The Elderberry Pavlovas are tooling up and making plans to bust out of this joint! Evacuation by helicopter by end of September, no berry left behind!

[barkingtreefrog]

The smallprint –
Berries have a strict entrance criteria (TTC #1, over 30, TTC for 12+ months, NO instadiffers, must have a special pot and definitely no mention of baby dust or baby dancing).
Those not abiding by the rules may be escorted from the premises.

Mmmmm that ice cream sounds goooood wildflower I think with the Emma cannon types you can have aspects of different ones. I'm quite indecisive and a worrier so find it difficult to pin myself down. When I read it I thought oh part of that sounds like me- usually v upbeat, tries to see the positive but when the grind gets too much I can descend into negative thoughts and can have destructive behaviour. I think she said you might all health kick then go in a total I don't give a shit bender- I've been there! A bit like why do I bother, I may as well raaaaahhhh. Thanks for the complement, you're v lovely,

beaky I've got first meeting with mid wife on Monday and then I expect they will arrange 12 wk scan, think it'll be end of July.. At least that's this month,so we are limping closer, a bit like the final limp to the end of term!! Working at home today, after hell of a week, didn't set alarm, got before 7 for a wee and thought I'll just snooze for a bit, woke up at 10.15!!

Dh has a new beard razor system thing, it's so bloody complicated I can't use it on my bush as can't work out how it works!! Just wanted a trim!!

rp I used to shave my legs up to just past the knee! then a friend looked at my leg when my skirt rode up and said it looks like your wearing hairy cycling shorts

Whoop, whoop for your de france fever. All you roadies! There's a cool link on buzzfeed of pics oop north of Tour de France themed things. I'll try and find it. Is the idea you cycle to it and watch a bit on side of road? I'm a bit of a bike virgin, failed my cycling proficiency with the comment 'wobbly'! that and I ignored the markings on the playground that were supposed to be a junction???well there were no articulated lorries roaming our playground so I just pulled out- instant fail.

barking and rainy - your earlier posts about Ravelry have spurred me on to make more of my account (it's currently a bit like Twitter for me, gets logged into once a year). Just had a fun few minutes logging knitting books and looking at friends' projects, ahh I want to pick up the needles again now...

Grrr, just went along on my day off to see the children's whole school dance performance. Really, really lovely but in front of us were 2 parents and their children were sat in front of them with their class. The kids were turned round for nearly all of the performances chatting to the parents and the parents merrily chatting away throughout really moving, beautiful pieces. A staff member and parent behind me said that the boys were talking constantly and spoiling it. I said it's a bit awkward because the parents are talking to them so anyway, I got up and went in front of them, knelt down subtley and just said look you need to stop talking, we've all worked really hard all week for our performances and it's not very respectful talking through it. Sat back down. After performance walking out to car park and parent of one of the boy approaches me and says she knows the boys were talking and that was partly her fault but that I directed it all at her child. That was totally untrue, was directed at all the boys and the teacher 2rows ahead had already had to eyeball them. Honestly!! Why can't parents just accept things, why this leaping in to defend their child, the boy was talking, she was encouraging it and being darn right disrespectful. Anyway, annoyed me. Can we all pledge now that we will never be one of these jumps to conclusions, over sensitive, wades in and gets it all wrong mothers, when it's our turn... Believe me we will all get our turn.

Children learn from their parents so if they didn't have the manners to be quiet then their kids won't either. Chances are she was looking to pick fault with you to deflect from her own bad behaviour and she was embarrassed to have been indirectly pulled up on it. I really hope I'm not that kind of mum but maybe the blinkers go on as soon as you give birth!!

beaky thanks for the juicer recommendation. I'd also concluded it was one of the best but It seems to be out if stock everywhere. There's a similar one in the sale in currys....might get that instead once I've done a bit of research.

Keep imagining symptoms today. Sore boobs get them every month, mouth tastes like I'm sucking on loose change get that sometimes anyway from the vits, bloated aka getting a bit fat. Seems unlikely. Did poas but bfn so I'll have a wine or two tonight anyway. Off out for sushi and then catching a few friends for drinks.

Hope everyone else is ok. Am on phone and in the bath so should probably put the phone down before I make a expensive error and drop it in the water!

Hi ladies,

I'm pleased to say I saw my GP today.

She was brilliant! I am getting a progesterone blood test on Tuesday and DH is due to have his swimmers done too (he is coeliac so fertility can be affected)

Thanks again ladies

xxx

tiger you've hit the nail on the head there!! Your evening out sounds v cosmopolitan!! Are you somewhere hip and funky?

Good for you catlady. At least you will know what there is to know!

hope you had a great night out!

bushy I do hereby solemnly swear upon all that is Berry not to be an over sensitive wadey-in mother. Well done for saying something and hopefully that woman is feeling suitably embarrassed of herself for being so stupid.

Had a lovely night out with my BFF, filled her in on our new 'plan'. Can't tell you how good it was to discuss it all in actual real life! She can't really relate as an instadiffer, but she's very good at empathy and didn't say anything stupid

crazy it feels good to be doing something proactive doesn't it? Hope you get good results for both tests.

You lot have cost me more money today - ordered a 2nd hand copy of this book you all keep on about! Between this and acu I'll be broke soon!

Hope everyone else is ok this eve.

Morning Berries. Hope everyone is ok. A huge apology for going AWOL. Been reading bits when I've been able to but promise to be a better Berry from now on. This week has been beyond crazy. Had school trip, sports day, prom, Inset and then 2 days ago I was asked if I'd like to go on a Geography trip as someone had dropped out. So here I am on a bus to Gatwick with 44 kids at silly o'clock heading for 4 days in Italy!! No sleep for me tonight.
Anyway I won't name check everyone in case I miss anyone out but hope everyone is doing ok and a big fx to those IVF ing. Hope those of you watching the Tour enjoy. Will hopefully have a bit more time to check in over the next few days, wifi permitting.

I'm in a major sulk. We changed our tour de France plans after the mc so we wouldn't feel obliged to spend the day with our friends with babies (the tour is coming through where we live) and are spending both days with friends in Otley instead. I knew there were going to be a few kids around, but didn't bank on one of them being a newborn. Cue me walking straight through to the kitchen and hiding there in tears . I dealt with it very maturely by avoiding it completely. While our friends waited in for the other arrivals we went for curry, then to the pub, then to the off licence for gin. When we got back and baby was still around I went to the cellar to tinker with my bike.
We're sleeping in our camper outside their house. Time to go inside and brace myself for more newborn envy .
Can't believe we came away purely to escape this situation .

Have a handhold barking, it must be incredibly hard. Do what you can to avoid letting it spoil your trip. Berry power to keep you going x

Buongiorno happy! Gosh you have been busy. Hope you manage to enjoy a little bit of Italy whilst you're there!

rain glad to hear you had a lovely night with your BFF. Good friends will support even if their own ttc experience has been easier.

Slightly hungover this morning, went for sushi and then too much wine with our neighbours. Now to sort myself out and get off to that London. All credit to my mate, it doesn't look like she is going to cancel, I think she was just worried about her little one. Looking forward to seeing my bestie, and hanging out with my mum, sister and the whirlwind of chaos that is my three nephews. I know af is on the way because I feel randomly weepy, just cried on the dog because she just came and rested her head on my leg whilst I made a cuppa. Still, not going to let this af send me into the usual meltdown.

Hope everyone has a lovely weekend!

Aw Batking. You will get a decent night's sleep tonight, unlike the baby's parents!

I know that doesn't really help though....

happy Italy! Lucky you (although with 44 undoubtedly over excited kids maybe not so much!). Hope you manage to sneak in some delicious Italian vino and yummy food while you're there. Which bit are you off to? I've never been, it's top of my to do list tho!

lumen, nolly, kuma - how are you all this weekend?

barking I've replied on t'other thread but just to reiterate, screw the random couple and their newborn. Continue avoidance and pretend they don't exist; you don't know them and don't need to get to know them. Focus on you and Mr Barking and enjoying your lovely weekend. I don't think I've said before but I am insanely jealous of your camper! How long have you had it?

tiger mmm sushi! I had that yesterday for lunch, but minus the vino. Glad you had a good time, hope the trip down to Lahndahn isn't too bad and you have a good time with your friend. Glad she didn't stand you up in the end!

First acu this morning went well. She asked me loads and it was so nice just to be able to talk to someone who listened to all my concerns without pooh-poohing them. I nodded off during the needle bit, but might try taking my Rainbows tracks with me next time (thanks to barking for the idea). Off for a hair cut and colour now ( to hide the bloody grey hair that keeps sprouting). Hope everyone's having good weekends!

Any news Lumen?

Hello Berries, I hope everybody is having a good weekend. chloe hope things went ahead OK for you today and lumen that your 2ww isn't dragging too much.

Hi rain nice to hear about the acu - still something I am considering by haven't tried - actually, getting my hair coloured to hide my grey hair is also something I need to do but haven't yet

HB hope you are feeling a bit more collected; its hard to get past a failed cycle and try again. I've had a few wobbles this week, at really random things, but am feeling a bit more normal now.

barking sorry your weekend has been penetrated by infants. .

Its quite odd to go from a month constantly thinking about whether you will be/are pg whilst doing IVF then not having it on your mind constantly. I've been super busy at work which has kept me from over-thinking, and have enjoyed being able to have a few drinks the last 2 weekends. Its only a short break from TTC though as I have my NHS group session on Wednesday to go over what i already know about IVF. I didn't find out if I would still be entitled to NHS treatment after a private cycle, so will just keep quiet, I think. I only get one go on the NHS anyway. It seems unfair that you shouldn't be eligible on the grounds that you did a private cycle.... but who knows how it works. I then have a follow up appointment with the private clinic in a week, to talk about why things didn't work. DH and I have decided that we will do our NHS natural cycle, then try one more time privately before calling it a day.

Hope everybody has a nice Saturday night planned.

Thanks for thinking of me berries, sorry I have not been around but this 2ww is totally screwing with my mind. One minute I feel quite positive and then the next convince myself it is all over. Wednesday can't come soon enough.

Promise to be a better berry after weds. Thinking if you all though.

Hey Kuma, thanks for the update. I think you're handling this really well and it seems like you have a good plan in place.

Chloe did they put any embies back? How are you feeling?

kuma So so sorry it didn't work out for you. It sounds like you're being really brave and handling it as well as can be expected. The whole IVF lottery is so unfair. It makes no sense that you should be barred just because you can afford a private cycle. What do we pay NI contributions for?

barking Hope tomorrow is a bit easier after the shock of all those babies has subsided a bit. Not what you need at the moment I guess. Sometimes there's just no getting away from it.

Have a great trip happy I don't know how you can do it, the mere thought of going away with 44 kids gives me a headache. Hats off to all the teacher berries.

tiger Glad your mate didn't cancel, sounds like you'll have a great weekend!

rain Glad you found the acu relaxing. I find it totally clears my mind. Although today it wasn't too pleasant when she put 4 needles in the cartilege in my ear. After ET they don't but anything in your stomach anymore but use reflex points instead which effing hurt!

Thinking of you lumen, it's totally natural to be on a rollercoaster of ups and downs. What day post ET is your test day?

Day 5 ET for me today, it's so weird that it only takes 5 minutes! Transferred 1 morula and 1 blast. Am feeling strangely chilled out, not doubt I'll be joining lumen tomorrow in the pit of despair.

Yay Chloe - you are PUPO! Hope the 2WW is a swift one.

Congrats on being pupo chloe. My OTD puts me at 13dp3dt. When is yours and what will you be?

Hey Kuma. Great to hear from you. Hope you're doing ok.
Congrats on being PUPO Chloe. Still got everything crossed for you Lumen
Barking sorry your plans were spoilt.
Rain we're just outside Sorrento. I've spent a fair bit of time in Italy as did half my degree in Italian. By the time I got to bed last night I'd been awake for 38 hours. Knackered!! Early start today to climb Vesuvius and visit Pompeii. Have a great Sunday all x

Sounds like it will be a great trip happy, I love that part of Italy but have never been to Pompeii unfortunately.

lumen Have my test on Friday and again Monday (with a hen weekend in between ). So at 6 and 9 dp5dt.

Aw, my family are from just near Pompeii happy but I've not been since I was very little. Enjoy!

Great news on being PUPO chloe.

Lumen keeping everything crossed for you.

kuma glad you've been able to relax and enjoy yourself.

rain having someone listen to your concerns is very liberating. Glad you enjoyed it. My acu lady offers the option to listen to meditation cd or chat but I like chatting about nothing in particular. Last month she bought the honestly healthy book for her daughter as we were chatting about it - we should definitely be on commission!

Totally fell off the wagon last night (again) and had a few drinks. Af arrived and I just thought fuck it really. Now I feel a bit guilty for some reason. Will be back into the yoga and doing the honestly healthy 5 day cleanse next week to get back on track. Was lovely to catch up with my girls though and looking forward to Aunty time today with my nephews.

Hope everyone else has a lovely Sunday!

Yey PUPO Chloe! Fx!! Keeping fx for you as well Lumen
Who is next for IVF?

Kuma so sorry it didn't work for you, but I will
Keep everything crossed for your natural cycle. How does that work exactly? Is it just no drugs?

Sorry AF got you Tiger but glad you're having a lovely weekend and enjoyed meeting your friend.

Rain acu sounds great! Hope it helps for you, even if it just helps with relaxation etc. the Emma cannon book refers to a study where the group who had acu had much higher numbers achieve and sustain pregnancy in IVF so it should definitely help prior to IVF eh

Happy it sounds like an amazing weekend, even if you are losing sleep! You have a super hectic job at the moment though hey!

HB how are you doing at the moment?

Also has anyone heard from Funky? If you're reading this Funky would you let us know how you are doing? Been thinking of you loads.

I am dreading going back to work tomorrow, since I got back from hols I've heard nothing but complaints on fb and from my clients I know and I just know I will be shouted at all day tomorrow. I cannot keep putting myself through this. There is no way I'll get pg with feeling this stressed and anxious all of the time but if I leave I'm worried about finances. I don't know how people do this continually, it's such an awful thing to put yourself through on a daily basis.

Sorry for the complaining too.

In other funnier news, a girl I was at school with announced on fb she was pg by posting her test picture but also it turned out she had just taken the test and is literally 4 weeks pg, then she's started posting daily "your baby at 4 weeks" posts! Jesus Christ. It's so ridiculous though.

Ooh chloe how exciting!! Now take it easy for the next 2 weeks!

Lumen good luck for next week. It's this part of it that really starts to drag and I got quite irritable near the end.

Needles in ear cartilage sounds ouch!!

Off to a christening today, last time we went to their 2nd child's one their mother asked us when we were going to have kids!! Fuck off, I don't know you at all, why are you asking me such personal questions!! Think we actually trotted out some vague thing instead.