Today I took another big step in making this process a realization. I got online and purchased some mid-stream urine home pregnancy tests (HPT) and some ovulation prediction tests (OPK). I got them at www.saveontests.com per some friends recommendations. I bought 10 HPTs and 50 OPKs. I bought so many because when we are traveling its hard to find things you want with English directions....well this is one thing I NEED to be able to read. I should get them at my mailbox in 7-10 days!

I am getting the OPK tests because we are using the Shettle's method to try to get a boy. The bases of this method is that male sperm swim faster and dye faster then female sperm. Female sperm take longer to get to the egg but will live up to 5 days. Male sperm will get to the egg in 12hrs but will only live for 36 hrs. So if you are trying for a boy, like us, you will try and BD (baby-dance) on the day you ovulate or one day before. I am doing BBT charting to determine about when that is during the month but you only have confirmation that you did ovulate the day after--which is then to late. So during the time I know I am fertile I will use my OPK to tell me when I will ovulate.

How does the OPKs work:

Luteinizing hormone (LH) is always present in urine, but it increases dramatically just before ovulation. You get an LH surge that triggers the ovulation. So this test will measure my LH level, and you normally see this LH surge 24-36 hours before you ovulate. So this would be prime BD time for TTC a boy.