Mr. 5800

I've had quite a few questions from people about our donor.  I thought I'd share some info about hims, since he played such a big part in this.  So, here are the facts: Mr. 5800 is average height and weight with curly brown hair and blue eyes.  He has an interesting ethnic background; he is half Hungarian/Israeli and half Polish/Russian/Israeli.  Who knows what this kid is going to look like! He seems pretty smart, at least on paper. He has high SAT scores, and has a degree in Economics and International Business.  Mr. 5800 is also pretty active and athletic. One of the most important things to me is that there aren't any major medical problems in his family. Well, there you have him in a nutshell.  Thanks for helping us have a family Mr. 5800!

I can't believe it

I really can't believe it, but it's true; I'm pregnant! It's very early in the game. My insemination was on December 6th, but 2 home tests and 2 blood tests say I am.  I'm still a little cautious with it being so early, but I'm very excited! The last few days I have been extremely tired which I've been told is normal.  My first ultrasound is on January 7th. I don't even know what else to say. I think I'm still in shock!

Please excuse me while I whine for a moment

So, I'm finally feeling better after having the plague for a week and a half. Yet, I have this intense feeling of sadness.  I'm in the middle of my 2 week wait and I think I'm feeling a little PMS.  I've been pretty neutral about IUI#3 up until this point, but now, really feel like it didn't work.  I don't know why I feel this way, but I do.  Maybe it's my body preparing me for the disappointment? I'm not sure. I don't have the motivation to do anything Christmasy or put up our tree.  We aren't buying presents for each other this year, because we're saving for any future IUI's or the possible IVF's.  I just feel SAD.  It would be the greatest Christmas gift ever if it worked, but it will also be a bad one if it didn't. I wish I didn't feel like this. Maybe I've been in the house too long and away from civilization? I really hope so...

Paranoid

So I'm done with the Femara and have moved on to the OPK (ovulation predictor kit).  It is cycle day  11 and I'm anxiously awaiting to see that smiley face on the digital reader!  Because I worry too much and over think everything, I've been starting to doubt these overpriced OPK's. Are they truly accurate? Did I get a broken kit? Will I miss my LH surge and have to wait until the next cycle? I know I've read that a lot of you other infertile gals get an ultrasound to make sure there's an egg there waiting, right? Why hasn't my RE never done this?  Sometimes I think they're just out to get our money.  I know I need to stop stressing and relax because worrying will not help any.  Can anyone put my mind at ease? I am so paranoid...

Almost time!

I'm getting excited about IUI #3! It will most likely happen next week some time.  I've been taking the Femara for 2 days now and I'm not sure if I'm having side effects or not.  I feel nauseous and very tired, which are some of the side effects, but who knows if that's why. As long as it doesn't make me feel like I need to be in a padded room like Clomid did, I'm fine! I realized that we'll find out if it took right before Christmas.  I'm hoping I'll have a Christmas miracle, because it will be difficult to get through the holidays if I don't. But, I need to think positive, so I won't dwell on that.  I'll keep you posted! :)

Thanksgiving

While I don't celebrate Thanksgiving the "traditional" way, I do believe it is a day to reflect on what we are thankful for.  I think those of us dealing with infertility and TTC sometimes get caught up in what we want so desperately, that we forget the good things we already have. (at least I do) So right now at this moment I'm going to concentrate on the things that I am thankful for...

• C- He has been in my life for 10 years now and I can't imagine a life without him.  
• My family- Even though I am very far from all of them, I know if I needed anything at all, they would all be there. 
• My furry babies- They drive me crazy some days, but I love them. Yes, even Lucy :)
• My job- I actually have a job that I like and work for an organization that I'm proud to be a part of. Do I make enough money? No, but sometimes money isn't everything.
• My friends- I may not talk to them every day or even every month, but there are a few friends who have been in my life for awhile that always will be.

What are you thankful for?

*Not* trying not to get my hopes up

IUI #3 should be happening in a couple of weeks.  Everything feels very different this time. I don't feel as stressed or worried.  We are using a different donor and instead of taking Clomid, I'll be taking Femara, which has less side effects I'm told.  Everyone keeps telling me not to get my hopes up, but really that is impossible.  There is no way I can't get my hopes up.  If it doesn't work this time, I will be upset and I will cry.  These things are inevitable.  I think I stress myself out way more trying to stay "neutral".  So, I am done with staying "neutral" and am so excited for this IUI! I feel positive about it.  I also know that if it doesn't work, we can try again.  Cycle Day 1 should be around Thanksgiving.  Third times the charm right?

(via Google images)

Wordless Wednesday

Brought to you by my aching ovaries...

Too bad he isn't ours. *sigh*...

Our "Wedding"

For those of you that don't know, I am a married lady now! I think we had the shortest marriage ceremony in history.  We got hitched in our kitchen. (Yes, I said kitchen. Don't judge us)   We were actually babysitting a friend's little boy too.  So, yes, C and I got married surrounded by a baby, a barking Lucy, and 3 confused cats.  It was very romantic.  All that being said, I am very happy and surprised that it actually feels a little different, in a good way. Here are some pictures:

C and our "witness". He is adorable. 

It's really legal, I swear. We have the license to prove it!

We had champagne to celebrate

The happy couple

The End...

By the way, I'm getting married Wednesday...

So, the time's coming for us to start TTC again.   I got my new blood work done Friday, so hopefully the results won't be too much worse than they were last year.  The bad news is I don't think they have the same donor we used last year, so we'll have to pick another one. I'm getting excited though!

Oh yeah, C and I are getting married Wednesday night. Yes, I did just type that, and no I'm not kidding. We got our license last week and found a Justice of the Peace to do it.  We're not having a ceremony or anything.  If we were at home with our families we probably would, but really, I've never been a white dress/bridesmaids/flowers kind of girl anyway. The JOP is coming to our house for a short and sweet "ceremony".  I'm sure it will happen amongst Lucy barking, and the cats crying for their food, so it won't be too boring. We're actually thinking of getting matching tattoos to honor the occasion.  We can't do anything "normal" after all.   After 10 years, it's about time we got married, right? :)

Good Stuff

It seems like all I do is whine and complain here, so I thought I'd let you in on some more positive news.

* C's insurance covers unlimited artificial inseminations and 2 IVF's. I'm not sure if they cover the whole IUI or just the actual insemination, but either way, that's fantastic! Now, I just need to get on it. Which brings me to...

* C and I got our marriage license today! I know for some of you this may be coming out of nowhere, but really, after 10 years should you be that surprised? We just need to find a Justice of the Peace and set up the day! (Hopefully within the next couple of weeks)

* I have a new layout for my blog if you haven't noticed. I also have a grab button which I've always wanted! It was designed by Casey at hotbliggityblog.com .  I love it!

* C's step-dad is doing much better and is out of ICU. He still has a way to go, but he's much much better than he was.

I'll be sure to let everyone know when our "wedding day" is! :)

Crazy week

I am so glad that last week is over.  It was long, emotional and exhausting. Here's some of what happened:

• Work was crazy busy. We are short one person and another is on vacation. I still love my job, but it was actually a little bit stressful.

• We had a meeting with the coordinator for the foster program. Let's just say that it wasn't pretty. I basically cried the whole time. Not just regular crying, but the can't catch your breath kind that makes you seem crazy. Yeah, it was great. Basically, we don't have enough "experience" with kids.  Another foster parent made a comment to her that while I was holding her foster child (that she pretty much threw at me to feed), I wasn't holding him "right" and he didn't eat enough. Seriously.  Anyway, we were told we can't be foster parents if we're trying to get pregnant, which I think is odd.  So, we were put on a hold status. Now that I think about it, I'm, kind of relieved and maybe we can focus on getting pregnant again.  I'm hoping to start in December either with a friend of ours or with an IUI at the hospital.

• One positive thing that happened was my new RE doctor. I absolutely love him! He is realistic, but still positive. As he said, he's not willing to throw the towel in on me yet. I am getting all my blood work done again on my next cycle, so he can compare numbers.  He doesn't think we've tried enough to really get an accurate idea of what's going on. 

• We are hoping that C's insurance covers infertility and if I can get on it. This would be the best thing that could happen if they would pay for some IUI's.  It's really my first choice of how to do this.

• C's step-dad is really sick and in the hospital in ICU.  Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers and send good vibes his way if you can.

Here's hoping that next week fares better...

I am going to get pregnant dammit!

Next week I go see a new infertility doc. I hope I like him better than the last one, even though he's in the same hospital and the same office.  I've heard nothing but good things about him though. I have so many questions for him.  I got some disturbing news Friday before I left work.  I had them do some blood work (FSH & TSH) for me last week just to see what my FSH was since I haven't had it done in a year and it was free. Turns out my FSH which was 16 last year came back as 21!  Now, for those of you who don't understand what this means, it's very bad.  Anything over 13 isn't good, meaning my ovarian reserve is extremely low. I cried, thinking there is no way I'm going to get pregnant now! But, I'm trying to wait until I talk with the new doc about all of this. I know the number can fluctuate and should be taken on cycle day 3, (it was taken mid-cycle) so I'm hoping that is the reason it was so high.  There are also so many other tests and variables. I wanted to start trying next month, but it doesn't look like it's going to happen.  I am so ready to start again. I feel like I'm in a much different place than before. I am determined to get pregnant dammit! I no longer have a fear of being pregnant either. This is what I want and I'm going to get it...

Saturday morning thoughts (and fears)

I feel like making a list. I love lists; they make me feel organized and together. Here are my thoughts and fears on this beautiful fall morning:

• I'm actually feeling a bit better after being sick for 3 days 
• I'm getting all my "infertility blood work"  done again (for free!)  at work next week.  I'm scared my FSH will be higher than it was last year 
• I'm worried that I won't have a donor in time for either November or December and we can't afford any IUI's at the hospital right now
• I'm very happy for C- he got a new job! I think he will be much happier 
• Lately I've been thinking that I don't want to be a foster parent (and I feel very guilty about it).  If we can't conceive, I really want to adopt and I'm going to look more into this
• I want to put all of the "baby stuff" away. It's getting hard looking at it all. Tomcat might get mad at me though, since he loves to take naps in the crib
• I have a lot to do and no energy to do it- cleaning the house, grocery store, pet store, cleaning the yard... 
• I so want to go to the Farm Sanctuary's Celebration for the Turkeys, but it's $50 a person this year.  We'll have to see...

Well, this list looks more depressing than I thought it would! Sorry about that... I hope everyone has a good weekend! 

The rest of 30 Days

I never do things the "normal" way, so I'm going to finish my 30 Days in this one post in pictures...

Day 15- Dream house

Day 16-  A song that makes you cry: I seriously couldn't think of one...

Day 17- An art piece
I love Frida Kahlo. That is all.

Day 18- My Wedding- When Cary & I finally get married for real, there will be no white dress or tux or even bridesmaids, but there will definitely be pretty vegan, gluten free cupcakes

Day 19- A talent of yours: I don't think I have any! Isn't that sad? Yes, it is very sad...

Day 20- A hobby
I'm not sure being an activist is a "hobby", but it's the closest thing I've got

Day 21- A recipe
I'm not sure it's really kosher that I'm posting a recipe from  Alicia Silverstone's book, but these are the best "rice krispy like" treats you will have

Day 22- A website
Your Daily Vegan
You know you want to check it out

Day 23- A YouTube video-

This is hilarious 

Day 24- Where you live
Vermont really is beautiful

Day 25 and Day 26- Your day and week in great detail- yeah, this would probably be boring so I'll save you from that

Day 27- Your worst habit
I tend to be very negative. It's always a work in progress for me

Day 28- What's in your purse/handbag
This isn't everything, but I do carry more of a messenger bag.
wallet, sunglasses, glasses, make-up bag, herbs, security card for work, hand sanitizer, pens, & a moleskine

Day 29 & 30- Hopes dreams & plans for the next year/ dream for the future
Yes, I think the picture pretty much says it all and is the whole reason for my blog 

I think I've found the one

It's a little early to get too excited, but I am anyway.  I think we have found a donor. If said future donor is reading this, I hope it's okay that I'm blogging about it. I've been wanting to ask him, but didn't think he would be willing to.  It's not an easy decision.  I jokingly asked him yesterday and he seriously said he would! Nothing is set in stone, but I feel a tad hopeful that it will work out.  He's young, adorable, and gay; my three favorite qualities! :) I don't think I want to do this right away though.  I want to get into a little better shape than I'm in now, physically and mentally.  We still need to discuss things with him and get legal papers drawn up.  I want him to be a part of the child's life, if he chooses, but not as a father obviously, but an uncle or something.  Anyway, this is all in theory at the moment, so I'm trying not to get too excited, but I can't help myself! So, I guess "operation baby" is starting. I'll keep you posted!

Vegan Care Package Swap

I was so excited when I got my vegan care package swap that Lindsay @ cook.vegan.lover. hosted! My partner was Carol from St. Louis.  Here's the loot:

* vegan stroganoff 

*gf oatmeal cookies

*gf mac & cheese

* vegan orange "jello"

*brown rice marshmallow treats

*chocolate raspberry bar

*bumble energy bars

*cowboy candy

These are so good! I'm eating one as I type.
I might have to keep these in my desk at work for afternoon snacks

I can't wait to try this for lunch today! It's perfect comfort food

Thank you Lindsay for hosting this! I had so much fun! Thank you Carol for all the goodies! Yours should be there any day... :)

Oh Sookie Sookie

TGIF! Today is day 13 of my 30 days: a fictional book.  I've decided to write about  a book, or in this case a series of books that I want to read. I love Sookie.  I loved her from the start and I'm not exactly sure why.  I love that she was never scared of Bill, loves her friends like family and tells it like it is.

I want this pretty boxed set

I have been wanting to read these for awhile now, but I've been a tad hesitant thinking they will ruin True Blood for me.  More than a few people I know who have read these, love the books and  find True Blood not as good as they once thought.  We haven't even watched season 3 of True Blood that just ended.  Such a dilemma.  I will probably read them anyway and end up liking them better, but isn't that always the case?

I never finish what I start...

Apparently, committing to blogging everyday is something I cannot do.  Sometimes at the end of the day, I just don't have the energy for it.  It's pathetic, I know.  I hate when I start things and don't finish them. I'm very good at that and I want to change this part of me.  So, as boring as my posts may be, I am going to finish my 30 day project! On to day 12.... Something you are OCD about...

Pretty, pretty organized books

I could write a book about this, but I'll spare you and just choose one.  Even though my "career" as a bookseller has been over for about 6 or 7 years, I still harbor one habit.  I cannot go into  any bookstore anywhere and not start straightening books. They could be on shelves or tables, it doesn't matter.  I have this urge to fix them and make them all organized and pretty. Once I start, it's hard to stop. I just have to keep going.  It's a sickness really. Cary has to intervene and tell me to stop.  Do any of you former booksellers have this habit? I need help...

No more guilt?

 Before I get back to 30 days, I just want to thank everyone for their positive comments.  I am not feeling so guilty anymore.  I realized that maybe this happened for a reason to show me that I don't want a child that age and truly want a baby.  When we talk to the resource coordinator, we are going to tell her this.  It may take longer to get a placement, but we feel this is the right decision.   We're also not ruling out another IUI in the future.  C thinks I need to get "healthier" physically and mentally before we do that again and I agree, or maybe we can actually find a willing donor. Any takers out there? Anyway, that's the update on the baby front...

I've realized I've missed quite a few posts for my 30 days project.  Day 10 is a photo of you taken over 10 years ago.  I don't have anything that old on my computer so I'm skipping this one.  Day 11 is a photo of you recently.  I hate getting my picture taken, but I guess I'll share this one because it's so rare that a photo is taken of me and our crazy dog Lucy.

She looks pretty scared, probably because I was trying to get her to look at the computer. 

I am officially a horrible person

We finally had our first placement last night.  He was an almost 2 year old boy.  It was a horrible experience for everyone, especially me.  Neither C or I got any sleep last night.  I was up crying because I just couldn't handle it and I feel so bad about the whole thing.  I didn't feel very "motherly" with him, which completely scared me.  Maybe I wouldn't make a good mother.  I'm dealing with all kinds of emotions right now.  I do know that I don't want a placement with a child that age. I definitely want a baby.  I can handle babies.  I had to call the social worker and tell her I didn't think we could keep him. I've never felt so much guilt and like a total failure.  Hopefully I will make sense of all this at some point.  That's all I can say for now...

Day 9- A Photo That You Took (yeah, I skipped day 8...)

I'm not a good photographer, but I secretly long to be.  These days I take tons of pictures with my iPhone. I swear it takes better pictures than our digital.  This is one of the many, many pictures taken at the Farm Sanctuary.  It is the best place on earth to me.  I can't wait to go back...

Our tour guide and a friend on our second trip to the Farm

Day 6 & 7-20 Favorite Things & A Photo That Makes You Happy

Not in any particular order...

The first ten in pictures:

Fall

Christmas

 My MacBook

Vegan soft serve ice cream

Coffee

"Celebration for the Turkeys" @ Farm Sanctuary

My crazy family

My tattoos

Bookstores

All my fur babies

11- Our condo
12- "baby smell"
13- Spending time with C
14- Chocolate
15- Shoes
16- Old friendships
17- Health food stores
18- My new job
19- My iPhone
20- baby clothes

Day  7- A Photo That Makes You Happy

I love this picture of C I took.  He looks happy and content with who he is and cute too! :)

Day 5- Favorite quote

This stands just at the entrance to the Farm Sanctuary.  No truer words have ever been spoken.

On a different note, we found out officially that T went back to his original foster parents.  It sucks. I just hope he's okay. 

Day 3 and Day 4

I obviously didn't post anything yesterday, so I'm putting day 3 and 4 together of my 30 days.

Day 3- Favorite TV Show

There are so many tv shows I like: Lost, Queer as Folk, US of Tara, True Blood... I could go on, so I will pick one that is new (at least to me) that I've been watching. Torchwood.
I can be a bit of a sci-fi geek. Torchwood is a spin off of Dr. Who, which I never really liked too much, but I am obsessed with this one!  This show has it all really; aliens, action, humor, brits and a little boy on boy action. What more could you ask for? Here's a little clip:






On to Day 4- Favorite book

Again, there are too many to choose from.  One author that always moves me with his honesty and humor is Augusten Burroughs.  I know most people know him for Running with Scissors, but my favorite of his is Dry.

Dry is a bit darker than his others, but I think it was the most honest and humorous. It's about his struggle with alcoholism and eventually going into rehab.  It made me laugh and cry at the same time. I highly recommend it.

Day 2- Just a Spoonful of Sugar...

Day 2 of 30 Days- Favorite Movie

C got me this 45th anniversary edition for my b-day this year

My love for Mary Poppins knows no bounds.  Okay, so maybe I'm a bit obsessed. My mother said that I used to drive her insane wanting to watch it multiple times a day when I was little.  I still have the same love for it today. On my list of things I want to do/share with my children is introduce them to this magical movie.

Here is my favorite MP song.  You will probably get these songs in your head. Your welcome...

Day 1- Favorite song

It's difficult to pick one favorite song, so I will pick a song from my favorite band.  Even though this is probably their most well known song, I still love it.  I never tire of hearing it and it is fantastic live.  One day I will see them live...

Chasing Cars, Snow Patrol

30 Days

It seems like I've seen this on every blog I've looked at in the last few weeks or so.  I don't usually follow the norm, but thought this would be a good way to get me blogging more and for the 2 of you that actually read said blog could get to know me better.  Here it is: 30 blogs for 30 days. Oh, and since I'm such a procrastinator, I will start this tomorrow... :)
Day 1 - your favorite song
Day 2 - your favorite movie
Day 3 - your favorite television program
Day 4 - your favorite book
Day 5 - your favorite quote
Day 6 - 20 of your favorite things
Day 7 - a photo that makes you happy
Day 8 - a photo that makes you angry/sad
Day 9 - a photo you took
Day 10 - a photo taken over 10 years ago of you
Day 11 - a photo of you recently
Day 12 - something you are OCD about
Day 13 - a fictional book
Day 14 - a non-fictional book
Day 15 - your dream house
Day 16 - a song that makes you cry (or nearly)
Day 17 - an art piece (drawing, sculpture, painting, etc)
Day 18 - my wedding/future wedding/past wedding
Day 19 - a talent of yours
Day 20 - a hobby of yours
Day 21 - a recipe
Day 22 - a website
Day 23 - a youtube video
Day 24 - where you live
Day 25 - your day, in great detail
Day 26 - your week, in great detail
Day 27 - your worst habit
Day 28 - what's in your handbag/purse
Day 29 - hopes, dreams, and plans for the next 365 days
Day 30 - a dream for the future

My heart is broken

As of right now it looks like we probably won't get T.  They are putting his case "on hold" for a couple of reasons, one being that he may go back with his original foster family.  We were told this Friday when I called to see if we could go see him Saturday and take him out again. Earlier in the week, we had bought him a Woody doll and book because he is obsessed with Toy Story and we were going to give it to him Saturday.  I guess that's not going to happen now.  I truly hate all of this.  I'm mad and depressed and sad for him.  He needs a permanent home and he still doesn't have one.  All of this just makes me realize how much I want to have my own baby and it's depressing because that just doesn't even seem plausible anymore.  I've always said that I wanted to have a baby or at least be pregnant by the time I'm 35.  35 is quickly catching up to me.  Maybe we should start playing the lottery so we could either try as many inseminations as we want or could adopt outright. What scares me the most is what if I'm just not meant to be a mother at all?  I'm not sure I can handle that.

So, instead of playing with T on Saturday, we went to Barre looking for a Volkswagen for me, unsuccessfully I might add and went into Montpelier to Hunger Mountain Co-op.  I've been wanting to check it out.  I actually liked it better than the co-op we have here.  We decided to have lunch in their cafe and it was very yummy.

I had homemade hummus with lettuce, tomato, onion, cucumber & carrot on gluten-free bread

C had a wrap with herbed artichokes, roasted red peppers, cucumber and lettuce

It's an amazing feeling to be able to order a sandwich somewhere that I can actually eat! I can't tell you how many chain-like restaurants I've been to and the only thing I can eat is some iceberg lettuce with a tomato and couple of onions.  We actually did our shopping there too and spent less than we normally do.   I still would have rather spent the day with T, but overall it wasn't too bad.  I guess the waiting begins all over again. I don't like this.  I don't like it at all...

The Call

We finally got "the call" on Wednesday.  It had me in such a panic that I had to medicate myself to calm down.   Everyone was right- the minute you stop thinking about it and even (in our case) giving up on it is when it happens and it totally catches you off guard.  We ended up not getting him that night, but went to meet him on Saturday.  T (we'll call him this since I can't share his name) is almost 2 years old, has a ridiculous amount of energy and is the cutest little boy I've ever seen. I wish I could post a picture of him.  C and I took him on a "date" to the park.  I chased and played with him all over the park.  I've never felt so old and out of shape! I might not need my gym membership with him around! For all he has been through, which I also cannot share, he seems pretty well adjusted. He is a typical little boy.  He was slowly getting attached to me and wouldn't go to C so much, but the foster mom he is with now said he is like that with her husband too.  On Sunday I went over to see him again, this time by myself.  He definitely remembered me.  We played trains and I watched him act like a lunatic running around. It was fun.  C and I decided that we definitely want him to come stay with us.  I'm scared out of my mind and hope we survive! Oddly enough, I'd be less scared of a newborn baby.  It seems though like with everything else having to do with this whole process we have to wait. I've left several messages with his social worker and the coordinator, but haven't heard back yet.  His foster mom he is with now called me today and basically said the same thing to me. She's been calling and leaving messages and hasn't heard from anyone either.  This is all just driving me crazy! So, like usual, we are sitting here waiting.  Waiting sucks...

Life Without C

It's been a crazy week! C decided to leave me for a whole 7 days and take a bus home to Ohio. Well, he went for a friend's wedding, to see his mom and step-dad, plus he had a ton of vacation to use by the end of this month.  Seeing that I just started my new job, I don't have any time off yet so I am stuck here with all the crazy animals. The night he left I was a mess of course.  I barely slept the first two nights.  So, what have I done with my time?  Well, work has kept me and my mind busy during the day.  I made a list of things I wanted to do and I actually have done most of them.  Here is what I've been doing since C has been gone:
1- Got addicted to Torchwood. Seriously addicted. I watched like 8 episodes in a day and a half
2- Dug up the ginormous weed/stalk thing that was taking over the front of the condo

3- I bought this! Isn't she pretty?

My first smoothie- lots of berries, spinach, and a little rice milk.  It was yummy!

4- I cleaned the hell out of the house; cleaned out the pantry, reorganized some kitchen cabinets

5- I just realized that I actually haven't thought about babies at all until right now- now that is an accomplishment

As much "fun" as I've had all by my lonesome, I can't wait for C to come home on Tuesday! Maybe he was right that absence does make the heart grow fonder...

Raw Food Adventures (and a cryptic hint about potential baby news)

I've started my journey into raw foods this week.  It's one of my goals to better my health.  I do know that there is no way I could be 100% raw, at least I don't think so.  I could not live without chickpeas.  I seriously could not.  I find that I eat quite a bit of raw food anyway in the summer.  Here are a few things I've tried:

Raw granola from Two Moms in the Raw and Blackberry Hint water- I love this stuff!
This was breakfast this morning at my desk

Very yummy apple, spinach and carrot juice- I wish I had a juicer...

I've also been making salads, cucumber salad, and I've discovered I can eat raw dehydrated kale chips, but still can't seem to eat it fresh. Any suggestions? I did have one day that I slipped pretty bad (like pizza and ice cream bad), but they were vegan and gluten free so that's okay right?  I blame it on PMS, plus I felt horrible after I ate it, so I paid for it.  Next, I want to get a blender so I can make all those yummy green smoothies I see on everybody's blogs!

On the baby front: Still no news or calls, but I might have a surprise for everyone.  It's something  that came out of nowhere and could potentially be exciting. That's all I can say though.  :)

Belated Thank You

It's better late than never I suppose.  We received a whole lot of baby stuff from family and friends and I just realized I never thanked anyone.  Look at all this loot!

Blankets, clothes, and bibs, oh my!

I really hope I get to use the Moby, but it looks ridiculously complicated...

Seventh Generation chlorine free baby wipes

Look at all the goodies in there!

Diaper bag, with a mini one too

So, thank you to everyone who gave us such nice gifts! I just hope we can use them soon!