Waiting Waiting Waiting...

I'm drying my tears, and moving on...
Only two weeks of this. I don't think it's as bad as I imagined it would be. Probably because I'm only in... Oh, about the fifth day of the wait. And it's my first time EVER experiencing this. I think I was already wondering if I was pregnant before I even ovulated. (By the way... If words like "ovulated" and "Aunt Flow" and "Baby Makin'" weird you out you may want to stop reading my blog for awhile.)

Anyway, I'm still trying to adjust to this "new" stage of life I'm in. I'm no longer having the constant questions of "do I want a kid right now?... Really? Am I REALLY ready for this? There's no turning back once..."

Now it's more like "OMG, I had better not stand too close to the microwave in case I'm pregnant!"

It didn't take much for people at work to start to get suspicious. Instead of coming in with french fries every day (although I'm told they can't permanently harm a fetus) I'm coming in with veggies, rice, beans, pineapple juice (thanks to one of you who told me it helps with conception) and LOTS of water.

"Preparing for a baby?" One of my suspicious friends asked me.
"No," I squeamishly replied. "Just trying to be healthier." I could see the word "SUUUURE" spreading across her face.

I have found a few things to keep me occupied (isn't is sad I need this when I've only been TTC for a week?).

TwoWeekWait.com: It rocks my socks. There are two things in particular that I like to look at one that site. 1. Pregnancy tests. Yes, good 'ol pee sticks.

People post pictures of their pee sticks starting after ovulation and show how the second line appears and gets darker and darker as the days go by. There are also an evaporation line examples so you can tell if it's a false positive.

2. There is also this forum on there that is called "Early Pregnancy Symptoms" and it has pretty much is sure to be the death of me. From things like "sore boobies" to "sneezing".. Yes sneezing, now I'm constantly analyzing every body twinge, ache and tickle. But it's also fun to read. When I'm wondering if I'm pregnant and I have some down time I'll go to that site and read the stories of women who wrote down every little detail that they thought were "early symptoms" from when they finally got their BFP (big fat positive!). There are SO many stories and it makes me feel like it's possible, and it'll happen when it's suppose to!

Another thing that's helped me through this wait is my reading materials, especially my Fertility Journal, I got from Conceive. It's a great book that I write in every day with my temperatures, if I take them, what I'm feeling, eating, everything like that... And I think it will help with comparing (false) symptoms month to month. It also helps the days go by a little faster, and every page has interesting facts about trying to conceive. I really think this is a great tool for anyone who's trying to get pregnant!

There's also a forum on My Conceive that I love for women in all stages of TTC. I usually hang out in the "just starting out" section. There's a lot of women there going through the EXACT same things, feeling the same emotions... It's nice to get it all out in a sort of "anonymous" setting.

I'm also really intrigued and about to try Circle+Bloom. Apparently it's an audio track that is suppose to help create a mind/body connection to help change your body an relieve stress. There are 28 recorded sessions to listen to daily during your whole cycle. Worth a try right? I'll let you know how it goes.

Twitter, and my blog has also helped a little. Knowing that a lot of you have been through, are going through or will go through the same things as me helps A LOT!

At some times during the day I'm thinking "am I pregnant" ALL the time. And other times I'm not even thinking about it. I'd have to say most of the time I am though. Not stressing over it, just wondering. I wish I could know NOW.

What do you/did you/ will you do, to help cope with the longest (monthly) two weeks of your life?

The Baby Makin' "Do's"

One thing I think I have on my side with this whole reproduction planning is feeling empowered by knowing my body and "what works."

It's not about stressing to me or over-planning, it's about going for what I want. For some reason I don't tend to do anything half-A (if you know what I mean).

I came across an article on Conceive's website about 14 Simple Changes That Enhance Fertility (aka becoming with-spawn), and I was surprised to find I'm already doing most of them. A lot of them I've read about in Fully Fertile too... Which has a holistic approach to achieving optimal fertility.

Let me share:

1. Get regular exercise.
Ok ok, it depends what you count as "regular" I've been pretty bad about my daily walks with Snoop lately, but I promise to do this better next month. Nothing too heavy, just stimulating the body more and making it think "baby makin."

2. Avoid artificial lubricants.
For now this isn't a problem, but did you know stuff like KY Jelly could keep the swimmers from getting to their destination? I did! So I got some Conceive Plus, I'm going to try. It's suppose to not only NOT prevent them from getting there but HELP them get there and survive a little longer. (A review and giveaway is coming).

3. Lose or gain if you need to.
My BMI is pretty much right where it needs to be for now but again this is about making your body think "baby makin'" so a little bit of exercise can help.

4. Don't forget the folate.
I've been taking prenatals for months now (and I'm getting a new natural one soon too that I'll be reviewing and giving away). I've also been taking a calcium pill daily since I know I'm not getting enough (I don't drink milk) and that can cause fertility problems for some women. The Bellybars I eat daily too also help with folic acid... Yum!

5. Have a bowl of full-fat ice cream.
I have to admit this isn't one I've heard before. The fat can help your body get all dosed up for baby! Since reading this I've been chowing down on cookie dough ice cream. I try not to eat too much though.. Or eat it with something warm (like a brownie... Yum!) Because digestion is a "warm process" according to Fully Fertile, and giving your body too much cool stuff causes extra work to warm it up.

6. Do it on the right days.
Well, umm... Yea, I'm doing everything but IT (without the blockades) once I remove the barriers hopefully we'll be in the clear. I was tracking my BBT for months but I lost my thermometer and I've promised not to buy another for a few months. I think I'll be ok though cause I know other signs.

7. Avoid trans fats.
No french fries? Is that what this means? Ok honestly, I haven't heard of this before and I am a little sad about it!!

8. Kick the butts.
Not as in booties, as in cigarettes... Never smoked, nasty stuff if you ask me.

9. Relax.
I'm getting better at this, trying to be happy, pray more and meditate more, still hoping to try yoga soon too... hopefully fertility yoga!

10. Keep it cool (for men only).
I have been yelling at my hubs about this and he seems to be doing his own research too, saying exactly how much caffeine he's allowed to have before it effects his boys... Either way, I'm keeping an eye on the bath tub temperature... I'll turn off the water heater if I have to!! ..Ok, for real though... I think it's pretty much ok as long a he doesn't go hot tubbing daily.

11. Cut down on caffeine and alcohol.
Never drank, so I don't miss what I haven't had. Caffeine I have COMPLETELY eliminated (yay!) ... Minus a few hiccups here and there when I've had a REALLY early morning at work.

12. Choose vegetable sources of protein.
I am a meat eater, which I think is also important for fertility, but I'm TRYING to choose more organic stuff, so I can avoid meat pumped with steroids and what not. I'm also eating more vegetables just because it makes me FEEL healthy.

13. Don't Douche.
I use this as a term, not a product... When I'm yelling it out my car window at the jerk who cut me off.

14. Assume the right position.
I've heard missionary works pretty good, then you've gotta stay that way for about 15 minutes after, or just go to sleep that way. I may get up after awhile to avoid a UTI, but we'll have to see how that goes!!

So there ya have it! Helpful right? I'm surprised I've been doing most of these things just for practice rounds, hopefully when games are in for real, I'll be set to go!

One other think I want to mention that I remember from reading Fully Fertile that I think is REALLY important and that I want to try to focus on is getting enough sleep. Our bodies need to recoup from the day and that takes time and a full nights rest. One of the challenges in Fully Fertile is to get at least 8 hours sleep every day for a week. I'm not sure I've gone a week straight yet, but you'd better believe I'll be using that excuse next month when I don't want to get up to let Snoop out.

Any others you can think of? What do you think of this list?

The Website I LOVE!: And Swag Love

It's hard to find people who understand me. Especially people I normally associate myself with in day to day life.

Just last night I was downtown with a group of friends, listening to live music at a bar feeling like I was in a different world. I wasn't drinking, (not that it's THAT uncommon), and (no joke) really just thinking what I'd be doing right then if I had a kid.

It wasn't that way the entire night. I had fun. But it really wasn't ME. Not anymore at least. I'd had my spurts as a city girl, loving to be out all of the time. But really, I'm a homebody. And I think blogging has helped me find other homebodies like me who would sometimes prefer to be home watching a movie with their little family than spending a night out on the town.

For awhile I would browse the web and find adorable blogs I love with moms and their cute babies. Or women who were trying to have cute babies. And other stuff... I still do!

I'd also find websites geared towards moms, and keep hearing about all of this "mommy blogging" craze yea yea yea!! But what about women like ME?! Seriously, I know I'm not the only one out here who is THINKING about having a child but not TRYING to!

Maybe I'm one of the only ones who is very vocal about it. Hey... I don't mind. But it's nice to find information out there for us every now and then you know?

Well, a few months ago I found this website... ConceiveOnline.com and I fell in love. You may have seen their magazine, but their website is awesome too!

Finally a site for women preparing to be mothers, or trying to conceive. But what's better?--They recently started a free community for everyone to join called My Conceive. Kind of like a Myspace for a network of women... But no drama! haha. I've already found lots of advice from women and had a great time "meeting" people in the same shoes as me! There's a great forum with a plethora of advice, and a great place you can chat with other women about all things baby-makin.

If you're looking to have a child in the near future... First second, third, whatever, or are experiencing infertility I HIGHLY recommend joining their group. Lots of great resources! And even in you're private about your baby-makin' business, you can join and just read the forums. There's great words of advice and encouragement given to others and it helps!
I also have a blog there too called Ready or Not. Yes, it's sometimes hard to believe there's MORE I can write about on this topic but there is. It's something I've really become passionate and excited about. Just recently they interviewed me on their Conceive on-air radio show, about my planning and blogging... And more planning. You can listen to it here. But I'm not the only blogger for the website. There are several others who blog about their struggles with infertility, or trying "organic fertility practices" also, there are a few women who have gotten pregnant since blogging for Conceive and they're blogging about that experience too.

They were one of my sponsors for Blogher this year and I had so much fun going around and telling people about them and my blog. They even gave me goodies to share like pens and hand sanitizers and things like that with the Conceive logo on it and I saved some for you. Oh, there's a back massager too (get your man to use that on you!) It also comes in a nice carrying bag I think is great for the pool or beach, or even as a makeup bag! I've also throw in some yummy Bellybars (I'll be telling you more about them soon) and two baby headbands made by ME! The bonus is a pregnancy test!! Woohoo! Hopefully it'll be the one to tell you good news (whatever you want that to be right now).

So let's call this the Conceive Goodie bag!!

Here's the list of what's in the prize:

A carrying bag from Conceive
A Conceive pen
A Conceive hand sanitizer bottle (great to keep in your purse and use whenever)
A Conceive back massager
A pregnancy test- I hope you get the answer you're looking for. I'm sending this with LUCK!
2 baby headbands made by ME!
2 Baby Needs Chocolate Bellybars (I eat these all the time, they're great for folic acid! and yummy)
(cute baby not included, that's an example of my headbands)

So if you're interested just leave a comment! If you follow leave 2!
*NEW* Comment on a Conceive blog post of mine or any of the other Conceive Bloggers for another 2 entries (per comment)!
**And if you join MyConceive (it's free) you get 3 extra entries!**

You get extra entries if you:
Follow me on Twitter
Subscribe
Vote for me in one of those contests to the right
Become a Facebook fan of my blog
Become a Facebook fan of Conceive

I'll close the giveaway a week from today August 20th!