5 on Friday

[ONE] Fertility Orientation

Yesterday, Thursday 27^th was my first infertility orientation at the Womack Hospital.  When I arrived I felt embarrassed because I went alone (hubs was running a little late) and everyone was with their partners.  And when I say everyone I’m saying this Auditorium was full.  Once hubs arrived I felt relieved.  We got answers to so many questions in our heads. 

 [TWO] How do I say good bye (coffee)

Let me confess something here… I drink approximately 6 cups of coffee (while at work) I do not drink coffee on the weekends.  But I consider coffee as my drug to go through my work daily basis from 7-5.  Well now nurse told me it has to be 0-1 cup of coffee a day.  Yesterday I found a raspberry organic non caffeine tea.  I hope this works.  At the end its for my health and my future miracle baby. 

(Via)

[THREE] April

I believe and I’m declaring April to be our month.  I’ve heard of so many ladies having there treatments on April, my best friend’s brother starts to work on April, her birthday is in April, my sister’s birthday is also in April.  I believe this is it.

(via)

[FOUR] HSG Test

Talking about April this month will be full of tests for me. 

And the first one is actually the HSG Test. 

A hysterosalpingogram (HSG) is an X-ray test that looks at the inside of the uterus and fallopian tubes and the area around them. During a hysterosalpingogram, a dye (contrast material) is put through a thin tube that is put through the vagina and into the uterus. Some people have told me that it may be uncomfortable/painful.  I’ll let you know! One thing I'm definitely not letting go is HOPE!!!

(Via)

[FIVE] Sergeant

I am extremely proud of the man I get to call husband.  He finally got promoted to Sergeant.  I will be pinning him on April 1^st; the same day of my HSG Test.  Now you see why I say this is our month. Pictures coming soon :)

 

Happy Monday!!!

This morning I woke up and the first thing I did was post a comment on my Facebook page saying Happy Monday - Feeling Excited.  I felt like although I have so many things in my head (like my dad’s appointment with the Neurosurgeon – Prayers Please) for some reason I know he will be okay and everything in my life will be okay as well. 

While I was working, I got a call from the Radiology Center and I have been scheduled to get my HSG (hysterosalpingogram ) Test.  I got so excited because I feel like I’m finally getting answers after almost two years.  I also got nervous because after I did my research on Google regarding what to expect from this test all I saw was “It is painful”, “It hurts”, “I cried”, etc. With all respect the first thing that popped out of my mouth was WTF. 

Thank God I asked my dear friend Elena from Baby Ridley Bump since she experienced this test; at least I have an idea of what I may be experiencing since everyone is totally different.  

 One thing is for sure, I will begin my prenatal pills today and no more coffee for me.  I have high hopes and I know this is it, not only for me but for all my TTC Sisters.

Weekend Recap

What a weekend!   So I have to admit I am a zombie freak and as you all may know The Walking Dead series was on yesterday and whoa I was in total shock from the beginning until the end.  And yes I cried.  If you haven’t seen last night episode don’t read this paragraph lol.  I was just in denial on the mentality of Lizzy and Mika and how Lizzy killed her own sister to prove that zombies meant no harm.  A shocker was when Carol killed Lizzy because despite the fact that she was a child she knew she was danger for the rest.  Dang, I mean I know it’s a program but it was just so real. 

 On 5 on Friday I had commented that I was doing a 3 day Juicing.  I only lost 1 pound therefore it’s confirmed the older you get the slower your metabolism.  Never again will I let myself starve for 3 days.  With that being said, I had promised my coworkers I would try to do some French Macarons, and if they came out good with no cracks I would bring them.  And I was beyond happy with the results.  For it being the first time only a few cracked, I did caramel and chocolate filling and they were just so delicious. 

 My weekend wasn’t full of excitement but I rested and I needed it very much.   

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!!! 

5 on Friday

[ONE] 3 Day of Juicing

Via

Ever since I’ve been a different kinds of medication (and I have to admit I’ve been eating like never before) I’ve gained so much weight.  And I’m always talking about diet and healthy eating and don’t do anything about it.  So I decided this time to take things seriously and cleanse my body first before doing any sort of diet.  So I’ve been juicing for 3 days tomorrow is my last day finally.

[TWO] French Macarons

Via

Yes I know I’m getting in a diet lol, but I’ve been watching so many YouTube tutorials on how to make French Macarons and I’m eager to try these out.  Let’s see how they come out.

[THREE] When I Was A Baby 

My mom texted me some baby pictures of me a while back and I could not just pass without posting one on my 5 on Friday.  Not to brag but wasn’t I just a hairy, big eyes beautiful baby???  

[FOUR] Swing White Dress With Lace Top

Chic Wish

I saw this on Meagan's blog (Because of Jackie) and I immediately feel in love with this beautiful dress.  I think it would be beautiful to wear on Easter Sunday Mass (I know I would).

[FIVE] Christian Louboutin

Via

I think I deserve these little babies.   I’ve been eying these forever.  And I have to say that these will be on my credit card soon it will be my early Birthday gift.   

Have a wonderful, fun and blessed weekend!

TTC - Exciting News

[Via]

Exciting News!!! On Tuesday, after months trying to explain to my gynecologist here at Womack (Our Military Duty Station Hospital) with evidence that I’m irregular, that I don’t ovulate every month and that I have PCOS; he FINALLY decided to refer us to an infertility clinic.

So I want to share with you our little journey:   

2010 – Had a 3 month long menstrual cycle so a D&C (Dilation (or dilatation) and curettage) procedure was done, which results were not ovulating for a year.  Began birth control treatment to regulate my cycle.  I was referred to a Hematologist and was prescribed Integra Plus (iron pill) for the rest of my life due to chronic anemia.  

9/7/2012 – We got married

9/2012 – Started TTC naturally

11/2012 – Annual exam/doctor decides to prescribe Clomid to stimulate ovulation. 

MOVED TO NORTH CAROLINA

12/2012 – 3/2013 Started Clomid results BFN

04/2013 – 11/2013 TTC naturally taking natural supplements and teas [results BFN]

11/2013 – First OBGYN Appointment

NOTE:  During my visit I explain how I've been irregular and diagnosed with PCOS in Puerto Rico and the treatments I had.  I also let him know how I was missing my cycle for 2 months.  His answer was “wait for it to arrive so that on the third day I can get blood work”. 

On my vacations in Puerto Rico I went to visit my Gynecologist and explained how I was missing my cycle and he prescribed Provera (to provoke a cycle) and Clomid for ovulation.

01/2014 – Menstrual Cycle (on 5^th Day Clomid)

01/2014 – LH Test (Lutenizing Hormone)

01/2014 – Hubs Semen Analysis – Everything ok on his side

NOTE:  Ever since I got my menstrual cycle on January 21, 2014 I have not gotten my menstrual cycle.  I called my gynecologist and he said either I have to wait for it to arrive to do another blood test or he can refer me to a Fertility Specialist.  Of course I said please refer me.

SIDE NOTE:  I had never experienced so much unprofessionalism in my life. 

3/6/2014 – Progesterone Test & Pregnancy Test Done – BFN

3/6/2014 – Medroxyprogesterone Prescription (5 Days)

NOTE:  Fertility Specialist Nurse contacted me today she made me feel so comfortable with just four words “You’re In Good Hands”.  She read my results and explained how my progesterone levels were low and that the pregnancy test came out negative.  They prescribed medroxyprogesterone and once I begin my menstrual cycle I have to call Womack to schedule an appointment for the following procedures:

                                LH Test (Lutenizing Hormone) to check if I’m ovulating

                                Progesterone Test

                                HSG Test (Hysterosalpingogram) checks for blocked fallopian tubes

                                Pelvic and Endovaginal Ultrasound

Once I get the results of these exams I have an Infertility Orientation Meeting on March 27.

I honestly have to thank God so much.  For starters although I hate all the process to schedule an appointment or to see a doctor I have to admit that until this day all these exams has been paid in full by Tricare (our military health insurance).  These tests can be extremely pricey and we haven’t had to spend a dime.  I know that in worst case scenario I would have to pay for IUI or IVF but I’m declaring that God will not let me go through all that process.

I know I’m just starting but I declare that this is our year.  This year all my TTC Ladies will have their miracle baby.

Are You A Nagging Wife?

Via

Have you ever sat down to evaluate yourself and realized that you actually are a nagging wife?  I was sitting down a while back and I sure did realize I was one of those constantly complaining wives.  See, every time I saw something I did not like from my husband I would nag him about it.  I was thinking that if I nagged he would change; not realizing that in the future this could have damaged our relationship.  When we got married I wasn’t going to church but I knew that somewhere in the bible it said “wives submit to your husband” and there is another part that said something about “being better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman”.

It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman.

-Proverbs21:19

Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.

-Ephesians5:21-33

Now you believe me?  Well continuing… I would continuously nag to my husband “you’re not doing this, you’re not doing that, why are you this way, you need to change and so on”.  I wanted him to grow (NO, actually I wanted him to be how I imagined marriage to be). 

Did I change? Yes!!! Was it hard?  Extremely hard!!!

I have to thank God every day because my husband ignored my nagging.  I know he would get upset his face would say it all but he never once argued with me.  And I’m thankful for that, he had patience with me.  How did I change?  I began to have a personal relationship with God. I wanted to grow deeper and walk with Christ; I wanted God to be the center of my marriage. I began to communicate instead of nagging. I saw better results when I spoke in a smooth way rather than in an arguing way. 

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” 

-James 1:19-20

Once I began to talk to my husband with gentleness, I stopped nagging and belittling him, once I started to pray for me to change I needed that change, I SAW HIM CHANGE.  He started doing things on his own; I didn’t need to ask for help.  To me it was a miracle.

Ladies… if you constantly nag, belittle and embarrass/humiliate your husband, he will never change but the situation will get worst.  Now if let him know how thankful you are that he’s in your life, that he’s a hard worker, how happy you are because he fixed something or just happy because he’s home with you BELIEVE me he will change on its own.

Remember it takes two to make a marriage work and you have your flaws too.  Nobody is perfect therefore you are not perfect.  Don’t expect a perfect man.  Your husband (at least I know mine does) has to deal with the world and other people nagging on him all day, the last thing he wants is to open the door of your home and hear you nagging at him too. 

He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord

 -Proverbs18:22

What Does God Want From Me?

Photo from Google Search

Yesterday was one of those days where I found myself “lost”.  I wanted a hug and a word of encouragement from my mother.  I needed to feel protected and wrapped around my daddy’s arms.  Yes, I have my husband, but yesterday it was like a homesick feeling (so I thought).  I had my head spinning thinking about everything that I’ve been through my entire life.  And to be honest I felt like I’ve been walking through this journey called life aimlessly.  I see how everybody else has accomplished their dreams and yet here I am.  Yes, I have a job.  Yes, I’m happily married.  Yes, I have a family that adores me and I adore them.  But then comes the part where I feel completely empty.  That maybe nobody understands but me.

Then I wonder and pray what is my purpose in this life?  Why am I here?  I have this special friend of mine that I can talk too (Mare), this woman has inspired me in so many ways.  She has given me words of encouragement that has made me connect more with God.  I’m not going to lie to anyone at times I pray and I think my words are going away with the wind.  I don’t get any answers, and I get frustrated wondering should I just keep praying for nothing.  And that’s when everything changes.   I was reading some scriptures in the baby when bam, right in my face…

“You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth.  You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God”. Exodus 20:4-5

Now here is where I began to ask:  JEALOUS!!!  Why would God be jealous and I answered my own question!!!

1.  I was giving my husband, my marriage priority before the Lord.  I’ve been idolizing my husband, and it’s not bad to see him as the perfect man I see of course in your eyes.  But God gave him to me, I prayed he answered and I abandoned Him after.  Therefore he can take him away whenever he wants.

2.  I’ve been seeking for a child for quite some time now, and as much as I prayed, I wasn’t praying with faith, it’s in His timing not in mine yet I keep getting mad every time a treatment doesn’t work, or when I see pregnant ladies walking around. 

So yes God is a jealous God.  We have to put Him before all else.  On January 1^st, 2014 one of my goals was to have a strong relationship with God and we are in March, and I have not done what I said I was.  Yesterday was a day where God was breaking me into pieces; it was an excruciating pain that only I can understand.  He wants me, He desires my heart, my soul, my prayers.  He wants me to believe in Him, to have faith, patience, and love in my heart.  He wants me to be faithful to put him first before anything. 

I want to honor God but how?  That was my question last night and yes I got the answers. 

Repent, Be Saved & Give your all – Acts 3:19-20 Repent, then, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed  for you – even Jesus.  Let the old you die and let the new you be born according God’s will.

Spend Time & Listen to God – I asked Mare (my friend I spoke to you earlier before) how do you listen to God, how would He talk to me.  Her answer was SPEND TIME WITH HIM, pray, read the bible and He will talk to you.

Be Thankful – Yes, be thankful.  I may not be able to conceive at this moment, but I have health, I have two legs to walk, to hands touch, I heart that is beating, eyes to see and I can talk. 

There are so many bible verses about God’s timing but every time I feel in a desperate need of His confirmation, these two bible verse are the ones that I have stuck in my heart for ever.

Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! 

– Psalm 27:14

For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay. 

– Habakkuk 2:3

God does things in His time, and not when we think it is time.  It may take weeks, months, or even years later.  The importance here is to patiently wait.  It’s not easy but it’s all worth it.

MyCAA & Weekend Recap!!!

What a weekend!!!
For starters I'm so proud of myself and I have to thank the military for the MyCAA Program.  The MyCAA Program (Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts) provides $4,000.00 of financial assistance to military spouses who wish to pursue a degree program, license, or certification.  The intention is to provide job opportunities in the military locations.  The good thing is that you don’t utilize your spouse’s G.I. Bill.  If any military spouse is interested you can get more information through https://aiportal.acc.af.mil/mycaa
And yay!!! I finished the 6 months course and I finally received my diploma. 

My Diploma 

Yesterday (Sunday) I had determine to find something to do here in Fayetteville.  Since I took Saturday to clean our apartment and give myself a little TLC; I wanted to take Sunday to take Knela for a walk and just have a little family time.  So, I woke up early prepared a good breakfast and then searched in google for a pet friendly park.  I came across Maverick Park, this place is hidden in a neighborhood literally.  But it’s good to walk around and so peaceful.  Knela was so exhausted of all the walking she slept all afternoon lol.

The amazing breakfast I did Sunday morning

 

One last thing I found a Puerto Rican restaurant.  And I ate a mofongo; I was so excited I couldn't stop smiling.

MOFONGO With chicken Soup