two weeks or two years?

These past two weeks have been the longest of my life. I'm always complaining that time flies by too fast, and suddenly time seems to be crawling ever so slowly.

I still don't have much for pregnancy symptoms. Everything I AM feeling can easily be explained away in other - very logical - ways. I've been exhausted, but I've also completely cut out caffeine. I've had really bad cramps, but I haven't had my daily coffee to, uh ... keep me regular. I've been a little nauseous, but I've had a pretty bad cold this past week that pretty much just wiped me out.

I'm finding myself doubting that I'm actually pregnant almost every day. Yesterday I almost stopped at Walgreens to get another hpt. (And I haven't completely ruled it out yet!) And I still have TWO MORE WEEKS until I get to see the nurse! It might as well be two years.

I'm not worried. I've done my homework, and I pretty much know what is safe and what isn't. But I just want that reassurance of someone else telling me it's really going to happen! I'm having a really hard time letting myself be excited about things yet. I really want to enjoy every day of this pregnancy, but if I could just skip ahead two weeks I'd be a very happy girl right now!

It is SO hard for me to keep this news to myself. I just want to tell everyone, and let everyone be excited with me. It doesn't help either that two friend and a cousin announced that they were pregnant this week. I just want to tell them that I'm pregnant too! And I want to celebrate together! But the logical part of me knows I need to wait to make sure everything is ok before renting a megaphone.

I guess for now all I can do is make as healthy of choices as possible, keep my mouth shut, and put it all in Gods very capable hands.

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telling our family: part 2

We live in the same town as my in-laws, so telling them should have been much easier to arrange. Except of course for the weekend we found out, both hubby's parents were at their condo down south. And his sister was traveling for work. And his youngest sister was down with her parents at the condo. And his oldest sister was three hours away, well because that's where they live. :)

Both of our families are very close, but hubby's in particular has a very hard time keeping secrets. So we really wanted to tell them all at once if possible. However, his mom won't be home until Easter ... and there is NO WAY I could wait that long to tell them!

So last Tuesday (the day after we told my family), hubby's middle sister came over to watch 24 with us. Now this particular sister is actually the reason I'm even part of the family. See we were on the same freshman floor at college, and were very good friends all throughout college. It wasn't until the end of our junior year that her brother and I finally noticed each other! So we wanted to tell her first. But before I even finished my warning about not telling anyone, she blurted out "are you pregnant!?" haha, I guess she saw it coming.

The following weekend hubby's dad came home, and his older sister was coming for a visit with her two kids. So though we desperately wanted to tell them all in person, we came the the realization that we were going to have to find another way. Well we live in an area prone to spring flooding, and this happened to be the weekend the river was going to crest, so hubby helped his mom set up skype on her computer in order to give her 'flood updates.'

So Friday night we sat everyone down and got hubby's mom and youngest sister on skype. Once hubby shared the news both his mom and little sister just screamed into the computer! (And apparently they had their suspicions, they didn't believe the rues of needing skype for 'flood updates.' Oh well, we tried!) His dad, who was sitting right next to us, was uncharacteristically silent. I think he may have been a little stunned!

Once everyone calmed down, hubby's mom told his middle sister to run up to her closet. And she came down with these:

 

One for a boy and one for a girl. Apparently she's been waiting ...

Later hubby's oldest sister arrived. We all sat down for dinner, and as we were passing the food, hubby nonchalantly informed her that we were having a baby. I have never heard anyone scream louder or more intensely then she did at that moment. Her poor kids had no idea what was happening to mommy! She jumped out of her seat and did a little dance than then gave us both hugs. I guess she's a little excited for us to know what it's like to be a parent. :)

It is so fun to be able to share this with our families. I think I'd be going crazy if we weren't telling anyone. I just want to run out and announce it to all our friends. But I think we are planning on waiting at least until our first doctor visit on April 13th. I just can't wait! That still seems so far away.

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telling our family: part 1

I already told you about the Saturday morning I got the first positive hpt, and how I told hubby about it in disbelief. What I didn't tell you is that my brother (recently home from Iraq) and his girlfriend were visiting for the weekend!

When we came out of our bedroom that morning to find them both sitting in the living room, we thought for sure they must have heard what we were talking about. We even brought it up later, because we just had to know! That of course made them really curious (they told us later they figured we were either talking dirty or talking about them! ha)

I was happy excited elated ... words can't really express what I was feeling that morning! I wanted to announce it from the roof tops! But we were still so unsure. One of the hardest things I've ever had to do was hide my excitement from my brother that day. Hubby and I would sneak looks and silly grins to each other, but we weren't free to celebrate our news in the open.

Well Sunday we got a little reassurance that it was real with a second positive hpt, but I still hadn't missed AF so I still wasn't sure. So we decided to keep it to ourselves a little longer. Just until we knew for sure.

Monday was my brother's birthday and my whole family was planning on meeting in a nearby town for a birthday dinner. Originally hubby and I didn't plan on going. We didn't really think the 2 1/2 hour drive was necessary on a week night, since we'd spent the whole weekend with him.

But then I called to set up a doctor appointment Monday after work, and they didn't need to see me until I was 8 weeks along. EIGHT WEEKS! There was no way I was waiting that long to tell anyone! And I didn't know when I would get the next opportunity to have my whole family together.

So we made a spur of the moment decision. We were going to meet my family for dinner. We decided that even if something happened, we wanted our families to be a part of it.

We are used to crazy last minute car trips, but that 2 1/2 hour drive felt like 10 hours! I thought we would never get there. But we did, and we had a great dinner with my family. Except I had butterflies in my stomach through the entire meal because I was so excited/nervous to tell them! And then I couldn't do it! So I gave hubby the look, and he stepped in to rescue me.

"Well bro, happy birthday, you're going to be an uncle!"

There was silence for a second - but only a split second - while it sunk in to everyone. Then there was excitement, and big smiles, and congratulations, and lots of questions. Both of my brothers jumped up to come give us hugs. I thought my mom might cry for a second, she was so happy.

The long drive was so worth it.

****

Stay tuned, part 2 is tomorrow: telling hubby's family

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some great giveaways

Some of my favorite blogs are hosting some great giveaways this week. I highly recommend checking them out!

Jessica over at Kitchen Belleicious is hosting a giveaway of your choice of a 12x12 piece of art from Red Letter Words. Check it out here. The deadline to enter is March 24.

Heather over at Theta Mom is hosting a giveaway from Flirty Aprons. For more details check it out here. The deadline to enter is April 1.

Let me know if you find any other great giveaways!

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figuring out this pregnancy thing

So I'm starting my 6th week of pregnancy today ... and still having a really hard time believing this is real. I still don't really have ANY symptoms. Though I am extremely happy about that, it's not very reassuring. I keep going back to my drawer to look at my positive hpt, just to remind myself!

I did call back to my doctors office and talked to a really nice lady who is letting me see the nurse on April 13th! I CANNOT wait! I just want someone else to tell me I'm pregnant, then maybe I'll believe it!

In the meantime, I'm just going under the assumption that it is true and trying to figure out this whole pregnancy thing! I totally don't want to be one of those paranoid pregnant ladies that believes every wives tale she hears, but I definitely don't want to take any chances of risking my babies health either! So I'm trying to find a happy medium.

It's so strange that something (or I guess I should say someone) that I can't see or feel is now dictating so much of what I do, and eat! Take this weekend for example ...

Working out ... while we were ttc I also started working out again. Now that I'm pregnant, I'm questioning what I can and cannot do. I love doing pilates, but then my sister-in-law questioned whether I should be doing crunches. After a little research, I've come to the conclusion that I can do crunches throughout the first trimester. After that, I won't be able to do any exercises that require laying on my back because the baby can cut off my blood flow - which isn't good for either of us.

Caffeine ... I wasn't a HUGE coffee drinker, but I had gotten into the habit of drinking about 6 oz to get me through the mornings at work. And, like I've mentioned before, I had a diet coke for lunch everyday. I know the the research on caffeine is somewhat inconclusive and controversial, but the general idea seems to be that you can have 300 mg of caffeine a day and be ok - that's about two small cups of coffee. But besides the caffeine, the aspartame in diet coke seems to be of concern as well. So I'm trying to limit myself to only taking sips of my hubby's diet coke on occasion, to get my 'fix.' And I'm only drinking coffee when I absolutely need it, and then only about 4 oz at a time.

Hot tubbing ... my hubby's parent's have a hot tub at their home, and their lake cabin. But my little baby can't control his body temperature (and really I can't very well either! I'm always hot or cold!), so I'll be avoiding hot tubs for the next 9 months. It's going to be a long summer without it!

Bowling ... this isn't something we do often, but this weekend we had family visiting and we've had plans to go bowling for several weeks. Suddenly Saturday afternoon it dawned on my that maybe that wasn't ok for me to do! This one was a little more controversial on the pregnancy forums. Some said they wouldn't risk it since the baby may still be implanting. But most said it was safe, as long as I used a light ball and took it easy. So that's what I did, and it was a lot of fun!

(hmmm, each of those really deserve their own post ... )

It's especially hard to figure everything out, since only our immediate families know. Thankfully we spent the weekend with people who knew. But I'm sure it will start getting harder to explain why I am skipping out on certain activities and foods without letting our little secret out of the bag too soon!

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is it normal?

... to still doubt that I'm actually pregnant, even after 3 positive hpts?

... to still run to the bathroom thinking AF has finally showed?

... to have virtually no pregnancy symptoms at 5 weeks?

... to WISH I had morning sickness, or cramps, or heartburn, or something! just so I'd know its real?

... to feel guilty that it happened so quickly for us, when so many wonderful women try for months, and even years?

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explanation please?

Ok. I guess I owe you an explanation from yesterdays photo post. Umm ... I'm PREGNANT!!!!?!?

My hpt instructions said I could test up to 5 days before my missed period, so I gave it an extra day for good measure - and in case I miss calculated on when my period should actually come. So Saturday morning I jumped out of bed, having to pee REALLY bad since I slept longer than normal, and ran to the bathroom to try to rip open the hpt. My hands were shaking so bad I could barely get the thing open. And ... to my surprise two lines showed up!

I immediately peaked through the door to our bedroom and yelled to hubs to come here. Poor thing was still sound a sleep and had no idea what was going on, but he came. I shoved the test in his face, "look!" It still took a second to register - like he's ever looked at an hpt before! - but if finally sunk in. He looked at me with a little grin, "are you pregnant?" "Umm, I think so?"

I hadn't missed my period, so I was still pretty skeptical. So Sunday morning I took another test. Positive again. Tuesday came but AF didn't. Wednesday morning I tested again. You guessed it, POSITIVE!!

I'm still so much in shock and finding it hard to believe. But I literally cannot explain to you how excited we are!! I feel SO blessed to have it happen so quickly! And according to my What to Expect app, my due date should be around November 22 - a Thanksgiving baby!

Here's a little weekly update. I plan to continue this throughout the pregnancy: 

How far along? 4 weeks & 2 days 

Baby's Size: An Appleseed 
The embryo, which doesn't look like much more than a tadpole right now, is actually starting to form major organs (heart, kidney, liver, stomach) and systems (nervous, circulatory, digestive). Baby's presence in the uterus triggers production of HCG (the hormone detected by pregnancy tests), which triggers the production of other hormones like estrogen and progesterone, which triggers all those great symptoms!

Symptoms? Virtually none. I've been constipated and crampy. But I'm not sure if that is a symptom of pregnancy or just normal stuff. 

Sleep? I haven't been sleeping well all week. Not sure if it's because of my sleep schedule being screwed up by day light savings last weekend, the fact that I've suddenly cut out caffeine ... or a symptom of being PREGNANT! Regardless, it's been a long week. 

Total Weight Gain? none yet! 

Maternity clothes?

Best moment this week? Finding out I was pregnant!! 

Movement?  

Food cravings? Umm, Doritos Saturday night (which was totally weird because I don't like chips at all!), but that only made me LOOK preggers. I have noticed a slight increase in my appetite, but not much yet. 

Gender? ooh I can't wait to find out! 

Labor signs?  

What I miss? diet coke and coffee for sure! 

What I'm looking forward to? My first doctors visit - which is not until May 3rd! I could have gone in to see the nurse at week 8, but I opted to wait and see them both at the same time. I was being all logical thinking I'd save on copays and time off work. But now, since I'm not having any symptoms yet I'm getting anxious to hear a heartbeat! So I called this morning to change it, but the lady was rude and wouldn't let me! grr I'm totally calling again this afternoon to see if I get someone else. 

Weekly Wisdom (aka what I learned this week): To figure out how far along you are, they actually count from the first day of your last period, not from the actual day of conception! So essentially my baby is only 2 1/2 weeks old, but I'm 4 1/2 weeks pregnant. Weird, huh? 

Milestones: Getting a positive hpt! 

Emotions: Absolutely positively thrilled!

So some how writing this post makes this whole crazy thing feel a little more real. Probably because we haven't told many people yet, or the no symptoms thing - I haven't let myself get too excited yet. But day by day it's starting to sink in ...

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wordless wednesday: oh baby!

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a new discovery

I discovered something new at the grocery store last week! I discovered that Diet Coke now comes in a 7.5 oz can!! Maybe you already knew that. Maybe everyone already knew. Maybe I'm just out of the loop.

I'm a little teeny bit addicted to Diet Coke. Ok, maybe a lot addicted. Either way, I probably should have known that Coca Cola launched their new 7.5 oz cans back in December! But apparently I'm not very observant, because I just found out last week.

Anyway, I was pretty excited about my discovery. Despite being addicted to Diet Coke, I don't actually drink that much. AND I don't drink it very fast - so it always ends up going flat before I finish a regular 12 oz can. I typically regulate myself to one can a day at lunch - and I LIVE for that can! Well not really LIVE, but I do really look forward to it! It's like my break from the work day. Ok I'm strange.

So I was all excited. Key word is WAS excited. Until I looked at the price that is! So the normal cost of a 12 pack of Diet Coke these days is around $4.79. Not that I EVER pay THAT much! I typically only buy it if it's under $3. But say I DID buy it at full price, that would be $0.39 per can. ($0.25 if I can get it on sale.)

So how does the 7.5 oz can compare? Well they sell it in an 8 pack ... for $3.99! Let me do the math for you, that's $0.50 per can! Now why in the world would I pay MORE for LESS?

I guess I'll just continue drinking 75% of my can of Diet Coke every day. Seems like such a waste. But if my choices are pay more or waste DC - I think the answer is obvious.

Ok. Sorry rant over.

If you want more info, you can always read the press release here.

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our little secret language

I'm TTC, currently on my 2WW, hoping I don't get a BFN on my HPT or visit from AF. I haven't been charting my CM or BBT, but I'm pretty sure we did the BD a couple times around my O. What the heck?

If you are new to ttc (trying to conceive) discussions, all those acronyms can be confusing! You read through blogs and message boards, and only catch half of what is being said! So here's a little cheat sheet for you:

2WW: two-week wait (until you can take a pregnancy test)
AF: Aunt Flo (aka your period)
BBT: Basal Body Temperature
BC: Birth Control
BD: Baby Dance (aka sex)
BFN: Big Fat Negative (as in negative pregnancy test)
BFP: Big Fat Positive (yay!)
CD: Cycle Day
CF: Cervical Fluid
CM: Cervical Mucus
CY: Cycle
DH: Dear Husband
DP: Dancing Partner (aka hubby)
DPO: Days Past Ovulation
HPT: Home Pregnancy Test
IF: Infertility
LMP: Last Menstrual Period
LP: Luteal Phase
O or OV: Ovulation
OPK: Ovulation Predictor Kit
POAS: Pee on a Stick
PG: Pregnant
PNV: Prenatal Vitamins
SAHM: Stay at Home Mom
SOC: Sex on Command
TMI: Too Much Information
TTC: Trying to Conceive

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baby making adventures: buying hpt

So AF is suppose to come in five days, and I am SO hoping to be stood up! In the meantime, I went to the pharmacy yesterday to buy a hpt for the first time. I think this ranks up there with going to buy condoms (something I have never had to do!) ... a little awkward to say the least!

First I had to figure out where the heck they even put them in the store. They are oh so discretely titled 'family planning' on the large banner over head. So it took me a while to find!

When I finally found them, I was warmly greeted by an entire wall of options! Ok. Maybe not an ENTIRE wall, but it sure seemed like it. I had absolutely no idea what I was suppose to buy. Are name brands better than generic? Are early predictors as reliable? Should I buy a single test or a three pack? Did anyone else know how expensive these things were! Because I sure didn't!

So I decided to go with a First Response Early Results test. Why? Because I'd heard of it, and because it was on sale. What can I say, I'm a sucker for a good deal.

So then I had to walk around the store getting my other items, with a bright pink box in my hand. Nothing discreet about it! I was just praying that I wouldn't run into anyone I knew, which was a high probability considering I was only three blocks from home!

Then there was no clerk at the check out, so I had to wait some more ... while the sweet old lady trying to figure out the photo machine nonchalantly eyed me and my purchases. I can only imagine what she was thinking!

Finally it was tucked away in my bag and I ran out of the store. Safe.

Sure hope I don't have to do that again soon! Now I just have to wait until tomorrow to actually TAKE the test!

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my new favorite app

Having just started ttc, I haven't gotten into charting my bbt, checking my cm, taking fertility tests, or anything else. I've only been off 'the pill' for two months. So I figured I'd give my body some time to adjust, and just see what happens! Thankfully, my period seems to be as regular as ever! The first month off bc, it came just as if I was still ON bc!

But even though I'm not doing all that charting, I wanted a way to know roughly when I had better chances of getting knocked up. So I went searching once again.

In the category of "things I love," I discovered the coolest iphone app that does just that! I have to share it with you! (FYI I'm not getting anything for saying this, I just LOVE the app that much and hope you do too!) It's called the Period Tracker.

This is a really simple app that helps you keep track of your period, pms symptoms and moods. What's more, if you're trying to get pregnant like I am, you can also keep track of your bbt, weight and sexual activity. And the really fun part? Little pink flowers show up on the home page during your 8 day fertile window!

The Period Tracker app costs $2, or you can just get the Lite version for FREE! (The Lite version does not include bbt & weight charting.) You simple hit the big pink button on the home page the day your period starts, and it charts your cycle for you. Then you can pop over to the calendar to add your own details. Little hearts and flowers denote important days (aka sex and ovulation!)

 

 

In case you were wondering, those are not my notes!

The really cool part is that you can export your period dates and notes to your email, so you can easily share them with your doctor! AND there is a Period Tracker Companion for Men too. (I haven't tried this yet.) It will wirelessly sync your period dates so hubs knows when to be extra nice to you! But don't worry, your notes and symptoms won't sync.

I highly recommend checking this app out! Whether you just like to be organized, are NOT organized and don't want a surprise visit from Aunt Flo, or you're trying to get pregnant - it's a great little app!

Don't have an iPhone or iPod Touch? Don't despair! You can still use the period tracker online at Mon.thly for free.

Want more recommendations?

Check out Things I Love Thursday over at The Diaper Diaries!

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wordless wednesday: impatiently waiting for summer

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the luckiest girl in the world

So last night, hubby crawls into bed and says:

"I love you"

"I still don't know how I found you!"

"I love being married to you!"

"I'm the luckiest guy in the world."

Then this morning? He unloaded the dishwasher, while making me coffee.

Pretty sure I'M the lucky one here.

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recipe swap

Simply Modern Mom has a really awesome challenge going on this week that I just had to share with you! She is trying to come up with 365 delicious, favorite recipes from bloggers. I love this idea. I'll be the first to admit that I'm not the world's greatest cook. But I am always looking for new recipes to try.

My favorite recipe is actually from Paula Deen over at the food network. Molten Lava Cake is my hubby's absolute favorite dessert, he's always ordering it at restaurants. So last year for his birthday his sister figured out how to make it at home! Here's the recipe ...

Ingredients

6 (1-ounce) squares bittersweet chocolate

2 (1-ounce) squares semisweet chocolate

10 tablespoons (1 1/4 stick) butter

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

3 large eggs

3 egg yolks

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 tablespoons orange liqueur

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

Grease 6 (6-ounce) custard cups. Melt the chocolates and butter in the microwave, or in a double boiler. Add the flour and sugar to chocolate mixture. Stir in the eggs and yolks until smooth. Stir in the vanilla and orange liqueur. Divide the batter evenly among the custard cups. Place in the oven and bake for 14 minutes. The edges should be firm but the center will be runny. Run a knife around the edges to loosen and invert onto dessert plates.

We like to top it with a little powdered sugar and a few raspberries or strawberries. But you could top it with a number of other things, or leave it plain!

Let me know if you try it! Also, let me know what YOUR favorite recipes are! I'd love to try them!

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anonymous blogger

When hubs and I decided to start trying for a baby I was so SO excited. I just wanted to tell the world! But that's not what you do. You don't tell the world. You keep it private. And that makes sense.

But I was just bursting. I had so many questions, but no one to ask. So I'd go online to search. Then I'd come across good ideas, and want to share them with someone! Or I'd want someone's advice on something I read.

Thus the impetus to start this blog. I wanted a safe place that I could share my thoughts on trying to conceive, and hopefully get some ideas back.

But like I said, trying to get pregnant is a private thing. That's why it's hard to find other pre-pregnancy bloggers! (If you know any, please share!) Anyway, that is why I decided to keep my identity anonymous.

Perhaps once I am pregnant (and to the point it is safe to share), I will make my identity known. But I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

In the mean time, I hope you can get over the fact that you don't know who I am - and can come with me on this journey. :)

Sincerely,
The Pink Blogger

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round two and some surprising tips

The window of opportunity for round two has come and gone. Now we wait again! We have only just begun trying, and the suspense is killing me already!

In an attempt to keep my mind preoccupied, I'm busy researching things - anything. There is so much that the we women can do to increase the odds of getting pregnant, but it's easy to forget that the men play a role in this whole process too! Here are some surprising tips I've discovered about trying to conceive:

• Give Him a Multi-vitamin. We all know the importance of taking prenatal vitamins ourselves, but vitamins are important for your man as well. A daily vitamin can help provide selenium, zinc and folic acid - all are important for sperm production and function.

• Feed Him Fruits & Veggies. The antioxidants found in these help improve sperm health. Ok, so far not too surprising. But check out this next one.

• Skip the Hot Tub. Who would have thought? Apparently, spending more than 30 minutes in water above 102 F can lower a guys' sperm count!

• Keep Him Cool. This is similar to the hot tub thing. I guess hot work environments, tight undies, and having a laptop on his lap for a long time can also hurt sperm production.

• Try in the Winter. At least there's one good thing about winter! Sperm counts are higher in the winter and lower in the summer.

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confession

I have a confession. I am a baby hog.

But can you blame me?

Is this not the most beautiful baby face you have ever seen?

Oh, and her little baby faces just makes me laugh!
And look at those long baby eye lashes.

and those little baby curls.

This is my cousins 2 1/2 month old.
I got to meet her for the first time this weekend at a family event.
And I have to admit, I hogged her most of the day.

Ok. So I'm obsessed with babies. What can I say.

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