Empty the Tanks

Saturday was such a wonderful experience! We joined with hundreds of thousands around the world for the "Empty the Tanks" protest. At Sea World San Diego we were part of over 800 others standing up for animal rights (the largest protest at Sea World SD ever). I am a strong believer in being a voice for the voiceless and that's what we were. Keeping Orcas in captivity is not about rescue or education - - it's about $$$! I've shared before that I used to be a huge supporter of Sea World and their rescue work, but the good cannot outweigh the bad. Until all cetaceans are released I urge everyone to boycott Sea World and any aquarium that keeps whales/dolphins/porpoises in captivity. They deserve to be free...and at the VERY LEAST the breeding needs to STOP!! I've heard it said that I'm just jumping on the "Blackfish" bandwagon, but I did not support Sea World's captivity of cetaceans even before I saw that film. However, it forced me to examine my beliefs in a way I hadn't. I am proud of myself for being out there and I hope that when Carter is my age he'll have a hard time even comprehending a world that once imprisoned such intelligent, majestic creatures.

Fashion Friday - A new reoccurring post

While my blog tends to focus mostly on things Carter/Mommy related, I also have a passion for fashion. I don't get "dolled up" that often these days, but when I do (and my sis Madison, too) it's usually time for a fun little "photo shoot" or at the very least an OOTD (outfit of the day) photo. So I've decided to dedicate Fridays to those moments and any other fashion/beauty related topics of interest (and down the road I'll have a bigger surprise for you!!).

This first "Fashion Friday" post is from Mother's Day...

Top is Lane Bryant

Necklace is an awesome find from Walmart

Skirt and sandals are Lane Bryant

My dress is also Lane Bryant 

(it's rare that we both have on things from the same place!)

Look for more of these fun posts in the future!!

Weekly Roundup 5/12-5/18

The weather was in the hundreds for most of the week so we tried to find things to do indoors (or we were at the pool). We had a play date at the trampoline park which has quickly become a hit with Carter!

 On Friday we went to Pennypickles Workshop and it was Russ' first time going with us. Like I've said before, the place is pretty amazing. Everything is just so creative! Each session there is usually one experiment done with the kids by the curator. There weren't that many kids there the day we went so Carter got to do 4! The curator was very impressed with Carter's attention span and enthusiasm. At the end she came up to us and told us that she sees a lot of kids come through and she could tell Carter is very bright. Maybe that's something she says to all the parents, but it made us feel good...and of course we think the same!

Let's talk spelling! This week alone Carter has learned how to spell zoo, zebra, Netflix and fish (and he already knew how to spell Carter). Seemed like everyday I'd walk by the fridge and there would be a new word! His memory amazes me! I know it will come in handy throughout life, too!

We're still working on getting Carter to eat more, but it's going well. Whole grain waffles with sugar free syrup is one of his current favs...

He got some shades for the summer, but so far has only worn them in the house. At least he'll wear a hat for us, though.

And I had an ultrasound with my fertility specialist to check my follicles for this cycle. I have nothing to report at this point, but my fingers are crossed! This has been such an emotional journey, but I know it will all be worth it. I'm not giving up!

Storm Game

Saturday night we did a little tailgating before going to the Storm game with my dad's church service organization. It was Carter's first entire baseball game and I was pleasantly surprised by how much he enjoyed it! 

One of my dad's friends got to throw the first pitch and was given this signed ball. He then gave it to Carter! He thought it was so cool since it's not just a baseball, but one with eyes!

 (signed by #23 Matthew Shepherd)

Mother's Day 2014

Since becoming a mother myself, Mother's Day has become one of my favorite holidays. Not so much because I'm celebrated as a mom, but because my eyes have been opened to everything a mother truly encompasses. It's sort of like that saying, "You won't understand until you have a child yourself," and in part I think that's true. I like to take the day and reflect on all of the women in my life that have shown me what a mom really is (whether they birthed children or not). My own mom is one of the most amazing people I've ever known, not to mention my mother-in-law and grandmothers. But I've encountered many other "mother figures" throughout my life and I'm grateful for them all.

We celebrated the day pretty much the entire weekend starting Friday night with a dinner for my mother-in-law, Mary Ann.

On Sunday we had lunch with my almost-99-year-old grandma and had a very nice visit. 

Carter made these hand print flowers for his grandmas and great grandmas. He even did all of the gluing and was sure to sign his name. He enjoys artwork, but he takes it very seriously!

And Dee Dee got one too, because it's important to celebrate the love of your only auntie, too!

From there we visited my other grandma who is still recovering from a fall and mini-stroke. She is doing well though and it was great to see her! 

Happy Mother's Day to all of the moms out there and to anyone who dares to love with their whole heart!

TTC and PCOS

All of my test results are in and it's official: I have PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome). I've been told I might have it, but never that it was a definite. Until now. I wasn't sure what to think about it at first, but as it's sunk the the last few days I feel good about it. Not that I want to have it, but the knowing about it is good because I know what direction I need to go in (not just to get pregnant, but for my overall health). I've been put on Metformin to help with insulin resistance that often goes along with PCOS. I'm also taking Synthroid which is a thyroid medication. In 2005 I had a partial thyroid lobectomy (they removed half my thyroid), but the half that I do have has been compensating so I've never been on medication for it. My levels are actually within normal range right now, but while TTC they like the thyroid to be working a little faster, thus the Synthroid.

As for our next step: AF should arrive any day and we'll begin a Clomid cycle at 150mg/day. We're starting at 150mg because that's the dose I was on when we conceived Carter and when I ovulated last year. A couple things we are doing differently though is that my follicles will be monitored via ultrasound. Once one (or more I suppose) reach 18mm I'll be taking a trigger shot of Ovidrel which will force ovulation within 36 hours I believe. We aren't doing IUI (insemination) this round since we know we can conceive on our own. However, if this doesn't work after two tries IUI would most likely be our next step, followed by IVF.

I feel very hopeful about this upcoming cycle. Besides the medication I mentioned, I'm full of prenatals and more folic acid then you can imagine. I'm also taking the information about PCOS and insulin resistance very seriously. The doctor said I could think of myself as "pre" pre-diabetic. That's not a path I want to go down. Russ and I went out this weekend and bought a lot of PCOS friendly foods and I'm getting more serious about exercising daily. I firmly believe in health at every size, so this isn't about losing a bunch of weight (although the doctor told me that a loss of 5% has shown to help boost fertility). I want my body to be functioning at it's highest level for my fertility now, my pregnancy in the near future and my health for the rest of my life so that I can be the best mother and wife possible.

I never wanted to end up needing the help of a fertility specialist, yet deep down I always knew I would. Now that we're here I know with 100% of my being this is the right path for us and it will get us to the destination we've been searching for...our sweet baby that will be the best addition to our family.

Instead of my diagnosis bringing my spirits down, I'm choosing to find in it a renewal of hope. This isn't the end, but the beginning...and something (or should I say someone) magical is heading our way.

Weekly Roundup 4/28-5/4

This week I've really been marinating in the fact that I'm a stay-at-home mom. Being able to spend my days with Carter is such an amazing gift. I couldn't imagine missing all of the special little moments. 

He's truly is such an awesome person!