindness of strangers.
I became on the Camino, what exactly is yet to be seen. I won't say right now as we are still processing all that we have learned along the Camino. It was an amazing experience one that I hope you whom are reading have the opportunity to do. I am so glad I had the opportunity to do this walk and even more that I was receptive to all it had to offer.
As I said before there is no magic on the Camino, it is simply a walk like any other. The magic does not lie in the ground which you walk on, nor the sky that you walk under it is in the kindness of strangers along the Camino, it is in the strength you will find to walk day in and day out. The magic is within you and always has been.. The camino simply allows you the time to re-connect with who you are and who you have always been.
Good luck finding your way and remember when the path is unclear follow the bright signs... they may not always be in plain sight but if you look hard enough you will always find your yellow arrow!
Viviana
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Toe tally
greetings again. i realize now that we never gave the final toll on our feet etc. As it stands i have lost 3 toes nails. although one of the replaced nails does not look like it is too stable....so we shall see. Viviana lost one little fellow. all will be sadly missed but they are in a better place. I still cannot feel my big toe. i suppose i have to see someone about it...not sure who deals with that kind of thing? there is occasional pain from that same area on top of the foot but the ankle seems better. i also managed to mess up my one shoulder...from swinging my back pack onto my back all the time. i guess i used the same shoulder all the time...ooops! no chins ups for me for awhile (like that was ever going to happen...ha, ha!). Apparently we are both having lower back pain...our bodies are slow to the draw, not sure why? I am constantly getting charlie horses in my calves...not sure the body knows we have stopped the 25km a day thing just yet. we feel we walked as much in Italy with all the touring around. we actually rested less in Italy than on the camino. the good news is we both lost weight, enough we are happy with, considering we ate ourselves silly in Italy. Gelato every day cannot be good but soooo good!
adjusting to being back is still very strange for us. life is much more complicated now. the bills were here when we got home....is there no decency in the world! ah well, time to pay the piper or in this case the bank. we are accepting donations. or we will clean your home which ever.
ciao, ciao,
K
adjusting to being back is still very strange for us. life is much more complicated now. the bills were here when we got home....is there no decency in the world! ah well, time to pay the piper or in this case the bank. we are accepting donations. or we will clean your home which ever.
ciao, ciao,
K
Monday, June 21, 2010
Standing room only
Greetings....we are home!! i realize we did not blog as we hoped to. a few factors played a role, 1. we were too damn tired to fart let alone write while on the camino, 2. when we did manage to find internet it was crazy expensive and limited use was an issue with regards to truly writing our little hearts out. 3. if we were not walking in one country we were walking and touring in another country, Italy....either way we were out and about and doing what we seem to do best, eating!
now to recount some moments in Italy. as the title of the blog suggests there may be some issues with regards to standing....how you might ask? apparently in Italy it costs more to sit and eat, drink etc. than it does to stand. now we are not talking a little amount difference but it can be quite significant, depending on your budget of course, but just the fact that they feel the need to charge more, got our "goat". so after a long camino and some well needed rest, we were set to the test in Italy having to stand everywhere to eat or drink, our feet rebelled quite a bit, let me tell you. i personally find it barbaric to stand to drink a lovely coffee or consume a wee snack. since we had the fashion left overs from the camino we had no trouble just sitting our butts where ever we could. although in Venezia it is illegal to eat in public places, this way you can spend all your tourist dollars to the max eating, drinking there, cheeky buggers!
our Italian tour took us to Napoli, Amalfi coastal hike (yep...hike!), Pompeii, Island of Ishcia, Roma, Volterra, Siena, San Giamano, La Spezia-Cinque Terre- yet another hike!, Venezia, Volta Montana-various villages in the surrounding area and finally Milano. we felt we could get a little of each region, including the local food specialties, let's face it, we cannot go somewhere and not try what they feel is the best pasta, wine, dessert etc. it is a difficult thing but we managed to do our very best.
as the food change so did the scenery, people, and architecture. My favourite region was Toscana-Tuscany, beautiful beyond words and the food....aaaahhhh fabulous. my favourite city is Venezia, nothing beats the water combined with canals, bridges, secret little corners....never a dull moment. we met some amazing people as well and hope that one day they will visit us here in Canada so we can return their kindness.
We are glad to be back home. I know that might sound strange but i feel we have lived a lifetime with this trip. so many lessons, so much pain, beauty, and extremes. i am excited to start new ventures and most of all trying to appreciate what we have in our country. we may not have the history, the architecture, style but we do have liberties and freedoms that others will never know in their lifetime....that is worth more than 1,000+ year old buildings etc. I will miss the history but not enough to sacrifice my safety and well being. I will have to just visit when i miss the old stone.
there is more reflection i am sure that will come to me as the weeks move along. i look forward to it and hope that it will bring about some interesting conversations with some of you.
Ciao, ciao,
K
now to recount some moments in Italy. as the title of the blog suggests there may be some issues with regards to standing....how you might ask? apparently in Italy it costs more to sit and eat, drink etc. than it does to stand. now we are not talking a little amount difference but it can be quite significant, depending on your budget of course, but just the fact that they feel the need to charge more, got our "goat". so after a long camino and some well needed rest, we were set to the test in Italy having to stand everywhere to eat or drink, our feet rebelled quite a bit, let me tell you. i personally find it barbaric to stand to drink a lovely coffee or consume a wee snack. since we had the fashion left overs from the camino we had no trouble just sitting our butts where ever we could. although in Venezia it is illegal to eat in public places, this way you can spend all your tourist dollars to the max eating, drinking there, cheeky buggers!
our Italian tour took us to Napoli, Amalfi coastal hike (yep...hike!), Pompeii, Island of Ishcia, Roma, Volterra, Siena, San Giamano, La Spezia-Cinque Terre- yet another hike!, Venezia, Volta Montana-various villages in the surrounding area and finally Milano. we felt we could get a little of each region, including the local food specialties, let's face it, we cannot go somewhere and not try what they feel is the best pasta, wine, dessert etc. it is a difficult thing but we managed to do our very best.
as the food change so did the scenery, people, and architecture. My favourite region was Toscana-Tuscany, beautiful beyond words and the food....aaaahhhh fabulous. my favourite city is Venezia, nothing beats the water combined with canals, bridges, secret little corners....never a dull moment. we met some amazing people as well and hope that one day they will visit us here in Canada so we can return their kindness.
We are glad to be back home. I know that might sound strange but i feel we have lived a lifetime with this trip. so many lessons, so much pain, beauty, and extremes. i am excited to start new ventures and most of all trying to appreciate what we have in our country. we may not have the history, the architecture, style but we do have liberties and freedoms that others will never know in their lifetime....that is worth more than 1,000+ year old buildings etc. I will miss the history but not enough to sacrifice my safety and well being. I will have to just visit when i miss the old stone.
there is more reflection i am sure that will come to me as the weeks move along. i look forward to it and hope that it will bring about some interesting conversations with some of you.
Ciao, ciao,
K
Saturday, June 5, 2010
food heaven
Yes...we are alive and very well. In fact i fear we are going to come back a little bigger than we started. We lost weight on the Camino only to consume all that Italy has to offer. We have never eaten so well. We try lots of different things on the menu. We try to make the most of our food exploration by splitting what we both get to maximize our consumption. Besides it is fun. We are huge foodies to begin with...throw us into a country that lives and breathes food, drink and you have too very happy bunnies!
The camino seems miles away....sorry for the pun but i just had to. When i last wrote i am pretty sure i mentioned that poor Viviana got the same thing with her stomach as myself. She was just lucky that she got meds right away so it did not last as long and she was not hiking with it which is a good thing. I am still not sure how i made it? The last three days were a bit of a blur.
How we are traveling and moving through Italy is so far from our first part of our trip that there are times i can hardly believe we did what we did. I feel we are still processing most of it. It will be interesting to come home and see how we walk through the world then.....we learned so much about ourselves and each other.
We landed in Napoli, Italy on May 25, ahead of schedule. we changed our flight which cost us a bit but we are very glad we did it. we were both needing to leave Spain. Napoli is rather rough around the edges but the pizza rocks the world!! so simple yet so wonderful. we took a day trip to Pompei and Mt Vesuvius. We hiked up the mountain and felt we were back on the camino for a flash. The big difference is we did not have our huge bags. we did have to be a bit more alert with our valuables since Napoli can be a bit dodgy at times. The volcano was rather cool. Pompei is huge area. it really did take us all day to explore it. it was our first encounter with tourist groups by the masses....craziness and just the beginning. Italy has lots to see and apparently they need to do it in large groups.
We headed south and put up our tent for the first time along the Amalfi coast. We over looked the water and paid next to nothing for Itlay. We hiked the cliffs along the Amalfi one day. Our feet were not too happy since they felt that part was over. I actually think we are walking more in away since we are touring around the cities and country side and not resting much. The best part is not having the bags...it does make a huge difference to how long we can endure the pace of the day. The cliff hiking was a bit unnerving at times since there were no railings and the drops were well over 100 feet at times. The views though were breath taking and worth the bit of anxiety that came and went just as quick.
We decided to take in an island so we went to Ischia for a few nights. the tent came out again. glad to be using since we have been carrying it all this time. we were on a lovely beach this time but the water was still quite cold. we went to the thermal waters along the coast to make it much more lovely. the waters come out of the rock and the tide comes in and cools off the 90 degree water so we did not burn. the odd hot point here and there which would make you jump a bit but it was so relaxing. lots of local people were there but nothing that did not feel comfortable. we had to hike to that one and back.....it seems we are destine to walk whether we want to or not.
We reach Roma on May 31 and spent 5 days at Viviana's aunt's flat which saved us quite a bit since Roma is not cheap to stay in. she was kind enough to make us dinner every night and like most Italians would not accept a cent from us. we did manage to find a place to buy some wine, desert the last night there. She would not accept anything else. So her kindness was a welcome surprise and we will not forget it.
I am now writing this in Volterra, in Tuscany. It is a small walled medieval village up on a hill. it has tons of history dating before Christ. lots to see and explore. we are taking it easy tomorrow and then heading to explore other places the following day. we need a slow day. Roma was crazy busy with all the people, traffic, noise and just trying to take what we could in.
That is a quick over view.....we will try to get on again but it is not cheap here and hard to find at times. We are staying in a semarino that dates back to the 14th century....it is cheap and so amazing with the frescos, ceilings and spectacular views of the country side. We even have our own bathroom!!!
Ciao, ciao,
K
ps- Volterra is where the vampires from "twilight" books and movies are based at....but the film actually used Siena instead, we might hit there still thinking about it.
The camino seems miles away....sorry for the pun but i just had to. When i last wrote i am pretty sure i mentioned that poor Viviana got the same thing with her stomach as myself. She was just lucky that she got meds right away so it did not last as long and she was not hiking with it which is a good thing. I am still not sure how i made it? The last three days were a bit of a blur.
How we are traveling and moving through Italy is so far from our first part of our trip that there are times i can hardly believe we did what we did. I feel we are still processing most of it. It will be interesting to come home and see how we walk through the world then.....we learned so much about ourselves and each other.
We landed in Napoli, Italy on May 25, ahead of schedule. we changed our flight which cost us a bit but we are very glad we did it. we were both needing to leave Spain. Napoli is rather rough around the edges but the pizza rocks the world!! so simple yet so wonderful. we took a day trip to Pompei and Mt Vesuvius. We hiked up the mountain and felt we were back on the camino for a flash. The big difference is we did not have our huge bags. we did have to be a bit more alert with our valuables since Napoli can be a bit dodgy at times. The volcano was rather cool. Pompei is huge area. it really did take us all day to explore it. it was our first encounter with tourist groups by the masses....craziness and just the beginning. Italy has lots to see and apparently they need to do it in large groups.
We headed south and put up our tent for the first time along the Amalfi coast. We over looked the water and paid next to nothing for Itlay. We hiked the cliffs along the Amalfi one day. Our feet were not too happy since they felt that part was over. I actually think we are walking more in away since we are touring around the cities and country side and not resting much. The best part is not having the bags...it does make a huge difference to how long we can endure the pace of the day. The cliff hiking was a bit unnerving at times since there were no railings and the drops were well over 100 feet at times. The views though were breath taking and worth the bit of anxiety that came and went just as quick.
We decided to take in an island so we went to Ischia for a few nights. the tent came out again. glad to be using since we have been carrying it all this time. we were on a lovely beach this time but the water was still quite cold. we went to the thermal waters along the coast to make it much more lovely. the waters come out of the rock and the tide comes in and cools off the 90 degree water so we did not burn. the odd hot point here and there which would make you jump a bit but it was so relaxing. lots of local people were there but nothing that did not feel comfortable. we had to hike to that one and back.....it seems we are destine to walk whether we want to or not.
We reach Roma on May 31 and spent 5 days at Viviana's aunt's flat which saved us quite a bit since Roma is not cheap to stay in. she was kind enough to make us dinner every night and like most Italians would not accept a cent from us. we did manage to find a place to buy some wine, desert the last night there. She would not accept anything else. So her kindness was a welcome surprise and we will not forget it.
I am now writing this in Volterra, in Tuscany. It is a small walled medieval village up on a hill. it has tons of history dating before Christ. lots to see and explore. we are taking it easy tomorrow and then heading to explore other places the following day. we need a slow day. Roma was crazy busy with all the people, traffic, noise and just trying to take what we could in.
That is a quick over view.....we will try to get on again but it is not cheap here and hard to find at times. We are staying in a semarino that dates back to the 14th century....it is cheap and so amazing with the frescos, ceilings and spectacular views of the country side. We even have our own bathroom!!!
Ciao, ciao,
K
ps- Volterra is where the vampires from "twilight" books and movies are based at....but the film actually used Siena instead, we might hit there still thinking about it.
Monday, May 24, 2010
ITALY here we come and conclusion 1 for the Camino
Ok so this is short but sweet we are on our way to Italy tomorrow. 2 days earlier than the flights we booked. Long story but we accidentally booked the wrong dates for our flight to Italy. We booked it one day later than planned and two days later than we should have. Seeing as we left Santiago without travelling to Finisterre we should have booked our trip to Italy for the 25th but instead in a sick blunder booked it for the 27th....After a long winded attempt the travel agent we booked with, they fixed the mistake for us as we were unable to do so ourselves.
I can not wait. Kimberley is in the room now doing some last minute research for the first part of the trip through Naples.
I have so much to say about the Camino but shall wait until later. For now I say this.... it was an amazing trip and a very difficult one at the same time. Had many ups and many downs but in the end it was something I would never take back. I am so glad we did it and even happier we were able to do it together. Even with the sickness, feet trouble, bad luck and tourists at the end it was worth every minute. I suggest it to all of those who wish to do it.
I can say without a doubt, I would at this point however, not repeat it. I did not get the same bug that others get in the desire to do it over and over. For me it was and will always be a once in a life time experience. I hope to write a more detailed blog later explaining what the Camino was for us.
Those of you whom are planning to go do not wait.. go now because you do not know if tomorrow will ever come. My mother had a stroke on April 17th the day we set foot over the Pyrenees, the first day of our adventure almost was an end in my mothers.
It really played a part in the thoughts and dreams I had over the weeks as we walked the Camino. She is doing much better from the reports I get from home. The thought of losing someone when you are so far from home really makes you think... even when that loved one is someone you have been distanced from for sometime. That though is another tale for another day.
On that note I pack up and set forth on our next journey. Italy a place I have longed to travel to since I was young. I am overjoyed and am leaving Spain on a high note... Until tomorrow!
Ciao
Viviana
I can not wait. Kimberley is in the room now doing some last minute research for the first part of the trip through Naples.
I have so much to say about the Camino but shall wait until later. For now I say this.... it was an amazing trip and a very difficult one at the same time. Had many ups and many downs but in the end it was something I would never take back. I am so glad we did it and even happier we were able to do it together. Even with the sickness, feet trouble, bad luck and tourists at the end it was worth every minute. I suggest it to all of those who wish to do it.
I can say without a doubt, I would at this point however, not repeat it. I did not get the same bug that others get in the desire to do it over and over. For me it was and will always be a once in a life time experience. I hope to write a more detailed blog later explaining what the Camino was for us.
Those of you whom are planning to go do not wait.. go now because you do not know if tomorrow will ever come. My mother had a stroke on April 17th the day we set foot over the Pyrenees, the first day of our adventure almost was an end in my mothers.
It really played a part in the thoughts and dreams I had over the weeks as we walked the Camino. She is doing much better from the reports I get from home. The thought of losing someone when you are so far from home really makes you think... even when that loved one is someone you have been distanced from for sometime. That though is another tale for another day.
On that note I pack up and set forth on our next journey. Italy a place I have longed to travel to since I was young. I am overjoyed and am leaving Spain on a high note... Until tomorrow!
Ciao
Viviana
Saturday, May 22, 2010
it is not the destination but the journey
We are still alive....barely. Currently we are in Barcelona. It has been a very dramatic finish to our past few weeks of travel along the Camino. We are still reflecting a lot on what we have accomplished and well trying to keep food in and moving forward. Viviana managed to get ill the first night we arrived in Santiago. I was still not doing so well. We were lucky enough to have met an Italian doctor who went with Viviana to get me meds, little did she know we would go back to get her some as well. Our arrival was not met with trumpets a sounding or Angels singing. No one came running up saying "wow you made it!". Instead we arrived into what I would have to describe is a "Vegas for Catholics". It was so touristy but instead of scantly clad women with rhinstones, we had rosaries, crosses, and everything imaginable to do with the church, the camino, witches (still trying to figure that one out...?). We were disappointed falls a little short of how I would describe the feeling. I would rather focus on what was positive...seeing our various travel mates, giving them a hug and the look that "we made it, we did it", usually followed by lots of tears of joy and knowledge that we have accomplished what we set out to do and each of us with our different reasons, shared one common goal for 33-36 days. The kindness and support of complete strangers, for no other reason than to be there for someone else in some shape or form. I wish I knew what it will feel like to be home again to the same old same old after all of this. Will all that love and kindness be lost forever? For 33 days we felt what it was like to share the basics of life with others with no expectations other than to walk together, perhaps share a meal, coffee, laugh, whatever.
There is more to tell but time is limited at the moment. Just wanted to let you know we are here and well, enough. We leave for Italy as it stands now on May 27. Looking forward to that part of the trip and hopefully we can eat by then.
Ciao,
K
There is more to tell but time is limited at the moment. Just wanted to let you know we are here and well, enough. We leave for Italy as it stands now on May 27. Looking forward to that part of the trip and hopefully we can eat by then.
Ciao,
K
Monday, May 17, 2010
2 days to Santiago
So we are two days away from Santiago and last night Kimberley has come down with a case of the well let´s just say she can´t keep things down or in. We ate a salad especial and it seems to be a bit more special than we both would like. I haven´t had the same reaction just yet and am hoping not to. Today we walked even though I thought we should have her rest. However the only way I agreed to the walk was J gad ti ket ne take some moer weight to make it eaiser on her as she has no energy.
We did cut the day short as planned we had thought of doing this anyway. So we are in Boente instead of the destination set for day 31.
We are still schedualed to be in Santiago on the 19th. We want to be there when our ¨family¨gets to Santiago.
Ok so now on to the last 100k. It is horrible. The scenery is wonderful but the ¨tourist¨ pilgirms that have joined in are awful. They wake up and make tons of noise, rush by you in droves, they have little or no packs and are taking in zero of the Camino in our minds. They have no idea what we are going through and honestly we don´t care how happy they are to start their walks. Sorry to be blunt but it is true. We have nothing in common with the ¨new pilgirms¨. It is a sad but true reality currently.
We luckily ran into two Canadians again whom we had lost and Ninka whom we started out with in SJPdP... it was wonderful to see them again. Like seeing long lost family members. Ok so this is quick as the time is ticking quick and I need to go tend to my sick bear but we wanted you all to get a little feel of what we are seeing in the last 100k.
We will update again soon.... as for those of you behind... Heather... we miss you and were sad not to see you at the last 100k part but glad you are keeping your Camino going!...
Two days to go and we will be done... it is hard to imagine it is almost over!
wish us luck
We did cut the day short as planned we had thought of doing this anyway. So we are in Boente instead of the destination set for day 31.
We are still schedualed to be in Santiago on the 19th. We want to be there when our ¨family¨gets to Santiago.
Ok so now on to the last 100k. It is horrible. The scenery is wonderful but the ¨tourist¨ pilgirms that have joined in are awful. They wake up and make tons of noise, rush by you in droves, they have little or no packs and are taking in zero of the Camino in our minds. They have no idea what we are going through and honestly we don´t care how happy they are to start their walks. Sorry to be blunt but it is true. We have nothing in common with the ¨new pilgirms¨. It is a sad but true reality currently.
We luckily ran into two Canadians again whom we had lost and Ninka whom we started out with in SJPdP... it was wonderful to see them again. Like seeing long lost family members. Ok so this is quick as the time is ticking quick and I need to go tend to my sick bear but we wanted you all to get a little feel of what we are seeing in the last 100k.
We will update again soon.... as for those of you behind... Heather... we miss you and were sad not to see you at the last 100k part but glad you are keeping your Camino going!...
Two days to go and we will be done... it is hard to imagine it is almost over!
wish us luck
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