Checking In January 16, 2012

At this point, Sydney is 8weeks and 4 days old and things have definitely changed. Since about week 6, the crying from 9 pm to 1 am has ceased and I’m not exactly sure why. Was it gassiness all along? I will admit that I wasn’t the best burper in the world and still am not, but I have been working on it and manage to now pat her harder in an attempt to get a burp out. The whole time I was just afraid of hitting her too hard. She now goes to sleep around 9 pm every evening and if a little fussiness persists, we will give her a pacifier and if all attempts fail and we know she needs sleep, we will bring in the Swaddle Me. I’m not a fan of the swaddler whatsoever because I feel it looks like she is in a straightjacket, but if it gives her a few hours of really good, much needed sleep, then I am ok with it on occasion. Over the past 8 1/2 weeks, we have had to use it maybe 10 times or so, which isn’t too bad.

The sleep factor has gotten much better for us, we are now able to sleep for at least two 4 to 5 hours intervals at night. That pattern is much easier to keep up than being up every 2 hours to feed or even every 3 1/2 hours. At this point in time though, Sydney is having trouble going down for naps. She has no problem falling asleep and staying asleep in my arms, but once I stand up to put her down or put her down, her eyes pop wide open and she is wailing within minutes. As a result, I get absolutely nothing done besides eat breakfast and lunch while my husband is at work. She currently does not like going in her swing while awake and doesn’t like the baby carrier, so that leaves me holding her in my arms all day long, which makes for a very tiring day.

I plan to work on a few new tactics this week for naps in hopes that I can get something done, whether it be an exercise DVD or cleaning the bathroom, anything. Sydney’s 2 month checkup is tomorrow and I am very excited to see how much she has grown, but a little nervous about the fact that she will be receiving her first round of shots. Fingers crossed that all goes well.

Super Busy December 11, 2011

Since having my daughter on November 17, 2011, the last 3 weeks have been a whirlwind. The days and nights run together and I’m pretty sure the lack of sleep doesn’t help with keeping things straight, haha. I haven’t had a full nights’ rest since November 15, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. She is the most wonderful blessing that we could have ever asked for. My reading now consists of books such as “Breastfeeding Made Simple”, “Happiest Baby on the Block”, and “Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Baby.” I now have to plan “to-do’s” between her feedings and naps such as writing thank you notes and taking a shower.

I chose to breastfeed and though the first week and a half involved countless crying sessions, I’m glad that I stuck with it and it has definitely become much easier now that we are 3 1/2 weeks in. She still favors one side, but luckily I have been able to produce enough from one side alone to keep her happy and have her gaining on average 10 oz a week. I go to the lactation center every Monday to check her weight to make sure that she is gaining what she needs to be.

Other than that, I lost all of my pregnancy weight plus some 9 days postpartum (26 lbs) and am now in the process of trying to tone things back up because some things are a little looser and flabbier than they were pre-pregnancy. In order to begin running again, I started the C25K program and am currently on week one. I’m taking things easy because I did have a 2nd degree laceration and did have to be stitched up, so until I get the all clear in 3 weeks at my ob appt., I’ll take it one step at a time .

Boot Help…. Wide Calf Boots October 24, 2011

Every fall I receive catalogs and emails from my favorite stores i.e. Ann Taylor/Loft, Victoria’s Secret, Macy’s, etc. with these beautiful knee boots (as I call them). I definitely find quite a few that I would love to own, but I have one problem, larger than average calves. I guess my legs themselves tend to be larger on average, so in turn my calves are as well. The frustrating part is that I’m not even a plus size, but my larger than life calves limit my fashion possibilities.

I have googled wide-calf boots and found a few websites which cater to the more shapely calf, haha, but for the most part, the boots tend to be on the more frumpy side, not the stylish ones that I see my favorite retailers selling.

If anyone out there has this same dilemma, please lend a girl a hand and let me know where I can find a stylish, trendy pair of wider calf boots . 

Cute ones like these seen here maybe :http://www.loft.com/loft/product/product%3A186884/LOFT-Shoes/Brittany-Buckle-Tall-Boots/186884?colorExplode=true&skuId=90161377&catid=cat550050&productPageType=fullPriceProducts&defaultColor=3553

Trucking Along October 20, 2011

As I enter week 37 of my pregnancy, I am trying to stay as active as possible, believe it or not, it actually helps with the feet swelling, and “trying” to eat as healthy as possible. At my last appt. at 35 weeks on October 13 I had managed to put on 4 pounds within those last 2 weeks. I know that is completely normal, but that is the quickest gain I have had so far. That brought my total weight gain up to 20 pounds. So with only 5 weeks left, I’m hoping to just keep a steady pound a week momentum, though I know these things are sometimes out of our control.

As for my activity, my doctor has allowed me to walk again for exercise and I am now doing that 2-3 times a week, but not overdoing it and feeling like I have to do over 3 miles each time. Some days it is only 20 minutes, but it really feels amazing to be able to continue to exercise. I’m also making use of the stationary bike and this time around, it isn’t too bad, it still allows me to move my legs and at least get my heart pumping.

My sweet tooth seems to be becoming slightly more manageable. In an effort to decrease my simple sugar consumption, I am having a protein drink on the days that I workout (as soon as I get home) and I think that upping the protein is helping with it. That is definitely not saying that I don’t grab a fun-size Baby Ruth or a handful of chocolate chips daily, because that is still the case. Either Sydney just has my blood sugar so out of whack or she is going to be a child crazy for sweets, I hope it’s the former for her sake. I’ll have another update very soon as I have my last ultrasound tomorrow to determine how much she weighs, her position, and so forth.

Heartburn Anyone? October 11, 2011

As much as I was not intending for this blog to be completely about my pregnancy, that seems to be all that I am doing at this point, hehe.

As of last week, I was still able to walk outside or on the treadmill for exercise, but I began to have what I would call “extreme” pelvic pressure while doing so. As much as I just wanted to brush it off an press on, my mom advised me to call my doctor and see if that was normal. I called them and turns out that it is normal, but he strongly suggested that I switch to a stationary bike or water aerobics for exercise. I was very disappointed as I have missed running so much, now I can’t even go for a walk? But then I thought about the fact that I don’t want to go into labor at 34 weeks, so for Sydney’s sake, I will refrain.

Has anyone else had serious heartburn caused by almost everything? Any tips/tricks that might assist me aside from popping multiple Tums a day?

On to heartburn, um yes, everything seems to give it to me these days. I’m normally a huge fan of spicy food– I love hot salsas, wing sauce, etc. I swear that raw bellpeppers gave me heartburn yesterday, is that even possible? They say that the heartburn does get better within the next few weeks, fingers crossed, so I’m waiting for that day. Throughout my entire pregnancy, ketchup has actually given me heartburn, weird.

As opposed to complaining and moaning about it though, I’m going to press on and avoid heartburn-inducing foods as much as possible.

Thoughts on Pregnancy Weight Gain October 4, 2011

This post isn’t so much about me personally as it is about society’s mentality. I know that everywhere you go people view it differently and I’m not here to say what is right or wrong, just some thoughts….

First off, throughout my pregnancy, comments have been made like “You are so tiny”, ” are you eating?”, etc. Am I supposed to take that as a compliment or that I’m doing something wrong?

What happened to having a healthy baby being the most important thing? This all comes to a head as I see comments that people make about “stars” in the media, especially those that have battled an eating disorder in the past as I have. It makes me feel awful for the people being criticized and then wonder what kind of people are actually making these crude comments.  Since when did a number on the scale become the determinant of one’s self-worth and decide how you should feel about yourself that day. I continue to struggle everyday with that and as the weight has crept on while pregnant, it hasn’t been any easier. We are all bombarded by shows and magazine articles on how to shape up and lose weight, so is it just destined that we fall into the trap of thinking that what size someone is makes them any better than the next person? If we are not destined to have that thought process, how do we overcome it when it is something that is constantly being thrown at us?

What are your thoughts and/or experiences regarding this topic?

Walking Challenge October 1, 2011

First things first, I had my 33 week doctor’s appointment this week and everything was great. I am measuring right on schedule and blood pressure is still very good and low. Here I am at 33 weeks: weight gained so far- 16 pounds

On to the heading of my post. As you all know, I am still in Texas and thus far, any type of fall weather has been non-existent up until this point. This week though, the temperatures are supposed to be in the 50s every morning, so that makes it perfect weather for me to set out on my 5Ks that I have been trying to maintain. There is a perfect 3.1 mile loop around my parents house and that distance still makes me feel like I am doing something.

This morning, I set out for my usual 5K and about three-tenths of a mile in, while I was walking up a small incline, I felt the most intense pressure in my lower abdomen/pelvis. I have felt that sort of pressure before, but much less intense. Today though, I didn’t just brush it off and keep going, it actually scared me a little bit. So, as much as I didn’t want to, I turned around and headed back to the house. I decided that I would just come home and eat some breakfast and then try and get on the treadmill and see if I could get something done on there.

Everything ended up working out, I managed to get in 1.5 miles on the treadmill with no pain or significant amount of pressure. That is definitely something I will be asking my doctor about at my next appointment at 35 weeks, whether it is common or if I should be worried.

Moving Right Along September 27, 2011

There are many things for me to be excited for at this point in time:

#1 My husband, whom I have not seen since May for R&R, comes home in October.

#2 Sydney’s arrival is roughly 7 weeks.

#3 Purchasing her crib, mattress, bedding, etc.

After many months of being stressed out about the pregnancy, I can finally get excited about meeting her and knowing that I have made it this far. I started my birthing classes a few weeks ago and on our third night of class (which was last night), we took a tour of the hospital. I had never been in the mother/baby side or in the labor/delivery area. It was very nice inside and it makes me excited to arrive there sometime in November. We walked past the nursery and saw 4 newborn babies in there and as I looked into the window, my eyes just started welling up with tears. I cannot wait to see Sydney for the first time and I know that Ralph and I both will be just huge balls of mush the first time that we look at her.

Everything is going good with me so far. I have my 33 week doctor’s appt. on Thursday and after this appt., I start coming in every 2 weeks until 36 weeks, and then every week from then on until I give birth. I’m excited to have more frequent appointments again because I love to hear her heartbeat and always like to know that she is doing well. When I first got pregnant, I got spoiled by seeing the doctor and having ultrasounds every 2 weeks from 5 weeks until 12 weeks.

 

Pregnant Zumba? September 15, 2011

If anyone knows me, they know that I love training for half-marathons as well as my beloved Zumba classes. Throughout this pregnancy I have been very cautious and have basically just walked and lifted light weights. I saw the ad for the Zumba Exhilarate on TV and decided to order it. I figure that I won’t have quite as much free time to make it to the gym once Sydney is born and having the DVDs at home would be a great way for me to still get my Zumba on while embracing motherhood. The package arrived in the mail yesterday and I tried the Zumba Accelerate DVD today. Before I got pregnant, I could Zumba for hours on end. Today was a different story. I managed to keep up with the DVD, but became light-headed and worn out after about 25 minutes, boo….  I guess it is better than nothing though.

As I was dancing around, I thought to myself, I wonder what I look like in my sports bra and capri tights with my belly hanging out doing the salsa, haha. I have to say though, that so far, I am really liking this set and feel that it is worth every penny. I plan to finish the DVD on Saturday and test out some of the others in the next few weeks.

Pregnancy Update:

31 weeks

Weight gained: 15 pounds

I have noticed within just the past few days that my feet are definitely swelling. I try to drink as much water as I can and put my feet up whenever possible, but from morning until night, there is now a noticeable puffiness going on down there. Heartburn has also increased. Up until this point, only ketchup had given me mild heartburn, but now anything spicy does it to me. They say it goes away once the baby drops again, so I am waiting for that so that I can enjoy the spicy foods that I love once again.

Getting Things Ready September 6, 2011

I have really been slacking on updating the blog, but instead of hashing over EVERYTHING since the last time I posted, I will just touch on a few things. My pregnancy is still going good, I will be 30 weeks tomorrow and this last part seems to be moving rather quickly. I do have some belly pics.  I’m 18 weeks in the 1st, 23 weeks in the 2nd, and 28 weeks in the 3rd picture. I obviously hit a belly growth spurt somewhere between 23 and 28 weeks, whew.  

Weight gained throughout:

21 weeks- 5 pounds(I was extremely nauseous until I hit 16 weeks, causing me to lose 8 pounds from my pre-pregnancy weight)

25 weeks- 8 pounds

29 weeks- 13 pounds

We have made a few large purchases for Sydney which include the carseat and a pack ‘n play. Up until a few weeks ago all we had purchased were diapers and outfits.

I ordered the diaper bag today which took some prodding from Ralph to purchase and lots of thinking about on my part. I gave myself roughly 2 months to decide if it was really what I wanted. To make matters a little easier, Ralph said that it could be my anniversary gift since our anniversary is the 15th of this month, so that helped . You are thinking, for a diaper bag? Well, here is the beauty queen herself. I think I might even have to name her, haha.

http://www.coach.com/online/handbags/clic
katcoach-10551-10051-en-SMCO0006?cid=SMC
O0006&partNumber=16977_svby&t=SILVER/BER
RY&copyURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.coach.com%2F
online%2Fhandbags%2F-handbags_silhouette
s_multieverything-10551-10051-5000000000
000015032-en%3Ft1Id%3D62%26t2Id%3D500000
0000000015032%26tier%3D2%26LOC%3DLN%26vi
ewpid%3D96126

I'm still trying to maintain some sort of fitness level. I walk anywhere from 2.5-4 miles 4 to 5 times a week and lift light weights about twice a week. I have also been to one prenatal yoga class and really enjoyed it, so I plan to head back to the class next week and continue throughout the rest of my pregnancy. Other than that, I'm trying to eat as healthy as possible and the current mainstays in my diet are: eggs, egg whites, oatmeal, lots of fruit, greek yogurt, and anything carbalicious.