Nearly there

I had a lovely phone call from the hospital today saying they are hoping to start the egg donation process at the begining of February!  So I had a little panic about how soon that sounded and then realised that I am probably ready for it now. 
At the end of January/begining of February I will come off the pill to sync up my cycle with the recipients and I will have to have a couple of scans and start the injections.  The injections are delivered to my house all pre loaded (a bit like epi-pens) and I just keep them in the fridge!
So it's all very exciting and thankfully far enough away from Christmas to have recovered (especially from the mince pies and cocolate).

Happy days

Fairy Princess Mummy
xx

p.s. I know I've been really bad at blogging but getting in to the swing of studying again is taking longer than I thought - I will have it cracked bythe new year ... or not! :0)

Week 1 - lessons learnt

I don't know how but I lost one pound this week!  If I'd put in any effort I could have lost more.  This week I think I need to try to study without eating!
I am aware I'm an emotional eater - I eat when I'm celebrating, I eat when I'm stressed, I eat when I'm bored - you get the picture!  I think I'm begining to get a handle on it but I think I need to exercise more so that I can tackling this from both angles.  When I am at uni I have started parking about 15 minutes walk away which means parking is free and I have to do at least half an hours brisk walking once a week - it's a start!?
Any way - there is studying to be done and biscuits to ignore! :)

 

Happy, healthy days

Fairy Princess Mummy
xx

Food and exercise diary week 1

Week 1	Monday 21 November 2011	Tuesday 22 November 2011	Wednesday 23 November 2011	Thursday 24 November 2011	Friday 25 November 2011	Saturday 26 November 2011	Sunday 27 November 2011
Weight	12st 6lb
Breakfast	Banana red bush tea with milk	Yogurt Banana	Yogurt Banana	Biscuit	Banana	Yogurt and banana	Crumpet and banana
Snack	Yogurt, banana latte with sugar	Apple	2 satsumas	2 mini pork pies Baked crisps Sweet coffee	Too many biscuits
Lunch	Wholemeal pitta, ham, rocket and salsa.  Raw veg.  2 Satsuma’s	Wholemeal pitta, ham, rocket and salsa.  Raw veg.  2 Satsuma’s	2 slices ham Cucumber Bread roll	Half ham and cheese sandwich	Half ham and cheese sandwich Yogurt	Cheese and ham sandwich	Sausage sandwich
Snack	nothing		2 biscuits	Banana Sweet coffee		Too much cake	Latte
Dinner	Mushroom risotto,  Apple, Coffee with milk and sweetener	Mushroom risotto, 2 meatballs Chocolate bar	Chicken and veg 3 glasses wine	Chicken and mushroom pie And chips Reeses choc bar	curry	Chicken and potato and veg	Plaice and veg.
Exercise	2 x 15 minute brisk walk		20 minute walk				About 2 hours walking

Happy, healthy days

Fairy Princess Mummy
xx

Day 1 Food and Exercise diary

Thought I might try recording the food I eat and exercise I do - boring for everyone else but might work.
So I finally got round to weighing myself and I haven't lost anything and only put on a couple of pounds so right now I'm 12 stone 6 pounds.
  

Breakfast	Banana and red bush tea with milk
Snack	Yogurt, banana and latte with sugar
Lunch	Wholemeal pitta, ham, rocket and salsa Raw veg 2 Satsuma’s
Dinner	Mushroom risotto Apple Coffee with milk and sweetener
Exercise	2 x 15 minute brisk walk

Happy, healthy days

Fairy Princess Mummy
xx

Busy as a bee

I've always been good at procrastinating but since starting studying again in October I've been trying hard not to. It is amazing how much suddenly needs to be done NOW before I start studying (especially making a cup of tea and finding a biscuit!!).

So at the moment I work full time (but thankfully being released for the days my uni classes are on) and fitting studying in to the evening but I am enjoying it - I love learning so that helps - I'm just not so good at finishing essays!

My latest procrastination techniques are so subtle I'm normally not even aware I'm doing it, mainly ‘cos I'm sleeping. Every night last week when I put the baby Fairy Princess to bed I fell asleep too and then didn't wake up at all. It's got so bad that I've had to ask my husband to take her to bed most nights (instead of taking turns). It's probably because it gets dark so early - but any excuse will do! The other problem with trying to do so much reading of big words is that I fallen back in to my old student ways of eating a lot to keep me on track (any food will do as long as it isn't healthy!) This is the real crux of my blog today - I'm planning on going to get myself weighed tomorrow so thought I would get my reasons for putting weight on in now (I'm very good at excuses too!)

Happy days

Fairy Princess Mummy
xx

Life in a day

Last night my husband showed me this amazing film from Youtube

Life in a day

It is unlike anything I have ever seen - Amazing!

Test Results

Last week I went back to Guys hospital to get back the results from the blood tests and swabs taken last time.
My sister was working and although she had offered to take the day off work to come with me I thought there was no need for her to use a day’s holiday and I wasn't worried about the results anyway... That is until I was on the train and started to think about it.

Thinking is one of my worse habits. I had a vague panic that if something was found I would be on my own and who could get to me quickest. I decided on my dad who could reach me from his work in about half an hour. This calmed down my irrational fear for about 10 minutes until I remembered he is on holiday about 10 hours plane flight away! DUH!

Of course the results came back fine. Obviously if my sis had been there I'd be able to remember everything I was tested for as she's the one with the memory. From what I can remember I was tested for a range of STI's among other things. And also for immunity to a respiratory infection which isn't normally a problem but is better if the donor and the person receiving the eggs (donee?) match in their immunity or non-immunity to it.

I also had to fill in a lot of forms (including consent forms, description of me forms and forms for the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority - HFEA). The HFEA forms were interesting as I had to say if I was willing to be approached to have my eggs used for experiments and if my eggs could be used for teaching purposes. I hadn't thought about anything further than giving my eggs to a couple and some of the questions sounded a little scary and I had visions of my eggs being used in any number of weird ways. The doctor explained that not all of my eggs will fertilise and these would otherwise be discarded and I would be approached before any experiments to see if I agreed (I suppose ethically and morally). She also explained that when the doctors are learning about how to do these processes they prefer to learn on eggs that aren't viable and therefore very precious - which is obviously very sensible.

The doctor was incredibly lovely and explained everything in clear (but not patronising) way. It was a really positive experience again. I can't imagine anyone in my situation feeling negatively about any of the adventures or people I've come across. When I think about it all it makes me feel all cosy and empowered at the same time!

However looking back over this entry I think I might have started making up words so I know it is time to sleep!

Sweet dreams

Fairy Princess Mummy
xx

Egg Donors - To pay or not to pay?

Egg Donation has been in the press a lot today because there is talk about raising the compensation for egg donors.  This, obviously, has sparked a debate about if this is morally a good thing to do and if this would encourage people to donate their eggs for the wrong reasons.

Here is the news report from BBC News (click on the title below)

Egg donor compensation to rise 
The UK's fertility watchdog has agreed to triple the compensation given to women who donate eggs to help infertile couples to have a child.



 
Altrui also gave a response to bbc Radio - basically saying (in a far lovelier and more professional way) that there should be an awareness raising campaign as most people don't realise they can donate.


To be honest I haven't had the time today and sit and think about this in depth so here are my initial thoughts:-
- Personally, it would not have made a difference to my decision to donate.
- There definitely needs to be some compensation for expenses - I know there is no way I could have considered this if my travel expenses were not met.
- Extra money always comes in handy but would someone continue to donate in order to get the money even if they had reservations about it (I'm sure that would not be good for the emotional wellbeing if they did).  But the process is so long and rigerous that I'm sure these ladies would be identified early on.  (I told you I hadn't managed to think this through properly - I'm sure I changed my mind about 3 times there!!)
- Far better than starting by paying people would be to try a big awareness raising campaign which also informs women that the process is not as scary or as inasive as it once was.

For what it's worth there is my thoughts!

Happy days

Fairy Princess Mummy
xx

 

Day 2 of New Plan

Yesterday and today seemed to go well in terms of eating except today someone had a birthday and brought in cake (but I did limit myself)
And then tonight my lovely hubbie brought me some of the chocolate I've been loving most recently:-


Yum yum!

Yum yum!!

And I was tired and had less will power but as I alwas say - 'It's good for the soul!'

I also did the aerobics session of Davina's Buff exercise DVD this evening - only about half an hour but felt good. 

So it's been a mixed start to what I am now calling the 'New Plan'.


Egg donation update:-
The lovely A from Altrui also rang to have a catch up today as she thought my appointment to get my test results back was this week (it was but I pushed it back to next week as half term is my apparently quiet time at work).  It was lovely to hear from her and also reminded me that my appointment is coming up.  I'm a little nervous about it which is odd.  I feel like I'm waiting for the results of an exam - I don't think you can pass or fail a blood test in the same way though - Can you?  :-)

Happy days

Fairy Princess Mummy
xx

Measurements and Plans

The last couple of months have been quite chaotic and I have lost track of losing weight and getting fit but now the eldest FP is in school full time I can hopefully get back on track (to be honest I was also spurred on by seeing a friend recently who looks fabulous after losing some weight!).

So here are todays measurements:-

Measurements
Weight	12 stone 10
BMI	30
Dress size	16
Bra size	38GG
Waist	93 cm
Hips	110 cm
Thigh	66 cm

(I thought that I had piled on the weight but it seems to have stayed fairly stable the last few weeks.)

My target weight loss for this week is 2lb.

I am vaguely following Rosemary Conleys new plan but to maximise my weight loss I need to start exercising regularly:-

Exercise Plan
Monday	20 minute walk
Tuesday	Davina DVD
Wednesday	20 minute walk
Thursday	Clubland DVD
Friday	20 minute walk
Saturday	Davina DVD
Sunday	Yoga DVD

Now all I need is will power, sleep and chocolate to become a diet food!!

Happy days

Fairy Princess Mummy

xx

Being Intelligent

If I nod knowlingly enough, look interested enough and wear my glasses maybe they won't realise I don't have clue!!

Fairy Princess Mummy
xx

Poorlyness

I wanted to start blogging again this week but ... best laid plans and all ....
I have been poorly for most of the week with a bug type thing that seems to be spreading over Kent like ...well, like some kind of sickness bug type thing really!
It's all my own fault though.  On Monday my sister asked after my husband who had been off work and my sympathetic reply had been 'Oh he's fine - it's just man-flu!'.  However, half way through my shower on tuesday morning I started to feel dreadful!  Next time I'll remember to be more sympathetic.

I'm not good at being poorly.  Like most mums I like to just get on with it but sometimes you just can't.  So I was good and stayed in and luckily the fairy princesses didn't get it (fingers crossed).  Yesterday morning I felt better so went in to work but started to feel queasy again.  You know that kind of queasy where you have to sit up very straight and very still 'cos you're too scared to move.  Fortunately I was with colleagues I feel comfortable with so they didn't think I was too odd!!

And the best thing about being poorly?  How good you feel when you're better.  I feel so happy today as I was able to go about my normal business without a worry and it didn't matter so much that my brain was still a bit fuzzy because it is Friday and everyone else had 'that Friday feeling too'!

Anyway enough about my icky week.  Hopefully normal (?) service will resume soon.

Happy and healthy days

Fairy Princess Mummy
xx

Nearly Normal

I feel it's been an age since I blogged and have suprised myself with how much I missed it.

The nuisance that is having a child part time at school and working full time is nearly over!!! YIIIPPEEE

FP start full time at school on Monday and neither of us can wait.  (I'm always surprised that schools - mostly run and staffed by working parents - can have strategies that make life so difficult for working parents!) 

Any way - proper blog coming soon.

 Happy days

Fairy Princess Mummy
xx

All Grown Up!

In my post about the eldest FP turning 4 I probably sounded a little wistful/nostalgic/emotional and this is the real reason why:---

Off to school we go!

She had her first day of school on Thursday (well, half day but you get the picture!).  She looks so grown up and happy in her new, slightly too big uniform.   She was so excited about starting and very happy to just go off with her teacher without a backward glance.  Me, on the other hand … well at least I made it off the playground and in to the car before I started crying!  When I got home the post had been delivered and I had the most beautiful, hand-made card from my very talented, very lovely cousin which cheered me up no end!  I always forget how exciting it is to get handwritten notes and letters in the post.

 Any way the FP has really enjoyed her first couple of sessions at school.  And she even got a sticker for sitting so nicely (shame she can’t sit that still at home J).

As she is not allowed to take toys to school like she has been at nursery I wanted to make her something she could take with if she needed a little comfort (not that she will cos she’s braver than me).  So this is what I made:-

A jar of love and snuggles!

Oh look! It accidentally fell over and the contents spilled out in such a convenient way to show off it's contents! (heehee)

 (I got the idea for this from a blog which I now can’t find, so if anyone knows it please let me know so I can reference it properly – Thank you)

The cotton hearts were sown using a running stitch with right sides together leaving a little gap.  Then I turned it out the right way and stuffed with a little toy stuffing.  Finally, I sewed up the gap using a whip stitch.  The felt hearts were sewn with a contrasting thread using a blanket stitch, stuffing them when I was about ¾ of the way round.  (Blimey – I actually sound like I know what I’m talking about – if you’d seen me making them you’d probably be about as surprised as I was that they turned out so well).  I also put in tiny Toy Story toys and little cards with notes on the back. 

The thing I most love about it is that I can keep adding to it.  Actually, what I most loved was when FP came up to me later and said ‘Thank you for making me a heart with fairies on cos I really love it and you know I love fairies and it’s really very pretty.  Love you mummy.’   She is sooooo cute sometimes I could eat her!!

 Have a fairy happy day

Fairy Princess Mummy
xx