Pretty much given the green light

So I have been wanting to TTC ever since I started back my cycle but PPVI shot me down. They basically told me no! Dr. Hilgers is pretty cautious with giving me the green light since I only have one tube and history of ectopic pregnancy and low progesterone. PPVI has been tracking my progesterone through P+7 draws. Each month has gotten better.

They called yesterday with info from cycle review. They have started me on the concoction of meds/shots I was on when I last conceived. Soooo I'm on the path of TTC.

Its a good feeling. I'm ready. Does infertility still haunt me...yes. But I have my little Spunky and know that God has a plan for me that is better than my own. Sooo I'm not letting the devil work his magic on me this time. I'm focusing on God, His will, and He will direct my life. NOT YOU DEVIL!!

I'm also going to focus on not being crazy at TTC. I remember in the past before PPVI saved me with my surgeries, I was crazy about TTC. I made hubby feel like an object and I did not handle it gracefully or romantically. It was more like "Hey, I'm ovulating..." How romantic is that!! Well that is out the window. I remember the couple months after surgery how enjoyable it was to TTC and not be crazy about timing, etc. I still was focused on TTC but I was much more relaxed than I was before surgeries. So I'm going to continue with that relaxed mindset and "let go and let God!" If you have a few seconds to throw a prayer out there for me about this, that would be great:)

Yes this is all true....Prayer Warriors needed!!!

One of my dear friends since we were young is getting married tomorrow. First, a little description if her... Holy, angelic, innocent, naive, gullible, sensitive, very caring and loving. She also struggles with Bi-polar and something doesn't seem normal about her meds...I think this is part of the reason why I think she is making this decision. Why? She isn't herself. She is so highly medicated that she seems like she is in a daze. Its so sad!!! She has never ever had a man love her before and this guy is filling that void for her. Ok so on to him...BRACE yourself!!

He is a felon. He had a meth lab in his house. He spent a year in jail for this. He got kicked out of military for cocaine use. He beat his ex wife so severely that he chipped 6 of her teeth. He has a child who is 5 who he doesn't claim and doesn't pay child support for.  He has a poor paying job  because he doesn't have a college education and because he is a felon so he will neve be able to get a solid good job. He has 0 friends. And when I mean 0, I mean, not even one to have as his groomsman!!! What else?! There are many other little things.

We, her family and friends, have had mannnny interventions. He dad even worked with he district attorney to open his old cases. My friend saw the pics of the beaten ex wife!!! Her dad even contacted the ex and asked her to talk to my friend... She did and begged her not to marry this guy and yet my friend is ignoring this. Our priest gave her every reason not to marry this guy!!! The cops that arrested him even met with her and her dad and tried to talk her out of this. Yall her parents are the most Catholic, loving, devoted couple ever!! They have gone above and beyond to try and get to her senses but nothing is working!!

She is walking down the isle and marrying this guy tomorrow!!! Im sick to my stomach. My friends and I are all sick!!! The only people in his life coming to the wedding tomorrow are his parents. Her parents are asking their own friends to sit on his side of church b.c there will be no one on that side if they dont.

Last night we threw her a "Bachlorette" dinner. We went out for sushi and then had a little pj/lingerie party for her after. It was soooo awkward!!! She is honestly in LALA LAND!!!! It's so sad:(((

Last point... she is on lithium for her disorder...which means she cannot get pregnant. She also can't function without that med. She is ignoring this and thinking she can still have a child. THIS IS my biggest concern. What if she is on this med and conceives!!!! I'm so scared!!! Next, she can never adopt b.c her husband to be is a felon!! It's a never ending road of RED FLAGS!!!! And yet she things he has "changed." If he had changed that would be awesome....but he hasn't. That's a whole addition to the story.

So I'm asking for you to storm the heavens with prayers. I'm actually praying for a miracle...for her to come to this realization and either not walk down the isle or not even show up!!! I understand that God might have a bigger picture in all this...one that is hard to understand now but might make sense later. All I ask is that you pray for this precious friend

Hugs

Smelly!!!

Ok you cloth diaper ladies, mine are smelling! I have stripped them w dawn a few times and even bleach and they still have a cinch! Advice.....please:)))

What?! Help/advice

Sidenote: For those who didn't get to see the post with the prayers for your children...go back to my post from a couple back titled "For you!" You will thoroughly enjoy it.

So Spunky's GI appt isn't for a while and I'm sooooo sick of hearing the acid reflux every two minutes come up his esophagus. It hurts my heart to know that he is doing this so often! I decided to do what I didn't think I'd do...I tried formula. Nothing else I had tried or that the dr had me try, worked. So I went out and bought the organic simulac. I had tears in my eyes knowing that I was doing this bc it meant skipping a breastfeeding opportunity. Just to give you and idea, every time I fed him, I would burp him half way and then burp him after feeding completely. Each time I had to get up and go to the kitchen floor (no carpet) to burp him bc he would spit up...and when I mean spit up, I mean when it splattered on the floor, it measured about 12x12 in...no lie. Each and every time it was about that amount. Then after feeding, I have blankets spread out all over the living room floor and every 2-3 min he will spit up. It never stops until he is asleep. It's crazy. I constantly get comments asking "does he spit up that much that often all the time?" yep! And it's consistent no matter what foods I'm eating or not eating...meaning I can't specify if it's a particular food item/ingredient.

Anyway,so I skip a feeding and gave him bottle of formula. Y'all, nothing came up. He didn't spitup when I burped him either time or when I put him in his car seat (every time I put him in car seat two seconds later he spits up....every SINGLE time). WTH?!?!

So what does this mean? I'm questioning whether I continue the formula and breastfeeding together....meaning split them up so it's less reflux. Or do I continue just breast bc "it's best". Or do I stop breastfeeding which makes me cringe even writing it. My concern is also his medication. If I keep him on the formula too, I can lower dosage of medication. I HATE him being on meds 3x a day for the past 6 months!!!! Decisions? Advice? Anyone experience this before? Our GI appt isn't for another month and im so confused with what to do!!

Jef...with one f!

Ok so are any of you The Bachelorette watchers???? It's my guilty pleasure:))) this season was the best ever....really. It was as real as reality shows can be..ha! Was Jef not the cutest thing!? It's so funny bc lately whenever dh and I get in a little tiff or something he says bugs me, I say "would Jef say that to Emily?!" and we both start laughing so it changes the mood. Hahaha. Pathetic I know!

Anywho, we have our appt scheduled with the ped GI for late August. Sunky has horrible reflux and it has gotten worse since we upped his dosage of Zantac,started some solids and since he has been sitting up. All of those things the dr said would improve it but nope! What made them make the referral to the GI was the middle of night Watkins coughing from the acid. And now the poor child is so used to spitting up (internally every 2-2.5 min) that now he has mastered swallowing it....so sad! My true concern is his little esophagus....I hope it's not affected by all this. Hopefully we will find out the route to this and calm it once we get that appt.

I need to start charting again...although I don't see much CM to begin with bc of breastfeeding. But I need to do it. I keep forgetting!! TMI but We "ttc" all the time so charting would be smart in case we get a BFP. That would be awesome:))) maybe I will be like JBTC!!! Hahaha

Question for any of you who have had a wedge resection w dr. H....do you ever have pain in/on/near your ovaries that is striking pain and that feels tight...like if you move it will snap??? I have that feeling every now and then and I'm really curious about it. I put a call into PPVI but just curious to see if any of you felt this.

For you!

Before I go on, please know that this below can even be for those who do not yet have children. I pray that you will one day, and you can begin praying this for them. For we know that God has a plan for you. I remember praying for my husband before I even met him.

So this is one of the most special gifts that I have ever been given so I wanted to pass the gift along to you. It was given to me with a scripture verse on each day of the calendar. Since I can't do it post it on a calendar, ill post in numerical order and you can either print it out or transfer it to a calendar yourself. This is a calendar of daily scripture verses for you to pray for your child. It goes from 1-30 so you just start over at the beginning of each month.

1. SALVATION: Lord, let salvation spring up within my children that they may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. (Isaiah 45:8, 2Timothy 2:10)
2. GROWTH IN GRACE: I pray that they may "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 3:10)
3. LOVE: Grant, Lord, that my children may learn to live a life of love through the Spirit who dwells in them. (Ephesians 5:2, Galatians 5:22)
4. HONESTY and INTEGRITY: May integrity and honesty be their virtue and their protection. (Psalm 25:21)
5. SELF-CONTROL: Father, help my children not to be like many others around them, but let them be "alert and self-controlled" in all they do. (1Thessalonians 5:6)
6. A LOVE FOR GOD'S WORD: May my children grow to find Your Word "more precious than gold, than much pure gold;and sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb." (Psalm 19:10)
7. JUSTICE: God, help my children to love justice as You do and to "act justly" in all they do. (Psalm 11:7, Micah 6:8)
8. MERCY: May my children always be "merciful, as their Father is merciful." (Luke 6:36)
9. RESPECT (FOR SELF, OTHERS, and AUTHORITY): Father, grant that my children "show proper respect to everyone," as your Word commands. (1 Peter 2:17)
10. STRONG, BIBLICAL SELF-ESTEEM: Helo my children develop a strong self-esteem that is rooted in the realization that they are "God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus.". (Ephesians 2:10)
11. FAITHFULNESS: "Let love and faithfulness never leave my children," but bind these twin virtues around their necks and write them on the tablets of their hearts. (Proverbs 3:3)
12. A PASSION FOR GOD: Lord, please instill in my children a soul with a craving for You, a heart that clings passionately to You. (Psalm 63:8)
13. RESPONSIBILITY: Grant that my children may learn responsibility, "for each one should carry his own load." (Galatians 6:5)
14. KINDNESS: Lord, may my children "always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. (1 Thessalonians 5:15)
15. GENEROSITY: Grant that my children may "be generous and willing to share and so lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age. (1 Timothy 6:18-19)
16. PEACE: Father, let my children "make every effort to do what leads to peace." (Romans 14: 19)
17. HOPE: May the God of hope grant that my children may overflow with hope and hopefulness by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)
18. PERSEVERANCE: Lord, teach my children perseverance in all they do, and help them especially to "run with perseverance the race marked out for them." (Hebrews 12:1)
19. HUMILITY: Lord, please cultivate in my children the ability to "show true humility toward all." (Titus 3:2)
20. COMPASSION: Lord, please clothe my children with the virtue of compassion. (Colossians 3:12)
21. PRAYERFULNESS: Grant, Lord, that my children's lives may be marked by prayerfulness, that they may learn to "pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kind of prayers and requests." (Ephesians 6:10)
22. CONTENTMENT: Father, teach my children "the secret of being content in any and every situation...through him who gives strength." (Philippians 4:12-13)
23: FAITH: I pray that faith will find root and grow in my children's hearts, that by faith they may gain what has been promised to them. (Luke 17:5-6, Hebrews 11:1-40)
24. A SERVANT HEART: Lord, please help my children develop servant hearts, that they may serve wholeheartedly "as if they were serving the Lord, not men." (Ephesians 6:7)
25. PURITY: "Create in them a pure heart, O God", and let their purity of heart be shown in their actions. (Psalms 51:10)
26. A WILLINGNESS AND ABILITY TO WORK HARD: Teach my children, Lord, to value work and to work hard at everything they do, "as working for the Lord, not for men." (Colossians 3:23)
27. SELF-DISCIPLINE: Father, I pray that my children may develop self-discipline, that they may acquire "a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair." (Proverbs 1:3)
28. A HEART FOR MISSIONS: Lord, please help my children to develop a heart for mission, a desire to see your glory declared among the nations, your marvelous deeds among all people's. (Psalms 96:3)
29: JOY: May my children be filled "with the joy given by the Holy Spirit." (1 Thessalonians 1:6)
30. COURAGE: May my children always "be strong and courageous" in their character and in their actions. (Deuteronomy 31:6)

I hope you enjoy and use this daily:))

Blessings!

iPad pic help and other

I tried uploading pics on this from my iPad but I can't. Help? I click on the picture but the upload photo button isn't highlighted...I can't click on it. I can't use my comp bc it's a piece and won't turn on! Any helpers?

So my prayers have changed and lessened. I hate to admit it but I feel as if my spiritual life has diminished. Not weakened....I still believe, I still have faith but the time going into it all has lessened. I don't like it. Yet I'm not doing much about it. Going to daily mass every now and then but I'm talking quiet, reflection time. I need to step it up. I need to just devote a specific time and DO IT!! Not that it is an excuse but now with Spunky, any free minute I have, I'm catching up on other things, whether it be the house, chores, errands, emails, blogging!, making baby food, etc. I'm going to do a post soon with some bible verses that pertain to raising children. I think those that have children will love this. So my goal is to meditate/reflect/pray and having talked with y'all about it, it's making me realize that I NEED to give more time to HIM. Admitting it is the first step!!

Total switch....Dh wants to have another baby. He claims he is getting old and wants to have more children. Yay:) yet how....I'm breastfeeding. I know I know, people get pregnant while breastfeeding. Look at JBTC!!! But that is doubtful to me. Why? Dr. H mentioned that one of my IF issues was that I produced alot of prolactin (milk producing hormone) and that was affecting ovulation. Hince the fact that I'm a cow!!! Ha. Anyway, I also want a baby again soon so that Spunky can have a playmate(s). So where do I begin? Do I just hope for the Lord's plan and let him take charge while we just ttc? Or should I be a little more assertive and do formula and breastfeeding.....meaning, reduce breastfeeding so a cycle had better chance of coming? I know I know breastfeeding is best. So don't yell at me:) but I can't just breastfeeding for years and not have more babies??? Put your two cents in...just be nice:)

Off to gather my bible verses so I can follow through on telling y'all I'd share with you.

hugs:)

Catching up on my new life/ideas

Just a little catching up!! I'll just start with 6 things.


1) Ok so the idea of cloth diapering was humorous to me back in the day. Little did I know that my life would lead me to a whole new world of friends (you) and new fabulous ideas! One of which is cloth diapering. I must say that it was Kaitlyn (More like Mary..) that helped me jump start into this new world. It was a bit intimidating at first...the idea. But once I got started, I loved it!!! Now I'm a pro:) and trying to encourage my friends to do the same...yet they think I'm crazy! They are missing out!


2)I'm going to call the baby Spunky:)in the blog world and the name fits him perfectly! Good idea, Brenda:)


3) Baby Whisperer: Ok so I know that alot of you will be against this but that's ok. Just don't kick me to the curb! ha and remember....That's why there is chocolate and vanilla...like my dh says. We all are different:) I have 4 sisters that have all used this book/method of raising their kids so I am very comfortable with it and have really enjoyed it. It is not BabyWise...the cry it out method. It's opposite. I have used this for Spunky and really really like it. Dh and I are very structured/routine like people so this method is great for us. Now keep in mind, I understand that you can't force a baby, nor do you want to force them, to do what you want. I do keep that in mind so don't worry. Spunky works soooo well on a schedule/routine. It's like he knows whats coming by my cues. The child LOVES to go to sleep too! Hr sleeps from 7 to 7 and then takes two 1.5 hr naps a day! I wish I could sleep like him! Like anxious to get in crib and sleep. ha! Have any of you read this book or do something like this? Curious. And for those that don't know, it's more than a book about sleeping. The Solves All Your Problems one really is helpful in sooo many different areas....ESP for new moms.


4) Breastfeeding: LOVE IT! IM A COW!!! (thank the Lord!)


5) Spunky is teething:( so sad to hear him whimper. Hate giving him meds but come middle of the night, it's necessary. Daytime, it's much better bc I can distract him with teething things, ESP the mesh teeter thing that you can put frozen fruit in...he loveeessss it!!! Life saver!!! And very useful too for walks in this heat!!


6) I can't remembered if I mentioned it or not previously but I'm retired from teaching for now. Love love love teaching and loved my job but fortunately I was able to quit to be at home with Spunky.


Ttfn! Off to catch up on you bloggers:)

Return to the bloglife!!! (and pic:)

Who would have thought! ha. I know I know, I totally dropped off the planet. Honestly, I became totally consumed with my precious little boy:) But I feel bad in some ways b.c I developed all these awesome blog friends over the past years and then I drop off like I died!!(Well I kept up with a lot of you on facebook from my phone but still. By the way, i need to figure out an easy way to blog from my phone. I tried before but it was too complicated.)That's sooo not what a friend would do...esp those friends who were more friends to you than anyone else because they understood your obstacles more than most. So, I'm here to say I'm sorry. Hope there aren't any hard feelings. If it makes it sound better, I even became horrible with emails and phone calls too. No excuses. It's a new start:)

Whether you believe me or not, my blogger peeps haven't been far from my thoughts. Many times I think of things and think "I want to write this down, talk it out, etc." But I never did. Now I'm going to. I have so many thoughts at times, it's so nice to get them out. 
I thought about changing my blog name but I love it...and I am "Awaiting a Child of God" whenever he wants to bring me another! So the name is gonna stay for now:)

My posts will obviously now be different. They will be random. They will be about my precious Child of God, who I will have to think of a name for in the blog world:) They will be my faith. They will be about my family. My husband. They will be about mommahood.They will be boring. They will be totally nonsense at times. But either way, I really look forward to getting reconnected with you awesome ladies who continue to impact me even though you don't know it. I have gone back and read where some of you are in your lives, since I have missed out on the past 6 months. I'm excited to get back into your lives and catch up even more. So much has gone on just from the reading I did a bit earlier!

I am soooo happy to be back in touch with you ladies...if you welcome me back:) Life is obviously consuming with a baby but look at all you women with more than one and you can do it...so can I! I promise to do much better with contact. When I signed on tonight, the blogger thing has changed and I saw my blog had been viewed over 21,000 times. HOLY COW! I hope so much that my story impacted others positively. I hope to be able to do the same with my future nonsense!!

HUGS and here below I finally introduce you to my sweet boy:)

Pray for our sweet friend/blogger:)

Joanna (Still Standing) has made it safely through surgery and is recovering. PRAISE THE LORD!!! Check out this post. Continue to pray for her healing:)

http://thehendersonstory.blogspot.com/2011/10/sweet-jojo-update.html?showComment=1318520189881#c8576091956310528328

Prayer Buddy Reveal and more

I had the honor of praying for Jennifer at TransformedHearts! It was so nice meeting you (over the blog) and praying for you. Thank goodness I am able to attend daily mass before school and this was a great time to pray for Jennifer and her intentions. Jennifer, I hope you felt the prayers:)

I also want to thank my prayer buddy, Molly, who prayed for me:) I think it was a great match having had dealt with IF. I hope that my blog posts from the past brought comfort to her. Thank you Molly... I have felt your prayers and I appreciate them greatly:)

Fall is here and I LOVE IT!!! DH and I have morning time each morning. We have done this throughout our whole marriage. I highly recommend it...it's one of my fav things about our marriage. This time consists of breakfast, reading paper and saying prayers before heading off to work. We love this 45 min block of time to start our day...it is so great. And now, we can open the doors and feel the cool air and hear those birdies chirping! Love that. Oh and can't forget the lighting of the pumpkin candle...delightful! I have decorated the mantle with pumkins and fall flowers. Makes me so happy:)

And then there is Christmas time...agh! I can't wait:) I always said I never wanted to have a baby in Dec. That was, of course, before the IF days when I thought I was in complete control...hahha. But now, of course, I am due in Dec...God has such a great sense of humor doesn't He! I have thought about it....I get to have baby in beginning of Dec and then just bask in the joy of it's life. I get to sit on the couch with baby, listen to Christmas music, with the fire going, the tree lit, the Christmas candle burning, etc. Oh and maybe a glass of wine in hand! haha. I can't wait to have a glass of wine!!! I don't want to wish time away...I def want to appreciate the here and now but I just like to think ahead sometimes.

Creighton Method...I have totally been an open book about my experience with PPVI and Creighton to people around me. I have prayed and prayed to be an instrument of this experience to others. You know you never know if people are really hearing you and if they are really interested or if they are just pretending. Well, I just learned that I have actually impacted some people. I have had more questions as time has gone on. I have a friend now going to PPVI in Jan/Feb for surgery and I have a couple of other people signed up for meeting with our Creighton practioner here in town to learn more. This just brings me so much joy!!! I want women everywhere to know that there are other options out there and I just pray to be a positive impact on others.

Ok...time to get back to grading. AGH! I am swamped! ha. HUGS and LOVES ladies:)

HELLO!!!

I'm alive!! haha. I have been absolutely horrible with blogging. I know we are all busy but I swear this year is one of my busiest!!

Typical day since starting back:
Wake up 5 am
At mass by 7:15
School starts 7:45
Teach till 3
Middle School or Faculty Meetings till 5 (at the latest) Monday thru Wednesday
Get home...try and walk for at least 30 min.
Help hubby cook dinner
In bed by 7:30 b.c so pooped!

How do people work and take care of their children too???? Last year I had a planning period from 9:30-11:00 and then 12:00-12:30... it was glorious! I got so much done and then some. I never had to grade at home b.c I got all my work done at work! This year I am teaching 8th grade religion in addition to 7th Religion and History and 8th History. And I teach two of each of classes b.c there are two classes per grade. So this year I have only one break and it is from 8:45-9:30 and it is so rushed. I feel I have no time!! I'm swamped!!

This whole pregnancy thing is WONDERFUL and I wouldn't trade it for the world but after work, I am done for the day. My feet are swollen, back aches, and I have no energey! ha. But I'm happy...no worries! I am just not productive whatsoever. I am honestly in bed by 7:30...at the latest! haha. Thank God my husband understands that I am swamped during the day. He has been so great.

So enough about that. I miss all of you! I am friends with alot of you on FB so I am up to date on alot of your lives b.c of FB on my phone. What would we do without technology! ha. No but seriously, I miss having down time to just blog away. Not that I have much to say, but I miss just having the time.

Pregnancy is going swell. I am happy as a bee! Today we go for an ultrasound and appointment...love seeing that baby:) 11 more weeks to go. Holy smokes! Going by fast.

Today I had some extra time b.c I am leaving work early for dr appts so I haddddd to take a minute to write on the blog so you knew I was alive:)

Hugs and Love. I pray for my bloggers in daily mass....especially you my prayer partner. Amid all the business, I have not forgotton to pray!!

Prayers for 2 bloggers/Starting back

I must say first that my heart is aching this morning as I read through blogs and noticed that there are two bloggers out there that have suddenly lost their husbands. This just saddens me so much. Although I don't know them or their blogs, my heart just aches. Sew mentioned one girl and then another girl commenting on Sew's post mentioned another. Life is so fragile. Please pray for these precious women and their families during this time of suffering.

I am finally being lazy. After these past two weeks of jumping back into school, I am finally making myself lay down and be still. Going from summer break to work is hard enough but when you are preggers and used to taking naps daily and then you are thrown in full speed ahead, it's kinda tough! So today I am doing one thing and that is going to mass. Then I plan on coming right back to this same spot and laying on the couch ALL DAY!

School so far has been great. I have a great set of kids this year. I'm amazed at how interested these 7th and 8th graders are about baby who. They are all about some questions. haha. I have a little corner of my board reserved for baby. I have a picture up there, it's measurements and the vegetable size of the week:) The kids are excited to find out what type of veggie it's grown into on Mondays. haha.

This year I don't have as much free time as I did last year. I'm teaching 7th & 8th grade religion and history. Last year I just taught history and one class religion. So I only have one break throughout the whole day and it is first thing in the morning...not a good time for a plan period. They best would be in the middle of the day but hey, you can't always have the best schedule. So you can see why I am exhausted by 3.

DH has been great with my exhaustedness! haha. He definitely sees it and wants to help out whenever he can. It's been nice b.c we are both in the kitchen at night and it makes the cooking go along a lot faster. Shoot, when I'm in the kitchen, it takes forever. And after being on your feet all day, the last thing you want to do is be on your feet in the kitchen. I told dh I need a directors chair for prep and cook time! hahaha. But seriously, all I want to do is lay in a hot bath at the end of the day. But I can't b.c I like my baths hot and I've read and been told that is not healthy for pregger people. Oh well, it's all worth it!


Advice: PPVI knocked my progesterone from 2 ml to 1 ml b.c my levels were looking good. Well my D.A. forgot to refill my progesterone so I didn't have enough. I only took 3/4ths of shot instead of 1. Then I fedexed more and am not going to be irresponsible ever again. So, I'm anxious for Monday to come so I can give my baby more. The one reason I am worrying is b.c of a pain that I am having that I have never had before. Now, I know about that ligament pain issue so it could be that but I'm not sure. All day Friday and Sat I have had this sharp, knife pain on my right of the belly (on my side almost). I mean the kind of pain that makes you take deep breaths, bend over pain. It's been consistent in that it continues to happen but not consistent as in every 2 min. I (think I) know that it's not contractions b.c I feel no tightening or cramps. Just a stab of pain. So I called nurse finally last night when DH about lost it. He was getting mad at me for not doing something about it. She didn't seem worried. Told me to take tylenol and lay down. So that is my plan for today. To rest. Hoping it doesn't start back up tomorrow. If it does, I'm calling dr. Any of you experience this consistently??? Advice would calm me:)

Blogger meet up/ cloth diaper?/prayers

It was SOOOO fun!!!! I drove over to P'cola (Pensacola) recently to meet these fine ladies: Lauren (Magnify the Lord with Me), Kaitlin (More Like Mary More Like Me), and Karen (Pray-Hope-Trust) . Y'all, they are so cute, so fun, so full of life and knowledge and most of all, they have absolutely adorable children:) I got to snuggle with all three babies and just loved it!!! I have been wanting a blogger meet-up down south and it finally was accomplished! We really spent all our time talking away and me, learning from all their mom ideas/tricks. They definitely persuaded me to be a cloth diaper momma. I'm super excited about that. What is happening with me....haha....doula, now cloth diapers!!! I'm totally surprising myself and LOVING it!  

On to the cloth diaper topic, I learned a lot from these ladies but am curious to see what else you others are using. I'm thinking of sticking to the Bum Genius brand but am totally open to your thoughts. If any of you have any of your posts on this topic, send me the link in the comment section so I can read please:) Thanks! Oh and what to wash them with????

I've been thinking a lot lately about infertility. That pain is so very close to my heart and will never be forgotten. I just wanted to let those of you who are struggling know that you are always in my prayers. Just a little support reminder:)

Something I never thought I'd do and Blogger meet up!!

Hey friends:) Well I haven't posted much lately b.c I haven't had much to say that would entertain you in the least bit....I have been lazy lazy lazy and I didn't want to bore you with nothing posts! ha. I have been reading up on y'all though and praying specifically for some of your requests. Summer so far has been so nice. I seriously have been sleeping in, watching Today show, getting exercise here and there, getting to some daily masses with momma, reading, and visiting with family and friends. Baby who is doing fabulous and we are really enjoying nesting this summer.


So since I joined the blogger world about a year ago, I have been exposed to more than I could have imagined....in a good way. One of those things is the idea of natural labor and using a doula. I don't know if I would have thought about this whole doula thing if it weren't for the exposure. I'm definitely appreciative!

I did some research for a doula along the gulf coast and was successful. I contacted her and we met for coffee and I immediately felt comfortable. I knew my decision right away. I honestly didn't even think twice about it after meeting her. So here we are, signed up for an upcoming appointment:) DH has been very supportive. He of course is very nervous about the idea of me trying ( I say trying b.c you never know) to have a natural labor. But I know that once he meets her, he will immediately feel comfortable with the decision of getting this doula. And what we get from her....She comes to our home for 6 or 7 in-home classes to prepare us for birth, she is on call weeks before and weeks after birth, she is available 24/7 and will be there to help us do most laboring at home before hospital (hopefully), and she will remain after birth to help with breastfeeding, etc.

I'm just so relieved to have met her and be comfortable about this whole idea. My worries are normal, I know. Of course I worry about whether or not I will be able to do labor without epidural, I worry about the chance of maybe having to be induced or have a C-section, etc. My ideal situation would be to be able to go into labor at home smoothly and go to hospital and have baby naturally. I'm just going to remind myself over and over that it is in God's hands not mine. As soon as I start to control things, life gets a little crazy.

On another note, I'm so excited for this week. I get to meet three bloggers:):):) I'm headed to Pensacola on Tuesday to have a slumber party with Lauren (Magnify the Lord with Me), Kaitlin (More Like Mary More Like Me), and Karen (Pray-Hope-Trust) . I've been wanting a meet up for a while so I am thrilled!! I'm sure you will hear about it from us after. 

As for baby who, hear he/she is:) My little tike:) DH likes to think that the little thing in the bottom right hand corner is a penis....although it's not:) I don't think! haha

Hey Hey Hey!

Ahhh, I'm so horrible, I know! I haven't been on here in over 3 weeks. Crazy! School finished up, thank the Lord! and then I had a week of professional development meetings that followed. Then dh and I packed up and went to the bay for a little R&R and there we have no internet service. I've been pretty lazy these past two weeks and it has been wonderful:):) Now I'm back in town with a stupid sinus infection or cold. Blah!

Have I mentioned I miss y'all!!! Random: Did or do any of you play music for your baby in the womb???? My sister was all about headphones and classical music. What is your take????

Novena girls: I am in the process of saying St. Gerard Novena's for Julie, Rita's Roses, Patiently Waiting, His Perfect Timing and Christy. They all signed up for the Novena prayer list and I just wanted to let you ladies know that I have not forgotten and you are ON MY HEARTS!!! Along with you other sweet friends too:):)

Anyway, life on the homefront is great. DH and I are loving life and each other, obviously:) I am 14 1/2 weeks and happy as can be:) Our 12 week appt went fabulous:):):) I praise you Lord:):) Many of my food aversions have gone away pretty much...except grilled or baked chicken and broccoli....puke!!! I'm not nauseous anymore either:) Oh and have I mentioned I have gained 7 lbs! haha. What! I must admit, it is very hard to accept the fact that you are gaining weight and not turn into a freek. I know I know I am supposed to and I am SOOO happy to have the reason too but it is sill a little mind game that I have to remind myself not to play. No worries, I have never not eaten...I eat all the freeking time. It gets tiring but I swear I can't help it. It's not cravings...it's an all of a sudden starving pain and I have to eat or it doesn't go away. They have gotten better and less often but still occur.

The hospital here where I go to my dr provides free gym membership for pregnant women who are delivering at that hospital:) GREAT! Love it! So I have joined and plan on becoming a little swimmer:) They have huge lap pool and no children are aloud:) Meaning no swimming classes, etc. to get in the way. All I have to do is by me some goggles and I am good to go! Now of course, I will be using a kicking board b.c my booty can't swim one lap without pure exhaustion!

I have picked out all the nursery stuff...a little early I know, but I want to get the nursery done before I start back with school in August. I'm taking on an extra load this next semester so I know I am going to be crazy busy and won't want to have the stress of all that on me. But it's been fun picking out and playing around:)

Here is where I got my idea for my color scheme. I wanted neutral b.c we aren't finding out the sex and also b.c I thought neutral would be easy to throw colors in with...plus, I love these colors together and have always wanted these for some reason. Now of course it's not going to look exactly like this but it's a start. I will post pics as I go.

I got 3 of these for the nursery wall. It was my splurge prize for me:) I have eyed these for the past year and have loved them. I don't like the color so I am going to paint them with some sort of antique brush in mind but they are def going to be lighter color.

I ordered this crib from overstock with free shipping. They also have it at Walmart for about $20 cheaper but that doesn't include shipping...but you might be able to ship to a store near you. I plan on spray painting the wheels white b.c I think the gold is blah. Don't like it! 

Anywho, enough about me. I'm off to read about you. HUGS and glad to be back in touch!!!

MIA 2...Not for long!! Oh and a Novena for you!

I can't believe my life has become this busy. Whoa to the May school life of a 8th grade teacher!!! ONE MORE WEEK AND THEN FREEDOM!!!!! This week has been good but full. I of course have had something every night and am about to collapse. Tonight we have NOTHING!!! I am going home, going for a walk, taking a nap, eating cereal or chicken n stars for dinner (what's new) and crashing!

Random: I totally smell like Chinese food and it makes me want to puke. I teach World History. My fun twist to my class is that if the class makes a B average on the chapter tests (I have a wide range of learners), then we will have a themed lunch. Well, they did this for the recent Ancient China and Ancient Japan tests and sooooo today we had our Chinese/Japanese lunch. Each kid brought in $5 and I ordered what they wanted. It was split pretty evenly....half wanted Chinese and the other half wanted Sushi. So I ordered it, my sweet momma went and picked it up, and we just wrapped up our lunch. They LOVED it!! What a great incentive for them:)

This weekend I am dog sitting a little Maltese puppy named Raindrop! haha. A family here at my school has asked me to dogsit...their kindergartner named the dog...how cute is that. I am thrilled about dog sitting b.c I dream of having a little dog! My dh hates small dogs and claims we are fine with our dog in our lives...our lab, Tide. Which is true...I love Tide, but there is nothing like a little hand held puppy. One day I will get a small dog...maybe when my kids go off to college and I cry, the dh will feel bad and get me one. ha!

I am 11 wks tomorrow! Big deal:):) I'm super stoked! On Wed we have our 12 wk checkup (two days early b.c dr is out of town next friday). I absolutely cannot wait to see how much my little gummybear has grown. Next Wed happens to be the feast day of Our Infant of Prague....a special one to my family. My mom has been so fond of the Infant for years. I went to Prague over Christmas when I lived in Italy and was able to visit the church of the Infant and see the real one....BEAUTIFUL! I find it quite Godly that my dates throughout this pregnancy are falling on special days that relate to my personal life. We found out we were pregnant on St. Gerard's bday, this appt is on the Infant's feast day, our due date is on or near the feast of Our Lady of Guadeloupe....all of this confirms the Lord's wonderful plan and hand in this.

I am continuing daily mass and praying for my sweet blogger girls...esp those suffering with IF. I think of you daily. One of my students gave me a novena packet for St. Gerard. I am going to do a novena for you!!! My plan is to do one for each of you starting this summer. Doesn't that sound like a good idea. If you want, please comment and request and I will write you name down and begin a list. This makes my heart happy to do this for y'all.

I must admit I am slacking on the reading of blogs b.c I have had zero plan periods these past few weeks. Every spare moment has been taken. THIS IS MY FIRST ONE IN FOREVER!!!! And i reserved time to catch up with you!!

Hugs, love and blessings.

MIA

I know! I have totally been MIA (missing in action...for you slow people! haha). Being an 8th grade teacher, May is the busiest month of the year. I swear, I don't have one free moment. AND when I do have have a free minute, I have a major lack of energy and I am taking a nap! haha.

Is it pathetic that I feel as if I am missing out on the blogs! hahha. I miss reading up on you ladies. I feel as if I am missing out on things....and I know I am. When I do have free minutes, I try to check blogs but then I don't get enough checked and then I get behind again. AGH!

Even though I am behind, you are not far from my thoughts. I prayed for all of you yesterday on Mother's Day...especially those who are struggling with infertility. You are so close to my heart. I pray for you daily at mass but yesterday I said some extra special prayers. I hope you are feeling them:)

Life is going pretty well. Still having major food aversions and some nauseousness. I swear, I still cannot eat meat or veggies...just typing those words make me want to puke! ha. I'm going later this week to get an ultrasound. I don't have to but they told me if I wanted to I could do one when I wanted...I decided I didn't want to wait till 12 wks to see my little gummybear...so I am going this week which is around 10 wks.

I have to go again. Class in 5. It's exam preparation time! agh! Hugs to all of you.

We are back:) Prayer buddy announcement finally!

We are back safely, thank the Lord! We happened to fly back on the day that horrible storm was passing through the south. We ended up staying overnight in the Atlanta airport till 4 am then finally arriving home at 5:30a.m.. It was crazy but we were just happy to be on ground and safe. Please please keep in mind all the people in Tuscaloosa, AL and in other areas surrounding, who were affected by the tornadoes. Y'all, it's absolutely horrible. Over 250 people killed just in Tuscaloosa, including Univ. of Alabama students. It's just so sad. The worst part was that it hit in one of the busiest areas of town where tons of shops, restaurants and apts were located and there were people all over that area who weren't able to really get to coverage. So sad. Please pray.

As far as our trip went, it was fabulous. DH and I got to SF a day early and did a biking tour of SF along the water, over the Golden Gate Bridge, and over to the bay town of Sausilito. That was one of our most fav things about our trip. Whenever we go on trips, we always do biking tours...they are great and you get to take in so many more things than you can in a car! Napa Valley was absolutely gorgeous. We felt as if we were in a completely different countries. Rolling hills, mountains and vineyards galore! It was perfect sunny weather too! And most of all, we had the best company. My DH's brothers and their others are easy to get along with and very enjoyable. It was great!

We had another ultrasound after we got back:) Our little blueberry has grown into a gummybear!!! I was seriously so surprised to see how much it had grown in just a week! (Go back and look at last post and you can see the growth difference!) No wonder I was feeling queezy at times:) haha. I haven't thrown up though, so that's great. I don't mind the queeziness too much...as long as I have crackers or granola bar near by, I'm good. But I am having some major food aversions. I can't look at broccoli or certain veggies. I can't eat much meat or fish at all without getting that yucky feeling. I am all about the starches...greattttt! ha. But I am loving me some fruit and acids so that's good. Oh and chips, crackers, granola bars, et. We (practitioner & dr.) confirmed a more accurate due date of Dec 10. Yippee!!! Can't believe it still. Oh and my boobs are huge! I love it! hahaha.

My little gummy bear:)

And finally! I feel so bad my prayer buddy has had to wait so long. Sorry prayer buddy:) She probably thought she didn't have anyone praying for her but she is wrong!! I had the honor of praying for Ask and It Will Be Given. I went to daily mass throughout all of Lent and she was the first prayer upon entering the church. I hope so much that she felt my prayers. It felt so good to be able to pray for her and see God working in her life through her posts on her blog. What a sweet one she is! If you haven't met her, please visit her page. She would love your support:)

I miss reading up on all your ladies. I'm sooo behind! I plan on catching up tomorrow. Hope all is well with you:):):)

Little blueberry & San Fran:)

So I had a bit of a scare but all is good. On Sunday, after a 3 hour nap (yes I am experiencing the lack of energy), I started having what felt like ovulation pains on my left side. It felt like pain was in my left tube. They were very consistent...every 2-3 minutes for 24 hours. I was so scared that the baby was in my tube BUT I remembered from my past ectopic that if that were the case, my back would ache terribly and I would see spotting. So far I was in the clear.


I called PPVI and they called my dr here and had me do an early ultrasound. That was yesterday and THAT was amazing!!! Y'all, we were so scared. The last time we went for an ultrasound over a year ago we saw nothing...and that was when our drama all started. It was so sad. This time I took a deep breath, she did the ultrasound vaginally and THERE IT WAS!!!! My little blueberry:):):) And then we heard the heartbeat...utterly amazing to see such a little baby with a heartbeat. How could anyone ever abort...they are crazy!!!


I have been ravenous lately. I mean RAVENOUS. I mean like I eat and then not 5 minutes later I am starving...not hungry...starving! I can't stand vegetables at the moment so thank goodness for Juice Plus...no lie, even my ob here in town sells it to his patients. I would be worried about my baby if it weren't for that b.c I swear, I can't even look at a vegetable right now! ha I have been sucking on Preggie Pop candies in the morning during mass....I know that sounds bad but it gets me through the mass without puking! BUT no worries, I'm thankful for the nauseousness!!!


We leave for San Francisco on Thursday:):):) Happy Holy weekend in San Fran, then Napa:):) I'm super excited. God sure does have a sense of humor doesn't he. Pregnant the month we go to Napa! Haha. AND even though I am preggers, I can still taste the wine and spit it out in the spittone things:) Which means I'm going to be a true wine taster:) No worries...I won't let anything go down:) Gonna protect my little blueberry. Shoot, I'm only gonna be tasting at a couple places...not all.


I will miss keeping up with y'all over the few days. I will be able to check blogs at certain points but won't be able to respond that much. For my special IFers, I am going to light candles for you at Easter Mass on Sunday. I hope you will feel my prayers.
 
By the way, what is that big black space below? My uterus??? It's shaped like a banana????

Baby blueberry:)