A glimpse of how I would look pregnant

Hubby and I went to a wedding this past weekend in New Orleans.  It was a lot of fun: laughing, dancing and good eating.  The bride and groom looked dapper.  Hubby was looking mighty scrumptious too :). 

I liked the dress I wore but it didn't translate well in the pictures.  In almost every picture I looked pregnant and I'm not.  Umm...at least, I think I'm not.  Just kidding.  I know I'm not pregnant.

What do you think, about 4-5 months?  Kidding.  I'll compare this picture some day to an actual preggo photo. LOL

 

Well, it may have been the dress or the fact that I ate a crap ton of food.  Maybe both.  Regardless, at least I have an idea of how I would look if I were pregnant.

This is a little better :)

I love weddings :)

Mrs. K

Pre-pregnancy prep

I don't know if you remember a few months ago me talking about needing to go see an ob gyn.  You can refer back to this post.  I hadn't gone in 2-3 years (I know that's awful) and wanted to go for routine follow but also for preconception check up.  I was contemplating about which ob gyn to see.  Well, I finally saw one recently but what it came down to was cost.  I opted to stay within the University Hospital system that I work in (as far as the ob gyn that I see) instead of seeing my friend or another physician at her "posh" practice.  Call me cheap but I don't regret it.  100% of the cost was taken care of--and I like that.

Anyway, I hate going to ob gyn visits almost as much as I hate going to the dentist but I figured it was a necessary evil.  Especially if I wanted to make sure I was on the right track (just in case I was to get pregnant).  And, I must say that my experience wasn't so bad after all.  I had to get blood drawn to check a varicella titer since I've never had the chicken pox.  This was probably one of the worse parts.  I hate sharp objects piercing my skin...creeps me out (even if it's a teeny tiny butterfly needle).

Per my ob gyn I don't need to make any changes as of right now...except to decrease the intensity of my exercise routine if I do become pregnant.  Also...

-I need to eat more fruits and veggies (but she didn't say that). 

-I've been on prenatal vitamins for over 6 months and the ones I'm taking are good during pregnancy too. (this is great since they are the cheap Walmart brand)

-I take Omega 3, 6, 9 (one pill that my husband insists I take) which is also ok in pregnancy.  

-I'm on a few allergy meds which are safe during pregnancy.  I'm not convinced so I will continue to be non compliant with them. (unless my eyes are swollen shut, I start wheezing or I'm so congested that I feel my head will explode).

-I need to cut back on the sweets.  This has been out of control since my vacation last week.  I've got this ridiculously raging sweet tooth that's intermittent.

Oh yeah, I had to be weighed at the ob gyn's office and I was not happy with the number.  This further reinforces my not wanting to weigh myself.  Remember I hadn't weighed myself in months prior to this.  Although I know I'm not obese or even overweight I miss seeing 120-something pounds on the scale.  My husband tells me all the time that weight doesn't matter but what does matter is "overall health and how you look naked in the mirror." He is so funny but I think he's right.  I do feel better and I've been more consistent with my workouts and eating better and that is what matters.  Besides I'm more muscular now than I was then or at least that's what I tell myself. LOL.  I'm really trying to get over this complex before I have kids, especially daughters.

By the way, you may remember me saying that we are not TTC  (trying to conceive) but we would be fine if we got pregnant.  I'm not sure what they call where hubby and I are at but I'm calling it NPC (not preventing conception).  What do you think?

I will probably be posting more pregnancy prep related posts in the future since I'm heading in that direction (in life) right now.

Mrs. K

Vacation, pregnancy, and more...

I was a Good Samaritan on Valentine's Day.  I may be exaggerating a bit.  But on Valentine's Day my husband and I were in Bed Bath and Beyond just looking for random things.  This random guy was yelling to get my attention so I could help him out.  I know he didn't think I worked there because I wasn't dressed in "work clothes."  You see he needed my help (as a female) to help him find something to set the mood for he and his lady for Valentine's Day.  He said that he had already bought her a gift but wanted candles or one of those oil burning thingies to help set the mood.  I thought that was so funny but I was excited to help this fella.  I wanted to make sure it wasn't anything sleezy first though so after gathering some more info I proceeded to help him.  By this time my husband had wandered off somewhere else.  

At the end of my investigation I felt I knew enough to help him.  Well, I knew enough at least to direct him to a different store.  He was wanting to buy two of those smell good oil burning thingies.  BBB only had a few available and the oils they had were not so good.  When I directed him to the Body Shop and Bath and Body Works, he was like "oh, this is not one of those places."  He was looking for Bath and Body Works but came into Bed Bath and Beyond instead.  At least I was able to help him brainstorm what colors, scents his lady friend would like.

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I've started the P90X workouts and they are going pretty good so far.  This is only week one but I've noticed that these videos are very different from the Insanity workout videos.  I'll try to compare the two but I think that's difficult to do because the concept behind them are different.  P90X is slower paced and to me less intense.  I mean, I still get a good workout but it's different.  I think P90X is a better maintenance video as compared to Insanity.  Insanity was kind of rough and I can't see myself doing that year round but I can take pulses of it once in a while.  

I was used to the fast pace of Insanity so it was weird switching to P90X.  I miss getting my heart rate up rapidly then bringing it back down slowly.  Also P90X videos are longer, which is a pain in the butt because I do most of my workouts in the morning and this means I have to wake up earlier -- no hitting snooze a few times.  But that's ok, I feel good at the end of both workouts.  Anyway, I hope you guys are starting up are maintaining some kind of workout schedule too. Oh by the way, I'm so proud of hubby -- he's been working out regularly and eating better too.

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Hubby and I on vacation in Utah last year--at the Jazz vs. Hornets game (in the nosebleed seats--lol)

In other news hubby and I have a week vacation off together and we are so looking forward to it.  We will be going to North Carolina.  The first few days will be for work -- trying to find a place to live since we'll be moving there (NC) in less than 6 months.  The last few days will be for play.  We plan to stay in a cabin in Asheville for a few days and relax.  Of course we'll be doing some sight seeing, hiking and other outdoor stuff.  I can't wait.  I'm mostly looking forward to having a few days off with my honey.  I think the last time we had that much time off together was in October (I think).  We are trying to cherish those moments because once we have kids we know this will be more difficult to do (solo that is).  Oh yeah, we'll be meeting up with my very close cousin and her fiance' for 2 days so I'm looking forward to that too.  We are usually crazy when we are together.  Her fiance' is goofy like my husband so I know we'll have a good time.

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I'm definitely becoming more comfortable with the whole getting pregnant/baby idea.  I love kids and for sure want them but I'm an organizer (when it comes to my life) so I've been waiting for the perfect time.  I know there's no such thing but I think there's a better time.  I think we are at "that better time."  We are not trying to conceive right now but we are at a point that if it was to happen we'll be fine.  It's kind of nice to be at that point.  There's no pressure to conceive but there's no fear of getting pregnant either. LOL.  I like that and hubby does too.

Mrs. K

Farewell...

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No I have not given up on blogging.  I hope to continue that for a while.  

I am so happy to wave goodbye to nausea, farewell to vomiting, adios to weight gain, and bu-bye to difficulty wearing contacts.  Yes, all of the above are the most common side effects associated with OCPs (oral contraceptive pills) and I have had them at some point.  If you can remember from a previous post--I hate taking pills but I've been glued to my OCPs for the past two and a half years.  It has done the job so far--no unplanned pregnancies yet. But it's time to say goodbye.

You may be curious to know why I'm doing this.  The first thing that may come to your mind is that I'm trying to get pregnant.  Actually, I'm not.  At least not yet.  I've been wanting to get off "the pills" but have been frightened by the idea.  My husband and I planned that I would stop in December 2010 and to help me become more comfortable with the idea I've been doing my research.  And, thanks to the Fertility Friend I'm a little more comfortable with the idea. 

For the new year, the "rhythm method" will be my only method to prevent pregnancy (that is if I'm successful).  Right now I can't chart my cycle because I'm on OCPs.  My cycle was very regular before so I shouldn't have a problem.  Of course it's still in the back of my mind that this method is not as successful but I'm being hopeful.  Although my plan is not to get pregnant right away, if I do it wouldn't be the end of the world.  It would just be a few months earlier than planned.

I just picked up my last month of OCPs so I'm still taking them for a few more days but I'm so ready to give them the boot.  This is just my excited farewell speech (in advance).  I must admit that it will be difficult to say goodbye to the increase in boob-age but I don't care.  I'm sure I'll get them back again some day (i.e. when pregnant) so I'm not worrying.

Mrs. K

Would you let a friend or associate be your Ob Gyn?

I have been on the hunt for a great Ob Gyn.  And, it's about time!  Now that I'm seriously thinking more about pregnancy and have already even started taking prenatal vitamins, I figure now would be a good time to get my check-up.  Disclaimer: I am not trying to get pregnant right now, I'm just trying to get as much in order as I can, hence the prenatal vitamins.  

(Cringing).  It's been 2 years since my last visit (I know that's horrible and I know better).  I just do not like going, almost as much as I hate going to the dentist.  Am I the only one with this problem?

I have a few friends who are Ob Gyns or soon-to-be Ob Gyns.  In the past we've joked and laughed about them delivering my baby.  But for real, would I really let a friend or an associate inspect my vajayjay and other lady parts :)?  I'm not so sure.  Didn't I mention I was fairly private?  Where we live right now, thankfully I have only 1 friend who is an Ob Gyn.  I love the group that she works with.  Their motto is "for women by women."  From talking with her and others they seem to possess some of the qualities that I would want my Ob Gyn to have.

I have basically narrowed it down to choosing an Ob Gyn from my friend's group.  I've done my investigation and all the ladies seem well qualified.  Most people I have spoken with seem to prefer Dr. B or my friend.  After much consideration, I've decided to go with the other doctor.  I thought it would be just too weird for me to have seen my friend at a barbecue the week before then being completely "open" (if you know what I mean) to her the next week at the office.

I called the office today to get an appointment with Dr. B but I guess she is "hot commodity" because the days she can see me are very limited.  They seem to conflict some with my schedule so I have to figure something out.  Not quite sure what I'm going to do, but I've basically made up my mind about this.  I've not spoken with my friend about this yet, but I know she won't mind.  I'm sure I'm not her only friend to have this problem.  I mean she's my girl and we're cool, but...It's not about her, it's about me!  For something that private, I don't feel bad about my choice at all.  What do you think?  What would you do?

Oh, by the way, although Dr. B is "hot commodity" I hear that she is very available to her patients, so I'm not terribly worried about her not being able to dedicate much time to my care.

Mrs. K

My Prayer for My Friend Who is Having Some Challenges with Conceiving

I have met a few women in my personal life and from blogging who have been trying to conceive but have not had much success so far.  I hear the hurt in some of their voices and see the sorrow on their faces.   I've also witness the joy and hope that most continue to live with.  Even though I have never been pregnant nor am I trying to conceive at this time, I still understand.  

As I write this post, I have one particular woman in mind and here is my prayer for her:

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Lord, bless _______ and ________ as they go through the process of trying to bring a child into this world that will serve You.  As they face these obstacles remind them to keep You first, not only during this challenging time but also in everything they do.  Let them not forget that, with You anything is possible.  And Lord, bless them with a child if it is Your will. 

Strengthen their marriage through the course and more importantly I pray that their relationship with You will continue to improve. 

Bless his and her body.  Remove whatever physical limitations there are that prevent the process.  Make them both fertile, so that they can build nations that will worship You.

Bless her soul: mind, emotions and will.  Remove all stress, negative thoughts and depressed feelings regarding the matter.  I pray that she draws nearer to You and continue to serve You and give You the glory in everything she does.  I pray that she finds comfort in You and Your love for her.

Lastly, bless her spirit.  Let others see You in her and wonder how she could be so joyful given the setbacks.  Use her to spirit to reveal You to others.

Although this prayer is specific to my friend, you may use this prayer as a guide to help you pray for someone facing challenges with conceiving.  As stated before, although I'm not going through this process, I may want someone to pray this prayer for me one day.  God Bless!

Mrs. K

I hate taking pills but I'm freakishly attached to my OCPs!

When it comes to taking pills I'm the biggest baby.  I whine and complain about the taste, the size, the smell, and even sometimes the color.  Unfortunately for me I have allergic rhinitis year round, have 2 dogs and 1 cat, and am allergic to everything indoors and outdoors.  I know it all sounds bad, but thank God it's not too bad for me anymore. 

I have been prescribed medications to treat my allergies for years, I think since my sophomore year of college.  I have also been... non compliant for years then one day I woke up and decided I didn't want to suffer anymore so started taking my medications.

Well it didn't really happen like that.  I actually started becoming compliant when I began taking OCPs--oral contraceptive pills.  Since, I was taking OCPs daily it made it easier for me to take my allergy medications too.  To my surprise, when I started taking my allergy pills, some of my symptoms decreased and most resolved.  Wow!  I could not believe that I suffered for all those years for no reason. 

Although, I am better at taking my allergy pills, I do sometimes forget to take them especially on the days when I don't take the "inert (or sugar) pills" from my OCP packet.  I also neglect to take my allergy medicine when I have no water available at the time, but I still swallow my OCP without thinking twice about water.

I say this all to let you know about my dislike for taking medications.  However, since I started taking OCPs (about 2 months before I got married), my OCPs and I have been best friends.  It goes everywhere I go.  I never forget to check to make sure everything is going OK.  I almost never miss a date with my OCP and when I do, I worry.  I seriously worry.

I was inspired to write this blog today because I got up pretty early, went to the gym, grabbed breakfast then went to grab for my OCP and my little friend was not there.  I knew exactly where it was and I was so frustrated.  Partially freaked out, I tried to calm down as I thought about whether I should risk missing a pill or be late for work.  Pill vs. Work.  Ummm, let's just say, I did not want to take the risk so I had to go home and get my best friend.  Luckily, I also made it on time to work. 

After this happened, I was thinking more about how difficult it may be for me to separate from/stop my birth control pills when my hubby and I decide to start trying to have a little booger of our own.  Man, I have been telling people over the last few days to weeks how mentally prepared I am and how next year will be a good year.  Does this mean, I may not be ready?  I don't think so, I am mentally ready but we do have a tentative OCP stop date in mind and it is not today or tomorrow!

I would love to know your OCP story if you have one!

Mrs. K