Something old, something new

This is really starting isn't it? It's hard to fathom, with all the stops and starts that I am really, truly starting my DE cycle. I have my first appointment Wednesday morning for a base u/s, injection "training" (lol, like I NEED that... I'm a flippin' expert by now), consents, and the holy-cripes-there-goes-my-bank-account payment for my cycle.

I'm nervous. So much can go wrong. This is worse than cycling by myself. How do I chase the bad thoughts from my head? I really want to focus on the positive.
...

Today was David's first day at his summer camp program (run by his old school he went to for preschool and pre-K). He's going just a few days a week... mostly to have fun (swimming, field trips, crafts, etc)... but also to keep all the knowledge he gained in Kindergarten front and center.
He was uber-excited to go today... talking about it all weekend and in the car on the way there. When we got there he met his old teachers who just love him to death, and a few kids returning for the summer. It was all going so well until I hugged him to leave...

He buried his head between my hip and elbow, and started to weep. I felt so bad!! But I know that this is the age that separation anxiety is at a peak. I specifically picked this program because I knew it wouldn't be a huge stress on him (being comfortable with the teacher and some of the kids), but there's no escaping a six year old that's tough on the outside and a mommy's boy on the inside.

I'm sure he's fine. I'll pick him up today and I'm know he'll have a bazillion stories to tell me and will already have forgotten about the morning.

I sooooo remember this feeling he's having. I was like that at his age too.

Six. On the verge of conquering the world, and yet still wanting to be little and led by the hand.
...

Last point-

Did you enter my drawing for the DNA testing kit from 23andMe? If you didn't, sorry... too late to win a free one, but there's a nifty deal for purchasing one. If you did enter, pop over here. I announced the winner!

Win a free DNA testing kit from 23andMe!

Giveaway alert!

I would love for you to win a free DNA testing kit from 23andMe. Click over to my review blog here for the details!

Hurry... giveaway ends Monday, 6/15.

On my mind this week...

Oh, it's been awhile since I had one of those "all over the map" posts. This will be one, so be forewarned... I'm still coming off my vacation funk.

I told myself I wouldn't do it, but I am feeling the need to comment on the Jon & Kate thing. Yes, I am guilty of watching the show from last Monday (and past shows), and... ugh... I have so many feelings about it. I've been reading a varied bunch of posts, many that bash Kate and/or Jon, and curiously, many that are starting to come out of the woodwork that grant sympathy to Kate.

Here's my short comment... Making money off the backs of those children (fully knowing that this media frenzy will haunt them f-o-r-e-v-e-r) is wrong. I'm sorry. I don't care if it they are doing it to secure themselves financially. Not good enough. Plenty of people have large families and make it work and aren't television stars. And, don't get me started on the "you should have thought about that in the first place" trail of thought. It gets the infertile part of me all riled up.

Sell your books, use the profits for more teeth bleaching and fake spray-on tans... create a J&K+8 clothing line for all I care.. but take the damn cameras off those kids immediately... if you really care about their health and welfare.

And that's all I have to say about that.

------

David is graduating Kindergarten in less than two weeks! I just can't believe my baby is almost done his first year of school. That just flew by. Next Tuesday, I volunteered as chaperone to his school field trip to the zoo. I just can't wait to ride a school bus with a bunch of 5/6 year olds. The last time I rode on a school bus was to a Frat party back in my college days. aaaah, memories. AHEM... different type of bus trip... entirely.

-------

I am having a really hard time readjusting to work. Honestly, something happened to me on vacation that activated the "procrastination chip" in my head. I sincerely need to get back into the swing. Maybe I really did relax too much. Is that possible?

-------

I am catching up on the gazillion shows I DVR'd while I was gone. Shocked at some of the finales.

-------

And, I just realized that I have to get my list together for David's "official" birthday party (with the family) next Saturday. This time of year, everything just seems to take off and run at breakneck pace.

-------

Lastly, please check out my "last" 23andMe post up over at my review blog...here


...and have a pleasant weekend!

Pregnancy Loss and Genetics

[I'm still on vacation... but check out my latest post forn 23andMe] So, having personal experience with regards to recurrent pregnancy loss over the years, it's a natural question to wonder how genetics play a part in miscarriage.

Is there some sort of mystery that lies in my genome that holds the answers? For my situation, I think not likely...

...Read the rest of this post over at BagMomma Reviews

...and why am I here again?

When I decided to get involved with this project for 23andMe, I was a little apprehensive. Not with the technology... I was totally excited to get my DNA analyzed... but because the premise of the project was "Pregnancy"...

...Read the rest of this post over at BagMomma Reviews

Well that's scary

Hemochromatosis... what is that?

Apparently, a disease for which I am a carrier. I've had a lot of genetic testing over the years, but never once did I turn up as a carrier for something. Primarily, because there is LOTS of very complicated (and deadly) diseases, and no one is tested for everything.

Read the rest of this post over at BagMomma Reviews ...my new review blog!

I could have been a Contender

I spent a lot of time wondering how the results of my test from 23andMe might affect my future. It's weird having so much knowledge at your fingertips.

No, it's not a road map... but more of a "heads up". Sort of like the yield sign on a highway, or caution tape strung around a giant hole in the ground.

Read the rest of this post over at BagMomma Reviews ...my new review blog!

All hail the Queen

I didn’t really think that a little bit of spit could give such information.

When my data came back from 23andMe, I excitedly clicked on the link to my data, and there it was… Shelli’s profile.

Read the rest of this post over at BagMomma Reviews ...my new review blog!

The Art of Spitting (How I spat)

I was so excited to receive my kit from 23andMe. Anticipating the secrets lurking in my DNA…

But first, I had to get ready to submit my sample...

Read the rest of this post over at BagMomma Reviews ...my new review blog!

News and Tears

I'm off for a four day weekend, although the bad news is the allergies I *thought* I had was the start of some sort of head cold/infection. So, after a sleepless night of 103 degree fever, I am starting to feel better today after 2 rounds of antibiotics.

My blogging friend Cecily was on our local ABC news last night, talking about our new project for 23andMe, and HEY, my face was actually in the story. Check it out here (third story in the segment). Great job Cecily!

Lastly, I have to comment on something that just breaks my heart. A member of my extended blogging family, Heather Spohr, (a fellow writer for the Silicon Valley Moms Blogs) lost her daughter Madeline on Tuesday. Maddie was a former preemie, and had a smile that could light a thousand moons. My heart is heavy knowing she is gone... I did not even know her personally, but the thought of anyone grieving a child sends shivers down my spine. The Spohrs have asked that donations to the March of Dimes in Maddie’s name be made in lieu of sending flowers, ...you can do that here. Also, a PayPal account has been established for the family's expenses here.

Please remember Maddie and her family today.

Don't try to pull one on me today

I don't think I've ever pulled an April Fool's joke on anyone, ever in my lifetime. Really.

But over the years, my gullible nature has made me fall prey to all sorts of tricks. My husband is the number one offender. He LOVES to pick on me. Most of the time it's because I am not aware that it even is April 1st until he plays some sort of lame joke and has his jollies. After which I smack him on the arm... "Hooooney! Please don't do that to me!"

I think he secretly loves it.

So, my awareness of April 1st today is on my mind front and center. I have my appointment to pick another donor today. Let's think about the coincidence of today being the day, shall we? Do you think it's a good or bad omen?

Oh, and for those of you glued to your TV's yesterday in anticipation of seeing my face plastered on GMA.... well, the bloggers were cut out for the most part except for one of my fellow writers. If you missed it, you can see the segment here.

Did you hear about this computer worm story? I think that's all it will amount to be...a story. Every once in awhile some mega-virus is looming, and nothing ever happens. Working in the field of technology, I can assure you that my company isn't very worried about it. So neither am I.

Lastly, I've finally given in to peer pressure and started reading the "Twilight" series of books. I'm halfway through book one, and still not seeing what all the rage is about. However, I wanted to read the books BEFORE I see the movie.

Movies always tend to ruin good books don't they?

Why I spat

When I was 8 years old, I wanted to be a professional figure skater.

I cut my hair in the style of Dorothy Hamill, and begged my parents for a pair of shiny, new ice skates. When I finally got my skates, I waited for the winter to try them out on the oversized, frozen puddle in the backyard.....

Read the rest of this post over at BagMomma Reviews ...my new review blog.

You are HERE not THERE

I should be in Northern California today, but alas, I am not.

Why... pray tell? I am excited to be a part of a special project for 23andMe. Have you heard of this company? Oh, I can't wait to tell you all about it!

They've been featured on Oprah, and been awarded the distinguished Invention of the Year by Time Magazine.

And, now, I am an official blogger for them. ME. In fact, my DNA is somewhere in a lab being analyzed right NOW. Aren't you intrigued?

I am seriously excited to be a part of this project. Writing is my passion, and I'll be doing a lot more of it.

So why am I here and not there? Well, I thought I'd be further ahead in my DE cycle when the trip was planned, so I had to pass on the meet and greet in CA. Major bummer. Instead, I am here in the 20 degree bliss which is New Jersey.

More on the details later.

For now, I must grab my cup of tea and wooly slippers.