And So It Begins...

I am sure that everyone (okay so it is three people!) who is reading my blog wants to hear this but my period started yesterday. FINALLY! The good news is that we can start trying in a few months or ... right away if we really wanted to even though it is against the advise of our doctor. I am fine with waiting another month or two because I really don't want a baby during the holidays. Anyway, my focus right now is on my business but at least I can start thinking about charting my cycle again just to see where I am at. I only did this for one month before we got pregnant last time and I am curious what my Luteal Phase length is. ;)

I also received a nice box of chocolates from a wonderful and kind Austrian fella sometime last week and finished off the last piece tonight. It wasn't entirely my favorite types of chocolates but who am I to complain?? Even Davin stole one and enjoyed it quite throughly. He was so funny because he came up to me after taking a quick break from his computer to have me wipe his hands. He usually sucks on his hands when he doesn't have a binky so this isn't unusual but then I noticed this dark stuff around his mouth and then the same stuff on his hand! Sneaky little devil.

Oh that reminds me that I think we are over the whole milk allergy/sensitivity thing!! So far, so good but it all started with a bowl of ice cream that Fredrik was eating at a friend's house that Davin just wouldn't leave alone. Davin had his own bowl of soy ice cream (which is really good by the way!) but didn't want any part of it. So, since it was a weekend and encouraged by another friend who had similar problems with their child -- we let Davin eat the regular ice cream! There was still a slight rash that appeared on his face and a small diaper rash the next day but nothing like what we experienced before! We have worked up to a 50% mix of soy and cow milk with no reactions -- the previous time we tried cow's milk, he threw it all up immediately. Wish us luck!

That is enough for tonight. Maybe I will have energy to post about the Sensaria Customer VIP event that I went to tonight this weekend. ;)

~Monica~

It still hurts

I feel fine most of the time about the miscarriage. At least, that is what I think but I have also been trying to stay busy to keep my mind off of things too. There are times it hits me and a wave of sadness comes over me. I almost start crying but usually hold it in because there are people around me.

I went shopping with a friend who is pregnant which doesn't bother me at all but we we stepped into the maternity store, I almost lost it and she promptly saw my reaction and directed me out of the store. She is a good friend.

I went to this home party and I didn't know most of the people there when the hostess announces she is pregnant at 8 weeks. I wanted to be happy for her. I really did. I think I am actually but the feeling of sadness is too overwhelming. I just pray that the same thing doesn't happen to her but at the same time I am angry, jealous or whatever. So I just sat there and tried to put on a happy face. I don't know how well I faked it since there were so many other people there to be joyful for me.

I watched an old episode of Sex and the City where Charolette lost her baby and I completely fell apart. I was at home and it was very late at night so I am not surprised this happened. Everyone needs a good cry.

~Monica~

More Chocolate & Doctor's Visit

Today was my last doctor's visit as she just wanted to do a final check to make sure everything was healing well and nothing unusual was happening. It was fine and nothing out of the ordinary so we are okay to have sex again (yipeee!) and we can start trying in a few months. She wants a few normal cycles to get my uterus nice and healthy and fit again. She also was okay with an early ultrasound (between 6-8 weeks) to ease my mind and to make sure everything is going well. That was the hardest part about this pregnancy -- the long wait to find out anything "official". They normally won't do anything unless something is concerning so I am glad she will let us do an U/S for our peace of mind.

Another suprise today was a package in the mail with some very interesting chocolate! A very dear and thoughtful friend sent them along to me and Scharffen Berger was happy to oblige. I will have to post once I have tried them all but I started with the lowest percentage of cocoa which was 68%. The most I normally can tolerate is around 60% but this was not as bitter as I anticipated. It wasn't as smooth and silky as the Lindt's I have tried but it was still very good. Even Davin who doesn't like much chocolate (probably because of the milk usually in them) stole a few bites from me. It figures he would have expensive tastes just like his mommy!

~Monica~

Chocolate

Ah, the goodness and sweetness that is chocolate. I have been having some serious, hard-core cravings lately and I suspect a lot of it has to do with the hormone changes raging in my body. Things are all settled down now but I think I am suffering from a bit of postpartum depression. There are certainly days that are VERY hard to get out of bed or wake up out of my slumber stupor. Of course, now that I have this nasty little cold it doesn't make things any better BUT chocolate can almost always save the day.

There were some things said in another forum that unfortunately got closed because a certain person couldn't keep their mouth shut. I want to make sure the good things aren't lost and maybe I can track down some of this chocolate that was recommended.

Stuff I have already tried:

• Lindt Petits Desserts: Truffle Cake (really smooth and YUMMY)
• Ghiradelli 60% cocoa with espresso (okay but not overly impressive)
• Nestle truffle bar with 50% cocoa (supposed to be similar to the Lindt but way lower quality)
• Lindt Petits Desserts: Creme Brulee (milk chocolate instead of dark but still really YUMMY)
  

JJ suggested:

Lindt Dark Chocolate Truffles are excellent, and a favorite of mine for years. But, my current favorite is Santander Colombian single origen 70%, or 65%, dark chocolate. The bars are a bit smaller than Lindt, about 2.5 oz., IIRC. I find them at Bello Vino Market, a gourmet food store, for $2, and better yet, for $1.25 at Arbor Farms natural food store. I bet they are available around the US. Both are wonderful, velvety smooth, rich, full-flavored. The 65% bars are fruitier, and just a tad sweeter. Venezuelan chocolate is also excellent. We have a local Deli, that markets online, Zingermans, and they have a lot of gourmet chocolate, way better than Godiva.

Lyta, the Lindt Intense Pear is another current favorite of mine. I know what you mean about some of the higher percentage ones, they can be a bit bitter, and kind of one-note, and not very smooth or rich tasting. But, some are amazingly good. The Santander ones are great, much better than Lindt 70%. If you have a Trader Joes near you, try their pound-plus (.5kg) Belgian bars, in four varieties. Their 70% bar costs just $3.99, amazingly cheap for so much decent chocolate!

~Monica~

My Photo Album

I guess I will start out this blog with my online photo album. It really needs to be updated but it has a lot of good stuff in there too. Here is a recent album with Davin's Halloween photos but there is also a link to the entire collection as well:

Halloween Parties 2006

See the entire photo album:
http://picasaweb.google.com/mhubinette

Next, I will import some of the MySpace blog entries that I have since I don't really want to keep that account much longer. I really hate MySpace!

~Monica~