IUI Today and Pumpkin Pictures.

I had the IUI at 1040 hrs.  J's counts were a bit better than normal with only one being a bit lower.  Over all he had well more than what we needed for minimum counts and in some place double and triple the numbers.  9 million needed over all and he had 99 million in the final sample which really isn't bad at all I think.

It hurt a bit but not as much as the last IVF with the threading of the catheter passed the cervix.   The hour prior to the IUI I emptied my bladder just a bit three times.  The nurse was getting worried that I wouldn't have enough.  I told her that I'm only emptying it enough so that it stops hurting.  She was okay with that thankfully.

The speculum insertion and catheter threading did sting.  I did have some cramping after too but that is to be expected.

The sperm have a tough job ahead of them with trying to get past my zona pellucida.  I know that as I age it gets thicker.  But the tech did tell me that since I had two follicles, one from each ovary this cycle I have a higher chance of fraternal twins because of my age alone.  I'll take what I get.  I'll be lucky to get one is what I figure.  Two means I can stop trying all together!

Here are the pumpkin photos.  Mine first 'cause I'm a girl and ladies should always go first!

I cut a hole in the back of my pumpkin to make the candle placement and ventilation process easier.  J should have learned from me on this one but he didn't.

My pumpkin all carved.

Mine lit up.

J carving his pumpkin at the table.  He is in ACUs because he was on call yesterday.

Virgo's are ever so precise.  He was cussing softly under his breath when it wasn't coming out the way he wanted.

J's pumpkin carved.

J's lit up.  He now realizes that he'll have to drill air holes so that his candle doesn't go out.  Could have sworn he learned that two years ago.

Yummy!  Pumpkin guts!

Celebrating The Season

Yesterday I finally got around to making the Advent wreath for the Christmas holidays. I'm a few days late I know but better late than never.  I knew I had the candles around and I have evergreen growing in my herb garden under the guise of my rosemary bush.  I just had to go find my candle holders and wire.  Ta-Da!
Simple but it does the job.

When I was growing up Roman Catholic we had our wreath that we made in CCD classes but my father didn't like lit candles in the house.  So we never lit the wreath.  Little did I know that it is to be lit every night with a prayer led by the man of the house before dinner is eaten and the candles extinguished after the evening meal is finished.  Every night the same prayer for one week and the same candle.  Eventually all four candles will get lit for the four weeks and four different prayers will be recited.  The white pillar candle is to be lit on Christmas Day. 

I think I'm going to like a sit down meal every night with my soldier.  Do I really expect to get it?  Nope.  Today he is headed out to Portland, OR for a class.  I'm thinking that he most likely won't be home in time for dinner.  Good thing he packed a lunch bag.  Yes, that is J lighting the first candle of the season.

Last night I made chicken a l' orange with baked russet potatoes and green bean almondine.  Tonight I'm thinking a slow cooker meal might be the best idea since I've no clue when he'll be pulling into the garage.

I like the idea of this little ritual.  It some how brings us closer as a family.  It gives us that bonding time to have an actual sit down meal and makes him want to be there on time more often too.