Los Porchs

Upon further review, I am thankful we worked with Dr. TK for the amount of time that we did not only for his amazing work and demeanor, but also because I was surrounded by women who were dealing with the same struggles I was... What made my very random brain think this wonderful thought? Sitting in the waiting room at the new OB office surrounded by women who likely have NOT known similar struggle or hardship. I'm kind of a badass compared to some of them (I'd like to think so anyway). Either way, we're all on the same playing field now... even if I had to spend some time in some very serious minor leagues before I could get here. Also, I hate that I have to pee in a cup every single visit. I've been slamming water all day to prepare. Yet I haven't read any of the literature Dr. G sent home with us last week. Priorities, people.

Here's a recent development... Whenever I finish eating, if there's anything left (which lately there almost always is), I cannot stand the smell of the food.  Even if it was the most amazing meal of my life, I just can't.  I have to walk it to the kitchen to avoid smelling it and dry heaving for the rest of the night. Am I the only weirdo who's experienced this? (I'm guessing I am and I am starting to make peace with this)

There's something liberating about sharing the news.  While it took a great deal of time to muster the courage to click submit for our Facebook announcement, once I did, it was like I could finally stop sucking it in.  I don't have to worry about if I'm showing and I can pretty much just let it all hang out.  (Cue sigh of relief)  I have to say though, it's weird when people say I'm showing.  That's not baby, that's just fat.  That was there before.  But alas... That being said, I haven't had much in the way of morning sickness until recently and yesterday morning I woke up and got my ass kicked.  But hey, it's worth it to know there's a tiny human in there who will soon enough be felt drop-kicking me from the inside.   How far along?  12 weeks Total weight gain:   I'm still technically negative, but creeping my way towards a gain. Maternity clothes?   Love maternity tops for the extra length and I am getting closer to the point

As Porch and I struggled with our infertility and the news that our likelihood of conceiving naturally was less than 1%, I turned to the community of bloggers who shared our pain but not necessarily our same struggles.  While it was easy to get wrapped up in the stories of loss and sadness, it was also uplifting to read stories of success and happiness.  Without this community, I would have been lost and feeling alone, which is just about the worst place one can be while working through infertility struggles. I have already started entering the notes I have in my journal; I always knew I wanted to share the journey with the community that had done so much for me.  I kept notes in a journal with hopes of sharing them to inspire and support others.  You can find them through the laterblog, infertility, and IVF labels at the top of the page. I know that each couple's story is unique.  We feel so incredibly fortunate that our first round of IVF has brought us so much hope and a pre

After 4 long years and a successful IVF attempt,  Porch & I are excited to share that we have an extra special reason to be excited for football season this year.  We are expecting Baby Porch on August 12th.   :)  It's been quite challenging to keep this secret for 12 weeks but we made it!  I plan to go back and #laterblog about the path we took to get to this badass picture; the blogging community has been an amazing support system to me and I would like to pay it forward by sharing our journey.   Honestly, writing the email to my family this afternoon was the first moment it felt "real" and I proceeded to cry as I wrote it.  Hello hormones, how you doin'?  There was a moment of hesitation before clicking send as I realized I was moving closer to making this pregnancy public knowledge.  But I'm ready.  It's time to share.  Time to celebrate. We are happy to answer questions you might have about our journey. We did it!  Pray for us, we know no

This week has (finally) brought some barf.  I know, I know, that's supposed to be the worst part, but listen.  When you don't have the traditional "OMG we're pregnant" moment, it's easy to feel like you're missing out on milestones that other women have -- like a rite of passage.  I had NOTHING.  A brief moment of dry heaving, sure, fine, I get it.  But this weekend, BOOM.  I found myself curled up on the floor in the bathroom feeling disgusting and yet SO wonderful.  It's hard to describe.  After four years of trying, I want it all.  I want the full knocked up experience.  And if that means visiting the bathroom to worship the porcelain throne, I'm all in.  It's reassuring.   How far along?  11 weeks... almost done with the first trimester already! Total weight gain:   I'm back down to -.5 Maternity clothes?  My new favorite is a pair of maternity leggings that feel like pajamas but can (probably) be pulled off as pants with a tun

I woke up yesterday wanting tater tots (an odd breakfast request, I know, but I am a HUGE hashbrowns fan).  When I woke up this morning, I still wanted those damn tots.  Since I had to run to the grocery store today anyway, I indulged in a bag of tots.  But I don't want just tots.  I want tater tot casserole.  I found a recipe here that seems super easy and I made just a slight modification as using an entire container of sour cream seemed... fat.  I went with Greek yogurt instead as this hasn't failed me in the past.  For those of you who joined me in eating at Glenview Commons at UW-Platteville back in the day, I was kinda aiming for something like that.  Something that sticks to your ribs and makes you feel like home. Ingredients 1 (32 oz) bag of tater tots 16 oz Greek yogurt 1C shredded cheddar 1 can of cream of mushroom soup 1 (6 oz) can of French fried onions Directions Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Arrange tater

When Porch and I moved in together (way, way back in the spring of 2009), we outfitted our teeny-tiny one-bedroom apartment with Ikea goodness.  I think pretty much everyone who shops at Ikea knows the pressed fiberboard beauties are not meant to last a lifetime.  That being said, many of our pieces have actually held up pretty well.  We've become seasoned Ikea shoppers and realize now that we really can't justify buying anything that isn't real wood.  It just gets beat to hell in the moving process. This dresser (Malm) has been in our guest room since we moved into this great apartment almost two years ago... and over time, it's kinda gained a pimp lean.  Majorly.  No joke, one of my tasks for this vacation day is to take everything out of this dresser so we can junk it.  I'm afraid I'm going to hear this thing come crashing down one night while we're sleeping.  And truth be told, I'm kind of excited to find something fun to replace it.  I'm all a

This week has been interesting; we saw Dr. TK for the last time this week as we "graduated" from his office and are now seeking a new OB to fill that void.  I need to see Chalupa Batman again soon to get my fix.  We spent the weekend in Wisconsin with my parents and Porch went snowmobiling while I did some snow shoeing with my mom on the lake which was awesome but SO exhausting.  Awesome exercise!  Porch has been away for work this week and I've been watching Parenthood on Netflix and catching up on laundry.  My energy has been okay, definitely more than I had earlier on.  Though once I'm snuggled into bed, it's ridiculously difficult to emerge from my blanket cocoon. I've been really big on fruit lately and back into making smoothies for breakfast since I haven't really been into coffee -- at all -- which is odd. How far along?  10 weeks! Total weight gain:  I'm at about 1.7 pounds (today).   Maternity clothes?  I rock a maternity top wheneve

We got to see you today and you were the cutest gummy bear-looking baby I've ever seen.  We saw your heartbeat (141 bpm) but I still haven't heard it yet; they said it would be too overwhelming to you.  But seeing your heart and knowing you're growing makes me so much more excited to be pregnant!  I finally feel pregnant!  We graduated today from Dr. TK and now will be visiting Dr. C (my regular OB/GYN).  What a weird feeling!!  We'll be going back to Dr. TK when we're ready to meet your siblings.  We've been thinking about names for you!  We're sure the list will grow and then narrow itself down over time and to be honest, I won't be set on a name until I see your sweet face!

Waking up this morning in the wake of last night's 6 additional inches of snow, we laid in bed with our cell phones, researching possible brunch options.  Porch had mentioned this place on Clark that he wanted to try so we looked up the menu and came to a consensus.  Porch and I decided to walk to this new (to us) brunch destination just a few blocks over.  Best.  Decision.  Ever. We trampled (ever so daintily) through the un-shoveled sidewalks (no joke, at least 6 inches) to get to this magical place.  Check out this drift in front of our garage... We weren't drivin' anywhere until we shoveled our way out anyway... and by 'we' I of course mean 'Porch' although he was pretty certain he could just put his Xterra into 4-wheel drive and get through this drift. Anyway, all of the reviews of Tiztal Cafe highlight the chilaquiles as the "best."  Porch and I are no strangers to this dish and tend to use it as a bit of a benchmark across the city

As we prepare to cheer for the Packers this weekend in their first playoff game, I'm kind of curious to know if there's a point at which the NFL calls uncle.  I know games are delayed if there's lightening, but what if the wind chill is -50?  That's really not safe and as much as I love a good cold weather game, it makes me nervous.  What if they get frostbite?  We all know that Green Bay fans are the most bad-ass of all but when I read this advisory on the Weather Channel's website, I got really curious about the regulations: * BITTERLY COLD AIR WILL SURGE INTO THE AREA STARTING SATURDAY AFTERNOON. THE COMBINATION OF COLD AND WIND WILL DRIVE WIND CHILL INDICES INTO THE 20 BELOW TO 35 BELOW ZERO RANGE SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY. WIND CHILLS IN THIS RANGE INDICATE THAT FROSTBITE TO EXPOSED SKIN CAN OCCUR IN 20 TO 30 MINUTES.  Is there somewhere that says when it's too cold to play?  Either way, hoping the fans and teams are safe this weekend.  Los Porchs will

I see lots of people using #latergram on Instagram when they get around to posting photos they've had for a while.  Is it cool to #laterblog?  I have lots to share (like our trip to Virginia) but worry I'm too late and who wants to hear my stories from November?  Would you forgive me for backtracking?  I've been a lazy pile of crap lately... but I have been journaling so as not to forget the important details. Eh, screw it.  Someday you're gettin' #laterblogs. And hey, let's look at the positives here -- this is my second post today!  I'm getting back into the habit of sitting down & processing thoughts!  (Sorry everyone) xoxo

I (finally) made it to the bottom of paperwork that had taken over my desk during the month of December; year-end stuff is no joke.  Now that I'm done with the management side of this stuff, I get roll up my sleeves and get into the part I love -- leadership.  I love meeting with teachers and hearing their plans and being a sounding board and guiding light.  I love observing and seeing what's going on in the classrooms.  Knowing our children so well is such a blessing and to be honest, it keeps me from fleeing back to the classroom as a teacher.  I love knowing that I can make a difference in the field & staying in touch with the classroom side of education is crucial.  Far too many big decision makers have never stepped foot in an early childhood classroom... much less spent an entire day working with toddlers. Cheers to 2014 & being the difference!

How far along?  8 weeks Total weight gain:  0.3 pounds (!!!) Maternity clothes?  Picked up a few maternity shirts at Target and love love love how they fit Stretch marks?   None  Sleep:  Up most nights around 2:30 to pee but have been pretty good at falling back asleep. Best moment this week:  Telling Aunt Casey & Uncle Nate about you!  They didn't believe us! Miss anything?   Not really... sushi Food cravings:  Nothing really Anything making you queasy or sick?  Kitchen smells do the most damage, but I haven't actually tossed my cookies yet. Gender:  Too soon to tell, not sure when we'll find out! Labor signs:  Hahaha, so n/a Symptoms:  minimal cramping, constantly peeing, occasional nausea, CRAZY bloating Belly button in or out?   In (and the idea of it popping scares the shit out of me -- I also fear my scar will burst open and my guts will fall out... rational, I know) Wedding rings on or off:  On. Happy or moody most of the time: 

Porch & I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year.  We hope that 2014 brings peace, love, and much adventure to you & yours!  Carpe that diem!  We're currently enjoying the time away from work and will return to our regularly scheduled blogging in the coming days (seriously, I have so many pictures and stories to share, it's overwhelming at times). To our Chicagoans, enjoy the snow!  Stay safe and get out there & enjoy the fresh snow.  =)