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?

40 Weeks Pregnant

40 Weeks Pregnant

(I went into labor Saturday at 12am, so technically when i was going to bed friday night on my due date! We had our little boy Sunday at 12:03 am July 21st 2013. I didnt get a chance to post my 40 week update since I was in labor late that night... so here it is: )

Sno on the go with my sissys and nephew and niece (they were so sweet to keep me preoccupied that last week when i was getting so frustrated from being in pain from back labor all night and no sleep). Those last few weeks of pregnancy are no joke!

Pregnant belly. Baby bump 40 weeks

40 weeks pregnant

Did lots of walking, relaxing, distracting (did anything and everything to make myself think i was actually helping the process along, as well as distracted myself to try to avoid thinking about how much pain i was in).

How far along: 40 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:  21 lbs (lost 2 lbs or had swelling last week)

Stretch Marks: none

Belly Button: OUT

Wedding Rings On/Off:  On

Movement: active still! And his movements hurt! he is so big now that its uncomfortable.

Feeling: oh boy was this a rough week! i had 4 nights straight of excruciating back labor. It would start usually around 12am (sometimes 8pm) and last all night until 7-10am the next morning. It honestly felt like screw drivers were digging into my back, hips, and thighs. It wouldn't fade or come in waves it was mostly constant but would have waves of intensity where all i could do was moan in pain and get on all fours or in the bath tub. Id get frequent braxton hicks in my tummy every 5 minutes or so (sometimes 7 mins and sometimes every 3 minutes). I was exhausted every morning to say the least. i started losing hope that labor would ever progress on its own and thought maybe id have to be induced. i just couldn't understand why my body would start and stop. 

Cravings: Not really craving anything, lost my appetite.

Symptoms:  The same for all the normal symptoms but definitely more pre labor symptoms (see below). Im still eating spicy foods, late at night, and big meals and havent had  a problem with heart burn yet. Getting up to go to the restroom WAY more now (every hour).

Pre labor signs:  

The Dr. Checked me this last monday (39weeks +3 days) and i was 70% effaced still, now 1 1/2 centimeters dilated, and baby was still at station -2.  Ive been losing more plug (been happening for 3 weeks or so now). The cramping on and off at random times during the day has continued but more frequent now a days (feels like menstrual cramps with a bach ache). I get braxton hicks all day long at random times. I still have the shooting pain in my hips (randomly) KILLS!. Back labor at night as i described above...the worst thing ive ever gone through (4 days straight, no sleep, tremendous amount of pain with no pain relief).  

Missing: sleep!!! 

Looking Forward to: LABOR! our little bundle of love

Sleep:  no sleep. literally, i mean NONE.

Exercise: no weight training. cardio 3 days this week at the gym but mostly trying to just do light walking.  i took thursday and friday off and didnt even walk..as its my due date i wanted to save all the strength i have for labor, especially since im not sleeping at all 

Count down: Full Term! He is ready as he can be!  I am full term and ready for him!

39 Weeks Pregnant

39 Weeks Pregnant

Pregnancy update

 Baby bump at 39 weeks pregnant

 Baby bump pic at 39 weeks pregnant

Doing a work out class to try to get this little guy moving! Im thinking he wants to have a late arrival /:

My sweet girlfriend Courtney took me to get a pedicure, I told the lady to massage me good and try to induce labor.. i think she thought i was kidding or was scared to because she ended up being SOOOO GENTLE and was careful not to touch the spots that could bring on contractions. 

And a little belly fashion shot for ya (:

How far along: 39 Weeks pregnant, 10 months ! (and now +1 day)

(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: about 23 lbs 

Stretch Marks: none

Belly Button: OUT

Wedding Rings On/Off:  On

Movement: active still! And his movements hurt! he is so big now that its uncomfortable when he moves. It feels like hes tearing up my insides throwing a party in there. lol

Feeling: Im feeling good this week. I've had false labor twice now, and boy let me tell ya, IT IS NOT FUN. It messes with your mind. You get all excited, no sleep, sit there waiting for the contractions to get more intense, and then n o t h i n g.  They were 5 mins or less apart both times and lasted hours, so that was fun (sarcasim). My husband was sick this week, yep AGAIN. We arent sure if it was the stomach flu or if he ate something and had food poisoning, so we took precautions Tues through saturday and he slept separately and we made sure not to kiss or touch and sanitized everything in the house (including our hands 500 times a day). I really didnt want to get sick with the stomach flu and go into labor throwing up on top of awful pain.  Its been several days so im hoping it passed me! 

I'm so eager to meet this little boy of ours. I seriously cannot wait. I have to distract myself or i get to excited and then its hard to be patient. 

Cravings: Not really craving anything aside from sweets this week.  I've had more of an appetite in the morning than anything really.

Symptoms:  The same for all the normal symptoms but definitely more pre labor symptoms (see below). 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). Getting up to go to the restroom WAY more now (some nights 5 times!).

Pre labor signs:  

The Dr. Checked me this last monday (38 weeks +3 days) and i was 70% effaced still, now 1 full centimeter dilated, and baby was still at station -2.  Ive been losing more plug the last couple of days here and there. I've had cramping on and off at random times during the day (feels like menstrual cramps with a bach ache). I get braxton hicks all day long at random times.  I put labor on the back burner for a few days this week while my husband has been recuperating.. the last thing we wanted was for me to go into labor with him feeling awful and not able to be my support/coach like we've planned. Im so happy his sickness has passed! I still have the shooting pain in my hips (randomly) and have to stop what im doing and wait for it to pass. Hurts like h*ll. No no symptoms really from last week, just continuous from the previous week.

Missing: im already missing his movement in my belly (assuming that hes coming soon, it makes me a little sad that i wont get to feel him moving around anymore.. even though it hurts now! haha).

Looking Forward to: LABOR!!!!!!!!!!!! meeting our son!!!!

Sleep:  not so great. hard to get comfortable and i get up 5-6 times some nights for bathroom trips. Rolling out of bed is a chore (im like a beach whale with no ab strength).  My hips hurt, my back hurts... all the common complaints of a 10 month prego!

Exercise: still doing it, this week I did two light days of weights. Cardio every day (i think).  Ive heard cardio (walking, hiking, using machines like precore, treadmill, etc) can all help dilate you and bring the baby down. Im using this as my motivation everyday to get outside or to the gym and MOVE.  I also take advantage of my down time and rest A LOT. Im listening to my body so i dont exhaust myself, thats the last thing i want when i can go into labor any day at any moment (ill need as much strength as possible).  Its good to have the motivation to move though, because most days my brain says "oh, you are less than a week from him coming, just relax, sit and be lazy, you made it this far staying fit and healthy" but then my stronger side says "you feeel so good when you get a little activity in, you dont go as stir crazy or have cabin fever, and youre helping your body progress toward the goal..  going into labor and your little guy coming soon"..so i end up tying up my laces and getting out the door. 

Count down: Full Term! He is ready as he can be! Im 6 days away from his actual due date.. praying he comes this week and i dont have to be pregnant over 40 weeks! 

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!

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.