~~~~~~~~~~*JUNE* 2011 INFERTILITY ONE THREAD~~~~~~~~~~

[tantylynn]

A monthly thread to talk about all of our various journeys through the difficult, trying, and often heartbreaking world of infertility. This thread is a place to chat, vent, get support, cheer each other on, and hopefully occasionally laugh!
 

Trying to Conceive #1
 

yoyonana (34) dh (31) TTC#1 since Oct 2009 after one year off OC pill. Going for 1st IUI next month

 RosieL (29) DH (30) trying since 12/2011. We're looking at low Kruger morphology so far, no other testing yet

Monkeyscience  (27) and dh (25) TTC#1 w/ PCOS - going natural due to financial constraints...  praying for some ovulation!

LuluRoo (28) TTC#1 since March 2011 after taking a break from TTC for a little while!!! Doing what I can to prepare for our first medicated cycle March 29th, 2011

Tantylynn (23) and DH (25) TTC #1 since May 2009 with PCOS. Started first round of a monitored Clomid cycle in June 2011

Renavoo  (34) TTC#1 for 1 yr. 3 clomid cycles later, IVF may be on the horizon!

Blueyezz4 TTC #1 (technically #4 - long story) since 2006; Moving on to our first FET after 5 failed IUI's and 1 IVF.  Hoping & praying for a miracle. Mother to our twins boys -lost at 22.5wks on 6-20-09 and another little IVF angel in heaven lost at 8wks!

deborahbgkelly (29) TTC #1 We are definitely moving on to a fertility clinic, either Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine or Conceptions Reproductive Associates of Colorado. Fertility issues: Me- Endometriosis and Hypothyroid; Hubby- Very low count and low motility

SimplyRochelle TTC #1 since May 2007; one loss at 12 weeks in September 2008; seeking holistic treatment and continuing naturally at this point; 2 failed clomid cycles; crappy insurance and limited financial resources while in nursing school keep us from going further but we'll get there one day

Silverbird TTC #1 with MFI and one ovary

fierrbug Tiara (33) DH (34) TTC #1 since 2001, 3 mc’s. Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency (AGHD) which relates to other hormone/insulin/egg quality issues + some clotting properties. In limbo awaiting a miracle to get GH injections in conjunction with a future IUI

rhiandmoi TTC #1 since November 2008. Just starting to get tested to see what is going on

Trying To Conceive #2

Wendlynnn TTC #2 since Sept. '09. Have a 3yr old DD and 3 losses in the last year (11weeks, 5wks, 6wks). Now I'm doing the dr run around - trying to find someone who will help me, test me, ANYTHING!

Gozal (32) trying for number 2+ since 2009. Finally diagnosed with 5mm prolactinoma after extended breastfeeding and started cabergoline 2/11. PRL levels normal 4/11, trying a cycle with hcg trigger and then clomid + trigger

Lydiah Lidia (29) DH (28)....TTC #2 since October 2009 while handling my symptoms of Crohn's Disease with Remicade since March 2010. Have had 4 early losses, though those were while healthy. Going to a specialist in July 2011!!

Hope4light unofficially TTC#2.  Severe MFI, only option is IVF w/ICSI.  Down to 2 options for a new RE (we moved), and getting ready to have consults with them and decide where to go

Jenger TTC#2 since August 2009, diagnosed with mild hypothyroidism in August 2010

julieven (33) TTC#2 since December 2009. Waiting for CD1 to get a  FET cycle going! Praying for another blessing!

tryingfortwo TTC#2 since Nov 2008. Unexplained secondary infertility, hoping that a naturopath can figure out what's going on and recommend something that will help us get PG!

Wallabi Sara, mama to a fabulous four year old who came home at age two and a half, fighting primary infertility on and off since 2002 with endo and gluten troubles - one year gluten free! - hoping 2011 will see me pregnant!

Gale (29) TTC#2 for 20 months. Have had the complete IF work-up and HSG and DH has had SA - everything checked out just fine. We have done 3 rounds of 50mg Clomid and had first iui on November 29th

CassnBeth TTC#2 for us since August 2010...TTC#1 for me for 2 years. Suffering from PCOS and remembering 4 early losses!

mindfulmomma TTC#2 since April 2009. Unexplained Secondary Infertility. Had HSG, bloodwork and Clomid challenge so far

Trying To Conceive #3

zanelee TTC#3 for almost 5 years now. Secondary IF due to cervical cancer surgery. Had extensive endo removed and cervix manually dialated (so dh's boys could get in!) in late fall of 2010, and now trying on our own for a few months. Can't decided whether or not to start clomid. Praying for a miracle!
 

Trying To Conceive #4

MoOnFiReGlOw TTC #4 since April '09. Had MFI due to medications. Now off meds for 1 month and hoping to get a bfp here soon

Those TTC who have not posted a Blurb

krunchyk

kkfrance

Silverbird

Lari

MrsR

Ceccy

adorabelle

choosewisdom
 

Taking a Break

Milletpuff

Not Trying, Not Preventing

Brichole1214 Brandy (27) DH (31) taking a break in between our little precious bundle who came to us December 6th, 2010.  Planning on starting out TTC venture again in Septmeber 2011 since it took us 31 months to get pregnant with her and technically took me 5 years of off and on TTC to finally get pregnant.  I don't wanna wait too long!!!!  http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/158654

Graduates
(May everyone who passes through this thread find her way to this section!)

Kaydove, Brichole1214, Sweet.Bee, Lega, NishaG, Kewpie80, Tear78, ValH, Lesliesara63, no5no5, Minkajane, EastbayK, Grapesbunch, thtr4me, alexaskj, trumpcard, poetgirl, ann_of_loxley

Losses
...

Missing In Action
 

First Shot Photo

AutumnLaughing

Stretch358

ladylaura

InGodsHands

Simplymere

Indianagrl

Victorian Patch

lovebug

PLEASE let the thread keeper know if there is anything you would like to add/delete/change in your synopsis above. Bolding requests is appreciated! 


Weekend Wrap-Up
Name:
Age:
TTC #:
CD:
DPO (if applicable):
Testing:
Trying Since:
Plan for this Cycle:
Link to Chart (if applicable):
Thoughts:

Edited by tantylynn - 6/27/11 at 5:03am

[tantylynn]

I figured since it was the 6th of June it's about time to start the June thread . Hope no one minds, this is my first time as threadkeeper so if there's anything I should be doing or that I should know, feel free to tell me! I'm really hoping that June is our month for some BFPs! *Baby dust* to everyone!

Kaydove and deborahbgkelly I've added you to the list. Let me know if this is ok, and if you would like to edit your blurb at all!

Edited by tantylynn - 6/3/11 at 5:46am

[Kaydove]

Thanks for adding me to the list! I'll start off the June thread with some good news. My suspect annovulatory cycle ended up being a positive pregnancy test on Wednesday! Feeling kinda freaked out but trying to enjoy each day and stay positive. The cool thing is that I would have a Valentine's Day 'due date'!

[brichole1214]

Tantylnn:  Thank you for taking over the thread :)  Not that i mind doing it, but i only have online access at work and there are at least 2 days a week i'm off work and then there are days that we are so busy that  i don't get a chance to even look online.  I read your post over on the other ONE THREAD and i'm soooooo happy that your cyst is gone and that no enod.

AFM:  I'm out this month yet again!!! AF found me this morning (CD20!!!!)  I'm sooooooo not use to these really short cycles!!!  I'm going to have to find something to do about it!!!

Welcome everyone!! I'm in a really big hurry today but tomorrow i'll have a better chance of being able to catch up and be a little more personal :)

[deborahbgkelly]

Update: I don't think medicated will happen this cycle, but possibly next cycle. We are testing my progesterone again and DH is getting an SA. I will also be being checked for PCOS and making dose to treat hypothyroid is enough.

[krunchyk]

Hello Ladies! I would love to join the group.  I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 19, again when I was 27 and again at 31!  I REALLY have PCOS.  I'm currently 31 and my partner is 33.  We have been trying to conceive since 1/11, but I have been trying to regulate my cycles naturally for over a year now!  I finally took the advice of my ND and started seeing a reproductive endocrinologist who has prescribed metformin.  It has been three weeks, so I haven't seen any dramatic changes, as of yet.

I'm currently on cycle day 69 and I am an estimated 12 to 15 days past ovulation.  We went on vacation and I forgot the thermometer!

Here's the link to my chart:

http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/3364ee

I've taken several tests and they were negative, but my chart looks great.  I've read that women with PCOS have low levels of hCG resulting in many false negatives (despite the stage of pregnancy), as well as the increased risk of pregnancy among other things.  It may be a pipe dream, but has anyone read or had a similar experience?!

 

[tantylynn]

Wow, Kaydove what fantastic news!!! I've moved you to the graduates list. 

Not a problem, Brichole and thanks! I'm so relieved about the cyst being gone. No surgery for me, and hopefully some clomid and metformin at my next appt! I'm sorry AF has found you, she has no business visiting you at all, much less on CD20! Keep us posted on what your research turns up.

Thanks for the update deborahbgkelly, I made small changes to your blurb to reflect your update. Let me know if you'd like to change it more. Good luck with the testing, keep us updated on what happens!

 krunchyk! Are you TTC #1? If you give me a blurb I can add you under the appropriate heading. I'm sorry that you have to be here with us in the IF forum, but happy that we can all be here to support you! Sounds like an exciting 2WW, fingers crossed that the Metformin was all you needed! 

Edited by tantylynn - 6/4/11 at 6:03pm

[brichole1214]

Originally Posted by Kaydove 

Thanks for adding me to the list! I'll start off the June thread with some good news. My suspect annovulatory cycle ended up being a positive pregnancy test on Wednesday! Feeling kinda freaked out but trying to enjoy each day and stay positive. The cool thing is that I would have a Valentine's Day 'due date'!

Now that i have time to actually read the thread i wanna say CONGRATS!!!!!!  That is so exciting!!! What a way to start off our June  Thread!!!! Sending out lots of sicky vibes!!!!!  Here's a H&H 9months!!!
 

Originally Posted by krunchyk 

Hello Ladies! I would love to join the group.  I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 19, again when I was 27 and again at 31!  I REALLY have PCOS.  I'm currently 31 and my partner is 33.  We have been trying to conceive since 1/11, but I have been trying to regulate my cycles naturally for over a year now!  I finally took the advice of my ND and started seeing a reproductive endocrinologist who has prescribed metformin.  It has been three weeks, so I haven't seen any dramatic changes, as of yet.

I'm currently on cycle day 69 and I am an estimated 12 to 15 days past ovulation.  We went on vacation and I forgot the thermometer!

Here's the link to my chart:

http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/3364ee

I've taken several tests and they were negative, but my chart looks great.  I've read that women with PCOS have low levels of hCG resulting in many false negatives (despite the stage of pregnancy), as well as the increased risk of pregnancy among other things.  It may be a pipe dream, but has anyone read or had a similar experience?!

 

 I found this to be true with my first pregnancy (with the low hCG levels).  I wasn't officially diagnosed with PCOS until i started TTC #2 and hadn't gotten pregnant in several years....(there's a 7 year difference in my two) ANYWAYS....I tested about 14 DPO with #1 and didn't  get a BFP the first two or three times that I tested.  Once I finally found out i was pregnant i was almost 3 months pregnant!!!  And those tests came back so faint that i almost didn't want to believe that it was real!  (i had only been married to my XH for 9 months when we found out!!)  Now with this last pregnancy, i was seeing a RE and I don't know if it was the medication that I was on or what but i was able to get a BFP at 10dpo at like 830 at night and it was faint but i expected that with being so early.  My BFPs got darker a LOT quicker with the second on so i don't know what the difference was in the two but i honestly think it had to do with the way my body was building up the hCG due to my PCOS not being treated the first time round!!!    I really hope that you're able to find more answers and get your body straightened out to get a BFP of your own soon and WELCOME to this thread, though i hate that you're even having to come here!!!

AFM:  Okay, AF is playing BIG tricks on me this cycle.  I was FOR SURE she was here yesterday because (TMI) i was actually BLEEDING yesterday at one point...(like enough to count as a CD1!!!) Well, the rest of the day and this morning when i woke up there was nothing but brown mixed with pink when i wipe...nothing on my pad!!! I really don't  get it! I wish my body would just make up it's mind what it wants to do so I can just get on to my next cycle!!!!  I guess i'll hold off and see if she shows up for good over the next week or whatever.  DH kinda broke my heart though because i honestly thought we were both on the same page with already being ready to TTC again since it took so long with Emma but he told me yesterday when i told him AF had pos. shown up that he was happy that i'm not pregnant right now.  I honestly thought i was going to cry!!! I'm just happy that i have you ladies to come talk to about all of this!  He probably wouldn't understand my frustration....

[zanelee]

Kaydove-CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I have to agree, great way to start out June! Perhaps you are the start of great things to come for us all. :)

Brichole-(throwing caution to the wind...) Could it be implantation bleeding...?:D

Keeping my fingers crossed. And your dh would certainly come around if you were pregnant. I think alot of men have that kinda of panic-y thing thinking that there may be another baby coming...just mho.

I'm still waiting to o. Day 19 now, which is usually when I o. Temp is low today though. :( Gonna be bd'ing like mad for a bit trying to catch that egg.

[monkeyscience]

Yay, Kaydove!! Stick, little bean!

And Tanty, glad things are moving forward for you.

AFM... DH GOT A JOB!!! Details are still hazy, but he'll be making (in my opinion) a LOT of money. Well, at least 1.5x my current salary, anyway! So hopefully we can afford more fertility treatments later this year. I'm on CD20-something, I think, and no signs of ovulation. I've put myself back on metformin over the last couple of weeks, though, and am doing great on it! So different than last time. So I'm going to be upping it to twice a day next week to see if that helps anything. Of course, I can only refill it once more before the refills expire, then I'd actually have to find a doctor to represcribe it to me. (I left the doctor who prescribed it to me initially.)

[brichole1214]

Originally Posted by zanelee 

Kaydove-CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I have to agree, great way to start out June! Perhaps you are the start of great things to come for us all. :)

Brichole-(throwing caution to the wind...) Could it be implantation bleeding...?:D

Keeping my fingers crossed. And your dh would certainly come around if you were pregnant. I think alot of men have that kinda of panic-y thing thinking that there may be another baby coming...just mho.

I'm still waiting to o. Day 19 now, which is usually when I o. Temp is low today though. :( Gonna be bd'ing like mad for a bit trying to catch that egg.

 I am hoping that's what it is :)  I would be more than happy to be pregnant right now....and i agree that DH is just worried about "what we would do" or "how we would get by" with two being in diapers...but you know i'm not that worried about it.  What ever happens happens at this point lol. 

I hope that you O soon!!!  And at least you'll be having fun BDing!! LOL   I can't believe how much my "DRIVE" has gone up since I stopped taking my BCPs.  I finally want to be touched by dh!  I am still trying to find my thermometer but who knows where it is at this point!! We have so many boxes that we haven't even looked thru yet lol.  But at least i'm in my new house and things are starting to get a little better...we had a pretty big blow up with each other a couple of days ago because i feel like i'm putting more effort in getting things unpacked than DH is but we made up and at least i feel better after getting it off my chest!

Originally Posted by monkeyscience 

Yay, Kaydove!! Stick, little bean!

And Tanty, glad things are moving forward for you.

AFM... DH GOT A JOB!!! Details are still hazy, but he'll be making (in my opinion) a LOT of money. Well, at least 1.5x my current salary, anyway! So hopefully we can afford more fertility treatments later this year. I'm on CD20-something, I think, and no signs of ovulation. I've put myself back on metformin over the last couple of weeks, though, and am doing great on it! So different than last time. So I'm going to be upping it to twice a day next week to see if that helps anything. Of course, I can only refill it once more before the refills expire, then I'd actually have to find a doctor to represcribe it to me. (I left the doctor who prescribed it to me initially.)

YAY for your DH getting a job!!! That is always exciting news!  I hope that you are able to start more fertility treatments soon...maybe you'll be able to find a doctor soon too...(or maybe you won't have to find a doctor for the metformin...it would be better if you could get to find a doctor for a little bean growing in your belly!!!)

[deborahbgkelly]

Originally Posted by tantylynn 

Wow, Kaydove what fantastic news!!! I've moved you to the graduates list. 

Not a problem, Brichole and thanks! I'm so relieved about the cyst being gone. No surgery for me, and hopefully some clomid and metforming at my next appt! I'm sorry AF has found you, she has no business visiting you at all, much less on CD20! Keep us posted on what your research turns up.

Thanks for the update deborahbgkelly, I made small changes to your blurb to reflect your update. Let me know if you'd like to change it more. Good luck with the testing, keep us updated on what happens!

 krunchyk! Are you TTC #1? If you give me a blurb I can add you under the appropriate heading. I'm sorry that you have to be here with us in the IF forum, but happy that we can all be here to support you! Sounds like an exciting 2WW, fingers crossed that the Metformin was all you needed! 

Thanks for updating. I will take a look real quickly.

[deborahbgkelly]

Looks good. Thanks.

[tantylynn]

MonkeyScience So happy for you that more $ means more treatments in the future! I'm still hopeful you won't need to be filling more prescriptions though. Congrats to you and your DH too, it is so hard looking for employment so good work scoring the job!!

Sending O vibes your way Zanalee! 

No worries deborahbgkelly 

AFM, FF gave me crosshairs for O on CD14. If they stay that way then there is no way that this is our cycle and I'll pretty much just be waiting for AF . I normally O late and have long cycles, so I honestly thought I had about another week before we even needed to worry about getting some well-timed BD in. With the HyCoSy on CD12 I was told I wasn't allowed to BD before then, then afterward I spotted and was crampy for like 3 days and wasn't feeling very up to BD. Now it looks like we missed our chance! I'm super bummed because I've heard that the HyCoSy can increase your chances for fertility by leaving your fallopian tubes wide open. Shoot! 

On the positive side, I guess this will not be a stressful 2WW for me and I should have a pretty normal length cycle which is really good! 

[gozal]

Well, guys, you are not going to believe this. Last Tuesday, 7dpo, I got that nice implantation dip and wondered, "hmmm, will my temp go nice and high again tomorrow or am I just getting AF on this bizarre cycle?" The next morning, yeah, temp went up...to 101. I have been sick in bed since then! It was so unusual, because no one else in the house was sick, and usually we get sick in predictable waves - DS, 24 hours later me, 24 hours later DH. Plus, when was the last time I ran a fever? I don't even remember. I slept for almost four days straight! On Friday, though, 10dpo, a strange twinge gave me the incentive to stay awake long enough to test. I took the little strip and put it down on my nightstand and closed my eyes. A few minutes later, I sort of lifted my head up as minimally as possible and there was a clear second line on there. Thereupon, I uncover superhuman strength and run around the house sobbing hysterically while checking the second line by the light of all the windows. It's there! It's real! Of course, I now convince myself that somehow me moving the strip around too much caused a false positive, so I dip another strip (different kind of cheapie for extra verification power) and lay it absolutely flat. The second line comes up. I start sobbing all over again and call DH at work. Luckily I manage to get the news out before I break down in joyous crying so he doesn't think something terrible has happened. I harness remaining super flu-busting strength to drive myself to the drugstore (DS is at preschool) to pick up some Tylenol and some way-too-expensive digital tests. Yes+! Not only am I overjoyed because I want this pregnancy with all my soul, but because we learned DH has to be away on business for a week...right when I would have expected to o next time. And to make it worse, that week is my birthday. But instead...best birthday gift ever?!

I am going in tomorrow (Monday) for a beta level. Still a little freaked out that I had a fever the second I got pregnant but my RE reassured me, and everything I've read says fever (higher than what I had in any case) is dangerous starting at about 14dpo because of the neural plate. But, if it's okay, I'll wait to be moved, just because I'm superstitious like that.

Kaydove, according to my suspected o day, my EDD will be 14 Feb. too! Here are lots of prayers that everything goes well and we get some great betas next week. A huge congratulations, Kay!

And here is wishing that this June BFP wave visits each and every one of you! I don't think I've had a chance yet to say welcome to deborahbgkelly and kkrunchy - I hope your stay here is short and that in the meantime, you find some support along this difficult journey here. Everyone here is simply amazing!

[brichole1214]

Originally Posted by gozal 

Well, guys, you are not going to believe this. Last Tuesday, 7dpo, I got that nice implantation dip and wondered, "hmmm, will my temp go nice and high again tomorrow or am I just getting AF on this bizarre cycle?" The next morning, yeah, temp went up...to 101. I have been sick in bed since then! It was so unusual, because no one else in the house was sick, and usually we get sick in predictable waves - DS, 24 hours later me, 24 hours later DH. Plus, when was the last time I ran a fever? I don't even remember. I slept for almost four days straight! On Friday, though, 10dpo, a strange twinge gave me the incentive to stay awake long enough to test. I took the little strip and put it down on my nightstand and closed my eyes. A few minutes later, I sort of lifted my head up as minimally as possible and there was a clear second line on there. Thereupon, I uncover superhuman strength and run around the house sobbing hysterically while checking the second line by the light of all the windows. It's there! It's real! Of course, I now convince myself that somehow me moving the strip around too much caused a false positive, so I dip another strip (different kind of cheapie for extra verification power) and lay it absolutely flat. The second line comes up. I start sobbing all over again and call DH at work. Luckily I manage to get the news out before I break down in joyous crying so he doesn't think something terrible has happened. I harness remaining super flu-busting strength to drive myself to the drugstore (DS is at preschool) to pick up some Tylenol and some way-too-expensive digital tests. Yes+! Not only am I overjoyed because I want this pregnancy with all my soul, but because we learned DH has to be away on business for a week...right when I would have expected to o next time. And to make it worse, that week is my birthday. But instead...best birthday gift ever?!

I am going in tomorrow (Monday) for a beta level. Still a little freaked out that I had a fever the second I got pregnant but my RE reassured me, and everything I've read says fever (higher than what I had in any case) is dangerous starting at about 14dpo because of the neural plate. But, if it's okay, I'll wait to be moved, just because I'm superstitious like that.

Kaydove, according to my suspected o day, my EDD will be 14 Feb. too! Here are lots of prayers that everything goes well and we get some great betas next week. A huge congratulations, Kay!

And here is wishing that this June BFP wave visits each and every one of you! I don't think I've had a chance yet to say welcome to deborahbgkelly and kkrunchy - I hope your stay here is short and that in the meantime, you find some support along this difficult journey here. Everyone here is simply amazing!

YAY!!! I was looking at your chart and thought i saw a + but i didn't want to spread your news before you did!!! I'm SUPER excited for you!! Sending out sticky vibes to you too!!!!  I am praying for you on that beta for tomorrow!!!  Please keep us updated!!! I hope that these BFPs are contagious!!!

AMF:   I'm having to wear a pad now but not for pink or red blood but it's brown...and it's only on my pad and when i wipe...nothing is going into the toilet!!! By now i usually have an actual FLOW and my RE always told me that it's not CD1 until you have a FLOW FLOW so...i'm still not onto the next cycle yet.  I know that i'm not in anymore with as much "brown blood" which i guess is old blood build up that's coming out (tmi sorry) but i am so happy for the two of you who have gotten your BFPs this month!!! That is just amazing!
 

[deborahbgkelly]

Thanks for the welcome and congrats! I seem to be gearing up to O really early this month. Has that happened to anyone? I am only CD 8, but I am having O-like cramping, some fertile CM. No positive OPK yet, but I feel like I might get it this afternoon or tomorrow. Hubby is scheduled for SA tomorrow. Kind of freaked it might happen before his SA. Not a clue how to handle that. I'm okay if it happens tomorrow (as his SA is first thing tomorrow morning), but not so cool if I get it this afternoon or evening. Any thoughts?

[deborahbgkelly]

P.S. I have had a 24 day cycle in the past (though I O'd much later than CD 9). I understand it is not impossible to O this early with a real short cycle.

[deborahbgkelly]

Doesn't look like it will be a problem after all. Yay!

[renavoo]

Hi everyone!

Congrats to Kay Dove and Gozal!!! Can't wait to hear more as you guys progress!

Welcome KrunchyK. I'm glad you went to seek help. I hope the metformin works!! And Deborah, I'm glad you don't have to worry about the really early O. I don't think it's a big deal if you O early, however. personally, I think better earlier than later :o)  And EWCM can come for a few days so I'm glad that it's no longer a problem! Good luck on your DH's SA tomorrow!

Things have been busy where I am. We have been just trying to get our apartment set up. AF showed up today so I'm out but we'll be trying and IUI cycle this month (Femara) and then going on to IVF. I think that all of this stuff has been taking its toll though...I'm feeling exhausted almost all the time now. I think it's a mix of moving and TTC. Anyway, hope everyone has a great start of the week!