a sad day...

After lunch today, I ran out to a few stores. I was looking for containers to reorganize our pantry. I started to feel a little queasy and my stomach felt crampy. So, I ran home to lay down and felt better after a while. I thought it was strange to feel so nauseous one second and better 10 minutes later. So, I ran to Walgreens to buy a pregnancy test. I took the test and noticed 2 faint lines. I blinked a few times and my heart started racing. There were definitely two lines. I. was. positive.

I tried not to freak out and decided to get a better pregnancy test. I need to know for sure. So, I ran to CVS this time (so the walgreens lady wouldn't think I was nuts) and bought another box. I took the test as fast as I could and it was negative.

Now, I'm just feeling really down. I knew I probably wasn't pregnant. We aren't trying quite yet, but we aren't really not trying either. I knew I shouldn't have taken that stupid test. But I did. And now I'm really upset.

I just can't forget that feeling I had when I saw 2 lines. It's indescribable. I know my time will come, but it's really hard waiting. I'm not sure if I should tell my husband about what happened today or not. He might think I'm crazy. So, I figured I'd tell you guys instead.

Before Baby Lady

I've run out of things to say...

I feel like I've sort of run out of things to talk about on here. I'm just playing the waiting game for now. The only thing that's new is I completely finished my to-do list: got all of my cavities filled and finalized my insurance. I'm still continuing to eat healthy and workout. I'm proud of myself for keeping up with the diet and exercise plan. I haven't lost anymore weight, but I'm pretty happy with where I'm at. I originally wanted to lose 10 more pounds, but I'm not sure if it's worth it to work really hard to get them off if I may be pregnant soon. So, I'll just keep doing what I'm doing. If I lose more though, I'll be happy!

I finished reading those three preconception books I talked about on my previous post and even started doing the workouts they suggested. I've also been doing yoga once a week.

My insurance is ready to go for pregnancy. I stayed on the same plan but added short term disability. This will pay me about 3000 over the 8 weeks I would be unable to work. We also put 2000 on a flexible spending account. It's tax free so it will save us 20%. So far, I have 20 sick/personal days that I've saved up over the years. So, I'll get full pay for that month or so, and then get the disability on top of that. I'm glad we got it all figured out. My husband seems to be more excited and less anxious now that we have the cost sorted out.

1. Preconception appointment

2. Start prenatal vitamins

3. Vaccinations

4. Obgyn search

5. Go off the pill

6. Insurance

4. Start and stick to a workout schedule

7. Lose weight

8. Eat only "real" food (nothing processed)

9. Have cavities filled

10. Read up!

It also looks like a whole lot will change next year at work. New principal, departmentalizing for the first time, and a new teaching partner. I teach first grade outside of Dallas and this was my fourth year of teaching. I was really upset at first to find out about all of these changes, but now I think they are for the better. God always has a plan. I need to learn to trust him more.

 I am used to teaching all 7 subjects, next year, I will only teach reading, writing, and word work. This means half the planning and preparation, and less trainings. Also, teaching language arts means you have a fairly calm and quiet classroom with a little more sitting. I think this will be a plus if I'm pregnant. I'm really trying to have a positive attitude about it all! Also, my teaching partner is from my home town! How does that even happen?? She is so sweet and kind. I know God had a huge hand in this arrangement! 

I feel bad for never blogging. But I jut don't have a lot to say. Hopefully, in a couple months, I'll have lots to post about! I'm seeing the light at the end of the tunnel you guys... 9 weeks until August. 9 weeks...

Love,

Before Baby Lady

Two lines... finally!

No, I'm not talking about the two pink lines that mean your life has changed forever. I'm just talking about the two blue lines on the ovulation test. This morning, I took the seventh and final test in the ovulation pack.
 It came back with 2 blue lines!! yessss!

This makes me happy because for one, now I know I am actually ovulating! Hopefully, this will help me get pregnant faster when we do start trying. This was the 16th day of my cycle.

I'm interested to know when they will start to get more regular.

Ovulation Frustration!

I told you guys this would be my place to over share. If that's not your thing, skip this post! Please!

I've been trying to figure out when I ovulate. So maybe in a few months, it will be easier to get pregnant.

I took my last pill in March and had a period that was 6 days long. On the 9th day of my cycle, I felt cramps on my right side and sort of knew I was ovulating. I also gained 2 pounds over night and had some major cervical mucus. I remember this feeling from high school. Do any of you know when you're ovulating just by knowing your body? I think I can totally tell. Anyways, that cycle was 30 days long.

 Then, in April I got my period again. This was my first period after stopping the birth control and I had cramps for 2 weeks before my period and then an 8 day long period. Horrible. This makes me really miss the pill.

So currently for this month, after the 8 day period, I started doing ovulation tests to see when I was ovulating.  I bought the Equate brand from the store and used a test each morning for 6 days. It said to start testing on day 10. If you see two lines, you know you're ovulating or will be within 2 days. So Saturday, I took the first test and there was nothing. I took two more. Still nothing. The third test I took showed no lines. Great! So I guess it was faulty.  And the last two have had only one line. But, I had the same little cramps on the left side and more cervical mucus. So, I'm not sure if the tests just aren't working. Or maybe I'm doing it wrong.

The exciting news:  We have planned a baby making vacation! I think I ovulate at the beginning of the month. So, we are planning on taking a trip for our 3rd wedding anniversary at the beginning of August and start trying to make babies! I can't wait!

Here's the main question I have for you guys: Can you tell when you ovulate??

For Your Pre-Pregnancy Reading Enjoyment

For the people out there like me, who need to know as much as possible to keep their sanity... I've pulled together the list of books I've read for preconception. These were great resources, and I'd recommend all three of them. New research shows that it doesn't take just 9 months to have a baby, but more like 12. At least 3 months to prepare your body and then the additional 9.

• What To Expect Before You're Expecting - This one is informative but a little cheesy. I found myself thinking enough with the jokes already.  The first section was the most helpful and is all about getting ready to conceive. From vaccinations to Dr. appointments, weight, and diet. The second section was how to make a baby. I'm not sure if I just wasn't paying attention in health class or just totally missed something, but I learned a lot!     

                                   

• Get Ready to Get Pregnant - If you're only going to read one pre-conception book, this would be the one to read. It was the most informative. Almost too informative. I found myself feeling a little overwhelmed when it began talking about all the toxins in your home and cleaning supplies. Not to mention the bashing of meat due to dioxins. It goes into depth on diet and nutrition. There is also an entire chapter on preconception appointments and what you should ask your doctor about. This was my favorite one! It's packed full of info and a very quick read.                                                                        

                                    

• Before Your Pregnancy: a 90 Day Guide -  This one is pretty lengthy. I'm still not finished reading it. I loved the preconception visit chapter. It had a list of questions you should ask your obgyn and what to expect on your visit. There is also great information on exercise and getting into shape.                                                    

                                     

Since reading these books I've made some changes that have included losing weight, working out more, having my cavities/dental work done. I also floss every night now and take prenatal vitamins. I went for my preconception visit and updated my vaccines.

 I sooo wish I could just skip forward already! August, hurry up!!!!

Love,

Before Baby Lady

Love You Forever

I remember in kindergarten, going to the school library with my class. The librarian read us a book called "Love You Forever." I remember how hard she was crying, and how I had to fight back tears after hearing the story. I was 5. 

Maybe it was because the teacher was crying or maybe I sort of got it. But this book has always made me emotional. If you have never read it, it's about a little boy who's mom rocks his to sleep and sings him a song. She sings to him each night as the little boy grows up, until he's a grown man. She continues to rock and sing to him while he sleeps. At the end, the boy gets a call that his mom is very sick and he picks her up and rocks her back and forth singing the song. Then, he goes home to his own house and rocks his new baby girl back and forth singing the lullaby his mom always sang to him. t.e.a.r.s.

So, this week at school, we are doing an author study on Robert Mulsch. (I teach first grade to the sweetest group of kids ever. seriously. it's the best) I had several of his books sitting out and of course, my students wanted me to read this one. So, I did. I actually was able to hold it together. (some of the kids thought the story was funny. It is really creepy that she still rocks him to sleep... and they were giggling. I can't really blame them though) 

So I asked, "do you think Robert wrote this book to be funny?" My little Alyssa piped up and said, "No. He is trying to show that even when you grow up, your mom will still love you just like she did when you were her baby. Because you will always be her baby." 

Then, I looked around the room and could see all their little minds soaking this up. I could even see tears swelling up in some of their eyes. They got it too. Just like I did. 

(click above to watch the video)

This is why I love kids and so badly want a baby of our own.

Love, 

Before Baby Lady

Paleo and Pregnancy

I know when you mention pregnancy and diets, most people freak out. Well, here goes nothing!

Over the past three months, I have drastically changed my diet. My sister and a few friends had started this Paleo diet. I had never heard of it and always thought it sounded nuts! No grains, no dairy... what?!? But I saw these friends lose lots of weight and keep it off. They also felt fantastic.

I on the other hand, had gained some weight since high school. About 25 pounds. Knowing I wanted to get pregnant, I needed to lose this weight and give my body some time to stabilize before gaining pregnancy pounds. So, I decided to try it.

The first week, I cut out grains. The next week, dairy. After that, I slowly increased my exercise regimen. This led to a loss of almost 20 pounds since January. My goal is to lose about another 10 pounds. But the better news is I feel awesome! I have twice the energy I used to! Normally, I would go to sleep around 9 every night (or earlier). Now, I can easily make it to 11 without feeling tired the next day. I still go to bed at a decent hour, but I can enjoy nights with my husband without feeling exhausted. Not to mention, I've lost 2 pants sizes and my clothes fit so much better!

So, what is Paleo? Paleo is the idea that we should be eating the way men ate thousands of years ago. Like cavemen. They ate meat, vegetables, and fruit. Grains, bread, chips, and cookies, these thing were not part of their diet. Our bodies haven't evolved enough to process these grains. Grains are processed. I have cut out all processed foods.

When you stop eating grains, you will no longer be starving. In the past, I would feel sick if I didn't eat every 4 hours or so. Now, I'm hardly ever hungry. Those hunger pains are long gone.

Also, grains cause your body to retain water. All of us are walking around with unnecessary pounds of water weight. When you stop eating grains, you will lose tons of water weight (pee a lot) and keep it off too.

I love eating this way and love the way I feel.

So, here's the drama...

I don't want to stop eating this way. I want to continue this diet when I'm pregnant and even after that. I don't want to go back to my old ways and feel like crap again.

So I'm going to keep eating this way. I've done lots of research and really feel like it's best. Most women eating Paleo and pregnant have found they have less nausea, more energy, and less weight gain. My friend gained 30 pounds when pregnant with her first two kids. Once she started paleo, she only gained 18 ponds for her last two pregnancies.

I'm really not even concerned about the weight. I just want to eat healthy food and feel healthy. Paleo is the way to do that.

I'm excited to see if I can keep it up and how this all works out for me.

Not to mention eatings boat loads of vegetables, fruit, and lean meat make you super fertile!

Just a few paleo resources:

onefitmom.ca

Paleo Pregnancy Blog

Paleo Diet Info

Everyday Paleo

LOVE,

BEFORE BABY LADY