It's True, You Are a Fighter! #DNFighter

Thanks to FYI and David Nail for sponsoring today's post, regardless all opinions expressed below are my own.

We've all had to face some struggles in our life, ranging from petty struggles like not wanting to get out of bed in the morning or not knowing what to eat for lunch, to life changing struggles like not being able to conceive children or being diagnosed with an illness that's possibly terminal. Life is full of struggles, battles, and things we need to try and overcome.

I personally know the struggle of trying to conceive, it's something that changed my life for years... Not knowing when I would be blessed with a child, worrying that it may never happen, and spending days, months, then years wondering if I would ever achieve my ultimate goal in life - becoming a mama. While I wasn't the only one struggling with infertility at the time, it occasionally felt like it.

So that's why I'm sharing my struggle today, the best way to find comfort while fighting an internal battle is to seek comfort in others and to share what you are experiencing. This one simple step can change the way you look at your struggle, the way you "fight your battle", and the way you cope with the end result. I'm so happy to say the battle with infertility is finally over and we're expecting our first little baby in about a month... but that doesn't mean I don't understand the struggle.

Let The Stork Help You!

While I have received compensation for this post from Fertility Planit, all opinions are my own.

For some people everything comes easily in life and they never really have to feel "the struggle". Yet for others, like myself, they have to take their time and actually put some motivation and effort into achieving their desires. 

My life has been full of trying situations and while we're finally expecting our first child in September, it took us years before we were finally blessed with her. We never went through fertility treatments, she just came in her own time... but that doesn't mean we didn't long for her.

If you've ever struggled with infertility or you are currently trying to conceive, you know the heartache and longing involved in the journey. Whether it's your first few months on your journey or you've been at this for a couple years, the feelings of being unable to conceive are heart-wrenching to say the least.

With that said, if you're on your TTC journey and struggling, today I'm sharing something I recently learned about with you... This new device may make your journey shorter and your life a little easier - The Stork OTC may just be what you're looking for.

I'm not saying the bird that delivers a baby to your doorstep is the answer, I haven't gone off the deep end. The Stork OTC is a new FDA cleared over-the-counter at-home conception aid. It's the less costly alternative to in-office procedures like IVF or IUI and possibly the best first step for couples to take before embarking on a lengthy and costly journey with their doctor.

I'm not saying The Stork will work for everyone... that would be great if I could provide a cure-all answer but that's simply not the case... but, if your partner has been diagnosed with low sperm count or you've been diagnosed with an unfavorable vaginal environment, the Stork can help you. There's actually a handful of different reasons the Stork could be the right answer for you, so you should take the time to find out more about this nifty single-use kit by clicking here.

Are you interested in other ways you can assist your body on your TTC journey? This DIY Babymaking guide from the Stork OTC is packed full of information.

So tell me, if you're currently TTC what are you doing to increase your chances of bringing a little bundle of joy into the world? I'd love to hear about your journey in the comments below... and I highly suggest you take a moment and learn how spending just $79.99 on the Stork could save you a ton on fertility treatments and maximize your chances of conceiving.

FINALLY Sharing My Little Valentine's Day Secret!

You may have noticed I've been a little quiet around here lately; I'm going to be honest with you today, I've been doing my best to share awesomeness with you as often as possible, but I've been busy & I may have been keeping a little bit of a secret from you...

I'm super excited to share that we are finally expecting! Little Baby Harmon is due in September 2016 and both my husband and I are thrilled! We went home earlier this month to share our news with our family and some close family friends but I wanted to make things official and share on our blog... if I could, I'd probably shout it from a mountain top as well. I'm that excited!

If you've been following the blog recently, you may have read that we have been longing to have a little one... So as you would expect, I'm super excited to share our journey into parenthood with you! Speaking of sharing, here's our first ultrasound from when we first found out in January!

Other than a sonogram photo of our baby from a few weeks I go, I'm not sure what to share as of yet... We're going to see the doc again tomorrow so I'll have a better update soon!

For now I'll start with a little bit about the pregnancy so far: I've been SO sick, it's insane. Morning, afternoon, and evening sickness almost every day, but it'll totally be worth it! When I'm not feeling sick, I'm craving foods that satisfy my sweet tooth and oddly, mashed potatoes are a normal craving as well! My spicy food craze that I've had my entire life has come to a screeching halt and I'm suddenly craving less seasoning and meals toddlers would enjoy like chicken tenders and mac & cheese!

Beyond my sickness and cravings, we're super excited to find out if we are having a boy or a girl, as most couples are in the early months of pregnancy! While we're imagining whether we'll be buying little bows and pearls or tiny little toy cars and water guns, we're also starting to pick out names, nursery themes, and all the fun stuff we think we may want to add to the baby registry! As you can tell, we're both just a little overjoyed!

So, if you have any excellent parenting advice, tips for items we must have as new parents, or you just want to share some exciting news with me, I'd love to hear about it in the comments below!


OH & by the way, Happy Valentine's Day! It's an especially happy holiday in our house this year!

Things NOT to Say to a Couple Trying to Conceive

Astroglide TTC™ sponsored this blog post. The opinions and text are all mine.

Trying to conceive is a fun experience, as most adults know... but when you've been trying for a while- there are just some things that people with infertility have to deal with that other people don't. When you're struggling to understand why body parts that should be working aren't working perfectly, it's a complicated thing to explain.

If you've been on the internet lately, you may have heard about the woman's sonogram post going viral on facebook. In the post, she reveals that she isn't pregnant and she talks about the reasons people should stop asking other people about having children.

Unlike most viral posts now-a-days, I actually agree with most of what she said, like you shouldn't assume that the young married couple who's been together for a while just isn't trying.

The main reason I agree with this statement, is probably pretty obvious: That couple is us, married at 19 & 21, together since high school,  no kids yet but remaining hopeful and still trying! So when a complete stranger asks when we plan on having kids, I'm not sure whether I should let the tears well up in my eyes and tell them our story and what our doctor is saying. Should I reveal that we are using a sperm-friendly lubricant like Astroglide TTC™? Should I go into the details about how the lubricant helps sperm travel? Should I share how I'm already taking prenatals to help up our chances?

Should I tell them all about our journey thus far or should I just smile and say "someday soon"? Either way, I'm left in the middle of a store, a church, a family function, or wherever the stranger  asks with the aching reminder of what I don't have yet... so yes, please stop asking strangers when or if they are going to have children, it's just not okay.

On that note, I wanted to share a few other things not to say to someone who is trying to conceive:

1. "Oh, just relax!" may possibly be the worst thing to say to someone who is TTC. While it may be decent, honest advice - it appears as if you don't grasp the concept of medical issues. Relaxing is a great thing to do but please don't tell me that all I need to do is relax and it'll happen. I've relaxed and relaxed and then relaxed some more and I'm certain that a lack of relaxing isn't the reason we haven't conceived...

2. "We got pregnant without even trying..." and I'm so happy for you, but please don't rub it in. It may sound selfish to have a list of things not to say to me, but this is truly one that I am sick of hearing and it must stop today. If you're expressing a statement in response to a question, then by all means reveal your conception story - otherwise, keep it to yourself, please.

3. "I'm so fertile, I...", anything following this statement is just not cool. While I'm happy for all of those that aren't struggling with infertility, no one with the inability to do something wants to hear about your ability to do it. Consider walking over to someone in a wheelchair and saying, I'm so fast, I could run a million miles and my legs would still work. This is about the equivalent of expressing how fertile you are to someone who may not be as lucky as you.

4. "In God's Time...", while I understand that this is supposed to be comforting - it's simply not. What if someone told you that God was responsible for the most painful experience in your life, that's basically what's implied when something is said along these lines. Babies are a blessing, I totally agree, but let's not blame the man above for me not being able to get pregnant, it may be in his time, but let's just not say anything so offensive when someone is dealing with infertility.

Now that I've shared a few things NOT to say to us guys and gals on the TTC team, I'd love to hear the worst piece of TTC (or parenting) advice you've ever gotten... because sometimes bad advice is so bad, it's good. Tell me all about that tid-bit of advice in the comments below!


Astroglide TTC™ sponsored this blog post. The opinions and text are all mine

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How to Keep The Romance Alive While TTC

I never thought this would happen to me, I thought it would be just as easy for us as it is for everyone else. After witnessing almost everyone around me have it happen for them, this has to be the most excited (for them) and envious I've ever felt in my life. On one hand I'm overjoyed that so many of my friends have growing families and on the other hand I'm wondering when my family will start to grow as well.

It's hard to understand why it happens for some people by "accident", when I'm sitting, waiting, wishing for my turn. Don't get me wrong, we are still having fun trying to have a baby and this is such an exciting time in our lives... but it's also an emotional time as well.

Whether you've been trying to have a baby for 3 months or 3 years, the heartbreak that happens when you see a negative pregnancy test is daunting... and if you've ever "tried to conceive" you know that each month is a hopeful waiting game.

While you can't make time go by faster and you can't just snap your fingers and have your wishes come true, you can take matters into your own hands, in a sense. You can give your body even more of a fighting chance to conceive a little darling if you bring Astroglide TTC Trying to Conceive™  to your next rendez-vous in the bedroom. The best part about TTC though, is the fact that it gives sperm a better chance of survival compared to traditional lubricants and it comes in super quick and simple pre-filled applicators! While lubrication isn't exactly the most romantic, you'll definitely want to grab one of these before you get romantic to up your chances of conceiving! Find out more about how Astroglide TTC works for your body and helps enhance your chances of conceiving.

Another way to keep the romance alive is to bring lingerie into the picture! While you may not always feel up to wearing a pair of thigh highs, a sexy little outfit, and heels, surprising your man with something hot every once in a while is a great way to make sure there's always a little extra spice in your relationship.

My best advice for keeping the romance alive while TTC is to concentrate on your partner and really listen to them, though. Communicating and going through the process together is so very important! Share your thoughts, your dreams, and even your worries about what's happening and be sure to be responsive to what your spouse tells you. It probably sounds silly, but one day you know this may be the most important way to keep your romance alive!

Lastly, surprise your spouse with a clean house and/or a small trinket of affection (like a new romantic comedy on blu-ray, her favorite candy, or maybe even a book she's mentioned wanting to read, anything that shows you've been listening to her wants). I know I'm personally stressed when my house is a wreck, so the thought of coming home to a clean house and a small gift that shows he's actually listening has me swooning.

Now that I've shared a few tips to keep the romance alive while TTC, I'd love to hear how you keep the romance alive in your relationship?


Astroglide TTC™ sponsored this blog post. The opinions and text are all mine

9 Absolutely Adorable + Creative Pregnancy Announcements

Remember how I mentioned that we are officially "trying" to have a baby now...? Well we are getting plenty of practice and we are super excited to see where this TTC journey will take us! I can't wait until the day we get to announce that we are finally pregnant, but it hasn't happened, yet...

While we are patiently waiting for "our turn", I recently received some really exciting news from someone very close to me! I can't share who this bit of news belongs to, because this is her secret to share, but someone who I love very much is pregnant after battling with infertility, and I'm BEYOND excited for her (and her husband). This couple is so smart, so cool, and so incredibly awesome, they are going to make great parents! As you can tell, I'm super excited for them and can't wait until they share their exciting secret!

Their upcoming announcement got me thinking about what we will do when we finally see a positive pregnancy test. While I may not be able to contain my excitement for long, I want to share our big news in a big way with all of our closest friends and family. So as you can imagine, I've been googling, pinteresting, and stumbling around the internet like a fool; adding little bits of other people's pregnancy announcement ideas to my list of possible ways of sharing our future big news.

Today I'm sharing 9 amazing ways to announce you're with child, from magazine covers to personalized eggs, there are so many creative ways to share your exciting news with the world... Here are a few of my favorites:


1. Announce your new addition with some super fun and adorable art like this couple.

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2. This fitness-minded pregnancy announcement is absolutely adorable and this post actually made me tear up, I love hearing success stories with couples struggling with infertility and this story is one for the books!

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3. While you can't drink the caffeinated drinks once you are prego, you can still share the big news with the little green mermaid involved. This adorable coffee themed pregnancy announcement is the perfect way to "espresso" your joy!

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4. If you are blessed enough to already have two kids, this announcement sharing how you will soon be outnumbered is too cute!

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5. This adorable "bun in the oven" announcement has to be one of the most creative I've ever seen! Recreating this scene would be easy for most couples and it's so adorable...

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6. This adorable little egg announcement would be fun to surprise people with in person, whether you are sharing the news about baby number one or two.

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7. This super cute doggy involved announcement is perfect!

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8. If you love reading magazines, like most of us gals, this super fun "magazine cover"-inspired announcement is a great way to share your big news in a big way!

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9. If you have a green thumb, this super cute garden inspired announcement is perfect for you!

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These 9 happy couples are so very blessed,aren't they?! I can't wait until I can post my own announcement on the blog, so keep your fingers crossed, send us good vibes, say a prayer, or keep us in your thoughts - just do whatever it is you do to wish people good luck, please! Since I don't have any big news yet, I'd love to hear how you announced your pregnancy (or how you plan to announce if you aren't a parent or pregnant yet) in the comments below!

Be sure to pin this post + share it :

The American Dream + 4 Steps to Take While TTC

The steps in life are pretty much laid out for us when we are kids. You start school, you learn all kinds of awesome information and you grow into a blossoming young adult, then it's time to head to another school and gain a college education. Once you graduate from college the next step is finding your true love and getting married. After that, you get a prestigious job, you buy a house with a white picket fence, and fill it with a houseful of babies. Right? I mean that's the traditional American dream for most people, anyways...

Well, my hubby and I have been anything but traditional from the beginning of our relationship. Being high school sweethearts, we moved into together when I was only 17 and he was 19. I started college early and though we both were enrolled and working towards our degrees the first few years we were together, we ended up taking an extended break and are back in school currently. We found our soul mates many moons ago, married for seven years this December. We both love our jobs, but still don't own our home (that may be in the works in the far future), but for now our rental is pretty awesome... and well, the last step is having a baby.

This last step is one that is SO important to me. Being a mom is something I've dreamed of since I was a little girl. I've longed to have a baby to hold, to nurture, to love since I can remember and now that we're finally in a good spot in our lives, it's time.  I'm excited that we are trying to conceive a baby of our own.This step isn't a new adventure for us though, we've tried for several years now and haven't exactly been the most fertile couple, obviously. We've considered adoption and that's definitely still in the works, but we don't want to give up on having a biological child as well.

That's why I'm working on a list for those that are new to the game and currently TTC. While we may not have been successful, yet... We are taking the next step on the infertility journey and we are visiting a specialist this summer, as well as taking some of the matter into our own hands and preparing our lives and our bodies for these future children.These are the few steps that we've taken to ensure that we are doing everything we can to conceive soon:

1. Make sure you both are eating clean and that your bodies are at your ideal weight, activity level, etc. Being overweight or underweight can cause fertility problems and having an unhealthy, unbalanced diet can also effect your ability to get pregnant.

2. Only use products that are specifically made for those that are TTC! Did you know that some lube on the market is horrible for reproduction purposes? Luckily, Astroglide has come out with the perfect bedroom helper for those of us trying to conceive. Astroglide TTC Trying to Conceive™ is the perfect product for any couple who wants a baby, offering adjusted pH levels, compatible osmolality, and a consistency similar to a woman's natural cervical mucus. I love that it's available almost anywhere and only costs $12.99, the best value on the market! TTC is the perfect way to make sure your body is ready when you know your ovulating...

3. Speaking of ovulating, you need to know your cycle! Most girls are aware of when they have their period, but did you know you can only get pregnant when you are ovulating? Download a free app on your phone and keep track of your cycle so you know when you are ovulating! You'll want to be extra romantic on those days that you are ovulating to ensure that you are more likely to conceive.

4. Be patient! This is something I've learned after what seems like an ocean of tears. Being patient and working on becoming healthier has kept me sane during the wait. It could take a few months or a few years, but hopefully we will all be blessed soon!

Now that I've shared my four tips on TTC, I'd love hear any advice you have for us on this exciting time in our lives! If you are on the same journey we are on, I'd love to hear your story in the comments below! I'll be sure to keep you all updated on our journey and can't wait to hear about yours!

Astroglide TTC™ sponsored this blog post. The opinions and text are all mine

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Know Sooner with First Response Early Result

I participated in a Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for First Response. I received product samples as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

So, it's official... I've been diagnosed with a bad case of baby fever! I'm at "that age" when having a baby is definitely part of my short-term goals list and after being married for 7 years (this December), it's just the next step! Having a little baby is just what our house needs now, which means that we are trying and testing this year and waiting patiently for a bundle of joy!

We can't wait until we are blessed with a little one! It's going to be like Christmas morning, or even better than that, when I get a positive pregnancy test... and now that I can test with First Response 6 days before I even miss my period, we'll know when I finally get pregnant as soon as possible! I can't imagine the days when a woman had to wait to test, thank goodness technology has advanced!

With simple adjustments, like a longer, curved handle and a wider tip, First Response has come a long way and makes testing at home a reliable and comfortable process. I love being able to test so early and I take comfort in knowing that my results are so reliable! I can't wait to see a positive result, those two little lines are going to mean the world to me and my husband!

Whether you are testing to find out you are officially pregnant with baby number one or expecting baby number five, always trust First Response Early Result Pregnancy Tests to give you a reliable and easy-to-read answer, every single time!

I'll keep everyone updated on our progress with starting our little family! If you have any old wives tales or silly little anecdotes to share regarding trying to conceive, I'd love to hear them!

Also, if you already have a little one (or a few little ones), I'd love to hear how you found out you were expecting...?