What a difference a break makes!

I wasn’t expecting this!

Ok, so we took some time off of ttc and here we are with a BFP!  I can’t believe it!

We found out in October but I didn’t want to write about until we were in our 2nd trimester. I think going through a miscarriage really makes you nervous for the next time. I almost spilled the beans a month ago but I thought it best to wait. We are 15 weeks along now and so glad to be out of the 1st trimester for more reasons than one;)

We decided not to really “try” again until around January but we weren’t going to protect against it either. I feel it helped me not to think about it so strictly (my hubby, too).  I didn’t check my temp each morning or my CM. My Hubby and I just relaxed and focused on each other. It was nice and calm with no pressure. I really think that helped. I also think my body was just now really ready to do this again. I’ve read that it takes some couples six months to a year for the woman’s body to be fully ready to conceive again after a miscarriage.

Not to say that charting isn’t helpful. Without charting I would not have been as aware of when I ovulate and the best times for us to conceive. Since every woman’s cycle is different, charting really helps for you to get to know your own body.

I use the software from the Taking Charge of Your Fertility. www.ovusoft.com There are also some iphone apps out there that are good, but they don’t really calculate your ovulation based on your temp and CM like the Taking Charge of Your Fertility software does but there are convenient if you have an iphone or ipod touch. I like Woman Calendar. You can find it and others if you do a search for “fertility” in the App Store.

Now we’re praying and hoping that everything goes well and that this pregnancy is healthy. We are certainly happy!

Taking a Break

I realized this morning that I needed a break after I had taken a pregnancy test for the second time this week and it came up negative (just like the first one).  When this happens I don’t feel calm and think “next month we’ll try again” like a normal person, I feel devastated and rejected, I cry my eyes out and go back to sleep. So, I decided that I was being completely unbalanced and needed to not think about getting pregnant for a while.  My husband said that he thinks it’s a good idea and we decided to wait to try again in a few months.

So, what will I do with the next few months?  Not like this will free up time, but it will free my mind. Well, I am thinking that I need to clean out my house of all the things that I don’t ever use, get rid of things that I had started but didn’t finish and focus more on my relationship with my hubby.  I think doing this will lift the weight off of me that may be holding me back from opening myself up to pregnancy. I feel like maybe I have put too much pressure on myself and it is more of a job than something that should be pleasurable, relaxing and fun.

So, no more charting, checking cervical fluid and counting the days, I am just not going to think about it. I think using the rest of this year cleaning out my house and my mind will get me ready for a whole new year.

I feel better already:)

Why Cloth Diapers? For Your Wallet!

I was doing some research on the internet about diapering options (you know me info obsessed!). Just doing some preparation for the time when we’re able to have a little one. I came across some great info about why cloth diapering is a great way to go rather than disposables.

Not only is cloth diapering earth friendly but it’s also financially friendly: ) And in this economy the little extra effort is worth the savings.

It’s estimated on average that people spend between $2,600 and $3,000 per child, that’s about $1,000 per year on disposable diapers per child. And that is if the child is using the potty by age three or four. If you decide to use cloth diapers the cost is only… are your ready…$700 per child and that is for the high end cloth diapers. That’s $500 for the first year start up and $100 for the next two years. That is a $2,300 savings! What a difference!

Now, are you ready for more savings?! If you have another child and choose to use cloth again, you may not have to purchase any more diapers, you can reuse the clothe diapers and accessories that you purchased with your first child! Even if you do have to purchase more it will be a lot less than disposables.

I know, you’re probably saying “But it’s so much work to use cloth diapers”. Really though the little extra work involve is definitely worth the amount your saving, and there are so many accessories available to make cloth diapering easier. (I thought the Potty Pail was pretty nifty)

Earth friendly, health friendly, financially friendly, what more could you ask for!

For more tips check out the blog Tips on cleaning your diapers in an earth friendly way by MBB member Habibi Soheil.

Information Obsessed!

I don’t know about you but when I want to learn about a subject I stock up! Everything from books to dvds to magazines, you name it, I got it! My husband laughs at my little obsessions but then he also says that he admires it … a little:)

It is amazing what you can find at a used book store(half priced books is my favorite place!). I have books on gentle birthing choices, aromatherapy for pregnancy, active birth, birth plans, stages of pregnancy from moms and baby’s perspective, I could go on and on but I’d probably bore you.  They are all great books so when I do get pregnant I will be book ready. I know, there are some things that a book cannot prepare you for in life, but at least I’ll have some knowledge.

I’ll have to add a book list to share all my favorite titles with you. Another something to work on

Unlimited Fertility Info!

Have you done a Google search on fertility?! The info out there is endless. I have to ask myself - what do I do, who do I trust?

I really like certain points from all the different sources I’ve looked into but right now I am really enjoying the book the fertile female by Julia Indichova.  Not only does she talk about the physical changes that are important, such as the foods we eat, but she addresses the mental and emotional issues that we need to face to help our physical body.

I appreciate this point because I have long felt that our thoughts and emotions affect our physical wellbeing.  At times when I am really troubled by something my body will feel sluggish or I’ll have knots show up in specific areas of my back (where I “hold my stress”). It makes sense to me.

I think that’s the point. If it resonates with you or if it just makes sense to you then maybe that’s what will work for you.  It doesn’t seem like one thing would work for everyone in the same way.  So it’s important to find what works for you.

I’d love to hear your thoughts, have you read or heard things for fertility that “resonate” with you?

Getting Pregnant is Not Easy!

So my husband and I had been ttc for about 5 months and finally, we did it!

We were so excited until April (we were 10 weeks along) when we found out we had lost the baby.  Oh, how devastating!

Since then, it has been a roller coaster of emotions.  I’m okay one day and crying uncontrollaby the next.

They say to wait to try again after three cycles and July would   be that for us. So we decided to try again. Well, I know, you   don’t always get it on the first try but the disappointment was so strong that I was not sure if we should try anymore. I think it is the sadness talking.

We thought maybe we should put it on hold for a little while   longer so that we can really be in a more balanced state of mind when we do conceive.

I am reading a book now called “the fertile female” by Julia Indichova and a point that she brings out is that the things we feel and experience have an effect on our unborn child. It’s so important to be a positive thinker!