March Photo Challenge Day #2

Today's photo challenge subject: Feet

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Lao-tzu, The Way of Lao-tzu

This picture was taken yesterday while waiting for my acupuncturist. I thought the groovy mod green walls went nicely with my freshly painted toenails. : )

Acupuncture itself amazes me. I've been going pretty consistently for the past 2 years, and since last November have been frequenting a clinic that specializes in fertility. My intent with yesterday's visit was to get some of this insane heat cleared from my body! The acupuncturist began by checking my pulse, and announced that it was "superficial."

What?

I'd never heard of that, and before I got all offended ('who you calling superficial, lady?!') decided to ask what that meant. To simplify, I found this explanation on the Internet:

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The Floating, Superficial Pulse (Fu Mai)

Floating Pulse (浮脈 Fu Mai, superficial)

Key point: superficial

Indications: exterior condition: defensive yang mobilizes externally bringing with it the qi and blood, resulting in the floating pulse.

Yin deficiency: yin cannot anchor yang. Yang is “up” and yin is “down”. The floating pulse therefore may be described as the pulse that lacks “down” (also known as “root”).

Explanation: “floating” means the pulse is more evident when pressing lightly and as you press with more conviction, the pulse is no longer felt. Floating thus is a deficiency of root, or “down” sensation. Down is yin, up is yang. A lack of down suggests a deficiency of yin. Get it? That’s the internal reason, there’s an external reason too.

Ultimately, the floating pulse could be described as an internal deficiency (of yin) or external excess (of yang fighting off pathogenic factors).

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One of the most interesting results of this superficial pulse was that I felt every.single.needle.prick. Usually I hardly feel the tiny needles go in, with the rare exception of a spot needing extra attention. However, the superficial "yang" chi apparently hangs out right at the surface of my skin, making it extra sensitive. So my acupuncturist worked to balance this with the more rooted "yin" energy.

Ironic that what I was lacking was the chi of being rooted, because that is exactly how I've been feeling lately. A little confused and lost as to where to turn now in our TTC journey. And, while my body heat was drastically reduced (no heat flashes last night! I actually woke up COLD a few times)- I didn't have any deep rooted epiphanies about what my next steps will be, and still woke up with a 98.3 temp. 

Baby steps, feet. Baby steps.

On/Off, Hot/Cold,"Hi, Lo!"

Babycakes and I had a sweet, low-key Valentine's Day. I put on my birthday Princess dress and we headed downtown for a delicious steak dinner at III Forks. They had a red carpet laid out for arrivals & a live jazz band to set the mood. They even had a photographer taking free photos of couples! Perfect. We took the time to share what we appreciate most about each other, and both agree we feel lucky every.single.day to have found one another.

Monday my mild hot flashes began. Starting Monday night they were no longer "mild" hot flashes- I'd call them full out sweat fests. The past two nights I have been waking up several times soaking wet - as if I've just run a marathon (and if sweating like that does burn a similar amount of calories, I"m all in!). I'll mop off my neck, kick off the covers, breathe deep, and within minutes be chilly again. On and off, on and off, hot and cold, hot and cold. 

At acupuncture yesterday I asked if they could do points to clear some of that heat? Nope. Apparently they will not do that during this time of my cycle (I was 11dpo) in case I am pregnant. Your body needs that heat to keep cooking the baby.  I sure hope that's what my body is up to!

I also had my first dream last night with a little girl that was clearly our daughter. I knew this because I called her by name (we know what our first daughters' name will be- let's just say it's Lo for "Little One"). Lo was about 1 1/2, 2 years old with brown curly hair. There was a woman with us whom I was asking about my hot flashes- and she indicated those were definitely a sign of pregnancy. I said to Lo "Say Hi, Lo, to the lady." She took out her pacifier and said "Hi, Lo!" It was pretty cute. There was also an odd unspoken understanding that Lo would have a nose piercing at some point in her life (there's got to be something funky in a dream. And if that's true, not until you are at least 18, Lo!)

Such is the stuff of life. Ying/Yang, On/Off, Hot/Cold.... hopefully leading to the ultimate balance that will have us officially saying "Hi, Lo!" to our new child.