Try’em Out Tuesday – the sensitive teeth dilemma

I am the first to admit that I have horrible teeth and also that looks can be deceiving! My parents spent big bucks to fix these buck teeth of mine and their generosity had given me a very nice smile, however, that is where the “good” aspects of my teeth end.

(those are my post-braces teeth)

P.S. I had horrible buck teeth when I was little so it really was a huge blessing to have the braces and I am not complaining about that at all..I owe my parents big!

For some reason, call it genetics or unfortunately chalky teeth quality (which the dentist informed me I have), but I have seen the dentist all most as much as I have seen my family these past few years (and I much prefer seeing my family)! I hate going to the dentist because it always seems that no matter how much I brush, floss, and mouthwash the outcome is always the same…”You have several cavities and you might need a root canal and don’t forget about the crowns, so you might want to take out a second mortgage right now”!

Um yeah so basically I avoid the dentist as much as my aching mouth will let me! Which brings me to my review for this week..toothpaste! Now before you stop reading and go on to a more interesting blog…hear me out because the right toothpaste can change your life! Have you ever had a toothache??? Well if you haven’t I don’t know if we can be friends (JK but I am very jealous!). For all normal people who have had or chronically have toothaches you know that they can severely impact your day and life and sleep and well you get the point..they are no fun!

Unfortunately for me the last few years I have become friendemies with this thing known as the toothache. I love love frozen yogurt and Ice cream but sometimes even the thought of it makes me shiver in tooth pain. Not to mention the intense pain of eating on the left side of my mouth (especially with hot or cold stuff)! I have tried numerous sensitive teeth toothpastes, but I also want the benefit of having nice white teeth and who doesn’t want to rebuild their tooth enamel so as to avoid future problem..ie dentures (believe me sometimes they sound tempting)!

Well guess what??? This wonderful toothpaste delivers on all levels! Yup..Sensodyne Pronamel has saved my teeth sanity!

Now let’s go to the official website and see what they have to say about this teeth-saver:

“Looking for another good reason to switch to Sensodyne® ProNamel™? Sensodyne® ProNamel™ does everything a daily toothpaste should do - it removes plaque, freshens breath and prevents cavities. But it doesn't stop there - Sensodyne® ProNamel™ is the #1 dentist recommend brand for protection against acid erosion.

Sensodyne® ProNamel™ also helps you to protect your teeth each time you brush. It’s scientifically formulated to harden your enamel, which is under attack every day from acidic foods and drinks, including salad dressing, yogurt, fruit, soda and wine. It also contains a special ingredient to relieve tooth sensitivity -- the twinges, tingles or aches you can feel after consuming something hot, cold or sweet.

Get into a healthier routine

Without the right dental products and care, acid erosion can damage and discolor your teeth -- and compromise your smile. But now there's an easy, effective way to help protect against the effects of acid erosion: Sensodyne® ProNamel™, from the makers of Sensodyne®.

If you're one of the millions of people who have acid erosion signs or risk factors or tooth sensitivity, it's time to make the switch from ordinary toothpaste to Sensodyne® ProNamel™. What makes Sensodyne® ProNamel™ different?

• It is formulated to be low in abrasion so it's gentle on your teeth.
• It is pH neutral or non-acidic to minimize acidity in the mouth.
• It has a high fluoride uptake to harden enamel and make it more resistant to acid attacks.
• It contains the maximum strength FDA approved sensitivity ingredient (5% potassium nitrate) to help relieve and prevent tooth sensitivity.
• 4 out of 5 dentists recommend it for protection against acid erosion.

Brushing at least twice a day with Sensodyne® ProNamel™ can help you to strengthen your enamel -- and keep your teeth as healthy and beautiful as they can be. Sensodyne® ProNamel™ can't reverse any dental problems already caused by acid erosion. But it can harden your enamel and help to protect it from further damage.”

If you want to learn more about erosion of your teeth and other Sensodyne facts go here.

I have to say that Sensodyne is more expensive than some of the other brands that also promise help with these teeth issues..but the results don’t even compare! I saved the money on the other brands and caused myself a lot of mouth pain in the process! Now If you don’t have a lot of teeth sensitivity problems then crest or collgate would be fine but my fellow teeth suffers shell out the extra bucks to save yourself many head/toothaches! It really is worth it!

Hope this helps!

And the verdict is in…

Well today ended the dreaded 2ww. I am sorry to say it ended with some sad news including a BFN :( I honestly didn’t know what to think the whole day and I was so nervous I was shaking. I kept praying for God’s timing and that He would prepare both me and the Hubs for whatever the results were and that he would be brought glory through it. I felt rather at peace after I got my blood taken, maybe it was the fact that I knew no matter what I did now it really was up in God’s hands. The hubs came home early from work so that he could be with me when the nurse called. I was so glad that he was with me because I have to admit the tears flowed as soon as I hung up the phone. I think part of me had really thought this time was going to be IT!

It was rather ironic though b/c the hubs and I were in the baby section of the BX picking out baby shoes use for the announcement to the family (I figured that if we weren’t preggo this time we could use them next time) when my phone rang and my caller ID revealed it was the call we had been waiting for. The nurse was very nice and I could tell she honestly felt bad she was delivering this news. We didn’t buy any shoes and instead headed straight to the feminine product section in preparation for AF that will soon follow. It’s amazing how your mind frame can change in a matter of minutes. I was a mess as we checked out and all I wanted to do was make it to the car before the tears really started to flow!

The hubs was amazing. He held me and prayed as soon as we got back to the car. I know that God has his perfect timing and although this is not at all easy, I have to trust in that. Now i’m just praying the AF will come soon so that we can get this next cycle started soon. Luckily we are going to be in NJ long enough for one more cycle before we head out to Utah. Again I am really trying to trust God’s timing with all of that too. I know that I am not going to be the cheeriest this weekend but I am praising God for the plans that he has for us that we have no knowledge of right now. Thank you all so much for your prayers and support, It really means the world to me!

Try’em Out Tuesday – sanity for the curly haired girls

Yes, I do realize that I have not been the greatest about keeping on top of my (suppose to be) weekly tuesday edition! So without further delay here is my inconsistent weekly review of a product that all of you curly girls will soon not be able to live without!

As most people with curly or wavy hair know, finding the perfect product to make those curls look presentable and even dare I say..sexy..can be the most frustrating experience. I often find myself resorting to spending at least a half hour under the hot blow-dryer and then straightener in an effort to straighten these God given curl waves. It’s rather ironic when I could be spending a fraction of the time doing my hair if it were to just wear it natural..but the unknown scares me and it is putting it kindly when saying that the outcome of wearing my hair natural is unknown (as in I never know how it is going to turn out)!

Needless to say (though i’m going to) when you find the perfect hair product it rocks your world! Well hold on to your panties girls because I am about to reveal such a product..

Yes, this product is a miracle worker!!

The first product that I tried was the Tress Effects styling gel (and it is still my favorite of the bunch)!

Let’s go straight to the Sephora website to find out just what this product is all about..

“What it is:
A versatile styling aid to define curls and fight frizz.
What it does:
Ouidad Tress Effects Styling Gel works with your hair's own inner memory to provide a superior, all-day, natural-looking hold.
What it is formulated WITHOUT:
- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Synthetic Dyes
- Phthalates
- GMOs
- Triclosan
What else you need to know:
A blend of special proteins and vitamin B5 create "memory lock" for manageability. Botanicals and collagen help smooth uplifted cuticles to help prevent frizz and tame fly-aways.”

This stuff is no joke..the first time I used it I could tell a drastic difference in the softness and definition of my curls, all with minimal frizz (which we know sells it right then and there)!

I was so thrilled with the Tress Effects gel that I went back to Sephora the next week to check out what other gems this company makes. One of my best friends recommended this product in the first place and she swears by the “Climate Control heat and humidity gel”.

And again according to the Sephora website:

What it is:
A must-have styling aid to control frizz in all climates.
What it does:
Ouidad Climate Control® Heat & Humidity Gel is a heat-activated styling essential that protects, hydrates, and nourishes hair for stunning, smooth results. The formula's European Wheat Protein complex has a shielding effect on the hair that "breathes" with the humidity, protecting the hair shaft and helping to prevent hair from expanding. Hair is left looking and feeling soft and sleek.
What it is formulated WITHOUT:
- Sulfates
- Synthetic Dyes
- Phthalates
- GMOs
- Triclosan
What else you need to know:
Amino acids and vitamin A nourish and hydrate hair, leaving it touchable, manageable, and full of shine.

One of the great things about these products (besides that facts that it changes curly hair as we know it) is that they aren’t too pricey and the last a long time! The gels run from about $15-22. Oh and right now at Sephora they are having some amazing package deals where you can get 3 full size products (pre-packaged but with all the essentials) for just $30!

This is a deal you just can’t pass up! Oh and one more thing before I leave you with this amazing product, that by the way I give an A++, is that the website also provides you with styling guides created by the make of this gem including her own method..the shake and rake. I recommend if you purchase these products to check it out. I have used it the way she says it, although i think her method works better for longer hair, and I have used to it just to scrunch it too and it works great both ways! Enjoy!

Post IUI thoughts and the 2ww insanity..

Well today we are officially at the 1/2 way mark of the 2ww. I have to admit that I am totally stoked yet scared to death at the same time! I feel like all of this has happened so fast. I was fully expecting to go through the shots and monitoring and all that fun stuff before we got to this point again! Now, don’t get me wrong..I am totally not complaining!  Just still a little shocked maybe. Also this is the first time we have done an IUI. This might sound weird but part of me feels like I cheated the system because I produced the follicle on my own and the other part of me feels like this little follicle isn’t good enough because it wasn’t chemically simulated…weird huh? I think it is because so far this is all I have known that has made my dream of becoming a mom even close to a reality.

However, when I start thinking these thoughts or freaking out I am learning that if I stop and pray and remind myself that God already knows our future kids and when they are going to be formed in my body and nothing I do on my own will change that, it helps a lot. I am so thankful that my life and our future children’s lives are in God’s hands!

But being the OCD worrier that I am, I finding that this week has been filled with second guessing and analyzing all the little twinges, upset stomachs, amount of trips to the bathroom and anything else that can mimic the symptoms of pregnancy. I have found that I have been a lot hungrier than normal and I get so hungry all the sudden that my stomach feels nauseous and then I eat and i’m good for a few minutes and then it starts again…I honestly think it is stress. I also know that everyone’s symptoms, 2ww and overall pregnancies are different so I can’t freak out when my 2ww is not going the same way as others that I read about. Oh and thank you all for you support and kind words..it means the world to me!

The hubs and I have been trying to be very careful about not thinking I am already preggo (because it could really go either way and I am not optimistic). I do have to admit though that we sometimes forget. It’s hard not to get my hopes up. It’s hard not knowing! It’s comforting to know that if we don’t get pregnant this time we will be in the area for one more cycle before we leave and the nurse assured me that if that was the case they were going to change some of my meds to hopefully make the next time be THE ONE!

So the big question that I know all of you are wondering (or more likely those of you who know what i am babbling on and on about)..

Am I going to POAS (pee on a stick)??

honestly no. unless for some reason I get an overwhelming urge to do it the night before I think I am going to wait for the dr’s results. I am too scared to face another BFN and since that is all I am ever seen on the stick I can’t imagine it any other way.

But you better believe that if the nurse calls with the wonderful news I am racing to the store and buying one so that I can finally see that + or second line or work “pregnant”! I guess we will just have to wait and see!

One week left…

can i handle it????

Well yes but I am ready for it to be over! …Stay tuned :)

A lot happens in a Month..

Whewww..Okay so I totally don’t know where to start! First I will apologize for my total lack of blogging this past month. It has been one crazy event after another and for the sake of your precious time and eyes I will try and condense it as much as I can. So let’s see..what to tackle first. Well how about the drive cross country with the Charles. My original plan was to head out (destination NJ) about two weeks before the Hubs got back from his deployment. When I had driven out to Cali in the winter from NJ my wonderful Dad had flown out and made the trek with me and the Charles but this time I was determined that I could do it on my own. I routed out the stops (and tried to get as many pet friendly hotels as possible..the charles will thank me one day) and had the whole trip planned out. Then about a week before I left the hubs and I decided that we wanted to buy a house for our upcoming move to Utah so I changed all my plans so I could stop in UT for about two days, look at houses and hopefully get a contract going and then head on to the east coast.

As I mentioned in my previous post (which I know was a long time ago but it might be a good refresher) the hubs was delayed two weeks so I had to once again change the travel plans. I have to say though, if i have learned anything during this last month it is that God’s timing is Perfect! We may not understand it and we might be upset when plans change or things don’t go the way we think they should, but God has a plan for a reason and his timing is perfect for that plan!

Okay so continuing with the story…

I ended up heading out a few days later and since I wasn’t as rushed to get to the east coast I was able to spend a whooping 4 days and UT. So guess what I did with my time there??? Bought a house!!! Yup, little ol’ me singed our first contract for our first house. It’s new construction and it should be ready by the time we move out there! We love it and the hubs has been great during the whole process! Oh and I totally love how everyone one in Utah is so nice…it totally couldn’t have done this without their help. It has everything we want except a yard, but we had to make some sacrifices and the charles really isn’t a backyard dog anyways (the whole separation anxiety thing)! We are still in the process of the final paper work and hopefully we will close at the end of June! I feel like we are real grown ups now! I realized while I was out there that there is no way I could have done all this in the two days I had originally planned..again on God’s perfect timing!

From there the Charles and I continued on our quest to the east. While I was in UT I was able to stay on base and in a pet friendly hotel which was really nice for the charles, but the first hotel on the road they didn’t allow pets so I had to leave the charles in the car. I felt so guilty sleeping in my nice hotel room while he was out in the scary night that I switched my hotel for the next night from the Hampton Inn to Day’s Inn where they allowed pets! Let’s just say the Charles owes me a big one!! When it took me 20 minutes to find the motel off of the highway I knew it was going to be seedy. And it didn’t disappoint! I was fine until I stepped in the tub to take a shower and I felt like I was on a surf board trying to keep my balance while it moved under my feet…ewww…I totally don’t want to think about why it was like that!!!

After that scaring incident I got to spend some wonderful time with my sister-in-law in Ohio. We had a ton of fun and it was a nice break from the drive. She introduced me to the best grocery store there (yes I do have a grocery store obsession) and I love their church so I was supper excited to get to go with her on Sunday. But in typical Ashley fashion I couldn’t leave there without an incident! The monday morning I was leaving My SIL had already left for work and i managed to lock myself out of the house with my keys, phone and the Charles inside house. I had no idea how to get back in or get a hold of her so I ended up walking about a mile to a gas station, calling her school and having them pull her out of class so she could come to my rescue. Thanks sis..you are truly the best and I love you!!!

The Charles and I made it to DC and then NJ with no problems and I dropped the Charles off at puppy camp for two weeks. I really did miss the little fella and he did so so so amazing during the whole drive!

While in NJ I had a doctors appointment to check out my injured hip (since I hadn’t been able to run for over three weeks..ahhhh)! He diagnosed me with a pulled ligament in my groin and gave me muscle relaxants and told me not to run for another week…oh the insanity! The whole time my hubs has been gone I have been anxiously awaiting his arrival one because I so desperately missed my other half and couldn't wait to be around him again..and two because we were both ready to start up the fertility treatments again. After finding out that my referral ran out I spent many hours on the phone and computer trying to get everything straightened out before the hubs returned.

I was able to spend four wonderful days with my BFF in NJ and since she just found out she is preggo I got to live vicariously through her. We had such a fun and relaxing time and she helped me so much not to freak out about all the fertility stuff. I love you Mal!

Since things were moving slower with the fertility stuff I thought about extending my stay in NJ for a few more days before heading back to DC for the hubs arrival and some quality time with my totally amazing in-laws. However I decided to just stick with my original plan and head back to DC and worry about the fertility stuff later…and God’s timing was once again perfect! I was about two days into my week stay there and the arrival of the hubs (insert squeal) when the hubs once again said he might be delayed..oh yes the tears flowed majorly! But joy of all joys about 12 hours later he was on the plan heading back home..wow! He arrived three days early and ironically instead of flying into the DC area he flew into NJ so back that way i went!

I can’t even explain how wonderful it was to have the hubs back in my arms again!!! It totally felt like out honeymoon again and I loved every minute of it! We stayed in NJ for two days and then headed down to DC for a fun weekend (since we had already booked the hotel for his original arrival). So fun!!

Monday I went to my first fertility appointment to check everything out and figure out what needs to be done to start up again. I was a little nervous..i’m not going to lie! Last time they had to give me medication to start my period because I don’t have one on my own and then start the shots. You can’t imagine my surprise when during my ultrasound the tech said …well it’s looks like you have one follicle that is about 17mm which is considered mature and ready to ovulate (they consider anywhere from 16mm-24mm mature). What?!! I had been trying really hard lately to eat more, not run so much (well not at all thanks to the ligament) and I think I had even gained some weight..but I never thought this would happen..yay!

So basically this fast forwarded the treatments! I went in the next couple days to waiting for my blood levels to catch up with the little follicle and then we would do the HCG shot to make me ovulate and then the IUI..crazy!

On friday I had my first IUI and it was scary and exciting at the same time! The hubs was great and the held my hand the whole time and didn’t complain once about his part in the process. We went in that morning for the ultrasound and they said it didn’t look like the I had ovulated yet but they would do the IUI anyways and then I had to come back at 3pm and they would see if it had released by then. The procedure went fine and when we came back in the stupid follicle still hadn’t released but they said that didn’t mean that we wouldn’t get preggo. Now we are in the two week waiting period (2ww) and praying for God’s will and timing.

And lastly, this weekend we had the most amazing time that Ritz Carlton in Tyson’s Corner VA. Since we had missed Christmas, new years, valentines day and our anniversary the Hubs pulled out all the stops and even got us massages! So nice! We had such an amazing time and I felt bad that I was so tired and felt kind of crummy but I think it is the side effects of the progesterone that they have me on right now!

So there you have it..that was our last month! I promise I am going to be better about blogging and reading about all that is going on with everyone! I have missed this so much! Oh and sorry for the very long blog but I had to get it all out!

Stay tuned for more potential preggo thoughts and random events …