So we had the meeting...

...and my brain is about to pop with the amount of info.

Professional, thorough, no nonsense place...clinical. No emotion - and no hard sells (surprisingly).

The reception fit-out alone packs an impressive punch albeit with a bitter taste of knowing where the money is going. Someone has to pay right?

Other couples nervously wait for their names to be called out by a nurse. You can't help but look at other couples desperate for kids and wonder how this journey will end for them.

Dave was already waiting in an oversized, comfy lounge when I arrived. I was quickly ushered to reception to provide my drivers license and Medicare card and then wait for our names to be called.

The feeling as we waited oddly reminded me of waiting at the GPs office with a positive home pregnancy test wrapped in plastic in my handbag. Pregnant and scared, but excited..and just as I did then, I held Dave's hand and squeezed gently, kissed him and smiled a nervous smile. Our journey's are always complicated or thrilling depending how you look at it...I honestly think god wouldn't give us these challenges if He thought we couldn't handle It. No matter the outcome, I wouldn't want to do this with anyone else.

A tall nurse came bounding out of a corridor and called us in. I stood up, a little to eager, to shake her hand and be told what to do next.

She took us down a zen-like corporate corridor, with mood lighting and soft green colour palette.. a number of consulting rooms lined either side.

At this moment, Dave decides to tell me this is where he had to go to do his sperm sample. I'm starting to wonder if the table where our our host is taking us is clean.
Before I get too concerned I notice a name plaque in the door.. Consulting rooms.. Phew..

We sit down at a round table which has a monitor and exchange small talk about the weather...she Introduces herself and welcomes us.( I'll be brutally honest here and say it was a well rehearsed speech).

What threw us was the request that a new finance employee join in our discussion for her training.

Another throw back to the maternity ward when I was in labour with Luca. All the student nurses who came in to "check it out"...

Stuff it. Let her watch - if it helps another couple so be it.

The nurse briefly talked about the medication and the procedures. How and when I have to call and get ultrasounds and tests and the come in for day surgery to extract the eggs and then come in again a few days later to hopefully put some back.

Then a finance lady came in to chat about costs _ $10k per cycle... Fark.
Thankfully only $4,400 is the out of pocket... Still... Sheesh!!

10 consent forms later and a blood and cystic vibrios genetics check... We're ready to roll..

Next stop... waiting for day 29 and then calling them again to book in a blood test.

Tuesday's have never been so exciting

Today marks the official start of growing our family.

I have my appointment with Genea today at 10am and I'm a mixture of emotions but mostly excited.

There is an inner strength that is emerging which is pushing me along - I'm surprising myself even with the thought of the daily needles, I'm going to do this... The prize at the end is just so important.

With work so busy, the emotional roller coaster of a terminally ill mother and already looking after an active 3 year old, I wonder if my body will be able to handle the next chapter...but just the thought of missing out on holding another child of my own flesh and blood is too devastating.

My hubby is slowly plodding along with me. The tests and more importantly the costs are not his preferred method of conceiving but I think he's slowly getting used to the idea. Just like my previous pregnancy, he won't show his delight in until I've pushed the baby out LOL ;)

Today's appointment is about signing consent forms and notifying us of the process..and I think the prescription of drugs.

Stay tuned for the next update.

The gift of an ordinary day - a mum's story

It's funny that only yesterday I was thinking how quickly Luca is growing up and how I'm trying to capture, like still frames in my mind, everything he says and does while he's still little.

Every hug, every kiss and even the tears I appreciate (most days) - even when I have other things to do around the house, when life is so busy - if he asks for me, I do try and stop what I'm doing and as sad as it sounds, I give myself a gift....our special moment in each others company - because I know this little guy won't be my koala forever...

I give myself a gift....our special moment in each others company - because I know this little guy won't be my koala forever..."

Don't get me wrong, I do look forward to the future when he's a grown man, but there will be tears for the little boy that I'm honoured to raise right now - he makes me so proud every day.

As I embark on my first IVF journey for our second child, my sincere wish is that I will be blessed with another opportunity to experience motherhood.

Secondary infertility, as horrible and disappointing as it has been, has had a silver-lining, in that I've had quality time to appreciate the gift of an ordinary day with Luca.

This time of parents and children all living together under one roof, isn't the whole story after all.......It's just one chapter"

Below is a wonderful (and I warn you, emotional!!) video by Katrina Kenison, a mother of two boys - whose heart is quite possibly grieving, not from death, but from the quietness of an empty house. Her positivity and raw emotion in her words is felt by all mothers.

Loving Espirit's looks this season...

Autumn is upon us and I love changing the wardrobe up to prepare for the cooler weather.

Espirit have some great looks this season..check out some of their winter range!

Get them all from Birdsnest online - an excellent online retail shop.

Pictures courtesy of Birdsnest

3D printing - is it a hype?

Consumers might be disappointed by the reality of widely-available, high-end 3D printers, claims  an analyst at research firm Gartner.

US technology research firm Gartner published a report last month predicting that “enterprise-class” 3D printers would be available for $US 2,000 by 2016 to consumers, about the current price of a functioning, entry-level printer.

The take-up of the technology would also be helped by improvements in the performance of 3D scanners. Its use has potential to transform many types of businesses, with Gartner likening its disruptive properties to e-commerce.

“3D printing is a technology accelerating to mainstream adoption,” said Gartner research director Pete Basiliere in a statement accompanying the report on the much-hyped emerging technology.

“From descriptions of exciting current uses in medical, manufacturing and other industries to futuristic ideas — such as using 3D printers on asteroids and the moon to create parts for spacecraft and lunar bases — the hype leads many people to think the technology is some years away when it is available now and is affordable to most enterprises.”

Network World reports that Basiliere has said the technology may disappoint consumers to whom it becomes available, due to the need for proficiency with sophisticated CAD software to effectively make use of 3D printing.

"Once you have that, now you still have to print it out, and depending upon the consumer's skill set, it could be a very difficult process of trial-and-error getting the printer to produce the part that they envisioned," Basiliere told Network World.

"Not that the printer is incapable, but there may be need for support structures and other elements in the design that, if the consumer isn't proficient with the software, it leads to a bad print."

IPad Accessories

With tablet device sales cruising past a million units sold and an international roll-out the accessories market is being flooded. But which are the best accessories for the iPad?

Apple Keyboard Dock

The iPad has been heralded as the answer to the problem of the void between smartphones and net books – and, in some ways, it has fulfilled this prophecy. However, there is no keyboard or mouse with the iPad – it’s all about the multitouch – which could be a problem for some potential iPad users.

Fortunately, there’s a nice little accessory known as the Apple Keyboard Dock, which will turn the iPad into a desktop computer, complete with keyboard and mouse and, potentially, solve this issue.

The Apple Keyboard Dock comes in a true Apple aluminum finish and, as an added bonus, it also charges and syncs up with the iPad. The keyboard also features special keys that provide one touch access to the iPad’s Home screen, Spotlight, picture frame mode and screen lock.

The Cloak by Quirky

The iPad, as everyone knows, is a media-centric piece of kit that’s designed to revolutionize the way people engage and use digital media. In addition to this, the iPad is extremely lightweight and mobile, which means users’ can take it practically everywhere with them. But how can you ensure that it stays scuff-free while on your travels?

One solution is The Cloak, which is a carrier case with a twist – it uses a vertical hinge that allows users’ to view media in either landscape or portrait. Design wise, The Cloak has a viewing window in one side and is made from non-slip rubber with a double plastic hinge mechanism. The iPad is slid through the top and held in place by a process, scientifically, referred to as sturdy friction grip.

In short, The Cloak is an essential piece of kit for anyone that likes traveling and watching media – and as an added bonus, it looks really stylish.

Scosche Kickback

The iPad is sort of like a big iPhone and, like the iPhone, it features a virtual keyboard, which means any emails or text typing has to be done using the touchscreen. So, when you have your iPad, you can either lay it down on a table or on your lap to do this – or you can invest in a kick stand that’ll elevate and angle the device slightly.

One of the best iPad kickstands we’ve seen so far is the Scosche Kickback. The Scosche KickBack is made out of a polycarbonate and rubber fusion, so it’s exceptionally lightweight, making it ideal for mobility. 

The Scosche Kickback case also connects up with all the ports on the iPad and also comes with a screen protector – so not only do you get a more comfortable way to type and use your iPad, but you also get a complete sync up between the two things.

iPad Camera Connection Kit

One of the main gripes we have with the iPad is that it doesn’t have any sort of card-reading feature, which means no moving stuff from your digital camera’s SDCard to your iPad.

Fortunately, Apple have a solution to this problem known as the iPad Camera Connection kit, which features two dongles – one for importing stuff via USB and one that lets you plug a SDCard directly into it.

It is unfortunate that Apple didn’t include this feature built-in to the iPad – and are now monetizing the void it created. But, if you are a serious photographer, or an avid SDCard user, you really can’t do with the iPad Camera Connection Kit.

As another bonus, users are reporting that the device allows the iPad to connect to other USB devices, including some keyboards. Smart.

The Griffin Flexgrip

If you’re about to invest in an iPad, you’ll want to keep it safe from scuffs, bumps and scrapes once it arrives – after all, it’s not everyday you get an iPad.

For this reason, it is highly advisable that you invest in a protective case and, as cases go, we really like the Griffin Flexgrip – it’s cost effective, comes in a range of colors and will keep your iPad safe from everything the world decides to throw at it.

Kitchen Aid? more like Kitchen genius!

Ok Ok - so it's a large investment for something that you might not use everyday but seriously....this item in my kitchen is magic.

I can't recommend enough the quality of Kitchen Aid appliances - the quality, the design. It takes a beating and beats! (lol)

Rocketing into Luca's life!

Simply amazing how even now Astro Boy still has the childhood appeal it did in the 80s when I first discovered the show on ABC.

Luca is enthralled - so much so he we imported the only Astro Boy figurine available to mankind. Seriously they are as rare as hens teeth.

Needless to say watching them over and over again has brought back memories from my youth.

A highly recommended show if you've forgotten.

Watch them online or purchase the set.

One Sketch A Day

I committed to my new years resolution and bought myself the 'One Sketch a Day' journal to document the next 365 days of my life.

Considering that the next few months are going to be AMAZING - what an awesome way to etch in history what's going on in my life and then to post them up here so you can all have a laugh.

I might be a graphic designer and illustrator but my hand-drawn sketches need a lot of improvement - so I'm killing two birds with one stone.

Wish me luck....

Don't forget to post comments below - I try to respond to all my questions.