33

weeks down!

This pregnancy has gone terribly fast.
I am ready to meet our little one, yet I am not ready for my pregnancy to be over.
I enjoy being pregnant.
I still feel very good.
I am sleeping well.

This baby is a mover and a shaker!
He/She seems to be moving all the time.
We have fun watching my belly do the wave & pop up and down.

I started digging through baby clothes today.
I want to get a few washed up and ready to go.
It was like a trip down memory lane.

Tiny baby clothes............ they make my heart smile.

You know...

your in your 8th month of pregnancy when...

• your, normally weed free, garden is being over taken by weeds & you don't care
• the body that once loved to run, moans at the thought & you settle for a walk
• you step over the kids toys instead of picking them up
• you can't reach across the counter anymore
• painting your toes takes A LOT of effort & time
• you try to contain your laughter due to the fact that sometimes over exertion causes leaks
• pillows have over taken your bed & your husband is thankful he purchased a King
• you spot scrambled eggs under the table & realize the last time you served them was two days ago. You walk past.
  
• you know the worker schedule & the local ice cream parlor
• you use a donut floaty so you can lay on your stomach & read
• you feel like a beached whale while laying on your donut floaty, on the beach, reading
• 8:00 sounds like a reasonable bedtime, although no one else in the house thinks so.
  
• you can smell a dirty diaper two rooms away
• you fall asleep reading a book while taking a bubble bath
  

Meal Giving and a question or two

Have you ever received a meal from someone due to a birth, death or family tragedy? If you have, you know what a blessing it can be. We have received many tasty meals from family, friends and church members since the birth of Ashlynn. It has been great not to have to worry about what is for dinner.

But what if your on the other end, your the meal maker. Does it make you nervous? Do you make excuses so you don't have to? God may be asking you to use a gift He has given you to be a blessing to others. I love to bake and cook, but I still get nervous over what to make. As a Deaconess at Church, my job is to make meals for families with new babies. I have several 'go to' recipes I use as well as these guidelines when I am making a meal...

• Don't experiment with a new recipe, unless you totally trust the source. Instead have several recipes you feel comfortable with, that are yummy, and pick the one that suits the family you are taking the meal to.
  
• Ask about allergies/special diets. You wouldn't want to take a dish with breading if someone in the family had Celiac disease...make a meat dish for a vegetarian...take peanut butter cookies to a family who had a child with a peanut allergy.
  
• Ask if there is anything they really don't like or have received numerous dishes of...fish...pasta...hamburger casseroles...
  
• If you are really ambitious, ask what their favorite food/vegetable/salad/dessert is. And make it.
  
• If there are children in the family, ask about their preferences. The last thing a mom wants is to have a meal delivered only to have children who won't eat it.
• Make it fun. A friend recently brought us a meal with cool whip in a can. I don't know when the last time was I bought that stuff. My kids thought they were in heaven!
• Take a meal, not just a dish. I include a main dish, a vegetable or lettuce salad, side salad, dessert and maybe applesauce or something else kid friendly.
  
• Make everything in disposable dishes. (disposable baking pans, baggies, glad ware...) You can even take paper plates and plastic silverware if you'd like.
• Ask when the best time to deliver is. Arrive on time and don't overstay your welcome.

If I am making a meal for my sister/other family or a close friend, the last two guidelines aren't quite as important. Those people I see a lot, I am comfortable with them and if I show up when they are nursing or aren't home, they won't care if I walk on in. I also know I will be at their house again soon and can up my own dishes.

My questions for you are:
What kind of meals do you like to receive the best?
What are your 'go to' recipes?
What are your most kid friendly dishes?

Ashlynn Elizabeth

Our little miracle is here! She arrived Sunday, July 19th at 11:02 am.

6# 8oz, 19 1/2 inches

Gabrielle is amazed, there really was a baby in there!

I am in awe of the beautiful, perfect blessing I have been given. God, thank you for answering my prayers in Your perfect timing.

37!

I am 37 weeks today!
I have never been this pregnant in my life!
And my belly has never stuck out so far :)

I went 26 days early with Braden, I only have 21 more days until D day.

How long will I last?
What will I have?
How big will he/she be?
Braden was 5#10 oz and 181/2 inches long.
Any guesses?

30

WEEKS!
I can't believe I am 30 weeks already. The days are flying by. My shirts are getting tighter, I think I am expanding :)
Any guesses - Boy or Girl?

Nutrition and Herbs for Pregnancy part 2

Nutrition is a very important part of pregnancy.
I believe 'Whole Foods' are the best foods, pregnant or not, but especially during pregnancy. Whole foods are foods that are in the closest state to which God created them. No artificial flavorings, no ingredients you can't pronounce, no preservatives. When we make the choice to choose 'whole foods' or real food, we will feel better, our bodies will function better and our baby in the womb will thrive and grow strong. Whole foods contain vital nutrients that our bodies need to function. I am not suggesting becoming a vegetarian. But I am saying that the majority of the foods you consume should be plant based; legumes, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and nuts. When you shop, you should fill your cart with an array of colors and textures. Use fresh ground flour if possible. Eat legumes, instead of meat one or two nights a week. Eat seasonal fruits and vegetables to cut costs, to receive the best quality and most nutritious foods.

What do you and your baby in the womb need?

Calcium- found in dairy products (rBGH Free or organic best), nuts & seeds, broccoli, and dark leafy greens. Calcium is needed for fetal skeleton, teeth, increased maternal calcium metabolism, promotes normal blood clotting after birth, required for proper functioning of central nervous system.

1500-1800 mg per day

Protein- found in legumes, fish, meat, dairy, eggs, nuts, & grains. Protein is needed for fetal tissue growth, fetal brain development, placenta growth, maternal tissue growth, maternal blood volume, maternal reserve for labor/delivery and lactation.

80-100 grams a day

Complex Carbohydrates/Whole Grains- found in whole grains, pasta, rice, fruits and vegetables. Complex carbs are essential for energy. Without proper intake of carbohydrates, protein, which is meant for muscle building and tissue formation in the fetus, will be used for energy. Thus robbing your growing fetus of the protein he/she needs. Complex carbs are a good source of B vitamins, iron, and fiber.

4-8 servings per day(depending on your activity level and weight) of whole grains,
see fruits/veggies for their daily recommendations

Iron- found in blackstrap molasses, some cereals, cooked spinach, red meat, and lentils. Getting adequate amounts of iron is very hard to do without a supplement. Find a good supplement! I like Shaklee's Vitalizer with Iron. Iron is essential for the formation of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen to the blood. It is important for fetal liver iron storage.

18 - 30 mg per day

Healthy Fats- found in nuts, olive oils, seeds, avocados, deep sea fish, and butter in small amounts. Fats are necessary for proper brain function. Healthy fats are the main source of vitamins A,D,E and K.

15 - 20 % of daily calories, or 3-4 serving per day

Fresh Fruit and Veggies- fresh, raw, baked and steamed, in an array of colors. Avoid using the microwave to cook whenever possible. Cooking at rapid high temperatures kills important vitamins and minerals. Fruits and vegetables are powerhouse sources of vitamins. Fill your plate with many colors to ensure a good variation of vitamins.

8 - 10+ combined serving per day

Fiber- found in legumes, whole grains, cereals, and whole fruits and vegetables. A high fiber diet protects against various diseases, stabilizes blood sugar levels, and provide regularity.

25 - 30 grams per day


For more reading:
The Naturally Healthy Pregnancy by Shonda Parker
Nutrition for a Healthy Pregnancy by Miriam Erick
Eating for Pregnancy by Catherine Jones

Nutrition and Herbs for Pregnancy part 1

Did you know...

Good nutrition can go a long way in preventing possible complications in pregnancy.

Mood swings and morning sickness, which are quite common, are connected to low blood sugar.

A lack of calcium can result in hypertension, backaches and severe labor pains.

Malnutrition during pregnancy can cause constipation, hemorrhoids, anemia, and even preeclampsia.

Some herbs are very beneficial (and a great source of nutrition) to use during pregnancy, others are very harmful. Always check before using an herb during pregnancy. A well written book I like is The Naturally Healthy Pregnancy, by Shonda Parker. Her website is Naturally Healthy.org. Shonda is a professional Family herbalist. She has written several books, speaks across the country at various midwifery and womens' events and oversees the NH Family Herbal Study Course. She is the mother of 7.

Beneficial Herbs to use during pregnancy:

Raspberry Leaf: Is one of the most popular herb used during pregnancy. It strengthens and tones the uterine and pelvic muscles. It is said to encourage easier childbirth because of it's ability to strengthen the uterus muscles.

Nettle Leaves: A nutritional powerhouse, containing every vitamin & mineral known to be needed for human growth. Regular use ensures a plentiful supply of nutrients, helps reduce hemorrhoids, helps prevent postpartum hemorrhage, eases leg cramps and muscle spasms and nourishes the kidneys. Nettle is a great herb for lactation as it promotes a rich supply of breast milk.

Chlorophyll: An herb used to build blood and give the liver an extra boost. Also used to support energy levels.

Ginger: Ginger has been used for a long time to treat gastrointestinal distress, including morning sickness during pregnancy. Dried root and ginger extract have been found to be the most effective to treat morning sickness during pregnancy.

Unbelievable

Today I am 19 weeks.
19 weeks pregnant!
Check out the baby belly :)

Typing those words gives me goose bumps and bring tears to my eyes.
It amazes me.
Each time I feel a little kick, I am reminded of the life growing inside me.
Oh how many times I prayed to feel that again.
How many times I prayed to experience another growing tummy, to feel the hick ups from a little one.
I am in awe of the miracle God has given us.
I am unworthy of this gift, yet He has given it.
Oh Lord, how good you are!
Thank you, Lord, for not getting tired of my prayer and for answering it in your perfect timing.
Thank you, for giving me hope and the spirit never to give up.

'Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.'
Isaiah 40:28-31

Yes, We're Expecting!!

Maybe it's for my own mind's sake, to get this off my chest, or maybe it's to clear up a few rumors...

Yes, the Lord has blessed us with a pregnancy!

Nothing is wrong (that we know) with our child, as a someone asked a friend of mine.
We are all so very excited!
And I don't mind talking about it, (as I heard today I did). If fact if you are with us, one of my children will most likely bring it up! But read below to find out which questions I find really annoying.

What I dislike is the comments people say, the questions they ask and why they think it is any of their business. So if I have offended you by not offering all the details, I am sorry. Don't get me wrong, I am very appreciative of the amount of people who have contacted us out of a sincere heart to congratulate us. I am humbled by the people who have said they have been praying for us, I am blessed to have so many wonderful Christian friends.

I will not be adding to 'My Story' until this portion is complete. Someday though, I promise, I will write it all out. I will include the verses I held on to and the verses God spoke to me. It is an amazing journey we have been on. I have prayed for many years for God to open my womb. I new deep with in my heart He would. I didn't know when, but I never gave up hope!
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Now, maybe you need a laugh, because we have laughed over these comments many times...

What never to say to a pregnant mom or a mom who is pregnant after 10 years of infertility...

*Wow, you finally found something that worked. (yes, if you'd really like to know we did it upside down, hanging from the lights, with my fingers in my ears, just kidding)
*Did you do it naturally this time? (no comment, just don't ask that question!)
*You're gaining weight (duh I am suppose to)
*How much weight have you gained? and Is that normal? (is that your business???)
*Did you just find out? (yeah, had no clue, this tummy bump looks completely normal to me)
*How did you know? (a pregnancy test, duh)
*When did you find out? (if you must know, after the positive test when 'aunt flo' didn't show)
*Can I rub your belly? (no!)