Happy Thanksgiving

Lovin our little guy!

We are having so much fun with Brodie! Here are a few pictures from this weekend, boxes are so much fun!

We have him on Monday's-Wednesday's 5-8 pm and Thursday's at 5pm until Sunday's at 8pm. This schedule is a little crazy because by the time we pick him up from daycare, cook supper and bath time it's time to load up and take him back to Cindy's (foster Mom), it really doesn't give us much play time. It's so much easier when we have him for overnight visits, the routine just flows and so much less bouncing here and there. The schedule is made out until the end of November. We met with our Foster Care Worker on Thursday and she was not aware that we were having visits seven days per week. She asked if we are ready for a full time placement and my answer was YES!!

This is the most awesome time of my life! There is nothing better than a smiling face and open arms when he wakes up from his nap. Oh yeah and the only thing that tops that are all of the hugs and kisses he freely gives out.

We are so blessed to be part of his life.

Happy Halloween 2009

Our first Halloween with Brodie!

First Visit/Respite Care

This is such an exciting weekend for me. I am providing respite care for the little guy that we are going to adopt! Unfortunately Gary is out of town for his monthly military obligation so they still have not yet met.


Yesterday at noon I picked him up from his foster mom's day care center. Before this time I had only met him once on July 31st for a couple of hours while he was still having visits with his bio-mom. When it was time for us to leave he started crying as she put him in my car, actually foster mom got a little misty eyed too. I talked to him and tried to comfort him on the way home and by the time we got to our house he was just softly whimpering. Then as soon as he seen our dogs he just lit up and there hasn't been any crying since. After he checked out our house and got aquaninted with the dogs we went our our first field trip to Wal-Mart to stock up on toddler snacks, buys some toys and find the right kind of sippy cups. (I really had no idea they make forty-thousand different kids of sippy cups) Gary and I had been to Wal-Mart the night before to buy this stuff but without knowing his developmental level we were totally lost and left the store empty handed.


When we got back home from Wal-Mart it was nap time and I had no idea how this was going to go. Although we have been going through the process of becoming foster to adopt parents for months I have refused to convert our spare bedroom into a child's room until we had a license in hand. I guess this way of thinking may have come from all of the disappointments involved in fertility treatments. Anyway, since we received our license last week we have not had time to do anything with the bedroom so we only have a queen size bed. I rocked him for maybe five minutes and he fell asleep and I put him in the big bed with pillows protecting the edge and he slept for three hours. He was the happiest little boy when he woke up considering that he was in a strange bed (he normally sleeps in a crib), strange house with a strange woman.



Later that evening we went to a local pumpkin patch with Shelly a long time friend, her husband Bill and their daughter Reese. It extremely windy (even for Kansas) and chilly so we didn't stay long but we got some really nice pumpkins and had fun. After that we went to meet my family, (mom, dad, brother, sister-in-law, nephew & niece) at a restaurant for dinner. I hadn't expected to do so much on the first day for fear that I would totally overload him but in my life nothing ever goes according to plans. He was pretty apprehensive about all of the new people and really clung to me at first. My family is very understanding of his situation and that everyone/everything is new and different for him so they let him lead the way.


When we got home it was bath time and found out he loves taking a bath. He never even flinched when I poured the water on his head to rinse out the shampoo. As I had him bundled up in the towel he kept opening his mouth wide showing me his teeth. I finally figured it out that he is used to having his teeth brushed before pajama time. So all bundled up in his towel I sat on the edge of the tub and he leaned back with his mouth wide open and let me thoroughly brush his teeth.



After getting ready for bed and playing for about 10 minutes he crawled up in the rocking chair with me and fell asleep with me holding him. He slept the entire night from 8:45 p.m. until 8:15 the next morning. I don't know how many times I got up to look in on him but I know he got WAY more rest than I did.



Today we have played, went to Wal-Mart (again) and played with Reese and after nap time we are going to my parents house to help make scarecrows to decorate for fall/Halloween.



He is such an even tempered little boy and is absolutely adorable and I'm already dreading him going home tomorrow night. I don't know what the future has in store for us regarding visitations and transitioning him into our home but I will keep everyone updated.

I'm addicted to a podcast

http://fosterpodcast.com/



I found a pod cast on i-tunes when I searched for foster parents. Since then I have been addicted and committed to listening to all 60 pod casts. Wendy and Tim have documented their journey from becoming foster parents through the entire process of adopting two little girls. They have been through a lot of rough times but each pod cast is very motivational and they put it in black and white that the process is not easy or painless but the end result is worth every minute of heartache.

Preparing my car for a child

Oh my what a process it is to find a car seat that is safe and fits in my car. I drive a 2008 Ford Escape so I never though anything about it. I bought a Evenflo - Triumph Advance Convertible Car Seat and it was huge there would have no way for it to work in my car. So back to Wal-Mart I go in search for another car seat.

I decided on a Safety 1st - Alpha Omega Elite Convertible Car Seat and it fits in my car wonderfully, easy to install and easy to use.

Foster Care Home Study...we are LICENSED!

We are licensed for two children birth to six years of ago! Finally!

We had our foster care home study and passed it with flying colors. I was SO nervous that I was making myself sick worrying about it and trying not clean like a mad woman. I had read and reread the rules and regulations. The lady who did the inspection was very nice and very courteous of our privacy. For some reason I thought she would go through all of our drawers, cabinets, etc. Thank goodness this wasn't the case.

So now we will be able to start having visits with our little guy. After the foster care worker left his foster mom called to congratulate us. I am still unsure how all of this will take place but my wishes are to gradually start having him in our home a little more each time he visits.

We have so much stuff to do to prepare for a toddler to be in our home. Our spare bedroom is fully furnished with adult furniture and is in no way toddler friendly. I use the dressers and closets for my stuff so I'm going to have to find a spot for all of my stuff in the master bedroom, this means Gary is going to have to clean out the walk-in closet for me. Guess this might be a good time to unload a bunch of clothing that I don't wear, time to downsize AGAIN!

We need to purchase car seats and all of the stuff that it takes to have small kids in your home...oh like a plastic cup and plate would be a great place to start. LOL

LOST: Weight Loss & Exercise Motivation, please return ASAP!

OMG I have officially fallen off the exercise wagon! Well I let me rephrase that I FELL off the wagon into a deep dark hole while on our honeymoon and have not found my way back yet. I don't know why I make this such a big thing in my life. Exercise makes me feel so much better about myself, it helps my clothes fit, fights PMS & SAD (Season Affective Disorder) and it makes me feel proud of myself. So why do I let something so good for me come and go? I don't stop permanently taking medications because I forget to take it on occassion. For me exercise and diet are an all or nothing deal! I have to learn to give myself permission to be happy working out three days per week.....it's a hell of a lot better than the ZERO times per week I have been doing! The thing is once I'm on the wagon I'm on, so my goal for this week is to work out 30 minutes TWO times before next Sunday!

WORKOUT GOAL for next week: Two 30 minute cardio sessions

Last Wednesday and Thursday I was in training for my new job at the American Red Cross in Wichita. I learned a lot but still have tons more to learn and don't think the learned will ever slow down in this job. I will keep updating as I learn more about the position.

My college classes are going well, passing everything...even algebra.

I really don't like waiting

Our foster care paperwork was sent to the state but a couple things were returned, somehow Gary didn't sign his fingerprints and another form was missing a signature, so we have them fixed and back in the mail. Our railings for our porch have been built and are in the process of being painted and will be installed soon. I have been bitching and whining about having to installing a handrail down the 3 stairs to the landing for our side door. Well we installed it last week and I LOVE it. I would have never thought it would be so nice...can't believe we lived without it for this long.

I still need to install more safety locks in the kitchen. The good ol' safety latches will not work for the foster care regulations. Anything with a "keep out the reach of children" must be kept under lock and key. Luckily I found these awesome magnetic locks that you do not have to drill into the cabinets to install. They are pricey but are super easy to install and can be switched off when not in use, like now when we have no kids in the house.

My new job as branch manager for the American Red Cross has been going good so far, it's just an adjustment getting back into the swing of things of managing my time. I work Monday 9-4, Wednesday 9-4 and Friday 9-3....I know very nice work hours. Actually I wish I could go to work at 8:00 a.m. but my office is inside of a bank and the lobby doesn't open until 9:00. I NEED to get back to the gym and what a perfect time to do it before I go to work in the mornings. Next week I will be in Wichita doing disaster training so that will be exciting.

My college classes are going fine so far, with the exception of algebra. I don't having to study my ass off just to keep up but that's what it's taking. We took a pop quiz this morning in class and I did very well so my perseverance might pay off. I really like the freedom of my other online classes.

Angels=Braxton & Hayley

My new princess Hayley. This is my brother's little girl.



My darling Braxton wearing his footed snowmen PJ's in mid August. They were his older brothers so he thought that was really neat. He is my sister's boy.

Posing for the camera

I suck at algebra

I totally suck at algebra! I'm not good at any kind of math and I have never been since my horrible teacher in 7th grade. This past week I have had SO much homework and have spent hours trying to Relearn all the stuff I must have purged from my hard drive (my brain). So far I have not been impressed with the instructor she hasn't used the board or overhead to teach us anything.

On the other hand my other three online classes, psychology, sociology and English started Monday. The first week is the intro week so there aren't any assignments. Hopefully I will get my books sometime this week, they are being shipped to me from the Ft. Riley campus. I like to read ahead just to get a little jump start so I don't feel totally clueless. Most of my classmates are Army soldiers stationed around the world. They use all the military lingo in our chat rooms so I have to ask Gary to decipher it for me, I swear the Army speaks an entire different language.

I kind of started my new job yesterday at the Red Cross. The Great Bend office is under the Wichita chapter so they are my bosses. Well everyone that knows anything about me starting is 1. having major medical issues, 2. death of father out of state, 3. very ill spouse, so I'm not even showing up on the radar. I figure when they all get back into the office and get my training planned they will let me know, until then I'm enjoying more time off!

Application submitted

Today our foster care application was submitted to the state of Kansas. Our foster care worker is hoping that the temporary license will be expedited because we are wanting to adopt Little Man out of foster care and his bio mom has already relinquished her rights. The bio dad's rights are currently in the process of being terminated. As soon as we get the temporary license we will be able to spend time with him and we can get to know each other.

Exciting phone call

Little Man's foster mom called to ask how our foster care licensing process is coming along and if we thought we would have our temporary license by Labor Day. Their family won tickets to a baseball game in Kansas City and if we had our temporary license Little Man could stay with us for the weekend. Unfortunately our paperwork has not even been submitted to the State yet because we are waiting on Gary to get back from National Guard annual training. This is what we are waiting for: fingerprints, Gary health assessment form signed, Gary copy of CPR/First Aid cards, copy of his drivers license and pay stub. It seems like such petty stuff but the agency makes sure every I is dotted and T is crossed. Hopefully Monday we will get our application to become foster parents sent to the state and then it takes about a month to get the temporary license. Once we have the temp license for our home we will be able to start providing respite care for Little Man. Meaning that if his foster family wants to go out of town or just wants a break he cam come to our home. His Foster Mom has never had one of her foster kids be adopted so this will be a new process for both of us.

First day back to college

Today was my first day back to college after a very long break. I was pretty worried about dealing with smart ass 18 year old sitting in class texting & being disresceptful. The only class I'm taking on campus is algebra and that is because I HATE math and struggle with it so I'm hoping that have an face to face instructor will help.

Changes, changes, changes

I'm changing the focus of my blog to be more centered about the daily happening of my life. I have so many changes that coming up. I am returning to college next week to pursue a career as a family nurse practitioner. I have had some college but it was more business focused so basically I am starting over in the medical field. Even some of the credits you would think would last forever (English, Algebra, Anatomy & Physiology, etc.) expire after 5 years if you have not graduated. I have a long road ahead of me but it will be worth it in the end!

I also start my new job as a branch manager for the American Red Cross. I'm really looking forward to the position and having the flexibility of not sitting behind a computer screen for 10 hours a day inputting data day in and day out. I miss working with the general public and the satisfaction of helping others in need. My job is only 20 hours per week to that will work great with my classes.

Phone call from birth Mom

Today I got a phone call from CM (Little Man's biomom). She just wanted to update me that she did relinquish her rights on Tuesday. She broke down and told me that she did everything she could do to be his Mom but she just couldn't give him a good life and she knows that we can. This just about broke my heart.

She once again asked me about changing his name and I told her more than likely we would change it. I asked her what she thought about it and she doesn't care if his first name is changed (same name as biodad first name) but she would like to keep his middle name part of his name as she named him after a family member who passed away. She did ask what we planned on changing it to and I told her and she liked it. I explained that it is the baby boy name I have had picked out since I was in high school.

She told me that her "goodbye visit" will be Monday. I told her not to look at it as her last visit, it's only going to be goodbye for awhile because we will allow her to have supervised visits when he comes to our home.

She asked me if I wanted his belonging from her house, bed, high chair, baby gate, toys, etc. I told her I would love to have his stuff, I'm sure it would be comforting for him to.

I got to meet the "Little Guy"

Today was such a special day. I got to met the little guy we want to adopt. CM called and asked if I could like to come to her home and meet him. We had such a nice time and I will cherish that day forever. He was a little hesitant of me but soon enough got into my purse and found my phone so that was a great ice breaker. I sat on the floor and played with him for almost two hours talking to his foster care worker who was monitoring the visit and CM (bio-mom). He is a normal 18 month old, walking and learning to talk and getting into everything. They allowed me to take a few pictures but to respect confidentiality laws I am unable to post them. Unfortunately Gary was not able to go with me to meet him. He has blond hair and big blue eyes and has a small build.

Updating my blog...foster care/adoption here we come!

Through the place I used to work I know a lady (CM) who has an 18 month old boy that is curently in foster care and has been since he was 3 months old. CM mild mental retardation and without agency assistance she is unable to parent him to the best of his needs. She realizes this and wants him to have the best life possible and has asked us to become his parent. She has consistantly followed reunification plan and gets monitored visits for 6 hours per time three days per week. She has followed all of the States requests but is still unable to make it to the next level for her to care for him perenantly. The little guy is very attached to her and has healthy attachment to his foster parents as well as his case manager and social worker.

After our long road of infertility when it was started becoming more of a realitty that CM would actually relinquish her parental rights we decided to do what was necesaary on our part to become "Little Guy's" parents. We started PS-MAAP foster parent classes 4/6/09 and finished them 7/6/09. Now we are waiting to do our final home inspection by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. I'm working on baby proofing our home...quite the task. As soon as we are approved as licensed foster parents we will be able to start gradually taking care of him.

Our honeymoon

Playa Del Carmen Mexico

Here comes the bride!

Gary is the most wonderful man I could have ever met. I love him with all my heart!

We had a beautiful outdoor ceremony at my parents house.

Released from Hell

Today I was laid off from my job and it was honestly the best day of my life!

MIA!

I have been missing in action for a long time! After my last BFN on my day three ultrasound I found out that I had a very large ovarian cyst that has to go away before we can try again. I was so emotionally and physically exhausted that I totally quit going to any TTC websites.

I feel so much better after detoxing from all of the fertility drugs and we are foster care and adoption. I am concentrating on losing the weight that I have gained while taking the meds for the last seven months.

I still love reading every one's blogs and keeping up with the little ones that are growing like weeds.

Big Fat Negative!!

I really thought this was going to be my month but I tested and it was BFN. Today is 15 days past insemination and AF hasn't showed but I'm thinking that is from the Prometrium. My boobs are so sore that I can barely lay down (very unusual for me) so I don't know what is up with that? I read that sore ta ta's are a side effect of the med but I would have thought that it would have began when I started the meds not 10 days later.

For those of you have used progesterone support after the IUI. What dose did you take? Is there another option? I have been taking 200 mg three times per day. This stuff makes me in such a horrible mood, irritable, bloated, crampy and I just feel like shit. Oh did I mention the weight gain?

Scared to test

Usually I'm POAS (pee on a stick) nut during the two week wait but this month I'm scared to test. I just don't want to see a negative test, I have myself prepared for it but I just not ready yet. Gary is out of town this weekend at National Guard drills and I'm sure he was hoping that I tested while he was gone so I would have time to deal with with a negative. He is very supportive of me but he hates to see me such an emotional wreck knowing there isn't anything he can do to speed up this process. This month has been the hardest of them all with adding in Follistim and the Prometrium. I really don't think the Follistim had any negative effects on me but the Prometrium has been wicked! If AF doesn't show up by Tuesday I will take a test.

The Wait Continues

I'm so excited! Today I got a job interview for a position as a workforce services specialist for the state. It entails working with businesses requiring employment assistance, staffing job fairs, administering testing and assessments and screening applications for area businesses. Before taking the position that I have now in the oilfield chemical sales industry I worked as a case manager for individuals with mental retardation and and developmental disabilities. I really liked my position but the pay and benefits were poor with no room for advancement so I thought moving on to a corporate job was the answer. I think the position that I'm interviewing for will be better suited to my need to interact with people and make a difference in someones life. The interview is Friday the 13th....it's going to be my lucky day!

On the trying to conceive front in just waiting, and waiting and waiting some more. I'm 11 days past IUI and I'm having major PMS symptoms, bitchiness, sore boobs, cramps and tiredness but AF is not due to show until next week. I have not been sleeping well at all and that is with taking Ambien. Taking the Prometrium three times per day sucks! It's messy and makes me so tired. Can I blame my irritability on the Prometrium? Does it mess with AF showing on her own while taking it?

4 Days past IUI & hate my job

I'm four days past IUI. With all of modern technology why can't they come up with a home pregnancy test that shows +/- immediately? The two week wait kills me. I'm taking Prometrium (vaginally) three times per day and it's so yucky! It's messy and makes me so tired that I'm falling asleep by 8:00 p.m.


This week has been horrible, my supervisor is the worst person I have ever worked with. She is truly an evil woman who does not respect anyone in the office. She will do whatever it takes to make herself shine to the boss. In my eyes a supervisor should be a mentor and and an advocate for the team. I share an office with 2 other women and it's a central gathering place for all of the sales reps to gather as that is where the file are stored, fax machine, shredder, and mail boxes for all of the district employees. In this office there are three desks and mine is facing a wall with my back to the other two desk and my back is to anyone else who might be in the office. So as you can imagine it is like Grand Central Station all day long. Yesterday the she told me that I'm no longer allowed to turn around to see who is behind me and I'm not allowed to talk to anyone that is in the office. WTF? I work from 6:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and not to talk to anyone all day long is absolute torture. My "super" has worked there three days longer than I have and these have been the longest 11 months of my life. I have learned a valuable life lesson that money does not equal happiness. I'm in search of a new job but with the economy picking are pretty slim. I will keep you updated!

Two awesome books!

For women struggling with fertility, motherhood can seem "as far away as the moon and just as hard to reach," to quote the yoga instructor authors. Quinn and Elisabeth Heller have both taken their own fertility journeys, and they made it their mission to pass along their experience using yoga to "pull down the moon." They, along with the input of acupuncturist Jeanie Lee Bussell, outline a 12-week program based on the idea of integrative care for fertility, or ICF. The program includes advice on diet, exercise, sleep, relaxation, and other aspects of life that impact fertility. Each chapter provides an activity for the week designed to introduce various yoga postures or other mind/body/spirit recommendations like journaling. The photographs and personal stories from women trying to conceive make the book accessible and easy to follow even for those who are not familiar with yoga. Likely to find an audience among women who are open to the mystical and spiritual nature of yoga, acupuncture, meditation, and prayer; suitable for public libraries that cater to that crowd.

Insight and frank, friendly advice on overcoming infertility -- from two women who have lived through it all. We are bombarded by images of blissful older mothers, such as Madonna and Celine Dion. But 'Hollywood' articles about pregnancy and fertility at middle age gloss over the tremendous amount of financial, emotional, and physical effort faced by couples struggling to conceive. In this warm, funny, empathetic book, journalist Julie Vargo and literary agent Maureen Regan -- women who have experienced personally almost every aspect of infertility -- give readers a glimpse into what to expect when you're not expecting. Hormones, sperm counts -- nothing is too personal for these two outspoken women! Ranges from technical to humorous and everything in between. What are good, snappy comebacks to the question, 'Why aren't you pregnant?' What is the difference between gonadotrophin releasing hormone and progesterone? Should you freeze your eggs? These questions and many more are answered, and in the tone of a couple of good friends. Between them, the authors have gone through hormone treatments, miscarriages and multiple inseminations -- so they know firsthand the rollercoaster ride of trying to achieve pregnancy. With wise advice on how to communicate with doctors, husbands, friends, and mothers, this book is an invaluable guide for all women facing infertility.

Insemination Day

Last Friday I had a follies check and I had 8 follies …Yikes! I guess that means that the Femara and Follistim combo worked? Actually only four of the eight will be large enough to produce a mature egg.
#1-9.30
#2-13.27
#3-10.18
#4-13.44
#5-14.8
#6-8.3
#7-8.3
#8-20.3

Saturday night I gave myself the HCG injection and this morning I had my sixth insemination with #38. The procedure didn't got nearly as smoothly as the previous IUI's and it was much more uncomfotable, almost painful. I'm having some cramping and spotting but I will survive.

I start the Prometrium tomorrow. I have not idea what to expect taking medication vaginally. I have to continue taking it 3 times per day until AF shows or a negative pregnancy test on February 10th. The two week wait kills me!

Wee little one

A dear friend of mine had her baby girl today. Her name is Paysli Faith and she is the most adorable little thing.

Today was such a special day for me as I got to hold her when she was a couple hours old. Her Mommy gave me a first hand account of the birth experience which I totally appreciated her sharing such intimate details. It's hard to get a true account from a new mom, I always get the love glazed half truth.

Today was such a different experience for me. There was not even one tiny bit of jealousy only pure happiness for Scott and Carin. The birth of their child has renewed my hope and spirit that one day soon I will have a small miracle to hold in my arms.

Pilates

Premier Pilates Performer allows for both strength and aerobic training, it performs dozens of low-impact exercises that help you tone and sculpt your entire body. The four-corded machine provides the resistance you need to help build lean muscle, while the free-form Cardio Rebounder acts like a horizontal trampoline for a unique sweat session.

Holy cow I have done the cardio video once and the Pilates exercise video once and my abs are killing me. It is amazing how it fully engages the upper and lower abs at the same time. Oh yeah my legs, arms and just about every other muscle on my body is hurting too. LOL

Back at it!

We are back in the game for cycle six. Today is cycle day 3 and I started 5.0mg of Femara and did my first Follistim injection (150 iu). I go back for a follie check on day 11, I'm praying for four mature follies.

Last week I did my first acupuncture treatment and I'm still pretty sceptical. It was painless and quite relaxing but I just wonder if it's worth the money.

I need to check with MWSB to see if there are any #38 samples avalible, if not we will use #44 again.

Stressing Out

I am totally stressing myself out on how I should progress with my infertility treatments. These are my dilemmas.

1. Not being able to use the sperm bank that I have been using therefore having to go through the entire process of selecting another sperm donor. For me this was quite a decision and it took me a few weeks to make up my mind.
2. The cost of having to use California Cryobank=DOUBLE what I'm paying each month now.
3. Having to go to counseling to be informed about using a sperm donor. I'm very aware of the unique set of circumstances that will be involved with telling our child that his/her dad is not his biological father. I don't' feel that I need a "counselor" to tell me how this situation should be handled when he/she has never been through this process. If Gary and I want to have a child together this is our only option since he has had a vasectomy.
4. The cost(triple what I'm paying now) plus the travel time and missed work time to have the insemination's done in Wichita by a NURSE not the doctor!

I'm going to set up an appointment with Dr. Marshall my OB doctor who has been doing the insemination's. I would like to present him with the information and plan that the RE would have me follow and do one month of the same protocol with him instead of the fertility clinic. Dr. Marshall and I had come up with a plan to add 2 days of FSH to the mix that I was using the only difference being what cycle days to do the injections. The RE also adds progesterone to the mix.

One advantage of doing this would be the peace of mind of having the extra time to pick out a sperm donor (if necessary) and set up the counseling appointment without having to sit out another month. Another advantage would be seeing how I respond to the new meds. If I do not respond well then I know I will need to go to the specialist for further treatment.

Getting Healthy in 2009

I have made a promise to my self to get back on the healthy living lifestyle! I have let everything regarding my health slide since I started my new job in March. Between sitting on my ass all day long and not doing any form of physical exercise I am totally out of shape and have gained 15 pounds and feel like CRAP! My job is very stressful and I work from 6:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. five days per week sitting in front of a computer screen all day long. It is not a fun place to work and and is mentally exhausting dealing with "attitude" all day every day from my supervisor and co-workers.

I know the increased stress of doing fertility treatments does not help my overall well being or my attitude and that has to change. Finding a new job is not a reality with the economic times and good paying jobs with good benefits in our town is not promising even in the best economic times.

Wednesday I have an appointment with a doctor that does acupuncture to get more information on how it can relieve stress and help with infertility. Both my OB and fertility specialist said there are proven benefits to the treatment. My insurance covers 80% of each treatment so I figure it will be worth a try.

I have also signed up for the I Lost It At the Club challenge through my gym. It's a contest among the other participants to lose inches and pounds. The contestants will have access to individual training sessions with the personal trainers and group classes for only those in the contest. I have an appointment tomorrow to be weighed and measured....ouch not so much looking forward to that!

Gary and I also purchased a Aero Pilates Performer. I have seen a lot of stuff on Pilates and have tried a couple videos that were done on the floor but they were really hard so I didn't stick with it. My Mom ordered a Pilates Performer from QVC and the more I got to looking at it the more I think Gary and I can both benefit from it. To me it looks stress relieving and not so hard that your going to dread doing it. It should be here in the next couple of weeks.