7 Quick Takes Friday

** 1 **

Even though I did post a comment to my previous post, I will say again here that I found out on Thursday that I am not pregnant. While I am disappointed that I am not expecting, I am somewhat relieved to know something for sure.

I really appreciate everyone’s prayers for me and Atticus. I’m sure at least some of the relief and peace I am feeling is due in part to your prayers. It means so much to have this blog community of women I can share my heart with. Thank you ladies, so very much!

** 2 **

On a related note, since I am not pregnant, Saturday night Atticus and I are going to do two things I would not be able to do if I was pregnant: drink alcohol, and eat sushi.

Yum!

**3 **

For anyone who is experiencing frustration about not getting pregnant as quickly as you’d like, or for anyone who will be trying to get pregnant soon, I have to recommend a book I just found: Making Babies: A Proven 3 Month Program for Maximum Fertility by Dr. Sami David and Jill Blakeway LAc.

The book is co-written by a reproductive endocrinologist and a practitioner of Chinese medicine. So interesting.

Although the author who is trained in Western medicine is one who was a pioneer in IVF (Booo), he has since become convinced that IVF and other against-nature so-called reproductive technologies are way overused (duh!) and so now heavily relies on natural means of achieving fertility (thank God).

It gives overview of how to chart (which NFPers will be already familiar with), and also gives good nutritional info which is also mostly present in Marilyn Shannon’s book Nutrition, Fertility, and Cycles which comes with the course materials for anyone who did CCL training. But, the refresher is good, and also includes some suggestions for Chinese foods that boost fertility (like tea, and gogi berries).

It also helps you determine your fertility “type” and then gives suggestions for each “type” based on diet, lifestyle, and Chinese medical changes for overcoming fertility challenges.

It addresses problems like PCOS, Luteal Phase deficiencies, Endometriosis, and other fertility issues.

I like how readable it is too. I found a used copy on Amazon for about 5 dollars.

** 4 **

My ENDOW facilitator training kit arrived in the mail today! I am so excited! It contains the John Paul II’s Letter to Women, the document and study guide, along with a set of four training cd’s, promotional materials (like sample posters and bulletin announcements) and suggestions for how to get and ENDOW class started in your parish/diocese.

I’m pretty lucky because I have about the best pastor in the world, no joke. I called him on the phone today (and he answered! It’s weird talking to priests on the phone) and told him I wanted to start an ENDOW group, and I (a) didn’t have to explain what ENDOW was to him or (b) twist his arm into agreeing. He was basically like, “Sounds good, call the admin assistant and see when/where you all can meet, and let me know before you start so we can put in a bulletin announcement.”

It was that easy. Rock on Msgr. Schaedel, rock on.

** 5 **

Does anyone else have “week of Christmas” traditions that they do, either alone or with family?

I always watch Muppet’s Christmas Carol, ever since I was a little kid. When I met Eric and we talked about Christmas, he told me his family did the same! That’s when I knew it was love. 😉

Needless to say, I am of course, very excited to watch Muppet’s Christmas Carol sometime between now and Christmas.