National Infertility Awareness Week

Did you know that 1 in 8 couples are dealing with infertility? I personally know a handful that did or are. This was and is one of my biggest fears. I can't imagine going through what these couples do. The struggle, the heartache, the tears...I really don't know how I would handle it. My good friend Lo...she handles it with grace, a sense of humor and with a voice. She's making the best out of a crappy situation. She's trying to make a negative situation into a positive...which is awesome. Go check out her blog, Our Crazy Ever After, to read other stories about infertility. You should also subscribe to her blog...because she pretty much will make you laugh with her posts!!!

I am honored to have Tia today tell her infertility story. Every since Lo paired me up with Tia, I've gotten to know her through her blog posts and instantly knew we would get along in real life. Thank you Tia for sharing your story!!!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi! I'm Tia from Hands On. Pants off. 

2014 has become the year I have embraced the idea that maybe what we are going through is considered the dreaded INFERTILITY.
To what extent, I am not sure just yet. We are smack dab in the middle of testing.
But here's the back story.

I have written a decent amount about the ups and downs about trying to get pregnant on the blog.
Like THIS ONE, THIS ONE, and THIS ONE.
Sometimes I get REALLY EMOTIONAL.
And then most recently, I have started included science to FIND ANSWERS.

My most beloved grandfather passed away in June of 2012.
And it triggered this intense desire to have children.
I figured I would be like my mom...never really wanting them.
And then, like her, it just hit me.
From 2012 through today we started doing the whole "not trying, not preventing" thing and "being casual," but the reality was I was tracking my cycles and peeing on all the sticks and all the tests and month after month staring at negative preg tests. I kept thinking that the timing was off, or there was a bigger plan (like we had to move) or anything that would give me a glimmer of hope.
Finally, I decided to make an appointment with my gyno and start testing.
The INFERTILITY label had commenced.
I was heart-broken but knew it was the only way to find any answers.
So, I went in for blood-work this February and it came back normal except for low progesterone.
They wanted me to do the dye test and have my husband give a sample for analysis.
He was less than thrilled.
So we waited a month and had him tested.  Doctors are funny sometimes. And by funny, I mean annoying incompetent. I get a call from them saying that his forms were abnormal and to start antioxidant therapy.
Um...what exactly does that mean? I need to feed him pomegranates?
So I start asking for all the numbers. I need hard evidence people.
I am Queen Googles and want to verify my findings and do my own research.
Turns out....his "abnormal" shaped sperm are borderline, much less of a worry than originally anticipated.
Of the strict criteria, he is 13% of the normal 14%. No big deal.
But then I start reading into the other numbers. Why is his Ph so high? Why is his white blood cell count higher than normal...what does this mean?
What they didn't tell me (and the Googles did) was that he is "fighting" a silent prostate infection.
One that doesn't necessarily need antibiotics, or cause pain, or any other symptoms.
So, he new regime is a slew of vitamins and supplements and we are conscientiously trying to eat incredibly healthy until we start back with testing and TTC.
Oh, I should also mention that I have delayed the dye test.
Why? Because our goal is a spring or summer baby. We needed a break anyways. Two years of hope and hopeless, and my mental state is shot.
Plus, I heard that, fingers crossed and nothing is blocked...the dye test can actually help "clear the tubes."
I have been approved to start Clomid once I'm ready as well.
For now, we wait. I am just about 8 weeks out from gearing up again and just trying to soak it all in.
It is kind of nice not to think about what day of my cycle I'm at.
But it will also be nice to see those two pink lines.
We are hopeful.

You can follow my story with GFC, Bloglovin', Facebook, and Pinterest.

Make sure to stop by my website and enter the BLOGGER DESIGN GIVEAWAY!

PS- Thank you Lauren for setting this up to share our stories, and a BIG THANK YOU to Bridget for letting me spill my guts on her page today!! You gals are the best!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thank you again Tia for sharing your story and thank you Lo for initiating all of this!!! Lo, because of you...so many voices have been heard and so many eyes have been opened. I continue to pray for you both (along with all that deal with infertility)!!!

Now go check out Lo's blog to read other stories about infertility.

 

Easter 2014

Another first holiday for T has come and gone...he's almost a year which means that every holiday going forward (besides Memorial Day) will no longer be his first. It's exciting and sad at the same time. He's growing so fast...when can time just stand still for a lil' bit?!?!

We had a wonderful Easter celebration with my family. We had originally planned to celebrate the weekend before but Turner was sick and we weren't about to take him to a family gathering where he would have been passed around like a hot potato. He is finally on the up and up...but still fighting a bit of a cold. 

We woke up early and I was so excited for Turner to check out his Easter basket from the bunny. 

Turner's first Easter Basket.

I went the unconventional route for the basket...I wanted to get him the pail for this summer at the beach. Worked great as his basket. He also received a pair of Nike Sandals, Moccasins, foam bath letters and his first toothbrush. It's actually just a rubber teething toy...but he also helps with cleaning up his gums/teeth while he chews on it. He loves it!!!

Well...he had no interest in his basket...he checked it out for a split second...then was more interested in Mya and the baby gate that he tries so hard to get open.

He crawled out the room all excited...knocked it over and went on his marry way to Mya. Then returned eventually to check it out :)

We went to early service on Easter morning so that we could hit the road and get to my parents by 11. 

We enjoyed some yummy turkey, beans and potatoes. Turner enjoyed the plastic eggs and Easter basket grass.

Turner giving Auntie kisses - Easter photo with my lil' man (forgot to take family picture...oops) - It was also my Dad's birthday so we celebrated that in addition to Easter!

After hanging out at my parents, we went over to my brother's house as he is just finishing building it. 

We headed back home after that. We got home around 4:30 and decided we need to go for a family walk since it was so gorgeous outside. We grabbed Mya and the stroller and got on our way.

We stopped @ the park that's very close to our house and Turner enjoyed his first swing ride. He seriously loved it. So giddy with excitement. Seeing so much joy on your child's face is one of the best things ever.

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter also!!!!

Home HIIT Workout

It's not a secret that I really enjoy fitness...and doing a workout @ home is my favorite way of getting my workout in. Don't get me wrong...I do enjoy the gym, but when I need something quick and fast...an @ home HIIT workout is my go to workout! HIIT stands for High Intensity Interval Training.

Tate is very good at coming up with these workouts pretty fast. This one is my favorite. I love the feeling I get when I finish and I easily burn 200+ calories!!! I just did it last night after Turner went to bed...my legs are feeling it today!!!

I use a 30lb kettle bell and 8lb dumbbells when I do this workout. You can easily use no weight or use DB's if you don't have a kettle bell. 

Also...if your not sure how to do one of these...go head and Google it and check out images. I do that all the time when Tate give me workouts. You could also check out YouTube for a video of it!

Top 5 reasons why....

...today is one of the best days ever!!!

SLEEP

I CANNOT wait to sleep for 8 hours a night for a full week. During tax season, I average probably 5-6 hours a night. I went to bed around 10 or 11 and got up around 4 or 5. I worked from home when I would wake up. I did this for many reasons...one main one being that I could see and spend time with my boys. The work was also there for me to do and it had to get done.

BLOGGING

I am very excited to be back blogging. I've missed this lil' space of mine. I miss recording all our memories and I miss connecting with all of you. I have a goal to ease my way back into this by posting at least a couple times a week...don't want to shock my system too much ;)

SUMMER

This cold weather is just playing a cruel and mean joke. Usually when April 15th rolls around...the sun is shinning and the sunroof is open. Today is only a high of 39 degrees. One major advantage of tax season in the Midwest is that we work during the crappiest months out of the year. From mid-January to today...the weather just plain sucks. Everyone is over winter and can't wait for the snow to melt. And when it finally does, it's sloppy and wet outside. Well...now that tax day has arrived, Mother Nature can put away this weather and bring out the sun!!!

FITNESS & FOOD

I managed to keep up with working out during tax season and eating "OK". I say "OK" because my work brings in food a few days a week for us and it's not always the healthiest. Sometimes it is....but not always. When you've worked a long day and they bring in food...I have no will power to eat anything healthy...I want that pizza that looks greasy and good. These last few weeks have been tough to get to the gym since there was so much work to get done. I am excited to get back on the fitness train. Mya is really excited for more walks and runs and I can't wait to take Turner out in the Jogger. I am also excited to get back to eating really well. Tate and I have tried many new recipes during tax season and I'm excited to share them all with you all.

T&T

My boys..spending more time with them is my top priority. Tate did a GREAT job keeping the house in order during this time. I am beyond excited to hang out with them every night and enjoy these precious moments as Turner is growing so fast (1.5 months until he turns 1). I feel like I have missed so much of him in the past 12 weeks. 

Some other things I am looking forward to is...

reading, Big Bang Theory (have many episodes on the DVR), friends, visits to the zoo, 8 hour work days, being organized again, and really having time for myself...which did not exist at all in the last 12 weeks.

Happy tax day everyone!! Cheers to another one down and another year closer to retirement ;)

Clothes for kids - HELP NEEDED!!!

I am now at the point where I need to shop for Turner for clothes that fit him. We were pretty much gifted everything up to this point and now that he's growing out of everything...I need to do a total wardrobe makeover. 

[as I do this for my lil' guy, if anyone wants to buy me a whole new closet full of clothes, feel free ;)]

I need help though. I have no idea how much to buy...how many pairs of pants, how many shirts, etc.

There are 2 consignment sales coming up right when tax season ends that I plan to hit up (I am not above hand me downs..I'm frugal and a realist! My child gets everything dirty with either food, poop, pee or anything else he can get his hands on...I refuse to spend loads of money on items he ruins and grows out of within 3 months). I like to go with a plan though. A plan on what he needs and what to buy. I need to do an inventory of what we already have and then go from there.

So I need other mama's help. How much of each piece of clothing do I need? What have found best for a 12 month old that is walking (I can bank that he will be walking by one since he is almost to that point)? I plan to buy 12 month and 18 month size to get me through until the next consignment sale that happens in the fall.

And what's a post without a photo of my adorable baby...

Linking up with Kristin @ Mama & Mou today!!!

Turner - 9 months

March 2, 2014

9 months...I can't even comprehend this!

Baby Stats:

Weight

20.6 lbs (62 percentile)

Length
29.6" (92 percentile)

Sleep
Turner is a very good sleeper. Goes down between 8-8:30 and gets up anytime after 7 am.

Daily Routine
Nothing really has changed here. Tate leaves everyday with Turner around 8 and drops him off @ daycare or brings him to work with him since Tate trains our daycare lady. Days he bring him to work he will go to the gym daycare for an hour. Tate picks him up everyday except Wed. Wed is my evening with him and I love it!!! Number of naps everyday varies. He usually takes cat naps to and from daycare and then sometimes he takes 1 really long nap (3 hours) @ daycare, sometime 2 - 1-1.5 hour naps. On the weekends at home with us, he takes 2 naps.

Feeding
Still gets 6 bottles/feedings a day for a total of 30-35 ounces. I still am breastfeeding/nursing. He gets nursed for sure 2 times a day during the week, would be 3 if I didn't have tax season. I never expected to go this long but as long as I'm producing, I can't imagine just stopping. I never had a goal before but now hope to make it to the one year mark.

He also gets 3 solid meals a day. Breakfast after 9 am bottle, lunch at noon and dinner at 6.

Diaper Size
Cloth diapers!!! Still going good and have had no problems with leaks lately.

Clothes Size
Baby clothes are soooo weird. He has a few 6 month outfits he still fits in. He is wearing 9 month for the majority of this clothes. In 9 & 12 month PJ's.

Hair Color
Blonde with hints of brown. I feel like it's getting darker as he gets older.

Eye Color
Blue eyes with long lashes just like his daddy!!!

Milestones
-walking around furniture like it's his job
-First time away from mom and dad overnight. We went to Mexico so my mom and sister watched him. He did wonderful but I missed him like crazy...don't know if I can ever do that again ;)
-My mom and sister taught him how to go up the stairs...he loves doing it.
-started finger food
-Turner learned how to clap this month...it is seriously the cutest thing!

Likes
-ABC's - can't get enough of them
-when we sing to him in the car if he's upset. If he is crying in his car set, all we need to do is bust out 'Wheels on the Bus', 'If you're Happy and you know it' or 'Itsy bitsy spider' and he's calms down.
-all food still. There has not been on single thing that he does not like...thank gosh
-Tuner loves the bath tub. His favorite thing to do is crawl in the bathroom and stand up to the bathtub. He just stares at his big ducky tub hoping bath time is coming. He then bang his hands on the tub like a drum with excitement.


Dislikes
-he now hates getting his diaper changed. Making him sit still for longer than 30 seconds is SO HARD! We have to give him something to hold/put in his mouth so that he lets us.
-getting dressed. I have to make this a game so he doesn't get mad.

He loves his lil' vibrating piggy on his teething gums

He is so perfect!!!

Standing like pro...not problem!!!

Celebrated Valentines Day!!

Turner,

You are my perfect baby! I still can't believe that I get to be your mama. You make your dad and I laugh all the time. You facial expressions are hilarious. You are so determined to do everything....whether it be moving objects that are in your way or not taking a nap, you really don't give up! If you do surrender, you will cry for a few seconds and be over it. You won't let a lil' boo boo get in your way either. From day 1...the most used word to describe you was 'strong' and strong you are. You hit your head, no big deal...you fall, no big deal, you get your 2nd flu shot...no big deal! You amaze us everyday.Tax season is almost over which also means you almost turn 1. I'm not sure where the last 9 months have gone because they truly have been the best! I love you with all my heart!!!!

xoxo...mum

  

Lent

Lent has arrived...and boy did it arrive fast. On Tuesday I saw someone posted what they were giving up for lent and that is when I realized that he next day was Ash Wednesday. 

*bad Catholic, bad Catholic*

I've been so consumed with work and spending time with my family, I hadn't even realized that Easter was six weeks out. I'm excited though because by the time Easter arrives, tax season will be over...can I get a wooohoooooo!!!

So what to give up. In years past, I have given up chocolate, treats in general, alcohol...just to name a few.

I've taken a different route this year and decided to give up my Twitter & Facebook phone apps.

No more checking those on my phone. I felt like I was on it CONSTANTLY and what better way to cut the habit then give it up for lent. So we are now a few days in...so far so good. I only check Facebook at home (have yet to check Twitter)...and that's only if I feel like turning on the computer, which is for the most part, I don't want to but sometimes need to for work.

I will also be partaking in meatless Fridays. Not too hard for me considering I am not much of a meat person anyway, but still something to think about. I always have to remind Tate to not eat meat...he always forgets. 

So if you message me on FB or tweet me something, probably be a few longer hours than normal of when I would respond because I'm taking a small social media break. Who knows, it may become a new norm.

Don't worry, I did NOT delete IG off my phone...that would just be ridiculous when I have a cute baby to share with the world ;)

Did you give up anything lent?