Sunday, August 28, 2011

The Amazing Race!



We're going to take a break from the regularly scheduled programming for a second to discuss the Amazing Race.  This show typically airs on CBS on Sundays at 8!

I'll be completely honest here...I'm not a huge fan of the show and haven't seen many episodes. However, I get the general concept. If you are like me, and haven't really seen the show, here's a basic run down. On the show, which is an action/adventure game show, various teams of people race around the world to amazing locations to compete for one million dollars. Along the way they compete in various Pit Stop, Detour and Roadblock challenges, designed to eliminate competition and learn more about the locations.

A friend of mine is a huge travel bug, and loves the show. I could totally see her throwing a party for the start of the new season, or for the finale! If she does choose to do this, she has a perfect resource at her finger tips, right here.

Within partygamesplus.com, there are 100's of party ideas! I was lucky enough to receive the Amazing Race Printables for review. If you visit the site, you will see that this set is actually featured as Party of the Month! All of the printables I will discuss are available for instant download from their site for just 12.99. They also provide a whole page of Amazing Race party ideas such as decorations, location plans, and clues to go along with the printables, for free!

The actual printables that were sent to me, were sent as birthday party invitations. I liked that I received two different types of invitations and that the travel theme stayed consistent throughout. The only thing I will say is that the invitations, which alluded to pizza and fun, seemed slightly juvenile, and the amazing race doesn't quite strike me as a show or concept that teenagers could relate too, although, maybe I'm wrong.

That said, you could totally use this printable set for other reasons, and just make your own invitations.  Along with the invitations, it comes with graphics to print on envelopes, as well as a huge sheet of printables to accompany the Roadblock, Detour and Pit Stop Challenges the show is known for.

My favorite part of the whole set were the Amazing Race water bottle labels!  Such a cute addition, and it would make great favors!


Go check out Party Games Plus! They have ideas for kids, teens, adults (including drinking games! LOL), Wii Parties and more!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

I came out...

as a Baby loss Mother.

On Facebook.

I'm nervous, in fact....I'm terrified. I'm not sure why, but I figure that this reaction alone is why organizations like this exist. To support women in talking about their babies, and to reduce the stigma behind pregnancy loss! Find out more about the Day of Hope.









Today I remember my babies. 

Pregnancy 1- EDD December 10, 2010, lost at 8 weeks 2 days

Pregnancy 2- EDD January 12, 2012, loss at 5 weeks, 2 days

Mommy misses and loves you <3

Our Journey towards Making a Family

Long Version : Our Journey Blog Post
Go here to learn about how we got our start..and where we are now!

Short Version:
11-28-2008- Started Dating

2-14-2010- Got Engaged :)

4-3-2010- First Positive Test- Baby 1 due 12/10/10

5-1-2010- Miscarriage at 8wks2days

12-10-2010- Estimated Due Date for Baby 1

5-5-2011- Second Positive Test- Baby 2 due 1-12-12
5-7-2011- We are Married!! :)
5-14-2011- Miscarriage at 5wks2days

6-16-2011- Repeated Pregnancy Loss blood work
6-23-2011- HSG looks good!
6-23-2011- dx positive ANA- Anti Nuclear Antibodies

07-05-2011- Rheumatologist Appointment
7-11-2011- dx Low Vitamin D levels. Start Prescription Vitamin D and baby aspirin

09/2011- Officially No Longer Preventing

10/5/11-First cycle Actively Trying. AF shows up

11/21/11-Celiac Bloodwork Negative, Vit D still lower than normal, start another prescription. Continue prenatals with Vit. D as well

01-12-12-Estimated Due Date for Baby 2
01/12-Vit D in normal range, start over the counter Daily Calcium with Vit D supplement per Rhuematologist.

2/15/12-Appt with new Ob who is more proactive with Progesterone Testing-suspects progesterone issues.

2/15/12- 5/9/12-Stop trying and start new charting method (Creighton) to watch for hormone imbalance.