Monthly Emotional Cycle

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I just entered my 2ww.

2ww, infertility, TTC

That means “two week wait.”  It is the dreaded period of time between ovulation and the date that you either find out you’re pregnant or your period starts.

There are no words to adequately describe this window of time.  If you’re TTC, maybe some of this sounds familiar.

TTC infertility

For the first day or so after ovulation, I’m feeling good about it.  I gave it my best shot, DTD every day or every other day, depending on which method we decided to try this month, and I really think this month could be it.  It’s probably not.  But you never know.  It could be.  I sure did try!

Then day 3 hits, and I plummet to the depths of despair.  I still have another week and a half to wait.

Hmm.  I wonder what the earliest date is that I can take a test?

No, don’t even think about it.  This month I am. going. to. wait. until. my. period.  I can do this.  *stares at self in mirror and gives pep talk*

Day 4.  Wellll…..I’ll just take a quick peek at Countdown to Pregnancy.  IF I’m pregnant, my due date would be in May.  But I’m sure I’m not.  But I wonder what it would be like to have a spring baby?

Day 5.  I’m going to just get super busy with stuff and try not to think about it.

Day 6.  I’m not pregnant.  I never get positive tests, why would this month be any different?  I will fall apart if I have to see another negative test.  I have to wait until my period shows up.  Because I know my period will show up.

Day 7.  Are my boobs tender?  I think I’m cramping.  *gasp* Maybe it’s implantation twinges!!!  No, calm down.  Calm down.  It’s not.  Welllll…..I’ll just take a quick peek at Countdown to Pregnancy and see statistically if these symptoms tend to mean pregnancy or not.

Days 8 and 9.  Torture.  I alternate between being hopeful and being extremely cynical.  I know that my regular PMS symptoms are nothing like this.  But then again, why should I get my hopes up when I know that I will obviously never see another BFP (big fat positive) again.

Day 10.  I’m obviously not going to take a pregnancy test, but I mean I am acutely aware of the fact that most tests boast the fact that you can test 5 days before your expected period.  That’s today.  Not that I’m counting or anything.

Day 11.  I’m going to wait to test.  (Five minutes later)  Maybe I’ll test later today.  (Five minutes later)  No, I should really wait.  What’s a few more days anyway?  (Five minutes later)  I CAN’T WAIT A FEW MORE DAYS.  (pushes on bladder to see if full enough to pee yet)  (Five minutes later, sets stick with sample down on the counter)  I can’t look at the test.  It will kill me to see a negative.  I can’t handle this right now.  Has it been three minutes?  Ok, I’m just going to step outside the bathroom, take a few deep breaths, pray, and then go back and in and it just is what it is.  (paces outside for a few minutes, then goes back in)

Test is negative.  I stare at it, my soul crushing into tiny pieces.  I try to hold back the tears, reminding myself that it’s still early for a positive.  I pick it up and hold it closer to the light, turning it this way and that way, just in case I’m missing a faint line.  But, no.  It’s a very clear negative.  I can’t tear my eyes off of it.  That one line staring back at me, mocking me.  I finally throw it in the garbage and cover it with toilet paper so I don’t have to see it.

Days 12-whenever my period starts.  As much as I tell myself to stop testing, I can’t help myself.  I somehow end up testing once a day, sometimes more.  And each negative test is like a knife wound.

Period starts.  I climb into bed and sob my heart out, dreams for another month dissolving.  When I finally get out of bed, I stress eat.  Who cares about my diet, it won’t matter anyway.  What do these supplements matter, they aren’t helping.  I don’t need to exercise anyway, I don’t have a baby to be healthy for.

Period is over.  Deep breaths.  I can do this.  Let’s try another month.  Hope slowly builds up again, I work out, take my supplements, and get back to my diet.  It’s a new month and a new chance.

-Bonnie

31 Days ttc infertility

31 Days of TTC

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I am so excited to be doing my first 31 day blogging challenge!  I have wanted to for a while, but this is the first year where something just clicked and I knew what I wanted to write about.

31 Days ttc infertility

Throughout October, I will be posting about TTC, or Trying to Conceive.
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This series is for the person who has been TTC for any period of time.  It will be for the woman who has been trying for two months.  For the woman who has been trying for two years.  For the woman who has been diagnosed with infertility.  For the woman who has no diagnosis.

If you have ever done the walk of shame (you know the one….when you have to pick up your purse at your friend’s house and walk to the bathroom announcing to the world that you are not pregnant and instead you’re on your period…yeah that one), then this series is for you.

Infertility affects 6.7 million people in America.  It has many repercussions.  Obviously physical ones…but also emotional and spiritual.  It is a tough road to travel, regardless of how long you have been trying.

If you read this series, I’m assuming it is because either you or someone you love is TTC.  First of all, I want to say I’m sorry.  I’m sorry that you have to read this series.  I’m sorry for your struggle.  I wish I could give you a big hug!

I had been planning to do this series for months but honestly now that October is here it hasn’t been very good timing for me.  We’ve had a lot of bumps and difficulties recently that have made it difficult to write this series.  As a result, some posts that I wanted to write I was unable to.  And overall the series is not what I had planned.  But God’s timing is perfect, so I trust that some of this series will be beneficial to at least one person.  I have some wonderful guest bloggers as well and I am so thankful for those who have shared!

I have 31 posts ready for this month….including giveaways and guest posts.  I hope that it is encouraging to you in some manner.  ❤

I also plan to do a few Scopes about the series throughout the month.  You can follow me on Periscope @EasyGreenClean

Warning: These posts will contain information about TTC…so if you are bothered by words like “period” “ovulation” or “cervical fluid” you might not want to read. 😉

-Bonnie

Reading List

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Well I didn’t get my regular 3 month reading list in.  So here is a belated list of the books I’ve read since April.  I think I missed recording some….but this is at least most of them.

And I promise I have more posts coming up soon!  I’m actually working on a series for October to join in with the 31 days of blogging challenge.  🙂

reading list

Fiction:

Dragon and Priest by Heidi Joelle

Beyond I Do by Jennifer Slattery

Bridge to Haven by Francine Rivers

God Gave Us Sleep by Lisa Tawn Bergren (review posted here)

Hotline Girl, The by RJ Conte

Nonfiction:

Every Drunken Cheerleader…Why Not Me? by Kristine Waits

Exercising Through Your Pregnancy by James F. Clapp, III, M.D. and Catherine Carm, MS.

I Tried Until I Almost Died by Sandra McCollom (review posted here)

Motherwell Maternity Fitness Plan by Bonnie Berk

Newbie’s Guide to Positive Parenting, The by Rebecca Eanes

Surprising Secrets of Highly Happy Marriages, The by Shaunti Feldhahn

 

 

Book Review: God Gave Us Sleep

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I have been wanting to build my little guy’s library and was excited to see this children’s book available to review.

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God Gave Us Sleep is a sweet story about a mama bear and her young bear.  The child learns about the reasons God designed sleep and other aspects of life.

The rhythm of life, or the dance as it is described in the book…work and rest, play and rest.

The bear learns that God created sleep so that we can have energy for the day and patience to go through it.  She learns to pray for good sleep and for sweet dreams.

It is a sweet story and the artwork is very well done.  I am glad to add this book to my son’s shelf.

Check out this page to see more about the author and other books she has written.  I have read adult fiction by her as well, not knowing she also has quite a few children’s books!

Note: I received this book from Blogging for Books for free in exchange for this review.

-Bonnie

Book Review: Crash the Chatterbox

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I agreed to review this book when I read the back cover.  “In Crash the Chatterbox, Pastor Steven Furtick focuses on four key areas in which negative thoughts are most debilitating: insecurity, fear, condemnation, and discouragement….Learn how to live out God’s truth no matter what is going on in your life or thoughts.  Learn how to crash the chatterbox…and hear God’s voice about all others.”

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I have a chatterbox.  A very loud chatterbox.  It seems there is a constant refrain going through my head, saying things like, “You’re not good enough.”  “You’re a failure.”  “You always mess up.”  “You are a terrible wife.”  “You are a bad Mom.”

I have been hearing from several sources lately about how critical it is to speak the truth to yourself.  How your internal dialogue and self-talk can profoundly influence the way you think and act.

That’s what I love about this book.  Steven Furtick is relevant and I love his current cultural references.  But he gets to the heart of the issues and reminds his readers to speak God’s truth.

I am redeemed.
I am forgiven.
I am more than conqueror.
I am loved.
God will provide.
God will protect.
I am His masterpiece.
God is for me, not against me.
God showed Himself trustworthy when He ____, and I know He will be trustworthy now.

This book is full of suggestions on how to push aside the screaming voices that are lying and instead to hear God’s still small voice of truth.

That being said, I must address one thing.  After I began reading the book, I decided to look up more about the author.  The author has made several troubling statements, including things about how theology and doctrine are not important, and the only thing that matters is evangelism.  I would be extremely careful when reading any of his books or listening to his sermons.

Note: I received this book from Blogging for Books for free in exchange for this review.

-Bonnie

Toddler Activities

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1. Flash Cards.  The Wingman has loved these flashcards that I purchased on Amazon.  Usually we keep it pretty low key.  I’ll hand him one card at a time, telling him the word, and he will stack them in the cardboard box they came in.  Sometimes he just has fun stacking (still a win as he learns better hand control!), sometimes he’ll repeat the words, and sometimes he’ll stare at the picture and soak it in.  (BTW, his favorite card is the one with the cookie on it. 😉 )

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2.  Bowling.  Get some plastic cups and set them up like bowling pins.  Then roll a ball from a couple feet away and watch them fly!

3.  Chores.  Wingman loves to help.  The first task he took an interest in was emptying the dishwasher.  He likes to help with the silverware specifically, but also anything else he can reach on the bottom rack.  He now knows where to put the silverware, my mixing bowls, and my cutting boards.  Other jobs he likes to help with are sweeping, dusting, and spritzing things with a spray bottle of water.

4.  Spray bottle of water.  Sometimes this is helpful (such as when I’m mopping)….sometimes it isn’t so much.  But he already knows the routine…now when he grabs the spray bottle, he’ll grab a towel for the other hand. 😉

5.  Puzzles.  He loves Melissa and Doug chunky puzzles!  He’ll put the pieces in, then say, “More!” and we’ll start over.  He’s even started to play games with it and pretend to put a piece in the wrong spot, then we’ll giggle and say, “Nooo!!!” and then he’ll put it in the correct spot.
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6.  Little Baby Bum.  This one is his favorite.  I used to be against toddler usage of technology….but I have been surprised, amazed, and impressed with how much he was truly learned from these videos.  He has learned colors, shapes, counting, and singing.  Obviously, movies and videos should come in moderation, but I am now definitely an advocate of intentional video watching. 😉

What are some of your toddlers favorite activities?

-Bonnie

From Around Blog Land

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The Most Surprising People God Told Us to Follow – “What would our life look like if we got our awe of God back?”

Would the Real Christian Woman Please Stand Up? – “Show us what it’s like not to hide in the darkness anymore.”

To the Woman Still Longing to be a Mom – Beautiful, beautiful post and prayer for those of you longing to be a Mom.

God is For You – “The only thing God wants from you are the chains that are holding you back.”

Clothed in Shame  – Another very good post in the modesty debate.

I Have the Perfect Body – For any Moms feeling shame or embarrassment about their bodies.

Curious George Birthday Party

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I cannot believe that the Wingman is now TWO years old!!  Every day I am just so amazed that God gave him to us.  I am so, so thankful for these past two years with my precious boy.

At two years old, some of the Wingman’s favorite things are: Daddy, trucks, gorillas, bugs, tractors, airplanes, and….Curious George.

I decided to throw him a Curious George party!  It was an absolute blast and the Wingman had a lot of fun!

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I had so much fun preparing the food and themed snacks.  I can’t take any of the credit though….I found this wonderful blog post on Pinterest.  So a big thank you to Jonesing to Create!!  😀

Our snack table consisted of…

  • George’s Juice
  • Professor Wiseman’s Water
  • Charkie’s Cheezits
  • Chef Pisghetti’s Pizza Dip (the blog post was right…this dip was amazing!!  I got a lot of raving reviews on it!)
  • Hundley’s Ham Sandwiches (crackers, cheese, and sliced ham)
  • Gnocchi’s Nectarines
  • Allie’s Apples (with caramel dip)

Thanks to her blog, I had those adorable themed printables to go with each item.

Unfortunately, I didn’t get a picture of it, but I had a small folding table set up outside with a red plastic tablecloth, two bunches of balloons, and a big George balloon.  That’s where I set up activity bags for each guest.  Inside each bag I put one of these Play-Doh Party Bag Dough, 15 Count (assorted colors) as well as Hand Clappers Party Favors, 8ct.  Next to the bags were giant bubble wands for each child.

These made for great favors!

We also have access to a great discounted party rentals place so we were able to rent a small bounce house for more than half off.  The kids had a blast jumping in the bounce house!

Last but not least, we got the Wingman this adorable Curious George shirt, which he loved.

It was a great party and it was so worth the work.  I loved seeing the Wingman’s face light up as he saw all the George items. 🙂
-Bonnie
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Unintentional Hiatus

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Hi friends!

I apologize for the lack of posting!

Today I am getting ready for the Wingman’s birthday party (someone tell me HOW is it possible that my little guy is two years old now??), but I hope to be back to posting very soon.  First up will be a recap of the Wingman’s Curious George party. 😀

I hope you all are doing well!

-Bonnie