Such a Fun Workout!

I was at the library the other day (what better way to spend a freezing cold, snowy day) and I decided to look up pregnancy stuff just to see what I could find. I stumbled upon this workout and I recognized Erin O'Brien from some pilates workouts I have done with Ellen (from the previous exercise video mentioned). She's so chipper and fun in this workout, and she makes working out while pregnant look so comfortable and lovely, as it should be!

What I really like about this exercise program is the focus on the bum and the pelvic region. There is quite a bit is squatting throughout the video and as Erin says, this helps a lot to prepare for childbirth as it opens up the pelvic area and it prepares the muscles in the thighs and buttocks for what is to come (yes, that would be childbirth). I have always dreamed of having a butt, a nicely toned, sexy butt, that is, and this workout really helps do the trick! (I can tell because I've been nice and sore the past few days as my body adjusts to using those not-so-worked out glutes.) Enjoy me lady friends, and indulge in the wonders of prenatal exercise!

Week 18

What an exciting week!
I feel like there are so many wonderful things going on!

The baby is now between 5 and 6 inches long and between 5 and 6 ounces.
babycorner.com

Baby's now the size of a sweet potato!

Baby's becoming amazingly mobile, passing the hours yawning, hiccuping, rolling, twisting, kicking, punching, sucking, and swallowing. And baby is finally big enough that you'll soon be able to feel her movements (thebump.com)

The 18-week bump in uncomfy clothes.

Home sweet home! The 18-week bump in comfy pajamas!

Pregnancy Power Foods

These healthy choices have the nutrients that you and your growing baby need.
Full article found here.

Broccoli
It's not only packed with nutrients that are necessary for a healthy pregnancy -- such as calcium and folate -- but broccoli is also rich in fiber and disease-fighting antioxidants. And since it contains plenty of vitamin C, this popular green vegetable will help your body absorb iron when it's eaten with an iron-rich food, such as whole wheat pasta or brown rice.

Fortified Breakfast Cereal
You knew folate was important before conception and during your first few weeks of pregnancy, but your needs for the B vitamin stay high the whole nine months. Experts advise getting 400 micrograms per day through vitamin supplements or fortified foods (breakfast cereal is an easy way to do it, since many brands contain 400 micrograms per bowl), and another 200 micrograms through foods that are naturally high in folate, such as asparagus and black-eyed peas.

Dried Beans & Lentils
All women need 10 extra grams of protein a day during pregnancy (for a total of at least 60 grams); beans and lentils are an excellent source, with about 15 grams per cup. They're also high in fiber, which helps to combat constipation. And 1 cup of cooked lentils meets half of your daily folate requirement. "Add them to rice dishes and salads," suggests Lola O'Rourke, RD, spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association.

Bananas
Bananas are rich in potassium and offer quick energy to fight off pregnancy fatigue. "They're also easy on your stomach if you're nauseated," says O'Rourke. Slice them up into cereal or whip one into a breakfast smoothie with yogurt, berries, ice, and a splash of orange juice.

Oatmeal
It's easy to get your day off to an energizing start by trading in your usual morning bagel or muffin for a bowl of oatmeal a few times a week. Why? Complex carbohydrates like oatmeal keep you satisfied longer, and the oat bran it contains can help lower your cholesterol levels. Instead of buying high-sugar flavored oatmeal, cook up the plain kind and swirl in a teaspoon or two of maple syrup or jelly.

Leafy Greens
Cooked spinach has high levels of folate and iron, and kale and turnip greens are both good calcium sources. Increase the nutrient value of your salads by passing up traditional iceberg in favor of darker-colored lettuces (the deep colors signal higher vitamin content). You can also add greens to a sandwich or stir them into soups and pasta dishes.

Whole-Grain Bread
By swapping your traditional white bread for a whole-grain variety, you can make sure you're consuming the recommended 20 to 35 daily grams of fiber (scan labels to find a loaf that offers at least 2 grams of fiber per slice). Whole-grain bread also supplies you with a good share of your iron and zinc.

Oranges
They're packed with vitamin C, folate, and fiber, and since they're nearly 90 percent water, they'll also help you meet your daily fluid needs (skimping on your fluid intake can leave you feeling fatigued).

Nuts & Nut Butters
Fat is critical for your baby's brain development and it also helps keep you fuller longer. Experts recommend replacing some saturated fats (such as those found in meat and butter) with unsaturated, a form of heart-healthy fat found in nuts. But because they are high in fat and calories, stick to 1-ounce servings of nuts and 2-tablespoon servings of nut butters. There is one caveat, however. If you have any sort of allergy, experts recommend that you avoid highly allergenic foods, such as peanuts, during your pregnancy; some data suggests that babies can be sensitized to certain foods in utero, raising their risk of food allergies later on in childhood.

Soy Foods
It's perfectly safe to follow your vegetarian eating plan while you're pregnant -- as long as you're diligent about getting necessary nutrients such as protein (your doctor or a dietitian can help you devise a healthy plan). So be sure to include foods like tofu, which packs 10 grams of protein per half cup.

Dried Fruit
It's a tasty, portable snack that's especially helpful when you're craving something sweet. Choose dried fruits such as apricots, cherries, and cranberries (which can also help to prevent urinary tract infections), but stay away from dried bananas, since they're processed in oil and loaded with fat.

*I removed nonfat milk, lean meat, cheese and eggs from this list, as I believe from my research that these aforementioned foods, combined with a well-balanced diet, can provide all the necessary nutrients every pregnant woman needs. I will provide more data on this stance in a later post.

Turmeric

Photo found here.

Last night at our family Thanksgiving dinner my aunt told me that turmeric is bad to consume while pregnant. I don't quite remember her reasons behind this, but I was thinking that it's an herb that I rarely consume anyway, so I had nothing to worry about. I decided to look it up anyway, and I mostly stumbled upon GOOD information about turmeric!

I found a website titled "Turmeric: The Golden Goddess", and it tells how turmeric is good for basically everything. Turmeric has helped to fight cancer, it's a powerful anti-inflammatory herb, it has a special action to purify and nourish the blood and skin, it protects the liver from toxins and pathogens, it helps the entire gastro-intestinal system by helping digestion, it helps the respiratory system, it has believed effects in treating and preventing neurological diseases, and new research suggests that turmeric may play a vital role in fighting HIV/AIDS. Wowza! And what else is turmeric good for... pregnancy!

"Turmeric also plays a role in pregnancy and birthing in India. Traditionally, it is said that taking turmeric when pregnant will ensure that the child will always have beautiful skin. (However, turmeric is a mild uterine stimulant, so there is a chance of over stimulation; it is essential to consult a healthcare practitioner before taking any herbs during pregnancy.) Turmeric taken in the last two weeks of pregnancy in warm, organic milk helps to expedite a simple birth, while increasing the health of the mother and child as well. Turmeric is also an analgesic (pain reliever) and is sometimes used in natural childbirth to decrease pain" (all previous information on turmeric taken from ayurvedacollege.com).

I also found some places on the web that say to use extreme caution with turmeric while pregnant. Basically, don't take TOO MUCH! Shall we stress it again my dear preggos...

everything in moderation!

My Favorite Workout

Awhile ago I posted about the prenatal yoga DVD that I enjoyed... but now when I try to do that video it's too slow and rather boring. Right in the beginnings of when I knew I was pregnant, weeks 7-9ish, I was SO very tired and every muscle in my body was difficult to move, so at that time I loved the Yoga Mama workout! This workout video was actually too hard for me to do; every time I attempted to do it I would end up falling asleep on my floor. Now, however, since I have much more energy and am loving to put my muscles to work, I LOVE this video. Ellen Barrett has so many great workout videos and I absolutely adore her.

This workout is a pilates-yoga fusion that incorporates great breathing that flows with each movement. What I really like about this workout is that it is very flowy, yet I never find myself break a sweat or feel short of breath. I have never done a workout that targets my obliques so much, and lately since I am watching as my body protrudes from the sides of my pants I really appreciate the repetition of triangle pose! I notice obliques, abs, and glutes being a main focal point in this workout, although the arms are in constant motion and are definitely being worked! There's a portion in the video where you're supposed to go down onto your belly and this part I either skip through or do my own stretches at that time. It doesn't necessarily feel uncomfortable to be on my belly, but I just feel better about not putting so much pressure there.

Try out this workout! It really is great, and I do mine through Netflix Watch Instantly, which is a freebie through my Playstation since we pay for DVDs monthly. You'll love it!!

Week 16 - Prenatal Appointment Two

I just got back from my second appointment. Well, I guess I didn't really get "back" because that usually means home, and I am on campus, which honestly feels a lot like home. Tonight Chad's band is playing their biggest show yet and it's in SODO, so I decided that until I need to head down there I was just going to walk to campus and hop on a computer to pass time.

About the appointment; nothing really happened. I was weighed and I have officially gained 1.3 kilograms (which is a little over 2.5 pounds). My lovely midwife asked how things are going and my response was that they are generally good. I feel great other than that I cry about everything. Literally. This week I have been averaging once a day. Why does everything matter SO much?! She told me she thinks that's sweet. But anyway, she checked the size and location of my uterus and it's all good and normal, and I heard baby's heartbeat again. :)

That was basically it. I scheduled my 20-week appointment (the ultrasound!!!!) and then I had to go get some blood drawn. The lady at the blood place was a complete bitch. I asked her what she was drawing my blood for and she laughed at me, providing me with no further explanation. (We decided against tests of any kind but this was just for finding out my blood type and if I'm prone to infection, and whatnot.) She stuck the needle in my arm, took all of my blood, and then kicked me out. The whole time she was removing all my precious blood I could feel my heart beating in every part of my body. I got really warm and felt like I might faint. Then when she kicked me out I had to be on my way. Good thing I didn't pass out otherwise I'd have said some nasty words to that crazy blood woman! Now my arm hurts and I have a huge purple lump on the inside of my elbow. Grrr.

So there you have it. Baby's healthy and I'm healthy! And now I'm showing to the point where it's getting difficult to hide. Grow, baby, grow!

The Old Wives' Tales and My Pregnancy

I decided to compile these old wives' tales and add in my experience with some of them.

So sleep position is an iffy one because I'm a wild sleeper. I want to say that I tend to sleep on my right side, but I read that it's important to sleep on your left side when pregnant because it helps the baby breathe easier. This being said, I have been consciously trying to sleep on my left side and have found that difficult because I want to sleep on my right. What I actually do though is sleep in ALL over the place!

Extreme nausea? No. I actually was concerned about why I had not thrown up at all. I read that I should ask my mom is she was a barfer because much of this is genetic. Throughout five pregnancies my mom did not throw up once, and I have not with my first. This makes me feel better about not having gotten sick. Although yes I got nauseous in the beginnings of pregnancy it was never a huge concern. My mom said that her's got worse with each pregnancy, and she even passed out once. I am very lightheaded, just like she was!

I haven't had many food cravings but something that, especially in the beginning, I always wanted was juice, juice, and more juice. I cannot get enough orange juice!

Damn this adult acne! It started as bacne, then it traveled to my neck and face. Although not bad, it was bad enough for me. Finally now, at week 15, I'm starting to clear up. Am I getting that second trimester "glow" that they talk about??

As mentioned earlier I haven't had many food cravings, but I must say that now I eat cookies, candy, and ice cream more than I ever have before. So I guess this means I've been having sugar cravings... Mmmmm, chocolate...

Ask my husband if I've been experiencing mood changes. Yesterday morning I couldn't breathe I was crying so hard, and when Chad helped me try to take deep breathes all I could do was weep. At the Veteran's Day assembly at the elementary school where I work I held back tears the entire time; the kids were too darn cute and I felt so thankful for the veterans that have served our country. Would this have made me cry before? Most likely not. My mood changes = extreme sensitivity and many, many tears.

Ahh, the infamous pendulum test. My grandfather and my dad have both predicted correctly the sex of nearly every child and grandchild in the family. My cousin Janae and I once, at a family party, went around to every person and dangled a needle on the end of string over their hand. We thought it was amazing that it was accurate in determining the sex of every person! Then Chad did the pendulum test on me. He thought out loud and when he thought it would swing back and forth it did; when he thought it would swing around in a circle it did. Our conclusion, this is bullshit.

Age: 23, year of conception: 2010. One even, one odd means a boy!

A stress test is a tricky one because considering that the time of conception was right after our wedding and during our honeymoon, we were both very NOT stressed!

Last night I officially had my first baby dream! I have had dreams about nursing (everyone wanted to nurse from my breasts, including my cats and Chad) and other pregnancy-related things, but last night was my first real baby dream. I dreamt that my very easy birth gave me a baby boy and I could not for the life of me remember his name! He was a super cutie and I had the most difficult time unbuttoning my shirt so I could nurse him. Dream meaning: I'm having a girl.

Sleep Position - girl
Upset Stomach - boy
Soft or dry hands - girl

Food Cravings - girl

Adult Acne - girl
Sugar and Spice Food Cravings - girl

Mood Changes - girl

Even and Odd Numbers - boy
Dream Meanings - girl

Here's another tale that I heard from my Jamaican brother, Yohan. He told me his instincts say girl but he said that it's the father's instincts that are always correct. Although I think (or "thought" I should say; I'm starting to think otherwise) that we're having a boy, this entire pregnancy all Chad can think is that we're having a baby girl. We both feel very content about baby being a boy or girl, but according to Yohan's tale: we're having a girl.

Who has heard of the Chinese Gender Chart? This handy little chart tells me we're having a girl.

According to these tales the data shows a striking 9 to 2, we're having a girl!

Alright, so now we must wait in patience until we find out the baby's sex. Since we cannot agree as to whether or not we should find out the sex from an ultrasound, we decided to go with out first thought, to find out. And maybe this means that baby number two can be a surprise? A little more than four weeks and we go in for the 20-week appointment for our first ultrasound!

Week 15

The 15 week post-pilates belly.

Girl or Boy? Boy or Girl?

I found this fun little article that I thought I should share. It'll be fun to see if some of these things prove true or not. "Are you having a boy or a girl? These old wives' tales are a fun (but not scientific!) way to guess the sex of your baby." Read the full article here.

What the Old Wives' Tales Say About Whether You'll Have a Boy or a Girl

By Jenny Saltiel with Lexi Walters

Old wives' tales are little more than super-circulated rumors. Never proven to be true, they're sayings and adages that generations of women have passed down to one another regarding family health ("Eating carrots improves your vision"), safe parenting ("Wait an hour after eating before swimming"), and -- most popularly -- pregnancy. Whether you're trying to guess your own baby's gender or looking for shower games for a friend, read on for the top ways women have guessed: boy or girl?

Sleep Position
Pay attention to which way you lay down in bed tonight. If you prefer sleeping on your left side, you'll have a boy. Right side? Your pregnant with a girl.

Upset Stomach
Little girls aren't always sweet. Extreme nausea means you are having a daughter.

Soft or dry hands
If your hands are dry during pregnancy, you are having a boy; soft -- expect a girl.

Food Cravings
Your favorite pregnancy foods may tell you what sex the baby is. If you're craving citrus while pregnant, you're having a girl.

Adult Acne
If altering hormones makes your skin break out, expect a girl.

Graceful or Clumsy PregnancyIf you feel as though you're gliding through they day, you'll have a girl. Stumbling? It's a boy.

Face Weight Gain
If your face gets fuller, it means you're having a girl.

Sugar and Spice Food Cravings
Craving salt during pregnancy? Potato chips, pretzels, and popcorn means a boy is on the way. Need a little something sweet? Ice cream, chocolate, and candy means you're having a girl.

Mood Changes
If you're experiencing pregnant mood-swings, expect a baby girl to arrive soon.

High or Low Pregnant Belly
If you're carrying the baby low on your stomach, expect a boy. If it's high, you're having a girl.

Baby Weight
If you're carrying baby in front, it's a boy. Is the baby weight spaced all around your middle? It's a girl.

Pendulum Test
Dangle a chain with a charm over your palm. If it swings back and forth: boy. In a circle: girl.

Model Your Hands
"Show me your hands." If you would hold your hands palms up it's a girl. Down? You're having a boy.

Toddler Advice
Get baby advice from a nephew or friend's little boy. If a toddler boy shows interest in your belly, you'll have a girl. If he ignores you, it's a boy.

Eat Garlic
Guess the baby's sex by eating garlic. If the smell seeps out of your pores it's a boy. If there's no scent it's a little girl.

Key to Pregnancy
If you pick up a key by the round end, you're having a boy. If it's by the long end? A girl.

Even and Odd Numbers
If your age and year of conception are both even or odd, it's girl. One even, one odd means a boy.

Baby's Heartbeat
If the baby's heart beats more than 150 times per minute, you're pregnant with a girl. Less than 150, it's a boy.

Stress Test
A child tends to be of the same sex as the parent who is less stressed at the time of conception.

Dream Meanings
If you dream about having a girl while pregnant, you will wind up having a boy and vice versa.

Breast Size
If your right breast is larger than the left while pregnant, you are having a girl. If the left is larger, it's a baby boy.

Chai Tea?

So my poor self got on WIC (thank you federal government) and on this program they want me to consume A LOT of dairy. Considering that I have not drank milk for about six years I have no interest whatsoever in drinking milk. I have accepted cheese and yogurt into my diet but milk I'm having a very rough time dealing with. I could request soy but I actually have sensitivities to soy. And if I really want almond and rice milk I can buy it I guess.

So anyway, as I attempt to introduce nasty, stinky cow milk back into my diet (this is so unnatural) I am thinking of creative ways to do so. I searched through this tiny house of mine for my espresso machine and I found it, so that means I can start steaming milk and putting things in it. I bought organic chocolate sauce, vanilla and peppermint syrups, and chai tea mix (organic as well). Since chai has black tea in it, and since black tea has caffeine in it, I decided to look it up. Of course the easiest things to find online about pregnancy are everyone and his mother's opinions, so I found this information rather difficult to find, but this is the most promising information I have found thus far:

Pregnancy & Breast-Feeding

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, black tea in small amounts is probably not harmful. Do not drink more than 2 cups a day of black tea. This amount of tea provides about 200 mg of caffeine. Consuming more than this amount during pregnancy has been linked to an increased risk of miscarriage and other negative effects, including symptoms of caffeine withdrawal in newborns and lower birth weight.

If you are breast-feeding, drinking more than 2 cups a day of black tea might cause your baby to become more irritable and have more bowel movements.

From MedlinePlus

Chai Tea & Pregnancy

Chai tea, also known as masala chai, is a fragrant, spicy beverage originating on the Indian subcontinent. This delicious concoction includes black tea with a combination of herbal seasonings. When consumed in moderation, chai tea and similar drinks are considered to be safe for use during pregnancy. Consult your obstetrician or midwife with any questions regarding the use of caffeine or herbal teas during any stage of gestation.

From livestrong.com

The Best Advice...

While talking with my friend Grace the other night she was giving me so much beautiful and not-so-beautiful information about birthing, her story, stories of her friends, random experiences, et cetera. We talked about birth, about babies, about health, about living, about diet, about jobs, and she shared with me many of her opinions. Throughout the evening as we spoke (we were at a Halloween party, mind you, where there were many people around) many others decided to come up to us and give us their two cents. As nice as it is to hear others' opinions, for some reason I was getting irritated. Grace told me the best advice that I have heard so far, and I think the best advice there is to give. She told me that everyone holds their opinions and that an opinion is just that, an opinion. She said to listen to what others say and to take all the opinions I'm hearing and all the craziness that I'm am learning about through websites, books, and documentaries, and use it to form my own opinion.

When people talk about pregnancy and about birth options, or really I guess about anything, they like to share what they know and what they feel is right and comfortable because they feel that others should know or experience the same thing. This information is so great to know and there is something I can take from everyone's knowledge, but in the end what it really comes down to is me and what I feel is right. Grace told me that this is my pregnancy and it is about me; that I loved to hear. I make the decisions (with Chad by my side of course, and in conjunction with his input) so I make this my experience.

Now while talking with people I know to come into the conversation with an open mind and open ears. I love to learn, I love to talk, and I love to listen, so with this lovely advice I know to take what others say and learn from it to make it something of my own.

Thanks Grace!

Green Babies!

Another great website that was recommended to me by my lovely friend Becky is Green Baby Guide. I love this site! Their little saying is "Earth Friendly, Budget Friendly", which sounds like my kind of website. There are many, many different categories that are discussed on this site, and overall it is worth the look.

When Can Baby Hear Me?

Lately I have been really anticipating for the time when my fetus can hear in-utero so I can start reading aloud to him or her. I love reading and I have hopes that my children will all love to read as much as I do. I have three very full and overloaded bookshelves of children's books, thanks to my lovely friend Annie, and this amazing collection will help tremendously to build strong readers in my classroom and in my house.

I was looking through my books the other day and thought about what I should read first to my baby. I have about five books that are collections of children's classics and those I am saving for when I can have baby sitting next to me, but for while baby is still inside of me I decided to start with Harry Potter. My beautiful Jamaican brother Yohan told me to tell the little one that Harry Potter is Uncle Yohan's favorite.

Here's some data I found about when baby starts to hear:

How Your Baby's Ears Develop

Your baby's ears begin to form around eight weeks and become structurally complete at about 24 weeks. Thanks to the magic of ultrasound and other high-tech tools, researchers have discovered that your baby is living in an auditory playground, responding to voices and other sounds they hear outside of the womb. Studies have found that a fetus can hear sounds, though muffled, at as early as 20 weeks and by the third trimester their hearing is intact. Sonograms show that your baby may turn their head in response to a noise.

So maybe I should wait six more weeks to start reading aloud,

or what the heck, maybe I should start now!

Milestone: Starting to Show

Here I am at 14 1/2 weeks. Two days ago I woke up in the morning and I was showing! Usually right before bed I look kind of pregnant and that I blame wholly on the food I ate. For some reason lately almost everything I eat makes me look bloated, although I don't feel bloated (food baby?). Maybe this is my body's way of trying to stretch itself out to make some room? Haha, who knows. But on Wednesday morning I woke up and looked in the mirror and it looked kind of like I had bloat but that's not what it was... it was baby! On Thursday morning again it looked the same and this morning did again; so now I believe I am actually starting to show. My belly is hard and now it's getting tough to suck in. Holy crap, I'm pregnant!

Another pretty cool thing is that after we went in and heard the baby's heartbeat I wondered if I could feel it. When I lie flat on my back I can feel right where baby is, and the heartbeat has been getting a lot stronger lately; it's growing! At first I thought maybe I was feeling my heartbeat but when I feel my pulse and the baby's heartbeat at the same time they are clearly different hearts beating. It amazes me that right now I have two hearts beating inside of my body. Sometimes when I have had a rough day I like to lie down and hold my hand to my belly and feel baby's heart.