Pregnancy Update-- Getting closer!

32 Weeks Pregnant!

The Bad; morning sickness has seemed to return. I feel terrible in the morning, and then again at night. It's getting very obnoxious! No vomiting, just annoy nausea that can't seem to be relieved. Heartburn has been at an all-time high, along with acid reflux. I feel like a freakin' fire breathing dragon! Not only when I sleep, when I bend down to pick up toys, when I wake up, when I sweep... now even when I'm vegging on the couch! It's becoming a continual all-day thing and I'm really not sure what to do! I've tried apple cider vinegar and it didn't do much, but I think I'm going to try again. I'm going through way too many tums. I think I'm going to buy some papaya enzyme tablets and see if it helps. So, aside from all of that it also seems the baby is trying to claw his way out of my cervix-- and that my friends is not a happy feelings. SO ready for this pregnancy to be over with!


Birth; I've been thinking about this a lot lately. I had a decent experience with my 2nd born child, but I definitely had some hang ups during transition and pushing. I've read so much more now than I had before so I have some new goals about this labor and delivery-- make low pitch moaning sounds and grunts, high pitch sounds cause more pain and less progress, low pitch sounds tend to help with the pain much better. Keep my lips and face) "loose". If I tighten my mouth and clench my face, my whole body will tense up-- not only that but I will break all of the blood vessels in my face during pushing just like last time! This time I plan to restrain from using my facial muscles at all and make an "O" shape with my mouth and continuing with the low pitch sounds so I don't tense up. I'll have my husband and my Doula to remind me-- thank goodness! The last difference would be the fact that I am having this baby in the water. My first water birth! I really hope this helps with the pain, I've heard it's wonderful and a much smoother transition into the world for the baby! I've also discussed delayed cord clamping with my midwife's NP and they are totally down for that! They also suggested having Tony help catch the baby... he however isn't too keen on this idea. I'm hoping he'll change his mind!


Breastfeeding; this is a sore subject for me, things went horribly wrong with my first two. I tried for *so* long and it never happened for us. It really destroyed me and made me feel like a failure. That all being said, i'm a bit nervous-- okay a LOT nervous about nursing this baby. However I've been reading about skin-to-skin contact and letting the baby lead the breastfeeding while in a slightly reclined position rather than sitting straight up and I'm so ready to try this all out! I also will be making lactation cookies very soon! I'll post a recipe and review when I do!




In other news; we sign the new lease and start moving on the 1st. Baby Tres' car seat came and I *love* it thus far. It fits perfectly in our backseat, 3 across, with room to spare! It's almost July now which means August will be here before ya know it and Baby Eli will be in our arms. How exciting! I really can't believe how fast time has flown by.

Thoughts; 21.5 weeks pregnant

It's funny how I thought I had an intervention free birth with my 2nd child. I tested GBS + and had to have a hep lock for antibiotics. I pushed flat on my back in a hospital bed. The cord was cut almost immediately. My daughter underwent all the typical hospital routines, antibiotics in her eyes, the vitamin K shot, weighing and measuring on the table away from me (as if these things couldn't have waited). The doctors were so fixated on her weight during that 2 day hospital stay that they EVEN sent me home with formula saying I *had* to supplement. *eye roll*


So this time will be different. I'm going to take another approach to the GBS. I will be doing a hibiclens and taking probiotics and using garlic BEFORE the GBS testing. I will also continue my use of probiotics (from kefir and other fermented foods) until i deliver. The day I go into labor I will be doing another hibiclens.

I am also refusing the gel they put into baby's eyes and the vitamin K shot (any other shot as well for that matter). I won't allow for his cord to be cut until it's done pulsating, I want him to KEEP all of his blood supply (since a 3rd of his supply is still in the cord!). I want to take my placenta home this time. I'll either encapsule it or plant a tree with it. :) Any other placenta ideas? I am hoping the hospital doesn't rush the baby over for vitals either, the initial bonding period is essential. I want us to develop a good breastfeeding relationship- and I'm not going to let those so called "authorities" tell me that I *have* to supplement.. or else.


This is going to be a different birth experience. I'm not going to let fear rule my birth. I am letting go of that anxiety, and welcoming in excitement and joy. Goodbye negativity! I am ready to full-on embrace my birth. Contractions aren't my enemy, they are helping me to open up, each one brings me one  step closer to meeting my baby.  Pushing isn't something I'm going to be afraid of this time, and it's something that's going to happen when I'm *ready*- I will NOT be forcing my body to push this time! This birth will be different.


My last birth was beautiful, and at the time it was perfect. I never knew how much I would learn since then, and I'm so grateful that my knowledge continues to grow. I'll never stop learning, I'll always be open to new things and better ways. Everyone has room to grow and blossom.

(beautiful placenta print artwork)

More about the Coffee Addict

10 Defining Things About Me...

1. Motherhood; I am a mom to Landon and Bianca. They are fiery, free, stubborn and sweet. They fill my heart and my home with smiles and laughter and joy. It's so cliché, but so true. They remind me to enjoy life and to laugh at myself.

2. Love; My husband defines me in such an unexplainable way. It's not possible to be the person I now am without him, because he is part of me. When we became married we united, we're no longer two separate beings. Our hearts have coveted. His love, and our relationship is just so much of who I am.

3. Jesus; I am a Christian woman, I live my whole life through Him. He has given me my freedom, my salvation, my everything! I have been reading the Bible a lot more lately and have learned to consult Him in ALL things in my life. Not just wants/desires. My love for God is something that keeps me going when I am struggling the most. All things are possible in Him. 

4. Coffee; Every morning I have a cup of joe, or two, sometimes even 3! Okay, well that's throughout my whole day, actually- I limit myself to three. ;) The taste, the satisfaction, the feeling I get with the first sip! Mmmm! Not to mention the ENERGY that I need to chase after the wee ones all day long. Coffee, keeps me going, gotta love the java!

5. Romantic Movies; I am a sucker and a sap for them. The sadder, the better. Everyone needs a good cry, right?

6. Online Mom Friends; I became pregnant at 16, almost 17-  a very young age to embark on motherhood. Along the way I joined a Myspace group for pregnant teenagers, and somehow several of us formed our own group. A safe place for friendship, advice and honesty. Eventually we moved our group to facebook.  We've had our ins and outs- but in the end, it's been amazing. We've been each other's support, and I don't know how I would have made it without them. I love them. :)

7. Fashion; Faux Ugg boots, skinny jeans, leggings, Jackie O sunglasses, anything with anchors or owls, gigantic beads and purses, beret style beanies, flats and all things trendy. My store of choice? Forever 21, trendy AND affordable.

8.  Birth; I want to help women make informed decisions. the right decisions for them. There is no cookie cutter birth. But in this country, we have such a high number of cesarean sections, medical inductions, epidural, etcs. And so many women do not know there choices, and they simply do not that these "normal" choices they are making have a domino effect and will lead to a cascade of interventions. Hopefully, one mom at a time, those numbers will decline. One day.

9. Audrey Hepburn; Simply the most graceful, beautiful woman to live. 

10.  Cooking/Baking; I think I really just love creating, but food is the way to the heart. It's the one thing that connects us all. I know that cooking for my husband and family always leaves me feeling warm and proud. Nourishing them, and putting my love into it. I love it. :)