Tuesday, August 30, 2011

The Everything Green Baby Book

So a few days ago, my husband came home with a new book... hmm, what kind of book? YES, HE CAME HOME WITH A BABY BOOK..


Once again, I find myself wondering if I am dreaming...


I have been the one with baby fever for the last two years, now it seems as my hubby has baby fever too! I love it... 



My husband is a vegetarian... he is all about being green. And this book is just perfect for him and our TTC journal! 

I love the fact that he took HIS time to go and get this book. 

I haven't read this book yet; but plan to do so soon. My husband did tell me about cloth diapering versus regular diapers. I must admit, I am liking the benefits cloth diapering brings to a baby, no diaper rash- THIS IS A HUGE MUST FOR ME! 

After speaking to my husband about cloth diapering, I started doing some research and then I decided to check one of my favorite blogs and there it was.... a post about cloth diapering! 

Check it out.... it's from Oh Happy Miracle!

I am sure I have said this before, but I love reading about K and baby E. I have followed her story from day one and it is so great to see her overcome the bumps of TTC...

... her cloth diaper recommendation is fuzzibunz, they are fashionable, cute, and almost affordable! 

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

SMEP Plan

'Sperm Meets Egg Plan'


so here is how it works...
  • Start baby making intercourse on CD 8 and continue every second day until you get a + OPK
  • Start your OPK testing on CD10 and continue until you have a positive, still having intercourse every second day.
  • Once your OPK turns positive, have baby making intercourse for 3 consecutive nights/days, skil the 4th day and have intercourse on the 5th day just for good measure.
  • If your OPK doesn't turn positive, continue with intercourse every second day until CD35 then test for pregnancy.
Some websites suggested elevating hips for 10-30 minutes after baby making intercourse. They recommend baby making intercourse for three days in a row once positive OPK is confirm, skip one night, and then do the baby making intercourse for a couple more days. 

I will tell my husband about this plan tonight; can't wait to see his reaction!



The Miracle of Life!

I just wanted to share this beautiful quote I read on Baby and Bump... it captures many of my feelings about the journey of conceiving a child, pregnancy, childbirth...and finally, the moment you can hold your baby! 


Before you were conceived, I wanted you
Before you were born, I loved you
Before you were an hour old, I'd die for you
You are my miracle of life


Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Nursery

Last week, I went to lunch with a friend. As we were having lunch, she looked at me and said "I am not sure if getting pregnant was a good idea. It is too late now"... 

I sat there and listen to her feelings... 

and then I listen to my feelings. I looked at her and said, "do you have any idea of what I would give up to be you right now?" I literally did not mean her, I meant to be able to say to people the words: "I am pregnant!"

I am actually looking forward to experience all the pregnancy symptoms out there. I want to feel tired because a little person is growing inside me... I want my boobs to hurt, I want my feet to be swollen... and I want to pee every two seconds! I honestly cannot wait for the day I come home and "complaint" about being pregnant! 

At the end of the pregnancy, you get your bundle of joy and a new chapter of life starts... 

Besides all the symptoms, one thing that I really cannot wait to do is to start buying (yes, I am shopaholic!) things for the nursery. I have been staring at pictures of nurseries for a while now and here are some of my favorite designs: 







Saturday, August 20, 2011

Being Active!

By the way, a great stress reliever is to exercise and be active (especially after a long day at work)- even if it is for 20 minutes every day, you don't even have to actually go to a gym for this... it can be done at work, and or home.

Being active while at work:
  • Instead of using the elevator, use the stairs
  • Instead of printing your work on your printer (yes, the one right next to you)- use the office printer (especially if it is located in the other side of your office).
  • Don't send anyone to get your mail or drop off your packages; get up and walk 
  • Park on the top floor of your work garage and don't take the elevator! I currently park on floor 5 and just use the stairs
  • and my favorite; if you are thirsty, don't buy water available at your work's cafeteria... if you have a 7eleven or a convenience store near you; just walk there. I have a 7eleven a block again from my building and walk there all the time to get water or whatever I may "need".
Being active while at home:
  • If you have a dog, take your dog for a walk (I don't do this nearly as much as I should)
  • Don't just sit on the couch all the time (I sit on my couch all the time but I am going to change this habit soon)
  • Don't drive to your mailbox- walk to your mailbox
  • Don't ask your husband to take the laundry basket to the basement for you- do it your self (I am guilty of this, not going to lie). 
and what I am trying new this month is:


I learned about this from Natasha on her blog 'Little Pink Monster'; if you are not following her, you are missing on great crafty tutorials, great recipes, and much more!

I am a natural shopaholic :-)
Just take a look at this picture she shared:

Don't you just love this???

Check out her blog, you will fall in love (GUARANTEE)


Prenatal / TTC Pharmacy!

I can officially call my bathroom and nightstand a prenatal/TTC pharmacy! 

I was getting ready to go night night yesterday and I looked at my night stand and I started laughing, then I went to bathroom and looked at my sink and Oh my... I have so many TTC "items". 

So, right on top of my stand, I currently have: 

  • Digital Basal Thermometer: I purchased this from amazon.com. I just started charting this week, and it has been a learning experience. The ONLY complaint I have about this thermometer is that it takes too long to take your temperature and when you are only waking up to take your temp, 2 to 3 minutes seem forever. 
  • BBT Chart: this came with my thermometer. I need it right next to me so I can write the information down right away, so I won't forget to write it or use the thermometer the following day deleting the saved temperature from the day before (Yes, I tend to forget things). 
  • Cyclebeads: my friend gave this to me last month. I often joke that I going to wear them around so everyone knows what I am up to when it reaches the "white" beads. You can purchase this from amazon.com.
  • Pregnancy books: I literally take my books with me everywhere. I asked my husband to hold my purse one day and he asked me why my purse was so heavy and whether or not it hurts my shoulders... he looked inside and said 'Oh my, you know you don't have to carry these with you all the time'. I know that but whenever I feel like it, I can pull them out of my purse, reach them as I wake up--- and just read and dream about being pregnant!
and this is what I have on top of my sink:
  • Wondfo LH Test Strips: I purchased this the day my husband told me 'let's get pregnant'... Once again, I got this from amazon.com. It is very easy to use, 3 seconds dip in your urine, and 5 minutes wait for the result. I usually set a timer and come back right after 5 minutes.
  • Wondfo HCG Test Strips: Since I thought we were for sure going to be pregnant this past cycle, I bought the Wondfo HCG test strips.... these strips allow you to test as early as 12 DOP. I learned the hard wait to be patient and not test too early. It is too emotional to get a BFN... Once again, purchased from amazon.com.
  • Prenatal Vitamins: I bought these because they were pink. I know, silly! but I love pink... I purchased this from CVS.
  • Fertilaid: I bought these a few months ago, but haven't started taking them yet. I read so many great reviews about this product but I think I am going to wait. I really just want to conceive naturally, but if it doesn't happen soon then I may start taking these. I purchased this from fertilaid.com
  • Pee Plastic Cups: I bought tiny plastic cups because I got tired of washing a cup every day after using for either a LCH test or HCG test...
and I am adding a new item to my sink this week:
  • Preseed lubricant: I am buying this from CVS today and plan on using as soon as I get my positive OPK. I read great reviews about this product and there are REAL doctors who recommend this, so if it doesn't hurt the sperm and increases your chances of getting pregnant, I do not see the harm on spending an extra $20.00. 
With a free stress work environment, a positive attitude, and all these great tools- I am looking forward to my BIG FAT POSITIVE soon... 

Did you know that you have a 70% chance of becoming pregnant in the first three months of TTC? That made my day today...

Yes, it is true that you have 20-30% chance every month... but there is something about this knew information that I found that makes me be more optimistic about my TTC journey!

BABY DUST FOR ALL YOU LADIES TRYING! 

Thursday, August 18, 2011

My Husband!

I had a good cry during my shower today... It felt good to cry, and now I feel better. Today, when I went to use the potty; after wiping, I saw some pinkish discharge! (TMI, I know!) so I started to feel sad, and knew my AF aka "the witch" came to visit me. Although it is not 100% confirm that it is my AF, I read that pink and brown is good, but red isn't and when I got home I had RED.

Even though I was pretty sad, I realized something. I am VERY lucky. Here is why:

My husband is the best husband EVER! Not only is he the person I am in love with, but he truly is my best friend. I know for a fact life would not be the same without him. He pushes me to be a better person every day... but today, he showed me just how much he cares about me. I told him that I was so sad and blah blah blah and I said, " I know you wouldn't care if I got my period"... and perhaps he ACTS like he doesn't care but then he said to me he does care but if he is not here to support me then who would. He is right, I can't talk to anyone about this expect here and with him...

He is so awesome that he is willing to put his feelings behind to comfort mine!

I have an amazing husband and a good life, it WILL happen for us. I am positive that one day, I will be able to be a mom... I am not giving up this fight!

Here is to a new month with endless possibilities and to my love, you will never know how much you mean to me! You are my world, my everything, and soon you will be the father of our child.


Our first positive OPK 
8/7/2011


*~the day we officially started trying!

Sunday, August 14, 2011

I will die for that


This is how I feel tonight!!!

Pregnancy Symptoms

My husband and I went car shopping today and during our drive I looked at him and told him that I was crazy! Of course, he laughed and agreed that maybe I am crazy. He asked me why I thought I was crazy and here is why:

I feel like I am having every pregnancy symptom there is...

We were in the car and I had some mild cramps - Okay, I cannot fake having cramps
My boobs are sore...-Can't really fake that either; especially since it is near my nipple area and when I am dressing they are sore, when I shower they are sore! 
I feel like I want to eat multiple food- for example, we drove past a McDonalds and suddenly I wanted fries, drove past a Panera and I wanted a soup and sandwich, saw a super target and I wanted pizza, saw pizza hut and wanted to stop... Maybe I am faking this hungriness of mine. I honestly cannot remember the last time I went to McDonalds (it has been more than a year for sure); so there is no need for me to want to eat fries from there, is there? I can't even remember what they taste like...
... I did end up having pizza for dinner but it was store bought and we made it at home! When it was cooking, I couldn't wait for it to be done, and then once it was done, I did not want pizza- REALLY? I ate it anyways!

and then constipation! I felt after eating two slices of pizza, I needed to go to the bathroom. I felt this way before too but I can't seem to use the bathroom... it is frustrating to say the least. 

- I am either going crazy with this whole TTC or there may be something on the oven for me! I guess I will have to wait and see... but if it is a BFN, how can I get over it?

For now, I have been reading about 'Pregnancy Symptoms', so here is what I have so far:

The most significant symptom is missing your period
* I have a problem with this, although it is the most significant pregnancy symptom- what happens when you are irregular?

-The rest of the following pregnancy symptoms is from American Pregnancy (another great pregnancy website):

Implantation Bleeding:

Implantation bleeding can be one of the earliest pregnancy symptoms. About 6-12 days after conception, the embryo implants itself into the uterine wall. Some women will experience spotting as well as some cramping.
Other Explanations: Actual menstruation, altered menstruation, changes in birth control pill, infection, or abrasion from intercourse.

Delay/Difference in Menstruation:

A delayed or missed period is the most common pregnancy symptom leading a woman to test for pregnancy. When you become pregnant, your next period should be missed. Many women can bleed while they are pregnant, but typically the bleeding will be shorter or lighter than a normal period.
Other Explanations: Excessive weight gain/loss, fatigue, hormonal problems, tension, stress, ceasing to take the birth control pill, illness or breastfeeding.

Swollen/Tender Breasts:

Swollen or tender breasts is a pregnancy symptom which may begin as early as 1-2 weeks after conception. Women may notice changes in their breasts; they may be tender to the touch, sore, or swollen.
Other Explanations: Hormonal imbalance, birth control pills, impending menstruation (PMS) can also cause your breasts to be swollen or tender.

Fatigue/Tiredness:

Feeling fatigued or more tired is a pregnancy symptom which can also start as early as the first week after conception.
Other Explanations: Stress, exhaustion, depression, common cold or flu, or other illnesses can also leave you feeling tired or fatigued.

Nausea/Morning Sickness:

This well known pregnancy symptom will often show up between 2-8 weeks after conception. Some women are fortunate to not deal with morning sickness at all, while others will feel nauseous throughout most of their pregnancy.
Other Explanations: Food poisoning, stress, change in hormonal birth control method or other stomach disorders can also cause you to feel queasy.

Backaches:

Lower backaches may be a symptom that occurs early in pregnancy; however, it is common to experience a dull backache throughout pregnancy.
Other Explanations: Impending menstruation, stress, other back problems, and physical or mental strains.

Headaches:

The sudden rise of hormones in your body can cause you to have headaches early in pregnancy.
Other Explanations: Dehydration, caffeine withdrawal, impending menstruation, eye strain, or other ailments can be the source of frequent or chronic headaches.

Frequent Urination:

Around 6-8 weeks after conception, you may find yourself making a few extra trips to the bathroom.
Other Explanations: Urinary tract infection, diabetes, increasing liquid intake, or taking excessive diuretics.

Darkening of Areolas:

If you are pregnant, the skin around your nipples may get darker.
Other Explanations: Hormonal imbalance unrelated to pregnancy or may be a leftover effect from a previous pregnancy.

Food Cravings or Food Aversions:

While you may not have a strong desire to eat pickles and ice cream, many women will feel cravings for certain foods when they are pregnant. This can last throughout your entire pregnancy. Some women develop adversions to certain types of food early in pregnancy and this too can last for the next 9 months.
Other Explanations: Poor diet, lack of a certain nutrient, stress, depression, illness or impending menstruation.

~These symptoms are common prior to menstruation too! So, my mind and body are playing with me, but that is okay, I will eventually have these true symptoms!

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Twisted Sister


I think I will try doing my hair like this today! It is so pretty, yet so easy to do... 
I am loving this look!


Friday, August 12, 2011

Getting Pregnant Checklist


I truly love reading about pregnancy! Today, I found a great checklist designed to prepare your body for pregnancy. I got this checklist from The Bump so here it is:
Getting pregnant
[  ] Kick the pill (or any type of birth control)
[  ] Figure out when you’re ovulating
[  ] Learn to record cervicalmucus texture
[  ] Read up on conception and ovulation basics
[  ] Potential daddies -- stayout of Jacuzzis
[  ] Consider charting basal body temperature
[  ] Potential daddies -- trade in the briefs for boxers
[  ] Think about an ovulation predictor kit
[  ] Have sex!
[  ] Lose the lube
[  ] Find the right position
[  ] Spice it up in the bedroom
Diet & fitness
[  ] Work on getting any weight problems under control
[  ] If either of you smoke,quit
[  ] Get on prenatal vitamins
[  ] Balance out your diet
[  ] Get moving
[  ] Start weaning yourself off alcohol
[  ] Begin limiting the lattes
[  ] Scale back on extreme exercise
[  ] Decrease your stress
[  ] Get plenty of sleep
[  ] Potential daddies -- avoid cottonseed oils
Doctors, tests & checkups
[  ] Interview OB/GYNS
[  ] Schedule a preconception checkup
[  ] Make a list of preconception checkup questions
[  ] Discuss your (and your partner’s) medical history with the doc
[  ] Get immunized
[  ] Visit the dentist
[  ] Talk to your doc about genetic testing
Money & Home
[  ] Talk it out -- make sure you and your partner are on the same baby-making page
[  ] Check your home for harsh chemicals and asbestos
[  ] Check out your health insurance
[  ] If you’re self-employed,apply for private disability
[  ] Plan a baby budget
I showed this to my mom and she told me that before the internet, a lot of couples got pregnant without having problems. She strongly believes that the stress and pressure of becoming parents is the BC that I stopped taking a year ago!
She may be right, but how can you stop feeling helpless? The fear of not knowing is what makes this hard. 

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Part 3: Bumps on the Road to Baby

When I first got my baby fever a few years back... I purchased the book What-Expect-Before-Youre-Expecting by Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel; I loved reading this book when I first purchased- it was not until I started reading 'Part 3: Bumps on the Road to Baby' that I did not want to read this anymore. It was not because the information was not accurate or anything... It was because I felt I could relate WAY too much to this information.

I needed so desperately to LIE to myself about infertility!

After I finally stopped relating every information written in this part of the book. I realized that no matter what condition was listed there, there was always a box named: 'The Good News'... so instead of always being so DARN negative about this... I started to pay more attention to the good news.

so do I have fibroids? I don't think so! I believe my doctor would have noticed this by now. HOWEVER, even if I did have this, according to the book, "research shows that trating and or removing fibroids can increase fertility".

There are other conditions such as: Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, STDs, Endometriosis, Scar Tissue/Surgical Adhesions, Ovarian Cyst, PCOS, etc!!!! -who knew there were so many conditions that would prevent you from having a baby?!?!?!

and the most common one and the one I know for sure I have is "IRREGULAR MENSTRUAL PERIODS".... I never thought I would want "the witch" to be punctual and visit me every month at the same time, and date! I so desperately want this to happen, but ever since I was a little girl, that has not been the case! *sigh*

For now, I am going to focus on being POSITIVE and on making this a POSITIVE experience; afterall, pregnancy (including TTC) should be fun, not stressful!
 There will be no more tears, at least tonight! :-)
*Update: I lied, I did cry tonight!

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Pregnancy Websites!

I have been spending a lot of time reading about pregnancy, infertility, and TTC tips! I absolutely love the following websites:




It really helps to know you are not alone!

TTC

My baby fever started about two years ago. 


I could not stop talking about babies, thinking about babies, dreaming about babies; my whole world was in regards to babies.


Even though, my husband and I knew we wanted to have a family, I did not expect to have a time frame. I felt that if I wanted a baby, it should just happen right then. 


My husband had a different plan. He wanted to plan our pregnancy.


I was sad, and thought "maybe if I keep pushing him to have a baby, he will just go for it"; well I learned that it does not exactly work that way...


Wouldn't it be fabulous to have a magic wand so dreams about pregnancy are able to come true right away! 

I told my husband I was not planning on taking BC anymore. He agreed and did not fight me on this. We weren't planning to have a baby nor were we trying to have a baby; however, deep inside I really HOPED that  we would get pregnant while I was not taking BC. 


This is where my roller-coaster ride started. 

OH my.... riding an emotional roller-coaster is the hardest thing ever! Even though, we were not trying to get pregnant, my hopes of becoming a mom made me spent lots of money on pregnancy tests during these past two years. 


I would often tell my husband how I knew I was pregnant because I was late, I felt sick, I was tired all the time, etc. I honestly cannot count how many times I went to the doctors because I was for sure pregnant. My poor doctor had to deal with me for these past two years; always having to tell me, "No, you are not pregnant" 


and my husband had to keep hearing me cry every night! 

About two months ago, I looked myself in the mirror and felt so fat that I knew I had to make a change. I went to the doctors and told him how I gained  A LOT of weight during the last couple years and I was not exactly happy with my looks (not to mention I was terrified that my weight was the reason for not being able to get pregnant). He started me on a medicine and here I am, almost two months later, and 30 pounds lighter... I feel great, and energetic! But I am missing something, and the truth is...


I am not going to feel truly happy until I am pregnant!


My husband finally said the magic words: " let's get pregnant!" I never thought I would hear these words coming from him (at least not anytime soon). Did he just really tell me he wants to actually try having a baby? Someone please wake me up!


Am I dreaming? Nope, it was not a dream, it is true! 


My DH wanted me to go to the doctors prior to TTC. I needed to make sure I am healthy... my doctor asked how long I have been trying to get pregnant, and I told him that even though we haven't been officially trying, it has been about a year. He looked at me and then-

My doctor gave me some literature on infertility. SERIOUSLY!!!! the worst piece of paper any women can receive from the doctor's office. I cried my self to sleep EVERY night. But I was not ready to give up on my dream and start taking medications to start a family just because my doctor referred me to a fertility clinic. So, I started to do some research and I came across a lot of good blogs about pregnancy, infertility, etc. 


I spent endless hours reading other people stories, and I was convinced to not give up by reading oh happy miracle... The best blog about pregnancy, its struggles, and the courage it takes to go through infertility. 

I started to educate myself and perhaps the problem was that I did not know when I was ovulating. I am irregular, VERY irregular! So I started to use OPKs... well, I got a lot of negative results... that was, until this past weekend! I finally got the POSITIVE OPK I have been waiting for... so perhaps I am not infertile, maybe I was just doing "it" when the time was not right!

Ahhhh, I am a little relief! I can now say that I ovulate (at least this month)... now, let's hope that my DH and I can actually become pregnant naturally; if not this month, soon.


So, I am officially a baby making machine!