so it begins....

Thursday:11/29/2012
Day one of injections
Menopur- 150 units
Gonal F- 300 units
114 lbs


The day I have been waiting for! FINALLY! Yesterday (Thursday- 11/29/2012), I started my injections. The GONAL F & the MENOPUR. So I am one of those who hates needles, so my husband decided that he would do the injections. Dr. Miller requested that we do the shots between 5-8pm, because depending on my blood work, she may have to increase or decrease the dosage. This is a perfect time for us. We are eating dinner at 7:00, finished by 7:30.

We were both SO nervous about making sure we did the proper amount of medicine. Mario was scared we would hurt me with the needles, but I don't care how bad it hurts (which it didn't), I was more concerned with just getting the medicine to do its job! He was a little fussy about not having any fat or skin to pinch on my belly to inject the needle... I kept thinking to myself, oh that will all change soon (hopefully)

Yesterday also marked the first day of NO coffee. I usually have a red eye from Starbuck's every morning, but while I am going through this procedure, I want to make sure my body is working at its OPTIMAL BEST! I'm crabby, and tired from not having the coffee. Being a trainer and wellness coach, I NEED to be on top of my game and always in an energetic mood- I will get through this, I know.

Keeping busy over the next week with Christmas shopping, Acupuncture and creating new meal plans. I'm curious how my workouts will be- without the added UMPH from the caffeine.

BALLOONS!

Anyone else going through the IVF process get put on birth control only to have SWOLLEN ENORMOUS TENDER BOOBS!?!??! One more week on these bad boys and my boobs may EXPLODE! SHEESH!

SO today was the first time I tried ACUPUNCTURE! WOW! Pretty incredible and so relaxing!  Jack who also does the most INCREDIBLE massages., is who I chose for my acupuncture. Jack is a licensed acupuncturist and deals with women who wish to get pregnant. If you want more info on how acupuncture helps, check it out here.


I must say, the needles did NOT hurt (I'm such a baby with needles), and in 20 minutes, I was more relaxed than I have been ALL YEAR! I think me & Acupuncture will be best BUDS! I am already looking forward to meeting with Jack for Round two and three and however many more I need. He told me that while I was lying there, to meditate with "INTENTION", to really think about why I am doing this. SO I did just that. I had a really nice conversation with God. My intention is to create a beautiful little being from the love that Mario & I have for one another. To cherish this little being, love and nurture it, have it grow up, happy healthy productive and the joy in our hearts forever. I want this pregnancy to bring not only Mario & I closer, but to bring my grown kids Heather & Tyler closer to each the and closer to Mario & I. My fantasy, my dream is to have a BEAUTIFUL complete family.

By the time Jack came back to the room, I felt as if I were on a month long vacation. I left even more positive and more excited to get on with the process! SO we will see how it goes over the next few weeks!

Got all my meds READY and so excited to get it going! I will post more tomorrow after my blood work and Dr. visit!

Have a GREAT night!
XX

Week one- B.C done!

Wow!!! Week one done of being on the birth control ( to suppress my estrogen). Maybe it's in my head, but I felt bloated and my abs were no where in site! Yes, it's all worth it, but I just want to get this whole month done with already! With one more week to go being on birth control, I'm anxious to receive my meds and start injecting!

Everyone says I have a great attitude about the whole process, and all I can think is "why wouldn't I"? We are so excited to see what happens in December.

I stopped drinking my one a day red eye from Starbucks. Saturday was day 6. All week long I ordered green zen tea with honey. By the end of the week, I was no longer missing it. Then Sunday morning I woke up and decided last minute to go workout and get some running done..... And decided to grab a regular Starbucks coffee for some energy. Funny thing is that once I started drinking it, I wondered why the heck I even ordered it! I didn't miss it at all! Only thing I will say is that my workout was ass kickin'!!! So now the new week begins... No more coffee and sticking to my blood type 0+ meal design.

For the past 3 years I have been pretty consistent with maca, bee pollen, spirulina, coq10, etc..... So I feel so positive about this experience, and the chances that it will work. An added bonus?? Mario and I are two peas in a pod when it comes to nutrition, fitness and doing whatever we can to get pregnant and have a healthy baby.

See ya next week!!
Xx

Do you know your Blood Type??

What an EXCITING crazy month I have ahead of me! So, you all know that I am currently taking Birth control, which is the weirdest thing for me! LOL! I am already losing my abs from this stuff- I know, it's temporary, but still! And my boobs are slowly growing.  Anywho, I am obsessed with eating clean and working out- It's my job, my passion, MY LIFE. I have been reading a lot lately on fertility, blood type diets, foods to increase fertility along with supplements to boost fertility. I'm not sure I have a fertility issue, as a matter of fact, I don't. we just don't want to delay the baby making process, so we are doing IVF to speed things up!

Do you know your blood type? I was sure I was a type O, come to fiund I am O+. Not sure if I am a secretor or non-secretor, waiting for my Dr, to write me back, however, I find the whole subject quite interesting.

If you are a Type O+ you will find this pretty cool. I found after reading this over and over, it seems to be pretty accurate about ME- You?

Type Os thrive on intense physical exercise and animal protein. (This is certainly me.... Think about it, I am an ANIMAL In the gym, and a half marathon runner). I also LOVE LOVE LOVE buffalo and Turkey.

Unlike the other blood types, Type Os muscle tissue should be slightly on the acid side.

Type Os can efficiently digest and metabolize meat because they tend to have high stomach-acid content.  (I do notice that when I eat bufflao or turkey, I can eat a lot, as I NEVER get bloated or full.)

The success of the Type O Diet depends on the use of lean, chemical-free meats, poultry, and fish.  (I always stick to grass fed, NON-MASSPRODUCED lean protein sources)

Type Os don't find dairy products and grains quite as user friendly as do most of the other blood types. ( I can DEFINITELY live without grains)

The initial weight loss on the Type O Diet is by restricting consumption of grains, breads, legumes, and beans. The leading factor in weight gain for Type Os is the gluten found in wheat germ and whole wheat products, which interferes with insulin efficiency and slow down metabolic rate. Another factor that contributes to weight gain is certain beans and legumes (lentils and kidney beans) contain lectins that deposit in the muscle tissues making them less "charged" for physical activity. The third factor in Type O weight gain is that Type Os have a tendency to have low levels of thyroid hormone or unstable thyroid functions, which also cause metabolic problems. Therefore it is good to avoid food that inhibits thyroid hormone (cabbage, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, mustard green) but increase hormone production (kelp, seafood, iodized salt). (I LOVE cabbage, but I can live without it, if it means I will be even healthier!) I just got my Kelp powder in the mail from Amazon, and I bought Nori rolls to replace bread.

Several classes of vegetables can cause big problems for Type Os, such as the Brassica family (cabbage, cauliflower, etc.) can inhibit the thyroid function. Eat more vegetables that are high in Vitamin K, which helps the clotting factor which is weak in Type Os. The nightshade vegetables can cause lectin deposit in the tissue surrounding the joints. (Ok, so this bothers me, I LOVE tomatoes and eggplants- I also notice arthritis flair ups when I have to much of either of them, so, this is another reason to believe in this type of eating.)

Because of the high acidity stomach, Type Os should eat fruits of alkaline nature such as berries and plums.. (LOVE BERRIES AND PLUMS!)

Type Os should severely restrict the use of dairy products. Their system is not designed for the proper metabolism. If you are a Type O of African ancestry, you should eliminate dairy foods and eggs altogether.  (i haven't had dairy in a,most 7 years. Every now and then I would experiemnt with some, and remember why I can't have it- SEVERE gastrointestional issues!!)

Oh, This girl has been READING so much lately! SO here is what I made in my O+ Blood type Post Workout Smoothie:

You will see:

Sun Warrior Vegan Protein Powder- Chocolate- 2 scoops

Maca Powder- 1 tsp.

Kelp Powder- 1 tsp

Camu Powder (high potency Vitamin C)- 1 tsp

Almond milk- 1 cup

Water- 1/2 cup

Frozen blueberries- 1 cup

Benefits of Kelp

 Kelp is widely consumed in Japan, Hawaii and Alaska. It is a significant source of vitamins A, B, C, D, E, K, and folic acid.

 It is incredibly rich in iodine, which is required for the normal functioning of the thyroid gland. Therefore, it can prove beneficial for conditions like goiter, hypothyroidism, and cretinism.

It is also abundant in many other important minerals including potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, zinc, selenium, and calcium.

It can boost the immune system, improve liver functions, regulate blood pressure and the functions of the pituitary gland, lower the level of cholesterol in blood, control appetite to help lose weight, and maintain pancreas and prostate health.

 It prevents the growth of tumors and maintains the pH balance of the body.

There are basically three species of kelp, that are mainly harvested to prepare extracts and supplements, that are available in the form of tablets, pills or powder. These species are bladderwrack, laminaria and rockweed. If used in moderation, it can provide significant health benefits. But, considering all the side effects, it is imperative to consult a physician or health care professional before taking it for medicinal purposes.


                                                                                                                        Benefits Of Camu

Proponents claim that

 camu camu can boost

 the immune system, aid

 in skin care, and

 preserve eye health. In

 addition, camu camu is

 purported to protect

 against the following

 health problems:

arthritis

atherosclerosis

cancer

depression

diabetes

gum disease

Camu camu is  top source of vitamin C, an

 antioxidant vitamin often used to

 strengthen the immune system. 

There's also some evidence that camu camu

 may be high in anthocyanins, another type of

 antioxidant.

Health Benefits of Camu Camu 

 Here's a look at some key study findings:

1) Inflammation

Camu camu may fight inflammation and

 oxidative stress, according to a 2008 study

 from the Journal of Cardiology. 

For the study, 20 male smokers either drank

 camu camu juice or took vitamin C tablets

 every day for a week.

 At the end of the treatment period, members of

 the camu camu group showed a significant

 decrease in certain markers of inflammation

 and oxidative stress. Members of the vitamin C

 group, meanwhile, did not experience a

 decrease in these markers.

2) Diabetes

Camu camu shows potential in the treatment of

 diabetes, a 2010 study from the Journal of

 Agricultural and Food Chemistry shows. 

In lab experiments, scientists found camu camu

 to  contain high amounts of antioxidants and

 ellagic acid (a substance shown to offer

 antidiabetic effects in some research).

Forms

Camu camu is available in a number of different

 forms, including powder, juice, and capsules. I

 like the powder, since I swallow so many

 supplements already, I just toss a teaspoon in

 my smoothies

Sun Warrior Protein Benefits

Warrior Blend fuses and

 multiplies the power of

 several rich protein sources

 into a smooth, great tasting

, and revolutionary

 proprietary formula that is

 overwhelmingly superior to

 the individual components

 alone. This dynamic fusion

, along with a cold extraction

 process, creates a unique

, raw, plant-based protein

 with a complete amino acid

 profile exceptionally high in

 Glutamine, Arginine, Lysine, Luecine, and branch chain

 amino acids.

Warrior Blend is an easy digestible, nutrient

 filled superfood perfect for anyone who wants to

 amplify their health and fitness levels. 

Best of all, it 

tastes phenomenal.

Complete protein contains all essential amino acid

Creates a feeling of satiety (fullness)

Promotes muscle function

Contains no animal products, dairy, egg, gluten, soy, 

added sugar, wheat, or yeast

Ideal for healthy weight-loss

Easy to digest

Increases Energy

A green, allergen-free food suitable for any diet or 

lifestyle, not just vegans

And so it begins!

Hello friends!

I know it's been a while since I have posted on THIS blog, but I haven't had much to report to you in terms of baby news...... Now if you read my OTHER blog, I bable off like a one year old who loves to hear herself speak! 

Since April, Mario and I have been trying to get pregnant. When we finally decided to use a fertility, it was the BEST decision we made. Something had to give, because NORMALLY I was very fertile. After having the Tubal Reversal, The Dr.'s all said I would have NO problem. GREAT! Well, like two little jack rabbits, sex was all we could have- It was our job and we wanted to be successful. 

Pee sticks, thermometers, Ovulation kits, pregnancy sticks- you name it, I bought it. This brings us to July- NO success, NO pregnancy. Since my sister went to an incredible Dr. and had so much success, I wanted to use the same Dr. who help my sister bring my God daughter into my life. Dr. Nora Miller out of Stamford CT. is who I went to see. When we met, we went through a check list, and she answered all the questions I had. She had Mario do a semen analysis. When she called to tell me my results, I was super excited and realized that there is NO reason I can't get pregnant  The very next day she called to tell me Mario's news. His sperm count was super low. We decided to meet with a Dr. for Mario. This Dr. was awesome, SUPER knowledgeable and put 120% confidence in us that we would get pregnant. After three months Mario's levels came up, but not enough for us to continue to try each month, so all 4 of us decided to do IVF.  


The great news is that my period was a week away, so the sooner I start the process the better! We met with Dr. Miller and she walked us through the process.

1. We did the IVF class with her so we understand the process.
2. I had my blood taken and did the Medication class so I understand how to inject myself with the meds. This was so scary for me, because I do NOT like needles and anytime I get blood taken, I get a little funky in my belly. Mario seems to think it's kinda cute and offered his hands to do the injections. 


3. On the first day of my period, I went to Dr. Miller. This is the OFFICIAL start to my process. We did an ultrasound which is to look for ovarian cysts which there was a tiny one, she didn't seemed worried about.  and blood work to check my FSH Levels- 9.2 and my blood type, which I had an idea, but was off. I'm a 0+ and I thought I was just 0. Good to know your blood type, for sure! 


4. On the 3rd day of my period, which is today (Sunday), I will start birth control, sounds weird, huh? this will decrease my risk of Ovarian Hyperstimulation and Ovarian cysts. It can even improve the odds of success! 

I'm not going to lie, this is all so overwhelming and all I could think about is what if I forget to inject or what if I screw up the dosage, I'm so air headed with this stuff.... so not my thing! I am a perfectionist as well as a control freak with my life, I'm so scared I will mess this up! 

I have been doing a lot of visualizing lately, and it calms me, makes me smile and yea, sometimes emotional to think about carrying a little baby in my belly for 9 months- to nurture it, make sure I take extra great care of myself and prepare for this little persons life with us. I think about holding the baby and just watching Mario with our baby. I imagine my kids loving the baby and wanting to be the best big brother and sister ever. This little person will forever change our lives, and Mario & I are ready to become parents to OUR first child.

So, yes, we are over the moon excited! AM I crazy to hope it will happen on the first try? Well then call me crazy, because if it doesn't, we will not do IVF again, simply because the cost is so heavy and our insurance won't cover a DIME! The meds are crazy expensive!

Just wanted to let you all know that this is Stage one, and this is where we are at. At each new stage, I will blog and keep you posted on how I am doing. 

In the meantime, I'll be working out, eating super clean and popping my pre-natal vitamins among all the other supps I take to stay as fit and healthy as I can on the inside.

Keep us in your prayers please.... XX Tina

got a few minutes?!?

April 9th, 2012, just 2 months ago, I had my Tubal Reversal. I actually was on my period during the surgery. I then got my period 3 days early in May and 5 days late in June. I attribute this to my surgery and body being out of whack. Now here we are in June and although I was so sad a depressed when I got my period this month, I am over it. I am taking EVERY necessary action to ensure a NATURAL way of getting pregnant WITHOUT the use of IVF. I more or less IFRED my doctor when I called him to tell him I got my period and what should I do? Can I take Clomid? Keep trying naturally? He rushed me off the phone by giving me a number to call to make an appointment to schedule and get ready for IVF Immediately! Um, what?!?!? It's been 2 moths, not 5 years! I am 40 not 50! SO I am going to meet with the Doctor my sister used. A second opinion can't hurt. 

Meanwhile, I am learning more about my body by reading all of these fertility sites. I learned about the egg white mucus stuff inside of you and how to track your fertile days.... Well, having read these articles, and checking for that stuff, it was there! Holy crap! I'm fertile! So, guess what! The Mr and Mrs have been rolling around in the sheets every other night! Oh yea, like clock work. I am staying positive and no stressing out. I know it will happen soon!

Boy, when I start reading about certain things, I can't stop! For one, YOU know that I am ALWAYS reading to learn learn and learn some more. Nutrition has been one of my reading obsessions for many years- in fact, it's what has gotten me to where I am now. By learning about foods and how they effect your body, I was able to transform my figure from average to lean and ripped. Working out for 2 hours a day even two times a day won't give you the body you are looking for. I have said for 10+ years, it's all about nutrition.

Since I am trying to get pregnant, my goals have shifted a TAD bit. Not much. Instead of trying to achieve an 8 pack this summer, I am more so trying to discovers the NATURAL ways to increase my fertility as well as my husbands. While I am discovering that Mario & I have been doing the right thing for so long, it's just a matter of time before I have a little baby in my belly! 

It seems that eating an organic diet filled with veggies, fruits, whole eggs and wild fish are just some of the ways the body responds well and causes you to be one fertile Myrtle! I can't even tell you how long Mario & I have been supplementing with Maca, Bee pollen and wheat grass. 

Incase you are wondering about these supplements, they are NOT just for women trying to get pregnant...As I said, FOR YEARS Mario & I have been using them:

Maca: 

For women

• Treat PMS (Mood Swings)
• Menopause symptom relief (Hot Flashes)
• Sexual stimulation
• Nourishes glandular system
• HRT alternative(Hormone Replacement Therapy)
• Increases stamina & athletic performance
• Increases energy (Chronic Fatigue)
• Balance hormones

For Men:

• Increases energy (Chronic Fatigue)
• Treat sexual dysfunction (Loss of Libido)
• Increases stamina & athletic performance
• Nourishes glandular system
• Fertility enhancement
• Improves physical and emotional well being
• Promotes mental clarity
• Balance hormones

Menopause:

Every woman eventually goes through it- It's a NATURAL part of life - It's when you no longer get your period, but other symptoms take its place.  Symptoms are not the same for every women, and there are ways to decrease the symptoms.
Benefits of Maca

• Increases libido
• Deeper sleep
• Balances moods
• Enhances memory and brain function
• Increases energy levels
• Helps adapt to stress
• Slows the aging process
• Lessens aches and pain, more endurance and stamina
• Prevents osteoporosis, high calcium and vegetable protein
• Reverses vaginal dryness

Royal Jelly:

A milky white substance from the beehive. Just a few of the  benefits of royal jelly include* -
- More energy
- Weight Loss / control
- Healthier skin and hair
- More youthful appearance
- Strengthened immune system
- Reproductive health - fertility
- More resilience to colds/flu
- Reduced feelings of stress etc.

A diet for women trying to become more fertile should be SUPER Low in sugar, high in veggies, whole grains and nuts- YA HOO! That would be ME! When trying to MAKE a baby and get pregnant, I need to increase my WILD fish...Only problem is I only eat Pole caught Tuna, the OCCASIONAL mussels and that's it. I promise to start eating WIld Salmon again, I just need to figure out a way to get it in my belly. I tried about a year ago, and almost gagged- What was ONCE a FAVORITE for me became something I got naucious looking at. I have been dairy free for 6 years, and learning tha too much dairy clogs the female system, once again I am in the clear! Cruciferous veggies like steamed broccoli and cauliflower help flush excess estrogens out. WIthout knowing this, I have been eating so much broccoli, and about a year ago, I was eating broccoli and cauliflower about 5 days a week. I couldn't get enough of it! 

One down fall so far... COFFEE. Now, before you say anything.... I NEVER have more than ONE cup per day and I always get a TALL from Starbucks. WIth all the reading I have been doing, caffeine is the one thing you should stop. Listen Goddesses, I am 40, not 20, so if 20 different WELL KNOWN sites tell me to NOT have coffee, I am going to listen! I started yesterday actually. DO you know how hard it was to SMELL coffee yet order an iced green tea with a splash of lemonade!?!? SO HARD. I was a little foggy too. Not going to lie! With all of the incredible benefits of Green Tea, why WOULDN'T I want THAT instead?!?!? 

SO, from here on out, until God blesses us with pregnancy, I am going to take extra great care of my personal internal environment! Sometimes I read these forums of women who have been trying for YEARS, and they are so much younger than me. It's sad, but when I read how they are taking so many different medications for OTHER ailments, eating a processed diet, smoking and over weight.... makes me wonder- Why wouldn't they SACRIFICE their bodies for a HEALTHY pregnancy? I don't chat with any of them, I just read what other women are dealing with. It just boggles my mind though that women don't give their "DIET" a second thought as to why maybe they CAN'T get pregnant.

Holding my breath!

Well, May has been a LONG month for me personally! Although it may seem as if I am just going with the flow, Deep inside I have this HUNGER and pain to be pregnant. I am going about my life, working, training, running, and doing as I normally do each day, but I feel like some days it's wearing on me. I know it's ONLY BEEN 2 months, but I feel like the longer it takes, the less my chances are. I am going to take a pregnancy test in 3 days if my period doesn't come.  Last month it came 3 days early!

While lying in bed this morning I felt crampy, and ran to the bathroom to see if my period came, but it didn't! I was so happy. ALL DAY, every time I would pee, I had to check. I do act as though I am fine, and some days I am, but other days, I just want to be PAST my first trimester already!

If I do get my period, I am going right to my OBGYN, to discuss Clomid or another medication to help me. I am NOT ready for IVF especially since I just had this surgery!

not this time....

I can't tell you how excited I was to take my pregnancy test this coming Saturday.... That is until I woke up this morning with my period. I am trying to be REALISTIC about this. I JUST had surgery on April 9th. April 8th was my last period, so I can't EXPECT that by some miracle this would happen IMMEDIATELY, although I was praying to God that it would.

I think if I wasn't 40 years old already, I wouldn't be so obsessed with getting pregnant RIGHT AWAY, but the facts are the facts and I am 40 years old and the chances for me to conceive get slimmer and slimmer the more the clock ticks away.

I must have read about a thousand articles on how to increase my chances and while I am NOT tooting my own horn, I pretty much could right my OWN book on how to get more fertile. Having a healthy balanced diet is one that is a MAJOR for me. In the past three months, I have been eating egg whites, the OCCASIONAL Pole Caught tuna and buffalo and my protein powder. As for my complex carbs, I get them from yams, brown rice pasta, Quiona, black rice and steel cut oats. I eat a TON of veggies (hence the name FIT GREEN GODDESS) and fruits, well, I love them all. SO you can put a check next to HEALTHY DIET.
Exercise, yup check that one off too. I workout 6 days a week and if I am energized enough I workout seven. You won't catch me texting or yapping on my iphone while training or doing cardio, as a matter of fact you won't catch me talking - PERIOD! I bust my ass! I consider myself an ATHLETE.
Stress- well who doesn't have stress? My stress is away at boarding school so as long as Tyler is in school, I am stress free and happy. I have an incredible life and I couldn't be happier.

So, you see, I do everything in MY power and what I can with what I have control over- the rest is up to MOTHER NATURE and our Lord. Every Sunday in Church and every morning and every night, my conversations and prayers with God are about Heather, Tyler and that little Angel in heaven who is waiting to come into my belly. I will stay positive and leave it in God's hands....

Until then, Mario & I will do our job! We don't mind THAT part either! :O)

Guess I was wrong...

I THOUGHT I was ovulating... All the signs were there, and based on my period tracker- I WAS OVULATING! SO, Mario and I got to work! And yea, that is what our sex has become. Now it's a job... in hopes to have a baby growing in my belly soon...Could I have miscalculated? I don't think so.  I also used like 15 different ovulation calendars....Who knows. All I know is that this is consuming me. I have a headache I think about it so much.

Today after I peed on the stick (yet once again), I just looked up and asked God for a blessing. I guess it's all I can do right?

I read all these things about how to BOOST your fertility... HA!!!! I'm there! I don't drink, I don't smoke, I am at the perfect weight. I eat a very well balanced diet with NO trans-fat what so ever, I workout everyday and my stress levels have gone down dramatically. I don't think I'm infertile, I just think the Tubal Reversal has messed with my hormones. I guess I shouldn't have even THOUGHT so highly that there MAY be a chance the FIRST time around. My body is all out of whack. I went from running 30+ miles a week, training like a professional football player (exaggeration) to a complete STOP. Right after my marathon we flew to Gran Caymans, and right after that I worked for 2 weeks before we took off for Chapel Hill to get the Reversal.

I was SO EXCITED because the day before my surgery, I got my period, so the sooner it was over, the sooner we could try. Even though the stick shows no signs, we still are doing our part. Who knows, maybe the stick is wrong? I highly doubt it, but wishful thinking seems to soothe my aching heart.

Well, I will keep you posted. I contacted Dr. Monteith who did my reversal. He told me that after two cycles, I should ask my OB-GYN about Clomid- Can't I ask him NOW!?!?!?

Guess who is OVULATING!

Well, YOU guessed! ME! I guess after all these years, I am finally getting in tune with my body in more ways than one! Could it be a sign form GOD that I got my period the DAY BEFORE my TUBAL REVERSAL? I feel like getting my period before the surgery allows me to ovulate QUICKER, and HOPEFULLY I will get pregnant SOONER rather than later.  Here is something strange.... Without even peeing on the (OVULATION) stick or looking at my period tracker app, I KNOW I am ovulating. I get this little crampy pain near my ovaries, I get these tingles in the Sheesh area, and my whole personality changes. It's almost as if I get period symptoms when I am ovulating. Am I a weirdo? Who knows, all I know is that with these symptoms, and looking at my APP, I was RIGHT! TODAY I started to Ovulate, BUT!!!! The stick only shows ONE line. Hmmmmm... The two lines have to be similar in color and DARK. I am wondering if doing it later in the day makes any difference, so tomorrow morning, I am going to do it when I get up, and see what happens.

I woke up on the wrong side of the bed I think. I wasn't in a good mood, I was tired and so emotional today (another sign of ovulation?) Anywho... Mario and I "TREID" last night. It was awkward, painful (my stitches) and felt more like work rather than love making and that is SOOO NOT our way.  He was awkward (he didn't say anything) but I could tell. I can read my husband very well. I layed there afterwards, afraid to pee, because I was afraid the sperm would end up in the toiled and NOT up there! UGH! A client told me to lay there with my legs UP! While I did NOT do such a thing... I did lay there with the hopes some of those suckers are up in there and my egg comes bouncing down and they meet!  SO between last night and this morning, it kind of set the tone for my whole day.....

I had a consultation with my OB-GYN whom I have been going to for about 9 years now. I told him about the TUBAL REVERSAL. He was happy for me (I guess) but I could tell that if I am NOT pregnant in 3 months, he WILL PUSH IVF! SHIT! I hope it happens! Please GOD! He was happy to hear about the length of my tubes which are 7 cm on the left and 8 cm on the right.  SO from what he says...Things look positive but THERE IS NO TIME TO WASTE! With me being 40, the chances of course go down. I am going to hope because I am healthy and fit, because I have an incredible diet, because I get my period every 28 days to the day, things will happen soon. I have to be positive.


 These pics are MY info on my Period tracker... Check it out!

 This is my monthly calendar. You can see that on the 8th through the 11th, I had my period, which means that I start ovulatingTODAY! See the green dots from the 16-the 22nd? I am fertile on the 21st. You can list your symptoms, temperature, moods, etc.

















Period Tracker is the go-to app to log and predict your periods, know your fertile times, and note when you're having menstrual symptoms (PMS, anyone?) throughout the month. Icons for moods, flow and ovulation (a bright pink daisy!) are cute and light-hearted, making those challenging, emotional days a little easier to take.
 When you see the YELLOW bright MOON, that's a SIGN! Get moving baby!!!!












You can keep track of all of your cycles, and if you r anything like me, I am so forgetful with dates, so this is super helpful with reminding me.

Time to get to work!

Well, I went to CVS today and immediately grabbed my First Response Ovulation Kit! Oh man! This stuff is all so confusing to me, I m not sure why, but it is!
It comes with 20 tests, in this sealed package which you CAN NOT open until you are ready to start peeing on the sticks! You must use the sticks within 30 days of trying! Sheesh!

I was also looking into the Basal Body Temperature testing, again, all too much work to do! So I am going to use my handy dandy "Period Tracker" App on my Iphone and use this First Response Ovu- Kit. We will see how it goes.
All the pain I am in now form this Tubal reversal, I better damn well get pregnant right away! I have no time to be doing all sorts of crazy tests, and peeing on sticks! I am 40 and I am NOT getting any younger!

SO a little about POST surgery. As you already know, I feel like a big fat cow right now. My tummy is so bloated from the surgery- which I am sure is normal. I got on the scale this morning and yep! I sure am retaining tons of water- I weighed in at 115lbs! I haven't been 115 in about 3 years! I can feel it in my belly, my fingers and my face. Check out my pic! The cut is NOT big at all, in fact, it's tiny and clean, but I still can't stand up straight. I can't lift anything over 15 pounds, an NO working out! BASTARD!
So? I slept, and got lots of much needed rest. I did all the laundry, Dragged Tyler food shopping with me as he carried all 9 grocery bags, did my CVS shopping and even cooked dinner. I am shot though, and feel like I ran a marathon today! That is how Post Surgery goes though... I am drinking lots of water, had a great big salad for dinner with some tuna. I feel a little nauseous right now, not sure if it's the salad or the Advil and Tylenol with codeine. Either way, feeling pretty crappy right now.

Tubal Reversal Surgery.

Sitting here at the airport because our flight has been delayed- and of course, I had YOU on my mind. I wanted to fill you in on my surgery. First I must say how beautiful North Carolina is. We flew into Raleigh North Carolina, and stayed in Chapel Hill at the Residence Inn. Not getting much sleep on Sunday night as we arrived here at 1:45am, not getting to sleep until around 2:30, We had to wake up at 7:00 to be at the Tubal Reversal Center at 8:00 for our consultation. We couldn’t believe how thorough and professional and sweet the whole staff were. Meeting with Dr. Monteith was awesome. He is very layed back yet SUPER SMART and I knew right away I was in good hands. Bonnie was my nurse, and this girl was adorable, super professional and so caring! Mario & I loved her!

At about 9:30 we went into the surgery room to get prepped. I needed two bags of fluids because I was a little dehydrated, I guess form the plane, and lack of water. Even now I feel bloated as a balloon (24 hours later). The surgery went great and Dr. Monteith said I had double huka clamps on each tube (I didn’t know this). Anyway, he snipped them off and says the length of the tubes are great! 7 & 8 on each side. The longer the better because once Mario’s sperm meets my egg they have longer to form before they drop into my ovaries and form a baby.  When I woke up I was sooo out of it. AT one point I was sitting up and almost fell on my face- while Mario thought this was funny, the nurse came running over to stop me.



We got back to our hotel room, and I crawled into bad for a good 5 hours. AT about 5:00, I got up and got ready for us to grab some food. I was in some pain but the meds still had not worn off completely so it wasn’t until around 7:00 that the pain really set in. I had a great little bowl of soup, a salad and some gluten free pasta with veggies. I sucked down 4 glasses of ice water but still felt extremely bloated. By 9:30 I was passed out. I slept through the night but by 6:00 am, I was feeling the pain get worse, so Mario got up to get my Tylenol with codeine and my Advil. The nurse came to my room to remove my bandage, clean my stitches and put a new bandage on. I couldn’t look down, I get so queasy when I see blood even my own!

I was starving at this point so we grabbed breakfast at some other hotel. I had some steel cut oats, an egg white omelet with squash and some fresh fruit. They even served lemon water! It was sooo refreshing! I sucked it down.

I am feeling ENORMOUS and BLOATED. I seriously feel as if I gained 10 pounds just from all the fluids before surgery and the salt in all the food we have eaten everywhere! I hardly had any carbs except for the oats, so I KNOW it's the salt. I mean really! All i eat are veggies and fruits! I am despereate to get back home.


At this point, I am so not happy with JET BLUE! our flight is delayed....not one hour but 5 hours later, we had to hop on another flight and get outta NC! 5 hours! After surgery! That sucked! I started crying simply because of the pain and discomfort I was in! It was horrible!

It hasn’t hit me yet that Mario and I are going to try and actually get pregnant, I don’t know if it’s because I’m in pain, or because I feel like a bloated blimp right now....
I DO KNOW that when we do try and start this baby making business, it’s going to be beautiful!

I am still in the wee stages of this whole pregnancy thing. My 

focus right now is to get as fertile as I can, stay healthy as I can, 

and "DO IT" as much as I can, without wearing out my poor 

husband! I tease him all the time about it. While we have a VERY normal sex life and it's quite passionate, and beautiful...NOW it's a job! We have certain days of teh month where we need to MAKE SURE WE DO IT! BOY O BOY!

My surgery isn't until April 9th, but it's all that is on my mind. I 

tend to obsess over things, especially LIFE CHANGING 

THINGS! I want everything to be PERFECT! I want to eat the 

perfect foods, take the right supplements and vitamins, 

workout, but not over do it (I am a MANIAC- just check out my 

other blog- Fit Green Goddess). 

I found a list of snacks for fertility snacks that will regulate your 

blood sugar levels and give you a good source of protein.

• frozen blueberries with organic plain yogurt- I don't eat Yogurt
• nuts and/or seeds with fresh fruit- I LOVE NUTS
• apple with organic peanut butter- LOVE
• dried apricots with walnuts or almonds- LOVE
• fresh fruit with almonds or walnuts- LOVE
• fresh fruit with a slice of organic cheese- I don't eat cheese
• Wasa™ or Ryvita™ crackers with organic peanut butter- LOVE
• raw vegetables with Hummus- LOVE
• homemade pita chips with salsa- LOVE

I already eat super clean and have tons of water and fiber- kinda goes along with my lifestyle.... A vegan 90% of the time. With all the running I do each day (30 miles a week), I NEED water, coconut water and more water to replenish. 


I don't do detoxes, simply because I don't need to. I NEVER drink alcohol, I don't eat processed foods, so what am I detoxing?? The only thing I require is a vacation twice a year- a DETOX from my everyday life! :O) 


As far a supplements, I take an organic pre-natal vitamin, COQ10, wheat grass shots and my fish oils Both my husband and myself are super strict with our routines each day including our meals, supplements, workouts and sleep.

SO I will investigate these snacks further...I am definitely NOT a HIGH fruit intaker, but I will make sure I get a GOOD balance of my nuts fruits, protein and veggies....

Pregorexia.

WHOAH! While zipping through my twitter, I came across a 

tweet from WOMEN'S Health Magazine...

Pregorexia
Extreme dieting and exercising while pregnant to avoid gaining the 25 to 35 pounds of weight doctors usually recommend.

"There's more social pressure on women to look thin during and after pregnancy," says Shepphird. "But pregorexia comes with very serious health problems." Starving moms-to-be are at risk for depression, anemia, and hypertension, while their malnourished babies are often 

miscarried or born with birth defects.

 Wow! I didn't realize it, but now that I think about it, it's probably TRUE. I know for me, I just want to get back to where I am NOW once I DO intact get pregnant and have a baby.. I also will not deny, I am NOT crazy about gaining the baby weight, and will do whatever I have to in order to have a HEALTHY pregnancy and most important, a HEALTHY baby! 


FOR SURE, I'm not going to be the pregnant chick who eats and eats and says I am eating for two! HECK NO! I will continue to eat the way I eat, and workout the way I workout with a FEW modifications to be on the safe side. 


You can be sure to watch me as well! I will be Vlogging the whole time! ;O)