Midge

Merry Christmas

2015-12-17T10:20:00.001-05:00

It's the most wonderful time of the year! My heart is exploding with fulfillment when I get to hold my boys each night with Eddie by my side. I have a rewarding job for a wonderful, growing company. I have a supportive family who makes all of this possible. I feel so blessed and fortunate. This past year has truly been a great one.

Elliott's 19 Week Sonogram

Anthony's 1st Haircut

Celebrating with my SIL in NYC

Celebrating at Christina and Mike's Wedding

Anthony's 1st Birthday Celebration

With the surprise of Elliott, I'd spend most of the year pregnant. Eddie and I had our first weekend get-away away from Anthony Valentines' weekend to spend it with friends for a wedding in Charleston, SC. Then Anthony and I (with Elliott in tow) traveled to Chicago twice, once by plane which I'm sure he won't have a memory of but I have pics to show him as he grows older. We celebrated the marriage of Christina & Mike. Anthony had his first birthday and shortly after that learned to walk, use a fork and spoon and go down a slide by himself. His first word was "more"! Mama and Dada are coming in second....

We celebrated the birth of Elliott in September. Halloween was new and Anthony got to one neighbors house to trick or treat and then was bored with it, but his Halloween costume was a tradition in the making....Homemade!!!

Thanksgiving was spent with Grandpa Cas and Grammy Briggs came to town. Christmas this year will be celebrated with Uncle Mike, Aunt Christina and Grandma and Grandpa Cas. I'm so excited to start traditions with my boys. This will be the second year we will have the feast of the 7 fishes on Christmas Eve.

I did not have the time to create Christmas cards this year, so from our home to yours, we wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Anthony with Mama

Daddy & Anthony

Anthony

Elliott

FAMILY!!!

My love

Anthony Halloween 2015

Elliott's 1st Halloween

Meeting Santa for the first time

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Elliott's Birth Story - 40 Weeks & Beyond

2015-12-09T16:47:00.003-05:00

How far along? 40 Weeks and 3 months Postpartum.

Total weight gain/loss: I gained a total of 23 lbs during pregnancy. 1 Week after birth I was down 17 lbs of those 23. 4 Weeks postpartum I am down 18 lbs.

Maternity clothes? I'm still wearing maternity jeans because they are comfy, but I can get into most of my pre-pregnancy things.

Stretch marks? No stretch marks! But my belly button is still weirdly misshapen.

Sleep: Elliott so far has been a great sleeper. From birth he has given me 3 1/2 - 6 hour stretches at night between feedings. More than Anthony which I thought Anthony was really good as a newborn. Anthony was predictable. He was every two hours...Elliott goes for longer stretches so I really feel well rested. He now only wakes once to eat at night.

Miss Anything? I don't miss being pregnant, but it's all very surreal that within a day, boom, it's over. I had been longing for so many weeks to go into labor and now...no longer pregnant, I can see those tiny feet that were kicking my ribs, the tiny hands or fists that were punching my bladder.

Food cravings: I am consuming a large amount of food post birth, but no true cravings. It's true what they say about breastfeeding burning a ton of calories. I'm eating a lot, and losing weight which is AWESOME! But have unfortunately hit a plateau on the weight loss. Time to start crossfit again!

Anything making you queasy or sick: No I've been feeling really great, other than pangs of extreme thirst while breastfeeding again like I did with Anthony. While he drinks, I drink.

Special things I'm focusing on: Eating healthy, fueling my body for both myself, my milk production and feeding Elliott as healthy as possible through my daily choices. I've been eager to work out, and started a workout regimen back in October, but I think I pushed my self too hard too soon, because I started bleeding again. Once I cut back the workouts, it stopped again. Oopsie. So I'm slowly starting up again.

Belly Button in or out? Out. BOO! Go back in!! It's like a weird misshapen belly button now...what the heck!!?

Wedding rings on or off? The wedding rings this time around I didn't start wearing until almost 6 weeks after Elliott's birth. Might have been some water retention or just baby weight.

Happy or Moody most of the time: I had some days of the "baby blues" following Elliott's birth around day 5 postpartum this time. The placenta encapsulator I hired, once again had come to the rescue with that. Within an hour after taking placenta pills I started feeling myself again. Having a baby is very life changing...what you used to do daily changes...and that my friend, made me wacky for a bit. Having Anthony and Elliott alone was a new challenge that even know I knew it was coming, you can't plan for it...I didn't know what to expect, so those pills kept my hormones in check when I needed it the most learning how to care for both of them. Whether eating my placenta is a placebo effect or not...it worked for me.

Elliott Briggs's - Birth Story

This is the birth story how I remember it...

9.5.2015 ~ 11:30pm

I woke up with a sharp quick contraction and the urge to go the bathroom, as I stood up, I heard Anthony cry out, and I was already standing but out of routine Eddie jumped up out of bed and went to Anthony to give him his pacifier and came back to bed. I went to the bathroom and came back and laid back in bed, but I had a feeling that that first contraction would be followed by another one very soon. I laid there for about 15 minutes and the urge to go the bathroom came again so I went to go, but nothing would come out. Then I had another contraction. I went back to my bedside table and grabbed my phone, downloaded a contraction timer and waited for the next one. Not even 5 minutes went by and another contraction came. Contractions had started and they lasted anywhere from 20-30 seconds long. By 12:30 Eddie had to deal with Anthony losing the pacifier again and when he came back to the bedroom I told him, "I think we need to call your parents to come over .... I'm going to need to go the hospital very soon." He questioned my contraction timing and by then they were 2-3 minutes apart lasting 45 seconds or longer. I ran a warm bath and got in while he phoned his parents.

My parents were visiting at the time, so he went down the hall to wake up my mom to let her know what was going on. My Dad chose to stay behind with Grandpa Cas to hang back with Anthony. Grandma and Grandpa Cas came over with Aunt Christina, for she was visiting as well.  Elliott's due date was September 4th, so everyone had anticipated his arrival a little early but 1 day late and it was go time.  By 1:15am Eddie and I were on our way to the hospital with the Grandmas' and Aunt Christina following closely behind us to meet us there.

I was in a lot of pain. Riding in a car during contractions is terrible. Eddie and I arrived at the hospital around 2:30am. We didn't go to the ER. Oh no.... I walked. I walked the looooooong corridor during 4 contractions, stopped and breathed during each of those contractions, and stopped at the bathroom to pee as well until we reached the elevators to go to the labor and delivery floor.

9.6.2015 ~ 2:45am - Registration

I don't know whose idea it was to make a woman in labor answer a bunch of stupid insurance questions and sign papers during labor....But I'd like to hit him. I'm pretty sure it was a him. Eddie did most of the talking, my contractions felt like they were 1 minute apart, but by this point, I stopped looking at the timer. By 3 am they brought us back to check me to see how far dilated I was. I had to go the bathroom again. I had two contractions in the bathroom in the 5 minutes or less that I was in there.

They made me get on the bed (which I hated). Having contractions laying down I found, also very painful. The doctor or midwife maybe I guess it was, came in and checked me. 8 1/2 cm dilated. WHOA. They asked me if I wanted a wheel chair to go down the hall to the delivery room. "Ummmmm, no I'll walk." I think the nurses eyes bugged out when I said that...then the other nurse in there was like, "Really we can even just wheel you down on this bed, you don't have to get up." So this tid bit of walking or being wheeled down to the delivery room I could not remember how it played out. I had to ask Eddie, what was the verdict!? How did I get to the delivery room? He said I tried walking and basically got in a few steps and then, "yeah no, wheel me down on the bed, but I'm getting off the bed once I get in the delivery room." The nurses felt better about this decision. Once we went down, literally like three doors down the hall, a flood of nurses came in followed by my Mom, Eddie's Mom and Aunt Christina. There were so many nurses in the delivery room, I think Jackie made a comment to the effects, "wow, it's a party in here! It's a birthday party!!"

9.6.2015 ` 3:30 - Labor and Delivery

I chose to go medication free again, but the hospital still insisted on putting a heplock in my arm "just in case". This woman assigned to getting that in my arm had her hands full with me. My contractions were so close, I couldn't sit still on a bed long enough for her to complete the task. She must have jabbed me like 4 times and I finally yelled at her to just leave it out, "I don't need it!" But of course, she had to put it in. I asked for the lights to be dimmed but with all the commotion of all the other nurses, someone did hear me about the lights and turned them down and then the girl really couldn't see what she was doing. She did finally get the heplock in, but it was painful.

The contractions were long and hard, I went from standing on the side of the bed to sitting on an exercise ball like I did with Anthony. I was doing a lot of moaning to block out any discussions going on in the room. Eddie, my Mom and Jackie were all taking turns with hip squeezes on me, or holding my hand. Aunt Christina was fixing my hair when it kept falling in my face. Everyone had a part. My legs became very, very tired and I couldn't stand anymore.  I got on the bed, very uncomfortably and went through what seemed like hours of contractions and felt like nothing was progressing. I faced backwards on the bed with my knees in the mattress. I kept asking the nurse, "Am I doing something wrong?" Why isn't he moving down. I remember her saying, "you're not doing anything wrong, you're over 8 1/2 cm dilated and not taking any medication, I'd say you're doing pretty fantastic!" Even though that was a compliment, at the time it didn't make me feel any better. So I convinced myself I needed to stand again, Gravity, gravity, gravity was my mantra, I needed to stand for him to get closer. So I stood again, leaning on the bed. There were no breaks in contractions at this point and I had doubts. "I can't do it this time.   It hurts too bad, he's not coming down." Eddie kept telling me I can do it, "you did it with Anthony and you're doing it now." I remember thinking, it's different this time, it hurts so much more! I got on the bed again, I was so tired and exhausted. My legs were trembling. I still had not seen my doctor. The resident came in to check me. I told her I was afraid to know where I was at. She told me "well, let me check so we can be better prepared for you and the baby." I was 9 1/2 cm. She said, I could break your water and things will progress quicker. I asked her if it would hurt. I was initially so against breaking my water but the exhaustion at this point I was afraid I wouldn't have any strength to push him out. She told me, it wouldn't hurt any more than the amount of pain I was already in, but the delivery would go much quicker. So I agreed. Eddie held my hand and my Mom and Jackie were on the bedsides too.    She broke my water and I was anticipating the moment of euphoria after my water broke with Anthony where all the pain disappeared for a few minutes. But this time that didn't happen. My waters trickled out, then a huge burst of water gushed out and boy did I have the urge push! The resident told me to push and I did. "Good" everyone shouted. But then the pushing urge remained, it didn't stop even though I wasn't physically pushing anymore, and the resident yelled, "stop pushing, where's the Doctor?!!!" I yelled back, "I'm not pushing, he's coming out!!! I can't stop him!" I started rolling over to Eddie, I felt so scared and it hurt, I wanted to close my legs together and roll on my side to stop it all, but the nurses moved everyone away, pushed my legs back to my ears and I just screamed, I felt like I was being split in two and I just stared in Jackie's eyes. She remained up at the head of the bed and continue to talk to me. I can't remember what she was saying to me but I just focused in on her eyes until Elliott was out which was a matter of seconds. Very slow moving seconds...

9.6.2015 5:12am Elliott was born

The doctor walked in, the Resident had panicked because the doctor didn't make it in for Elliott's birth. She cut the umbilical cord, which Eddie was suppose to do. I was very sad for Eddie to not have that initial bonding moment with his second son. I couldn't believe he was out, he was crying, I could hear him, but I couldn't see him, and they didn't bring him to me, and I needed to know that he was ok. "Is he OK??" Yes they are just cleaning out some fluid that he swallowed. A few minutes later they brought him over to me. He was already in a blanket.  I was again sad that I didn't have that initial skin to skin bond immediately following birth. Then I heard the doctor say, "No, no tears." I said, "What? I didn't tear???" She repeated, "No, no tears!" I couldn't believe it! I was so happy, after what I had just felt, I imagined I tore worse than with Anthony.

After some clean up, my support group (aunt Christina, mom and Jackie) all went home leaving Eddie and I to bond with our new little boy. He was so skinny!   Compared to Anthony, anyway...but that's all we had to go by. We needed to figure out a name for this little guy. It didn't take us too long because we had toyed with the ideas of several possibilities and Elliott stuck perfectly to this little man.

It amazes me how time changes things so quickly.....

And just like that I'm a mother of two.

Dear Anthony

2015-06-24T10:42:00.002-04:00

Dear Anthony,
Everyone says how quickly the first year flies by and, boy, are they right. You've changed so much in just one year.

12 Months

When you came into this world at 1:09 PM on Tuesday, June 24th, I was so excited to meet you, yet in such shock that you were actually in my arms and no longer in my belly. The happiness I felt to meet you face to face was indescribable. You looked up at my wailing and I remember saying to you, "Don't cry baby, I'm your Mommy, everything is going to be alright." You didn't have a name yet...Daddy and I couldn't decide what to call you!

You were incredibly perfect and my heart practically exploded when I saw your Daddy follow you over to the table where the doctor's checked you over and he reached his hand out to you and you grabbed onto his finger. I am so fortunate to have had Kristin there to capture our first moments as a family on camera.

You've grown so quickly and everyday I catch myself staring at you in amazement that you came from me...and now...how smart you are and how quickly you catch on to things! You simply amaze me everyday! You've started repeating sounds, mostly laughters which is so funny, but you also imitate talking on the telephone whether it be with your arm up to your ear or with your fake cell phone. You shake your head back and forth and tell us "no" however, you never nod yes. You keep me and Daddy on our toes because you're so curious and eager to explore you're into everything, and quick at that! You've taken steps on your own, but you're not quite walking yet, but we think you will be very soon.

Over the past year you've accumulated a lot of nicknames. Stinker, Monkey, Tony 1 sock, Tony 1 tooth which recently has changed to Tony 2 tooths! I imagine this trend will continue with your happy personality and silly demeanor.

It's been a challenging year with so many changes, not just for me and your Daddy, but for your grandparents and Aunts and Uncles, too. You mean the world to them, just as much as you do to me and Daddy. You've touched so many lives in such a short time. We all love you so very much.

Soon your little brother will be joining us and I'm so happy that you will be there to help lead the way for him. I hope you two will be the best of friends.

I'm so blessed and thankful to be your Mommy and look forward to the next year ahead with all it's new adventures for us.

Newborn

1 Month old

2 Months old

3 months old

4 months old

5 months old

6 months old

Anthony, Mommy and Daddy love you very much. Happy birthday, little stinker!

Love,

Mommy

7 months old

8 months old

9 months old

10 months old

11 months old

27 Weeks - Baby C2

2015-06-05T10:34:00.003-04:00

Just a quick update!

Total weight gain/loss: Still18 lbs. I feel huge. And uncomfortable.

27 Weeks Baby C 2

27 Weeks pregnant with Anthony

Stretch marks? None!

Sleep: I've been sleeping good, but getting up to go to the bathroom my hips pop and my belly aches when I get out of bed. Then it takes me a second to actually move when I get on my feet. I feel sore all the time.

Miss Anything? I miss feeling comfortable in my skin. Ha!

Movement: Lot's of movement. He's been getting stuck in my ribs on my right side, so uncomfortable, I try to bribe him with cookies to move, but that doesn't always work. But he does like his desserts.

Food cravings: Desserts. But it's time to clean up my diet. Time to prep for the marathon of birth only 13ish weeks away.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope, no more nausea.

Special things I'm focusing on: Drinking more water!!! Eating healthy!

Labor Signs: No contractions or Braxton hicks, but a little cramping. I have a lot of pressure every now and then really low like I did the last month of being pregnant with Anthony.

Wedding rings on or off? Still On!

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy and excited for the future.

Looking forward to: Anthony's birthday celebration is quickly approaching! I can't believe he's going to be 1 years old!!

24 Weeks - Baby C2

2015-05-19T15:58:00.001-04:00

Hey everyone! Happy Spring, almost summer! WOO HOO!! I can't believe I'm in my third trimester, can you? This pregnancy is going by so quickly. Anthony definitely keeps my mind off of it and we've had a lot going on this spring to fill in the rest of my time to think. HA HA

Anthony in his first tux in Aunt Christina's Wedding

Party time at Aunt Christina's wedding!

Look at these studs!

I feel guilty for not having much spare time to blog about this pregnancy. I can hear it in the future already, "Mom, how come you didn't write about me when I was in your tummy?" :/ But I keep telling myself, it's about being in the present, in all the moments happening in front of me. Anthony doesn't leave us many dull moments. He's a very busy, curious, little boy. He's had many firsts the past couple months. First flight, first guys weekend with Daddy, first road trip, First tuxedo and his first visit with our family from Italy!

Anthony with Nonna Pina and Cugina Gianni

How far along? 24 weeks

24 Week BabyC2

24 Weeks BabyC2

24 Weeks Pregnant with Anthony

Total weight gain/loss: Last I knew (3 weeks ago) I was up 18 lbs. I feel huge.

Stretch marks? None, hooray!

Sleep: Sleep has been OK, a little rough with Anthony. Teething and a little viral cold he caught has given him some fussy nights. But he seems to be getting back on track with the help of Grandma's chicken soup to the rescue!

Miss Anything? Cold, frothy beer on these warms spring evenings. I also miss my friends. It's been forever since I've had a girls night or gotten together with them.

Movement: He's moving a lot these days. Lots of kicks and jabs.

Food cravings: Sweets and milk. I crave a glass of milk almost nightly. I find that unusual because for a long time I was only on Almond Milk...but now I want cow's milk. A nice cold glass of it. Yum!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not anymore, I've been feeling wonderful and energized.

Special things I'm focusing on: Drinking more water!!! Eating healthy!

I've also been researching double strollers. I'm in love with my stroller we received for Anthony (The City Mini GT), so I'm kind of wanting the same one in the double. I've heard mixed reviews of train versus side by side, but I'm really leaning towards the side by side and figure I'll be carrying the baby around in an Ergo carrier for a bit if I have a place to go where corners will be tight where I can still use the single stroller. Most of the reviews I've read said they haven't had any issues getting through standard doorways. Clothing racks, yes...but nothing else. For the most part, we use the stroller for walks and outdoorsy kind of things. Plus these strollers will hold an infant to a kid up to 65 lbs.... that's crazy impressive to me...and this stroller is so light 20 lbs as a single, 30 lbs as a double and easy to maneuver and close and open. There's not a lot of storage, but that hasn't been a problem for us so far.

Anthony's current Stroller

The Double stroller version

Labor Signs: Nope, just cramping and some pressure sitting low already.

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy and excited for the future.

Looking forward to: Anthony's bedroom makeover!!! I've been doing a lot of planning and pinning on pinterest...but nothing has actually started. We will need another crib and I'm planning on maneuvering some furniture around for the new makeover.

Also We're looking forward to celebrating this guy's first birthday!!! Just about a month away from 1 year old!! Where does the time go~~??!!!

Anthony waving 'hello!'

20 Weeks - Baby C2

2015-04-16T12:32:00.001-04:00

Hello everyone! Life has definitely changed pace and is moving quickly....the past 10 weeks have flown by, and I cannot believe I'm halfway through this pregnancy already. Anthony is 9 1/2 months old, almost walking, crawling everywhere and into EVERYTHING! No blog updates you say? Sure, right after I pull Anthony out of the dogs water dish.

Anthony 9 1/2 Months - April 2015

Isn't he just the cutest??

How far along? 20 weeks

20 Weeks - April 2015

20 Weeks Pregnant with Anthony

Total weight gain/loss: 13 lbs, however with Anthony, I had already gained 18 lbs...

Maternity clothes? Yes. I've been wearing maternity clothes a majority of the time since around 12 or 13 weeks for comfort. This baby bump is just huge...and it worries me to be this big already only halfway through the pregnancy. Does this mean the baby will come early? Does it mean he's going to be bigger than Anthony?

Stretch marks? None yet!

Sleep: I get enough rest. I have noticed that I tire more quickly this time around, but I am sure that has a lot to do with keeping up with Anthony. I pretty much go to bed within a half hour to hour after he goes to bed. He sleeps almost all night long...with maybe one wake up just to get the pacifier put back in his mouth and tucked back in and Eddie does that, so I don't have to get out of bed. BEST HUSBAND and Daddy!!

I'm averaging 6 hours of sleep per night. I sleep comfortably so far as well and am using my pregnancy pillow again. I've been doing my sleep training again since 10 weeks which is sleeping on my side since it's better for baby that I sleep on my left side because of better blood flow.

Miss Anything? I miss Crossfit terribly. I've been actively working out when I can from home. During the first trimester I felt so awful and tired all the time and with taking care of Anthony too, I just didn't have the energy to go. Since my office location moved, I can't get to the box during the work week. My best options have been lots of walking with Anthony in the stroller, I also gave myself 3 different challenges a squat, plank and arm challenge to try to stay in shape. So far, I'd say I'm doing pretty good. I go to the gym at work during lunch a couple days per week, so I have to give myself credit for doing something.

Movement: I have been feeling a lot of little kicks and moves...during our sonogram last week he was moving all over the place. The technician said he was a well behaved baby though because he moved in all the right places for her to get all the pictures she needed to check for any abnormalities. Baby C2 looks happy and very healthy she said, and right on target in weight. 10 oz!

Really? 10oz? That's it?

Baby C 2 19 Weeks

Anthony @ 20 Weeks

Anthony 20 Weeks

Baby C 2

Baby C 2 19 Weeks

Food cravings: I crave a lot of fruit again, and sweets...ice cream.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not recently, I've been feeling "normal" again.

Have you started to show yet: Yes, it's clear I'm pregnant.

Gender: It's a boy!! My instinct was correct once again.

Special things I'm focusing on: Staying active and eating healthy. I REALLY need to start getting better at drinking more water. I've been very bad about it this go around.
Labor Signs: No, just cramping.

Belly Button in or out? OUT! Already it's out....ridiculous...

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: I've been happy most of the time, hormones have leveled off nicely.

Looking forward to: Now that we know it's a boy... we'll be moving the baby into Anthony's current room and changing Anthony's room to a Superhero theme....Daddy's request. ;)

Hello, there!

2015-02-04T09:46:00.004-05:00

It's been so long since I've written. I'm not sure where to begin....so let me start by saying.....

I'm pregnant! Again!

Baby C-2 is expected end of August early September 2015!

How far along? 9 weeks

9 Weeks

Total weight gain/loss: I haven't really gained anything yet, but I also was still 5lbs over my pre-pregnancy weight with Anthony.

Maternity clothes? I haven't stopped wearing my maternity jeans since Anthony was born, but I'm still wearing most of my regular clothes still, but I have noticed that things are getting snug already

Stretch marks? No

Sleep: My sleep has been OK. Anthony has been sleeping through the night for the most part, just waking early around 5am, which I then nurse him and he will fall back asleep with us in Mommy and Daddy's bed til after 6.

9 Weeks

Best moment this week: Nausea seems to be subsiding!

Miss Anything? Not really. I'm substituting decaf for regular if I even feel like drinking coffee, which I have just this past week. But for the past month I couldn't even stand the smell of it.

Movement: No not yet.

Food cravings: I'm craving fruits and carbs and actually salads.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Onions, cooked or raw. I've also had morning sickness again with the nausea that lasts throughout the day like I did with Anthony. Today I feel great! But I do get sour stomach aches daily. I guess this is still considered "morning sickness".

Have you started to show yet: I do have a bump. I've heard that it's possible to start showing early on your second pregnancy.

Gender: Calling him he. :) Not sure why. Might just be habit.

Special things I'm focusing on: Well, since it was quite a surprise for us, I'm trying to focus on Anthony, really. I feel like I haven't experienced enough with him to bring another lil munchkin in the picture. But I'm also very happy that he will have a friend for life so close in age. Labor Signs: No

Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: I've been happy for the most part. Certain songs will make me tear up. This mornings commute, Goodbye Norma Jean made me teary. LOL

Looking forward to: Warmer weather!

8 Weeks

Breastfeeding is Hard

2015-01-14T16:07:00.002-05:00

Well, where do I start? It's been a little over two months since my last post. I have so much to share about my experience as a new mother. Things I thought that would be easy turned out to be difficult and things I thought would be difficult turned out not to be so bad. So let's see...I'll start with this little guy:

Anthony has reached the 3 month mark. He's wonderful! He sleeps, hardly cries and is growing so fast I'm cleaning out his drawers and closet every two to three weeks. He's in 6-9 months clothing already. At his two month check up he was pushing 13 lbs and 23 inches. I find it absolutely amazing that my body has been able to nourish him so well. Just look at those little thigh rolls!

Although, with that pride of nourshing him so well, I've suffered. I've almost given up on breastfeeding hundreds of times. Literally... it's crossded my mind hundreds of times.   The first month felt so easy. My doctor used the analogy that my nipples are like a new pair of shoes and it's going to hurt til they get broken in. I religiously used an organic nipple balm called Boob-Ease. It was the best thing in the world until my breasts got used to all the feedings. But after week 3, I was feeling really good! I laid off the Boob-ease and things were smooth sailing. It wasn't until around 6 or 7 weeks that easy street came to a halt. Breastfeeding became painful. I had read horrible things in Ina May Gaskins Guide to Breastfeeding about clogged ducts, milk blisters, mastitis, blebs and thrush.

My first trouble came with clogged ducts.  One night during one of Anthony's feedings I literally had to bite down on his burp cloth while he tried to latch on. The pain was excruciating. I kept thinking this cannot be normal. I called the doctor in the morning and their lactation consultant returned my message and suggested using different feeding positions. So I did. I had been strictly doing the cradle hold so instead I tried the football hold, and side lying, and then even a reverse side lying position where I put him upside down from me. The best thing that relieved the plugged ducts for me was whereever it was clogged, was to have Anthonys chin hitting. I had read if you were feeling full after a feeding or when the baby slept through a feeding to pump. So I did that since I was wanting to start a reserve of breastmilk for when I returned to work.

A week of the clogged ducts in alternating breasts, but mostly the left breast continued to reoccur. I was miserable. I started taking Lecithin capsules which are said to help relieve clogged ducts. I started feeling normal again one day, then the following day I was back again with another painful clogged duct. Then one night after trying to relieve a clogged duct all day, I felt very run down and feverish. It came on so quickly. I took my temperature and it was already 101.  I crawled into bed with Anthony beside me in his bassinet and Eddie called the doctor.    She called in a prescription to start antibiotics for Mastitis to start immediatly. It was late...already after 10pm on a saturday evening, so we had to find a 24 hour pharmacy. I took the first dose around 11pm and my fever had increased to 103. The hardest part about the fever was that I still had to get up for Anthony's feedings to nurse him still trying to relieve the clogged ducts. All I wanted to do was bury my cold, teeth chattering body under the covers and sleep until the fever subsided. But I couldn't. I soldiered on. Sunday morning came but my fever remained at 100 til about 3pm that day where it finally broke.

By Monday my breasts were still very much in pain and clogged and it still hurt alot for Anthony to latch onto me without biting down on something...a pillow or burp cloth at every feeding. So I called the doctor again. She called in an additional antibiotic to start taking. I was very hesitant to start another antibiotic. So I reached out to some friends for referrals for a lactation consultant. I kept thinking to myself...why has this gotten so painful, difficult and out of control? I cried to Eddie that night. I couldn't do this anymore. I felt selfish, incredibly guilty for not wanting to nourish my baby from me anymore, but I wanted my body back. I wanted the pain to go away and I could not see a light at the end of the tunnel and felt completely alone. The thought of going back to work was scary and approaching fast. I had less than two weeks left of maternity leave so I was really starting to stress since I had been dealing with this pain for two weeks.

Wednesday that week I finally narrowed my search to two lactation consultants to conact and wrote them an email of desperation. I was at my wits end with breastfeeding and this was my final attempt. I recieved a phone call later that day from one of the lactation consultants and she scheduled me for a visit that Friday and suggested to continue to hold off on the 2nd antibiotic til she saw me.

Friday came and Eddie, myself and Anthony all headed to see the LC. That woman changed my life. Her outlook, her knowledge, her dedication to helping me was the most encouraging moment when I all I wanted to do was give up. She took one look at me and said it was thrush. Turns out, I did not have mastitis. I had thrush of the nipples and breasts. Which is basically an infection but antibiotics can be the cause of it. Granted I had the symptoms prior to taking the antibiotics, the antibiotic my doctor prescribed me over the phone just made the thrush worse. She also taught us a lot about Anthony...the fact that he is tongue tied, and that could cause latching problems which would result in my ducts getting clogged. She didn't believe it was serious enough to have his tongue clipped, but showed me several ways to make the latch between him and I a better fit. She was able to tell me I had an abundance of milk and I need to get that under control because that can also cause clogged ducts. She also treated my left nipple bleb by inserting a needle to release the milk that had gotten clogged in there. She gave me a plan to stick with for the next two weeks and to come back then to be revaluated. Her advice all worked and I was feeling better within 3 days.

UPDATE: 1/14/2015
I've been fortunate to be able to continue breastfeeding Anthony. He's going on 7 months old and I'm so proud of myself to be able to say that I have nourished his little body for so long and so well. He has never been sick, thank God, and I truly believe it's made a huge difference that I stuck with it.

40 Weeks & Beyond - The Birth Story

2014-07-24T08:21:00.001-04:00

Hi everyone! This post is a compilation of my postpartum experiences thus far and the birth story.

How far along? 40 Weeks and 4 Weeks Postpartum - Labor and Delivery

1 Day Postpartum

Total weight gain/loss: I gained a total of 32 lbs during pregnancy. Two days after birth I was down 17 lbs of those 32. 4 Weeks postpartum I am down 18 lbs.

Maternity clothes? Hang onto those maternity clothes! You will still wear them for a couple weeks. I'm still wearing the maternity capris, shorts and jeans. However, the dresses I bought at the end of the pregnancy are way too big now. I've been able to get into some of my pre-pregnancy clothes, which is awesome, it's like finding a whole new wardrobe without spending any money.

Stretch marks? No stretch marks! Phew! But I have a more defined linea nigra now that my belly is shrinking.

Sleep: Anthony so far has been a great sleeper, eater, pooper and pee-er. :) He has given me 2 to 31/2 hour stretches at night between feedings. I've been finding the longer I can keep him alert during the day, the longer stretches he gives me at night between feedings.

Miss Anything? I don't miss being pregnant, but it's all very surreal that within a day, boom, it's over. No longer pregnant, no more tiny feet kicking my ribs, the urge to pee every 5 minutes is gone. I do miss sleeping through the night, but I haven't done that while I was pregnant either because I was getting up to pee so frequently.

Food cravings: I cannot believe the amount of food I am consuming, but no true cravings. It's true what they say about breastfeeding burning a ton of calories. I'm eating a lot, and losing weight which is AWESOME!

Anything making you queasy or sick: No I've been feeling really great, other than pangs of extreme thirst while breastfeeding. While he drinks, I drink lots of water, almost 10oz. every feeding.

Special things I'm focusing on: Eating healthy, fueling my body for both myself, my milk production and feeding Anthony as healthy as possible through my daily choices.

Belly Button in or out? It has started to go back in! Hooray!!

Wedding rings on or off? The wedding rings have been off since 38 weeks, I've been more swollen postpartum in the fingers than I have been my entire pregnancy, but within in the last week, they are fitting better and I've started wearing my wedding band. I've been skipping the engagement ring to avoid scratching Anthony with it.

Happy or Moody most of the time: I had some days of the "baby blues" following Anthony's birth around day 4 postpartum. The placenta encapsulator I hired, had come to the rescue with that. As soon as I started taking the placenta capsules, within an hour I started feeling myself again. Having an infant for the first time has been a bit overwhelming and your mind can take a downward spiral rather quickly with the change of hormones after birth. Day 4 postpartum was the most extreme hormonal dump I've ever experienced. Whether eating my placenta is a placebo effect or not...it works for me. I have restored energy, my mood lifts and overall I feel really great. I highly recommend the placenta encapsulation to anyone considering it.

39 Weeks

4 weeks postpartum

Anthony Edward's - Birth Story

This is the birth story how I remember it...

6.23.2014 ~ 11:45pm

I woke up with cramping and diarrhea then went back to bed. At 12:45am, again, cramping and diarrhea, went back to bed. At 1:45am, cramping and still feeling sick to my stomach, I decided to get up...is this it, I wondered?? All this cramping and feeling sick? I went downstairs to avoid waking Eddie just yet in case it was a false alarm.

I started pacing and walking in the living room, sitting on the exercise ball to stretch out my hips in between having the urge to go to the bathroom with a few more episodes of diarrhea which eventually stopped, but the feeling I had to go continued, so I started drinking water to avoid becoming dehydrated. When I got off the toilet and started gripping the sides of the sink from the discomfort while I washed my hands, I realized those cramps, weren't cramps, they were contractions. I decided to start timing them. I used an app on my phone that I downloaded rather quickly...I can't even remember what it's called, but it showed that my contractions were very sporadic. Every 7 minutes, then it switched to every 3 minutes. They were not terrible, only lasting about 30 seconds at the most and I'm pretty sure I'd had period cramps worse than this. I remember thinking...I've got this...this isn't that bad! :)

By 3am I continued my pacing in the living room and trips to the bathroom and sitting on the exercise ball, then Buddy started barking randomly, which woke Eddie. He came downstairs and said, "What are you doing? Why is Buddy barking?" I replied, "I don't know why Buddy is barking, but I think I'm having contractions!" "You are? What should I do?", he asked. "Just go back to bed, there really is no consistency yet, so it might be a false alarm, I'll holler for you if I need you." So Eddie went back to bed for probably about half an hour, then my mind started racing....what do I know? This could be it, after all, 6/23/2014 was my due date... so I called for Eddie and asked him to call the doctor. Since in the middle of the night called the emergency number, where he was directed to an answering service to take a message and the doctor would call us right back. Within 3 minutes the doctor called right back. We told her the contractions were kind of sporadic still but the contractions were lasting 30 to 60 seconds. She told us we could probably wait a little bit longer before coming in or to come in and they would see where I was at in dilation. We hung up with the doctor and decided that waiting to go may not be the best option considering the travel to downtown Baltimore and rush hour would soon be approaching. We were at the hospital no later than I think, 4:15am.

6.24.2014 ~ Hospital Registration and Admittance

The car ride to the hospital was uneventful, but I quickly came to the conclusion that sitting during contractions was extremely uncomfortable. We registered into the Labor and Delivery Ward and were shown into a small room with a bed and bathroom where they took my blood pressure and made me give a urine sample. They hooked me up to the fetal monitor to monitor baby's heart rate and measure my contractions. The midwife on duty came in to check my progress on dilation. That was extremely painful!! More painful than any of the contractions I had had thus far. It made me cry. I was 4 1/2 cm dilated, so they decided to admit me since my contractions were pretty consistent and close together. Upon admittance, I was given a hep-lock, but requested that I not be hooked up to an IV or the monitors. So they agreed to intermittent monitoring. So every hour for 20 minutes they would hook me up to the fetal monitor and track contractions which required me to be still and not walking around so I had the option of either lie in the bed or sit on an exercise, I eventually stuck to the exercise ball during the monitoring, because lying or sitting was still extremely uncomfortable from all the pressure. The IV they agreed to wait on as well, as long as they saw that I kept hydrated, which Eddie was very good about making me drink some water just about after every contraction.

Contractions and Labor

Now I know for me, prior to experiencing labor I googled and asked everyone who ever had a baby before what do contractions feel like? How painful is child birth really? Although I received some great answers, it still didn't put it in perspective til I was actually going through it. I'll be honest, the pain was indescribable. Yes, a contraction felt like a period cramp...a very, very, strong, long cramp. Some of my contractions lasted over two minutes. After reading Ina May's book, and pretty dedicated to experience childbirth naturally without any drugs, I knew that after every contraction I'd have a break. Which was true. The pain subsided after each and every one... my head could clear and I could actually focus on the conversations that were happening around me. But during the contractions, I found a focal point (which happened to be a church bell tower in the Baltimore skyline that I could see from our awesome delivery room), I had Eddie and my friend Kristin coaching me on breathing while they alternated doing hip squeezes while I stood beside the bed leaning over it a majority of the time through the labor.

Eddie reading to me during one of my contractions while being monitored.

Around 9am my doctor came in to check on me. I couldn't believe it was already 9am! (I had imagined labor feeling like time was standing still) I was afraid to be checked on how much further I had dilated. After all, this baby was coming out one way or another and I figured, why go through that pain again, so I opted out of being checked for quite some time. The doctor told me no problem...keep on doing what I am doing and call them if I need them. I didn't want to know where I was...I was afraid it would only be one more centimeter...or worse, I had back tracked and closed up since the last cervix check. Fortunately, my contractions started getting stronger and longer. These were the two minute ones....with only about a 15-20 seconds break before another one started. The doctor revisited about 11:45am and suggested this time that I should be checked with the contractions being so close. I was scared, exhausted and feeling like I couldn't do this. Pain medication at this point did enter my mind. Eddie helped me get on the bed in between at least two contractions. I am completely grateful for the patience of these doctors and my nurse...they were incredible. Once I was on the bed I remember how uncomfortable I was, and the doctor inserted what felt like her whole hand to check my progress. It was still very painful, but the outcome was great. I was 9 1/2 cm dilated!! OMG! That made me feel like a million bucks! The doctor said that last 1/2 cm she could probably stretch out herself but instead she said, "Lets try pushing!" I remember feeling shocked to hear her say this. My water was still unbroken, and pushing is for the end of labor I thought...."Already?" I questioned. She explained that by pushing during the contraction would force the baby down on the cervix a little further to open that last 1/2 cm. "We can have this baby within the next hour!" she said.

So on the next contraction, I pushed. Or, so I thought I did. For the last 9 hours I had been coached on breathing to manage the pain of every contraction. But now I was suppose to hold my breath during those contractions and push like I was pooping. Needless to say it took me many tries to figure out exactly just how to do that with the pain when all I wanted to do was stand back up, look at my church bell tower and breath.

Probably by the third real push that I was able to manage...(I felt like I had pushed like ten times) my water broke. It was the most relief I had had in hours. Over the next 10 minutes I zoned out. I think I might have actually slept some. I did not have one contraction during that time, and I remember feeling concerned and asked the nurse why the contractions had stopped. She said, "Because your body is preparing for the hardest part.  It's allowing you to rest to push his head out." Within moments the contractions started again and the pressure below intensified. The doctor told me again that I need to push like I was pooping and to not breath during the contractions but hold my breath to push.

I was in my own world at this point. I was aware of the conversations around me, but not focused on them. I moaned meditatively on each rest that I had and kept my eyes closed. Again, I may have napped during some of those breaks. Every time I felt a contraction approaching, I would say "Uh Oh!" which my audience found comical and they could then see on the monitor that a contraction was approaching. I also remember everyone cheering me on to "push! push! push!" which ended up annoying me and I told them all to stop telling me to push! "I know I have to push!" I barked, but all their cheering made me lose focus on how to push and I needed the silence.

By this point I just remember feeling a lot of pain, pressure and burning sensations. I have read that is called the "ring of fire" when the baby's head is crowning, however I didn't realize that was happening and I didn't think I was progressing that quickly at all until everyone said that his hair was showing and I just needed a few more good pushes to get him out...hence all the cheering that I shushed.   HA!

With that news, I was determined and extremely motivated knowing this would all soon be over. I must have pushed another 8-10 times before I got anywhere all the while my eyes closed and taking a breaks from pushing and using the breathing techniques during a few contractions again and moaning a lot. I kept saying "It hurts, I can't push, I can't do it!" But everyone kept positive and encouraged me to keep going and the next thing I know during my next ambitious push I felt a painful burning sensation that felt like it was coming out of my urethra.  The pain was so intense, my legs flailed out straight as arrows and I screamed out in agony...I felt a thud beside me and finally opened my eyes to see two nurses I didn't recognize on the sides of the bed with me, pushing the monitors off my belly to the side of me, shoving my legs into my armpits and pressing down on my belly very forcefully. It was a terrifying moment but the baby was out immediately after. Eddie cut the umbilical cord and they placed him on my chest. I always envisioned myself losing it emotionally and crying, but I was in such shock after what had just happened and my legs would not stop trembling I couldn't even believe this crying baby in front of me just came out of me.

6/24/2014 1:09 pm

The baby's shoulder got stuck on my pelvic bone, which is known as shoulder dystocia. The maneuver they performed to free the baby's shoulder from the pelvic bone is shown in the picture. However, the doctor said she was not convinced 100% that the baby actually got stuck. Because of the way my legs went out straight like arrows could have prevented him from coming out, because it's nearly impossible for the baby to pass through the birth canal with your legs straight. Thankfully, neither of us suffered any injury from this maneuver.

I had pushed for about an hour and a half. I suffered a 2nd degree tear. The nurses asked me if they could take the baby from me to get him cleaned up weighed and measured and I agreed and Eddie went over with them to the little baby table where Anthony peed on him and the nurse.

I barely remember delivering the placenta, I was too busy looking at the crying baby on my chest even though I was still having contractions... I was still in shock that it was all over. They gave me pitocin to speed up the process of the placenta delivery, but I can't imagine it was more than 10 minutes after Anthony was born...everything happened so fast once he was out.

First family photo

Holding Dad's hand

The day was an incredible experience...surreal. Total active labor time was 10 hours. The pain was gone as soon as he was out. I remember asking the doctor how soon would I be able to walk. More so, because she was still hanging out down by my lady parts with bright lights. She laughed and said, "As soon as we stitch you up!" Which by the way I felt every initial stitch til they numbed me up so more with a local.

So friends, that's our story. It was a wonderful day. I feel so empowered to have done it naturally, and even one month later, I can't believe it's already over. I spent 9 months prepping for one day reading books, watching documentaries, and researching online. 10 hard hours later that flew right by... I just have no words. It was extraordinary...primal in every way. Exactly how I wanted it.

This photo was taken about an hour after delivery right before we were shown to our recovery room where we stayed for two nights.

Welcome to the world Baby Anthony!

39 Weeks

2014-06-19T16:13:00.003-04:00

Hi Everyone!
What a week it's been. I've had my ups and my downs. Mostly in anticipation that I could go in labor at any moment and haven't. Booooo. So by Wednesday, I was really in the dumps.

I've been telecommuting from home into work all week, which has been wonderful considering how scared I've been thinking my water could break at any moment....Quick and easy trips to the bathroom and staying pretty comfortably dressed has been nice.

How far along? 39 Weeks

39 Weeks

Total weight gain/loss: I am back up those 2 lbs that I lost from last week and add another 2. Total gain is 34lbs. My appointment this week was in the afternoon of the hottest and humid day all week and I feel completely swollen and puffy.

Maternity clothes? Everything is tighter and the most comfortable things to wear this week are tanks and gym shorts/leggings or maxi dresses and skirts.

Stretch marks? No

Sleep: I've had a few restless nights this week. My anticipation has been very high that at any moment...labor will start. I need to chill out. But that's been really difficult.

Best moment this week: Laughing uncontrollably and snorting when Eddie had the hiccups. I couldn't stop laughing, which made him laugh, and hiccup more....it was a vicious cycle. A laugh that was much needed.

Miss Anything? I miss crossfit mostly. I normally hate running, but I miss running too.

Movement: Baby C has been pretty calm the past two days with a few spurts of energy directly aimed onto my bladder. Poor bladder, I'm sorry! I'm surprised I haven't peed my pants yet. I have to say working from home this week, was a godsend, because getting up to pee "just in case" every 5 minutes was really starting to get out of control in an office setting.

Food cravings: Nothing unusual. Not really craving anything food wise this week. Maybe toast.... since I haven't been eating breads or pastas....I guess I'm craving that. While working from home, I'm trying to snack on healthy things like green smoothies, almonds, apple slices...stuff like that.

Anything making you queasy or sick: I sometimes get queasy or some slight nausea right before bed, or directly after I eat. Especially if I eat too much. Small meals, frequently are the way to go.

Special things I'm focusing on: Eating healthy, fueling my body for the workout of all time. The WOD will be named "Baby for time".

Labor Signs: I don't know anymore. I had high hopes since last weeks doctor's appointment and still nothing has happened. I did not have her check me this week to see if I was dilated anymore...I am just going to wait it out. The doctor offered to check for more dilation and to do a Membrane Sweep for she was still optomistic that still any day. I opted out for the check and sweep (because I've heard it's painful!!) because the last exam when I was already 2 1/2 cm dilated was very uncomfortable which I've read that your cervix is just too far away for the doctor to reach and it doesn't always help to start labor. Plus I've also read that uncomfortable vaginal exams can close that dilation right up!! So, perhaps I'm just not that desperate yet for the little inductions the doctor is willing to offer. He'll come when he's ready, and the less I know, well... ignorance is bliss.

I get daily cramping/braxton hicks/contractions. I'm not sure which ones are which at this point anymore. My doctor's words of wisdom when I asked her the difference was that contractions hurt and you'll want to come to the hospital. But whatever they are...they seem to be more frequent when I take my daily walks. Sometimes I think if I just keep walking, out he'll come! ha ha

Belly Button in or out? Out! It's definitely a button, a big round weird looking button.

Wedding rings on or off? Off! Screw that... It's been in the 90's and humid all week. I'm swelling like a balloon.

Happy or Moody most of the time: I've been mostly aggravated this week as well as anxious. Again, the high hopes I had had slowly dwindled my mood down to a form of the dumps this week. But today is different. Once I decided to stop worrying about when it will happen, and focusing on just today, and what's going on right now, the better I felt. I went to the gym this morning, I mowed the lawn... I figure keep on walking and moving and the more I do, the more sensations I get that he's getting closer to the exit.

Looking forward to: Obviously, I'm looking forward to meeting Baby C, giving him a name and seeing what color hair he has! HA HA!

Newborn Eddie

Newborn Christine

Who will he look like? His Mama? Or Daddy?

Christine

Eddie

Ooooh boooooooyyyyy!!! :)

Eddie....oh boy!

38 Weeks

2014-06-13T10:37:00.001-04:00

Hi everyone!

How far along? 38 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: I am down 2 lbs, ha ha, so a total gain of 30 lbs now. The doctor thinks the "loss" might just be that my last appointment was in the afternoon and this one was in the morning. But I'll take it. Ha ha! A little shocked no gain...but I guess this clean eating is really helping stabilize. That will show ya how whole foods and good nutrition play a big part for the body.

Stretch marks? No stretch marks.

Sleep: It aches to get up at night, the belly, my back and especially my hips. I'm going to the bathroom every 1 1/2 to 2 hours on the dot. I've heard a lot of the "you look so tired" this week, even though I've been hitting the hay by 8:30pm almost every night this week. Although I don't feel that tired...at least not until late in the afternoon.

Movement: This week Baby C is an active boy in the mornings. By after lunch, he seems to settle down and nap til dinner time. I'm thinking he just loves my choice of breakfast this week. It's so delicious, but not exactly paleo with the eggos. But I'll get my carbs in early in the morning.

Food cravings: Hello peaches! Trader Joe's had boxes of peaches on special this week. I'm eating like 2-3 per day. Can't get enough of them!! Delish!! Oh and I've been craving Key Lime Pie, also. Which I picked up the tart size from Wegmans today. :)

Special things I'm focusing on: Cleaning...or I guess everyone else tells me it's nesting....but to me it's still just cleaning like I normally do, I just want it all done before I leave for the hospital so when we come home the house is clean.

Eating clean as much as possible with the fun frills of the occasional bites of key lime pie, fig newton, or something sweet.

I met with a pediatrician today that was referred to us by one of our crossfit buddies. I loved him! So glad he was able to take the time to meet with me, answer all my questions, and he even had some questions for me. Although he isn't affiliated with the hospital we are delivering at, they make it a point to have you call upon discharge of the hospital and schedule you an appointment within a day or two of leaving.

Labor Signs: Still cramping daily, and been have a lot of strange pressure as far below the belly as you can go. I describe it Baby C sitting on top of my lady parts. It's rather uncomfortable, and honestly the only thing helping with the discomfort is to get up and walk around. At least until my back hurts! The braxton hicks seem to have left me the past couple of days, unless I'm just getting used to their discomfort.

Wedding rings on or off? Still wearing the rings. But have been taking them off as soon as I get home. Definitely have some hand swelling going on, but not so much in the feet or ankles.

Happy or Moody most of the time: I've been very anxious this week with all these weird sensations and feelings I have been having. Eddie had a work trip and was gone all week, so that really kept me on my toes on paying attention to everything and how I was feeling, just in case Baby C wanted to make an early debut.

I'm very exciting though, at my doctor appointment this week, the doctor and I were pleasantly surprised to find that I am already 2 1/2 cm dilated and very "soft" she said. She said she didn't think I'd make it to my due date, and maybe not even my next weekly appointment! WHOA! This is happening folks! EEEEEEEEEK!!!

Looking forward to: The end is VERY near. I'm a little terrified. A little relieved. A week from now, YOU might just be meeting Baby C!!!

But in the meantime, I'll enjoy being a mama to just my fur babies a little longer.

37 Weeks

2014-06-05T09:52:00.001-04:00

Happy Thursday! I hope you've been having a great week. Baby C and I have been having some interesting sensations this week!

Lots of aches, lots of cramping, and some swolleness.

How far along? 37 weeks; Baby is the size of a watermelon (19-22 in., 6.5 lbs).

The doctor did a measurement this week and guess-timated that Baby C is 6 lbs 10 oz right now and predicts he'll be an average size baby and not huge like I keep imagining. She did ask me what size shoe I wore...but it wasn't because she was interested in my shoes! She said small feet tend to mean small pelvic openings. Ugh! At a size 6 1/2 shoe (which has not changed during pregnancy, thank goodness) and sizing up Eddie she had a talk with us about shoulder dystocia. I read about it in Ina May Gaskins book. I think I would be more worried about shoulder dystocia if I was going to be unable to move around and change positions.

37 Weeks large! :)

Total weight gain/loss: Up 32 lbs. No more, no loss from last week. Now that I am on weekly doctor appointments, I've begun eating much cleaner and more paleo again. I figure a nice detox before labor and delivery is exactly what Baby C and I need.

Stretch marks? No stretch marks.

Sleep: I had a rough night of sleeping the other night. I felt as though I couldn't breathe and was having alot of Braxton Hicks. I think Baby C is moving on down...I am feeling much more pressure on my bladder and hips. My side sleep training was a good thing I thought, my now my hips ache to lie on them at night. I've start out sleeping on my left side, then alternate to the other side every time I get up to pee. By then my hip aches so bad it takes me a good 30-45 seconds to even stand up out of bed to get to the bathroom.

Movement: Baby C is still an active boy. The doctor's smile and laugh when trying to get his heart rate with the doppler and always say, "he's an active one!" Baby C has also been pretty consistent with daily hiccups the past week. Sometimes two to three times per day. I asked the Doctor about that too and she said that is a wonderful sign, that means he's practicing using his lungs.

Food cravings: Craving sweets again, pretty sure it's because I'm being more strict on my diet again eating cleaner, but fruit is helping, blueberries, strawberries and bananas. Sometimes even the frozen chocolate covered bananas from Trader's Joe's hits the spot. I also have been craving coffee in the afternoons again. I have not indulged and trying to stick to one cup of caffeine per day, sometimes two if it's a rough morning.

27 Weeks

37 Weeks

What a difference 10 weeks makes!!!

Special things I'm focusing on: Moving around as much as possible. I'm working on taking walks daily and doing some dips to keep my arms toned ha ha! Over the next week my goal is take a walk every day.

Like I mentioned earlier, eating cleaner. Fueling my body and my baby for his birthday.

I'm in the process of going through a list of pediatricians to call and "interview". I actually have two that I'm really interested in based on referrals from friends. I guess we should have done this a few weeks ago, but I'm not too worried about it, just need to have someone picked by the time we get to the hospital.

Labor Signs: Cramping daily and sporadically throughout the day. Yesterday it lasted all morning and even made me felt nauseous. I took a stroll around the yard at lunch with the dogs which seemed to help with the discomfort.

Wedding rings on or off? Still wearing the rings. We had a real hot day the other day and one of the AC units broke at work so it was like a sauna which I then did swell in both the hands and feet. But it was almost 90 degrees in the office. Thankfully I have a little fan in my office.

Happy or Moody most of the time: I'm happy, a little anxious and tired.

Looking forward to: The end is near. I'll try not to complain and enjoy the rest of this experience.

35-36 Weeks

2014-05-30T09:56:00.003-04:00

Hi Everyone! Sorry my posts seem so sporadic these days. I've been losing energy and motivation for just about everything. The Memorial Day weekend was greatly appreciated by this lady for the extra day of lounging and putting my feet up!

How far along? 36 weeks

36 Weeks

Total weight gain/loss: Up 32 lbs.

Stretch marks? No stretch marks.

Sleep: I'm sleeping ok. I'm getting up ALOT to go to the bathroom, I counted 5 times the other night. It hurts now to get up from a side sleeping position. The belly just aches to lift myself upright. I try and nap on the weekends, but weekdays are tough on me with a full work day so by 8:30pm I'm ready for bed and still have a hard time getting up in the morning.

35 Weeks

Movement: Baby C is moving ALOT. He's moving so much it's making me uncomfortable. I swear I even feel him in my upper leg pulling on some nerve strings. He's reaching out above his head I think and shoving his little feet between my ribs. He's running out of room in there, he needs to come out soon. Please. :)

Food cravings: Back on the fruit cravings again the past couple weeks. I can't get enough blueberries, bananas, strawberries, and fruit juices like cranberry and pineapple. I've also been craving alcohol. I think it has to do with all the beautiful weather we're having. I have had a couple virgin mojitos the past few weeks and they are SO good! Definitely hit the craving.

Special things I'm focusing on: We have our "Go Bag" pretty much all packed except for a few other essentials I need to get. Here is a list of what is in there now:

"GO BAG" LIST:

Depends

Tucks Medicated Pads

Boob-ease nipple balm

Travel size toiletries, wash clothes

Make- Up

Hair ties and head bands

Baby Stuff: couple onesies - homecoming outfit, receiving blanket, baby wipes, baby socks, & baby hat

My Pretty Pusher delivery gown and Postpartum underwear (which has a place for the ice packs the hospital gives you. SCORE!) Use Coupon code KKL006 for 10% off if you're shopping for something like that.

Two blankets (one for Eddie, one for me)

Pillow

Empty bag (for goodies the hospital gives you)

Nursing lounge dress (I was told that the nurses come "check" on your lady parts every hour and prefer you to not have any pants/shorts on, so I grabbed one of these soft lounge dresses which makes it easy access for nursing too.

Socks

Boppy

Still to get and pack: I need a Styrofoam cooler for the placenta for encapsulation, a homecoming outfit for myself and Eddie, snacks, breast pump (to be taught by the lactation consultants how to use and manage), water bottles and I'm sure a few other odds and ends I'll throw in the day I'll go into labor.

I compiled this list based on advice from friends and the Doula.

We have installed the car seat in my car. YIKES! Feels so weird driving around with that in the back. I haven't put up the mirror that will show baby, but man...this is all so surreal.

Car seat is ready for Baby C!

On a sad note, I received some bad news this week that I'm still upset about. Our Doula has backed out on assisting us during birth due to family matters. I am extremely disappointed with only a month left... give or take before Baby C makes his debut. She referred another Doula to us, but I'm just not sure at this stage in the game I want to go with someone I haven't even met yet. Eddie and I are both pretty disappointed about it, however we do feel more comfortable after our few meetings with the Doula we had with all the information she was able to provide us to help us make some tough decisions about birth and after birth procedures.

Labor Signs: I have been 1cm dilated for the past two weeks! WOOP! I have also been having cramping daily and "braxton hicks". Last night was rough night of braxton hicks...every couple hours or so I would get another one, had one every time I had to get up to pee.

Belly Button in or out? It's an outtie.

Wedding rings on or off? Still wearing the rings with no real swelling issues.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy, but tired and uncomfortable. Been pretty moody about having to wear flats. I miss heels!!! I think the flats make me look swollen and puffy.

I had a wonderful surprise baby shower at work this week. Such a caring work-family I have. It was a wonderful lunch and they spoiled us with gifts!

Looking forward to: LABOR!

Hope everyone had a safe and happy Memorial Weekend. We did! Even Buddy got in the spirit! Eddie and I participated in our Crossfit Box's annual "Murph" workout. The workout is:
1 Mile Run
100 Pull Ups
200 Push ups
300 Air Squats
1 Mile Run

I, of course did a modified, barely a quarter of Murph. I did a 1 mile walk, with 150 air squats, 50 dips, and about 40 ring rows. Better than nothing, I say!

34 Weeks

2014-05-16T08:56:00.003-04:00

34 Weeks

Hello everyone! I can't believe it's been 4 weeks since my last post! Oops!! But so much has happened, so much has changed and so much to tell.

By 32 weeks and having very little energy after work to drag myself to the gym for crossfit, I decided to save the money and put my membership on hold. I was very, very sad about this decision. I felt I had given up. I always told myself I would be one of those people who worked out til the day I went into labor. Well I'm not. The stairs at work, the stairs in the new house, cleaning, and lots of walking is about all the activity my body can seem to handle these days. I get winded very quickly... Baby C is clearly sitting on my lungs.

Everything hurts! Ok, I may be slightly exaggerating... a little. My back gets sore for any length of time on my feet, while my calves and my feet also seem to ache. My DIY foot rest at work has been a lifesaver! ;)

Footrest at work! ha ha

Eddie and I spent this past Sunday morning doing some yard work at the old house. While he mowed, I weeded the back garden and dug up some plants to transfer to the new house. We then went back to the new house, and I then planted all those plants. By 2pm, I was literally crawling to get to the bathroom. I thought my back was going to snap in half. I definitely over did it. It was a sad realization that my body isn't where my head is.

We successfully completed the birthing class! Ha ha, which led us to realize we didn't want to deliver at St. Agnes Hospital due to some of their birthing protocols. I know I don't want to be laboring in a bed, or at least as little as possible. I want to be mobile, let gravity help the process. In the birthing class the biggest thing we learned were all different kinds of positions to try during labor... and the worst one to be in was laying in a bed. I enjoyed the experience with Eddie of the birthing class. It taught me an important step... to tour some facilities or birthing centers PRIOR to choosing a doctor. We now have an appointment with a new doctor strictly because we found another birthing hospital we prefer. Kind of a scary transfer at this stage of the game, but I had some great referrals from the birthing class instructor and spoke to some people on the tour of Mercy Hospital that went to our newly chosen doctor's practice that said some comforting and reassuring things.

We hired a Doula!!! We had our first prenatal visit with her this week, and she gave us a TON of information! I'll update you all on that in my next post. Lots of good info!!

How far along? 34 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: Up 31 lbs.

32 Weeks

Maternity clothes? everything is getting tighter! My one pair of black maternity pants for work may be just about done with. They are uncomfortable to wear. I just ordered two Liz Lange cotton dresses from Target to take me through the home stretch, one size larger than the previous dresses I bought in that brand. With 6 weeks left, I'm hoping this is it for maternity purchases.

Stretch marks? Still no stretch marks! WOO HOO

Sleep: Sleeping pretty well...but when I have to get up to go to the bathroom (3-4 times per night) my belly aches. I'm no longer using just my ab muscles to lift myself up, I'm using my arms and swinging my legs for momentum to get myself up.

Movement: The kid must have my elbows...paybacks a bitch.

Food cravings: Sweets! I've been having lots of sweets cravings. I need to start curbing this new addiction back some, but it's been very easy to indulge since Easter with all the goodies. I've also been snacking on blueberries.

Special things I'm focusing on: Reminding myself to rest. I'm also compiling a list to put in our "Go Bag" for the hospital. Eddie had the "Go Bag" all picked out. So far the only things I have in there is some after birth underroos as I'm calling them, from my friend Kristin, some tucks pad she gave me also, the baby's homecoming outfit, hat and blanket and some make up. Ha ha...yes I packed some make up.

Labor Signs: No, other than just being uncomfortable, cause I hear labor is pretty uncomfortable.

Belly Button in or out? It's an outtie. Eddie told me at 31 weeks that I wasn't allowed to call it a half innie-half outtie anymore. It's an outtie. Period.

Wedding rings on or off? Still wearing the rings with no real swelling issues.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy, but tired.

Looking forward to: LABOR! I know, I'm crazy, but this whole pregnancy thing has been fun and all, and I've been blessed with a great, no issues pregnancy, but I'm over it. Let's do this!

34 Weeks

30 Weeks

2014-04-18T10:36:00.001-04:00

Hi everyone! Everyone gearing up for the Easter weekend? It should be relatively busy for us. We have our first half of a birthing class at the hospital Saturday and on Sunday a small get together for Brunch! It should be a fun weekend.

The meeting with the first Doula went wonderfully. She is also a Labor and Delivery nurse at a local hospital so her experience with that I think is wonderful. She is very balanced and flexible in her practice. By that I mean, she works with all types of deliveries medicated or not. Which I'd like to go unmedicated as long as possible with the hopes of not using any, but I'm not completely opposed to using it if medically necessary or I just wimp out from the pain. We have another Doula we'll be meeting next week as well and between the two, we hope to make a decision on one or the other or see how we feel about having one at all after the first half of the birthing class this weekend.

How far along? 30 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: Up 28 lbs

Maternity clothes? I'm not sure if it's the maternity dresses and tops I'm wearing, but everyone at work has been commenting this week on how much I've 'popped' this week. Baby C is popping out to say hello everybody!!

Stretch marks? No stretch marks.

Sleep: Sleeping beautifully still.

Movement: Baby C is moving around all the time, in fact right now I'm looking down at my belly and I can see him moving across my belly from side to side. He seems to favor kicking my right side. I told the doctor how active he has been lately, she told me an active baby in the womb typically means a very happy baby out of the womb. :)

Food cravings: This week I craved Nachos, yogurt and beer. I have finally endulged in the N-A beers, and I have to admit, they taste amazing.

The past week I was pretty much off the Whole30. I'm not really torn up about this time because after talking to the doctor, my tests came back all normal. I'm not anemic or diabetic and she said I was at a perfect weight and one of the healthiest pregnant women she has seen in awhile. YEAH!! Although she did say try not lose weight but also try not to gain.... I find that maybe the gaining part might be difficult, but I have done really well in the past 6 weeks only gaining 3 lbs! Especially since I've 'popped' out so much.

30 Weeks Vs. 24 Weeks

Special things I'm focusing on: Staying active, eating well and getting plenty of rest.

Labor Signs: Few nights of Braxton Hicks this week that lasted about a half hour each

Belly Button in or out? half innie, half outtie

Wedding rings on or off? Still on, and swelling from previous week must be down, because they are not tight anymore.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy and emotional about silly stuff. I was listening to the Jesus Christ Superstar album this week and got all weepy listening to some of those songs. HA HA!

Looking forward to: The birthing class and Brunch on Sunday....the menu we've put together has me hungry. :)

Happy Easter!!

29 Weeks

2014-04-09T12:19:00.005-04:00

It's a busy week for me, so this post will be short and sweet!

How far along? 29 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: Up 26 lbs

Maternity clothes? I'm ready for it to get nice and warm so I can wear dresses without pantyhose which I have not bought ANY maternity pantyhose. I've just cut the top a little to have some extra room and have been wearing them below the bump.

Stretch marks? No stretch marks, but the belly has been very itchy lately.

Sleep: Sleeping beautifully

Movement: Baby C I'm beginning to think sleeps when I sleep, and plays while I work or watch tv.

Food cravings: I'm craving donuts ALL. THE. TIME. Eddie caved on the Whle30 and then bought us donuts over the weekend. I caved too. Don't put donuts in a house with a pregnant woman....

However, I'm back on routine with the Whole30 for the week. Lots of veggies in store this week, cucumber tomato salads, a cabbage and kielbasa stew, and I went a little nuts on the fruit and have pineapple, strawberries, bananas and melon. I could eat pineapples all day long.

Special things I'm focusing on: Staying active, eating as well as I can for the Whole30 and getting plenty of rest.

Labor Signs: No labor signs.

Belly Button in or out? half innie, half outtie

Wedding rings on or off? Still on, but have started getting a little tighter.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Mostly happy, but easily irritated again. Feeling slightly stressed too. Lots of thoughts are directed into the labor subject, so I feel the need to research and prepare Eddie and I for what's to come. But that doesn't always go over so well.

Looking forward to: We are interviewing a Doula this week!! We'll see how it goes. Also, going to be finishing up painting the nursery and hopefully getting the rest of the furniture put together!

28 Weeks

2014-04-03T11:38:00.001-04:00

This has happened more than once in the past week.

Hi everyone! Hope everyone is having a great week! Seems like now that the weather is changing to feel more like spring, everyone is happier! :)

Well it's official, I'm officially in my third trimester...the homestretch! I really cannot complain. I've been very blessed with a smooth pregnancy.

An update on how my doctor appointment went this past week. Now I've told you I'm scared of needles, well I knew I would be having blood drawn, and the rhogam shot, well they decided throw in the Tdap vaccine too. So I was stuck with needles three times. The worst was the blood draw. The phlebotomist this time was not patient at all with me then because I was so tense she barked at me to relax because I wasn't even bleeding. I wanted to punch her. Needless to say, how do you relax when a witch is taking your blood? I now have a big bruise on my arm which did not happen the last time with the other phlebotomist.

The nurse who administered the shots was an angel...and the vaccine was nothing, however the rhogam shot was administered in my butt, and that was a suprise no matter what! ;)

How far along? 28 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: I'm now up 26 lbs, which means I only gained 2 lbs last month. Eating more veggies last month and less crap, seems to have paid off and doctor said everything was perfect and baby is measuring right on target.

Maternity clothes? I had to invest in a new pair of prego pants and a few new tops. Hopefully this will be all that I will need to carry out the remaining few months.

Stretch marks? still have no stretch marks.

Sleep: I'm still sleeping great. I really do think that starting to sleep train myself early on to sleep on my side with my pregnancy pillow I got from Eddie for Christmas has helped tremendously.

Best moment this week: How cute are these Tiny Toms ?? Baby C helping those in need already with this purchase.

Miss Anything? Beer. Cocktails. There are such pretty cocktails out for spring that I've seen in restaurants and bars that look like fruity juices that just make my mouth water. YUM

Movement: Baby C is doing in his thing in there. He's pretty active while I'm at work and I can look down at my belly while I sit at my desk and see him moving around.

Food cravings: Eddie and I have started the Whole 30 as of April 1st, so I'm mostly craving sugary things and desserts and I can't believe I'm saying this...but chocolate. I have never liked chocolate, and now that I'm pregnant, I have been having on occasions chocolate cake and candy. So to crave it....very strange.

I'm very excited to do the Whole 30 which is basically removing all processed food out of our diets and focusing on real food as the cavemen would have eaten. Meat, fish, eggs, vegetables, fruits, nuts and berries. So although it's a lot of work with cooking every meal or preparing on weekends for meals for the week, I'd rather be giving Baby C a good start on nutrition now that all those queasy side effects are gone and I feel that I can pretty much eat the way I had hoped to the whole pregnancy.

Special things I'm focusing on: The Whole30. In addition, unpacking and setting up the house still. It's been a slow process, but I feel we've come a long way already. A few pieces of the baby's nursery furniture are now put together. Hooray!!

I've also been getting to the gym once a week. Not as much as I would like, but I'm keeping my goal to staying active as much as possible, but I just lose all energy by the end of the work day. I'm sure the move hasn't helped, because I've been doing alot of up and down stairs putting things away as well. But, hey....still active! :)

I forgot to share this pic last post. This was the dogs on their way to the new house! Who was the most excited to move??? ha ha!

Labor Signs: No labor signs this week.

Belly Button in or out? half innie, half outtie

Wedding rings on or off? Still on, but have started getting a little tighter.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Been very happy and in a great mood again.

Looking forward to: We're in the process of seeking out a Doula and hope to interview some within the next week or so. We also have scheduled ourselves for a birthing class at the hosptial we'll be delivering at in addition to a tour of the birthing center.

25, 26 & 27 Weeks

2014-03-26T09:12:00.001-04:00

Hey all! It has been an eventful month for us this March. Sorry I haven't written in awhile. We have been busy moving! YEAH!!!! We found a new house and have been moving in slowly the past several weeks since my last post. We're very thrilled to have A LOT more space, a fenced in yard for the dogs, plenty of room for baby Casinover to play and run around in and a garage!!

I cannot believe I'll be graduating to the third trimester soon! I'm just about 7 months preggers already! Time really is flying for me with this pregnancy. :)

25 Weeks

How far along? 27 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: Last checked, 24 lbs, and will update again next week after my next appointment. But I've been very active this month with all the moving and some crossfit when I could squeeze it in my schedule, so maybe the Doctor will be nicer to me about weight.

WOD: KALSU -100 Thrusters for time

Maternity clothes? I am done with this winter, It's uncomfortable to zip up my winter coat over the baby bump, therefore I shouldn't have to be wearing it anymore. HA HA.

Stretch marks? Still none! WOOP! At least none that I can see... It's getting harder to see parts of my body that I used to be able to.

Sleep: I've been Sleeping really well. My bathroom trips at night have become less frequent. I'm not sure if I should be concerned about that since I'm still drinking three or more 20 ounce water bottles per day. One night this past week, I didn't wake up at all to use the bathroom.

26 Weeks Pregnant: 100 Thrusters

Best moment this week: Bringing the dogs to the new house and watching my fur babies run around and play together leash free in their new backyard. It still makes me smile how big their silly grins were when I brought them back in the house.

Miss Anything? Beer. Getting drunk. HA! I don't know if it's just because I've been packing and unpacking boxes, but Goodness, I would love to get a lil tipsy while I work on putting things away in the new house.

Movement: Baby C is still moving quite a bit. He's found this new trick to annoy his mother already...it literally feels like he's plucking my belly button from the inside. Ugh! I hate it! I already have a sensative belly button to begin with...it feels so weird and makes me really uncomfortable. I talk to him and tell him Mommy doesn't like that...but like his father, I think he enjoys driving me crazy. ;) I'm in trouble. Ha ha!

Food cravings: Still craving beer

Anything making you queasy or sick: My vertigo or dizzy spells seemed to have gone away. Hooray!!! I'm back to feeling really good again, just tiring much more quickly than I'm used to.

Special things I'm focusing on: Unpacking, cleaning up, setting up the house, and to finally start putting together the nursery!!

Labor Signs: I've believe I had a few Braxton Hicks contractions within the last week. They lasted under a minute, and went away just as fast.

Belly Button in or out? My belly button has now started to pop out a little just within the past week. I can see it when I wear fitted to the bump type of shirts.

Wedding rings on or off? Still on!

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy, but I have noticed I can get irritated and irrational very quickly. I've been needing more alone time the past couple of weeks to sort out these mood swings. So I've been destressing in the tub just about every night and reading my Ina May book. I'm now halfway through the book and entering in the phases of birth sequence.

Looking forward to: Getting settled in the house.

I'm not looking forward to my next appointment. I have to go through the GTT as well as getting the rhogam shot.

27 weeks pic

24 Weeks

2014-03-06T13:59:00.002-05:00

Hi everyone! I'm feeling much better this week, less of the dizzy-like spells but still getting them unfortunately, my cold is gone and I'm gaining back some of that lost energy that I was afraid was gone til the end of the pregnancy. Phew!

How far along? 24 Weeks

Total weight gain/loss: 24 lbs gained. Seems to be a pound a week, althought my doctor gave me the "talk" on eating healthy and staying active. She told me that I was on the high side of weight gain for where I'm at in the pregnancy. Seriously!? I eat Paleo 60% of the time and I was still crossfitting at least twice a week prior to my cold.
I wanted to punch her in the throat.

Stretch marks? No stretchmarks.

Sleep: I've been heading to bed around 8:45pm most nights to read a little before turning out the light. I'm currently reading Ina May's Guide to Childbirth and Elizabeth Gilbert's book The Signature of all things. Both so far have been very good. I thought maybe reading Ina May's Guide to Childbirth would be a bad idea before bed, but honestly, it's been very refreshing and has lessened my fears some of giving birth. Ina May Gaskin is a well known midwife around the country as well as other countries. She has written a few books in regards to childbirth and midwifery, and runs one of the first out-of-hospital birthing centers in the country. I will be delivering in a hospital, however this book is for anyone woman whose seeking some kind of security or reassurance in the birthing process.

By the time I finish reading it's probably 9:00pm or shortly there after, I'm only getting up to use the bathroom 2-3 times per night, but have been sleeping very soundly again.

Best moment this week:

Miss Anything? Deli meat. I'm craving one of those Bill Cosby kind of sandwiches...

Mmmm, I could eat that whole sandwich AND the bowl of potato chips.

My doctor had said anything is OK in limitations, and I have endulged in a Subway sandwich here and there, but for the most part have been keeping my distance, along with Sushi.

Movement: He's been moving around alot, especially after I have a meal, and just last night I saw him moving from the outside looking at my belly. Now I know, I know, I know this whole pregnancy process is a miracle and many view as beautiful. But honestly, it freaks me out and makes me feel a little queasy. I'm trying to see it as beautiful and miraculous and when I think about it, it is, but when I feel it, I want to throw up my lunch. My skin stretching, my belly hanging over beyond my legs already (knowing it's only going to get bigger)...it all makes me very uncomfortable...physically as well as temporarily mentally. Part of me has started to think that maybe some of these dizzy like spells I've been having are just anxiety of pregnancy. Maybe some of you mama's and papa's out there have a way to help me think differently, and if so, I'm all ears.

I watched the other night the movie "What to Expect when You're Expecting" and it made me laugh and cry a whole lot. But I didn't feel so alone when Elizabeth Banks character said, " I just wanted the glow. The one that they promise you on the cover of those magazines. Well, I'm calling it - pregnancy sucks. Making a human being is really hard. I have no control over my body or my emotions."

Food cravings: I can't really think of any cravings I had this week. Other than the Deli Meat...

Anything making you queasy or sick: Seeing my belly move from Alien Baby inside. :)

Special things I'm focusing on: I've been working on our baby registry to prepare for what we will need when Baby C. arrives in June. I've found a site called Baby List which allows you to register on any online site. I love it because it hasn't restricted us to choose one or two stores to "register" at. Plus, if you're a smart shopper, you could probably find some items cheaper at different places than where I listed them from (or have a coupon) or find them physically in a store and still mark the item "Reserved" on the Baby List without having to purchase online via the link given.

The only downfall I have found is that the list doesn't sync with a store registry, so if you went into Target to search for Target items on the Baby List at their in store registry kiosk, it wouldn't be there... unless you created an individual Target Registry too. However, Baby List has created a way for you to merge store registries onto the Baby List. So if you have already started a Target registry, Baby List has made it easy for you to add it on.

While trying to determine what we need versus what we want, I would also like to ask all you mama's and papa's out there what things are worth registering for, what you wished you had registered for and what you couldn't live without when the baby was born. I need some advice there, but so far think I'm off to a good start and it's been fun!

Belly Button in or out? still an innie but stretched.

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: I've defintily been able to remove the grumpy pants this week.

Looking forward to: Getting the crib next week, so I'm looking forward to putting all the baby furniture together very soon!!! Wait til you all see the Nursery we have in the works.

23 Weeks

2014-03-02T15:13:00.001-05:00

Hi everyone! Miss grumpy pants here to report on my pregnancy, and well, I've been grumpy. I've spent my 23rd week of pregnancy sick with a head cold and getting these strange dizzy-like spells throughout the day and evening. My mood has been low, energy levels low and feeling very tired and out of breath. I'm hoping that all these symptoms are just part of the head cold and will soon disappear along with this stuffy nose.

How far along? 23 Weeks

Total weight gain/loss: 18lbs gained. I'll update this next week when I go to my next Doctor appointment

Stretch marks? No stretchmarks yet, and my belly button is disappearing.

Sleep: All I want to do is sleep. For the most part I'm sleeping through the night and only getting up twice to use the bathroom, which is very minimal considering how much more fluids I've been drinking since getting sick. My body just feels so run down.

Best moment this week: Found some some great onesies for a dollar a piece at Once Upon a Child.

Miss Anything? Beer, mostly corona

Movement: Baby C has been non stop moving. I feel like the inside of my belly has become a punching bag for jabs and kicks. He's definitely been more alert this week while I've been drained of energy.

Food cravings: Tomato soup with grilled cheese, cashews, cucumber water, hot water with lemon and Gatorade.

Anything making you queasy or sick: These weird dizzy like spells, they make me feel almost like I want to throw up because they come on so fast, but then they just as quickly go away.

Have you started to show yet: I can feel my belly stretching more this week, or maybe it's just because he's moving so much lately.

Gender: The boy is a ninja.

Special things I'm focusing on: Eating right, working out, getting enough sleep, as usual. Eating right has been easier, I've been slacking on the working out due to HUGE lack of energy.

Belly Button in or out? I'd still consider it being in, but it's very stretched out and looks funny.

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Grumpy pants dance! I'm just not myself lately, definitely moody.

Looking forward to: While I'm on my rant in this post about being grumpy, instead of posting what I'm looking forward to, I'm going to post about something I am not looking forward to. The Rhogam shot. "What's that?", you may ask. Well the girl who hates needles (me) has a special blood type with a RH negative factor, which means since the baby has a chance of being RH postive, I get a special injection of Rhogam in case any blood between baby and I gets shared upon labor and delivery. I get a shot at 26 weeks, another after the birth, and then again if I get pregnant again. Lovely. Boo hiss.

I'm sorry if my post this week was rather a drag from my grumpy mood, but I guess this is all part of pregnancy. You get the good with the bad. Next week hopefully, I will be feeling much better.

21 & 22 Weeks

2014-02-18T09:05:00.001-05:00

Good morning friends! I hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's Day. Eddie and I celebrated the day by going to have our taxes done. Ha ha! Followed by a nice dinner out with some strawberry shortcake for dinner. It was delicious. I'm a week behind in my posts, so I've combined the two together in one here. Have a wonderful week!

How far along? 22 Weeks

21 Weeks

Total weight gain/loss: 18lbs gained.

Maternity clothes? I'm set in the maternity clothing department for awhile. Hopefully! I hope all these pieces I've acquired last me to the end.

Stretch marks? Thankfully, still no.

Sleep: I have been sleeping wonderfully this week.

22 Weeks

Best moment this week: Planning out some nursery ideas. It's been alot of fun coming up with ideas and picking out fabrics. My very talented friend, and owner of Love, Madicakes has volunteered to sew up all kinds of bedding and decor for the nursery, so we spent the weekend brainstorming and fabric shopping. It was a blast. She is so talented and has already made a few pieces for the theme. I'll share more on the theme in another post. But in the meantime, head over to Love, Madicakes and check out all the great merchandise my friend can create for you.

The best moment in my 22nd week was a prenatal massage. A gift from a very good friend gave me a gift certificate for Lotus Wellness Boutique in Annapolis. It was a quaint little place with a very friendly staff. The massage was absolutely wonderful and much needed.

I have some pretty awesome friends. :)

Miss Anything? A full nights sleep without having to get up to pee.

Movement: Yes, he's moving around alot in there. I've been trying for Eddie to be able to feel his kicks, but as soon as Eddie's hand touches my belly, baby stops. Ugh, so frustrating. But kind of funny too!

Food cravings: My cravings lately are fruit or fruit juices again.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Sometimes at night before I go to bed I've been feeling kind of light headed or dizzy. I get winded easily and tired out quicker when working out. I've started having lower back aches. I've looked up a few yoga stretches to do that should help that I will have to start doing regularly.

Have you started to show yet: I've had a few people ask me where the bump was recently....but I know they were just being nice. At least I think I have surpassed that, "looking chubby" or questionable pregnancy thoughts from others.

At my prenatal massage the masseuse questioned my pregnancy. She said I didn't even look pregnant. Of course I told her she had made my day and I haven't even had the massage yet. Needless to say, she got a good tip.

Gender: IT'S A BOY!!!! Even though we're having a boy, alot of things that I'm finding I like are very gender neutral. Which is great if we decide to have another baby one day. But Eddie is eager to buy toys like trucks and GI Joe's.

Special things I'm focusing on: Eating right, working out, getting enough sleep, as usual. Eating right has been easier, I've been slacking on the working out due to lower back discomfort and lack of energy. But I still am pretty energized throughout the day.

Belly Button in or out? Still in!

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Generally happy, but I did have a few days this week of being very grumpy. I'm sure it was a combination of hormones, the impending snow storm and changes in barometric pressure.

Same cycle in my 22nd week. Happy, then a couple days of Miss grumpy pants returned. It's not that anything has upset me either, I'm just easily irritated, and feel like crying for no reason at all. Damn these hormones!

Looking forward to: I'm starting to look forward to talking more about what we are going to call this baby...I would love to hear some suggestions. :)

20 Weeks

2014-02-07T16:28:00.001-05:00

Baby @ 6 Weeks

Baby @ 20 Weeks

How far along? 20 Weeks! I'm halfway through this pregnancy! WOW! It's going by so fast.
Such a huge difference in baby boy!

Total weight gain/loss: 18lbs gained.

Maternity clothes? Loving my new Old Navy prego jeans. So COMFY! I also received a few hand me downs from a friend. I am loving maternity pants. It's like wearing sweat pants all the time.

Stretch marks? Thankfully, still no.

Sleep: Falling asleep early, but am have been having a hard time falling backs asleep in the night after going to the bathroom. I have too much on mind.

Best moment this week: We received some of the nursery furniture. Oh boy!!

Miss Anything? I'm still craving beer, so I miss that alot.

Movement: Lots and lots of rolling around in there.

Food cravings: Turkey sandwiches.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope, feeling great.

Have you started to show yet: Baby bump is growing out and up. Buddy is admiring my bump. ;)

Gender: IT'S A BOY!!!! Chalupa Batman, or Indie, like Indian Jones! Clearly, we haven't agreed on a name yet...

Special things I'm focusing on: Eating right, working out, getting enough sleep.

Belly Button in or out? In, but if i stretch out, my belly button looks like it's gone! It's really kind of weird looking.

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy, happy, happy!

Looking forward to: Making plans for the nursery! We recieved a TON of hand me downs from our friends, so I'm really looking forward to sorting through all that and figuring out what we still need.

19 Weeks

2014-01-30T10:22:00.001-05:00

Hello everyone! This has been an exciting week. Baby Casinover is moving all over the place in there and I read at this stage is awake for up to 6 hours per day. Eddie and I couldn't wait til our next appointment next week to find out if baby was a boy or a girl, so we scheduled a sonogram this week to find out! More on that below....I know, it's killing you, you're probably already skipping down to that section! CHEATERS!

How far along? 19 Weeks

Total weight gain/loss: 12lbs gained (haven't weighed in, still)

Maternity clothes? I wanted to thank you all who left comments on your experiences and places where you found great maternity deals. I haven't checked them all out yet, but plan to. I did happen to stop over the weekend at Dapper & Dainty in Linthicum. I was heading to the airport to pick Eddie up, and had some time to kill before he arrived and it's right down the road. They did have a small selection of maternity things, Liz Lange, Motherhood brands etc., but none were the right sizes for me. Bummer. But they had a ton of adorable baby and toddler clothes. From what I could tell they were in great condition (some still with store tags on) and very affordable too! So if you're in the area, I would recommend checking it out. Also GAP had an amazing sale this week, 50% off on sale items, so I picked up a couple dresses for under $15, and a pair of preggo jeans for under$20! YIPPEEE!!

Stretch marks? Thankfully, still no.

Sleep: Falling asleep early, but am getting a few restless hours in the night.

Best moment this week: Baby gender reveal!!!

Miss Anything? Beer, I'm still craving beer!

Movement: Lots and lots of rolling around in there.

Food cravings: Cheeseburgers. Beer. French Fries. UGH.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope, still feeling great.

Have you started to show yet: Baby bump is growing out and up.

Gender: Ok, I'm sure most of you just skipped down to this section once you read that we found out this week. So let's just cut to the chase... I was right! IT'S A BOY!!!!

The sonogram technician was wonderful. As soon as she saw, she said, "Do you see what I'm seeing?" Eddie, replied, "Is that what I think it is??" and I said, "WHAT? I don't see it, where, what are we looking at!??" The technician pointed it out, r"ight there! There's the penis and testes! It's clear as day!" Then Eddie did a happy dance, I squealed and couldn't stop laughing with pure joy. It was such a happy moment that I will never forget.

This is a 4D picture of his backside. He was being camera shy.

This picture he was covering his face.

Check out that beautiful spine!

After our sonogram, we grabbed lunch at the mall and couldn't resist buying our little boy something new!

Pure excitement! It's a boy!!

Special things I'm focusing on: Eating right, working out, getting enough sleep.

Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Over the moon happy!

Looking forward to: SHOPPING!!!

18 Weeks

2014-01-24T11:10:00.001-05:00

Happy Friday! Is anyone else enjoying this blast of cold and snow? I sure am. Work let us out early, I got out my ski gear, (was thrilled that the ski pants fit) and jumped in the snow with the dogs. It was awesome! Snow angels all around! It was also nice to have tired pups at night from running around crazy while the snow fell. It's so peaceful to just lay in the snow while the snow falls on you. I also did some shoveling to get a workout in. ;)

How far along? 18 Weeks

Total weight gain/loss: 12lbs gained (haven't weighed in, still) Come on...I don't really wanna know anyway.

Maternity clothes? Maternity clothes for the most part, I'm finding are not pretty. I have bought a majority from Old Navy because they are inexpensive, comfortable and for the most part, versatile and stylish. I did get a couple sweaters from the GAP, and Target's maternity line, Liz Lange had a few spring/summer dresses on clearance. Any cute stuff I have found is online and outrageously priced. "This is temporary!" I keep telling myself. I don't want to spend all this money where I'll just be outgrowing it, or never wearing it again. I wish there was a consignment shop for mothers to be for maternity clothes. Maybe there is, and I just haven't found it. Anyone know of any in the Maryland area?

Stretch marks? None so far.

Sleep: By 3pm everyday, I'm ready for a nap. But on workdays, obviously that's impossible. I'm still sleeping good every night, and going to bed before 9:30.

Best moment this week: Feeling baby Casinover move! More on that in the "Movement" recap.

Miss Anything? Beer. I miss beer.

Movement: Finally felt baby Casinover move! Eddie and I were in the car, and all of a sudden it was like a giant wave went across my entire belly from the inside. My first reaction was, "EWWWWW!!!! OMG, that was so weird!" It felt so strange. Since that day, I've felt him move a few times a day. More so when I'm in the car. I guess the baby likes car rides!

Food cravings: I haven't noticed any different cravings. Been focusing on eating more veggies, fruit and trying to keep up on Paleo as much as possible. I have noticed that I have been eating more. My appetite has definitely increased.

Anything making you queasy or sick: No, I have been feeling great! Energized for the most part, no nausea, no more yucky "pregnancy" symptoms. Let's hope it stays that way.

Have you started to show yet: Got the Buddha belly going on.

Gender: I don't want to beat a dead horse, but I still think it's a boy. If it's a girl that will tell me how great my mother's intuition is. HA!

Special things I'm focusing on: Staying healthy, strong, fit and getting enough rest.
Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Very happy.

Looking forward to: Settling down and figuring out the nursery. Couple more weeks til we know what baby Casinover is!!

17 Weeks

2014-01-14T15:33:00.001-05:00

How far along? 17 Weeks

Total weight gain/loss: 12lbs gained (haven't weighed in)

Maternity clothes? In the pants department, maternity pants are by far the most comfortable. I have been getting away occasionally, wearing my pre-pregnancy jeans using a hair band around the button and loop. This hair band maternity trick is very clever! Althought it's not my favorite because it shows a lump from the button and hair tie. I also have been waiting for a belly band to show up that I ordered off of Zulily, but holy crap, it's been a month since I ordered it...how long am I suppose to wait with them to recieve the product? Everytime I check the order status it still says "shipping to Zulily."

I receieved my new bras!! Praise Jesus, I'm comfortable again. I'm up 1 cup size, but gave myself more room around the torso. Soooo much better! I think all my weight gain was in my chest. Just call me, "Big Boob Betty." ;)

Stretch marks? None so far.

Sleep: My sleeping habits have been good. Been going to bed at 9 or 9:30, getting up to use the bathroom about 2-3 times per night. I'm averaging 8 to 8 1/2 hours per sleep each night according to the Jawbone UP. Have you tried the Jawbone? It's pretty cool. It also tells me how active I'm being during the day which since my job is pretty sedentary, is a nice reminder to get up and take a walk around the building, or take a lap or two up and down the stairs.

Best moment this week: While at crossfit, I was trying to perform a clean and while trying to get the bar up, I kept hitting the baby bump. Baby bump is starting to get in the way of things!!!! HA HA!

Eddie laughed and said, "Toughen that baby up, show him who's boss." Although our coach was like, "Yeah, let's do some sumo deadlift high pulls instead." Ha ha, so that workout I modified the cleans to the sumo deadlift high pulls. I guess bumping the bump is frowned upon.

Miss Anything? I've been missing beer lately. It just sounds so good.

Movement: I don't believe I have felt any movement still. Still thinking what I do feel, might just be gas.

Food cravings: I still am loving fresh fruit. I've been eating pineapple, strawberries, blueberries, bananas, oranges and cantaloupe. I've also been eating salads again! HOOORAY!!! Veggies for snacks, like carrots and cucumbers are my favorite lately. I also have been eating cereal! Rice Chex or Corn Chex (both gluten free) with a banana or some blueberries thrown in the mix. Delish! I've eaten that for dinner twice this past week, it's so yummy. It's been the perfect go to meal after work and crossfit. So I may not be totally back on Paleo, but I'm on the road to a more Paleo-ish style.

Anything making you queasy or sick: No, I'm happy to say that I haven't been feeling bad at all. I've been feeling great!

Have you started to show yet: HELLOOOOOO baby bump. This baby I feel has had a huge growth spurt in there. It feels weird to bend over to put on my shoes, which is annoying, although I'm still capable of doing sit ups. Yippee~!

Gender: A majority of you think it's going to be a girl, or wish a little girl on Eddie. ;) But I'm still convinced it's a boy. I don't know why. I keep calling him, he, and him without hesitation. We've had someone who has guessed 9 for 9 babies with 100% accuracy tell us that it is, in fact, a boy. Oooooohhhhh, this is so fun!! I can't wait to find out.

Special things I'm focusing on: Staying strong, building my endurance and staying active with crossfit. Drinking lots of water (4-5 20 ounce bottles of water per day). Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy, happy, happy!

Looking forward to: Finding out who is right, is it a boy or a girl?