Monday, November 25, 2013
Is it a boy?!!
I just took this test for fun, and it says we're having a boy! We're still not going to find out the gender officially, but it's fun to think of the possibilities!
Friday, November 22, 2013
How to survive the holidays while preggers....
I love this article, particularly the one about hands off the bump! Read on......http://www.modernalternativemama.com/blog/2013/11/19/the-top-10-ways-to-survive-the-holidays-while-pregnant/#.
The holidays are a joyful time to be pregnant, but with food, family, and fun comes a lot of fatigue (and more than a little stress). These tips will keep you feeling festive – and feeling healthy, calm, and rested.
Stay Hydrated
Keep a water bottle with you at all times – and top it off regularly. Sipping frequently keeps you well-hydrated which helps you feel better. It’s also important to your body and your baby. Dehydration can lead to stress, fatigue, and even pre-term labor.
Put Your Feet Up
You’ll probably have parties spanning the entire holiday season, not to mention shopping to do, presents to wrap, and loved ones to visit. All the hustle and bustle can be tiring for anyone – and downright exhausting when you’re pregnant. Make sure you’re getting the rest you need. Sneak in a nap before a big party. Put your feet up frequently and remember to give yourself a break!
Skip the Late Nights
Christmas parties and reunions can run well into the wee hours of the morning. It might be fun to stay up to ring in the New Year, but otherwise excuse yourself well before midnight. Building a baby is a hard job and the pre-midnight hours bring the highest quality rest and restoration for your body. Go to bed as early as you can get away with.
Let Somebody Else Entertain
Planning Thanksgiving and Christmas get-togethers can be really rewarding – and really stressful. Gracefully let someone else play hostess this year. You can offer to help with cleanup, but skip the stress of putting on the events..
Hands off the Bump
Everybody’s hands go towards a baby bump and things can quickly get overwhelming (and downright rude) at a party or crowded event. Have a “no hands” policy for your bump. Smile and turn aside if someone swoops in, commenting that you’re really tender from all those baby kicks.
Nod and Smile
Pregnancy is a time for unsolicited advice. Add in the hustle and bustle of the holidays and you’re in for more than a few bits of unwanted wisdom. The best tactic is to simply nod and smile, thanking the person for their advice.
The exception to this rule is with birth stories. If someone launches their tale of a trauma-filled birth, politely interrupt them and ask them to share after the baby is born.
Eat Before the Festivities
Traditional holidays menus tend to be anything but natural foods. Condensed soups, white flour, and a whole host of additives are typically used for both appetizers and “holiday favorites” alike.
Make it a point to eat before you go out to holiday gatherings. Then you can enjoy a small plate or munch on a treat or two, knowing that you and your baby ate plenty of healthy food to carry you through the fun.
Forget the Shop Til You Drop
Tis the season for shopping, and all-night, on-your-feet madness is not good for you or your baby. Hostile fellow shoppers and high tension levels are exactly the opposite of what you want your baby exposed to.
Thankfully, things are a lot easier for pregnant moms today: sit down and let your mouse do the walking. Great deals can be had via online shopping, so shop Cyber Monday and sit out Black Friday.
Treat the Treats Right
Holiday events are often full of pastries, cakes, candies, and other sugar-laden goodies. Indulging in a treat once in awhile is just fine, but your baby needs you to fill up on nutrient-dense foods.
Enjoy sugary holiday treats here and there, but don’t go overboard on the sugar rush. Use the suggestion from above and eat a nutrient-dense meal before heading out to a gathering with a lot of holiday sweets.
Enjoy the Season
The tips from above and a little common sense will keep you and your baby happy during the holidays. Enjoy your friends and family and keep your eye on the real reasons for the holiday season. You and baby both get a boost of oxytocin (that’s “the love hormone”) when you’re enjoying friends, family, and fellowship – and that has benefits from now until your baby’s birth!
The holidays are a joyful time to be pregnant, but with food, family, and fun comes a lot of fatigue (and more than a little stress). These tips will keep you feeling festive – and feeling healthy, calm, and rested.
Stay Hydrated
Keep a water bottle with you at all times – and top it off regularly. Sipping frequently keeps you well-hydrated which helps you feel better. It’s also important to your body and your baby. Dehydration can lead to stress, fatigue, and even pre-term labor.
Put Your Feet Up
You’ll probably have parties spanning the entire holiday season, not to mention shopping to do, presents to wrap, and loved ones to visit. All the hustle and bustle can be tiring for anyone – and downright exhausting when you’re pregnant. Make sure you’re getting the rest you need. Sneak in a nap before a big party. Put your feet up frequently and remember to give yourself a break!
Skip the Late Nights
Christmas parties and reunions can run well into the wee hours of the morning. It might be fun to stay up to ring in the New Year, but otherwise excuse yourself well before midnight. Building a baby is a hard job and the pre-midnight hours bring the highest quality rest and restoration for your body. Go to bed as early as you can get away with.
Let Somebody Else Entertain
Planning Thanksgiving and Christmas get-togethers can be really rewarding – and really stressful. Gracefully let someone else play hostess this year. You can offer to help with cleanup, but skip the stress of putting on the events..
Hands off the Bump
Everybody’s hands go towards a baby bump and things can quickly get overwhelming (and downright rude) at a party or crowded event. Have a “no hands” policy for your bump. Smile and turn aside if someone swoops in, commenting that you’re really tender from all those baby kicks.
Nod and Smile
Pregnancy is a time for unsolicited advice. Add in the hustle and bustle of the holidays and you’re in for more than a few bits of unwanted wisdom. The best tactic is to simply nod and smile, thanking the person for their advice.
The exception to this rule is with birth stories. If someone launches their tale of a trauma-filled birth, politely interrupt them and ask them to share after the baby is born.
Eat Before the Festivities
Traditional holidays menus tend to be anything but natural foods. Condensed soups, white flour, and a whole host of additives are typically used for both appetizers and “holiday favorites” alike.
Make it a point to eat before you go out to holiday gatherings. Then you can enjoy a small plate or munch on a treat or two, knowing that you and your baby ate plenty of healthy food to carry you through the fun.
Forget the Shop Til You Drop
Tis the season for shopping, and all-night, on-your-feet madness is not good for you or your baby. Hostile fellow shoppers and high tension levels are exactly the opposite of what you want your baby exposed to.
Thankfully, things are a lot easier for pregnant moms today: sit down and let your mouse do the walking. Great deals can be had via online shopping, so shop Cyber Monday and sit out Black Friday.
Treat the Treats Right
Holiday events are often full of pastries, cakes, candies, and other sugar-laden goodies. Indulging in a treat once in awhile is just fine, but your baby needs you to fill up on nutrient-dense foods.
Enjoy sugary holiday treats here and there, but don’t go overboard on the sugar rush. Use the suggestion from above and eat a nutrient-dense meal before heading out to a gathering with a lot of holiday sweets.
Enjoy the Season
The tips from above and a little common sense will keep you and your baby happy during the holidays. Enjoy your friends and family and keep your eye on the real reasons for the holiday season. You and baby both get a boost of oxytocin (that’s “the love hormone”) when you’re enjoying friends, family, and fellowship – and that has benefits from now until your baby’s birth!
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Not yet preggers but want to be? Here's how to survive the holiday season!
Not Pregnant at Christmas? How to Survive the Holidays
When you’re not pregnant at Christmas, the holidays are depressing and sad. (image by slightly everything, flickr)
One way to cope with not being pregnant at Christmas is to avoid the holiday season altogether. I’ve spent a few Christmases in Mexico and Hawaii, and found that it didn’t seem like Christmas at all (even though there were holiday decorations everywhere).
But, not everyone can afford to take a vacation at Christmas – nor is avoidance necessarily the best way to cope with disappointment over the holidays. Instead of avoiding the pain, it may be better to accept and feel it.
If you’re not pregnant at Christmas, my heart goes out to you. Christmas is for kids and families, and it feels incomplete and even devastating if your hopes and dreams for a baby haven’t been met. These tips won’t erase the pain, but maybe they’ll give you a few ideas for surviving the holidays.
Physical Ways to Survive Not Being Pregnant at Christmas
These tips include physical activity, massage, and nutrition. Take care of your body and mind at Christmas, and you may not feel as depressed about not being pregnant.- Get a massage
- Go skating, skiing, or walking in the snow with your favorite person
- Take a hot bubble bath
- Stop eating before you’re full – don’t stuff yourself
- Get enough sleep
- Drink less caffeine
- Keep taking your pre-pregnancy vitamins, supplements, minerals
- Drinks lots of water
- Get a manicure or pedicure
Emotional Ways to Survive a Childless Christmas
What gives you emotional energy and makes you happy? I love taking my dog to the dog park and watching her romp with her friends. This is the only time I’m totally in the moment, not thinking about the holidays, visiting family members, or not being pregnant. It’s always Christmas at the dog park!- Volunteer at a food bank or for a special holiday dinner
- Talk to your friends about your frustrations and joys
- Have a glass of wine or eggnog, but don’t overdo it
- Prioritize invitations; don’t feel pressured to accept them all
- Say no to parties that make you sad that you’re not pregnant at Christmas, or make a brief appearance.
- Don’t compare your life (or lack of children) to other people’s lives or families
- Take downtime to snooze, read, relax
- Play your favorite card and board games
- Take a crossword puzzle or Sudoku break
- Pick your battles and choose your priorities
- Let go of the little stuff
- Watch your favorite TV shows or movies
- Share your baking with homebound people or lonely neighbors
Emotional Ways to Survive Christmas
Do feel depressed, anxious, frustrated, or angry? How you feel can dictate how you cope. For example, if you feel angry, you may want to scream and punch pillows. If you’re anxious, you may need to try different relaxation techniques to overcome the sadness of not being pregnant at Christmas.- Write your feelings in a journal
- Practice gratitude – be grateful for what you do have
- Have realistic expectations of yourself, your loved ones, and the holiday season
- Laugh!
- Stay in touch with your authentic emotions
- Cry, scream, or punch the pillow when you need to
- Stop to take a deep breath
- Be alone for a few minutes or hours. Center yourself
- Keep old holiday traditions alive, but be open to new ones
- Let yourself grieve if you’ve recently discovered you’re still not pregnant
Practical Ways to Overcome Depression
If you’re the hostess for a family Christmas dinner or work party, these tips may help everything go more smoothly. They aren’t centred on not being pregnant at Christmas – they’re more practical and organizational in nature.- Use lists and calendars to stay organized
- Set attainable decorating and entertaining goals – don’t take on more than you can handle.
- Delegate chores: cooking, childcare, caring for guests, etc.
- Cook the turkey; let guests bring the rest. A Christmas potluck!
- Be flexible with timing, food, and schedules
- Rent funny DVDs and videos to keep family members busy
- Do your Christmas shopping online, to avoid crowds and reminders of not being pregnant
- Make sure prescription medications are filled
- Give yourself extra time to do everything
- Stick to your financial budget
- Avoid impulse buys
- Maintain healthy boundaries with loved ones at Christmas, and learn specific ways to overcome fertility depression.
- Don’t expect people to change (unless you change first)
Spiritual and Creative Ways to Cope With Not Being Pregnant at Christmas
- Paint, draw or carve your thoughts and feelings
- Visit a museum or art gallery
- Go to a movie in the middle of the day
- Listen to music that relaxes and/or energizes you
- Go for a drive in the country; stop for hot chocolate and muffins
- Meditate or pray several times a day
- Read the Bible, Torah, or other meaningful book
- Seek the deep meaning behind church or mass services
- Remember that your God, Creator or Higher Power is working behind the scenes
- Adjust your perspective to include peace, compassion, and forgiveness
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Baby's First Christmas!
Got a new baby? Yes, you CAN still enjoy Christmas! Read on....
From: http://pregnant.thebump.com/new-mom-new-dad/newborn-basics/articles/first-holiday-with-baby.aspx
What are holidays like with a new baby? Well, Grandma A invites you over for the whole week of Thanksgiving (don’t worry about packing—she’s set up a full nursery and bought a dozen turkey-themed onesies). Grandpa B insists that he and Grandma B will tag along for baby’s first Santa photos and will have you sleep over for baby’s first Christmas Eve. After Christmas lunch, of course, it’s over to Grandpa A’s place so that he gets a piece of baby too. (And if it’s Hanukkah you’re celebrating? That’s eight days of in-law action! Sheesh.)
Sound familiar? This sort of scenario is common, and it can be really stressful for new parents who just want to grab a few minutes alone together as a new family. Maybe you don’t want an audience for baby’s first holiday milestones. So what’s the solution? According to Tammy Gold, founder of Gold Parent Coaching, it’s all in the planning.
Make a game plan
First things first: You and your spouse have to be on the same page. This means sitting down together and really discussing how you each envision the holidays now that baby is on board. “Be open and honest,” urges Gold. You’ll need to iron out your individual ideas and decide how the two of you would like the holidays to happen. What’s important to you? Will you be creating new traditions? How much time would you like to spend alone? How much time do you want to spend with extended family and how can you make it fair? Would you consider hosting so that everyone travels to you? Hash out the challenges as soon as possible. You won’t want to wait until invitations are being issued and promises are being made.
Share the plan
Once the two of you have decided what you want to do, it's time to make it happen. “Announce your plan as soon as possible,” Gold says. “Say something like, 'We have a new baby, we're exhausted and I'm really concerned about the four-hour drive. What can we do to make it easier?'” According to Gold, it's best to make it clear that you love your folks and want to make time to be with them over the holidays, but that things are different now and there are new things to consider. Does this mean also considering the families of your siblings? Of course. “Let them all know you want to set it up so there's a little something for everyone,” Tammy says. And if your family insists that you stick to the same holiday schedule they’ve been on since you were born? Don't be afraid to refuse. “If they push, we push back and simply say no,” says jlw2505, a new mom chatting on our message boards, who limits family to two nights of Hanukkah.
Lose the guilt
Your parents may get upset when you start shaking up the holidays. Still, it's okay to give yourselves priority. “This is your new family,” Gold explains. “This family comes first.” Go ahead and set aside some time to have baby all to yourselves. “I see a lot of guilt coming from new parents surrounding this issue,” says Gold, explaining that by trying to satisfy everyone else, parents are missing out on valuable holiday time as a new family unit. “I dread that we will have to drag [our son] around for the whole day,” complains GM&DG, who plans to divide family holiday time between three full sets of grandparents. Still, she can't seem to imagine it any other way. “You can't assume what worked before will work again,” Gold points out. “This is a new family. Needs are different.” Does this mean ditching your mom's big dinner? Not necessarily. But it might mean asking Mom if she can do her dinner one night earlier this year. “It's about creating a new tradition that incorporates the old,” Gold insists.
Go with it
Your needs have been laid on the table, you've stuck to your guns and you've listened to what the new grandparents have to say. Maybe you've made a few compromises along the way. Once everyone is (relatively) on the same page, mark your calendar, shake off the stress and savor the holidays. This is a time for celebrating, after all!
From: http://pregnant.thebump.com/new-mom-new-dad/newborn-basics/articles/first-holiday-with-baby.aspx
What are holidays like with a new baby? Well, Grandma A invites you over for the whole week of Thanksgiving (don’t worry about packing—she’s set up a full nursery and bought a dozen turkey-themed onesies). Grandpa B insists that he and Grandma B will tag along for baby’s first Santa photos and will have you sleep over for baby’s first Christmas Eve. After Christmas lunch, of course, it’s over to Grandpa A’s place so that he gets a piece of baby too. (And if it’s Hanukkah you’re celebrating? That’s eight days of in-law action! Sheesh.)
Sound familiar? This sort of scenario is common, and it can be really stressful for new parents who just want to grab a few minutes alone together as a new family. Maybe you don’t want an audience for baby’s first holiday milestones. So what’s the solution? According to Tammy Gold, founder of Gold Parent Coaching, it’s all in the planning.
Make a game plan
First things first: You and your spouse have to be on the same page. This means sitting down together and really discussing how you each envision the holidays now that baby is on board. “Be open and honest,” urges Gold. You’ll need to iron out your individual ideas and decide how the two of you would like the holidays to happen. What’s important to you? Will you be creating new traditions? How much time would you like to spend alone? How much time do you want to spend with extended family and how can you make it fair? Would you consider hosting so that everyone travels to you? Hash out the challenges as soon as possible. You won’t want to wait until invitations are being issued and promises are being made.
Share the plan
Once the two of you have decided what you want to do, it's time to make it happen. “Announce your plan as soon as possible,” Gold says. “Say something like, 'We have a new baby, we're exhausted and I'm really concerned about the four-hour drive. What can we do to make it easier?'” According to Gold, it's best to make it clear that you love your folks and want to make time to be with them over the holidays, but that things are different now and there are new things to consider. Does this mean also considering the families of your siblings? Of course. “Let them all know you want to set it up so there's a little something for everyone,” Tammy says. And if your family insists that you stick to the same holiday schedule they’ve been on since you were born? Don't be afraid to refuse. “If they push, we push back and simply say no,” says jlw2505, a new mom chatting on our message boards, who limits family to two nights of Hanukkah.
Lose the guilt
Your parents may get upset when you start shaking up the holidays. Still, it's okay to give yourselves priority. “This is your new family,” Gold explains. “This family comes first.” Go ahead and set aside some time to have baby all to yourselves. “I see a lot of guilt coming from new parents surrounding this issue,” says Gold, explaining that by trying to satisfy everyone else, parents are missing out on valuable holiday time as a new family unit. “I dread that we will have to drag [our son] around for the whole day,” complains GM&DG, who plans to divide family holiday time between three full sets of grandparents. Still, she can't seem to imagine it any other way. “You can't assume what worked before will work again,” Gold points out. “This is a new family. Needs are different.” Does this mean ditching your mom's big dinner? Not necessarily. But it might mean asking Mom if she can do her dinner one night earlier this year. “It's about creating a new tradition that incorporates the old,” Gold insists.
Go with it
Your needs have been laid on the table, you've stuck to your guns and you've listened to what the new grandparents have to say. Maybe you've made a few compromises along the way. Once everyone is (relatively) on the same page, mark your calendar, shake off the stress and savor the holidays. This is a time for celebrating, after all!
What to eat over the holidays....
From: http://www.mom365.com/pregnancy/posts/2012/dec/holiday-eating-a-pregnancy-cheat-sheet.aspx
Holiday Eating: A Pregnancy Cheat Sheet
The guidelines are strict, but mama needs some pleasure!
As we all know, eating well is essential during the nine months of gestation. The growing baby needs a wide and consistent array of vitamins and minerals to encourage the healthy growth of brain tissue and muscles and bones – and certain foods are on the no-go list (think: runny unpasteurized cheeses, sushi, and raw eggs), but mama needs some pleasure! And she’s going to get it. I may miss out on the joys of spiked egg nog and raw salmon sushi rolls during the holiday season, but I know that it’s still possible for us pregnant ladies to happily eat our way to the new year.Here’s how:
Skip the homemade nog in favor of the pasteurized alternative. Real egg nog is made with raw eggs, which can lead to salmonella, a seriously unpleasant condition that can be extra dangerous for those carrying a growing human. Thankfully, most store-bought egg nog varieties are made with pasteurized eggs – safe for preggy consumption. Sprinkle a little nutmeg on top, toast under the mistletoe and you may not even miss the rum that’s spiking everyone else’s glass.
When it comes to the cheese tray, choose hard over soft. I adore stinky, soft cheeses – the runnier the better. I find myself often day dreaming about drippy Camemberts and silky Bries. But pregnancy – at least in America – asks me to set down my cheesy desires and focus on safe alternatives, which are pasteurized and free from dangerous bacteria like listeria. To calm my urges for a satisfying fromage this holiday season, I will set my sights on flavorful hard cheeses like manchego, parmesean, feta, Swiss, and gruyere.
Raw fish is a no, but sushi is a yes. Raw fish may be at the top of the pregnancy no-consume list, but that doesn’t mean that sushi is completely knocked out. If there’s a sushi tray at your office holiday party, look for items that are veggie-exclusive or those made with cooked seafood. Cooked shrimp and crab are often common components of sushi rolls. I love rolls made with avocado and pickled veggies – perhaps not as satisfying as a hunk of raw toro, but dipped in soy sauce and wasabi, they definitely scratch the sushi itch.
You can lick the spoon. Explore the wonders of eggless cookie dough. Cookie making is a huge part of my family’s holiday festivities. And while most of the raw dough ends up in the oven, a part of it definitely ends up in my stomach (how else do I ensure that it’s tasty?). Pregnancy and its strict “no raw egg” rule – salmonella and all that -- used to limit my cookie dough consumption. Until now! The advent of eggless cookie dough has revolutionized pregnant cookie dough eating. Check out this awesome recipe. I’m definitely going to have a batch of this within easy reach while I bake the family cookies this year.
Read more at http://www.mom365.com/pregnancy/posts/2012/dec/holiday-eating-a-pregnancy-cheat-sheet.aspx#WqGaYGmrt4ZETTAT.99
YAWN (and puke)!!
I had to stay home from work yesterday due to my pukage and extreme exhaustion. It felt good to sleep until 3:30 p.m.! Can I do that every day?!!
Many new moms have told me to sleep now... while I can. One in particular has a nine month old and hasn't slept for more than 3 consecutive hours since being 7 months pregnant. Ouch! Sleep now I will indeed!!!
Every day that goes by, I worry a tiny bit less about Bean and his or her viability. His ridiculously strong heartbeat is an excellent indication that things will continue to go well. I need to have faith and hope in that.
In the meantime, my bed is my new BFF, as is streaming Netflix movies on my iPad. My cat nurse (Mikey) continues to be by my side all the time.
Yesterday, even my hubby thanked me for "going through this for us." Awwww! I never thought of it like that, but it is pretty amazing what the female human body can endure and create when a new life is involved.
I am counting down the minutes until I can go back to bed! Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz......
My adorable feline nurse, Mikey:
Many new moms have told me to sleep now... while I can. One in particular has a nine month old and hasn't slept for more than 3 consecutive hours since being 7 months pregnant. Ouch! Sleep now I will indeed!!!
Every day that goes by, I worry a tiny bit less about Bean and his or her viability. His ridiculously strong heartbeat is an excellent indication that things will continue to go well. I need to have faith and hope in that.
In the meantime, my bed is my new BFF, as is streaming Netflix movies on my iPad. My cat nurse (Mikey) continues to be by my side all the time.
Yesterday, even my hubby thanked me for "going through this for us." Awwww! I never thought of it like that, but it is pretty amazing what the female human body can endure and create when a new life is involved.
I am counting down the minutes until I can go back to bed! Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz......
My adorable feline nurse, Mikey:
Monday, November 18, 2013
I am a barf monster!
I guess this is a good thing, right? I can barely keep anything down now.
As I was puking this morning, my husband said, "Well, at least you're not a bird. Then you'd have to throw up your food to feed to your children at every meal."
What a guy! :)
Happy Monday!!
As I was puking this morning, my husband said, "Well, at least you're not a bird. Then you'd have to throw up your food to feed to your children at every meal."
What a guy! :)
Happy Monday!!
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