Fight For It Friday!

It's the end of the week! We started out stronger, are you finishing stronger today? Fridays in the past have always been my WEAK DAY! Of all the days I missed consistently it was FRIDAYS! I don't know why but it was the one day that my EXCUSES would get to me and I just would not do it. Even during half marathon training when I needed to do 4 runs a week, Friday was the one that I struggled with. I was tired. I just wanted the week to be done and over with. I GET IT! BUT NOT TODAY! Be better today! Get up, get your workout in and be proud of rocking out your week!

What workout did you do today?

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey!

Bump Update: 32 Weeks

 8 MONTHS! I AM 8 MONTHS! How crazy is that?!? Time hasn't really gone by that fast but when you say, 8 months pregnant, it kind of hits you that, wow, this is getting really close! Oh, when people ask when I am due and I say, "September" they all say, "WOW THAT IS SO CLOSE!" It doesn't seem that close but I guess it is just about a month away. 

Matt and I had quite the special treat. After not having a date night for about 2 months, we had 2 date nights in 1 week! Saturday we went out to see Star Trek, it was great by the way, (I am a closet Trekie! my hubs is full blown Trekie! We have a whole wall in our basement dedicated to his Trek collection!) We just went for the movie, but it was shorter than we thought it would be and grabbed a quick bite to eat while we were out. It took me back to when we were first married and we went and saw movies at the theater ALL THE TIME! We don't do that anymore because they are so expensive. We only go see the really important ones in the theater. Then on Tuesday night we went to a nice dinner and then to our hospital tour. We tried out a new to us place, that I have wanted to try for years but just hadn't! It is all locally sourced ingredients and has vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options. IT WAS GREAT! Matt's burger was actually pretty good! I got an apple and ham melt and it was pretty darn good. Matt and I really do try to do a date night a month, but we just hadn't for the past couple of months. It really is so important to make time for you and your partner. Matt and I are celebrating our 14th anniversary in just over a month. Dating while married is so important to help keep that spark alive and remember why you married them in the first place. Being home with the kids, and the stress of it all can really break down a couple, but getting away with just the two of you could be what you really need to get that spark back! We would love to go out once a week, but haven't been able to budget that in to our lives yet but that is the goal. Someday. Weekly dates.

THE HOSPITAL TOUR! I know, I am expecting my third kid and yes we still did the hospital tour. Couple reasons why. I asked my doc some questions about postpartum care since the hospital was taken over by a new company and he didn't know the answer. Secondly, I was only in the labor and delivery room for 35 minutes before I had Collin in this new hospital. I don't really remember much besides the tub. I did learn a lot of things like how we can control the temperature of the room (I was flaming hot last time!) There is a fan, and that I really do call the shots. Which is great! I will admit that I got a little freaked out at first. Thoughts came flooding back in with the last time I was in the hospital, my emergency surgery and hospital stay. But I know that this is for a different reason and I trust my doc so much! I know that everything will be fine! I really am excited for the whole labor experience. I am excited, which sounds crazy but it is a true fact! There is nothing like experiencing the strength of labor and birthing your child. I feel so blessed that I can go through it not just once, but 3 times! 

Total Weight Gain: Gained 18.3 pounds total. Weight as of this morning 256.0 pounds. After just a couple of days I was able to lose most of the swollen weight I got last week from being outside and in the heat and salty air, but as of this morning I weighed in at 256 even. So I lost .6 pounds this week.

Symptoms: Heartburn. Heartburn is back in full force, despite what time we eat now. Mostly at night, I am sitting up for at least an hour. Peeing a ton! I am up like clockwork every 2 hours at night to go to the bathroom. Really is getting me ready for nursing! I am making sure I am drinking tons of water though so I don't get dehydrated. My new rule, after every time I go to the bathroom I drink more water.

Baby’s Size: Head of Lettuce (~19 inches inches, 3.9 pounds)

Maternity Clothes: Yes, bottoms need to wear maternity or stretchy pants. Tops I wear maternity now and my bigger t-shirts but those are starting to get tight now. Wearing my new Fabletics sports bra in these pictures and LOVE THEM and the fun colors! A ton more coverage and super comfy!

Stretch Marks: I already have a ton that I got when I gained weight years ago. So nothing new. I am using Honest Company belly balm right now though to help my belly stretch so I do not get any new ones. I apply it at night.

Braxton Hicks Contractions: Yep, I'm starting to feel them a lot more now. Just a few every day. Before this past week, I generally only got them when working out as just a reminder to slow down a little bit (about 2 in the 30 minutes). But now I am getting them throughout the day. Including some strong ones that kind of make me stop and take a breath. It is a great reminder to sit down and drinks some water! 

Gender: GIRL!!! So excited about all the cute stuff we got for her! We have her coming home outfit and her picture props! So girly, and way too cute!

Sleep: I have to take a nap every day. I just get so sleepy during the day. Probably to make up for the lack of sleep at night. Usually when Matt gets home from work I retreat to my room and have true mommy quiet time and rest. At night I am up at 11:30pm, 1:30am, and 3:30am, 5:30 without fail to use the bathroom. Then I have a hard time falling asleep again. Nights just seem to drag since I can't get comfy, or back to sleep easily. She is super active at night though. This week always around 9pm for about an hour where she is just going crazy! Plus I am flopping over like a fish trying to get comfy. There are times, I just want to go and sleep in Collin's new bed with the Hyphen mattress. It is actually really comfy and supports my belly really well!

Miss Anything: Sleeping comfortably flat on my belly or back! Sleeping through the night. 

Cravings: Veggies. Are really the only thing I really have to have with my meals. I really don't have any cravings of things that "I have to have". Peanut M&M's are my go to treat. but I can only eat a little at a time. 

Aversions: Sweets taste too sweet for me, so I can only handle a little at a time. I guess that is my only aversion and kind of good!

Excited About: My next check up with the doc. Next Thursday. After that I will be going every other week for a month. It is getting close! 

Workouts: Pretty well for this week! I got in 4 days of regular workouts this past week. I didn't go to the 4 miler training this past Saturday, it was just too hot for this momma! So missed out on that walking. My regular Workouts include: 21 Day Fix yoga & pilates.  Beachbody On Demand Active Maternity and Diary Of A Fit Mommy's Fit For Two 2nd Trimester workouts in daily. 

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey!

Postpartum Recovery Must Haves

this post contains affiliate links, meaning that if you buy the products recommended, you won't pay more but I'll get a small commission. It's what pays the bills! 

Are you nearing the end of your pregnancy and are wondering what recovery is really going to be like? With my #1 I had NO IDEA! We missed that part of my birthing class because I had Mason before they got to it. I was in complete shock about what it was going to be like. I knew that you bled like a period for a time after, and my doula said to get some depends but she didn't say it was going to hurt worse, in a way, than labor did. I think it felt like it hurt worse because it lingered for so long. I tore during the birth of Mason, only a 1st degree but I still had a stitch, and I had hemorrhoids, from pushing so hard so I couldn't really sit very comfortably. Everything was swollen, oh and since I am a red head, we bleed more. So instead of the lovely "up to" 6 weeks of bleeding I had 8-10 weeks. If I did anything too strenuous I would start to bleed again even after the 8-10 weeks. UGH! 

Well, I learned really quickly, within the first couple of days after having Mason and doing research, what I really needed. And I used this same list to help with recovery for #2, which I also tore a 1st degree and had hemorrhoids again, and will use this same list for #3. I honestly think that this is THE BEST list of things that you really need. I have added a link to AMAZON for easy ordering! 

FOR RECOVERY DOWN UNDER:

My step by step process: Clean with the perineal bottle. Gently spread the bottom balm, Then spray with the bottom balm spray. Then the dermoplast. Then prepare the depends with the pad placed in it, and the 3 tucks pads placed on top of the pad. And then done! I know it sounds like a lot, but this has been the one thing that has really helped with healing faster, and swelling less. Really I do this routine for the first 2 weeks. Then move on to the thin pads for the next 6-8 weeks.

You will get a perineal bottle. You can't wipe after having a baby and you get to squirt warm water on your goods to clean you off. It sounds weird but IT FEELS SO GOOD! How to use: Fill it with warmish hot water before you sit down to pee unless you have someone there to fill it up for you. Then as you go it will cool down a bit. You do not want cold water on your bits! And too hot is ouch! 
 

Bottom Balm (for mom): I LOVE Earth Mama Angel Baby bottom balm. How to use: Spread it on your lady bits, gently, every time you go to the bathroom. The spray bottle of Earth Mama Angle Baby  as more easy and less messy, didn't have the same potency as the balm did. But you can use both if you want. Start with balm first, then the spray. This will help you heal and get less swollen too. 
 

Dermoplast: You might get this from the hospital. You need to check. This is a freezing spray that is nice too use especially if you have hemorrhoids or a tear. I numbs everything. How to use: Spray on AFTER you use the bottom balm to get the cooling effect from that first. Then spray. Use until you run out.

Depends: You only get a few mesh undies from the hospital. And yes these are embarrassing to wear, they are amazing! And super helpful. How to use: When you run out of the mesh undies from the hospital, use these as you would underwear to catch spillover of excess bleeding. Only need to use up to 2 weeks. Change as often as you need.

Pads (2 kinds): LONG for the first half of the after bleeding. How to use: You will put these inside the depends and change the pad every time and the depends catches everything else. I use Kotex overnight for this purpose. These were so similar to the extra long and thick ones that I got from the hospital.

When things start getting lighter I use the 7th Generation chlorine free extra long, thin with wings until I stop bleeding. 
 

Tucks Pads: You might get a jar of this from the hospital, make sure you check ahead of time. How to use: To be used just after birth until you feel less swollen, or until you run out. Put about 3 pads on top of your pad and just let it rest against you. The cooling is nice. Use until all pads are used.

FOR BREASTFEEDING:

Coconut oil in a small tub- You will want this before and after every time you nurse to help your nipples from cracking. This is instead of Lanolin cream (which is really sticky and smells funny to me) How to use: Rub a little on before you breastfeed and rub a little on after you feed. I put like 1/4 cup in a plastic tub to put in my hospital bag cause I didn't want to take the glass container. Make sure to get organic. I like Trader Joe's coconut oil or Spectrum is good too! 

HELP WITH SWELLING AFTER:

Sitz Bath: And for your first few days after baby it is a good idea to take a sitz bath. And even with baby. How to do: You just fill up the tub with a little bit of water. Not a lot at most a foot and use this sitz with the herbs in the muslin bag so that the herbs don't get all stuck in areas you don't want them and that are healing. Let it soak like tea before you get it. It will feel so good and will help with the swelling.



NEW FOR THIS TIME AROUND: 
This time I am going to try a full belly wrap. I have tried just the hip wrap but I didn't like it. But I really do want to try the full belly wrap to help with shrinking my uterus back down faster as it becomes more difficult with each baby you have. After tons of research I decided to do the Belly Bandit B.F.F. How to use: Start wearing as soon as possible after birth. In the hospital. It is supposed to be so comfortable you can even sleep in it. Just take off to shower! Listed below are the benefits of it.

• Double Compression, six panel design
• Luxuriously Soft, Earth Friendly material
• Lose Inches and Look Slimmer Instantly
• Doctor Recommended
• Accelerates Healing
• Helps Minimize Stretch Marks
• Provides Comfort after C-Section
• Supports Back, Leg & Core Muscles
• Adds Support while Breastfeeding
• Great for shorter or short waisted women
• Our exclusive Power Compress Core™ is your secret weapon

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey! 

Never Miss A Monday Workout

The one day that everyone dislikes. MONDAY! It is so important to start your week strong so that you can finish it stronger. I have noticed that when I don't workout on Monday, I tend to miss Tuesday too, then jump on the wagon by Wednesday. Get Thursday done, then start making excuses by Friday. But if I get my Monday workout in, I will get my Tuesday workout in, rock Wednesday and Thursday and generally get my Fridays in! Today I am on my game! I got in my normal 2 workouts. I actually got in a morning yoga session, then did my strength training in the afternoon! GO ME! So go get your workout in today to rock the week! You are worth it!

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey! 

Our Baby Nursery Sneak Peek

I am so excited because I wasn't planning on doing Elyse's nursery yet. I had thought that Collin would still be in the room when she was born. But with the boys sharing the same room so much earlier than expected, and doing well, why not get her room all done!

For 5 years I have been planning her room. Well, just a couple details really. I saw these poppy decals and knew I wanted them behind her crib, and also to add a religious picture in there. (We have one in every room). I had planned on keeping the same bedding that they boys used, and just being as low cost as possible, but...when a friend of mine mentioned crib sheets decorated with poppies, I RAN WITH IT! And got a few items on major sale! I couldn't help it! And it has turned out SO GREAT!

Color palette for her room: 
Light yellow for the wall color, pops or red and light green.

Existing in nursery:
I did reuse a lot of items from the boys to help save some $$:
Green gingham curtains
Lamp with the matching green gingham shade
Mickey Lamp with cross stitch shade-made by my mom. That was in my room growing up.
Table used as a changing table,
changing table pad with cover with the green polka dots
Crib
Cross stitch Precious Moments Noah's Ark: My mom made that about 30 years ago
Bookshelf
Quilt hanging on the wall: My mom made that when I was about 9 years old and I claimed it for my kids!
Green "Shrek" chair. (We inherited it from my grandmother and it seems to be a very popular piece. We have another one in our room and another rocker but that is a crushed velvet in yellow. All from the 70's)

What we got:
Crib Sheets and quilt: Little Unicorn-
Crib Skirt: Pottery Barn Kids- Petter Rabbit Nursery Bedding
Wall Decals: Room Mates Peel and Stick Décor- Poppies At Play Giant Wall Decals
Pictures: Lowe's- Poppies Double Set (lucky find!) & Greg Olsen- Forever and Ever
Swaddle Blankets: Aden & Anais- RED

Enjoy the sneak peek!










Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey!