Writing this post is almost bittersweet.  I was so happy to be able to host these awesome giveaways and treat some of my awesome readers to 30 goodies!  But, a moment of honesty... I am so happy that this month is coming to a close.  I am looking forward to having more time to write, connect and get to know all of you again.  I am glad that so many of you were able to stop in to TTC community in the last month and hope that I get to see those relationships grow in the coming months.

I have said this probably a dozen times but I treasure all of the friendships and support that you have all offered.  I am a girl with big dreams, bigger faith, and the best friends a girl could ask for.

Thank you!

It was almost a year ago that I wrote a facebook post that said: Teething sucks!  Thankfully a friend mentioned using a baltic amber teething necklace.  I had no clue what they were but after some research I was willing to try!

I am so glad that I did!  Joey has worn his baltic amber teething necklace every single day ever since.  In fact, not only am I still completely convinced that it helped manage his pain associated with teething, it has become a part of him.  This might sound ridiculous but the thought of seeing Joey without his necklace makes me sad.  I love how cute it looks on him.  At first I was a little nervous about putting a necklace on my tough guy, thinking that people would assume he was a girl, or that I was a total weirdo for accessorizing my male child.

I can honestly say that since putting that necklace on him, I have only used Tylenol for teething pain twice and it was recently.  His two year molars are slowly working their way in and are a really giving him a hard time.  But for a mouth full of teeth and only needing oral pain reliever twice?  I am sold on their effectiveness!

If you are looking for a unique, thoughtful  and useful baby gift, you can't go wrong with a baltic amber teething necklace! 
Want to win one for your baby or as an awesome gift?  Enter below! 

Movies and television have made it very clear to most guys that getting a semen analysis will probably be the single most awkward moment of his life.  It must involve an attractive woman who hands him a specimen cup with a silent giggle, an awkward presentation of pornographic materials, and some sort of time constraint that makes it difficult to perform.  It is no wonder so many men freak out and want to at the mere thought of getting tested for fertility issues.

When Doug agreed to have his swimmers checked, we were relieved to learn that he could produce the sample at home.  I hadn't taken into consideration the delivery of said sample.  I had to smuggle the cup in my coat, with two kids in tow, all while watching the clock like a hawk!  That wasn't fun. At. All.  Not to mention Gavin's unrelenting questions of, "What are we taking to the doctor, Mom?  What is in the bag?  What are you handing that lady?"  To say that it was stressful and awkward is an understatement.

If you are just starting out on your journey to a family, cycle beads and the cycle beads online app can help you see when you might be ovulating.  These beads and this app is really a good set up for couples who are just starting out and not ready to start with using ovulation tests, fertility monitors, or formal charting of basal body temps.  It is a good way to take the relaxed approach. 

It is a fantastic tool to track your periods when you are hoping to see if your cycles are consistent.  It will tell you how likely it is that you will become pregnant or not based on where you are in your cycle. Since it can take several months to determine if you have a regular cycle, I personally don't recommend it as a birth control method unless you are okay with a surprise pregnancy.

If you are interested in learning more about cycle beads check out their website.  They also have a self screening assessment to determine if you are a good candidate for cycle beads and their charting app!

Would you like to win a set of regular cycle beads AND a one year subscription to the iCycleBeads Online web application, enter below using the rafflecopter!  This giveaway is open worldwide!

ImProllyDying 

 I don't know what to do.  I am hemorrhaging to the extent that I am changing my pad every 20 minutes or so.  I am feeling light headed and confused.  Do you think I should go see Betty at the ER?  Between this and super contagious skin disease (that is itching like crazy BTW) I am pretty sure this will be my last post.  Thanks for being there for me. 

Update: Turns out that the bleeding wasn't all that bad.  I just needed to upgrade from my panty-liners to something more substantial.  The poison ivy rash is almost healed too!  Now I am mostly concerned about the debilitating headaches that I get almost daily.  I think it might be a brain tumor. 

Update:  I had some coffee.  Feeling better.  But now, can anyone tell me if it is normal to throw up blood?

8gonnahappen 

I am ready to give up.  I will never get pregnant.  Even if I have sex 24 hours a day with only breaks for food and to go to the bathroom, I won't get pregnant.  Maybe I am too old.  Maybe I have rotten eggs.  Maybe my husband's sperm are part of a organized union of protesters.  They squat near my cervix and march in circles preventing any scabs from making it through.  Bastards.

Update: No update.  Still infertile.

Update:  Sigh.

Oopsanotherpoppedout

I have not been keeping track of my cycles because I am still breastfeeding my 9 month old.  I had some fertile CM a few weeks ago but didn't think much of it.  The father of my first 3 kids stopped by with his child support check so I decided to run to the store to buy a pregnancy test.  After my middle kids came home from school I POAS.  I think I see something on the test but my 8 year old thinks it is negative.  I showed it to my 6, 5, and 4 year old and they think there might be something there.  My bf thought it was funny to ask my 2 year old and he said that mommy is pregnant.  What do you think?  Am I pregnant?  And if I am, how do I figure out who the daddy is? 

ObsessiveOne

So last night I had this pinchy crampy feeling.  It lasted for about 2.45 seconds and then went away.  Then again, as I was laying down for the night, I felt it again.  I would describe it as a bug bite near my ovary. Also I have this ticklish kind of itchy feeling on my left areola.  If I look at it in the mirror at a 45 degree angle I can almost see a slight bulge that I didn't notice before.  Oh and one more thing!  If I look at my tongue in the mirror it looks like it might be more purple than pink.  Could that be a sign of pregnancy?  I almost forgot about my lunch today... I had 3 bites of a Reuben sandwich and then felt like I was going to be sick.  I am about 4 days past ovulation.  Should I test? 

Testeveryday

I am 8 days past ovulation and got a BFN with FMU.  I then PIAC at 9 AM and dipped an IC and thought maybe I saw something.  Then I used a FRER but wasn't sure if there was something there or not.  So then I used a blue dye test and saw a shadowy blue line.  So, now it is noon and I can't decide if I should use another FRER or another IC.  I plan on using a digital test this afternoon and will probably test every time I pee from now until AF shows. 

Her response to just about every post regardless of which category is most likely some form of, "You should probably test."
 

Wannafeelmybabykick

I have been totally craving ice cream with crushed up Oreos on it.  I made a big sundae with hot fudge sauce on top and then drizzled maraschino cherry juice on top.  Then, I put a giant dollop of whipped cream on top.  I ate it in about 5 minutes because it was so good! YUM!  Then I did some online shopping for maternity clothes.  It was so fun to pick out the cute sundresses.  Then I got my doppler out and listened to my baby's heartbeat.  It was such a beautiful sound!  Can't wait to learn if it is a boy or a girl!  So anyway, is it weird that I love when strangers touch my belly?  Even if they are old men?  Sometimes I walk too close to people so that they are forced to feel my baby.  You do that too, right? 

QueenofRandomness

Last night I was dancing around my living room and felt a slight pull in my pelvic area.  I generally don't do as much dancing as I have lately but something has made me feel like doing the meringue.  So anyway, my husband lost his job last month and we have been trying to figure out how to do a better job of saving money.  We did have a conversation about having another baby but decided that now probably isn't the right time.  We have been eating a lot of pasta lately and I think I have gained about 10 pounds in the last year.  I used to go to counseling after the accident but that is a story for another day.  So, anyway, do you think that that pulling sensation I had could be ovulation? 

IamWikipedia
Answering the question: How early can I get a BFP?

 At the time the egg implants into the uterine wall at approximately 6-10 days past ovulation, the female body starts producing hCG, the hormone that is responsible for supporting pregnancy.  The amount of this hormone starts very small and doubles about every 48 hours.  Most tests are sensitive enough to pick up very low levels of hCG in the urine; some as small as 10-20 miu/ml.  While it is best to wait until you have missed a period to avoid getting a false negative result, you might get a positive urine test as early as 6 days before a missed period.   

WuzTMI

I have been gearing up to ovulate for the last couple of days.  The other day I noticed a bit of crusty CM in my panties but what was most concerning was that my vagina was incredibly itchy.  I ended up having to get in the shower and use a washcloth and really scratch in there.  I also noticed a bit of an odor.  I can only describe it as a skunk-sprayed wet dog in a room with a freshly cooked head of broccoli.  I slathered on a ton of vaginal creams to try to take care of it but it is still really itchy.  I asked my husband if he minded and he said that the smell didn't bother him at all.  So, I guess what I need to know is how to go about having sex when I am having a hard time spending more than 2-3 minutes without scratching down there.  What should I do? 

hatemyhubby

My husband is such an idiot.  I seriously don't know if I can handle one more day of his ridiculous attempts to be romantic.  He can't seem to wash a dish let alone prepare a meal.  The last time he made me dinner, he over cooked the pasta and it made me want to barf.  He refuses to even fold his nasty work clothes that smell like a giant manure pile no matter how many time I wash them.  I cry myself to sleep every night because he is emotionally unavailable and I am about 70% sure he might be sleeping with some bimbo from work.  I just wish I could get pregnant so at least then I could be happy about something. 

justneedtovent

Okay.  I am so pissed.   I invited my brother-in-law and sister over for dinner and when I asked them to bring a salad, BIL got on the phone and was all like, "WTF?  Why can't you make your own damn salad?  Is throwing some lettuce in a bowl too much for you?"  So then I was like, "Fine!  Don't even bother coming you jerk!"  Then my sister got on the phone and was like, "I can't believe you wanted us to bring a salad.  Don't you even know how much I hate tomatoes?  I know you wanted tomatoes on the salad and you were just going to throw a fit if there weren't tomatoes!  You probably even wanted me to put those fancy flavored croutons on there too!"  But come on, what is a salad without a couple of tomatoes on it for color?  So I was like, "Yeah.  I wanted tomatoes on it and I can't believe that you had the nerve to bring up croutons on this, of all days!"  Then she hung up on me.  Can you believe it?!  Sorry.  I just needed to vent.  

xxambiguityishotxx

So my partner and I were intimate and I am trying to figure out if we are pregnant.  They have been having some medical issues that might make thing difficult on their end so they aren't willing to do much in the way of medical intervention.   I am just very much looking forward to parenthood.  Is there anything either of us might to do improve our chances?

nothingpersonal

My husband has been asking me to wear my hair up more often.  He thinks it looks sexy but, no offense to anyone who wears their hair up, I think it makes people look sloppy.  It is like they don't even care about their appearance.  DH thinks it looks hot, but I can't get over the fact that those people don't take the 5 minutes it takes to do their hair.  Talk about trashy!  Again, nothing personal to anyone who doesn't feel that making yourself look your best is important.  It is just that it only take a few minutes to wash, brush, curl, and style your hair.  I can't help but to think that my husband is into trashy women.  What should I do?  Pull my hair back and look like I don't care about myself or encourage him to see how awful those women look with sloppy pony tails. 

TxtIsGr8 

My BF +I had sx bout a yr ago. lst nyt I went2 d bthrm +I tnk Imyt av had a bb. cn u tel me f dis S posbL. hw sn cn I gt on dat sho, I didn't knw I wz prego?

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When I had my most recent miscarriage I searched for every single thing I could do to prevent it from happening again.  There is research that suggests that taking a DHA supplement may reduce your chance of miscarriage.  I plan on starting these vitamins too!  Care to join me?

To enter use the raffle copter below!

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Just like documenting your pregnancy, it is just as fun to document your baby's growth outside of the womb!  Use these adorable onsie stickers to show how fast your baby grows and changes in their first year!

It is amazing to see their features change, their hair grow in, their smiles turn into belly laughs.  Don't let those amazing moments slip past you! 

I have very fond memories of going fishing when I was a kid.  Weeeellll... I didn't like touching worms or anything slimy so that part wasn't cool.  I also never liked touching the fish to get them off the line.  So after I would bait my hook with bread and catch something I would panic as I tried to figure out what to do with the poor fishy that found its way to my hook.  So I guess I should have started this post off with something more along the lines of I used to love to toss bread crumbs into the water and watch fish eat them.  

There were 3 kinds of fish.

First was the one that would impulsively bite as soon as the nugget of bread appeared in the water.  He would jump right at it causing a bit of a splash.  Interestingly he would either gobble everything in one mouthful or would miss the whole thing entirely.  If he gobbles the whole thing, it works out well for him as long as there isn't a huge hook now lodged in his mouth. 

The second kind of fish would wait for the jumper to jump and when he missed it, they would quickly swim up and nibble at it gingerly with a few of their friends.  Again... this works out well if there isn't a fish hook waiting to get chomped on. 

The last kind of fish, the ones I find easiest to relate to, are the one that swim around the outside of the action.  They watch the action trying in earnest to ignore the rumble in their tummy.  They act like they don't mind very much that all of the others seem to have all the luck.  These fish seem to know that eventually they will have a full stomach and they are willing to wait. They certainly don't risk getting hooked but they also might starve to death or get eaten by a larger more aggressive fish. 

I guess all of this is one big fancy analogy for me to decide what kind of fish I want to be.  Need to be.  Have to be.

I want to wait patiently for my blessing, but what if sitting around and waiting for something without making some active initiative to get it, is going to get me swallowed alive?  Is it worth risking a hook though?

I don't know exactly what that means yet but I feel like I have join the ranks of the fish who get a nibble. Ya know?

Do you think you are a Jumper, a Nibbler, or a Waiter?   

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Last set of Wondfo HPTs are being given away! If you listen really closely these tests talk to you.  Shhh.  Do you hear them?

Pee on me. 

Pee on me.

Pee on me.  

Pee on me!

Enter Now!

Here is another opportunity to win Welcome Womb.  If you have a history of miscarriages and have been diagnosed with "bad luck" this might be your answer.  Welcome Womb is used to prevent miscarriages by toning the uterus.  I used it after 6 losses and carried that pregnancy to term.

It will not "save" a pregnancy when the baby is not compatible with life.  It doesn't taste very good but if you are willing to try an herbal approach this could be your answer!  If you have any questions, most of you know that I am always willing to share my experiences.  Good luck!

All you need to do it be a member of TTC community!  Isn't that Easy? 

These are all questions about trying to conceive posed in the last week.  I did not edit them at all.  I didn't want to insult the integrity of their questions.

How do you have sex .and have a baby? Stuck i aint a clue HELP!! im not still sure as where the penis have to go up the women so they can produce a baby, i never used to pay attention at school as i always used to get kicked out the class and couldnt be there to learn. i dont know nothing about sex please explain to me or post me any link that you may know about how to have a baby.. conceving until actual birth please help im really stuck.. ! Thankyou.. also if you havent got anything good to say dont bother answering as i need to know and please dont make stupid comments. ! in skool they showed a video but i didnt watch itas i wasnt in school on that day so i need to find a video that explains 

Sad thing is that you don't even know where to put "it" and will probably probably be a baby daddy by the end of the month.  Start with her ear...

How open the closed mouth of cervix to enter the sperm?

My partner and I wondering where we can fine a surrogate mother to have our baby? I have MS going through treatment at the moment just don't think I can go through being pregnant, my partner and I wanna find a surrogate mother who can help us :) we both can give our sperm. Please help us we want this so badly, we both want this badly we will always be there for the surrogate mother no matter what!!

If you can both give sperm then I should tell you that it isn't your MS that will prevent you from being able to tolerate pregnancy.  Perhaps the fact that you lack a uterus is more of a concern.  

 Why have i been gassy these last two days? I have been burping and farting a lot! like every 5 mins. It doesnt stink. but its really annoying. My period isnt due till may 6th. 

How long does sperm live for? I recently got a hand job by my gf and she got none on her pants or anywhere near her vagina but she got some on her hand but wiped it off but how long does it stay and what if she accidently touches her vagina after like 5 minutues like if she is itchy or something someone clarify plz 

I am more concerned about the fact that she might "accidentally" reach inside of her pants and her underwear and scratch her vagina with her dirty hand.  You have yourself quite the classy lady.

My ex is trying to get people preggy help?!? Well first of, I misscarried his child and he was gonna have a baby boy with this other chick he's been seeing and they were happy. together and now they broke up and. left her for another girl I was devastated i know how weird that must sounds but, it's true and now he's going out with this "other girl" and trying to get her preggy and it sucks becuz he's been playing us and I want to tell him something straight up his face but, idk how to help?

For the love of bologna, please do not say "preggy" ever again.  Ever.  

 my bf thinks its so hott when he c*** in a condom and then squeeze it inside me. We dont care If we get preg.  But i was wondering what are the chances of me getting preg if he does this? Cause i thought that once air hits the *** it dont work or something like that lol. So yeah let me know..... I am way out of HS, its just a freaky thing my BF likes after sex that turns him on. We have tried for a baby but its hard for us to get preg. So thats why we dont care if we get preg. We have the money for the baby. I am well old enough to have achild was just wondering if there was a chance

Maybe the reason it is hard for you to get pregnant is because he likes to wear a condom and play with the goods before he lets it get a chance to get where it needs to be.  Just sayin'.



Now check out part 1, 2 , 3 , 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8

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The other day Doug was measuring and pouring the Lemon and Lavender Oil for our essential oil winner and the entire upstairs still smells of Lavender.  It is dreamy! 


With this Aroma Therapy kit you will get a glass jar, reed diffusers, carrier oil, and 1/3 ounce of essential oil.  You may choose from Lavender (relaxing), Ylang Ylang (aphrodisiac), or Lemon (clean and fresh) oils. 

Entry is easy! All you have to do is be awesome!

When I was pregnant with Gavin, I was a proud mama and alng for the otmost always remembered to have Doug take a picture of me with my growing belly each week. Since it was long before I had a blog even before I had joined facebook, I had no where to share those pictures.

When I was pregnant with Joey I always had that dreadful "waiting for the other shoe to drop" feeling.  I wish I would have documented my pregnancy better. 

If I get pregnant again, I will be sure to document what might be my last pregnancy.    I have seen these belly stickers and I will have to get some of these if I am blessed with a sticky baby.

So get some for now or get some for later!  These stickers are sure to help make your pregnancy memorable!  The stickers are 12 weeks, 16 weeks, 20 weeks, 24 weeks, 28 weeks, 30 weeks, 32 weeks, 34 weeks, 36 weeks 38 weeks and 40 weeks.  So cute right? 

All you need to do to win is create a poll on TTC community.  You will need to be a member to do so, but creating a poll is easy!  It can be about anything you want!  Baby names maybe?  Child birth techniques?  Pizza toppings?  Whatever!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

A couple of weeks ago I wanted to go to a local book store to get a book on Gluten Free cooking.  Taking two kids with attention spans of a gnat was risky.  They did have a kids section but of course they have games, and toys at the eye level of a toddler so I was screwed.  I managed to grab my book and tell the boys that they could each pick out a book.  There was kicking, screaming and carrying on when I wasn't going to give in to the totally overpriced puzzles and toys that we already have plenty of at home.  Gavin finally complied and walked over to the Olivia books.  Our whole family likes that show Olivia.  Granted it is a little estrogen heavy for the kids but... eh... what a little theatrical and dramatic overload going to hurt?

Gavin picked up a book that was large, pink, and shaped like a handbag.  It wasn't coming home with us.  I used my ninja mom skills to convince him that Olivia opening a lemonade stand was worthy of so many ooohs and ahhhs that the pink handbag book didn't stand a chance.  After paying for our books, I decided that getting some coffee for the road was a must.

Since the nearby Starbucks (AKA Ninja Mom Fuel) was without a drive thru (which makes it much less powerful to a mom with two gnats... I mean kids) I went to the coffee stand in the book store.  Gavin saw the juices and kid friendly drinks and I was easily convinced.  After all, I did rob him of that very fashionable handbag.  I put a  vitamin water into two cups with ice and let the boys slurp it down at the same rate I was chugging my iced coffee.

Then, I decided that it would be fun to let the boys see the critters at Petsmart.  We walked up and down the isles admiring the creepy crawly critters and the ones that swam and even a few furry ones.  Then, we piled back into the car and were on our way home.

We were about halfway home when I heard the words every mom dreads.

"Mom.  I have to go potty!"


What was I thinking letting Gavin have a big cup of fruit flavored water?  Joey is still in diapers so he can pee freely but Gavin?  What was I thinking?!  I told him to hang on and then assessed the situation.  I had basically two options: a fast food restaurant or a truck stop.  I weighed the two establishment on a few qualities and oddly enough I decided that the truck stop would be an easy in and out and I wouldn't feel obligated to purchase anything.  After all... it is like a rest stop.  As we pulled into the parking lot and I was getting the boys out of their car seats, I was nearly knocked over by the cigarette smoke.  Whatever.  I was in a hurry and by the look on Gavin's face, so was he.  So we get inside the restaurant/lobby door and the bathroom is thankfully just inside the door.  Gavin rushes to the handicapped stall (so that we can all fit in there) and reaches for and grabs the toilet seat.  Yeah... it happened.  Full 5 finger grab to the public truck stop toilet seat.  After my initial freak out I took a deep breath and thought, "I am so glad I am not really OCD like Jo @ BumBumGerms or I would toally be needing a wire brush right now."  (If you like to have a giggle or two her posts always do it for me.)  Then, we managed to get the deed done and wash his hands all while I am somehow managing to keep Joey from reaching out, grabbing and ingesting truck stop potty germs.  On the way out Gavin spots the "insert a quarter and weigh yourself scale."  Then, before I can stop him he is touching all over it.  Back to the sinks.  At this point, I am dying to get out of the bathroom but also feeling like I need to pee too.  I make the executive mommy decision to hold it and get the heck out of there.  I am still waiting on my T-Shirt that reads, "I survived a Truck Stop bathroom with children!"

It is days like that that I find myself questioning my unwavering desire to have another baby.  This last cycle was a bust.  The good news is that my BabyHopes HPTs worked great!  I wished they would have worked great and been positive, but thankfully I have a few left for this cycle.  But, if I do ever get to add to this family, I am considering either only traveling in an RV or withholding all beverages until 10 minutes before we will be home.

Have you ever found yourself with nature calling in an unnaturally disgusting place?  Tell me about it!!!

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It is kind of funny how so much can change in just a few weeks.  I posted about Wobenzyme N and how I had learned that it was beneficial in preventing miscarriage in women with autoimmune disorders.  Little did I know that I would find a real autoimmune disease that could very likely be a cause of my miscarriages.  I have been eating gluten free for a couple of weeks to combat the suspected celiac disease in addition to taking the Wobenzyme N.  I am really hoping that when I am blessed again that these two things will finally win the battle against recurrent miscarriages.  

Other studies have suggested that it can help with healing Chlamydia, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, Blocked Fallopian Tubes, scar tissue and adhesion reduction and elimination, and it might healing other immune related fertility issues such as anti-sperm antibodies. 

To enter to win this 200 tablet bottle of Wobenzym N, please stop by TTC Community and post in the forums.  There are tons of categories and I am sure there is something you can share, help with, or contribute. 

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When I when I was pregnant with Joey, I had read a lot about drinking Red Raspberry Leaf Tea during the last trimester of pregnancy.  I had very little knowledge of herbal teas prior to that pregnancy so I thought, "Hey, it can't hurt."  I read that it could help strengthen the uterus and it could make contractions more efficient and productive.  Since I was all about giving birth without pain medications I decided that "efficient" and "productive" could be helpful!

Starting at about 34 weeks, right around the time the summer heat was starting to become uncomfortable, I would brew a few cups worth of Red Rasperry Leaf Tea (RRL) and would pour it over a large glass of ice 2-3 times a day.  I used Splenda to sweeten it and found it to be tasty and refreshing!  I kinda forgot about the medicinal reason for it and started drinking it for the taste.

Then fast forward to Joey's birthday... I don't know if it was the RRL tea but when I had the urge to push, it was strong and powerful.  When the doctor finally showed up and gave me permission to push, I barely had both feet in the stirrups when my body pushed his head out.  With one more effortless push, the rest of his 10 pound 3 ounce body was out.

Was it the Tea?  I have to think it was since pushing out Joey was the easiest part of my labor.  If you are expecting or hope to be, I can't recommend introducing RRL Tea into your routine in your last trimester.  It is tasty and great for your body!

Want to win some?!  Stop by TTC Community and vote on this poll.  If you already voted... it counts and all you need to do is tell rafflecopter you did so.  Good luck!   

This is a good one for everyone!  This sensual massage oil is great for spicing things up in the bedroom, relaxing him or her after a long day, or when your baby bump us causing your back to ache.  This oil is mixed up by yours truly and can help to ease your mind, body, and soul.

It is made of sweet almond oil, ylang ylang, and sandalwood.  The scent is pleasing to both men and women so your man won't object (too passionately) about giving you a soothing and romantic experience.

All you need to do to win this dreamy massage oil is stop in to ttc community and share a quote.  It can be about absolutely anything!  It can make you laugh or smile, stop and think, or make you want to take one more lap.    It doesn't have to be about TTC, pregnancy, childbirth, or kids!  It can be, but if you would rather, feel free share a quote about marriage, work, life, or dancing the cha cha! 

When I first started trying to conceive my first, I was so naive.  After all, I had spent 30 years of my life being taught that when a man and a woman fall in love, they get married.  Then they have sex and they make babies.  So, off we went on our honeymoon fully expecting that I would get pregnant since we were sure to do "our part" of that.  After a month passed, I figured that it would happen in a few more weeks.  Then after a couple more months passed with no luck, I learned everything that I could about how to increase my odds of getting pregnant.  Then, after one obsessive search or another, I came across Taking Charge of Your Fertility.

I have heard it called the Fertility Bible, the book that works, and the one thing you really need have if you want to know what your body is doing.

Not only is it good for trying to get pregnant, it is also a great tool for avoiding pregnancy!  You can win your own copy or if you already have one, it makes a great gift for any couple who is struggling to conceive. 

As I sat at a lovely dinner with great company this weekend, I was having an internal conversation.  (Yes, I talk to myself in my head... pretty much all the time.) I asked myself a hypothetical question and I would love to hear your thoughts.

Moms who are trying for more children (or plan to): If it was scientifically possible to pass your fertility to a childless woman, would you give up your ability to have another child if it meant letting a woman experience the miracle of motherhood?  If you have no children, would you accept that gift?  

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When I brought Joey home from the hospital I was 100% dedicated to breast feeding him.  I was doing great at the hospital.  When I got home I started getting sore.  His latch wasn't always good and breaking the latch was even more painful than childbirth.  He would have a death grip on there!  I wanted so much to have those picture perfect moments of nursing my newborn in quiet sleepy moments.  Yeah... I didn't have that very much in the early weeks.  My nipples were hurting.  I was tearful as he nursed as I tried to muscle though less than perfect latches.

I had tried various lanolin nursing creams that were so sticky that putting them on my already sore nipples would cause me to question if there really was a benefit.  Then trying to get that stuff off so that baby could nurse again (an hour or two later) would make me regret using it in the first place.

Fairhaven Health has Nipple Nurture Balm that is made from all natural, organic ingredients and is lanolin free!  It is safe for mom and for baby and only uses natural moisturizers!  It can provide soothing relief, heal affected areas, and even prevent cracks from reappearing.  You can even store it in the refrigerator for a special cooling effect.  I wish that I would have had this on hand for those early weeks with Joey. 


Enjoy those precious first moments with your blessing.  Don't let sore nipples get in the way of bonding with your baby.  


You can win a 1.5 ounce tub of Nipple Nurture Balm by commenting on this post.  If you have breastfed in the past, tell me if you had any discomfort and if you think that it affected your ability to bond.  If you are not yet a mother, tell me why you think it is important to breastfeed your little one. 

One thing that never ceases to amaze me is all of the miraculous changes our bodies go through each cycle.  Due to those changes there are so many ways to help women who are trying to conceive determine when they are ovulating. 

Most women who have been trying for a while are familiar with charting and noting when and if they have fertile CM but did you know that your saliva can show you when you are going to ovulate?  Really!  You can use a Saliva Ferning Microscope, like the Fertile-Focus Personal Ovulation Microscope, and it can help determine when you will ovulate up to 72 hours in advance!  All you need to so is put some saliva on the microscope, allow it to dry, then play scientist and see if it indicates impending ovulation.  That even sounds like more fun that looking at a couple of lines on an ovulation test!  With this little gadget, a one time purchase of $27.95, you can replace those test strips that might tell us when ovulation is coming but can get very pricey when long irregular cycles cause us to test multiple times a day for a week or more!
Luckily, the wonderful people at Village Fertility Pharmacy are giving you an opportunity to win a Fertile Focus Microscope!   Even better is that they are happy to share this prize worldwide!  All you have to do to enter this giveaway is be a member at TTC Community. 

I think I have mentioned about 327 times how much I like to test.  It is like a hobby that I only get to enjoy for about 5 days each month.  In those 5 days, I can go through a ton of tests!  I love having these Wondfos so that I don't feel even an ounce of guilt.

All you need to do to win is go to TTC community and click on the tab that says chart and test galleries.  Add a photo or screen shot of a chart or test to the gallery or click here.
 

I miss blogging.  I miss being able to sit down when I have time and just write about what I feel like writing.  I love doing giveaways but I am starting to think that 30 is borderline insane!  I am toying with the idea of having a giveaway sprint and just posting several at one time so I can have a break during the week.  Any thoughts?  Protesters?  Angry mobs?

I tested today and got a BFN.  Not really feeling it this cycle.  I have this completely silly yet accurate test that works for me.  What is even better?  It is free!  When I fall asleep, I am usually on my side.  Then in the night, like most people, I will turn, readjust, and get into the most comfortable position.  When I am pregnant I am not able to sleep on my stomach.  If I wake up and find myself on my stomach after 8 or 9 days past ovulation, it has always been a bust.  This morning not only was I sleeping on my stomach, I couldn't have been more comfortable. So, while I would have loved to have a December 25th due date, I will be just as thrilled for a January baby.

I bought a bread machine so that I could see if I could start baking some gluten free breads.  Today, as I type this, I am making some "Gluten Free Cheesy Loaf" to go along with a gluten free pasta dinner.  If this turns out half as good as the Gluten Free Pizza I made last night, I will be thrilled!

Tomorrow, I am super excited to be meeting "Skidd."  She joined the super secret facebook group I started a while ago and I am so blessed to have been able to get to know her.  I have been thinking about how cool this is going to be for the last week.  This morning, my brain played a dreamy joke on me.  I was up early with Gavin but fell back to sleep and had just enough time to drift into a dream starring "Skidd."  She showed up at my door and I was really excited to meet her.  You know how they say you can't trust an internet person to be honest about who they really are?  In my dream "Skidd" wasn't the cute Caucasian with glasses.  She was about 3 feet tall and when I awkwardly greeted her with a hug, I accidentally picked her up.  Ha Ha Ha  Then when I looked at her again, she was not only teeny, she was Indian too.  So strange!  But I am so excited to meet her for some Mexican food and maybe, if I am feeling inspired, I'll pee on a stick in the restaurant bathroom.  I am pretty sure that if I want to have a positive pregnancy test, getting one with an Indian dwarf in a Mexican restaurant bathroom is the way I want to do it! 

Not me.  LOL

I hope you all have a great weekend!  Be on the look out for the giveaways!