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I am almost done with my Christmas shopping and SO happy about it. I have a couple last minute things to pick up, but they are minor and I plan on finishing them this weekend. I usually end up rushing around at the last minute, so I am very happy that I got everything done earlier this year!

No real updates here. Just waiting for AF to determine when we will be able to have a FET!

Ola ladies!

Final check up with the RE this morning post-surgery, HSG and she said it looked GREAT! Back to TTC this weekend (though we have been trying up until today, knowing I don't O until Sunday-ish). She said when I get that bfp to call her first, not my GP, so she can put me on progesterone and other things to make sure that baby sticks. FX FX FX.

We have our work xmas party tonight and I'm just going to let loose!

No, I'm still buying gifts here and there. I don't think i'll be shopping on Christmas eve since I'll be on plane for most of the day.

IF updates.. none... still on BCP. Baseline b/w & u/s will be on Jan 6th, then injections/meds start Jan 10th and then my FET will be Jan 28th-ish.

If any of you follow me on IG, I've been really getting into the holidays. Doing crafty stuff and putting up lights. I think I'm really enjoying Christmas this year and like that I've been getting back into my crafty self. So I think it was good to have all the time waiting (for IVF) to concentrate on the holidays. I'm not usually big into Christmas (like the DH is) but I think this might be the first year where I am.

@Leialou: Yes, I'm doing it!
@bluestriped bee: Good for you! I'm the absolute opposite of crafty, but the house IS decorated. Just not in a "crafty" way.

I finished shopping last weekend! I am so excited that's out of the way. Too bad I have to wrap stuff now. My mom always has the most beautifully wrapped packages, but apparently she forgot to pass that gene on to me.

As for updates - The doctor called today with SA results. Unfortunately, it was at the time I stepped away from my desk for two minutes. Since it was at 4:30 p.m., she left me a message saying she'd call me tomorrow morning. I called the office right back but couldn't get ahold of her. I'm more than a bit annoyed and trying to keep calm. She's given me good news before via email and via voicemail, so I can't help but go there. So I had a treated myself to a delicious cocktail!

On that note, does anyone have any great Christmas cocktail recipes I should try this season?

I am almost done! Just a couple DIY things to finish and then the wrapping...oh the wrapping, haha!

IF Update: Had my first RE appointment yesterday. I am really going to like her, and the facility where the appt was. I FINALLY felt like someone cared about what I was going through and the 21 months of patience/pain we've gone through and she is open to whatever route we choose to take. Basically, I've already done oral meds + IUI, so we can do oral + injectables + monitored IUIs OR we can jump straight to IVF. DH and I are praying about this decision, but I already feel a strong pull to IVF to get this show on the road. But, to help guide our decision, I will be doing the HSG next cycle. If my tubes are blocked, then my decision has been made for me.

I was pretty emotional yesterday, before and after the appt, but today, I am feeling relieved that we have a started to make a plan to finally conceive (hopefully). In the meantime, I have sought out some support from friends of friends who have gone through IVF and adoption, just so I know what to expect.

Since I am in the middle of a cycle (about to O) that is not medicated, no IUI, no nothing, DH and I are just calling any BD we do "practice" and not stressing. We intend to bring our minds away from TTC and focus on the holidays and our time with family.

@sarahnicole218: I am so happy to read your update! It is so nice to have a doctor you are comfortable with, and to feel like you have a plan moving forward. It sounds like you have both of those things! Fingers crossed for you!

@AmeliaBedilia: yeah, I remember that! Well, this cycle we had the most fun BDing that we've had in a long time! If enjoying ourselves was any indication of success, I'd say we sure to have made a baby.

@sarahnicole218: That's really awesome that you feel comfortable. Lots of

@Hoots: HUGS!! I'm so sorry about this news, which must have just felt so overwhelmingly disappointing. You definitely have to continue being your own advocate and maybe ask for a compromise? Maybe she'd be willing to start Clomid in March, at the 12 month mark? I know that 28 is "young," that is also my age...but the decision to have a child is a very important one, one that most don't take lightly. You are ready, you have mentally prepared for this step in your life and I feel like her job is to help you achieve that dream. Good luck to you!

@Hoots: Oh man. That's hard. Generally speaking, if I feel strongly about something I tell the Dr. that it's my body and I know it best and that I'm feeling like (fill in the blank) would be the best decision for me at the time. Obviously very kindly and respectfully. I think whatever you feel most comfortable with is important!

@bluestriped bee: So this is still my ob/gyn. I originally wanted to feed into the RE that was with her program, but I've been heavily reconsidering based on their financing options. When originally discussing with DH, we both decided we were comfortable doing 3 orally medicated cycles with her before moving to an RE at the yearish mark. At this point, we've decided to make an appointment with her in January and try to go with the original plan. If she doesn't want to do that, we'll go ahead and move to an RE. While I think I'd be okay moving on now, it is much cheaper do the orally medicated cycles with my obgyn based on how her office codes things for insurance purposes. Any hope of coverage goes out the door with an RE.

ETA: My gut feeling is if orally medicated cycles don't work, to move straight to IVF. The RE that I'm leaning towards uses the Assure program, which seems like something I'd like to take advantage of.

@Hoots: Yeah, the Clomid (or similar) cycles sound WAY more affordable. Did you get the feeling she wouldn't let you try WHENEVER you were ready? I don't like it when they call the 'age' thing either! We started TTC when we were 26 and 28 and now we're 30 and 32 without ever having a BFP. Age is NOT the only factor.

@Hoots: Ah, it's your OB. Yeah, when I asked my OB about our trouble TTC after 6 months, she referred us to a fertility clinic to have a SA done. (There were also health concerns with my DH, which might be the reason why she suggested the DH get a SA done.) I'm grateful she referred us and at such an early time. (It's usually normal for OBs to wait til you get to the 12 month mark.) I would have also waited if she told me to try a little longer. (I was prepared for it.) I've seen many of us with IF get referred to an RE at all different months. I think it just depends on the OB.

It is a good idea to stay at your OB to reduce costs but I think a fertility clinic might have a different goal than an OB would. They might be more aggressive with your treatment since most of us pay out of pocket. If you want to be more aggressive while staying at an OB, you might have to find another OB. That's what I would suggest.

@bluestriped bee: She said would refer after 3 months on ovulating-inducing meds or immediately if there was male factor. But, the more I research, many of the RE practices look like they don't need a referral if you're paying out-of-pocket. I'm going to call the practice I'm interested in on Monday and see what they need. It just seems so pointless to go on trying without knowing if or when I'll ovulate. I can't time anything well and TTC just takes over our lives.

@Mrs. Pinata: I asked about Femara when she first mentioned Clomid in July/August. She said she doesn't like to use it first. DH is going with me next time, and he's a much better advocate than myself. Hopefully, we can hash out a plan that everyone is comfortable with.

I also wanted to say thank you to everyone again. It's been awesome to have others to discuss the issue with. And your suggestions and experiences are so much help.

@AmeliaBedilia: I'm sorry, that's really rough. Is there something you could treat yourself to that would take your mind of everything for a bit? A new book or maybe a movie you've been meaning to watch?

@AmeliaBedilia: I'm so sorry. Yeah, my younger sister was waiting a few years to have kids... of course the time flew by and that time came and she is now pregnant. Time stands still for us and it's so hard to see others getting pregnant. You think 'Oh, I'll be pregnant before so and so.' In our horrible world, we 'hope' we are pregnant by a certain time but sometimes it just doesn't happen. Hugs to you.

@AmeliaBedilia: HUGS, HUGS, and MORE HUGS! You know you can always turn to us, we totally get it! Remember to keep your focus on the excitement of the farm and this wonderful holiday season. Bless you my friend!