7 Months Postparum: Thankfulness, Joy, & Loving Yourself!

7 Months Postpartum: Thankfulness, Joy, & Loving Yourself!

Weight lifting/Strength training 1-2 times a week. My favorite class 

 Walks with my little guy & my man are the best kind of work out though.

He gives me the greatest joy... i would have 1,000,000 kids if it were possible. Being his mama has made living so rewarding, so fulfilling, and so joy-filled!

Hikes w/ these two

Not sure if my uterus will ever be back to how it use to be, I definitely have to tighten my tummy to hold it in. I think thats just what might happen after babies though. My moms had 5 kids and she always talks about how it never went back. Its so worth wakling around looking 4 months prego though! (;

I thought it would be interesting to see a side by side of 4 weeks pregnant (basically prebaby) and of me 7 months postpartum. You can definitely tell im still exclusively breast feeding lol! My ribs are wider (i think) and I have a little more skin below my belly button. My belly button has changed its shape a tiny bit too! 

Heres what I had to say this month:

Hey ladies, I reached that 7 month postpartum mark last month and have been meaning to post but wasn't sure about what I wanted to write this month. I try to use these posts as a platform to talk about something important, not just share about fitness, or exercise, but to be really honest, to reach other woman who are right here on this journey with me.

This month I recieved a lot of emails from some of you. Most of the emails were about you guys struggling either currently or in the past with body image and your self worth.  My heart broke as I read every word you shared. I want to thank you again for your courage and for sharing a part of your story and your lives with me. You are so inspiring.  I hope its okay that i share just a piece of what one of you ladies sent me, i'll be sure to keep it annonymous..

One reader shared with me how my blog has reminded her of another blogger she use to read years ago..she shared with me how this blogger was simply thankful for life and how that helped her break free from the bondage of the shame she felt for her body. Heres what she said,

" to be thankful for all those small things that her life was filled with... Those pictures and articles made me want to be thankful, made me want to heal.

When I found your blog, it made me remember that girl. How without knowing it, she saved my life. Following your blog is like reminding me how far I came and most importantly how happy I am. 

......




Our live's are filled with miracle babies, wonderful life partners and precious moments. And the thing I realize is that you've got to love yourself if you want to be able to see all that!"







Her words inspired me so much. She pointed out the importance of how loving yourself can free you in so many ways. It helps open your eyes up to see the beauty in the world around us. If we have shame, hatred, or disgust for our bodies, we stop loving ourselves. We start bashing ourselves. We begin to look in the mirror and make agreements with all sorts of lies the enemy whispers to us.."you're ugly, you're fat, you aren't good enough, you'll always be like this, who will ever want you or love you, you have to be thin to be loved". The list goes on.  When that is your focus, when that becomes the way you see yourself how can you see clearly when you are believing lies about yourself?




If we develop an attitude of gratitude, if we  begin to "TRY" to just accept and love ourselve on the inside and outside.. our hearts change. We become thankful. And then we can fully appreciate all that God has given us. We can begin to really live this life abundantly as He calls us to. 




Choose Joy today. Choose to be thankful.






The Winner of the iphone Case giveaway with the Psalm 139 verse is "K-Photography", comment on here leaving your email so I can make sure to get your address for shipping. Congratulations love, and thanks to all who entered! 




What would you guys like to see offered for a giveway in the future? What do you think about this post?

37 Weeks Pregnant

37 Weeks Pregnant

9 month pregnancy update

Front view of the baby bump at 37 weeks

Baby belly comparison at 7 weeks pregnant, 27 weeks pregnant, and 37 weeks pregnant

 Side view of the baby bump at Full term! woohoo!

I got sick (again) for the umpteenth time during this pregnancy! Sheesh! And the last few times my hubby gave it to me.. what is this boy eating that he keeps getting sick! Grrr. While pregnant you cant really take any medicine or extra vitamins so i try to drink my vitamins and nutrients through juicing. I usually go to mothers market and get the 'green goddess' but i thought id try out Nekter a newer place in town. I got the "greeny", it was pretty much the same as mothers green goddess drink and for around the same cost. Yum!

Being full term has me appreciating every last moment with this little guy inside my belly. I will miss feeling him move around and how hes always with me. I will miss looking down and seeing my growing tummy (which is now the size of a WATERMELON, according to "what to expect when you are expecting").  I will miss the joy people experience feeling my big ol bump, and how my husband dotes on me and treats me extra special, like im fragile.. its adorable and makes me fall even more in love with him. I will miss the excuse that im having an 'off' day and i dont need to get out of bed early or make it to the gym or the excuse that im having a pregnancy craving and just neeeeed some sweets (;

How far along: 37 Weeks pregnant, 10 months !

(depending on how you track your pregnancy, some women go by 9 months, but most dr's and books and online sites go by every 4 weeks you are in a new month, which puts me in my 10th month)! 

Weight Gain: 22 lbs (little man is still growing strong!)

Stretch Marks: none

Belly Button: OUT

Wedding Rings On/Off:  On

Movement: VEERY active still!

Feeling: I still feel really great.. i had one bad day this week on monday when i was sun burned and not feeling so great, i was over being pregnant for the first time since the first trimester when i was sick as a dog.  It only lasted a couple hours and then i was back to my happy self again.  I still feel healthy and energetic (i get sleepy about an hour and a half after i wake up this week, two or three days i even got back into bed and took an hour nap! and sleepy around 4pm to 6pm then i get a second wind). This week was the only week i actually took naps (for those 2 days). I think its because i was getting sick, my body was extra tired fighting off this cold. I've done a lot of resting this week, still staying active but allowing myself to just relax.

Cravings: chocolate as usual. No real crazy cravings. I wanted a burger tuesday night at 9pm (we had couples bible study and hadnt eaten dinner yet) so we went to "The Habit", it was okay, not as good as some other places ive tried, im not really a burger person but maybe baby needed a little more protein that day, who knows?  The last 2 days ive had less of an appetite.. its getting harder for me to want to cook these days, but im still doing it.

Symptoms:  Im still eating spicy foods, late at night, and big meals and havent had  a problem with heart burn yet. I have a numbness on my right upper rib under my right breast still (mostly while sitting). Only new symptoms really are early or pre labor symptoms (see below)...

Pre labor signs:  

The Dr. Checked me this week again and I was 60% effaced still, 1/2 centimeter dialted (yahhhooo for progress, any progress ill take it!), and baby is at station -2. This means his head is down in my pelvis engaged. He still needs to drop a little but some women dont do this until they go into active labor.     My hips are achy at different times of the day still, and so are my upper thighs.  I have had cramps in my lower abdomen almost every day now..they feel like menstrual cramps (mostly while working out).  On Tuesday night at bible study i had MAJOR cramps, more painful than regular period cramps.. i was scared for a second that i was beginning labor, but they subsided after an hour. My best friend Kelly is a doula and she said this is my body preparing for labor (pre labor or early labor is what its called, and it can last hours ,days, or weeks).  It felt like my uterus was pulling upward and i had back pain at the same time.  I also have had this pinching, sharp, tickly feeling in my cervix area still at random moments of the day.  I have had shooting hip pain randomly as well the last couple days.   We did the B Strep test last week (as i mentioned on my 36 week blog post) and my results came back negative... however, because i was positive at my 8 week pregnancy check up in the beginning they will give me antibiotics during labor anyhow just to be sure. I dont even know why they tested me since they were going to give it to me anyways, i sort of see it as pointless, but maybe they have to for liability reasons? 

Missing: feeling comfortable sleeping!

Looking Forward to: Our next dr's visit and LABOR.. i cannot wait to meet our little boy! I cant believe ill soon be a mommy and get to watch my husband become a father. He can come any day now, its so surreal!

Sleep:  I wake up at least 2 times for bathroom trips. (2-3 most nights now). I am really uncomfortable every time i get into bed at night and every time i go to the bathroom its difficult to fall back asleep again.

Exercise: still doing it, this week I did 1 light weight training day (thursday), and 5 days of cardio. As i said last week, my motivation to work out right now is to help the baby move down and continue seeing progress each week. Every day is a chore to get to the gym, but it keeps me sane, helps my body have energy and helps with progress as i said. So im going to try to keep it up as long as i can.

Count down: im FULL TERM !!!!He can come any day now safely! im Due in 3 weeks (21 days) officially. We'll see when he wants to surprise us!

Maternity Photoshoot: Celebrating Our First Baby

Maternity Photoshoot: Celebrating Our First Baby

My sister Kelsey is an amazing Orange County Photographer (link here). She shoots weddings, engagment photos, maternit, infant shoots, family photos, senior portraits, etc. She is an incredibly gifted woman and I am so thankful that she is not only talented, but she has such a giving heart and always offers to shoot us and capture such special treasured moments in our lives.

We wanted to take maternity photos to remember our very first pregnancy and capture this journey on footage! We are so pleased with how the photos turned out. There were so many to choose from but heres a couple just to share with you:

Get the look: 

A lot of you have emailed me or commented below for the details on where I purchased these looks. I have included the exact floral dress below, a couple similar cream dresses, the exact fringe crocheted top im wearing, and a couple maxi skirts that would look cute to complete the look. I also shared some similar inexpensive shoe options and a hat for the floral number. HOpe this helps!

XO

Dillard's Tops · Full Tilt Teen Girls' Tops · Charlotte Russe Tanks

36 Weeks Pregnancy Update

36 Weeks Pregnant

9 Months

36 week baby bump

36 week baby bump

Fun in the sun, Summer is officially here! Playing with my little boys cousins (my nephews and nieces)

Corona Del Mar, loving these littles <3

This week I was brave and thought "i might as well try on my pre prego skinny jeans before i go into labor and never know if they still fit".. I hadnt wore jeans in months because its been so hot, i've mostly stuck to skirts, dresses and leggings, so i had no clue if theyd fit still.  So happy to say at 9 months pregnant they still fit and even button! Wooohoo!

How far along: 36 Weeks pregnant (and two days now), 9 Months pregnant 

Weight Gain: 21 lbs (not sure if i had a little water weight or what but went down -.4 lbs so im about 21 [20.8] They say you can lose weight right before labor, towards the end, so I guess we'll see next week if i gain or lose or stay the same)

Stretch Marks: none

Belly Button: OUT

Wedding Rings On/Off:  On

Movement: VERY VEERY active still! The nurse keeps telling me each week that he will be less active once he has less room to move around, but this little guys somehow finds a way to still be a crazy ninja in there day and night.

Feeling: Really good. I got a bad sun burn at the beach thanks to my moms "NEW ORGANIC " sunscreen that didnt do any screening or protecting whatsoever! OUCH! Thats been very uncomfortable the last day and a half.  Getting a little but more uncomfortable and realizing im limited in what i can do these days with a big ol' belly. 

Cravings: chocolate here and there. Fresh food, healthy food. nothing new really

Symptoms:  Im still eating spicy foods, late at night, and big meals and havent had too much of a problem with heart burn yet. I have a numbness on my right upper rib under my right breast still (mostly while sitting). Sleepy around 3pm, then i get a second wind later in the evening. 

Pre labor signs:  

The Dr. Checked me this week (ill have weekly check ups starting now) and I was 60% effaced, and baby is at station -2. This means his head is down in my pelvis! I wasnt dialted yet, so we will see what happens at our next dr.'s visit.   My hips are achy at different times of the day.  I have had cramps in my lower abdomen almost every day now..they feel like menstrual cramps (mostly in the morning or while working out).  I also have had this pinching, sharp, tickly feeling in my cervix area still (the nurse said this is the baby on my nerves around the cervix). I get this pinching feeling often.  We did the B Strep test and will get our results monday.

Missing: feeling in control of what my bodies going through... with all these weird painful symptoms, feeling uncomfortable, and having the worst sun burn ive ever had to date, its hard for me to just relax and wait this out. Im starting to get really anxious about when hes going to come. 

Looking Forward to: Our next dr's visit (to check progression) and labor! AHHH i cant believe ill be full term in 5 days! He can come safely any time after that. My brain is just now starting to acknowledge whats about to happen! pregnancy will be over soon and our sweet little angel will forever be ours.

Sleep: its the same. I wake up at least 2 times for bathroom trips. (2-3 most nights now). My shoulders and hips hurt so i usually end up on my back (BAD, but i cant help it).

Exercise: still doing it, as hard as it is now (with having to pee every 15-20 mins, cramps, and that leg heaviness that comes and goes), i know i will happy i did after so i push myself to do it.  This week I did 2 light weight training days, and 5 days of cardio. I am so relaxed and dont put pressure on myself to have an intense work out, i just want to keep movement a part of my routine....and now i see it as helping the baby move down further in my pelvis and helping labor progress (which has definitely helped motivate me this week, as ive been more and more tired in the afternoons).

Update: I took care of the baby insurance. We installed the base and carseat into my hubbys car (still need to get it checked to make sure it was done correctly as well as install the other base into my car). We cleaned our home together (but we'll have to keep doing this every week to maintain and make sure its ready for out little boy). We finished all of his laundry, packed our hospital bags, and my car is just about clean and ready to go (did a couple recalls i had on my car), i just need to clean out the trunk a little more.  

Count down: FULL TERM IN 5 DAYS!!!! Due in 3 weeks and 5 days (or less, i hope!)! Which means he could come safely any time between 5 days and 4 weeks from now! 

When i first found out i was pregnant i measured right where my belly button is and i was 27" ... I measured again at 30 weeks(+3 days) and i was 34 1/2 inches. I measured again at 32 weeks (+4 days) and i was 35 1/2 inches, i measured at 34 wks (+2 days) i was 35 1/2 still, at 35 weeks i was 36 inches, and at 36 weeks i was 36 1/2 inches right at the widest part of the belly button area. Its neat to watch how quickly the belly grows during the last trimester.. i wish i had measured weekly the entire pregnancy but i forgot.

34 Weeks Pregnant Update

34 Weeks Pregnancy Update:

Oh my goodness..this belly has POPPED!!! 

Pretty neat comparison: 4 weeks, 24 weeks, and 34 weeks pregnant!

Its fun to find comfy and cute clothes to dress the bump, but im definitely excited to one day soon be able to just throw something on and not have to worry about it being uncomfortable, hot, or show my belly. 

How far along: 34 weeks! 8.5 Months Pregnant!

Weight Gain: 20 lbs (he had a growth spurt this week...hence the HUGE BUMP)

Stretch Marks: none

Belly Button: OUT

Wedding Rings On/Off:  On

Movement: ALL THE TIME! He is starting to kick or elbow or knee my sides (not sure which body part of his it is but its something pointy!) and ill feel a little foot or something sticking out of my left side about a half an inch (You can even see it poking out).. pretty neat!

Feeling: Really good! im waiting for the week that I feel miserable and am dying to get this little guy out.. hasnt happened yet but people keep telling me its going to come! So far my comfortability level is about the same. Its hard to bend down, and my lungs are squished so it makes it tough to get a deep breath in (sometimes i feel light headed or like im going to pass out/nauseas from lack of oxygen)

Mood: really happy. extremely grateful. enjoying every moment

Cravings: chocolate. sweets! Ive been loving trader joe's dark chocolate covered pretzle thins, and cookie dough! Yum!

Symptoms: same... a little acid reflux (burning in my throat) but not really that intense, and hasnt led to that dreaded heart burn a lot of mommies talk about. Im still eating spicy foods, late at night, and big meals and havent had too much of a problem yet. (crossing my fingers!). Hungrier lately, maybe hes just getting nice and plump! They say the last trimester is when you really need to up your caloric intake. I  dont track or count calories so I am just eating whenever im hungry and trying (as best as  pregnant woman can) to eat healthy for the most part. I've also been getting leg cramps (charlie horses) in my calf when im sleeping, ill wake up from stretching my calf because of the pain (this is a common complaint of a lot of preggos).

Missing: muscle tone. when youre pregnant because of water weight, lose ligaments (due to hormones), and added cushion,keeping muscle tone up is a challenge. I stil have muscle, but im definitely softer than im used to.

Looking Forward to: Our next dr's visit. Its not this monday but the following. Maybe we will be able to check if im effaced or dialated at all? Im also really looking forward to going on maternity leave (just one week left of work!). Although i have a couple clients ill be doing phone sessions/skype with most likely here and there.

Sleep: its the same. I wake up at least 2 times for bathroom trips.

Exercise: still going strong. Im just taking it one day at a time. This week I did 2 light weight training days, and 6 days of moderate cardio.

32 Week Pregnancy Update

32 Weeks Pregnancy Update: 

Baby Bump Comparisons from 12 weeks, 22 weeks and 32 weeks pregnant. Amazing to see the growth and how our bodies just know what to do! 

Tummy Shots: 32 Weeks Pregnant

I always post the bare belly, but i thought id share what it looks like in every day clothes so here are a couple of my OOTD

32 Week Pregnancy Update:

How far along: 32 weeks! 8 Months Pregnant!

Weight Gain: 18.3 lbs gained so far

Stretch Marks: none

Belly Button: OUT

Wedding Rings On/Off:  On

Movement: ALL THE TIME! I love feeling him moving around in there, it never ever gets old! He is such a night owl, around 9 oclock he gets going and doesnt stop until around 12ish and then finally settles down. I know im going to miss this. I love having him with me at all times (:

Feeling: Really great actually. I have a day or two in the week when the exhaustion catches up with me but im not complainin.  I still have a ton of energy! Im trying to get everything done ahead of time so those last few weeks i can just relax. Im beginning to shop for things ill need for my hospital bag (i can do a post on this later).  And getting all his diapers sorted, putting together his swing, stroller, etc.  Theres just so much left to do! I need to order a glider still, a breast pump, wash all of his clothes (any suggestions for detergents you like for babies are welcome!), and the list goes on  and on. We also need to decide where we will be moving when our lease is up in September (a month and half after hes here! Ugh moving with a newborn does not sound fun).

Mood: really happy. I love pregnancy! i couldnt say that in the first trimester but the second and third have been an incredible experience i wouldnt trade for anything. I feel so good and so thankful. I havent had any moody moments as of late (thank you hormones for giving my husband a break lol). Ive had a great pregnancy thus far with no real complications aside from extreme nausea in the beginning.  I love having a bump. Its fun to dress even though its getting way more challenging as of late due to my shirts being so short. I stick with wearing mostly non maternity clothes (dresses, maxi skirts, longer shirts, and just having fun with it).

Symptoms: heart burn a couple times a week but its not unbearable and i havent really had to take anything other than a couple times i had a few Tums.  Im starting to have difficulty wearing normal bras (underwire is just a no no now). They dig into my rib cage while im sitting because my uterus has taken over my entire tummy and pushes up against my ribs. Its making it harder to breathe but its mostly just when i sit down. I get leg cramps when im sleeping if i point my toes to stretch my leg really quick (feels sort of like a charlie horse, OUCH!). Its hard to bend down now and get out of bed. I have to roll to the side to avoid using my abs (which hurt from my tummy stretching).  Other than that i feel the same and have no new symptoms.

Missing: being able to lay on my tummy and cuddle my hubby close (we have a huge belly in the way of us now). ahah. I miss just doing normal things like bending down easily and getting out of bed without having to roll to the side like a whale hahah.

Looking Forward to: our drs visit on tuesday..we get an ultrasound  to measure his growth thus far. i love seeing him! Its also always reassuring to have the Dr check everything out and tell me he looks "Perfect".  Speaking of which, we went to a 4D place last sunday and got to see our little cutie pies face! Ill share a few pics in another post! These are too cute and too neat to miss!

Sleep: its the same. Its hard to put myself to bed when my mind starts racing with a thousand things i need to do (pay a bill, clean the dishes, make my husbands lunch, fold clothes, you name it).  And when my husband wakes up at 630am for school it wakes me up no matter how quiet he is and its so hard for me to fall back asleep.  I also wake up 2-3 times a night for bathroom trips depending on how tired i am or how much water i had right before bed (thats when i down a bottle or so to make sure im hitting 10-12 glasses a day).

Exercise: still doing moderate cardio 5 days a week and 1-2 days of light weights. This week i managed to get in all of my cardio and 2 days of weight training woohoo! Every time i finish a work out i am proud of myself. At 8 months i wasnt sure how i would hold up and some days are so hard to get started but i just tell myself "do what you can and be proud of yourself for how ever little or much it is" and i end up doing pretty well at the end of it.

UPdate: we finished our preparation for childbirth class this past wednesday! We did learn a lot and mostly took away tools for Coach (dad) to use to help the woman in labor (relaxation techniques like guided imagery and breathing tools). It was worth the money.  I feel a lot more ease going into this, especially knowing my husband is also so prepared and educated.  Next on the list, we start our infant safety class in two weeks!