I have blogged about this before, but the thought has plagued my mind yet again all morning: Although I cannot wait to meet our baby Hannah, I am truly enjoying this time alone with Lyla. My mind is always conflicted between feeling selfish for having another baby, because of how much Lyla's life will change, and yet I am excited to have made her a sibling for those exact reasons.
Having 13 years between me and my brother, I feel like I virtually missed out on having a sibling - until I got older and we grew closer - but I was 3 when he moved out and have no real memory of him living with me. My oldest niece loves to tell me how lucky I am for this, because if she had her way, she would have been an only child and reaped all the benefits of being spoiled and "the one and only", but the addition of 2 sisters made that impossible for her. Of course, siblings will be siblings; arguing and all, but I can only hope that Lyla will benefit from having her sister around as a playmate, friend, and of course, family.
When I was expecting Lyla, I was counting the days until she was due. I did everything possible to (naturally) induce my labor and meet my baby girl. And, with my back feeling the way it has been lately, I'm sure the further along I get in this pregnancy the more I will want it to end, too, but for right now, I'm appreciative of every day I have with my big girl. I'm always reminding myself how difficult certain activities and time together may become with the arrival of Hannah, which allows me to cherish each day between now and June. I stare at her little face everyday in "awe" of how much she's grown and how beautiful she is. I hold her as often as I can, since my arms will likely be reserved for the one who can't walk come summer time.
I'm also just enjoying being pregnant (as much as I can with the back and ligament pain I'm experiencing). We've talked seriously about this being our last pregnancy (we'll see), so every flutter, kick, or hiccup, I sit back and enjoy. It's much more enjoyable now, too, knowing that those kicks and hiccups with soon be accompanied with crying and endless nursing sessions. I love watching my belly grow, knowing that I am doing all I can with healthy eating and exercise to create the best start to life that I can for this little one. It's also still amazing that there is a BABY in there!
But, as excited as I am to meet her, I am going to thoroughly enjoy these last 11 weeks by appreciating my time with Lyla, my pregnancy, and the calm before the storm ;)
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Monday, March 26, 2012
My Pregnancy Diet
I think by now I have read every book, blog, or website on eating well when you're expecting. Most things I abide by, but there are some things - like eating the bones in canned fish - that I just cannot do. This time around, I have been even more strict with my diet, with my main focus on ingredients. I try to steer clear of any artificial colors or flavorings; anything labeled 100% natural is right down my alley. My strict eating habits kicked into overdrive when my sister in law's water broke at 28 weeks pregnant (where I am now in my pregnancy) and gave birth just shy of 31 weeks. Knowing that every bite you take you share with your baby really hit home when you see this little 3lb baby laying in an incubator. If anything were to happen to me like this, I'd want my baby to have the best chance at a normal, healthy life.
I've had a few expecting mom's approach me with lots of questions, which I love because I am an open book; you ask, I tell. So, I thought I'd share my typical pregnancy diet for anyone wanting to read it.
-whole wheat/grain products: unless the word "whole" is there, you are missing out on the bran & germ; they are removed in the refining process of most breads. whole!whole!whole! I look for this when buying bread products, granola bars and pastas.
-omega-3 eggs: all from non-caged animals, and good for those brain-boosting fatty acids
-greek yogurt: more protein than regular yogurt. I usually add walnuts for extra calories & omega 3's, and fruit or raisins for vitamins.
-guacamole: I make mine with half an avocado mashed up with a teaspoon or 2 of salsa. Good fat & calories for baby
-chicken: we usually marinade it and fry it in a skillet, or boil it and throw it into a stir fry with some olive oil, peppers, onions, and brown rice.
-salmon: our favorite recipe is topped with a little mayo & dill, popped in the toaster oven. Usually paired with a side of rice (brown or whole-grain pilafs) and asparagus - good for folic acid!
-snacks: i try to snack on things like cut up veggies with hummus, cottage cheese, string cheese, apples with peanut butter, rice cake with peanut butter & banana or raisins, handful of nuts or seeds...but there's always room for my organic cookies dunked in milk (or vanilla soy milk...yummo)
-veggies: i try to have a veggie with both lunch and dinner; spinach with a little smart balance, peas & corn, broccoli, chopped peppers, salad with cucumber (and my newest health nut addition, kale). I also always throw some lettuce (romaine or other dark leaves) on my burgers or sandwiches along with cucumber slices.
-fruit: I usually have an apple or orange between meals for a snack, but love to buy frozen (no sugar added) fruit to add to smoothies or just crunch on.
-wheat germ: I try to add this to everything I can, but realistically only use a teaspoon or 2 a day. It's a great source of folic acid, and I find it easiest to add to oatmeal, yogurt, smoothies, and cereal.
Desserts:
-chocolate: dark chocolate (at least 60% cocoa) is delicious and an awesome antioxidant
-mousse: Unfortunately, you can't eat real chocolate mousse when you're expecting, so I make a boot-leg version with instant chocolate pudding mixed with some cool whip (one of my non-all-natural treats, whoops)
-frozen yogurt: less fat and calories than ice cream, and now newly available in greek frozen yogurt!
Of course this isn't all of the things I eat, but for the most part I eat a variety from this list on a daily basis. I also am not so strict to refuse food at others' houses, I just make sure it's on the "safe" list and get back to my diet as soon as I can. I can only hope that my determination with eating habits combined with exercise and rest can bring a healthy, happy baby into this world, and that I have given her the best start to life possible.
I've had a few expecting mom's approach me with lots of questions, which I love because I am an open book; you ask, I tell. So, I thought I'd share my typical pregnancy diet for anyone wanting to read it.
-whole wheat/grain products: unless the word "whole" is there, you are missing out on the bran & germ; they are removed in the refining process of most breads. whole!whole!whole! I look for this when buying bread products, granola bars and pastas.
-omega-3 eggs: all from non-caged animals, and good for those brain-boosting fatty acids
-greek yogurt: more protein than regular yogurt. I usually add walnuts for extra calories & omega 3's, and fruit or raisins for vitamins.
-guacamole: I make mine with half an avocado mashed up with a teaspoon or 2 of salsa. Good fat & calories for baby
-chicken: we usually marinade it and fry it in a skillet, or boil it and throw it into a stir fry with some olive oil, peppers, onions, and brown rice.
-salmon: our favorite recipe is topped with a little mayo & dill, popped in the toaster oven. Usually paired with a side of rice (brown or whole-grain pilafs) and asparagus - good for folic acid!
-snacks: i try to snack on things like cut up veggies with hummus, cottage cheese, string cheese, apples with peanut butter, rice cake with peanut butter & banana or raisins, handful of nuts or seeds...but there's always room for my organic cookies dunked in milk (or vanilla soy milk...yummo)
-veggies: i try to have a veggie with both lunch and dinner; spinach with a little smart balance, peas & corn, broccoli, chopped peppers, salad with cucumber (and my newest health nut addition, kale). I also always throw some lettuce (romaine or other dark leaves) on my burgers or sandwiches along with cucumber slices.
-fruit: I usually have an apple or orange between meals for a snack, but love to buy frozen (no sugar added) fruit to add to smoothies or just crunch on.
-wheat germ: I try to add this to everything I can, but realistically only use a teaspoon or 2 a day. It's a great source of folic acid, and I find it easiest to add to oatmeal, yogurt, smoothies, and cereal.
Desserts:
-chocolate: dark chocolate (at least 60% cocoa) is delicious and an awesome antioxidant
-mousse: Unfortunately, you can't eat real chocolate mousse when you're expecting, so I make a boot-leg version with instant chocolate pudding mixed with some cool whip (one of my non-all-natural treats, whoops)
-frozen yogurt: less fat and calories than ice cream, and now newly available in greek frozen yogurt!
Of course this isn't all of the things I eat, but for the most part I eat a variety from this list on a daily basis. I also am not so strict to refuse food at others' houses, I just make sure it's on the "safe" list and get back to my diet as soon as I can. I can only hope that my determination with eating habits combined with exercise and rest can bring a healthy, happy baby into this world, and that I have given her the best start to life possible.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
6 months & uncomfortable
I don't remember being this uncomfortable with Lyla, especially before my 3rd trimester hit. I have a feeling (and fear) that this is going to be one big baby - especially since Eric was close to 9lbs himself.
Heat and stretching has stopped relieving my back pain. The baby on my bladder had stopped me from running, and now braxton hicks contractions has slowed the rest of my work out routine; so much for being wonder mom and being in tip-top shape this whole pregnancy. My slow weight gain has forced me to eat even when I'm not hungry, making me feel full and nauseous. And to top it all off, my 2nd trimester is coming to an end, bringing back the exhaustion and increased hormones I experienced in months 1-3. Pretty sure I barely made it past 9pm last night before I was passed out on the couch, and I was less than tolerant of Lyla's every-5-minute temper tantrums yesterday.
But, on a positive note, the weather this week has so far been beautiful, and looks like it'll stay that way for the remainder of the week (until next week when we'll probably get some wicked snow storm; this is New England after all). The vitamin D from the sun and fresh air really does a body good, and Lyla and I have been walking everywhere - whether it's walking Petey around the block or taking an extended walk in the stroller to the playground, I still manage to get in some exercise, and can nearly forget all my pregnancy discomforts when the weather is 70 degrees and sunny.
I know I'll only become more uncomfortable from here on out, but hopefully with Spring upon us, I'll be easily distracted 8-)
Heat and stretching has stopped relieving my back pain. The baby on my bladder had stopped me from running, and now braxton hicks contractions has slowed the rest of my work out routine; so much for being wonder mom and being in tip-top shape this whole pregnancy. My slow weight gain has forced me to eat even when I'm not hungry, making me feel full and nauseous. And to top it all off, my 2nd trimester is coming to an end, bringing back the exhaustion and increased hormones I experienced in months 1-3. Pretty sure I barely made it past 9pm last night before I was passed out on the couch, and I was less than tolerant of Lyla's every-5-minute temper tantrums yesterday.
But, on a positive note, the weather this week has so far been beautiful, and looks like it'll stay that way for the remainder of the week (until next week when we'll probably get some wicked snow storm; this is New England after all). The vitamin D from the sun and fresh air really does a body good, and Lyla and I have been walking everywhere - whether it's walking Petey around the block or taking an extended walk in the stroller to the playground, I still manage to get in some exercise, and can nearly forget all my pregnancy discomforts when the weather is 70 degrees and sunny.
I know I'll only become more uncomfortable from here on out, but hopefully with Spring upon us, I'll be easily distracted 8-)
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