35 weeks. Hello Holidays!

Well, as I presumed, the holidays almost took me out!

We had several Christmas parties. We were able to see the Tran Siberian Orchestra. Visit the Christmas train.


Since we were out of town for Thanksgiving, we had to split Christmas day between our families. We literally had 5 Christmas' just between our own, and families. ( Not including friends/extended family) Needless to say............. I'M EXHAUSTED!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm 35 weeks pregnant today. I'm not even close to being ready to having another baby. I have everything lined up medically, and for work. But the baby has no room- not that he/she will be staying there for months anyways-  We still haven't purchased many more boy clothes, in the case that it is a boy. I haven't set up anything for the baby........ Well, oh well. I have 5 weeks to focus strictly on the baby now. It's actually kind of nice!

I am getting to the point of being tired all the time, due to the lack of sleep.

I am waking up hungry, full bladder-ed, parched, and with achy hips!

With the exception of the past week, I'm maintaining my 4-6 day/week work out regimen. Spin class 4 times, and pilates/body pump/yoga 1-2 days a week. I can't express how much of a life saver this has been! I came down with an ear infection last week (Of course the busiest week of my year!) and took the whole week off. I am so sluggish, restless, eating everything in the house, and swelling more than usual. I can't believe what a difference it has made in my energy level, and stamina! I will probably go ahead and take off the full 10 days (antibiotics) to recover from being sick, and get back on the wagon this weekend.


Anisten has gotten much more aware of what's going on. She is so excited to have a baby sister! (That's what she says it is)  She also says she is going to be a big brother.  She now kisses my belly, and likes to pat it, and talk to the baby. I know with mild adjustments, she will do just fine when the baby is here!

We've been doing things the last 6 months we have been working continuously on making her more and more independent. Teaching her to do things like bring her step stool around to turn on lights. We've given her her own drawer in the fridge. I just put snacks and drinks in there so that she can reach them-with permission of course!- I will be making her a little area in the pantry as well soon so that she can get snacks for herself. Having her put on her own socks, underwear, shoes etc.. We've even taught her to let the dogs in and out of the house! I am fully capable of doing these things for her now, but before we know it, I'll be stuck in a chair nursing, or holding a sleeping baby. 

We just had Christmas. And I've already put back some stuff that she got for Christmas, so that when the baby is here, we can pull it out, and it will be "new" to her then!

Right now, the top of my agenda is getting Anisten's room re-done, and washing baby clothes. We will be working the next 2-3 weeks on all of these things, but in the case that we don't make it, I'll at least have clean baby clothes for the little one to wear!!!

My anxiety (probably holiday induced) has been much higher the last week, than it has my entire pregnancy. I've been able to cope with having a toddler, working, being pregnant, keeping house, working out etc. this entire pregnancy, until the past week. I think a mixture of sickness, and business, I just cracked under pressure. My poor husband definitely took the brunt of it. Bless his soul, he's been a trooper. As of today, I've had some time to myself and at home with out a ton of stuff to do, and I am already feeling much better, and back to myself. *Hence, the blog!*

I go to my Dr. next week for my 36 week check up, and will be going weekly from that point on! At my 32(ish) week check up, the baby was measuring 10 days AHEAD! And I (my tummy) was measuring a week or 2 behind. So, smaller belly and bigger baby. Maybe that's why my stomach feels like it's literally cracking in half! ITCHY ITCHY!!!


I will certainly try to make a point to hit the blogs once a week until the end! This will be my last few weeks pregnant. EVER!

Ok, time for the 35 week picture.

Week 30- Gobble Gobble

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am so thankful that this pregnancy has been a healthy one! Not only a healthy baby, but healthy mama as well.


We took a trip to visit my family in Louisiana for the holiday- and it is not an easy one to make for a 30+ week pregnant women. I highly advise against it. My back was not having it!

What's new? 

• Peanut butter is staying in business, because of me. And milk. Apparently it's about the time that the baby starts trying to put on some weight. Hungry little fella! 

• I'm waking up in the middle of the night to eat. OR drink. I'm not eating a lot more than usual during the day, but at night I'll roll over ( in discomfort of course) and feel very hungry or thirsty instantly!

• I have been stretching. I blame it on Thanksgiving, but I have certainly been getting bigger! 

• My hips pop every time I take a step. Lame..

• My work out routine is still going strong- minus my 5 day vacation sabbatical-Spinning about 4 times a week, and body pump/pilates 1-2 times a week. Feeling strong! I'm excited to see the post baby benefits. I hear that it helps ease the delivery process and of course the getting back in to shape and recovery.
• I've discovered the belly band!!!!!!!  Where has it been my whole pregnancy!?

one day shy of 30 weeks-- Wearing my pre-preg skinny jeans! Thank you belly band. And spin.

• We have yet to clean out the "junk/toy room" for the baby. I just keep putting if off, and putting it off. I know they say things are different with your 2nd. And it's definitely true. It's hard to clean out a toy room, when my daughter is sitting in the middle of the room playing with all of the toys!

•  We had our first baby shower. Love my friends!!!!! Had a blast.  Got some great practical things for the baby. 

• I've learned to lean on my chiropractor these days! Extra stretching and manipulation is NOT a bad thing for my pregnant bones.

Alright, I'll update in a few days for my 31 weeks! 9 weeks or less to go?!?!?!?!?!!?!?!??!

28 Weeks-Well, 29 now!

Today makes me 29 weeks.  I kept thinking during the week, I really need to blog my 28th week. And then, well....Life happened.

What's new? Other than the fact that ICE is a new food group in my eyes, and I am sleeping like junk.... not much has changed.

People are starting to ask when I'm due, which is other words for " you're getting big!" You have to really be showing for people to feel confident enough to ask a pregnant when you're pregnant. I keep saying I'm bigger, faster with this one. But I think I've narrowed it down to I'm bigger in my belly only. I have learned about this belly band that you can put over your jeans/pants to hold them up and conceal the fact that they are unbuttoned, that has been a dream! I can wear my own jeans. My legs and butt would have never fit in my (close to) regular pants at 30 weeks with A.  THANK YOU SPIN CLASS!!!!! I am rockin' lots of tights, and tunics. I just had to buy a size bigger, and they fit great! My maternity jeans and clothes that I had with Anisten, just don't fit me yet. My chest is smaller, as well. So over all, I'm okay with being "bigger" in the belly.

Sleep. It's getting hard to come by these days. I mean, I really only have 11 (or less) weeks left, so I guess it's just that time. I toss and turn, and have to keep my baby on his/her own pillow now. I have to get up to pee and eat 5 times a night. Just that time.

I am loving the little body parts though! I've gotten pretty good at figuring out where this little guy/girl keeps certain body parts. I think downward facing dog is among his/her favorite poses. In my right side.

I go to the doctor tomorrow, and after that will start the bi-weekly check ups! OMG where did this pregnancy go?

26 weeks- FLUNK!

So, at my 24 week check up, I had to take the glucose test. This test is designed to recognize high levels of sugar, that isn't being processed correctly in the body.

Let me review with you before we go any further.


I....

• have gained a healthy amount of weight for my body/pregnancy. Still on the low end of "average" for non pregnancy.
• work out 5+ times a week. Running, Spinning, Pilates. Not easy stuff. My activity level has actually increased  since becoming pregnant.
• eat extremely well, 80% of the time. Lots of fruits, veggies, whole grains, milk, water (100+ oz. easy per day) protein.
• do not consume large amounts of sugar, or saturated fat. And when I have any at all it's in extreme moderation!!
• feel healthier now, than I did pre-pregnancy
• am devastated!

I never imagined that  I would not pass the diabetes screening with all of that on my side.

After further investigation.. I found out that fruit and milk ( my 2 go to foods!) have high amounts of sugar - not the same kind as a candy bar obviously- and can be hard for my body to process. I've also learned it may have nothing to do with how "big" I am, but just how my body is breaking, or not, stuff down.

The last few days, since finding out this news, I have really cut back my carbs. I'm a runner. RUNNER=CARBS! This has been extremely difficult to train my brain to stay away from bread and potatoes, as I normally wouldn't think twice before eating these.

I already choose "brown" stuff, like bread,rice,noodles,eggs etc.. I try to make better choices in this area anyways-

I will say this. After "protein-loading" for the past few days (very little starch and sugar) I am less hungry! But......I have NO ENERGY it seems.

Tomorrow I go in for the 3 hour testing. I have to fast tonight, and get 7, yes S-E-V-E-N viles of blood taken in that 3 hour span. I'm gonna feel like a million bucks that afternoon! Wish me luck!

Other than that news, everything else has really been well.
My energy level is fantastic! 
I'm feeling lots of strong jabs and kicks- Still pretty low. But very consistent, and frequent.
I've been sleeping much better than I was a few weeks ago. - Could be a relief on the bladder, or those extra spin classes I've picked up....
I still have yet to do a single thing on the nursery.
The baby is measuring right along with the 2/1/12 due date (even though the DR. hasn't officially changed it)

We registered at Target this week! It was pretty fun, since we already know what we like for brands and know what we need, it kept it simple. I registered for a few boy things, just in case. And if I do have a boy, I will send someone to get lots more boy clothes. I figure if I can just get a enough "stand by" things for a week or so, that will be plenty.

I'm totally in non-nesting mode, but I know I will be soon, so I'm not too worried about getting it all done. I think we've decided to do the primary colors room. Something bright, and fun! I really like the blue/black and white room, and still haven't ruled it out completely. But, I think the primary colors will be fun and simple for us to do.


That's my 26 week update (a little late) will be 27 weeks in 2 days. Wow, I really have little time left!

Halloween is tonight, and it's on from there with the holidays, then BAM - baby.

24..I mean 25 weeks!

 I will be 25 weeks tomorrow. So I am a little late on my 24 week update and pictures.


This week was a wonderful week. I felt full of energy, and life all week long! It feels soooooo good, to feel good. I think it's so easy to take that for granted sometimes. But after the beating I took this summer, I will always hold a special place for "well-being" in my little heart! ;-)

The baby is doing great, and getting bigger. I can now feel his/her little hiccups stronger and more frequently. It's so cute! Lots and lots of movement regularly, and very strongly. The baby is the size of an eggplant this week. -- Hm, one day I will learn how to cook those. 

24 Weeks (new haircut too!)

24w5days

I'm about 400% sure that we hit a growth spurt this past week(and half). I haven't gained any weight since my last doctors visit 4 weeks ago, but my belly has gotten bigger! ... Maybe my butt has gotten smaller? PSH!
Oh, speaking of.... I signed up at a new gym by my work, and it's pretty much the best thing EVER. I haven't run outside all week, and really didn't want to. So I decided it's time to start considering other means of work outs. And, boy oh boy, have I? In 7 days I've worked out 5 of them. Which may be a large part of why I feel so great! My new work out plan includes30-45 minutes of cardio whether biking, climbing stairs, running, or even walking in the neighborhood about 5 days a week. I try to include 2-3 of those days with prenatal pilates. OUCH! I took a full hour of spin class yesterday. It feels good to do a solid hour of cardio, including intervals! I can't get that with running right now, so I feel like I'm better off. I miss running out side, and all of that, but I really need the work out instead of the scenery. I will be attempting to do the Tulsa Run in a few weeks. It's a 5k. Yay for feeling good, and good enough to get those endorphines flowing!!!

Something else I've noticed, along with my restless leg syndrome...I was laying in bed, with jumpy legs one night, and my foot around my big toe, starts tingling and almost pricking me. I ask Scott to rub it 3 or 4 days later it's swollen and bruised feeling.  I haven't been running, so I can't imagine that it's work out related. The impact to my feet has been minimal in that sense. I have a friend/client, who is a P.A. for an orthopedic surgeon- So I ask her last night if it's possible to injure my foot with out doing anything to it. She says it is, and explains further what it could be, and pretty much there is nothing I can do. LAME!  So I'm not sure if it's pregnancy/swelling/weight gain induced or what, but it sucks!

I see my doctor tomorrow, so we will just see what he has to say. I also get to take the "diabetes/glucose" test tomorrow. Swallow a cup of sugar, and get poked with needles. yay? I didn't do this test with Anisten, so it's all new to me. 

I definitely am thankful for my energy this week, it's been a busy one! Hence, the reason this post is almost a week late!

Loving the life of inconvenience.

I learn from other parents.
I learn from the good ones and the bad ones.
If you know a little about me, then you know that I'm a very observant person!  I like to pick what I do and don't like from all different types of parents and apply it to my parenting style.

One thing I know as a parent. It's not easy. And it shouldn't be isn't convenient. I knew from the moment that I found out I was pregnant that my life would change in a great way! I knew that I wouldn't just be adding a child to my world, like an accessory, but that my child would be my world.  This is where many parents and I differ. I want nothing more than to be able to teach my own children the ways of life.

Healthy life style choices like  food, physical activities, and extra curricular activities,balance,consequences,social skills,confidence,independence are far more important than any convenience out there!

It's not easy.

I will tell you what is easy.

• It's very easy to turn on the TV and plop my 2 year old in front of it while I get dinner made. 

It's not easy letting her sit and help me make dinner. Along with a great big mess! ;-)  But in return she will learn to not only to feed herself and family -later in life- she will learn how to make great choices when doing so. She will know that chopping veggies for 30 minutes is very inconvenient but so very worth it, to have a happy healthy family with full bellies!

• It's is easy to drive through the drive through every night/morning/afternoon to get something, instead of planning ahead to have a wonderful dinner or snack made that evening. But, I want her to know more than anything, she is worth the inconvenience.   

It's not convenient to work 4 days a week, and have all 3 days off with her home. On top of running my own business, and keeping things a float at home, it's a lot to juggle. I also give up a lot of luxury things like: eating out- a convenience and  Extra vacations.

We love to do these things of course, like anyone else, but I get to spend so much time with my baby, that I don't feel like I need extra vacations to do so. Eating out has become a special treat! We do so, every so often, but I'm so happy that we chose to eat in and enjoy family dinner time. It's time that we can't ever get back! 

• It is easy to drop her off and hope they teach her all she needs to know. 

It is not easy to read books and play puzzles after a long day on my feet.

It is not easy to let her sit and make a massive mess(that I know I'll have to pick up later!) with paint, play dough, sand, or markers! But the things she is learning, along with the quality time we share is absolutely invaluable!

• It is easy to tell her " no, don't do that! " just because she will be making, yet another, large mess. This is where she learns her independent play time.

I want to be able to look back and remember all the things we did together. All the crafts that we spent hours making a mess doing. I want to look back at the times we play dress up. The times when we feed her babies dinner.

I don't want to look back and think " We watch all of those movies together" or " Wow, she's great on that video game" ( Not that these things are bad in moderation)

I spend an enormous amount of time cleaning up a mess, preparing dinner after dinner, chasing a 2 year old around, driving to the store for more crafts, or taking a walk around the block to get out of the house to find things that we can do!

I love my life of inconvenience! People have said, " having a kid is hard! And you're going to do it again?"  You bet! I am not looking to have a life of "easy parenting" I am looking to have amazing children, whom I want to spend so much of my time with!! I love seeing her develop and blossom in to a beautiful little girl. I want more than anything to do it again. Is it going to be easy? Heck no. But again, if I'm going to parent, it's the one things I will NOT shortcut on. Ever. I will never look for the easy road- There isn't (or shouldn't) be one.

I'm fortunate enough to only have to work 3-4 days a week - Which means less day care time and I'm more than okay with that! It means less money to spend on frivolous things. It means Less luxury.- None of these things hold value in comparison. It means the world to me! I'm so happy that, even with much sacrifice, I am able to stay home so much with my baby(s) and not just be part of of their world, but their ENTIRE world! I wouldn't have it any other way. I'll have plenty of time to have the finer things of life, materialistically. But if I'm being honest, I already do.  The little things like seeing your baby walk or talk or learn something new for the first time- Those are my finer things in life.

I have what so many people are lacking. Love.

I know that other people's lifestyles and children('s needs). This is what works for ME. I have too soon realized that I will NEVER get this time back. Ever. So what works for us, may not work for others. And visa versa. But I certainly do know that as a society we have learned to raise our children out of  convenience. When in reality, there is nothing convenient about it. I never want my child to feel like an "after thought". Our marriage and our children will always hold top priority over anything else! Even when it's at such a great cost of ourselves.

23 Weeks- Another cookie please?

I.am.hungry. - The end.


Maybe I'm growing a line backer in there, but holy moly! I'M STARVED! I'm making descent choices with my food. But I feel like I'm constantly eating.

The baby moved up this week-Praise Jesus! I also really kind of "popped" in the process. I don't really feel bigger or heavier than last week, but after taking a picture yesterday, I can definitely tell it's a little higher, and more protruded out there.

I really have done a good job with my food choices. The fair is in town now, and it doesn't even sound appealing. I 'm not sure if it's just b/c I'm pregnant, or b/c I have made so many lifestyle changes in the past year, that fried butter just turns my stomach. I like to eat pretty clean most of the time, so the thought of all of that just doesn't sound great. We plan to take Anisten, so maybe things will change when we get there-who knows? One craving that has been nagging me, is chocolate chip cookies! I have the recipe pulled up on my browser right now, and it's been there for 3 days. I made some pumpkin cream cheese muffins (from scratch of course!) this past weekend, so I am telling myself that we have to finish those first. --- Between my marathon husband and my line backer baby in my tummy, it's not proving to be an issue.

Let's see, what else is new?

I took it easy on running this week. I only ran twice, and I'm really just starting to slow down, and I think since I'm on my feet so much at work, the combination of the two are taking a toll on my legs. I'm already experiencing a little swelling (mostly after I work long days). I'm just taking things one day at a time.  I still managed to get in 4 work outs though. I went to the gym for a little stair stepping/spin bike. And yesterday I found some prenatal Pilates, that I will use! I actually felt like  I got a work out! I have some prenatal yoga, that I like, but it's more for relaxing and stretching which is a great combo with the pilates. So that made me pretty happy to find!

Got new symptom last night right before going to bed... Restless leg syndrome.  I've had the "charlie horse" cramps, with this one and Anisten. But this, this is different! My legs were kind of "jumping". Cramping.Tingling. Sounds fun huh? Thankfully my husband offered to rub them for me, which helped enough to get me to sleep. I don't think I got quality sleep, b/c when I my alarm went off to run this morning, it felt like 2am. ECK! 

Everything else seems to be moving along just perfectly. Other than massive baby kicks, a whole lot hasn't really changed.

Hoping for another smooth week!!!