Pregnancy Myths

April 11, 2013 By

Since I have both a girl and a boy I am a total expert on this topic (pssh.). I was sent this infograph and I had to laugh because I’m sure everyone that has ever been pregnant has heard all of these. Why is it SO LONG to wait until 20 weeks to find out the sex of our baby? We have to know rightthissecondrightnowiwanttoknow. When I was pregnant with Molly I was positive I was having a girl and when I was pregnant with Burke I totally wanted knew it was another girl.

I analyzed the hell out of my pregnancy symptoms to figure out what I was having. But I have also analyzed my friends’ pregnancies and we are all different. I was throwing up every.single.morning for the first 12 weeks with Molly while my BFF didn’t get sick at all with her girl. With Burke I threw up maybe a handful of times, but I felt hungover every day and had horrible headaches. I gained more weight with Molly, but I blame it on being my first pregnancy and taking advantage of ALLTHEFOOD! I also stuck with a workout routine while I was pregnant with Burke. The acne… oh the acne… I did have it with Molly but not with Burke, so hmmm… is that a myth?? I also had a lot of fruit cravings with Molly and couldn’t even look at meat. I cried, like legit tears, because I didn’t want to eat the chicken that I had made one night.

Myths or not, they are fun and they keep us occupied for a few months. Did you have differences in your pregnancies?

pregnancy myths

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Happy New Year!

January 2, 2013 By

Wow! I can’t believe it’s 2013. This year will be my third year blogging, but I didn’t really have a “serious” blog until February of last year. I mean, I really wouldn’t call my blog serious, but I did hire an awesome designer and revamped everything. I still can’t believe it’s been almost a year. So thanks for hanging out with me even though I disappear on occasion. I have something pretty big in store for this year and I can’t wait until I can share it! It’s been taking up a lot of my free time… which I have little of. But I love working on it and will sacrifice my much-loved sleep to work on it.

So did y’all make any resolutions? I kind of sort of did. Mainly to lose the baby weight and to get organized. I have a few areas in my home that need serious attention. One of which is my filing cabinet. I literally have two giant piles sitting under my desk that need to be filed. I just throw things down there and say, “Oh, I’ll file those later.” Well, later has come!! Months later. I also want to get more organized with my photos. I love what digital photography has done to our lives. It’s nice to have so many amazing photos, but they just sit on my computer. Granted, they are very organized on my computer. But, once upon a time I loved scrapbooking… I just don’t have time for that now, so I’m planning on taking advantage of the many photo sites and creating yearly photo books. I made one of Molly’s first year and LOVE it. Now, I just need to get the ball rolling before I get too far behind!

So… baby weight loss update. I’m hitting the gym regularly but I took a spill down the stairs around 6 weeks postpartum and totally effed up my back. It also caused my hip bursitis to start acting up again (after 5 years). So, I’ve been going to physical therapy and trying to keep my cardio to low impact (no running… booooo). I eat pretty healthy, but have a sweet tooth so I have a hard time turning down the plethora of yummy goodies around every turn during the holidays. Now that the holidays are over I’m revamping my diet. Tonight I made ice cream in my food processor made only of bananas, cocoa powder, vanilla and half & half! Can’t wait to try it and then share with you.

Here I am at 10 weeks postpartum. The only editing done to the photo was to lighten it up since my full length mirror is in a dark area of my house. Don’t forget to check out my previous postpartum photos.

10 weeks postpartum

I still have about 20lbs to go. Oof.

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Postpartum Weight Loss

November 16, 2012 By

So, it’s been 6 weeks since I had da bebe and I’m ready to get my ass back in the gym, like hardcore. So, to keep myself motivated, I decided to start taking pictures and sharing them. Nothing like keeping things real on the blog, right? So here is me in all my postpartum glory. I can tell you right now that I’m 16lbs down from the weight I was when I delivered (but my boobs are like easily 5lbs each right?!). I have 14lbs until I reach my pre pregnancy weight, but I want to reach my pre Molly weight so I have an additional 20lbs I want to lose. EEK! That’s going to be hard, but I am going to try my damnedest. Hold me to it, okay people!

1 week postpartum

1 month postpartum

6 weeks postpartum

This ‘ish is hard, yo!! I hate celebrity moms.

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Halloween Costume for a Preggo

October 26, 2012 By

Okay, so I’ve been seeing a lot of ideas for great preggo Halloween costumes. My favorite floating around the interwebs is from the fabulous Phar-Ma and one of my fellow Rollins College alums: Pregnant Skeleton Costume (full tutorial). I mean, how cute is that?

This year I’m no longer pregnant so I am not brainstorming costumes to accentuate the belly… in fact, I’m doing my best to hide it. I’m also currently planning a big Halloween bash for Molly’s 2nd birthday, so my costume is the least of my concerns. Give me some cat ears and call it a costume.

So what is the point of this rambling post? To show you my preggo costume from 2 years ago! Ben and I went to a party as a farmer and his prize winning pumpkin/jack-o-lantern. I actually had to leave the party because my contractions were getting so bad. Plus, it’s really not fun to be around drunk people (especially drunk people in costumes) when you can’t get drunk with them. Am I right?

pregnant pumpkin costume

Costume Breakdown

  • Overalls from WalMart
  • Straw hat from WalMart
  • Orange tee and iron on pumpkin face from Michaels
  • Ivy from Michaels
  • Pumpkin headband from Claire’s
  • Blue ribbon I already had

So if you’re pregnant and looking for an easy Halloween costume this year… here ya go! Have fun!!

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No More Sugar

August 28, 2012 By

Oh hey there… remember me? I’ve been in a writing funk for some reason. I have all these things to talk about but when it comes to actually putting my fingers on the keyboard I just go blank and then get on Pinterest to PIN ALL THE THINGS! I know you know what I’m talking about.

Anyway, an update about my big ole belly. So, with Molly I had gestational diabetes. It’s not as bad as everyone thinks and it actually gave me a leg up on my diet and exercise program that I had planned to start post baby. I went into this pregnancy pretty much thinking that I would be diagnosed again since my body seems to have some issues with hormones. I took the 1 hour test and FAILED. Shocker. Then I took the 3 hour and my OB said I passed! I was like, no way Jose, AWESOME.

Then I switched OBs… mainly because I really want to deliver close to home and my original OB only delivers at a hospital that’s about 45 minutes away. I don’t want to be that far from Molly. I also wanted to join a smaller practice with less patients and only one doctor. My previous practice had about 7 doctors and I had only seen my main OB one time since getting pregnant. Me no likey.

Well, my new OB took one look at my 3 hour test numbers and told me that I was WAY too close to failing for them to just ignore it. Therefore, I have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes again. However, instead of sending me to an endocrinologist like last time, I got to take a 2 hour class on the ‘betes, which I was dreading. I ended up loving the class and I feel way less deprived of foods than I did during my last pregnancy.

We’ve got 6 weeks left. So hopefully between now and then I won’t be so quiet. We have a lot of projects around the house and I plan on keeping you updated. I’m ordering my dream desk today. HOLLER!

Here’s a recent picture. Eek!

32 weeks

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What to Expect: A Giveaway!

May 14, 2012 By

Did everyone have a great Mother’s Day? Mine was wonderful! We spent the day at the National Zoo. We hadn’t been since Molly was around 5 months old so it was really fun to take her at 18 months and show her all the animals that we read about in her books. But, let me tell you, I’m glad we went before I get super preg, because by the end of our trip I was totally exhausted and I swore my legs were going to fall off. We parked at my sister’s complex by the National Cathedral and walked the 1.5 miles to the zoo. Add 3 hours of walking around the zoo and then the 1.5 miles back (uphill mind you)… yeah, I didn’t move from the couch the rest of the night!

In the spirit of Mother’s Day, I thought it would be fun to do a giveaway! I couldn’t live with out the What to Expect When You’re Expecting book when I was pregnant with Molly and now I find myself browsing through it yet again! Did you know the series contiues? Yep! I have What to Expect the First Year and What to Expect the Second Year and I have found these books SO helpful.

I’m teaming up with WhatToExpect.com and you can win the first three books in the series! I will pick a winner next Monday so be sure to enter below. All I need is a comment, but the more entries you do, the bigger your chances of winning!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Pregnancy Hormones Suck

May 8, 2012 By

Ugh. I’m having major preggo hormone issues. I feel like a crazy person. Yesterday, I was in the shower and I randomly started crying… over NOTHING… and then literally 5 seconds later I was fine. WTF? I never had this problem with Molly. I could probably count on one hand the amount of times I went psycho on my husband. This time is totally different. I feel bad for him.

I don’t know if having postpartum depression with Molly has anything to do with my hormonal issues this time around but I think they are related. I never remember feeling as down as I have felt recently during my last pregnancy. It’s like my body is saying, “Why are you doing this again? I am punishing you!”

I’m not a depressed person. I had never, in my life, experienced any kind of mental illness… unless you count devastating, life altering (can you feel the drama?) happenings during high school. Like, a boy not liking me. That will totally cause an issue in a teenager’s brain. So when I started not feeling like myself after Molly was born, I knew something was up.

I have always been really optimistic and happy. And completely outgoing. I finally went to my doctor after three months of feeling like shit after giving birth. DON’T WAIT THAT LONG PEOPLE. I never had any awful thoughts toward my baby. It was negative thoughts toward everyone else coupled with complete insecurities about my body. I didn’t want to do aaaaaanything. I didn’t want to leave the house and talk to other people. I also had pretty bad anxiety. It was horrible. Then I went on Zoloft. And let me tell you that is a wonderful drug… BUT it didn’t completely help. I really don’t think I totally came out of PPD until around 9 months postpartum which is coincidentally when I weaned Molly. I definitely think my hormones from breastfeeding were a big part of everything, but I wasn’t willing to give that up.

So, all-in-all I’m terrified that I’m going to experience PPD again. Especially, since I’ve been experiencing some slight depression during this pregnancy. Getting out of the house helps, as does working out. It’s motivating myself to actually do those things that is the hurdle.

Suck it hormones!!! Did any of you experience PPD the second time around after having it with your first?

Totally unrelated photo… but look how big she’s getting!!!!

Filed Under: From Nikki, Health, Pregnancy Tagged With: , , , 2 Comments

Sexy and I Know It??

April 24, 2012 By

When I was contacted by ParentsConnect notifying me that I was chosen as a “Sexy, Sassy Mama Blogger” I had to chuckle a bit. The timing was ironic. I’m not one of those that feels even the slightest bit sexy when I’m pregnant. However, it’s made me think, “Why not?” I mean, sure everything is getting bigger, but that includes my boobs!! Big boobies, yay!

So pregnant, or not, here are just a few things that help me feel sexy:

Exercise – Ugh, I know. Boring right? But seriously, there’s nothing like an awesome sweaty workout to make me feel sexy. Yesterday I did an hour on the elliptical (thank you Bravo tv!) and I totally forgot that I look like a baby Orca whale… soon to be full grown Orca. Plus, I don’t know about you, but I love wearing tight clothes that hug in all the right places. Yoga pants don’t create muffin tops!

A new outfit – Sometimes shopping sucks. Don’t even get me started on the lighting in the Nordstrom dressing rooms. Are they trying to depress me? But when you find an outfit that you love and that makes you look hot it’s like winning the lottery. Then you wear that outfit 200 times until you decide that you probably need another hot outfit. Time to shop again!

Makeup – It’s amazing what a little bronzer and mascara can do for your confidence. I, more often than not, slack on wearing makeup because I HATE taking it off. I know, how lazy is that? So I will go days without wearing any makeup — looking oh so hot. Then I’ll put on some makeup and I’m seriously the hottest woman in the world. Watch out Angelina Jolie… Brad Pitt wouldn’t turn this down.

Sex - I won’t go into detail here, but what is sexier than having some hot sex? Don’t be a prude. Go read Fifty Shades of Grey and get back to me about that tingling in your nether regions.

Booze – Unfortunately, I cannot booze while I’m pregnant, but there’s no denying that after 1-2 drinks you start feeling sexy. You let your hair down and dance a little. And of course you are the best.dancer.ever! Don’t forget to make that kissy face at the camera! The longer the night… the sexier you feel. Just don’t look in the mirror the next morning.

As I write this I’m sitting in my yoga pants with my hair tied in a ponytail… no makeup and my natural deodorant already wearing off. I scream SEXY! I look down and see my growing belly and then I look at my cleavage. I better enjoy this now! Before my boobs get all saggy and National Geographic after breastfeeding. Who knows, maybe one day I can add boob job to my list of things that make me feel sexy. ;)

What makes you feel sexy?

once upon a sexy time

Filed Under: Advice, Health, Nick Mom, Pregnancy Tagged With: , , , , 2 Comments

The REAL Reason I’ve Been a Slacker

April 23, 2012 By

BOOM!

Yep. I’m pregnant. I’m 15 weeks. This photo was taken a couple weeks ago so I’m bigger… ugh. But I’ve been tired and sick and the last thing I’ve wanted to do is blog. So please forgive me. I’m feeling much better now that I’m in the second trimester. Longest weeks of my life. Vom vom vom.

We find out the sex on June 1. I am not someone who can wait for it to be a surprise. I need to plan.

I’m due October 13… but will be induced so I will have the baby before that. Why an induction? Oh that is another blog post to come. A LONG one. :)

Filed Under: Pregnancy Tagged With: , , 6 Comments

TLC’s A Conception Story

April 2, 2012 By

Happy Monday!

TLC contacted me over the weekend. They are looking for people for their show “A Conception Story.” Anyone interested? Here are the details:

Hello DC Area Moms and Dads,
TLC is looking for a few good parents to join our upcoming season of A Conception Story and we need you to help us find them.  Our series is launching its third season of the online video series, A Conception Story: Circle of Friends (tlc.com/conception). Participants will have access to the latest First Response products, including pregnancy, ovulation and fertility tests, as well as access to experts in the pregnancy and fertility fields. 
TLC is looking for families who are willing to document the emotional passage to pregnancy through monthly video diaries and blogs. Soon-to-be parents will be provided personal video cameras to document their road to pregnancy with frequent video updates. Each participant will also write monthly blogs on TLC.com. Participants will also come together once a month for a filmed group discussion with other cast members.
There is a small stipend to cover your time but mostly it is a great way to share your fertility journey with other hopeful couples and families.  Please take a moment to look at our casting posting: http://tlc.discovery.com/family/a-conception-story/casting.html and feel free to pass the information along to your friends.
Thank you so much,
~Korin Anderson
Casting Producer – TLC’s A Conception Story
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