Showing posts with label Giveaway. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Giveaway. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

34 Weeks and a Giveaway!

Today was my 34 week appointment and more than likely my last ultrasound. Everything went amazingly well and I even got a 4d peak at baby Holden. He appears to look a lot like Mr. London and has a head full of hair. Which if the old wives tale is correct, would explain why I have had so much heartburn this pregnancy. London had very little hair when he was born and I only experienced heartburn with him twice my entire pregnancy.

Here are a few pictures of the little guy. He really didn't cooperate well with the picture taking portion of the 4d ultrasound. He kept his hand up over his face for most of it but I caught a couple peaks at his cute little lips and nose. Oh and there is NO DOUBT that he is a boy, he was quite proud of showing that off. Typical man. :)



A few other things I learned at this appointment.

-I've not made anymore progress since 24 weeks, still hanging out around 1-3 cm dilated depending on which Dr checks me.
-Holden has not "dropped yet" although my suspects that when he does I will probably go into labor pretty quickly afterwards, if not immediately (based on my cervix).
- Holden is already weighing in at a healthy and chubby 6lbs.
-He is also head down (which I pretty much knew) so as of right now it looks like I won't be needing that much feared c-section.
-Next week I get to come off all my medications and restrictions! WOOHOOO!!

So now....ON TO THE GIVEAWAY!


I've decided to do a little guessing game for my readers. I'm 34 weeks today, so lets take some guesses on when baby Holden will actually make his arrival. I'm giving away a $10 Amazon Gift Card to the person who comes closest. Below is a Rafflecopter giveaway form with 3 questions. Guess the date he will arrive, his weight, and then the time he will be born. The giveaway winner will be determined by whoever is CLOSEST to his actual birth date, and then I will be using his weight and time as a tie breaker in case we have multiple correct guesses. :)

A few things you may want to know before guessing...

-My actual due date is November 9, 2011.
-London was born at 37w4d (17 days early) at 3:17am and weighed 6lbs13oz (water broke spontaneously)
-I will be stopping all medications to prevent preterm labor next week (First week of October)
-Holden is currently estimated (via ultrasound) to weigh 6lbs (34 weeks)
-I weighed a whopping 10lbs9oz when I was born and Mike weighed 5lbs when he was born.

Go start guessing!

Anyone who guesses that I will go past 40 weeks will be automatically disqualified. HAHA! Just Kidding!


If you have any trouble with entering via the Rafflecopter form below, just leave your guess in a comment and I will add you manually. Please make sure to leave me an email address so I can contact you :)




Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Modified Bed Rest (and a giveaway CLOSED!!)

Sorry about the delay in updating about my Dr's appointment last week. My blog was acting weird and wouldn't let me post. It's all fixed now though. If you follow my facebook page then you probably already know that my appointment went well. (See just one more reason to follow me on facebook too)

My cervix is looking much better and was actually longer this time. It was up to 3.5cm from 2.5cm the week before. WOOHOO!!!

My Dr allowed me up to "modified" bedrest, which was a WELCOMED change. For this Dr "modified" means that for every 15 mins I am on my feet, I have to be off of them for 45 mins. With a maximum of 1 hour on my feet. So if I spend an hour on my feet, I have to lay down for 3 hours. Fair Enough!

I'm thrilled just to have some of my freedom back. I'm still not allowed to go grocery shopping or clean the house (OH DARN!!) but could go out to a quick dinner or to see a movie.

My Dr decided against a cerclage. She said that given my history of preterm labor, that she doesn't think that my cervix if the culprit but rather my contractions and preterm labor (PTL). Since medications were able to keep the PTL under control last time we will probably try that route again this time.

This Dr's office is a FIRM believer in the P17 progesterone shots to prevent preterm labor. She is trying to get me my insurance to approve the Makena shots since those bad boys are $1500 PER shot. If my insurance won't cover it, we can try the pharmacy compounded P17 (only about $15 a shot). I have had a bad reaction to some of the compounded PIO in the past, so I'm really hoping to have a better reaction to the Makena if my insurance will actually cover it. We should find out about that sometime this week.

Now, on a different note, I have teamed up with WhatToExpect.com to offer some fun stuff to my readers.
I'm sure most of you have heard of the What To Expect book series. It's said to be the Bible for all pregnant women. I will never forget as long as I live, when I got my very first BFP. I was so excited and naive. I had no idea what was headed my way over the next few years. Back then I just thought a positive pregnancy test = A baby. Boy was I wrong! However for that brief moment in time, I was so excited  I rushed out and bought What to Expect When You're Expecting before I even heard the results of my blood test. Hell, I even bought it before I told Mike I was pregnant. I still have that book with the dated receipt tucked in it as a book mark. I will forever keep it.

So What To Expect.com was kind enough to send me some books to give away to my readers. I have both What to Expect When You're Expecting and What to Expect the Second Year (12 months to 24 months)  So regardless of whether you are currently expecting or have a little one now, I have something for you.

Also we will be testing out the new giveaway phenomenon Rafflecopter. I LOVE this program and how easy it is to enter giveaways. I have a feeling you will love it to.

I will be giving away to one lucky Infertility Overachievers reader a copy of EITHER What to Expect When You're Expecting or What to Expect the Second Year (Your Choice).

These would make great baby shower gifts too, so make sure to enter even if you are not currently expecting!!

So follow the directions below and do what Rafflecopter says to enter. No comments necessary to enter. Just enter on the form below :)

CLOSED!!!

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

And the Winner is...

First of all thank you to everyone who entered my 200 Followers Giveaway and  a big  THANK YOU to everyone who is following my little blog. I couldn't ramble, vent, brag, and complain about my own life without all of you. Trust me, Mike thanks you also :)

OK so now on to the good stuff.  The winner is...

Elizabeth!!!




I promise to have a real post up later today. I just need to find the time to actually sit down and write something.

Friday, October 29, 2010

200 Followers GIVEAWAY!!

On June 10, 2008 I wrote a little post called, OK Here We Go!!

Back then I had no idea what this blog would eventually come to be. For the first month, it was a daily journal while I was going through my very first IVF cycle. For the 9 months after that, it was place for me to celebrate, vent, and even cry my way through pregnancy. Then on February 28th 2009, it became a virtual baby book as I documented London's every move. It wasn't until this past April that I decided that I wanted to take this blog in a more serious direction. I needed an outlet to express myself and The Infertility Overachievers seemed like the likely choice. At that time I had 27 followers, most of which were IRL friends or family members. Here I am 6 months later celebrating my 200th follower.

Thank you for all of your support over the last 2+ years. Y'all have always been there to offer support, great advice, and alot of much needed laughs. Y'all are the best!!

As a thank you to ALL of my awesome followers, I am doing a 
GIVEAWAY!!!

One lucky follower will win all of the following...

Because I love to cook, This super cute Vintage Inspired Apron!

Because I love a good glass of wine, this Hand Painted "Wine Snob" Glass.

 And because drinking wine will make your thirsty, this SubZero Stainless Steel Water Bottle

And because we could all stand to work out a little more, Brenda Strong's Yoga 4 Partner's DVD

And last but NOT least, 
Because I love to shop, 
A $25 CSN Stores gift card!



How to enter?

Since this giveaway is 100% funded by me! I have no sponsors to please so I'm not going to make you jump through a million hoops to enter. Since this is a giveaway for my FOLLOWERS, that is the only way to enter. 
You have 2 chances to enter. 
(Please leave a separate comment for each entry.)

Entry #1) Currently Be or Become a Follower of my Blog

Entry #2) Currently Be or Become a Follower of me on Twitter

That's it!! 

Giveaway ends Monday, November 8, 2010 at 11:59 EST. Winner will be chosen by Random.org and announced some time on Tuesday, November 9, 2010. 

Disclosure: I have nothing to disclose. This giveaway if funded by me as a way to thank my amazing followers. 

Monday, June 21, 2010

Yoga 4 Fertility Review and Giveaway! xxClosedxx

Do you recognize this woman?


You should, it's Mary Alice Young Brenda Strong from Desperate Housewives!

Did you know that Brenda struggled with infertility? I didn't. I knew who Brenda was because I am an avid Desperate Housewives watcher but I knew nothing of her struggle with infertility.

A few weeks ago I was contacted about doing a review and giveaway for her Yoga4Fertility DVD and Fertility Ball. I was extremely excited to be given the opportunity, and even more so excited to try it out.

According to the Yoga4Fertility website:
"Yoga4Fertility™ was created by Brenda Strong who has undergone secondary infertility and through her teaching and research over the last 15 years, she developed a gentle and effective Yoga program for women trying to conceive. (She has worked with The Mind Body Institute since 1998 at UCLA and Newport Beach teaching her yoga method). Hundreds of women have successfully used Brenda’s method to get pregnant and it’s helped couples to face the emotional and physical stress of trying to conceive.
Brenda’s Strong Yoga4Fertility Classes are unique because she offers participants expert instruction in Yoga asanas (poses) and pranayama (breathing techniques) that nourish the reproductive organs, calm the nervous system and relax the mind and body, helping to release accumulated anxiety and stress. She teaches the Four Fields of Fertility© which enables students to understand the innate connection between the mind and body as they learn specific techniques that will help them shift away from fear based anxiety to empowered presence and the ability to embrace their inherent ability to receive Life in all it’s forms of fertility. She also has developed specific breathing and visualization techniques specifically for fertility."
I am going to be completely honest with this review. When I first popped in the DVD, I have to say the opening scene was pretty cheesy and they could have left that part out. Once we got past that part Brenda started talking and I nearly fell asleep--but for yoga that is a good thing. One of Brenda's main points in the DVD is to focus on relaxation. Trust me there is no one who has a more calm and relaxing voice than Brenda Strong. I immediately felt right at home with her as if she was talking directly to me while sitting indian style on her couch in a nice warm sweater. As a yoga beginner, I especially liked that she started at square one and even took the time to teach me how to breathe properly.

Once we got past the introduction and entered into the yoga section we both moved to the mat. At this point I realized how amazingly out of shape I am. Brenda looked beautiful with her every movement planned and purposeful. I, however, looked like one of those rolly-pollies that you would find on the side walk and poke with a stick as a child. I will admit it, I fell a few times and even curled up into a ball at one point. BUT I finished all of it.

When I was done, I felt a sense of relaxation. I didn't feel the need to plop down on the couch like I usually do after a work out. I was instead on a mini high. My body felt loose and I was ready and excited to start my day. All and all, I really enjoyed the DVD. It made me feel amazing and gave me satisfaction knowing that I was taking action to boost my fertility.

Am I more fertile today, you may ask? I don't know. I do know that I am a little sore though, so it obviously worked something. Overtime the program will "help increase circulation to the reproductive organs, balance hormones, and reduce stress." I can definitely see how all of those things could help increase your fertility, and basically just make you a healthier person. Good health is very important especially when you are planning on a pregnancy.

Is this DVD going to get you pregnant? Perhaps. If you are a seasoned veteran on your 4th failed IVF, then probably not. I am a firm believer that infertility is a medical condition. All of the relaxing in the world is not going to cure Endometriosis, Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome, or Ovarian Failure. No, this DVD is not magic (and no one including Brenda is claiming it is) but it would be a great way to help you relax and recenter yourself during those emotional and stressful infertility treatments. This program is not called Yoga4INFERTILITY, it's call Yoga4 FERTILITY. It is not just for the infertile, and can help everyone who is even thinking about having a baby in the future. Take care of yourself now and hopefully you will never have to experience INfertility. If you are trying to conceive, thinking about trying to conceive, or have unexplained infertility, then this DVD is definitely something worth purchasing. This DVD is a great tool as you attempt to achieve your dream of starting (or completing) your family. I definitely recommend it!!


Now on to THE GIVEAWAY!


Yoga4Fertility was kind enough to send me a copy of the DVD to giveaway to one lucky reader. Here is how you can win. Giveaway will end June 30, 2010 at 12:00 am EST.


The Rules:
1. Leave a separate comment for each entry.
2. Leave an email, or make sure it is listed (and easy to find) on your blog or twitter page so I can contact the winner.

How to Enter:
1. (Mandatory) Because I am so inspired by Brenda speaking out about her infertility journey, I want to hear about yours. Leave me a comment briefly describing your journey through infertility, trying to conceive, or plans to try to conceive.
Example: 3 years, unexplained infertility, 1 successful IVF, several failed IUI's, trying to conceive in August, etc...
2. Follow Infertility Overachievers blog, and let me know if you already do (1 entry).
3. Follow @IFOverachievers on Twitter (1 entry).
4. Visit Yoga4Fertility website and take a look around at her products, let me know what you find interesting. (1 entry).
5. Tweet this message: “Test the "relax and it will happen" theory by entering to win a Yoga4Fertility DVD at @IFOverachievers #giveaway http://bit.ly/aRlP07" (1 entry per day, leave links for verification)
6. Blog about the contest (please leave a link to your post) (5 additional entries)
7. Grab my button for your blog. (5 additional entries)

I'll draw a winner using the Random Number Generator and announcing the winner sometime on Thursday (July 1, 2010). This giveaway is also listed on my giveaway blog. Comments to enter will be merged with those comments to pick ONE winner.

Thanks for entering and GOOD LUCK!


Disclosure: I was provided free of charge a copy of Yoga4Fertility to try out and review. My opinion was not influenced in any way by money or any other type compensation. The opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own.

Monday, May 10, 2010

And the winner is.....

First off...My laptop died tonight, I will be holding a memorial service at Best Buy tomorrow. In the mean time, I am using the old dinosaur in the bed room (trust me this thing is probably only one one step up from a Commodore 64). So I won't be able to add a fancy screen shot tonight. I did however want to make sure everyone saw the results. So here is a super high tech redneck camera phone quality photo of the screen at Random.org.
The winner is....


KittyGirlTX who said:
"I love the forever in my heart necklace and the infant loss memorial bracelet. Either one is a wonderful way to remember the little ones we have lost."


                                                             May 4, 2010 12:05 AM


Shoot me an email and claim your prize!! Thanks everyone for making this such great giveaway!

Monday, May 3, 2010

Mother's Day Giveaway!!

** Just wanted to clear something up. This not just a infertility giveaway. This is open to everyone who wants to have children in the future, is currently pregnant, had a baby, m/c, still birth, infant loss, tried (trying) to concieve, tried (trying) to adopt, or know someone who has. THIS is a giveaway for ALL women, all Mother's past, present, and future.  Help us support all of these causes and ENTER to win this amazing necklace!!**

Mother's Day is quickly approaching. For some this is a joyous day filled with celebration, but for others it is just plain torture. This year I think we should celebrate together. Whether you have a living child, an angel baby, or are the midst of trying to conceive or adopt, we are all MOTHERS in our heart. Cliche I know, but it is so very true.  

A few months ago, you might remember, I got my very first "mommy" necklace. I loved it (and still do). One day I just happened to stumbled across Bugaboo jewelry. I immediately loved Kristi's jewelry, but it was her message that really spoke to me. She specializes in miscarriage, stillbirth and pregnancy-infant loss jewelry. She also donates a portion of her proceeds to an organization that offers financial aid to couples going through fertility treatments or adoption. How amazing is that? 

I am extremely excited to announce that Kristi has been generous enough to sponsor a Mother's Day Giveaway here at The Infertility Overachievers. Now through Mother's Day (May 9, 2010), you can enter to win this amazing necklace.

This piece is made to order so it can be customized just for you. You can change "forever in my heart" to a different phrase, name, or even date that is meaningful to you. This is a piece made just  for YOU this Mother's Day.

Here is how you enter:

Mandatory Entry: 

Visit Bugaboo Jewelry and leave a comment letting me know which piece is your favorite
 and 
 become a follower of my blog. (1 entry)

For Extra Entries

-Go visit BundlesofHope and let me know that you did. (1 entry)

-Make a donation to BundlesofHope (5 entries)

-Follow me on twitter @IfOverachievers or let me know you already do. (1 entry)

-Tweet about this entry and include @IFOverachievers. Example: Enter to win this awesome necklace @IFOverachievers Mothers Day giveaway at  www.infertilityoverachievers.com Please RT!  (You may tweet once per day for another entry.  Leave a separate comment and twitter link for each daily tweet.) (1 entry)

-Post about this giveaway on your blog. (Please leave link to your post) (2 entries)










***Please leave one separate comment for every entry.***







Everyone is welcome (and encouraged) to enter.




Contest will end on May 9, 2010 at 11:59 pm EST (Mother's Day). Winner will be drawn and announced on May 10, 2010. All entries must have a valid email address listed for contact (or listed on your blog/twitter). Winner must respond within 72 hours or a new winner will be drawn.