How am I now?

I left my job in the city last year to focus on getting pregnant and spending time with Hubby. After Hubby's lengthy 5-month vacation (in his line of work, the norm is 2-3 months vacay only), he already left for a new contract. I'm in the province, still not pregnant, and with no regular 8-5 day job. 

I'm happy.

I thank God that I have freelance work and I'm not stuck in an office on a day-to-day basis. I am captain of my time. I have time in the morning for exercise (I MUST lose the excess inches and pounds I gained from my sabbatical!). I work in the comfort of my parents' home. I don't pay rent.:)

Life is good. Life is full of possibilities.

Acceptance

Hubby and I finally accepted that this is not the time for us to get pregnant. After my HSG, three cycles of Clomiphene citrate (Ova-mit and Clomin brands), and two IUIs last year, we decided to wait for God's perfect time for us to conceive. We did everything we thought would help us conceive but waiting for the Lord's plan is more calming and stress-free for both of us. We just enjoyed the last month of my husband's vacation here.

Hubby left to work overseas last week. We had a heart-to- heart talk and said we would try again when he comes back after nine months. If I was able to get pregnant before he left, he would be welcoming a baby when he returns. Oh, life.

My Thai Kitchen

During the Christmas season, Hubby and I get together for dinner with our Ninong and Ninang. For the past two dinners, it was only me who had dinner with them but this year, Hubby was able to come, too! A friend and his wife also joined us that night.

We had our annual Christmas dinner at My Thai Kitchen in Gateway Mall in Cubao, Quezon City. Located at the third floor, My Thai Kitchen shares its kitchen and dining area with Pho Hoa, a Vietnamese restaurant. You can order from both restaurants. Superb! Another plus point is that Thai and Vietnamese cuisines have lots of veggies in its dishes. In this season of food indulgence, it's good to eat healthy greens to combat the fatty and sweet foods served during the holidays. 

Pomelo and shrimp salad (P235)

Grilled beef salad (P200)

We loved this salad!

Beef Stew (P295)

Bagoong Rice (P230)

Fried chicken garlic shallots (P260)

Each dish can serve 3-4 persons. We shared stories, and our TTC experience was also talked about. Ninong said a very important message to us, "God is always on time. He is never late. He is never early." He added that the time waiting for a baby meant that God was preparing us for it. We should never lose hope. 

We enjoyed the night and Hubby and I were grateful that Ninong and Ninang prayed over us before we went home.

Prayer for Healing

From the flyer I got from Cardinal Santos Hospital.


Lord, touch the part of my body that needs healing especially my _________ (mention that part). Lord, thank you. I am already healed. Lord, I trust in you.

IUI 1 - Fail

Yeah sad.

Now I feel composed enough to write about what happened after my first IUI. Every TTC couples were given hope in every stage of assisted reproduction. Hubby and I were no different. After the IUI, I was careful not to move in haste. As much as possible, I stayed at home and avoided going out. I relaxed my mind and hoped that we would reach the date when I would have a pregnancy test. As always, we had high hopes that the IUI would be successful. It was not. It was devastating.

When my period came, I cried. I lost confidence in my capacity to become a parent. I was depressed. I cried whenever I was alone in the room. I lost hope. This infertility placed a strain in my relationship with Hubby.

Whenever I felt sad, I prayed. I wanted to surrender my suffering to the Lord. I asked for acceptance and strength to move on. I have read stories of other women who experienced way more hearthaches than me and it gave me solace.