MyMemories Suite Review and Giveaway

I was given the opportunity to download and review My Memories Suite software and will be launching a giveaway of the software to one lucky reader!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What is MyMemories Suite? It is a digital scrapbooking software to easily create and assemble photobook albums and other beautiful layouts (like blinkies!).  I am still somewhat of a novice to photo-editing software, and have found MyMemories Suite easier to use. One of the things I like is that there are hundreds of paper backgrounds, embellishments or ready-to-go themed albums that just need pictures.

Although MyMemories.com has several options for printing out bound photobooks (especially if you pick a size unlikely to fit a home printer), you are not limited to images from this software or ordering through the site to produce or share your creations. You can even choose to share them digitally in a slideshow format in a variety of ways.

There are several wonderful free kits available, and another great feature is that even after uploading an pre-loaded album or layout, you can continue to customize as you wish, changing background, colors, embellishments, text, you name it!  I was a bit worried about placing photos in the pre-set boxes, but there are two options available. Double-click the photo box and move your picture to frame accordingly, OR add your photo, edit as you wish, then drag to the box. The background will turn blue and then, Voila!, photo is instantly added! One drawback to the latter method is that it will crop the photo for you, but MyMemories offers and excellent cache of YouTube tutorials from Introductions, to specific types of layouts or embellishments.

Previously, I have only done handmade card-making and scrapbooking. Part of this has been due to how much I enjoy the act of creating a handmade card, the rest to frustration each time I tried my hand at previous digital editing and creating.

BUT, if you are someone who has more experience and expertise in photo-editing, there are also options to create your album layer by layer.  All-in-All, it seems a great software for beginners and experts alike. And here is a sample album I put together. I used a pre-made album (Inspire Me Purple) in honor of my nephew, Ismael, who will be turning 1 years old in May. I'm so excited by how well this went that I looked at other album's and am having relatives send pictures so I can perfect a photobook to present to his parents on his birthday.

Since the album was pre-made, most of the time I spent was on selecting photos and creating/editing text. I had given up handmade scrapbooking in the past due to the time it would take to complete a project. In the time it previously would take me to create one page, I put together these pages and 4 others.  

The only challenges I have had so far, were when I was trying to edit/re-size a photo box or other item, I somehow clicked on an embellishment or other item. Thank God for the undo button!  But because MyMemories has such excellent tutorials available, I don't think I'll have to muddle through alone, but could find advice or guidance there.

So, here’s some excellent news, to kick off my review, I’m hosting a giveaway, courtesy of MyMemories.com and Rafflecopter.com. Follow the directions and the winner will receive a code to download a FREE MyMemories Suite v4 program!

I’ll give y’all 4 weeks to enter before the drawing.

ToConceive Fertility Lubricant: Initial Experience

I have been using the ToConceive for about 2 weeks now. I just had my period start March 7th, so I started use about 3-4 days after.  You get used to the tingly feeling when applying, and I have been careful to avoid my urethra to prevent from getting a urinary tract infection.  About my 2nd or 3rd day of use I started to have some cramping in my pelvis, and I wasn't sure if it was due to ToConceive. Since I've been more precise in applying, the pain has not continued. I will say that with my myriad of stomach complaints, it is possible that it was also gas pain due to IBS. I can never be completely sure if something is cramps or gas pain, although with my acupuncture diet, the IBS has been greatly improved!

I am even pleased to say that in our first baby-dancing using ToConceive, DH had no complaints. I was a bit concerned because in the past when we've used other warming types of lube he didn't care for it. There have been a few days I haven't applied it, but overall it was easy to add into my daily routine after bathing. 

I might be approaching ovulation soon, as I'll be CD14 tomorrow. I need to start tracking my CM more closely to see if it may be approaching fertile stage soon. So far I've only noticed sticky, or some kind of mix between sticky/creamy. 

Although I have been provided ToConceive product free of charge, I am providing my unbiased, honest opinion of the product and my experiences with it. 

ToConceive Fertility Lubricant: First Impressions

I have been sick since mid-February. About a week ago, I got a High on my CBEFM! Too bad it was my last stick and I didn't have the funds to buy more in time. But, just a day or two later, I got my ToConceive fertility lubricant in the mail. I had wondered why there needed to be 3 months worth bought at once; and now I have my answer! 

In addition to using ToConceive when having intercourse, the woman should apply ToConceive daily after a shower/bath.  ToConceive promotes the woman's natural lubrication that encourages sperm capacitation, so daily application does make sense.  Also, I don't know about you, but sometimes if spontaneous love-making occurs it can be hard to put the brakes on. So, I like that if I use daily it can increase my own ability to to fertilize an egg.  Of course, chances would be even greater when using ToConceive each time we had intercourse.

This may seem immature, but I had to giggle at the instructions.  For daily application, one must apply a small amount to the clitoris and labia.  Quite honestly, my first thoughts were that basically I'm being encouraged to masturbate daily. Which, if you think about on the woman's side, does make sense. As I have been TTC for 4+ years, I think I can be OK with this. I learned to check my cervix, which is way more yucky and difficult. 

For those of you who might consider masturbation as abhorrent, it is not literally asking you to do this. You could simply apply the small amount of ToConceive and apply---remember this is a scientifically researched method, with actual results of improving a couples' chance of conception.  It does have a warm, tingly feeling--the first time I used it, that feeling lasted most of the morning, but subsequent uses the tingly feeling is not as strong or as long.

For those of you who do enjoy some self-love, I don't see how it would hurt to use this as an aid--in fact external stimulation naturally promotes a woman's arousal fluids and production of cervical mucus, so I don't see the harm. 

For ease of use of the product, the packaging and dispenser are high quality. Any difficulty was due partially to my own eagerness to get started, and weak wrists; I mistakenly believed that the lid was a screw top. It is not. Simply pull the silver lid off and you get one of those really great controlled dispensers. Since the amount each woman needs may vary, I would start off with a half-pump. I could see myself using a full pump, at least, for actual intercourse.  But for daily use, a half-pump should be sufficient. Plus, this stuff is liquid gold! I always take the philosophy that it is easier to start with a little and add more. 

Although I think I may have been close to ovulation based on my High on my CBEFM, I think I am about to get my period.  I'm going to blame it on the 2 week flu. But this gives me a month to start fresh, and practice use of the ToConceive along with my acupuncture treatments. 

Although I have been provided ToConceive product free of charge, I am providing my unbiased, honest opinion of the product and my experiences with it. 

ToConceive: Revolutionary Fertility Lubricant

     Those of us that have been trying to conceive for awhile are all aware of the risks of using commercial lubricant when baby-dancing, as many major brands have some amount of spermicide or do an effective job of killing a lot of sperm before they reach the uterus. To date, there has only been one option for couples in need of lubrication during baby-making time—Pre-Seed. Since 2002, Pre-Seed has been the only viable lubricant option that will prevent sperm death while offering relief from dryness due to fertility medications and frequent intercourse.

    A new lubricant for couples with infertility goes a step further than a sperm-friendly lube. Dr. Ron Thompson, an OBGYN and a leader in several infertility procedures, developed ToConceive. ToConceive not only provides a lubricant with appropriate pH balance for sperm to live, but also promotes normal sperm capacitation, which increases the likelihood that sperm will reach the ovum prepared for fertilization. This is generally something healthy, mature sperm are capable of, but a woman’s natural arousal fluid and cervical mucus can also help sperm without the ability to capacitate to do so.

   With ToConceive, couples facing male infertility issues, as well as some female fertility concerns, can increase their chance to achieve conception naturally.  For some couples this could mean conceiving without invasive procedures for either the man or the woman. For couples looking at ART procedures in order to conceive, ToConceive can provide a relatively inexpensive way to achieve conception that might otherwise be out of their reach.

    I was very intrigued when contacted by the makers of ToConceive to review their product. When I first saw the price for a 3-month supply, I thought “Why should I buy this when I can get Pre-Seed for so much less?”  But as I looked at the information of what ToConceive can do, it was clear that this product is more advanced in how it can help with fertility issues.  This made the price seem more reasonable, and if it can help a couple that just needs an extra boost to their love-making to overcome their fertility obstacles, it seems worth it.  Especially if you compare the cost of a 3 month supply to 1 IUI or even just injectable fertility meds. 

    For myself, this is appealing, because even though DH’s sperm test results showed now concerns on his end, I still am not quite sure what is happening with me that is preventing us from achieving conception. Certainly my frequent medical concerns that cause us to halt TTC or our separations have not helped. But I would welcome anything that would keep me from having to go to additional doctors or potentially have to endure an invasive procedure.  I’m looking forward to getting to use ToConceive and will be reviewing it here on my blog!  So, stay tuned!

CBEFM Readings--Finally got a High!

So, I had just 7 sticks left for my CBEFM. And of course, I got 6 Lows, and then on Wednesday a High reading. No more sticks. No money for sticks. So, I'm depending on my BBT chart to tell me when/if ovulation occurs. On many of my CBEFM cycles, I would get 2 Highs before my Peak. However, on some cycles, I got 3-4 Highs or more before my Peak. My temps have been about the same the last 2 days. It did go up 1 tenth today. Got some baby-dancing in on Wed, and if I possibly can I am going to see if I can get some in today, as I believe I could be O-ing tomorrow or Sun. If I am right, today and tomorrow would be the best days statistically to have intercourse to ensure conception (in couples with normal fertility). This is based on my favorite research study that can be found on the New England Journal of Medicine.

So wish me luck! Although, if I don't achieve conception this month, I have a great surprise coming that should boost our efforts!  But that will be tomorrow's post.