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| She's saying "Hi Everyone!" |
According to the app I use to follow the baby's progress, she's the size of a cabbage right now. She seems to be growing quite fast during this time. I see bigger changes in my body each week, which is crazy! What use to fit the week prior would be tight this week. Luckily, no stretch marks yet...crossing my fingers I didn't speak too soon :-) She's also kicking a lot now too. I love feeling it! It's definitely MY special bonding moment with her knowing no one can ever experience this feeling but me :-)
I've had a great pregnancy so far. No morning sickness, no major smell annoyance, no craving, no moodiness. The first 3 months (1st trimester), I was extremely tired and sleepy, but once my 2nd trimester started, I had my energy back and was up and moving. I'm near the end of the 2nd trimester so I'm trying to LIVE IT UP before I get too heavy and start to wobble. LOL!
We went to Sonoma County for 1.5 weeks for my baby-moon when I was 5-months pregnant. (We visited friends in Santa Rosa for a couple of days, then drove to San Jose to see the Tour of California bike race finish, then drove and stayed in Santa Cruz right on the beach for a few days, San Francisco for 1/2 a day, and ended our trip back in Santa Rosa. It was the PERFECT getaway and it's only a 2-hour flight away.
My nesting stage definitely kicked in. The baby room is done! I'm keeping the room neutral because we plan on having baby #2 shortly after if every goes as planned and it might be a boy.
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| J putting together the crib |
Here are some of what I did to avoid constipation, stretch marks, and gaining weight too fast:
Constipation:
During my first trimester, I was really constipated (which is normal and part of pregnancy). It was not a feeling I'm very familiar with because I live quite an active and healthy lifestyle and THAT has never been a problem for me. Oh BOY!!! It was so uncomfortable and painful! Luckily, I don't think I ever went past 2-days of not going before I added fiber to my water and took care of the problem. Heard some ladies can't go for a week! I can't imagine. I prefer not adding fiber in my water because it usually gives me a cramping pain. I decided to start JUICING and drink lots of coconut water with chia seeds. I haven't had a problem ever since! I'm quite regular actually :) So, I highly suggest juicing and coconut water to help with THAT. Whatever you juice, make sure there is veggies in there and not all fruits. Fruits has a lot of sugar so I would suggest not drinking any juice in the evening.
Stretch Marks:
DRINK LOTS OF WATER! I try drinking lots of water but I have to admit, I'm not always good at it. I add a couple of slices of lemon into my water so I won't get bored.
I oil/cream up twice a day (morning and night). It's time consuming! But the thought of getting stretch marks motivates me to do it. I alternate between organic coconut oils, shea butter, almond oils, almond cream, Burts Bee Mama Bee butter, and my expensive Mama Mio Tummy Rub and Oil. I use my cheaper oils and creams mornings and nights on days I didn't shower. I use my expensive Mama Mio line after I shower because that's when your skin is most absorbent. I shower every other day. I apply from my chest down to my knees including my waist and mid/lower back. I use regular lotion on my arms, knees to feet, and upper back to save my other stuff for where it counts.
This part probably sounds weird to a lot of people if you have never heard of it. I also do dry body brushing right before every shower if I could. This helps circulate your blood and good for the skin (your largest organ). There is a certain technique to it, so I suggest you look into it before grabbing a body brush and randomly brushing. I've done this before I was pregnant so I'm just continuing it but being more regular at it. I don't know if there is proof that dry body brushing will help with stretch marks but I think it works. I also read that Miranda Kerr from Victoria Secret also did this while pregnant... Hey, if she's doing it.... I'm doing it! Maybe I can try out to be the next Victoria Secret model after I give birth.. hahahaha!!
Gaining too much weight too fast:
This part I didn't do too well in because I was told by my doctor during my monthly visits that I'm gaining too much. At the rate I was going, I would gain 60lbs by the time I gave birth. She lectured me about NOT having the "eating for two" mentality and how having a baby is not a license to eat everything, etc.... I swore to her that I NEVER ate for two or went crazy on my eating habits. I'm a pretty clean, healthy eater. Then she asked if I use to work out.... I told her I use to work out on average 5 days a week and have stopped since. LIGHT BULB WENT ON!!! "That's it!" she said. "You kept the eating habits of an athlete but not working out like one."...... MAKES COMPLETE SENSE!!! Since that appointment a month ago, I've been good with my workout and lowering my eating portion a little. My follow up appointment a month later, I DID GOOD!!! Only gained 3 lbs vs 7lbs!
What I did that I think helped control my weight was I tried to get at least 10,000 step/day (it takes some effort), started juicing, smaller portion size, add more light weights toning. I was avoiding the gym before but now I try to at least go once a week to use machines I don't have a home. I'm thinking of adding swimming to my weekly routine but I haven't done it yet. Plus, I've been accepting invitations to go out more (like I said, trying to LIVE IT UP before the baby arrives) and that forces me to doll up and it makes me look and feel good which in turn motivates me to continue to workout and be active.
As the dates gets closer, I must admit, I'm getting nervous about the labor part (the pain and if something goes wrong). Plus the aftermath recovery part as well. Guess all I can do is prepare ahead of time as much as I could.
I can't wait to meet her! Love you so much already!
