CLOMID YEAR 2 • ROUND 2 {04.30.2015}

Cycle Day: 1 (4/24)

Medication: Prenatals

Symptoms: None, I feel great! I was actually so excited to see AF!!!

OPK or HPT: Neither

Next Dr. Appt.: Not scheduled 

Milestones: Clomid starts tomorrow

Cycle Day: 2 (4/25)
Medication: Prenatals and day 1 of 100mg Clomid
Symptoms: Feeling pretty good today, no hot flashes or mood swings
OPK or HPT: Neither
Next Dr. Appt.: Not scheduled
Milestones: Clomid Day 1 has begun and went down this morning with a prenatal

Cycle Day: 3 (4/26)
Medication: Prenatals and day 2 of 100mg Clomid
Symptoms: Very sleepy, a little moody, cramping
OPK or HPT: Not yet
Next Dr. Appt.: Not scheduled
Milestones: Temps have been pretty regular, not sure if basal body thermometer is right or not

Cycle Day: 4 (4/27)
Medication: Prenatals and day 3 of 100mg Clomid
Symptoms: Still pretty tired even after an early bedtime, hot flashes here and there
OPK or HPT: Not yet
Next Dr. Appt.: Not scheduled
Milestones: Managed to get in workouts everyday including this morning at 3am - no AF is going to hold me back

Cycle Day: 5 (4/28)
Medication: Prenatals and day 4 of 100mg Clomid
Symptoms: Hot flashes are starting to flare up but it's not unbearable
OPK or HPT: Not yet
Next Dr. Appt.: Not scheduled
Milestones: Did another workout this morning even though every part of me wanted to stay in bed and deal with these cramps but we are in week 8 of our 12 week workout program so I can't give in yet

Cycle Day: 6 (4/29)
Medication: Prenatals and day 5 of 100mg Clomid
Symptoms: None! I feel really good, very happy and ready to kick off this journey
OPK or HPT: Not yet
Next Dr. Appt.: Not scheduled
Milestones: LAST DAY OF CLOMID! Fingers Crossed we can catch that eggie

Cycle Day: 7 (4/30)
Medication: Prenatals
Symptoms: None - hooray!
OPK or HPT: Not yet
Next Dr. Appt.: Not scheduled
Milestones: OPKs start tomorrow (Cycle Day 8); I will be taking them (3) times a day at 8a, 2p, and 6p, this gives me a wide range to work with daily and see the full possibility of ovulation

*side note: you'll see below that my temps have been surprisingly level*

Also, I will finally be taking Progesterone after ovulation! I have been hearing so many good things about this drug and how it works wonders to help prevent miscarriage. Of course, there is no telling why our first two miscarriages ended, but I can only hope that it was due to low Progesterone and that this will help.

***********************************************************
Fertility Chart (current from Cycle Day 7)

Ovia Fertility Monitor (current from Cycle Day 7)

Sperm Meets Egg Plan

•{Clomid}
Cycle days 2 thru 6:
4/25, 4/26, 4/27, 4/28, 4/29

•{Baby Dance}
Cycle days 8 thru 22:
5/1, 5/3, 5/5, 5/7, 5/9, 5/11, 5/13, 5/15

•{OPKs}
Cycle day 8 thru 23:
5/1 thru 5/16

•{Two Week Wait}
Cycle day 20 thru 30
5/13 thru 5/23

•{HPT}
Cycle day 30 thru 35
5/23 thru 5/28

•{Progesterone}
After Ovulation

 

WHAT IS LOVE | GOD'S VIEW BIBLE STUDY PLAN {04.25.2015}

Recently, Erik and I have been embarking on a new kind of adventure, one that involves our love for the Lord. I have had a few friends and family members ask me to help guide them through a plan that they may be able to follow with their loved one. E and I believe that the most important relationship, aside from a powerful one with God, is an equal strength with a significant other, husband/wife, boyfriend/girlfriend. The closer your relationship to your loved one, the closer you will both become with the Lord, and may even notice that you both begin to walk with Him throughout the struggles, happiness, and trials of your relationship. E and I have always stressed the importance of building our relationship with each other and keeping God in the center of it all.

So I want to challenge all the couples out there to take our weekly Bible Study Plan Challenge. Starting tomorrow (Sunday, April 26), grab your bibles, your significant others, and a few moments of alone time while you read or listen to the readings. If you use Instagram, use the hashtag: #FBBBible and snap a few photos of your bible study. Alright, here is the plan that you will follow throughout the week.

 

Day 1 | Sunday, April 26 ~ Leviticus 18:18

Day 2 | Monday, April 27 ~ John 14:15

Day 3 | Tuesday, April 28 ~ Deuteronomy 6:5

Day 4 | Wednesday, April 29 ~ Amos 5:15

Day 5 | Thursday, April 30 ~ Matthew 1:18-19

Day 6 | Friday, May 1 ~ Proverbs 17:17

Day 7 | Saturday, May 2 ~ Matthew 5:44

We will be making a page where you can visit the Bible Plans if you missed a week, so be on the lookout for that. We will provide you with the next week's plan on Saturday. Finally, we want to know what you want to read. Maybe about Infertility and God's promise, how about family, or even friendship? Let us know what plan you'd like to see, and we will create it for you!

If you do not own a bible, that is ok! Visit https://www.bible.com/ and create a login. You can also find the bible app on your iPhone or Tablet for use and it does include voice readings.

"Be grateful in the good times and Faithful in the bad times."

God Bless and Love Always

BUCKET LIST DREAMS {04.24.2015}

I have always loved making Bucket List's! I remember when we were Blogging on Tumblr, I made a silly Bucket List, but some of those items I really did want to accomplish. I decided to make a new Bucket List and I went ahead and added a few from my "when I was 19 years old" Bucket List items because I'm proud that two have already been completed from that previous list. So here we go...25 things I want to do before I turn 25, which is exactly 2 years and 4 months away!!!

1. Go on a cruise anywhere (from old bucket list)
2. Have fun on Vegas strip (from old bucket list)
3. Have a healthy baby
4. Visit Disney World and Universal Studios
5. Take a plane with E anywhere
6. Scuba dive in at least 3 tropical locations
7. Go to an indoor skydiving place
8. Move into a home - rental or owned
9. Vlog for 365 days straight
10. Go skiing or surfing
11. Zipline in a tropical location
12. Host a family Fall party
13. Visit New York for Winter and watch the ball drop
14. Pack our bags and travel without an itinerary or plan
15. Complete at least 5 Pinterest DIY projects
16. Visit the following states/countries
• Bahamas
• California
• Cancun, Mexico
• Colorado
17. Watch sea turtles hatch or visit the sea turtle rescue in Florida
18. Swim with stingrays and dolphins
19. Sleep in Jeepster
20. Enjoy a picnic with E
21. Get Concealed Handgun License
22. Try indoor rock climbing
23. Attend 5 sporting events or concerts a year
24. See a play/musical/ballet with E
25. Pick fruit at a fruit farm or pick a pumpkin from a huge pumpkin patch

God Bless

A HASTY UPDATE {04.23.2015}

Not much going on quite yet. I will admit that I was expecting AF to arrive today, but she didn't, I am patiently waiting. In other news, last night E and I watched Big Hero 6 and it was such a cute movie. I would definitely suggest it to others. Although there were a few moments where I thought it was a little too dark for younger kids, but still a really great movie.

Also, I completely forgot to update you on the results from my blood draw. According to my doctor, everything is perfectly normal. I am very thankful that God blessed E and I and even though we have to wonder our unexplained infertility, it's at least nice to know that there are no major factors weighing against us. I am grateful because now being considered "high risk" means that as soon as I get pregnant, the doctor will do blood work and ultrasounds to make sure that the levels are good for a growing baby.

I wanted to leave you with a few quotes, these are so encouraging and sometimes we need a little encouragement, especially my fellow TTC sisters during this Infertility Awareness Week.

 

 

God Bless and Baby Dust



FINDING THE BEAUTY {04.22.2015}

This week, amongst many other things, has been very, what's the word, trying roller-coastery. Ok so that may not be a word, but that's how it has been. It started on Friday, it was nice and relaxing. Saturday was hectic and I lost it. I am not usually one who breaks down and cries. Matter of fact, I can count on one hand the amount of times that I have cried. I am not an emotional person but that doesn't mean things don't get to me. Recently, I have been holding in a lot.

Maybe some of you know, maybe you don't, but had it not been for my marriage to Erik, I would basically be an orphan. That sounds really bad, but it's true. My father passed away after committing suicide on my sixteenth birthday, September 9th 2008.  My grandmother (who was like a mother for me growing up) passed away on March 18th 2013 from stage 5 cancer, and my mother died just four weeks after her on April 27th 2013 by accidentally falling down her stairs at her house in Illinois. Not to mention, 2013 was just rough all around. Erik's grandmother passed away suddenly on August 28th 2013, and we suffered our miscarriage just a month later on September 26th 2013.

Ok, so back to me "holding in a lot." I guess this past weekend, driving through Katy where E and I live, but also the second city my father and I lived in along together, I started noticing that most of the places where my father and I would spend time together are gone. Most of them were food places because we would have dinner dates every week, just me and my single father. It was nice! But now I feel as if he is disappearing from my life. Really, I feel as if my mom, dad, and grandmother are just disappearing from my life. I hate that more than anything!

Sunday was beautifully busy with church and gym and meal prep, it was just glorious. But then Monday came. Oh Monday...E got into a car accident. Thankfully it was not horrible but there is damage to his truck that we will need to get fixed.

I just feel like this week is testing my patience.

But then, I remember the quote that the preacher said on Sunday during the service..."Be grateful in the good times, and faithful in the bad times." This really sunk in. It hit my heart hard. Too often I feel like it is so easy to turn away from God when things are tough. Obviously, E and I have dealt with our fair share of TTC drama, but sometimes you can feel like God just doesn't care or doesn't hear your prayers.

I used to feel this. After our first miscarriage, it was so hard to be faithful. It was so hard to see the good when so much bad had filled our lives.

I used to feel like that.

Now, I see the good in everything. I can take any day of the past week
through today, and can point out the beauty in the darkness.

Saturday, I saw the beauty of memories and how thankful I am that God gives us the opportunity to remember loved ones. How horrible would life be if we just suddenly forgot them after they left Earth. Sunday, I saw the beauty of a church and the movement and power of God's words. Monday, I saw the grace and promise in God keeping my husband safe during his accident because Lord knows that it could have been very different. Tuesday, I saw the blessing that E and I have received news that everything is perfect and healthy between the two of us for our upcoming TTC cycle. And today, even seeing the clouds roll in, I am reminded of the grace that God allows us to have rain and shine, because everyone wants the fun in the sun but occasionally we can enjoy a relaxing evening to the sounds of soft rain pouring down.

I feel like there is always a way to find the good in this world and too often people choose to see the bad. I can say that no matter where this life takes us, I will always have the desire to find the good, the beauty, and the happiness that God provides in each and everyday. And as I eagerly look forward to AF starting and getting this new TTC journey on a roll, I am again reminded of God's promise for us to "go forth, be fruitful, and multiply" and know that Thy will be done!

God Bless and Baby Dust

PRAISE GOD {04.20.2015}

Quick re-cap of our weekend:

I wanted to talk about my weekend because it has been such a glorious weekend. Friday night was amazing! The hubs and I rented quite a few movies from RedBox and enjoyed a delicious "cheat meal" from a new place called BullChicks. It was actually very good although, if you want wings, I suggest going to WingStop instead. Saturday, we were able to sleep in until about 11am! That was absolutely incredible! After we finally got out of bed, we headed to the gym. I was able to do a full 30 minutes on the stair master! I was shocked and excited that I managed to make it. When we finished our workouts, we decided to run to H.E.B. and Costco to complete our "meal prep" shopping a day early to eliminate the stress on Sunday. Only problem, I had an appointment at the Apple store at 5:20pm and we were really pushing the time limit. To be honest, I don't how we made it on time, but we did! I've been having some issued with my phone and Apple, being as incredible and absolutely amazing as they are, completely gave a me a free/new iPhone. Sunday started with a beautiful service at our church, followed by a hardcore workout. We then had to come home and do our "meal prepping", house cleaning, laundry, and even had some time to watch a few TV shows and read our nightly Bible assignment. Reading this over, I feel like it really doesn't even begin to show the true hype of our weekend, but it was crazy busy!

Looking forward to this week:

This is E's last week of school! He is almost done with year 2 of his program and will be moving on to Year 3 for the Fall. I'm so proud of him because Lord knows that it puts a lot of stress and added exhaustion for him, twice a week! I'm also looking forward to my cycle starting. I think I've only said this once before, but I really am looking forward to my cycle. I want to enjoy this because I really don't know when we will have another "TTC" cycle.

Anything else:

Our 3 year anniversary is coming up in about 20 days! Seems unreal that 3 years of marriage have passed, and 5 years of relationship bliss. I'm also looking forward to getting the dogs to the groomers, summer is coming and it is the worst time for them because it's so hot and they get stinky fast! Fur-baby moms will understand this.

Best news of the week:

All my tests including my ultrasounds and blood work have come back perfect! The doctor said that my ovaries look great, tubes are perfect, and uterus is just as it should be even for having a miscarriage last month. My blood work which including Thyroid testing, Lupus panel, and some other weird panel, all came back wonderful! So it really seems like this cycle may be fairly easy. I'm just thankful to the Lord that everything between E and I looks great and now that I am going to be considered "High Risk," this will require constant testing, blood work, and ultrasounds to make sure that baby is ok. It's so refreshing to have my doctor be on the same page as me with how important it is to me that our baby grow healthy and strong.

I leave you with this...

"Be grateful in the good times, and faithful in the bad times - God is in total control!"

God Bless and Baby Dust

PROVERA • DAYS 1-5 {04.19.2015}

I promised myself that I would keep the blog updated with fitness, life, and TTC info. I decided to follow the same format I followed back in January. Check out Provera Days 1-5 below!!!

Provera Day 1 ~ 04/15
Cycle Day: --- (cycle has not started yet)

Medication: Provera 10mg

Symptoms: None, I usually do not have very many on day 1

OPK or HPT: ---

Milestones: Nothing...I was still waiting to hear back from my Dr's office about the blood work results

Fertility Chart: Will upload on cycle day 1

Provera Day 2 ~ 04/16

Cycle Day: --- (cycle has not started yet)

Medication: Provera 10mg

Symptoms: More than likely it was from my crazy hard workout at 3am, but I felt nauseous and just strange; I wasn't very hungry all day and just had no interest in eating

OPK or HPT: ---

Milestones: After calling my Dr's office for the third time and two emails later, I finally got an answer from my Dr's office on my blood work results

Fertility Chart: ---

Provera Day 3 ~ 04/17

Cycle Day: --- (cycle has not started yet)

Medication: Provera 10mg

Symptoms: Slight cramping

OPK or HPT: ---

Milestones: I feel really great/positive and looking forward to this cycle

Fertility Chart:---

Provera Day 4 ~ 04/18

Cycle Day: --- (cycle has not started yet)

Medication: Provera 10mg

Symptoms: More cramping but not terrible

OPK or HPT: ---

Milestones: Have been doing a great job of keeping up with my BBT charting

Fertility Chart: ---

Provera Day 5 ~ 04/19

Cycle Day: --- (cycle has not started yet)

Medication: Provera 10mg

Symptoms: None!

OPK or HPT: ---

Milestones: Taking Pre-Natals daily and feel great for remembering

Fertility Chart: ---

WHAT WE DID DIFFERENT YEAR 2 ROUND 1 THAT WORKED!!! {04.15.2015}

I wanted to share our "changes" that took place last cycle and helped us get pregnant so quickly. Let me just say that I have absolutely no idea which of these helped boost our chances, but I can tell you that God was the main source, the rest of the things were just a little "assistance," or so I like to say. It's so important to both E and I, to acknowledge God plays and played a HUGE part in our fertility journey. Do I think God wanted or planned for us to have miscarriages? ABSOLUTELY NOT! I believe God wants us to do as we are told, "go forth, be fruitful, and multiple," and that is why He continues to bless us with babies. So, without further ado, here is our TTC year 2 round 1 list of things we did to succeed.

1. I tracked everything!!! I'm so serious y'all. I tracked my temperature on two different fertility apps.
• a) Fertility Friend
• b) Ovia Fertility
2. I took daily OPKs starting on CD 8. I did use off-brand OPKs because I couldn't find the ClearBlue Digital sticks.
3. I attended weekly acupuncture appointments. I attended one appointment before starting Provera, one after Provera ended while still taking Clomid, one after Clomid ended near Ovulation, and one final appointment after Ovulation was registered.
4. I took prenatal vitamins. I have heard countless times that prenatal vitamins are sooo important, but I never really thought about it until after our first miscarriage in 2013. After taking the break during all of 2014, I decided that I would start taking prenatal vitamins at the start of my cycles. So for my year 2 round 2, I have decided to start taking those pills two days before the start of Provera (vitamins started on Monday, April 13).
5. Clomid was moved from CDs 3-7 to CDs 2-6. I don't really think this made a HUGE difference since I did get pregnant the first time taking Clomid on CDs 3-7. I will admit that I appreciate the change, I just seem to like the CD 2-6 better.
6. Pre-seed was used every time we BD. I've talked about it before, but pre-seed is amazing! Mostly because it is the ONLY sperm-friendly lubricant that I would trust.
7. I tracked my CM daily. Sure, it may not be the most amazing thing in the world, but I learned so much about my cycle just by paying attention to my body's signals.
8. We followed the SMEP, with a few adjustments to work with our schedules. Click to see the full SMEP!
9. Last but not least, I lost weight!!! I believe this was a real help in our TTC journey. I lost close to 30lbs at the start of the year and at my appointment on January 5, my doctor said that he was impressed and just knew that getting pregnant would be easier now...he was right!!! We got pregnant immediately! Obviously, I know this is not easy for everyone, but even just a weight adjustment of 5-10lbs can drastically increase chances of pregnancy.

My goal for this upcoming cycle is to follow the same pattern. I do want to try to eat Chia Seeds regularly throughout this upcoming cycle so that my body is healthy and for all of the health benefits. Click to read all about the health benefits of Chia Seeds. I have faith that we will have no problem getting pregnant this cycle, and with my doctor now considering us "high risk," I believe we will have a much better chance at keeping the next baby.

As always, thank you so much for reading and keeping up with our journey.

God Bless and Baby Dust!!!

TRIPLE THREAT CARDIO WORKOUT {04.14.2015}

This is a Stairmaster workout that will have you sweating the whole way through! Let's get started!

Set your machine for 10 minutes. You can start at level 5 and then gradually move to 7, 9, 11, ect., until you reach max.

Follow these steps...

1. Start with a regular walk for 1 minute
• targets the quads and booty
2. After 1 minute, turn to either the left or right side and walk sideways for 1 minute
• targets the inner and outer thighs
3. After 1 minute, turn to the opposite side and walk sideways for 1 minute
• targets the inner and outer thighs
4. After 1 minute, turn all the way around and walk backwards for 1 minute (be very careful!!!)
• targets booty and hamstrings
5. After 1 minute, turn back to the front and step with your "tippy-toes" for 1 minute
• targets the calf muscles
6. After 1 minute, start kickbacks for 1 minute
• targets the booty and abs
7. After 1 minute, skip a stair each step for 1 minute
• targets the thighs and strengths the back muscles
8. After 1 minute, turn to either the left or right side and walk sideways for 1 minute
• targets the inner and outer thighs
9. After 1 minute, turn to the opposite side and walk sideways for 1 minute
• targets the inner and outer thighs
10. After 1 minute, end with a 1 minute regular walk
• targets the quads and booty

This completes the workout, and you have successfully worked your legs, abs, and back {TRIPLE THREAT}!!!

If you want to add more cardio for toning, tightening, and fat-burning, get on that treadmill! I always, always, always start my morning with a 5-minute walk at an incline of 3.5, speed of 3.5 followed by a 5-minute run at an incline of 0, speed of 6.5! (Want to see my full workout plan for ladies? Check out my post here!)

FULL BODY WORKOUT - LADIES {04.14.2015}

I've been getting lots of questions and requests for my daily workout plan, so here it is!!! Anytime I do a 3am workout, I rarely get to finish this whole plan. Typically for 3am workouts, I just focus on #'s 1, 2, 4, & 7, which gives me a really great 30-minute workout. However, evening workouts, I do complete this Full Body Workout plan. Enjoy, and don't forget to let me know how you do.

1. 10-minute Treadmill: 5-minute walk; 5-minute run
2. 10-minute Stairmaster routine (check out the Triple Threat Cardio Routine)
3. 3 sets of 15 squats with 20, 30, or 40lbs.
• start at your comfortable weight and then increase weekly by 10lbs.
4. 100 crunches
• increase by 50 weekly
• 
5. 3 sets of 10 arm kickbacks
• increase sets w/ lower weights or decrease sets w/ higher weights
• 
6. 3 sets of 10 arm pull-down
• increase sets w/ lower weights or decrease sets w/ higher weights
• 
7. 3 sets of 10 preacher curls
• increase sets w/ lower weights or decrease sets w/ higher weights
• 
8. 3 sets of 10 rowing
• increase sets w/ lower weights or decrease sets w/ higher weights
• 
9. 3 sets of 10 chest press
• increase sets w/ lower weights or decrease sets w/ higher weights
• 
10. End in the Steam Room for 5- or 10-minutes (max is 15-minutes)

Now, I also get questions about our 6-day workout schedule. Below, I have posted days and times that we hit the gym!

MONDAY - 3am
TUESDAY - 3am
WEDNESDAY - 6pm
THURSDAY - 3am
FRIDAY - 6pm
SATURDAY - 9 or 11am
SUNDAY - Off/Optional 30-minute light workout
(this past weekend, we opted to do a Saturday 11am workout and Sunday 1am workout. This allowed us to get an extra 30-minute workout in and we were able to complete 7-days although we considered it "training" for the 2-a-day workouts that will be coming weeks 9 thru 12. Right now, we are in week 7!)

***GUYS - We will post Erik's workout plan tomorrow!***

 

 

Thanks for reading! Make sure you let us know how you do and if you feel the burn!!!

 



TTC JOURNEY THE HIGH RISK CHRONICLES PART 2: THE RESULTS ARE IN {04.09.2015}

I was so anxious last night, constantly checking my emails and calls to see if my doctor had an update. I tried to be good all day, but finally, around lunch time I decided to email my doctor. He responded within minutes! Watch the video to find out what our results were!

Thank you for your continued love and support. We are looking forward to my blood test results with our heads held high and hearts full of anticipation for good news! Here's to great news which will hopefully come around Monday.

Blessings and Baby Dust

TTC JOURNEY | THE HIGH RISK CHRONICLES {04.09.2015}

Yesterday, I enjoyed a whopping four and a half hours at my doctors office for our High Risk TTC Journey for Baby Richards #3! Check out the VLog below for details.

All my paperwork for ultrasound and bloodwork 

15 viles of blood was drawn

I was not prepared for this but if it helps us get our Rainbow Baby, so be it!

Baby Dust!!!

TTC HAUL VIDEO & MORE {04.02.2015}

So this is the Rainbow Edition of my TTC Haul! This is a list of the items that help our TTC journey and if you are new to the TTC world, maybe these will help you too! I went ahead and added my YouTube video as well so you can watch. For reference, I went ahead and added the list below...Enjoy!!!

TTC HAUL : RAINBOW BABY EDITION

Provera - 5 Days at 10MG

• This is a prescription drug that is take to help start AF
• Used typically in conjunction with fertility drugs/treatment but can definitely be used without

Clomid - CD 2 thru 6 at 100MG

• This is a prescription drug that is taken to force the body to ovulate
• Used for women who have been TTC for more than 1year if under 35, or 6months if over 35

OPKs - 10 Days using Clear Blue and First Response

• Can be purchased at convenience/grocery stores
• Assists in tracking ovulation
• Works best if used in conjunction with BBT charting and CM tracking

Pre-Seed - CD 8 thru 20 (every other day)

• Can be purchased at convenience/grocery stores
• Use at least 10 minutes before BDing if injecting, of immediately before if using just as an assistant to BDing if dry due to fertility medications

Progesterone - Daily, after positive OPK

• This is a prescription drug that is taken only after ovulation takes place
• Helps produce more progesterone in the body
• Promotes health fetus growth
• *has the potential to eliminate the possibility of miscarriage*
• Only taken up to 10 weeks of pregnancy

 

Remember to keep your heads up ladies! We WILL get our Rainbow babies!

 

 

Wishes, Love, and Baby Dust to all my fellow TTC Sisters out there!

 

 

P.S.: Next Doctor's appointment is scheduled for Wednesday, April 8 at 9:20am. I am looking forward to sharing this "hisk risk", bumpy but blessed, TTC Journey!