#spreadthelove

This is Jackie if you didn't already know :)  Here is my first entry... Cheers!!!

 

Valentine’s Day is the one day that helps couples and individuals remember that love matters.  No matter the gift or sentiment, this day brings the intent to love and serve those we love.  In the process we look at 50 different cards wondering, “Should I choose this funny card, self-made card, sentimental, a little bit of everything, what do they like…?”  The point is that we think about how they will feel when receiving their gift.  We pause, think, smile, love and hold our breath for the one moment to make them happy.  Your Valentine is worth the thought and the happiness.  Love.

Why not do this daily?

I was never one to “settle down” in any relationship, there was a lot of boredom and a means to an end in relationships to me.  I was not ready to take the chance but to, “play it safe” was my choice.  I grew, I learned, I had “karma” bite me in the ass and then I was ready to take a leap. 

When I met Brittany I fell in love from that very first moment.  We sat, laughed, she complimented me as I did her, we nervously touched, smiled, and I noticed one thing about her that no other woman had.  Substance. 

I wanted to make her my Valentine every day...<3 

We as humans grow out of our selfish patterns and decide to take a leap of faith in a lover, partner, and spouse, whatever you would like to call it. 

"I have realized that you meet your match in a partner that is not a mirror of yourself but someone who fills you with the desire to grow."

There are times we let ourselves slip....and fight to remember the smallest moments that fill our hearts. We need a steady reminder that you choose the LIFE you LIVE.
 
I have a mini confession, I recently forgot all the little things and let our busy lives get the best of me.... (But I'm back!)

Sooo....

 

As you know Brittany and I are planning to have a baby.    (Baby boy <3)

 

On this journey I have held on so tight trying to control each moment and hoping that somehow my thoughts and efforts will make a medical miracle.  (I have to realize that my thoughts alone will not make a baby in her belly.  Hahaha!)  This started to wear on me and the fact that I have no control over most of this process. I know that all you can do is trust that God will work his magic in our direction and the Universe will help with the right timing and bless us with a beautiful baby.

Valentine's Day has oddly enough brought me back to reality. 

We often forget to cherish and celebrate all the great moments in life with the one you love most. 

"Why not have the intention that every day is as special as Valentine’s Day?"

I wanted to blog today and share with you some personal thoughts but also a series that Tony Robbins and his wife shared.  It talks about how to keep your relationship alive and lasting.  There is a link at the bottom if you want to actually listen to them, but I also took some notes if you prefer to get the short version. 

Enjoy J

5 Disciplines of Love:

Discipline of Unconditional Love and Passion-

ü   Put your lover 1^st

a.   You have problems because you are focused on yourself and not your partner

b.      It’s not about you

c.      My lover comes first always

d.      Put their needs before your own

Discipline of Absolute Courage and Vulnerability-

ü  Learn to love no matter what

a.      You tell the truth, you open up

b.      Courage

c.      You don’t ever place pain on anyone

d.     Vulnerability =’s Power

Discipline of Positive Intent-

ü  You know the deeper truth that is a new blame game

a.      I know my partner’s soul

b.      No matter what happens you serve your partner

c.      The intent is to get closer

d.      Shift to empowering meanings, never a negative intent

e.      NO BLAME GAME-take responsibility (goes both ways)

f.   Owning up on things, use the word “I” – even if it wasn’t your intent

g.      HUMAN BEHAVIOR IS NOT A REFLECTION OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT

§  It is the animal inside of us that gives us those negative or selfish emotions.

h.      Know that your partner always has a pure INTENT. 

i.       DO NOT QUESTION INTENT!

Discipline of Honorable Language and Moment to Moment Awareness-

ü  There is POWER in LOVE, ADDERATION, AND PRAISE

a.      Be aware the impact you have on your language (body language, words, deeds)

b.      Information with emotion is remember forever

c.      Words are powerful – KEEP NEGATIVES BANNED FROM RELATIONSHIP

§  Never threaten the end of the relationship!

§  Never use slang, negative/demeaning words towards your partner

Discipline of Giving Freedom-

ü  Power of FORGIVING, FORGETING and FLOODING

a.      Forgiveness is when you realize you gave a meaning that doesn’t match reality

b.      Forget the negative and flood more

c.      Flooding – Capturing all the beautiful moments!!  Showing appreciation for who you are and your relationship.  Have gratitude and deep feelings!  Remember how it feels.

§  Flood yourself with emotion

§  Journal these moments

§  Talk to each other about what you are grateful for, frame these great moments

§  Sets the bar higher

§  Celebrate and remember!

PUT LOVE FIRST; LOVE MORE THAN YOU’RE RULES, OPEN UP!

 

3 Disciplines of Passion:
 
Daily Discipline of Passion and Playfulness-

a.      Break open each other’s hearts

b.      Be crazy, playful, laugh together

c.      Do the unexpected

d.      Have variety to keep the passion

e.      Constantly break the pattern

f.       NOVELTY!

 

Discipline of Presence and Openness

a.      Have polarity

§  Presence- is connection, calmness in the connection, radiance for your partner

§  Strength =’s Energy

§  Look at each other and admire and love one another

§  Appreciate what you see in your lover

 

How do we bring light to dark?

a.      Bringing it all together

b.      Having the passion

c.      Giving the effort to stay  consistent

d.      Balance your relationship with these disciplines to be successful and lasting

e.      Keep it fun!

 

http://www.tonyrobbins.com/passion/?utm_source=VDAY2014&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Valentines%20Day%20Holiday%20Campaign%202014%20Email%202%20Link%20A%20to%20Video%20Page

Ain't Nuthin' but a Gangstar Paaaarrrrtttty! Oh... And Baby Bump Update.

Like the title says, we played Gang Members (yes, i said eeerrrrsss...) this weekend!

Every year I have a theme party for my birth, and this year it was our amazing Gang Member era.

With New School, Golden Age and Gangsta Rap/Hip Hop emerging in the 80's; as well as the lack of available 40oz (they now come in 32oz), and it being my 32nd b-day... it only seemed appropriate.

Its funny looking back and thinking about the way we used to dress; influenced by first, Salt-N-Peppa (my very first CD), Vanilla Ice, and Snoop Dog in 4th-6th grade. Then later by 2Pac, Biggie, Too Short, Bloods and Crips 'Bangin' on Wax' (yep had that, too), Run-D.M.C, Eazy-E, Beastie Boys and Bone Thugs and Harmony. Man... that was good music!

The party was a hit! I absolutely appreciate the fact that 95.7% of the people that attend my parties participate.  We looked good... now I understand why thugs have duck lips, tryin' to look hard!

Here are some pics:

This is the 8th theme party I've had. Here are the theme's thus far: Western, Mardi Gras, Black and White, Toga, Mascarade Ball, Red Carpet, 1920's Mustache Bash, and Thug Life! What can I say, being alive is something to celebrate!! What shall we do next year?

Overall I would say it was a very successful bday week! Miah started Competitive soccer, we had dinner with family and friends on my birth at my fav - The Spaghetti Factory, and the party was a hit!

The only not so successful part was that damned Aunt Flow!!! She keeps coming... It's only spotting, so it could be implantation (fingers crossed), but it could be that Ho Bag, Flow! ha

We will keep you posted, but if no success... Round III here we come! Keep us in your thoughts. *Baby bump... baby bump... baby bump!*

Thanks to all of you who helped make this birthday a memorable one. I am truly thankful for all of the love and support from each and every one of you. <3

Round II... Let's Make a Chinese Baby on Chinese New Year!

It's already that time again, round II of insem.

I had a really weird thing happen this time... I took the Clear Blue Easy OV test Saturday and had a Low day - Sunday said the same, but Monday said I had a High Peak day. 

That was my last test so I had to go buy a new one (well more sticks for the test). I bought the two cycle supply last time, but mistakenly bought a one month supply at Walgreens for 45$ (it's only 30$ at Walmart) thinking it was the two cycle supply, which is normally 60$, but it was NOT... so pay attention!

Any who, Wednesday I took another test (with the new test) and it said I had a Low day again... This should NEVER happen! You should have two - or more - High Peak days, then your Peak day. Never a Low day after a High Peak day. Luckily I saved the other test and retook with that one, only to find out it was really my Peak day (this is your LH Surge day, meaning you release an egg 24-36 hours after that). 

I text my doc the picture and asked if we should come in the next day for a Follicle Test and she said yes. (This is basically an ultrasound to see how big your Follicle is in your Ovary - it gives you a more accurate timing of when the egg will release - for a small fee of 185 additional bucks!)

So we headed to the Dr Thursday for the test. The Follicle was measuring 24mm, you need it to be at least 19mm, which is really good! So, they asked us to come back Friday for insem.

What to expect? Like I said an ultrasound, but not the kind where they put the gel on your belly and take a peek. Nope, they use a vaginal (dildo looking) transducer that the tech hands to you and asks you to politely slip it in.. just the tip! (hahaha AWKWARD!) 
They then grab onto it and start moving it around to see what they need. My tech was pretty cool, but she kept hurting me. When I said "ouch" she said "OMG, I'm sorry... sometimes this thing is like driving a MAC Truck." WTF?! 

Hopefully yours will be a little more gentle.

We went back up to the Dr. Office to check out. The nurse offered to keep the sperm tank so we wouldn't have to worry about taking it out and back in the next day. Jack was a little nervous leaving it at the Dr's but we have an awesome nurse who reassured her she would take really good care of it. 

Jack asked her "if we leave it, will you talk to it like it's a boy?" She replied "Absolutely! Come on little buddy," and picked up the container and took it into the back. haha

In hindsight, if it takes this time it's prob due to the Follicle Testing. Because of that we did the insem two days after my Peak day, whereas last month we did it one day after - it really is all about perfect timing.

Friday we woke up, dropped Miah off at school and headed to the Doc's. We arrived, were greeted by the staff, who all know us by first name now, then waited patiently for them to call us back.

You go through the usual; weight, blood pressure check, Q&A - which involves "are you currently taking any birth control?" "Um.... No!" Then Anna heads in to get started.
She paid us a really nice compliment and told us how much the staff talks about what a beautiful couple we are... *blush*
Anna is my rad Gyno I was telling you about last time. If you ever need one, look her up!

She gets me prepped, says she's waiting on the sperm to warm up so she can check out the swimmers, then asked if I had any cramping. I told her yes, and right then Jackie says "would you like me to check that out for you?" 

We all look a each other and start laughing. Anna leaves and Jackie says "Omg, I think she thinks I meant did she want me to check on your cramping.... I meant the sperm!" ha

Meanwhile, Jack continues to take pics and videos and here is a taste of that:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsl0VrtIHKQ&list=UUoXxi1WYlzWy28NVbptZukg&feature=share

Anna returns and says, "Ok, they're ready!" I kindly lets her know Jack was talking about the sperm and not my cramping... We all laugh again (Anna cackling, which I totally appreciate - everyone loves the cack!), then Anna offers to let Jackie see the swimmers under the microscope. Jack said it was one of the coolest things, but not what she expected. I'm still not sure quite what it was she expected... ;)

We move on and Anna performed the insem (if you want details about this, check out the post 'The Art of Artificial Insemination,' it's all explained there). 

I remain lying down for 15 min, Anna gives us both a hug and wishes us the best of luck. (She agreed to take a pic with us for the blog, but I didn't want one while I was laying down, half naked, so we were going to try and get one after but she had more patients.) Hopefully there's not next time.

I told her how grateful I was that she was the doc walking us through this process. She and her staff have really made this the most amazing experience for us - thanks Anna!

Jack and I spent the rest of the day running errands and helping friends move; don't worry I didn't do any lifting!

Implantation should take place within 7-12 days, so we will keep you updated. *fingers crossed* 

Gong Hey Fat Choy (Happy New Year) <3