A Random Update...

This post may be random, but I promise it's filled with some interesting information, one of them being that I PASSED my three-hour glucose test today with flying colors!

I look really attractive, I know. You don't have to tell me.



     If you're a loyal reader, and many of you are for which I am extremely grateful, remember that I failed my one hour test by six points. I've tried to not worry about it, but this second one has been at the back of my mind for the past few days as it drew nearer; I've been terrified that I would fail it too. Many pregnant women have gestational diabetes, so if you're wondering why I made such a big deal of it, just know that as a heavier woman who loves all things health and fitness, I've made having a healthy pregnancy a priority--a big one at that. I think having diabetes while pregnant would make me feel helpless, like all of my efforts (all the exercising, healthy eating, weight-monitoring) would be a total waste. I'm my own worst critic (aren't we all?), and I know I would have just felt like a failure. If you are diabetic, whether you were born with it or developed it later in life, I hope I don't sound too selfish; managing it and taking care of yourself becomes a whole new job on its own, and I have no doubt in my mind that it's a difficult, frustrating thing at times. I have diabetic friends and family members, and I just cannot imagine. They probably contribute greatly to why I was so afraid of being gestationally diabetic.
     When I got to my OB office, I had my initial checkup; blood pressure was good, urine was clear, and I actually lost 0.2 pounds since my last checkup. For argument's sake, we'll just say nothing changed and keep the total gain at 16.2. I know I said in my week 30 update that I gained about three more pounds, but I have been a bit more loyal to the gym and my diet since coming back from the beach; trust me, I had a lot of "vacation food" hanging on me. I had my finger pricked before drinking the glucose drink (slightly stronger and sweeter than the one you drink for the one hour test), and my blood sugar was normal before I started. After one hour, I was stuck again. BS was supposed to be at 190 or less, and I was at 180. After another hour (during this time I went to Amy Head to visit my sweet friend and makeup guru Claire), I was stuck again and for the last time: my BS had to be at 165 for me to pass, and it was at 98!!! My nurse said I was good to go and didn't have to be pricked a third time--good because my fingers were getting a little sore!

     I also had another ultrasound, and although I didn't ask for it, my ultrasound tech flipped the screen to a 3D version. I guess it really doesn't count because Vaught was moving so much that we couldn't see anything except for an eye and him sucking his little fingers! I could just barely make out what was going on in there, but I didn't ask for any printouts. I told her I didn't plan on having one of those fancy 3D/4D ultrasound packages done and she said, "Good because he probably wouldn't be still for long enough!" He's definitely a wiggle worm and officially 3 pounds and 12 ounces--he has gained a whole pound in just three weeks!

     Since I live an hour from Oxford, I also talked to my doctor about when I would know for sure that it's time to head to the hospital once contractions and all the fun labor things start. He explained how all of that works and let me know that if labor didn't start on its own, and I really feel that it will, he probably would not allow me to go past September 29th unless it was just "convenient" to do so. I kind of feel like I was told that no matter what, we're going to have a baby here by September 29th, which is both scary and exciting!

     I go back in three weeks for another checkup. I'll be around thirty-three weeks then. Saturday, August 9th, we have our maternity photos, which I'm actually excited about!

     I have to give a shout out to my cousin Audrey Anna who drove all the way to Oxford from Tupelo just to have lunch with me today--I had pizza and COCA COLA and a High Point Coffee iced latte and muffin later on and loved every bit of it!!! It was nice to indulge a little without worrying about my blood sugar!

Blueberry muffin from High Point Coffee!

     I have but one bump photo to share with you from Sunday morning before the gym. I discussed some other things with my doctor today that I would love to share with you now, but it's going to have to wait until the week 32 update because this mama needs a little nap :)

I am working on a blog about our vacation--look for it in the next few days!

Common Questions

Several weeks ago, I did a blog entry on the five-ish things you shouldn't say to or ask a pregnant woman. Today I would like to address five questions that I've been getting lately. No, they don't irk me or upset me, but I since I can't launch into a ten minute explanation of my answers around a bunch of people, I will put it all on here. That's what the blog is for anyway, right??

1. "What's your birth plan?"

My what? The first time I heard it I had to Google it. I was surprised at how many women actually type up these extremely specific, often five-page documents, citing precisely how they want and expect their birth experience to go, from the drugs they do/do not want and the time of day they would like to give birth, all the way down to the outfit in which they'll depart from the hospital. All I could think was... Are you serious? As I read and researched some more, I discovered that birth plans seem to be more common with women who plan to have a home birth with a midwife or a doula present at an un-medicated birth. I guess I can see where I would want to map out a birth plan if I were giving birth in my bathtub or in a plastic pool in my living room. But I'm one of those gals who will birth at a hospital (if all goes well) with a doctor who's done this a million times. My plan? To check into the hospital with a baby in my belly and check out with him in my arms, ready for the long ride home. I plan to shut up, breathe, and just do what I'm told, taking each little thing, contractions and all, as it comes. I do plan on having an epidural; however, if my doctor or a nurse says things are moving too quickly/too complicated/whatever other reasons there could be that prevent me from getting one, that's fine. I don't have a negative view on getting an epidural; I believe I'll be able to enjoy the experience a little more if I can be somewhat more comfortable as opposed to not having one. Even still, women have un-medicated births every day, and if I have to join their ranks, I will make it. (I don't believe in calling them "natural births;" birth, in all of its forms, is natural). Either way, my body is made to do this, so I'll get through it. My "birth plan" is to go into that hospital room calm and collected and come out with a healthy baby boy. Whatever happens between check-in and check-out will just have to be. I hope I'm not offending anyone, but in my own opinion, overly specific, minute-by-minute birth plans are for control freaks, and I am definitely not one. My trust is in the good Lord and my doctor.

2. "Don't you  know the risks of epidurals?!"

I do, and I also am aware of the risks of driving a car, boarding an airplane, making a purchase online, walking in Memphis, heck even putting on panty hose poses some risks... or maybe that's just me. I really hate the epidemic we have begun with epidurals and how women who choose to have one are often seen as less than but not equal to the women who give birth with little to no medication. Not all women feel this way, I know. I personally do not think any higher of a woman who chooses to give birth with no meds. Upon talking with women who did so, I don't congratulate them and tell them how brave they are. It's a personal choice and one that must be made depending on what is best for the mother--hopefully a decision that she makes with the professional guidance of her doctor or whomever is aiding in the delivery of her baby. I feel like the judgment here would be like me judging someone for choosing Asics over Nike's when I swear by Nike as the best and only running shoe one should ever purchase. Okay, so that's not a perfect simile, but you get what I'm saying. Personally, I have no doubts that I could handle an unmedicated birth if I have to, and I very well might, I won't know until it's time. But my choice of getting an epidural is what I feel is best for me so that I can remain as calm and comfortable as possible. There's no threat to Vaught, so I am not worried a single bit.

3. "Who all is going to be in the room with you when you deliver?"

Who all? You mean just who, right? This one's a very common question, and I really like the way my husband and I are handling this situation as far as the birth experience. Aside from the doctor and nurses (obviously), my husband is the only person who will be beside me in the delivery room. I know, I know. Everyone's next question is "You don't want your mom there?!" At this point, no, I do not want her there. And she has made it clear to me that she does not want to be there. She is my best friend, always has been, and we are as close as a mother and daughter can be, but she has explained that the birth of our son is a special time for Eric and me, and she feels it will be a better experience overall if it's just the two of us. Although most women elect to have their mothers present, she requested that I really give it some thought; she thinks I'll do just fine having only Eric, and I have to say that I agree. I'm a tough girl, so I also want to know that I can do this without her there. She's always been there for me and says she'll come if I want her to, but I really want it to just be Eric and me. If some serious complications occur in the end and I'm really scared, then I'll probably want my mama, and that's perfectly understandable. But in general, I don't think a lot of people take into account how special the birth of a child really is. I can't imagine wanting spectators (a la Kourtney Kardashian) or a ton of people out in the waiting room. That's another thing I'm unsure of. After pushing a baby out of a very small exit (or even being cut into to get him out; whatever happens happens!), am I really going to want to visit and chat with a bunch of family thirty minutes later? Probably not. Eric and I also agree that we will call family members and friends and welcome them to visit when we are ready, whether it's the day after in the hospital or a week after we return home.

4. "How are you feeling?"

This one does not annoy me at all--it's just that I answer it about a dozen times a day... to the post office master, the people at the bank, the people at the other bank, my customers, the pharmacist next door... It just gets a little old. I'm twenty-nine weeks pregnant tomorrow, and I still feel great. Some days I just want to be lazy. Actually, last Saturday, the day after July 4th, my husband and I slept until nearly noon, got up and ate, and then napped and watched TV all afternoon. Although we did get rather productive working around the yard at about five that afternoon, it was actually really pleasant to just have a lazy day. It was the first Saturday in a while that I didn't have to be somewhere! Sometimes I feel a little anxious when I think about how drastically my life is going to change when Vaught gets here. I love getting up super early and going to Starbucks on Saturday and Sunday mornings and watching the sun rise (or finish rising) with an extra hot latte; no more of that come September! I do admit that I'm a bit of a worrier, but I try to shrug my apprehensions off and just trust that everything will be fine. Sometimes it feels like my hormones are out of control and I could just shoot the next person who looks at me "funny," but that's pregnancy for ya. Overall,  I feel good. I feel ready--most days at least.

5. "Have you picked Vaught's coming-home outfit?"

I wasn't quite sure what this was at first. Several people asked me as I began receiving and buying baby clothes, and I didn't realize that many people actually make a huge ordeal out of what they bring their baby home in. I looked online and discovered that the vast majority of these outfits can get really expensive... and the baby will only wear it once! Needless to say though, they are really precious little gowns and outfits! Eric and I decided that we're going to keep it really simple with Vaught. My friend got me this cute little gown (basically a footless onesie) at the surprise shower my teacher friends hosted for me in May, so this will most likely be what he comes home in. Even still, I'm going to pack a couple of the Ole  Miss onesies into our hospital bag; we agree that Vaught will definitely come home in red and blue :)

Week 28 Update... 12 Weeks To Go!!!

And GOODBYE to Trimester Two!!
 

I remember how excited I was to enter the second trimester at thirteen weeks. It feels like forever ago, yet the time flew by so quickly! The last stretch is finally here, and I'm getting more and more excited with each week! I cannot wait to meet my little man!

Movement: Vaught is a playful little thing! He's starting to kick a LOT, and when he does, I poke at wherever he's kicking. After a few seconds, he'll kick back. If I stop poking at him for a minute or so, he'll start going nuts! It makes me think he's going to be a happy, playful baby! You can totally see him kicking around now. My belly jumps all the time. I've made a few videos of it and plan on sharing them on my Instagram at some point.

Craving: BBQ sauce. On everything. I really like tater tots from Sonic with some of their yummy BBQ sauce! I've not had any major cravings though; I've not had to get up at 2AM just to go get pickles or olives (by the way, I still hate olives). When I get a craving for something, I usually just go get it and then the craving goes away. I definitely indulge when the need strikes! I have craved Mexican food a few times lately, but I haven't eaten it in weeks. I'm waiting on a reeeeally good opportunity.

Weight Gain: As of my appointment Tuesday, I'm sitting at a total gain of 16.2 pounds. My doctor was impressed and happy with the loss from that 12 pound jump and just wants me to continue monitoring until due date. I so wish that at around week 38, assuming I make it that far, I could just start shoving food in my mouth and enjoy at least a whole week of the "typical pregnancy" some women have where they just don't give a shit and eat what they want when they want. But I know that's not a good idea, even for the tiny women who do it! Healthy mama, healthy baby!

Glucose Test: I failed. By 6 little points. My blood sugar was 146, and their cut-off is 140. Some offices dictate 135 and some say 150 is the magic number. If only I went to a 150 office! I seriously could have cried. I was so disappointed, but then my doctor came in and explained that he wasn't worried about it. There could be a multitude of reasons why my blood sugar was elevated and most women fail by wayyy more than 6 points. Even still, I will go back in three weeks for the three hour test, and he thinks I'll do just fine. I can't help but feel a little... Helpless. I'm trying to have the "perfect pregnancy," realizing at the same time that it is not possible. It's yucky and annoying sometimes, and we have absolutely no control over some of the things our bodies are doing. Having gestational diabetes is one of them. Either I do or I don't, and I've got to get over it and stop worrying. If I do, it's okay. I've stayed healthy and will continue doing so. If not? When I leave my OB's office on July 22nd, I'm headed straight for the Mexican restaurant for a humongous, well-deserved quesadilla.

Up Next: Bathing suit for the beach has been ordered! Check out this super sexy number in cobalt. No, I will not post any modeling pictures. I'd hate to put a virus on your device. I also ordered a black tankini top to match some hot pink bottoms I have from last summer.

Vaught's room is coming along very nicely! I recently got a duvet cover and shams on clearance for $11 at Target, as well as navy curtains for $10! Carousel Designs, where his baby bedding was ordered, is also running a 4th of July sale where everything is 20% off, so I got him a changing pad cover last week for $32! A few nights ago, Eric and I put his Eddie Bauer play yard together (pack-n-play, basically), and I got his crib mattress, so we are almost set!  I just need some minor décor items, and I want to get even more organized in his room! It's getting more and more real! He will be in my arms in three months or less!

 

My first baby shower: August 3rd, hosted by two of my best friends, Cheslin and Anna Kate! I'm so excited!!! One of the main things I'm looking forward to?? Anna Kate's coffee punch: my favorite!

Twerk-n-Jerk: One of my July goals is to work out at the gym four times a week. Sometimes I get lazy and might only make it there once or twice. When I work out at home, I'm not as motivated; I move slower and take more water breaks. Usually my dogs will interrupt me, so I'll play with them for a minute or two, often totally forgetting what rep I was on or what exercise I was even doing. At the gym, I move fast and get a lot of work done in less than an hour. Where do I get my workouts? Michelle Marie Fit.  I am obsessed with her workouts, and they can be tapered to fit any woman's workout style! A few of the ones I've been doing lately are below. Give them a try! You feel incredible afterwards!

For the days when I have only half an hour :)

I get a serious burn from this one for several hours!

Gotta keep the legs in check; pregnancy has made mine thicker!!

Belly Shots

I know I should probably wear more fitted clothes for these pictures, but I hope it's obvious that the roundness and poke-out-ness is all baby!



Every Thursday I have to go take belly pictures for my dad in our bathroom at work... He says it's his favorite thing about Thursday now :)

 

I can't believe we're only twelve weeks away from meeting face to face! I cannot wait to hold this little guy! My friends with children keep telling me that there's just something about little boys and their mama's; I can't wait to find out!

Second Trimester Survival: Must-Haves

     No, I'm not a seasoned, professional pregnant girl, but I do feel like I now specialize in the area of surviving the second trimester! So many women told me that the second trimester was golden, and it took me about two weeks to realize that for the most part, they were right! I was hit with some bad back pain, but it beat the heck out of it being exhausted all day, every day, feeling as if I could sleep at my desk from 8 to 4!

     As I reflected on the second trimester and how wonderful it really was, I concluded that it definitely deserves it's very own blog post about what helped me get through it and enjoy it as much as possible! For expectant moms, I hope it's as golden for you as it was for me!

 

 

Old Faithful... AKA a heating pad/icepack

When the back pain began getting really tough for me, heat/ice pack was my best friend. Some days ice felt better for inflammation, while the heat was a great muscle soother for other days. This was $15 at my chiropractor's office, but you can find them much cheaper at drugstores. I've also heard of pregnant women wearing those icy hot wraps during the day. Never tried it, but I'm sure they're amazing!

Tylenol

 

The "safe" drug for pregnant women. Two tablets every morning helped combat the minor headaches that continued into trimester two and the back pain. I'm no longer popping pills every morning (except for that lovely prenatal vitamin that I forget nearly every day), but I still keep a bottle of these in my bag at all times.

Water

 

And LOTS of it. Trimester Two is a thirsty one, so keep a cold bottled water close by. While at school, I was making trips to the water fountain to fill up my tumbler every half hour. In addition, I was making just as frequent trips to the bathroom, but after a dehydration scare (accompanied by a $500 emergency room bill just to find out I needed something to drink), I learned to keep my fluids nearby! This summer, as I'm walking around the hot streets of Holly Springs running errands for work, I've kept this cup with me. I'm always sipping on my ice water!

Cute, comfy nightgown

 

At a certain point, pajama pants just won't stay put and are too uncomfortable on a growing belly. I love my Victoria's Secret gowns that I've had forever, but my mom and I recently found ones at Walmart that read "Drink Coffee & Be Happy." Of course, we each just had to have one, and now it's my favorite!

Yoga Pants

 For that awkward phase (mine was weeks 17-20) when you're not far enough along for maternity pants but your pre-pregnancy pants are a little too snug. I started wearing yoga pants to work every day with a t-shirt or tank top and cardigan. I'm sure I looked pretty basic some days, but hey, at least I was comfortable!

Fast Food

But not that kind of fast! I'm talking about quick snacks and even meals that you can throw in your bag on the way out the door because trust me, when hunger strikes, it strikes HARD. Just a couple of weeks into the second trimester I learned the importance of keeping something edible on me at all times. My mother and I were in a junk store looking around, and I knew I was getting hungry, but I still didn't suggest we go. After a little while, I told her that we were going to need to leave pretty soon and at least get me a Coke or something with a little sugar, as I was getting hungrier by the minute. My mother kept saying "Okay, I'm almost done... Just one more trip around the store..." After twenty minutes of this, I grabbed her arm and said "If you do not get me out of this store and to a place with food, I am going to kill you." She made a beeline for the checkout and since then, she makes a point to hurry it up the minute I tell her I'm hungry! Pregnancy hunger is like no other!!

Maxi Dress/Skirt

A great maxi dress you can wear anywhere. Church, parties, work, showers and more showers, maxi dresses become your go-to style. Coming from a self-proclaimed shop-a-holic who rarely wears a really great outfit more than two-three times, I've realized that with a pregnancy wardrobe, you just gotta find a few things that fit and get as much wear out of them as you can. It doesn't last forever, so don't go spend hundreds. Also, don't just head to the maternity section; shop for things a size or two up as well. It's much cheaper!

Comfy Shoes

I may "only" be 28 weeks, but so far, all of my shoes still fit perfectly fine, including my favorite Nike tennis shoes. I'm telling you, water-only is the way to get out of all that ankle swelling! I also love my Teva flip flops. These are the second pair I've owned (RIP to the first pair, destroyed by Anabelle). I suppose they are like Chaco rip-offs. I once saved my money for a pair of Chaco's, got to Kinnucan's and tried on five different pair in my size. I thought they were heavy and clunky and made my size ten feet look even bigger. Then I saw these hanging on the wall, and I've not looked back. They're amazing. The soles are a rubber, foamy material, so they're super squishy and great for people with high arches like mine!

NOT uncomfortable lace up your rear end...

A great pair of... underwear? Yikes, I said it, but it's true. "Sexy" panties kind of went out the window for me at about five months, so I now opt for comfort instead. It's my personal belief that since these come from Victoria's Secret, they are not "granny panties." :) Go for the hip-huggers or bikini styles from VS!

A good support system...

And I found that in stretchy sports bras. I wear these religiously anyway, but they've been especially helpful during pregnancy for days when I just don't even want to deal with a regular, wired bra. For years, I have only bought the meshy, spandex bras with no binding around the bust. I get most of mine at Target, but they also have some great ones for super cheap at TJMaxx.

Did I leave anything out? What helped you make it through lovely Trimester Two??

Only 12 more weeks until Vaught and I get to meet!

First Week on the GD Diet

    

     No, that GD doesn't stand for what you might have immediately thought, but that's how I sometimes feel about it (not really). If you've been reading, you're well aware of my disgusting disgruntling twelve pound gain at my week twenty-four appointment last Monday. Due to the advice of a friend, I requested a copy of the gestational diabetic diet sheet for expectant women and began following it that afternoon, as high weight gain was a concern of mine from the beginning of my pregnancy. Both my sisters gained more than triple the amount of weight a pregnant woman should healthily gain while they were expecting their daughters. Although they only had themselves to blame (and they admit it now), I saw how miserable and uncomfortable they were during their pregnancies and for a while after. It took my oldest sister years to slim back down after having my niece. When I announced I was pregnant, both of them came to me, begging me to practice better habits while pregnant than they did. Eating for two is dead, they told me. You don't want to go through what we did. When the scale moved twelve pounds forward at my last appointment, it was enough to put this whole pregnancy into perspective. I had still been going to the gym four or five times a week, but I knew that I hadn't been eating like I should. Because I'm human, I don't mind admitting that there have been times where I have consumed nearly an entire sleeve of DoubleStuf Oreos because What's it matter? I'm pregnant! Two weekends ago, I was in an Italian wedding; I feasted on nothing but carbs for three days, and I loved every minute of it--probably because I didn't realize what I was doing to myself. My last appointment, however, was just what I needed to permanently snap out of that mentality. I can't do it to my body, and I definitely cannot do it to Vaught's.

     So, I asked for a copy of the diet sheet my doctor gives to women who are diagnosed with gestational diabetes during their pregnancies (he was thrilled that I was taking the initiative) even though I won't know if I have GD for another two weeks.This first week at it has been a little tough, but by following the 2,000-2,200 calorie per day meal plan, I've realized just how much I had been consuming before without even realizing it and have even shed some of that gain (safely and healthily!)

     After looking at the diet sheet my doctor gave me, I realized I'd have to find some replacements for a few of the items (like catfish-blah). This is the grocery list I came up with. The things marked "DT" are items I can purchase at the Dollar Tree near my house. Sorry not sorry--Dollar Tree is the stuff.

     Obviously, the GD diet doesn't call for a  lot of fruits. Although they're full of natural sugars, the good kind that our bodies need, a large component of this diet is cutting way back on sugar altogether. And consuming very little of it in the morning, I noticed! It's also generally low carb. I can't stand when people say they're on a no-carb diet. Um, hello? I'm no fitness expert, but I know that our bodies require some carbs in there! But lowering your carb intake a little can never hurt. 

My girl, LC, drinks milk :)

     I made a few changes of my own, such as with the milk. I am a milk guzzler. Growing up, we drank 2% at my house, and between me, my dad, and my brother we went through two gallons per week. In my own home, a gallon usually lasts me a little more than a week, but when I was going through my major cereal phase, I had to get a gallon and a half nearly every weekend! And please don't tell me I shouldn't drink it; I can't stand the you should only drink almond/soy/organic milk fad, and yes, I personally believe it is a fad unless you're lactose intolerant or one of those people who would just rather pay double the price for organic food. Amy Pohler says it best in Baby Mama: "That stuff's for rich people who hate themselves." People have been drinking milk for centuries, and it's not killed anyone. And if it has, I'm willing to take my chances.

Sorry. Anyway, I refuse to drink skim milk. It's okay in cereal, but when drinking it out of a glass, it just tastes like white water. Ew. So I've switched to 1%. Typically twenty less calories per serving and a tad less sugar :) I apologize for getting on my soap box about milk, but I once went grocery shopping with a friend who took my gallon of 2% out of the shopping cart (without asking me), and replaced it with a carton of Silk, smiled at me and said, "You'll never be healthy drinking that stuff."  

It put a more sour taste in my mouth than milk ever could.

 

     The diet also calls for catfish for a few of the dinners. I like fish okay in general, but catfish just isn't something kept in the Pace household; we are chicken, turkey, and beef people! However, I can eat an entire can of tuna completely raw. Disgusting, I know! I add in a boiled egg, just a little bit of mayo, a dash of salt, and some pepper. Tuna sandwiches are always yummy!

     Turkey bacon::: I finally gave it a try a little over a year ago. Since then, we've not purchased regular bacon (unless it's just at a really good price)! Although we are big-time lovers of "real bacon," my husband and I both love how much healthier and cheaper turkey bacon is, as well as how good it tastes when seasoned with a little pepper. Seriously, I cannot tell a big difference at all except for the texture. Although you can have real bacon on the GD diet, I'm sticking with turkey bacon for now. Twenty-five calories/slice versus 90 calories/slice!

    I've also almost completely ditched Coca Cola, one of my most favorite things in the world!! I did have half a can Friday afternoon though :) Other than that, I have drank nothing but water all week long. I may love Coca Cola, but I also reeeeally love water too! For years when I was younger water was all I drank, and when I got older Coke was my beverage of choice only when dining out. I feel like I've drank more in my adulthood than I have in my entire life before! It's hard at 2 o'clock in the afternoon on a busy week day when an ice cold Sonic Coke would be the most amazing thing for a tired mama. And speaking of mama, mine doesn't help much when she sends me out of the office around three in the afternoon on a Sonic Coke run! But the swelling in my ankles and wrists has been almost non-existent since I've switched to water. That's motivation to keep chugging the H20!

     Once again, around the end of April, I returned to my almost-daily trips to Starbucks for hot lattes or a frappucino that often added an extra 300-400 calories to my daily intake. I'm proud to say I've not been to Starbucks in a few days, except for Friday morning; I cannot do my Friday morning without a hot, end-of-the-week latte! But instead of the cinnamon dolce, I ordered a double tall skinny vanilla. It was surprisingly good! I know I'll never be able to cut Starbucks completely out of my life (I'm a coffee enthusiast after all), but I do plan on making the switch to non-fat and sugar free concoctions. That mocha cookie crumble frappucino is just going to have to be an every once in a while treat! 

     Isn't it kind of ironic how every time you aim to make your eating habits a little healthier someone around you shows up with cookies, brownies, or blueberry muffins?  I work at a land office in north Mississippi, and last week our representatives from our Georgia office were here visiting. One of the them baked homemade blueberry muffins the second day they were here. I had to have one; it was amazing!

       I overslept one day and desperately needed some coffee. I stopped at McDonald's for a latte, but their machine was down (surprise, surprise). So I supplemented with a strawberry sweet tea from Sonic. If you've not had one of these, you're missing out! They're amazing!!!! I like the unsweet version too, but I just had to have a little sugar! 

                    

  Cooking supper this past week has been a fun experience; by Thursday, my husband was sooo sick of baked chicken and vegetables. The picture below is from Thursday night I believe. By then, I was running out of veggies and just threw this together.

     I'm one of those rare people who love to grocery shop! Target has the BEST packages of chicken breasts ever! Each serving is 4-6 ounces, and comes pre-seasoned with garlic and herbs and all sorts of other great spices! So on Wednesday afternoon I left work and headed straight for Target. I got all of the below for under $25. Their marketplace is typically a bit pricier than grocery stores, but they always have great deals on certain items, so I got what I could for a bargain. 

     They had boxes upon boxes of granola bars for $1.20/box and large bottles of Smart Water for just $1! I also stocked the freezer on some frozen veggies (I prefer fresh produce, but frozen's good to have on hand).

     We also have a couple of "fruit guys" that stop by our office once a week, their trucks loaded down with locally grown fruits and vegetables. They're such sweet guys, and they always have great deals on their produce! I always stock up when they visit! They usually have some of the best peaches and strawberries that you could never find in a grocery store!

     As I said, Eric was so sick of chicken and veggies by Thursday, he had me make a reservation for the two of us at Texas de Brazil in Memphis for Friday night. If you've never been to TdB, pleeeeease put it on your bucket list! We try to go once every couple of months, and it always helps to be a loyal follower of their email list :)

On our way to TdB in Memphis :))

      I thought it would be especially hard sticking to it over the weekend, but it was surprisingly easy. When I'm hit with a hard craving, I just think to myself healthy mama, healthy baby. It makes making healthy choices so much easier. So, since last Tuesday (technically Monday evening, lol), I have felt ten times better! I feel lighter and less bloated. And I know I am because my scale today is still showing a loss of about six-seven pounds. I think the water-only switch has made all the difference in the world; I can't believe how little my feet swell now! I'm becoming a quite a big fan of the GD diet and am glad I began following it at twenty-five weeks. I may be saying "diet" now, but I know that this would be a great meal plan to stick with as I transition back into a permanently healthy lifestyle once Vaught arrives. After all, healthy is a lifestyle, not a diet, right? :)  

     I have been writing, adding to, and taking away from this post for a little more than a week now, so for once I'm exhausted with the blogosphere tonight! But again, I want to say thank you for reading and to those who are loyally coming back. I know I probably annoy the heck out of  my Instagram and Twitter followers with my blog posts, but it sparks curiosity which sparks interest which sparks enthusiasm and a willingness to keep coming back. I really appreciate all of you who are reading.

 

Look for my Week 26 Update this Thursday!

Sweating for Two

I will get one of these very soon!!

     Gone are the days when expectant women were instructed by our doctors and midwives to rest as much as possible during pregnancy, refrain from all strenuous activity, and eat enough food for two people (YAY CARBS)! Today, I feel that mommies-to-be are much better off, as we are being informed that it's perfectly fine to run a half-marathon, cross-train, hike a mountain if we want, paint the baby room, and we're now well aware that our baby-building bodies only require about an extra 200-300 calories per day during this nine month journey to motherhood. Coming from the girl who gained an infamous twelve pounds in four weeks, that all sounds good to me!

     One thing I love about my doctor is his support and encouragement of what I  mention above. I was a gym-a-holic prior to getting pregnant but was convinced that I should avoid it while pregnant (apparently, I'd read one too many old wive's tales). He smiled at my apprehensions and told me to keep doing what I'm doing: running, lifting weights, cycling, they're alllll good during pregnancy! Scientific research over the past two decades has even proven that women who exercised while pregnant had easier, quicker labors and healthier babies.
     When I hit trimester two, I was so glad to see my energy come back, but suddenly I was nailed with some serious lower back pain. It doesn't help that I've always had it, but the shifting, stretching, and rearranging my muscles were doing on top of a misaligned pelvis was excruciating at times. I didn't go to the gym for a few weeks; I was lucky if I got in a lap or two around my neighborhood. At my 20 week appointment, I discussed the pain with my doctor and how terrible it had me feeling. Although exercise was the last thing I wanted to do at that point, he guaranteed me that a little more activity would help my back tremendously. 

     Turns out, Doc knows what he's talking about! I got back in the gym and noticed that within just a few days, my back was feeling better. Dead lifts, which strengthen the glutes, quads, and lumbar region, were miracle workers and still are. My back hasn't ached like it had been in a few weeks now, and it's a bigger relief than I can say!
 

      Below I've listed two amazing workouts that I have begun doing a few times a week for the past few weeks. One of them is one I pinned to a fit pregnancy board on my Pinterest account (with some slight modifications), while the other is a good one I got from a friend. I must say that lately I'm really liking the second one better. It's the one I mentioned in my Week 24 update that I thought was going to kill me before I lowered the weights!

No Excuses Pregnancy Workout

     I have to change this one up a little. I usually run one mile before every workout (or at least 1/2 a mile), so I do that, then do this circuit three times altogether, resting about a minute or two in between. I cannot do dips, or at least not three sets of twelve. I'm not ashamed to say I have weak wrists; they couldn't always be depended on when I did gymnastics, and they gave me a lot of trouble as a cheerleader, despite the wrist exercises I did to try to strengthen them. Although dips are a great core exercise, they mainly work the triceps, so I substitute them for tricep kickbacks or extensions while seated or standing. Also, if I don't have access to a wall at my gym, I'll grab a dumbbell or medicine ball and hold a squat for as long as I can. At the end, I bike a few miles or do ten minutes on the elliptical. I actually went months without doing the elliptical; I was really into weights! But a few weeks  ago, I got back on it and really love it! Low impact but a great way to work up a sweat!!

**I tried to credit the above photo, but the Pinterest link was broken or defective**

Workout 2: High Rep, Low Weight

                                                              http://michellemariefit.publishpath.com/

    I call it "High Rep, Low Weight" because it took me trying to do it with way too heavy weights to figure out that it was not meant for anything over fifteen pounds (except dead lifts maybe!) I got this from my friend on Instagram; anytime someone posts a workout, I always give it a try! This is by far one of the best ones I've tried, and I have done it several times now.

     As you can see, it calls for 25 repetitions for each set. I guess I thought I was really cool trying to do twenty-five squats with a thirty or forty pound barbell on my shoulders. I took a step back and re-read the workout. "Dumbbell squats." The light bulb went off; this is a workout meant for much lower weight. I grabbed a twenty pound dumbbell for squats and tricep extensions (dips), and kept my thirty pound barbell for deadlifts. Again, I don't do the dips, per horrible wrists. I stuck with tricep extensions instead.
     The most challenging part of the second part are the fifty lunges. I take "25 stationary lunges" to mean 25 on each leg. I have a love-hate relationship with lunges, so I try to do ten on one leg, ten on the other, then fifteen on each. OUCH. Those lunges make the rest of this part seem easy! I do the rest with a ten pound dumbbell in each hand. I love the rows! When I'm at the gym, I don't do any cardio with this one until I'm done. The quickest I've been able to finish this workout is about twenty-five minutes. It typically takes a good half hour, maybe longer. But I love it! This has definitely become a new favorite of mine, and I plan on sticking with it once baby is here.

     Please enjoy these lovely gym selfies after this workout!

 

Red-faced and ready to ride the Hot Mess Express :) If you still look good after a workout you're doing it wrong!

Weight Training

     I love being that girl who can run on the tread for a little while, then hit the benches and squat racks for a heavy lifting session. I love weight training! I got into it last year with some classes at my old gym and have since developed my own workouts (my husband, the power lifter, is great help with this too). When hitting the gym strictly for weight training, I like to do three or four heavy, solid sets of squats, dead lifts, and bench presses, and two or three sets of other exercises that work the smaller muscle areas. Before pregnancy, I was really impressed with where my numbers were as far as weights. While carrying little Vaught, I've had to cut down on everything, but I still like where I'm sitting. I think constantly lifting and holding a baby in a few months will help keep the muscles in tact too :) I'm by no means the thinnest, most in-shape girl at the gym, but I love being able to tackle a hard workout, do it right, and get it done. I love being able to lift heavy and not be intimidated by all the meat-heads in the weights area. I'm definitely not afraid of some muscle, unlike many women.

Post squat-session grub with the hubs tonight :)

     Overall, I'm really proud to have been able to remain active throughout my pregnancy so far, and I have less than fifteen weeks to go! In my Week 24 update post, I revealed, unashamedly, that I had gained twelve pounds in four weeks. Since then, I have lost six! SIX! I cannot tell you the relief I felt when I realized that today. I even weighed at the same time as most of my appointments (mid-afternoon), so I know the scale read pretty accurately. For those who may be skeptical, rest assured that my doctor has okayed my diet and exercise plans (I recently began following the diabetic diet for pregnant women), and a small loss is good for me and baby after such a significant gain. In my situation, too much weight gain increases my chances of gestational diabetes, prolonged and/or difficult labor, delivery via C-section, and other complications. But if I can keep my weight in a healthy range, all is anticipated to go well! (Tomorrow, a post about the GD diet will publish, so you can read alllll about it).

     For my moms-to-be who may not be able to be very active during pregnancy (due to complications, high-risk factors, etc.), know that you're no less healthy than other pregnant women who can be more active. Whatever you've been told by your practitioner to do is exactly what you should be doing and is the healthiest option for you. It's okay if you've been clearly instructed to take it easy. My friend and I had this discussion the other day: we're both getting ridiculous amounts of unsolicited (and often unwanted) advice from all corners of our lives, even from family. I sometimes just want to smile and say, "Well, okay honey, that was your pregnancy, this is mine." Pregnancy, like other things women experience, is different for everyone. We are not all the same! My friend and I agree that although the advice is hardly ever sometimes helpful, we are relying on one person's opinion and instructions: our doctors'. And I love that my doctor is so very supportive of exercise during these nine months. My sister may have been told to stay off her feet as much as possible, but my doctor is telling me the more active I am, the better. Your doctor may tell you not to help paint the baby room or clean house due to the smell of cleaning fumes and chemicals; mine says open a window and paint/scrub like you mean it!

     In closing, pregnancy is this beautiful yet complicated thing all at once. Some of us have a hellacious nine months of torture, while others enjoy it for the most part and go about our usual routines with some added perks and kicks (pun intended). I'm no fitness professional (obviously--I'm writing about struggling with weight management), but I am very much a fan of being active and living as healthily as possible. And there's no standard size for that! I've been very fortunate to have had such an easy pregnancy, but I'm counting my blessings and realizing that could change at any minute. If you're able to exercise, pregnant or not, I want to encourage you to try one or both of the workouts above. Remember: go at your own pace and HAVE FUN! Exercise, for everyone, is so much better when you're enjoying what you're doing!

Feel free to leave a comment or send me an email with some of your favorite workout routines. I'm always up for trying new things in the gym! If you don't have a blogger account to leave a comment, follow me on Instagram, katepace12, and contact me there :)

 

Upcoming: some exciting news concerning a small company I've recently become an ambassador for. They will help sponsor and promote my blog, which is really exciting! I can't wait to write all about it but will wait until all details are finalized :) Thanks so much for reading!!

6 Months Already??

  It doesn't seem like I should already be near the 6 month mark in my pregnancy. But I am today, and this baby is now coming sooner rather than later! He's about 8 and a half inches long and is probably creeping up to two pounds in weight. I'll be surprised if he doesn't already weigh at least a pound and a half at my appointment Monday! Since we've only got three months to go, give or take a little, we're cracking down on some of the most important things we'll need to have taken care of by the time little Vaught arrives. That includes childcare, which horrifies me already. Number one: I don't want some other lady taking care of my baby. I wish it could be me all day every day until he's in Kindergarten! But times have changed, and I've got to work! Not just for our family but because it's what keeps me going. I love working and being able to contribute to our household. Number two: it's crazy expensive, especially where I live. It almost seems like we might be saving more if I stayed home for a while. To the mothers who are able to do that, great, but I know myself, and I know I'll want to go back to work just as soon as I get settled into a routine with Vaught. I've already visited a few places in our area and nearly cried at the thought of leaving him there at just a couple of months old. But the people I've met at each business have been incredible; regardless of where he goes, he's definitely going to be taken care of!

How I'm feeling: pretty good lately. The back pain is sporadic, but I'm stretching and getting more exercise in. That helps tremendously! I actually went to the gym yesterday afternoon and had an amazing workout. Squats feel amazing on my back! I stand and walk around a lot at work, so my ankles are now starting to swell a little at the end of the day; not so much uncomfortable as it is humorous. My husband has begun calling me "Ol' Swoll' Feet." So clever.

How I'm looking: I include this because the belly is definitely there now, and there's no hiding it. I was able to slenderize it pretty well up until about week eighteen or nineteen. But it is now on full display. Some days I feel like I am the most fabulously glowing pregnant woman there ever was. Other days I feel like TLC could arrive at any second to film me for the next episode of My 600 Pound Life. And I had to throw this in there because I'm working at my mom's office again this summer, so I see a lot of people from my hometown and some that I went to school with. I ran into a girl from high school just last week; she kept glancing down at my belly as we were chatting, as if willing me to mention that I was pregnant (I hadn't yet), but I could tell she was dying to ask or maybe had heard that I was and wanted me to bring it up. I did eventually. LOL. But I get a kick out of people staring in curiosity.
  

What I'm craving: nothing in particular besides chocolate milk. I've begun a nightly routine of having a glass of chocolate milk, and I crave it at weird times throughout the day. I feel like Vaught will end up being a big time milk guzzler like his mom! I'm not necessarily craving this, but I've begun eating more fruit to combat my sweets cravings. My intense sugar cravings were a major part of what had me thinking Baby P was a girl for so long! So to curve the sugar craze, my mother and I have stocked the fridge at work with tons of strawberries and blueberries, and we've kept a bowl on the office kitchen table full of green apples and peaches. YUM!

And she picked up this cute little strawberry/yogurt parfait for me the other day!

 

Movement: he's all over the place! He's especially active when I sing in the car and after I eat anything spicy. Eric has tried to feel him a few times, but when he puts his hand on my belly Vaught will stop moving altogether; I kind of feel like we may have a little stubborn boy on our hands! But I can feel him and do so several times a day. It's amazing.
 

Up next: I went to Lowe's and picked up a paint sample for Vaught's room; I went about a shade too dark, so this weekend I plan on trying a lighter shade and doing some more organizing around my house. I was just telling my mother today how vital it is for me to get organized before he gets here! Right now, we have two or three different designated spots in our home where we just toss things and lose them later or never even worry with them again. My goal for the month of June is to de-clutter! My next prenatal appointment is this Monday. We will schedule my glucose (sugar) test, which makes me a little nervous. One of my sisters passed with flying colors, the other failed and was gestational. It disappeared after pregnancy, but came back several years later. She's now a Type Two diabetic. It's also a little frightening because Type One and Two run on both sides of my families, though aside from my sister, no one in my immediate family has ever been diabetic. However, I'm staying positive. I've been fortunate to have a really healthy pregnancy so far. I've monitored my weight really well and stayed active, despite some small setbacks! I feel good about the test, but I'm glad I have another four weeks until I have to worry about it.

      After the initial shock when we first found out to wear off, I started wishing the time away. Being ten weeks pregnant seems like it was decades ago; I barely remember looking at my What to Expect app, just waiting for the week when Baby Pace would begin to look more human. Now, he is very much a sweet little baby with fully functioning legs and arms and a weiner, oh my! I said I absolutely could not wait to have him here, and now that we're getting closer, I kind of wish I had some of that time back. I am SO excited to meet Vaught; I'm so anxious to say "Hi, baby," to him for the first time and hold him, but I realize that there is still sooooo much to do. We have picked out a really nice crib for him, and we plan to make that our next big purchase! Once we have that, we'll just have some minor things to get before he makes his big debut. I'm already starting the guessing game with his birthday. I'm saying September 20th (he's going to let me turn 24 on the 18th first!) :))))