Maybe May?

With the amount of traveling that I did during April (three different cities in three consecutive weekends), I wasn't too horribly surprised or disappointed to get my new cycle on Sunday (35 days--one day shorter than the last cycle).  (I should clarify--after going through bouts of amenorrhea prior to Ella, I'm never truly disappointed to get a new cycle, as I recognize that it's a necessity for healthy fertility).  But I'm also not too disappointed because I'm secretly hoping to conceive in May and have a February baby.

I know, I know, I know...I'm getting ahead of myself.  And if I've learned anything at all through this entire process, it's that God has 100% control and I have 0% say in the matter.  Sure, my husband and I will have to do certain things at key times, but the rest is up to God. 

Ella was born in September, just a week or so after my husband's birthday.  If we were to conceive in May, that baby would be due in February, a week or so before my birthday.  I know it's silly, but I would love to be able to share my birthday-month with a little one, the same way that my husband shares September with Ella.  Silly, I know, but a girl can hope, right?

I admit that I kept cheating on my healthy living plan, and found ways to justify doing so (it's easy to indulge when you're traveling to fun places like Chicago, New York, and Seattle).  So for the next couple of weeks, I'm committed.  I'm committed to eating healthy; I'm committed to working out; I'm committed to getting enough rest.  But mostly, I'm committed to trusting God and putting my hope in Him.

Yesterday's blessing was the chance to spend the evening with Ella and some of my amazing students at our annual awards banquet.  Ella was wonderfully behaved, albeit a bit clingy at first.  I really am blessed to be able to work with some amazing supervisors, peers, and students; and I'm very appreciative that they are welcoming to Ella when I tote her around with me.