For the last week, I've been feeling worn down. Tired, moody, hormonal- just... off. Throwing fertility treatments and appointments into the mix of an already full work/life/Mama/wife regime has definitely tipped things out of balance, and I was starting to feel like a shadow of myself.
Historically I know that whenever I start feeling this way, it means I am in deep need of some self nurturing.
On weekends BC helps out with Iyla from her wake up through her nap so I can work, get house chores done, run errands etc. Every other weekend he takes a full day for himself to recharge- golfing with good friends then heading out for dinner and drinks with them.
Last weekend was a golf weekend, so heading into this weekend I made the request for a full ME Day- something I don't do very often. It then came to me that if I got a full ME day plus BC taking the wake-until-nap shift the following day, I could maybe get away. As in- go somewhere OVERNIGHT.
Just the thought made me giddy.
After checking with BC (who was completely supportive) I did some quick research and booked one of the last trail side rooms available at Travaasa Resort just outside of Austin. This resort is nestled into a wildlife preserve and features a gorgeous spa and its own farm that provides farm to table meals. And? A daily "activity" menu with things like meditation and yoga:
Yes, PLEASE.
This morning- on the cusp of my highly anticipated ME Day- I awoke to pouring rain and flashing migraine lights.
Um, Universe? This is NOT how I had planned to start the day.
I was not to be deterred, and happily it appears that this was to be the worst of it.
To start with, I never got the pain that accompanies my migraines over 50% of the time. Thankfully the Niacin and migraine meds I took were effective, and I was again ready to take the day by storm (pun intended).
Better.
I then packed my bags, gave lots of kisses to BC and Iyla, and headed off to a local coffee shop for breakfast. Over the last couple of months I've cut out caffeine in an effort to improve overall health and fertility- but knowing that caffeine can help with migraines, went ahead and got a lovely (one shot) cappuccino with my eggs:
Better.
I then headed to my doctor's office for a follicle release check. I'd had IUI's the previous two days, and as usual, at yesterday's IUI I hadn't ovulated yet. This is my 4th injectables cycle, and the very first one was the ONLY one where more than one egg released- and the ONLY one where we got pregnant (unfortunately ending quickly in a Chemical Pregnancy). Heading into this cycle, I was pretty adamant with Dr. Vaughn that I wanted to do whatever we could to hopefully have more than one follicle mature and (fingers crossed) release.
So at this morning's appointment the on-call doctor took a look and declared that she no longer saw any of my top 3 follicles, likely meaning that ALL THREE HAD RELEASED.
Cue me to:
ELATED AND EXCITED! Increased odds! Go baby go!
REALISTIC/FROU: If this kid isn't ready to join the family yet, even THREE tempting egg opportunities won't bring him/her here.
TERRIFIED: Dear God, what if more than one actually take?
Overall I left the appointment with my heart singing and hopeful, and proceeded to drive to my own personal Resort paradise.
I began the day at the spa with a massage by a French therapist. As he was stretching my legs and remarking how incredibly flexible I was, I noted that this was quite amazing given I hadn't been working out or doing much yoga lately. To which he replied in his thick accent:
"Zee study show zat zee tight glute eh pas ideal- flat, flaccid glute eh better pour zee ip eh knee."
Pardonnez moi, Monsieur? Did you just call my butt flat and flaccid?
Alas, he was on to me. It's true: flat and flaccid glutes have moi.
But I digress.
I spent much of the rainy afternoon at the spa, partaking in the hot tubs & steam room. I then checked into my gorgeous little nature-perched room, unpacked, and headed out for a muddy hike. I suddenly felt so much gratitude for the rain I'd cursed that morning, as there was not another soul on the trail and the temperatures were gloriously in the lower 60's (as compared to the 90's of the previous week).
I proceeded to wash up and walk to dinner. On my way, I noticed two ladies staring at me intently.
Was it my flat flaccid glutes?
Then one of the ladies called out "Jules?" and lo and behold, it was the woman who had married BC and I over 6 years ago! She was here celebrating her mom's 60th birthday. What amazing small world serendipity!
Bring it on, Universe.
And now I bring you my first ME Day in photos:
Equally as rejuvenating? The photos BC texted me of his day with Iyla. Cue my heart melting:
BEST.
And now my cup runneth over.
Historically I know that whenever I start feeling this way, it means I am in deep need of some self nurturing.
On weekends BC helps out with Iyla from her wake up through her nap so I can work, get house chores done, run errands etc. Every other weekend he takes a full day for himself to recharge- golfing with good friends then heading out for dinner and drinks with them.
Last weekend was a golf weekend, so heading into this weekend I made the request for a full ME Day- something I don't do very often. It then came to me that if I got a full ME day plus BC taking the wake-until-nap shift the following day, I could maybe get away. As in- go somewhere OVERNIGHT.
Just the thought made me giddy.
After checking with BC (who was completely supportive) I did some quick research and booked one of the last trail side rooms available at Travaasa Resort just outside of Austin. This resort is nestled into a wildlife preserve and features a gorgeous spa and its own farm that provides farm to table meals. And? A daily "activity" menu with things like meditation and yoga:
Yes, PLEASE.
This morning- on the cusp of my highly anticipated ME Day- I awoke to pouring rain and flashing migraine lights.
Um, Universe? This is NOT how I had planned to start the day.
I was not to be deterred, and happily it appears that this was to be the worst of it.
To start with, I never got the pain that accompanies my migraines over 50% of the time. Thankfully the Niacin and migraine meds I took were effective, and I was again ready to take the day by storm (pun intended).
Better.
I then packed my bags, gave lots of kisses to BC and Iyla, and headed off to a local coffee shop for breakfast. Over the last couple of months I've cut out caffeine in an effort to improve overall health and fertility- but knowing that caffeine can help with migraines, went ahead and got a lovely (one shot) cappuccino with my eggs:
Naughty delicious
Better.
I then headed to my doctor's office for a follicle release check. I'd had IUI's the previous two days, and as usual, at yesterday's IUI I hadn't ovulated yet. This is my 4th injectables cycle, and the very first one was the ONLY one where more than one egg released- and the ONLY one where we got pregnant (unfortunately ending quickly in a Chemical Pregnancy). Heading into this cycle, I was pretty adamant with Dr. Vaughn that I wanted to do whatever we could to hopefully have more than one follicle mature and (fingers crossed) release.
So at this morning's appointment the on-call doctor took a look and declared that she no longer saw any of my top 3 follicles, likely meaning that ALL THREE HAD RELEASED.
Cue me to:
ELATED AND EXCITED! Increased odds! Go baby go!
REALISTIC/FROU: If this kid isn't ready to join the family yet, even THREE tempting egg opportunities won't bring him/her here.
TERRIFIED: Dear God, what if more than one actually take?
Overall I left the appointment with my heart singing and hopeful, and proceeded to drive to my own personal Resort paradise.
I began the day at the spa with a massage by a French therapist. As he was stretching my legs and remarking how incredibly flexible I was, I noted that this was quite amazing given I hadn't been working out or doing much yoga lately. To which he replied in his thick accent:
"Zee study show zat zee tight glute eh pas ideal- flat, flaccid glute eh better pour zee ip eh knee."
Pardonnez moi, Monsieur? Did you just call my butt flat and flaccid?
Alas, he was on to me. It's true: flat and flaccid glutes have moi.
But I digress.
I spent much of the rainy afternoon at the spa, partaking in the hot tubs & steam room. I then checked into my gorgeous little nature-perched room, unpacked, and headed out for a muddy hike. I suddenly felt so much gratitude for the rain I'd cursed that morning, as there was not another soul on the trail and the temperatures were gloriously in the lower 60's (as compared to the 90's of the previous week).
I proceeded to wash up and walk to dinner. On my way, I noticed two ladies staring at me intently.
Was it my flat flaccid glutes?
Then one of the ladies called out "Jules?" and lo and behold, it was the woman who had married BC and I over 6 years ago! She was here celebrating her mom's 60th birthday. What amazing small world serendipity!
Bring it on, Universe.
And now I bring you my first ME Day in photos:
Home sweet home for the night
The view from my private patio
Equally as rejuvenating? The photos BC texted me of his day with Iyla. Cue my heart melting:
And now my cup runneth over.
That all sounds so perfect! Good luck on this cycle! Isla is too cute in her vest
ReplyDeleteI love seeing Mamas filling their cups!
ReplyDelete