13 Week Bump Date: End Of 1st Trimester

I'm officially 13 weeks today! This is the last week of the first trimester, so exciting! 

As you can tell by the picture, I'm EXHAUSTED! I have no problem sleeping, except having to pee about a million times at night. I actually fell asleep before Kyle the other night, even he said it was a first. I've got this super awesome pregnancy pillow that gives me lots of support and helps me get comfortable. It's a must have. 

Morning sickness-wise, I haven't really had any. That's been awesome! I was really sick with Joey. I'd dry heave like every morning all the way into the second trimester. 

We've been on the road so much with our remodel and I've been having a hard time eating right, drinking plenty of water, & exercising. I'd like to improve these areas in my second trimester. 

Mostly I've been craving fruit & occasionally other random things. Currently I want some homemade ice cream. I'm hoping my amazing husband will bring me an ice cream maker from Bed, Bath, & Beyond today!! Oh, and I'm like a kid in a candy store when I walk through the produce section. I. Just. Want. Fruit! 

Last week I was dealing pretty bad with sciatica and round ligament pain. I ordered a maternity belt and it's helping a ton! I'm guessing the pain is because I started showing SO early. The weight is just causing strain on my body.

Last Friday I also had a migraine so bad I threw up. I had some major swelling the next day. I was told to keep an eye on my blood pressure the next time it happened. Well, it did again yesterday. We had been out in the heat and I got light headed, nauseous, & a migraine. I checked my BP and it was slightly elevated, but not dangerous. I'm just going to have to keep and eye on it and limit my sodium. Like, no sodium. Bye-bye, chips. 

I am so excited to find out what the second trimester brings & to find out if we're having a boy or girl!

11 Week Bump Date

Well, I'm 11 weeks today! Woohoo!! So far, no crazy symptoms. I pee like crazy & ALL night, if my stomach is completely empty I feel sick & have to grab a snack, I may or may not be a raging witch occasionally lol, & I've been having some pretty wild dreams. Nothing I can't deal with though. Just pray for those that have to put up with me ;)

My first baby purchase was cloth diapers!! I got two dozen and a wetbag for about $150! They're one sized pocket diapers, brand new! That's really a steal, I caught them on a flash sale from a local boutique. I'm super excited to cloth diaper this time around. Kyle is NOT a fan of the idea. He'll deal & I'm sure he'll eventually be thankful for the money he will be saving!

At the beginning if my pregnancy I had two UTIs, one before I knew I was pregnant, & I had to take antibiotics. Well, then while at my moms house I started to show signs of a sinus infection. There was NO way I wanted to get in antibiotics again, so I took a trip to the health food store. The thing I love about natural treatments is, you treat the whole person, not just "here is an antibiotic to cover everything." So, I grabbed some ACV (apple cider vinegar), elderberry syrup, & eucalyptus oil.

ACV - I put a couple dashes in my water throughout the day. It helps thin the mucus.

Elderberry Syrup - I took 2-3 times a day. It helps boost the immune system. 

Eucalyptus Oil - I LOVE me some essential oils! If you don't know, this stuff basically smells like Vicks. At night I'd apply it topically around my nose to open me up. I'd also apply peppermint oil for pain and lemon grass for the swollen glands in my neck. I also made a eucalyptus, peppermint, & lemon (not lemongrass) steam by boiling water, adding the oils, & breathing in the steam with my head covered.

Guess what? No more sinus infection. I love natural remedies! Much better FOR you than taking medication!

8 Week Bump Date, What Supplements I'm Taking, & Why

Wooo, this baby growing stuff got the best of me yesterday. I slept in til 9 AND took a nap. Plus, the only thing I had the energy to do was eat. It's kind of kicking me in the butt now, it's 3AM and I'm wide awake!

I've been craving cheesy stuff like crazy. Cheetos & chicken spaghetti. 

Staying hydrated is hard for me, I feel like I'm drinking water non stop though. I grabbed some Gatorade today to help, but the sodium content has me worried about edema. Which, is probably my worst symptom so far. I'm hoping it's mostly from the humidity, but I'm trying to keep my sodium in check. It's hard to do when you're away from your own kitchen though. Cooking away from home is hard for me for some reason. I'm going to try to make a natural electrolyte drink from Pinterest, but that goes back to the limited kitchen space =\ 

Okay, now I'll share a little about the supplements I've chose to take!

Food based. Probiotics. You ONLY have to take ONE a day. Need I say more? Hooray for no constipation or hemorrhoids. TMI, I know, but isn't it the truth ladies?!

Healthy fats baby needs to grow and develop! 

Because I'm realizing the amazing benefits of Magnasium! Wow, wow, wow. I should have started it sooner and I encourage you to research it.

Here is a great article on Magnesium: http://drsircus.com/medicine/magnesium/magnesium-deficiency-symptoms-diagnosis

This link talks about cod liver oil and Magnasium during pregnancy: http://wellnessmama.com/6065/how-i-avoided-morning-sickness/

If Something Is Broke, Shouldn't You Fix It?

Excuse the language but, 

"I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!"

I may or may not turn into a Jersey Housewife..

So, in my search, the United States is considered one of the top ten developed countries in the world.

Right, no big deal. We could assume so much.

BUT

That's a big BUT.

Did you know, that if you listed countries by the lowest infant mortality rate the United States is ranked...

Wait for it...

55

SOURCE

Is it just me, or is that absurd?

Now, I'm not going to get on any high horse. I wen't with the flow with Joey. I had an epidural & did plenty of other things I won't (Lord willing and the amniotic fluid stays high) do this time around.

Here is my message to you other Mommas or future Mommas.

Do. Your. Research.

And, don't be scared.

I was scared to death with Joey, therefore not having an epidural was NOT an option at the time. I was young & scared, but this time I'm planning on doing things different.

I just beg you, don't be afraid to question your doctors. They too are human, and fallible. 

If you think they're not, Google "Twilight sleep" and keep in mind that was around the time OUR parents were born. Not so long ago.

Seriously though, we've GOT to be doing something wrong here.

Now, hopefully this will get me started on a series of my choices during birth & pregnancy. I'll share my research and resources with you. If I've piqued your interest (and you have Netflix) go check out:

The Business Of Being Born

Remodel Update & 7 Week Bump-Date

In case you've missed it, my eggo is preggo! I know, I haven't blogged in a while. My life is pretty crazy at the moment. We've been in Oklahoma for almost two weeks right now.

First, the status of the house. 

Kyle has been off work for almost a week now, and he has got some major work done! He has replaced some spots in the floors, knocked out and rebuilt lots of walls, & completely gutted the bathrooms. It looks like a totally different house already!

Today was the part I've been looking forward to, we picked out my kitchen cabinets. I am beyond excited.

This is the layout of the new kitchen.

These are the cabinets and counter tops we got.

The metal glaze in these bronze and copper colors is what I want to do in the kitchen. Over a color like this:

I can't even begin to tell you how exciting this is for me!!

On to the baby subject! 

I. Am. Elated!

After two miscarriages and many failed attempts, I'm pregnant!!

Yes, I know it's still early and I'm still in the risk time. To that I say "So. I want to enjoy every second of this pregnancy. Despite the 'norms'"

I'm hoping to do things as natural as possible this time around, so that should give me lots of good blogging material!

Heartburn has just begun, I felt my first round of crazy hormones this morning, and I'm having trouble sleeping through the night. BUT, it's all worth it, and it's still early so I'm still happy as a lark!

Lent, But Baptists Don't Do That.

Since I was pregnant with Joey (4 years, wow), I have tried to observe Lent. Some people reading this might be like, and? Other people people might be like, Baptists don't do that (I've actually received this comment). To the latter:

I'm unconventional.

So, what is Lent? Because, honestly, I didn't know for a long time. Except my mom was Lutheran as a kid and observed it. A lot of my friends in the Army observed it. Until I was in the Army though, I never met anyone who currently observed it. The Army did have it's way of exposing me to many cultural differences. I think that was an amazing thing.

Okay, back to Lent. It represents the forty days before Jesus' death that he spent in the wilderness. He fasted, was tempted, and had spiritual reflection. Luke 4. It ends on Resurrection (or Easter) Sunday.

There are three practices that are usually taken up during Lent.

- Fasting (Giving something up)

- Penance (Giving)

- Prayer

Tell me this, are Baptist not supposed to fast, give, or pray? I think we are. This time is about preparing yourself completely for Resurrection Sunday. It is a great way to remember that this time is not about bunnies, eggs, & getting the family all in matching outfits. It's about focusing your heart on Jesus. I honestly think observing traditions like this as a family will help the whole family remember what this time of year is all about.

“Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;

Joel 2:12

Lent 2014: The 40-Day Bible Reading Challenge

I'm A Hands Off Momma

I want so badly for my son to be a strong and independent person.

Seriously though, this is so true, right?

I honestly want for him to be a tough little guy. He gets lots of hugs and kisses. I ask him how much I love him and he responds with "So very much." Melts my heart. 

A lot of these phrases get said around our house too:

Try, try, again.

You can do it yourself.

You can play by yourself right now.

Figure it out.

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Joey. I also don't want to set him up for failure either. I see too many young men who were coddled by their parents & haven't grown into mature, independent, or very morally strong. I want my son to do things on his own, not rely on others. Yes, asking for help isn't all bad, but honestly, he needs to know there isn't always going to be someone standing behind him with the solution to his problems.

I know I sound like a terribly mean Momma right now, but just because I don't follow my child around on the playground doesn't mean I don't enjoy doing things with him. We painted together earlier today, and we read books together on the regular. 

Does he get frustrated sometimes? Yes, and then I step in and talk to him about dealing with his emotions properly and if I feel he needs help, I help.

Do I make him do everything for himself, no. Should I make him do more by himself, I think so.

His independence and toughness can even make me laugh sometimes. I tried to doctor a bee sting for him one time and he said:

"I'll just rub some dirt on it."

I don't want to be the mom following my kid around with hand sanitizer.

Germs are everywhere.

I don't want to be worried about him getting messy.

Clothes can be replaced, memories can't.

I don't want to worry about him getting hurt (scrapes, bumps, & ect.).

It is just inevitable.

I'm (going to try) not to stress over him being at the same "level" as other kids.

Every child (person for that matter) is unique.

I'll encourage him to get messy.

Because he is only young once.

I'll do my best to let him explore things and try things out.

That is how kids learn.

I'm not perfect, none of us are. We're just doing the best we can.

PS. Thinking about posting a vlog soon!! Maybe haha.