Last night we celebrated the birthdays of my Nana and my aunt. Nana has always been "29" every 35 of my years on earth. The only thing that I remember about my aunt's birthday is that she is younger than my mom. She doesn't let her forget it. One's birthday is Aug. 2, the other is Aug.10th.

We met for dinner at a seafood restaurant in town. I think that half of us ordered prime rib, but it was wonderful. One of the most enjoyable aspects of the dinner began with the invitation, "No kids"! This allowed Chris and I to actually be able to enjoy our meals and be able to afford to go to the party in the first place. We had just planned on me going, but were able to get sitters at... more

Searching for more fertility articles on the Health magazine website, I came across a small mention for Conception Curve. What??

It has been recommended by fertility doctors that women elevate their hips after intercourse to help with conception by using gravity. This is now where the makers of Conceptioncurve come in. They have designed a pillow that will raise your hips and elevate your legs comfortably. Seeing the photos along with the ad on their website shocked me. I didn't realize that you were supposed to raise them that high!

The cost is what really threw me. $59.95 plus $15.00 for shipping and handling seems pretty steep to me. But who am I to judge... more

Yesterday an announcement was made by S. Edmond El Dabe that a client of his is suing Pacific Reproductive Services in San Francisco, claiming that the center videotaped him while he was masturbating. The man discovered a camera in the ceiling of the center and then complained. Employees then refused to call the police when the man demanded that they do so. http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/portlet/article/html/fragments/print_article.jsp?article=4072673

Add this to the... more

http://knocked.typepad.com/knocked_upknocked_down/2006

I just came across this amazing blog tonight. I have always wished that I had been coherent enough to write in the moments of all of my losses and successes in becoming a mom, but I was too scared most of the time to accept that what was happening to me was real. I know that I have mentioned this somewhere here before.

Well, reading Jill's blog just brings me straight back. Her story feels like it could be mine although it is entirely her own. Her descriptive writing, her raw emotions, and her ability to keep current with her posts are just breathtaking.... more

I just read on www.adopting.org about an option called social surrogacy. This is where a couple decides that they want a biological child, but do not want to go through the rigors of pregnancy. There is are normally no medical issues causing the decision, only social ones. Like "too busy, the pressures of commitments, a career based on looks, etc."

As I'm thinking about this, my main question going through my mind was, would this have been an option for us? Of course, now that I know what pregnancy entails and my body has already been branded by motherhood, what would the point be? Of course, being an adoptive mom as well, it was... more

I have always admired portrait tattoos. Although I have'nt been brave enough to actually get one, I have always loved the thought behind the gesture. I also think that if they represent someone that you have lost, or if they represent your children, you have a very good chance of not regretting the decision to permanently ink up your bod. After both of my miscarriages I decided to have two tiny stars tattooed on my foot. One blue and one pink. I have yet to work up the nerve to do it.

Tonight my brother Jay added a tribute to our father to his tattoo collection on his body. He has many, but this one is far and away the best. While my dad was dying, we took photos of... more

SELF-CARE MINDER ================ Practically Perfect

Sometimes doing something practical is just what we need -- especially with sick dads and books that refuse to make sense. The bigger issues in life can take up all our our energy and then everything else gets really messy -- the layers of dried mud and gum wrappers in the car, the pile of scarves and camisoles on the closet floor I dumped there two weeks ago, the black circles on the bathroom wall from Lilly kicking her soccer ball while on the toilet.

Whenever I either am close to finishing a big project or stressed about something I can't do anything about, one of the ways I direct my energy that... more

One of my favorite websites is titled www.comfortqueen.com. It is written by Jennifer Louden, one of my favorite authors. She also has like minded guests writing on her site. From the website, she offers a weekly newsletter that has wonderful tips and suggestions on living your life creatively and gently and powerfully. I look forward to these newsletters and I refer to her book The Woman's Comfort Book: A Self-Nurturing Guide for Restoring Balance in Your Life often. It has been my guide for many years. My copy is very beaten and worn. Signs that it is well loved. She also has written other Comfort books that are equally useful. I really... more

The above link is for an article by Komo News in Seattle. My aunt sent this to all of us to help inform us about this rare form of breast cancer that does not present itself with a lump.

"Inflammatory breast cancer almost always presents itself without a lump," says Breast Cancer Specialist Dr. Julie Gralow.

Inflammatory breast cancer appears in sheets of cancer, or what doctors call cancer nests. The cancer clogs breast tissue vessels.

At this point in time there is very little research and support for women with IBC. Also, not very many women have heard... more

Today I decided to take a small break from the book and think up my own list of things that make me happy that I encountered through out the day. I'm glad that I started out with this happiness mindset, as I found out today that my 8 month old has pneumonia! Thankfully we caught it in time to not have to do a hospital stay, but just having x-rays and a diagnosis were stressful enough.

Close Up toothpaste I despise the flavor of mint. Anything that is flavored like mint reminds me of toothpaste. Close Up is flavored like cinnamon and I look forward to brushing my... more