Standing Still

Here I am, less than a week away from the big dance. My spirits are high, which says a great deal considering I have aching muscles, a stuffy nose and ovaries the size of grapefruits. I am quite uncomfortable sitting, lying down or moving--which pretty much leaves standing still the only remaining option. And standing still doesn't really fit in with the active lifestyle of a 2-year-old.

Medically, Dr. Silber's team think "things look really good." I have 18+ follicles getting ready for aspiration on Sunday, and I'm doing my best to stay positive and calm. The doctor says that being calm is the most important ingredient to a successful IVF (and here I always thought it was the merging of eggs and sperm). Calm...hmm, I wonder when Dr. Silber last tried to wrangle a toddler. Serenity is difficult to achieve, but I'm doing pretty well given the circumstances.

Today we have had a reading marathon. My personal favorite (in Liliana language) is "Beauty and the Beef." She also loves to watch "DBDs" and use colored "pentils" in her favorite colors: hot pink, cotton candy and brownie. Her favorite songs are "Santa Bebe" and "Ipsy Bipsy Spider." Oh to be young again!

I came across the following poem today. There's a similar and more powerful version written by Erma Bombeck, but this one is blog-able:

If I had my child to raise all over again,
I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.
I'd finger-paint more, and point the finger less.
I would do less correcting and more connecting.
I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.
I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.
I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.
I'd do more hugging and less tugging.

~Diane Loomans, from "If I Had My Child To Raise Over Again"

Hope you have a wonderful day!
God bless you and yours,
Ramona