My Birthday's On Independence Day! Will AF Ruin It?

I was inspired to write this post for two reasons:

1. I'm praying that AF (Aunt Flo) will not show up on or before my birthday!
2. Jen @ The Baby Making Machine had a few concerns about her daughter being born on July 4th.

Now if this is not "our month" and AF comes on time, it is likely that it'll come on or around my birthday. I am praying that if it's coming, it stays away until at least July 5th. Oh no, maybe July 6th, lol because I'm off on the 5th and want to enjoy my day off! AF coming on my birthday would mean a yucky, crampy day and also NO BIRTHDAY SEX! Lol :) Yeah, I know I wont be nearing ovulation then, but I'd like to make sure I have some fun with hubby anyway!

Now I've always loved the fact that my birthday was on Independence Day.  I always get a "WOW" reaction when I tell people that I was born on July 4th. I also used to like think that there was such a huge celebration on MY birthday! I remember as a child saying "They're doing fireworks for me!!" :) Also, Ive never had to work or go to school on my birthday. Plus NO ONE forgets when my birthday is. It has just always felt like a great day to have a birthday!

In reading Jen's blog, she mentioned that she may have to induce labor on July 3rd. She also tweeted:

I responded to her saying many of the things I said earlier.

So I just want to encourage her that the day that Lil' J is born will be perfect (Im sure she knows that already)! And prayerfully Lil J and I will be able to share a birthday! :)

I hope that you all have enjoyed your weekend thus far!

Saliva Can Kill Sperm?! Say What?!

Soooooo. I came across a something on the Internet last week or so that said that "saliva can kill sperm". WHAT?! Are you serious?! (That was my reaction)  At that moment I didn't have time to do more research on it, but later on I did. Sometimes I swear the Internet is the devil, LOL, so tempting yet so confusing. In my research, I found a few different things.  I guess that's what we can expect on the Internet because there are so many different resources and so many different interpretations.  In addition, there is ongoing scientific research and new findings - constantly!

Now Hubby and I don't use any type of artificial lubrication such as KY-Jelly or Pre-Seed. We use NATURAL lubrication and/or SALIVA - go figure!

So, I just wanted to share with you some of the things that I have found: 

It's true that saliva contains bacteria that could contaminate an ejaculate, but if you go down on your wife before penetration, I doubt there would be enough saliva on the head of your penis to interfere with conception.

Ok whew! I don't think I can deal with him not going down on me. LOL! :)

There have been many studies done on what influences sperm survival. And most studies show that saliva can have a negative effect on sperm. If he has enough sperms then it's unlikely to make a major difference, but if he has a low sperm count then you need every single sperm.

Well, we don't know if hubby has a low sperm count, but I'm trusting God that he doesn't! 

Saliva has digestive enzymes in it that stop sperm from swimming on contact—not so good if you want them to reach the egg!

Ehhhh. Ok. I guess.

My take on it: I figure that one single ejaculate contains millions of sperm and we need just ONE of those to fertilize my egg. I don't plan on stopping my normal course of activity in fear of killing my husband's sperm. I mean... would you?!

So have you heard or read about this before? What are your thoughts? I'm dying to know! LOL

LOQ - Left Over Queen

On my first date with hubby, I remember telling him that I'm a cheap date. I simply meant that you can take me on a date and share a plate with me and I'd be fine - I dont eat that much! Also, I'm not the type to order the most expensive thing on the menu. That hasnt changed! :)

A habit that I have developed over the years is to eat small meals and snacks and through out the day.  I believe that is very important important in maintaining one's weight - especially for someone like me who goes through periods of time where I get too lazy busy to work out. LOL hmph!

Now, when I go out to eat I ALWAYS have leftovers. I just dont eat that much! I went to Bahama Breeze this weekend with a few friends. Now would you believe I got FOUR MEALS out of that one meal that I ordered at Bahama Breeze? I just finished it today! Lol, some people look at me wierd when I tell them stuff like this. I love it b/c I still get to eat what I want (I just have to make sure I watch my proportions) and I get to stretch my money!

Now, I really hope that whenever God blesses me with a a child that I can keep up these keep eating habits during pregnancy. Lol, what do you think?

I have this great fear of not being able to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight, so I'm praying that I will be able to stick to some of the habits that I've had for a while - if not all!

P.S. I sometimes even eat my boss's leftovers because he doesnt eat leftovers. Like buddy - you're missing out. LOL

What kind of eating habits did you have during pregnancy? How do you feel about leftovers? Lol

Going Decaf? Hmph!

For those of you who know me, you know that I am a night owl and that I also work in Human Resources for a Dunkin Donut Franchise.

                                   Night Owling = Sleepy mornings/day

                                   Dunkin Donut Job = Easy access to coffee

I must say though, that I am not a regular coffee drinker. I mean, the ladies in my office MUST have their coffee every morning OR ELSE! LOL

I am not like that. I drink coffee maybe once a week - if that. I don't even think that the coffee helps me to stay awake, I think its just a mind thing. LOL, but I do like the flavor/taste of coffee. Now for the past few days I have been feeling EXTREMELY tired and wanted to have some coffee (that's my mind playing tricks me, making me think that it will help), but I was able to make it through the day without it!

Today, once again, I woke up feeling like I wanted to have some coffee. Like, is it because I decided that I was going to cut back on caffeine that I'm getting these strong urges? Lol the mind and body are 2 weird (yet amazing) things!

In doing my pre-pregnancy research this is one of the things that I found on a pre-pregnancy checklist:

Cut back on caffeine. Limit the coffee you drink to no more than one 12-ounce cup of coffee each day. Remember, the amount of caffeine in coffee varies, depending upon the type of coffee, how it is prepared, and the amount of coffee used. Caffeine can also be found in soft drinks, medications and other foods. Try coffees and teas that are decaffeinated, or drink water, milk or juice. Be sure to read labels on food, drinks and medicine to know how much caffeine you're getting.

As if I don't check labels enough already! Lol I am a calorie counter/checker by nature. So although I don't drink coffee that much, I have decided to cut caffeinated coffee out and stick to decaf for now. So this morning on the way to work, to quench my coffee craving - I stopped to get a decaf cup.  I didn't get this reaction though! LOL (see pic below)

Have any of you considered this? What are your thoughts on cutting out certain things even before you become pregnant?

How Many Kids Do You Want?

I think this is a very common question! I know that I've asked it plenty of times and many people have asked me this question plenty of times as well.  Obviously, hubby and I have discussed it.

..... hmmm

So... I want 2 kids and he.....

..... Uh.. Lol, he wants FOUR!

Now clearly we have a problem. I guess we could compromise and have 3, but neither are too fond of the idea of having an odd number of children. Lol, wierd huh?

Well here's my argument:

1. We're both already 25. When will we have 4 kids? Its like I'd have to be pregnant every other year for the next 10 years in order to have all of our kids before I'm 35. This might work if I'm able to stay home and not work for the next 10 years ( which we'll discuss later), but how likely is that?
2. I want my children to have more than I did and be better off that I was. If we have 4, we wont be able to dedicate as much time as we'd like to to each child and there will be certain things that we'll have to sit out of because we cant afford it because we have a tribe! LOL

I mean, I could go on for days about why I think "less is more" in this situation, but honestly none of us can predict the future. I definitely dont know what's going to happen. I will be eternally grateful for whatever God blesses me with. So if its 4 kids - I am ready for that challenge!

Hubby and I have had plenty of debates about this, but I dont think its worth arguing over, because whats meant to be will be and Im excited to see what it will be! ;) (even if its an odd number, lol)

Now how many kids do you think hubby would want if he had to carry them AND go through labor? LOL

What are your thoughts? How many children do you plan on having? Have plans changed over time? Spill the beans!

"Ready" Is In The Eye Of The Beholder

Me: Ready for babies?
Hubby: I'm ready! U?
Me: Sometimes I think I am! But sometimes I dunno. Right now feel like I am.
Hubby: Why don't you know?
Me: I dunno. Lol you ever feel unsure, but sure at the same time?
Hubby: Yep. Its the excitement of the possibility, but the fear of what it means. But I don't feel unsure.

Hubby's response led me to feel a little more confident about the decision that we have made to start a family.  I have heard many people say that they are going to wait until they are "ready" to have children or make some other life changing decisions. I am a planner so I do agree that you do have to make certain preparations, but waiting until you feel COMPLETELY ready may mean that you'll spend your whole life preparing, but never get to fulfil certain dreams that you may have. Make sense?

Dictionary.com defines ready as "completely prepared or in fit condition for immediate action or use".

I mean are we completely prepared? Who can answer that? I guess we can.

Are we in fit condition for immediate action or use? I believe so.

So even though we may not have our dream house yet or may not have saved as much as we wanted to, I think we're ready!

Well we believe we are - let's see what God has planned!